Why did Li Zhi become infatuated with Wu Zetian, who was older than him? Below, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you a detailed article introduction.
Li Zhi, born in 628 AD, was the ninth son of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. The third emperor of the Tang Dynasty reigned for 34 years and was posthumously honored with the title of Emperor Taizong and the temple name Gaozong. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, had a total of 14 sons, among whom his eldest son Li Chengqian, fourth son Li Tai, and ninth son Li Zhi were born to the empress, while the other sons were all born to concubines in the imperial harem.
However, when it came to the matter of establishing a crown prince, Li Shimin failed to practice and established a bad one.
In terms of establishing a crown prince, he once considered his eldest son Li Chengqian and fourth son Li Tai, but due to the misconduct of his two sons, they framed each other and ultimately both suffered losses. The eldest son rebelled and was demoted to a commoner, while the fourth son was repeatedly implicated and imprisoned.
Two sons favored by Li Shimin were abolished due to their ruthless struggle, while the gentle and unpopular ninth son Li Zhi took advantage of the situation and became the heir to the throne.
Let’s talk about Wu Zetian again. She was born in 624 AD and entered the palace at the age of 14, becoming a talented person of Li Shimin. During Li Shimin’s serious illness, 24-year-old Wu Zetian met 20-year-old Crown Prince Li Zhi.
Li Zhi, who lost his mother at a young age, had a gentle and cowardly personality. When he saw Wu Zetian, this understanding and beautiful elder sister, he was immediately captivated and developed into a sibling relationship.
Li Zhi is the ninth son of Li Shimin, so Li Shimin did not take special care of him. When Li Zhi met his gentle and beautiful elder sister Wu Zetian, he felt warmth and was deeply immersed in her.
In May 649 AD, Emperor Taizong of Tang passed away. According to the regulations of the imperial palace, Empress Wu Zetian cut her hair together with those concubines who had never given birth, and was sent to the temple to accompany the ancient Buddha with green lanterns.
May of the first year of Yonghui, which is 650 AD. On the anniversary of Emperor Taizong’s death, Li Zhi, as the emperor, presided over the sacrificial ceremony. Later, he went to the temple to burn incense and saw Wu Zetian’s sad yet moving smile, which awakened his old love. So he abandoned the old rules of Buddhist rituals and returned to the palace with his old lover Wu Zetian.
In fact, Li Zhi’s personality is a bit timid and indecisive.
When Li Zhi saw the bold, witty, and intelligent Wu Zetian, this personality difference doubled his fondness for her. Tang Gaozong was infatuated with Wu Zetian not because of her beauty, but because of her complementary personality.
These traits fascinate the cowardly and indecisive Li Zhi.
In other words, what Li Zhi likes is what he lacks. He was deeply fascinated by Wu Zetian’s heroic and graceful imperial style. Wu Zetian proved throughout her life that she truly lived up to Li Zhi’s infatuation. Whether as a woman or an empress, her talent and political ability make her the only empress in thousands of years.
Perhaps Wu Zetian’s favorite in her heart was Li Shimin, but he and Li Zhi worked together and spent her brilliant life together.
Whose life is without regrets? It can be said that Wu Zetian’s life had the least regrets!
