How was Wu Zetian seen by Li Zhi after becoming a nun at the Gan Ye Temple

Why did Tang Gaozong and Li Zhi meet Wu Zetian, who had already become a nun at the Gan Ye Temple? Is this well-known to everyone? Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you relevant articles
Friends familiar with the history of the Tang Dynasty know that Empress Wu Zetian was once a talented figure of Emperor Taizong of Tang. After the death of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Wu Zetian became a nun at the Gan Ye Temple. In the first year of Yonghui (628 AD), Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty met Wu Zetian at the Gan Ye Temple and witnessed the scene of “Wu’s tears streaming down her face, and the heavens also shed tears”. Wu Zetian returned to the palace through her reunion with Emperor Gaozong of Tang and embarked on her journey as the empress.
Strangely, the socialization of nuns is greatly restricted, especially for “royal nuns” like Wu Zetian, whose socialization is limited to the Gan Ye Temple, where even family members cannot be seen casually. The social restrictions of ancient emperors were not much stronger than those of nuns, living in deep palaces. Since that’s the case, why did Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, meet Empress Wu Zetian, who had already become a nun at the Gan Ye Temple?
According to archaeological discoveries, Ganye is located in Liucunbao Township, Weiyang District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. According to historical records, the area where Gan Ye Temple is located is in the western part of the Forbidden Garden of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Palace. That is to say, Gan Ye Temple is not a temple facing society, but a dedicated temple located within the imperial palace of the Tang Dynasty. In a sense, Wu Zetian did not completely leave the imperial palace after the death of Emperor Taizong of Tang.
You should know that in ancient China, there were many concubines in the imperial palace, and not every concubine could give birth to children for the emperor. After the emperor’s death, concubines who did not have children were unable to return to their mother’s home or remarry, resulting in a loss of their source of livelihood. Throughout the dynasties, systems have been established to accommodate concubines who have not given birth. In the Tang Dynasty, the placement system allowed concubines who have not given birth to become monks in royal temples to make a living.
The Gan Ye Temple, where Wu Zetian became a monk, was actually a retirement home for retired concubines, and the successor emperor Tang Gaozong had the obligation to provide for and take care of these retired concubines. That’s why the Tang Dynasty emperor would visit the retired concubines of the late empress at the Gan Ye Temple every year to inquire about their difficulties or demands. Tang Gaozong also met Wu Zetian at the Gan Ye Temple as a result.