The Life of Princess Taiping: The Most Favored Princess, Yet Unable to Become a Second Wu Zetian

Hello everyone, welcome to History and Culture. Many history enthusiasts first encountered Princess Taiping through the once immensely popular TV drama Palace of Desire, Daming Gongzi. In the series, her romance with her consort Xue Xiao was portrayed as tender and touching, moving countless young viewers. Back then, some even joked that an entire generation of girls was enchanted by this grand Tang love story, daydreaming about time traveling to the Tang dynasty, becoming Princess Taiping for a while, and marrying a consort like Xue Xiao, from a prestigious family, refined and elegant. How wonderful that would be! But when we truly return to history, we find that the real Princess Taiping and Xue Xiao lacked the many romanticizable details seen in modern historical dramas. Even Xue Xiao himself has no independent biography in the Old Book of Tang or New Book of Tang. What we know about his life is quite limited. It was not until November 2019, in the airport new city of Shixian New District, Shaanxi, that a Tang dynasty tomb, dormant for over 1,300 years, was discovered. The tomb owner was none other than Tang consort Xue Xiao. Although the tomb had been damaged in earlier years, the intact chamber structure and site still provided rare clues for later generations, allowing us to approach, from a material perspective, that segment of Princess Taiping's married life, which history books only lightly touched upon. Speaking of Princess Taiping, her background is nearly unmatched in Chinese history. In the ordinary sense, a princess is the emperor's daughter. But not only was her father an emperor. Her mother later became one as well. Such an identity can truly be called unprecedented and unparalleled. Yet even so, Princess Taiping's life did not escape the most common roles for ancient women. She remained a daughter, a wife, a mother. Today, when many people mention Tang dynasty women, they often associate them with images of openness, freedom, and elegance. Thinking they could wear Hu-style clothing, ride fine horses, and gallop freely through the streets of Chang'an. But this impression comes more from later generations' imaginations than from the reality of the time. In the Tang people's own views, the ideal woman from a young age had to learn restraint, etiquette, and household skills, understand forbearance, and also be literate and numerate, only then qualifying as accomplished. Even from aristocratic families, the rules were no fewer, what about a princess? Especially one like Princess Taiping. Deeply favored by her parents. Could she ignore all the rules? From historical records, Princess Taiping was indeed far freer than ordinary women. She was Wuzetian's only surviving daughter. And history notes that Empress Wu doted on her extraordinarily. Material abundance aside. Emotionally, she seems never to have lacked care. After Princess Taiping's maternal grandmother passed away. Wuzetian once had her daughter take Taoist vows. To pray for blessings for the family. But this did not mean truly leaving palace life. Later, when Tubo requested a marriage alliance with the Tang. Wuzetian did not wish to send her daughter far away in marriage. So she conveniently had Princess Taiping reside in a Taoist temple. Using this to politely decline the marriage proposal. In the Tang dynasty, princesses becoming Taoist nuns was not uncommon. Among the over 200 Tang princesses recorded in history. More than 20 had similar experiences. The temples they lived in were often luxuriously furnished. And their lives were even more comfortable than in the palace. Princess Taiping. Of course, had no intention of being a nun for life. Once, at a palace banquet. She deliberately wore military official attire. And danced to entertain her parents. Emperor Gaozong and Wuzetian watched with delight. Smiling as they asked why she was dressed that way. Princess Taiping subtly expressed her hope. That this outfit. Be bestowed upon her future consort. This was almost equivalent to openly telling her parents she wanted to marry. At the time. An emperor's daughter, though seemingly noble. Often faced awkward marriages. Traditional aristocratic families looked down on the imperial upstarts. While emerging bureaucrats were not particularly interested in princesses. Moreover, Tang princesses were often seen as strong-willed. Causing many families to have reservations. But Princess Taiping was different. She was her parents' most beloved daughter. And ultimately, the imperial family carefully selected Xueshao for her. Xueshao came from the Hedong Xue clan. A universally recognized prestigious family of the time. His family produced talents generation after generation. His father held the rank of general. And his mother was Emperor Taizong's daughter with Empress Zhang's son, Princess Chengyang. Xueshao held official positions from childhood. Already at the sixth rank as a youth. Such a starting point was enough to make countless scholars envious for a lifetime. In the second year of Yonglong. Princess Taiping married in the most carefree years of her life. The grandeur of Princess Taiping's wedding. Left extremely rare details in historical records. On the wedding day. The Wanyan County office was temporarily used as the wedding venue. But the princess's bridal carriage was too large. To pass through the gate. Requiring part of the wall to be dismantled for entry. For the nighttime ceremony to illuminate the roads. Fireworks were set off all the way from the palace. At enormous expense. Such scale was utterly unique, even in the Tang dynasty. After marriage. History records no daily interactions between Princess Taiping and Xueshao. But it is precisely this absence of negative records. That serves as a kind of proof. If the couple were discordant or behaved improperly. Historians would rarely overlook it. In the seven years of Princess Taiping and Xueshao's marriage. They had four children. Which to some extent reflects that their relationship was relatively stable. However, this period of relative calm. Did not last long. Xueshao's elder brother became involved in a political incident where imperial clan members opposed Wuzetian. Xueshao was implicated. Imprisoned and investigated. And ultimately died in prison. At only 29 years old. That year, Princess Taiping's life. Was completely transformed. Soon after, Wuzetian formally proclaimed herself emperor. On the other hand, after Xueshao's death. Princess Taiping was quickly arranged to remarry. Her husband a member of the Wu clan, Wu Yuji. This marriage was more the result of political considerations. The couple left no offspring. From this moment, Princess Taiping's life trajectory. Began gradually diverging from the path of ordinary women. She was no longer just a princess, wife. And mother, but thrust into the core of power. Princess Taiping assisted her mother in recommending trusted aides. And participated in key political changes at critical moments. In Wuzetian's later years. When she was gravely ill. With undercurrent surging inside and outside the palace. Princess Taiping allied with ministers. To facilitate a smooth power transition. Restoring Emperor Zhongzong to the throne. Subsequently, in another palace coup. Princess Taiping cooperated with Li Longji. To eliminate political rivals and support Emperor Ruizhong's ascension. After two successful actions. Princess Taiping's status reached unprecedented heights. Her fief reached ten thousand households. Her sons were in theft as princes. And she became one of the most influential women in the empire. But power is never a free gift. As time passed. Contradictions between Princess Taiping and her nephew Li Longji gradually deepened. The two sides engaged in a struggle over succession and decision-making rights. Probing and guarding against each other. Ultimately heading toward confrontation. In the second year of Xiantian. Princess Taiping's side attempted once more to control the situation. But this time. The tide was no longer on her side. The incident was quickly suppressed, related forces eliminated. Princess Taiping's freedom of movement restricted. And she ultimately ended her life at home. Thus concluded Princess Taiping's life. As relevant historians have commented. Princess Taiping was once the most favored daughter. The most glamorous princess of the prosperous Tang. And had enjoyed a peaceful marriage and family. But in the end, she could not become a second Wu Zetian. History gave her the opportunity to approach power. Yet clearly drew the line. A princess, after all, could only be a princess. 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