How did Wu Zetian handle the abnormal relationship between Wu Shun and Li Zhi after learning about it

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Lady Wu Shun of Korea was the daughter of the founding hero of the Tang Dynasty, warrior Wu, and the sister of Empress Wu Zetian. Due to Wu Zetian’s unparalleled position in the palace, she frequently entered and exited the harem. Over time, she unexpectedly developed an abnormal relationship with Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi. Not only that, Wu Shun’s daughter later also had such a relationship with Tang Gaozong.
(Korean Lady)
How did Wu Zetian handle this matter after learning about it?
Let’s first talk about why Wu Shun had an abnormal relationship with Tang Gaozong.
1、 Wu Zetian was very dominant and specialized in the harem, which made Tang Gaozong dissatisfied.
According to the imperial palace system of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, should have many concubines such as the Four Consorts, Nine Zhaoyi, Nine Jieyu, Four Beauties, Five Talents, and Eighty One Imperial Wives. But after Wu Zetian was enthroned as empress, she decisively abolished the system of concubines. Not only did it significantly reduce the number of concubines, but even the names and functions of the concubines changed. She gave various strange official titles to the concubines and packaged them as female officials in the palace, thereby reducing the opportunities for contact between the concubines and Emperor Gaozong.
In this context, Emperor Gaozong actually lived a monogamous life, facing Wu Zetian alone all day long. Although other concubines also wanted to gain favor from Emperor Gaozong, they were intimidated by Wu Zetian’s dominance and took advantage of the signatures of Consort Xiao Shufei and Empress Wang. Most of them kept a distance from Emperor Gaozong and dared not act recklessly.
2、 Tang Gaozong’s emotional life was empty, lonely, and cold, and he needed comfort.
Due to Emperor Gaozong’s weak and sickly health, he often experienced dizziness, numbness in his arms, and difficulty concentrating. Therefore, he mostly handed over the political power to Wu Zetian for handling. Over time, the courtiers became accustomed to following Wu Zetian’s instructions, and Emperor Gaozong’s presence became increasingly weak. When Emperor Gaozong realized that his power had declined, the situation had become uncontrollable, and all of his trusted ministers had been cut off by Empress Wu Zetian, leaving not a single person to confide in.
At this moment, Emperor Gaozong was extremely depressed, lonely, lost, and helpless. In the vast palace, it seemed that only he, Li Zhi, was superfluous. He desperately needed someone else’s comfort. There are three thousand beauties in the harem, but he can only have the weak water of Empress Wu Zetian. At this moment, Wu Shun, who was in her thirties, appeared in front of Emperor Gaozong. With the typical tolerance of a mature woman, she comforted Emperor Gaozong’s wounded heart and quietly listened to his grievances. Emperor Gaozong also regained some imperial dignity from Wu Shun to some extent. So, Emperor Gaozong held onto Wu Shun tightly as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, unable to let go.
(Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty)
3、 Wushun has favorable conditions for contacting Emperor Gaozong.
Wu Shun initially married Helan Yueshi and had a son named Helan Minzhi and a daughter named Helan Shi. But Helan Yue Shi died early, and the young Wu Shun guarded the widow, enduring the inner torment alone.
Due to Wu Zetian’s relationship, Wu Shun’s entry and exit of the harem were like returning home. The frequency of meeting with Emperor Gaozong has been increasing day by day. Although Wu Shun’s appearance cannot be described as unparalleled, he bears some resemblance to Wu Zetian and still retains his charm. Moreover, Wu Shun is gentle and kind, unlike Wu Zetian who is tough and domineering. For Emperor Gaozong, who lived in the shadow of Wu Zetian all day long, Wu Shun’s appearance perfectly filled the void in Gaozong’s heart.
Thus, Wu Shun was naturally embraced by Emperor Gaozong.
Emperor Gaozong not only favored Wu Shun, but also set his sights on his daughter, Helan Shi. The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government states that ‘the beauty of a sensitive person’s appearance and the beauty of their youthful appearance’. Compared to Wu Shun, the Helan clan possessed both beauty, intelligence, liveliness, and an age advantage. Once the Helan clan gained the favor of the king, it made Emperor Gaozong unable to resist.
So, how did Wu Zetian deal with Wu Shun and her daughter?
(Still of Wu Zetian)
The matter between Wu Shun’s mother and daughter and Emperor Gaozong was eventually discovered by Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian found the most appropriate time to block Emperor Gaozong and Wu Shun in bed.
Seeing Wu Zetian suddenly break in, Wu Shun’s face turned pale and his words were incoherent.
Wu Shun hurriedly left after tidying up, but was stopped by Wu Zetian, who threw down a sentence: “If I hadn’t cared about sisterhood, you would have ended up like Queen Wang. Please take care of yourself
Gaozong stood awkwardly on the side, silent.
Shortly afterwards, Wu Shun died mysteriously, with the cause of death unknown. Emperor Gaozong also conducted an investigation, but there was no clue.
After Wu Shun’s death, Wu Zetian immediately took action to deal with the Helan clan.
Coincidentally, Gaozong was granted a Zen at Mount Taishan Mountain. Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun, two cousins of Empress Wu Zetian, accompanied them, and presented some delicacies to Gaozong for his taste.
Wu Zetian believed that the opportunity had finally come, and she came up with a plan to kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, she could take the opportunity to eliminate the brothers Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun, who had always disrespected her; Secondly, one can also use a knife to kill and eliminate the Helan clan without anyone noticing.
So she invited the Helan family to taste the delicious food brought by the Wu brothers, and secretly poisoned the Helan family’s food. The Helan family came to the palace full of joy. After eating the food, their seven orifices bled and they died from poisoning.
Wu Zetian firmly believed that it was the Wu brothers who wanted to harm her, but were accidentally eaten by the Helan family, causing the Helan family to poison and die. Now, even though the Wu family had thousands of mouths, they couldn’t defend themselves. They jumped into the Yellow River and couldn’t even wash themselves clean, so they were executed by beheading.
From then on, Emperor Gaozong dared not have any ulterior motives and favored Wu Zetian alone until his death.
(Reference: Old Book of Tang)