They are way too generous to Wu Zetian. She is notorious for her bloodthirsty court intrigue. She was eventually overthrown, and exiled into a corner of palace, where she died.
According to historical records, Gaozhong's father, Daizhong picked Gaozhong because he knew that his son was a nice guy and would follow his father's instruction to the letter. Since Daizhong basically set up the flawlessly working system, that was all Daizhong cared. However, he did not take into account that one of his youngest concubine, Wu Zetian, would manage to entice Gaozhong and turned him into a henpecked husband. When Gaozhong later got sick and basically went into coma, Wu Zetian wrest imperial power, by forcing the crown prince to transfer power to her. She renamed the country, and installed herself as a rule. Many rebellions were launched against her. She killed many merely based on suspicion. The power struggle did not spread to the entire country. However, imperial court was always bloody.
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