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en Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history, who ruled the Tang dynasty for more than 20 years. She was a controversial figure, with some praising her as a capable and visionary ruler, while others criticising her as a ruthless and power-hungry tyrant. Her reign ended with her death in 705, at the age of 80 or 81, but the circumstances of her death are still debated by historians.
According to the official records of the Tang dynasty, Wu Zetian died of natural causes, after a long and prosperous reign. Her body was embalmed and placed in a golden coffin, which was later interred in the Qianling Mausoleum, together with her husband Emperor Gaozong. The ceremony was grand and solemn, with thousands of officials and commoners paying their respects to the deceased empress.
However, some historians believe that Wu Zetian was actually assassinated by her own family members, who conspired to seize power from her. The most popular theory is that her own son, Li Xian, who succeeded her as emperor after her death, poisoned her with a slow-acting but lethal substance, and then staged a fake funeral to cover up the crime. This theory is supported by some evidence, such as the sudden illness and death of Wu Zetian's loyal eunuch Gao Lishi, who was suspected to have discovered the conspiracy but was silenced by the plotters. Additionally, some of Wu Zetian's political enemies, who were imprisoned or exiled by her, might have taken revenge on her by collaborating with her scheming family members.
Despite the lack of conclusive proof, the conspiracy theories have captured the imagination of many people, and have inspired numerous books, movies, and TV series about Wu Zetian and her alleged assassination. Some portray her as a tragic victim of greed and treachery, while others depict her as a cunning and ruthless empress who got what she deserved in the end. Regardless of the truth, the death of Wu Zetian remains a fascinating and controversial topic in Chinese history.