Author: Linkai
Last update: 2022, November 09th
Princess Taiping, the youngest daughter of Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian, was the most famous, influential and powerful princess of not only the Tang Dynasty, but also the entire history of ancient China.
There is no known description of her physical appearance in historical records, but her new skin from "Fate of The Empress" makes everyone wonder if she just went through the worst plastic surgery scandal in China to snatch the dancing spotlight at the front from Diaochan in a BLACKPINK concert, or if it’s… just aging.
(Do.you.believe.these.two.are.one.person???)
However, no matter how she looked, her intelligence was something that no man should underestimate, as she was the princess who successfully restored the whole Tang dynasty after her own mother Wu Zetian's reign; and was the real power behind the throne.
Back in her early life in 681, Princess Taiping was married to her cousin Xue Shao (Yes, you read that right. Marrying family members was very common in ancient China to secure the Royal bloodline). Two years later, Emperor Gaozong passed away, and was succeeded by Taiping's brother, Crown Prince Li Zhe. However, all the real power was in Wu Zetian's hands. After the failed rebellion against Empress Dowager Wu of Li Chong, the Xue family was suspected to have conspired with Li Chong. Xue Shao's brothers were beheaded, while he was starved to death in prison. At that time, Princess Taiping was pregnant with a second child from Xue Shao. The relationship between Princess Taiping and her mother had been broken since then.
(Xue Shao, casted by Winston Chao in the drama "Palace of Desire".
If die fast please don't be handsome)
Wu Zetian's cruelty didn't stop there. Seven years after Xue Shao's death, she wanted to remarry Taiping to Wu Youji, a grandson of Wu Zetian's uncle, in an attempt to maintain Wu's bloodline. However, Wu Youji was already married; so she hired someone to assassinate his wife so her daughter could marry him. That is, a very shady and cruel matchmaking service, I must say.
Holding the grudge from the death of her husband, Princess Taiping recommended Zhang Changzong and his brother Zhang Yizhi to serve Wu Zetian as lovers. With Wu Zetian's adoration, Changzong and Yizhi rose to power. They slandered Princess Yongtai, the sister of chancellor Zhang Jianzhi, and put her to death. Princess Taiping quickly corporates with Zhang Jianzhi. In 705, to revenge for the death of his sister, Zhang Jianzhi led a coup to overthrow Wu Zetian. Empress Dowager Wu tried to retaliate at first, but she was already in a losing position. Eventually, Princess Taiping persuaded her mother to surrender. Prince Li Xian was restored to the throne and brought back the Tang dynasty after 15 years of interruption. Princess Taiping was later given the title "Zhenguo Taiping Gongzhu", which means "The Princess Taiping who secured the state". Her mother, Wu Zetian, passed away 9 months after the event.
(Empress Wu Zetian and Princess Taiping in the drama "The secret history of Wu Zetian)
Princess Taiping, with her intelligence and talent, played a big role in securing the Tang dynasty. Sadly, she was also a cunning person with big ambition. When her power in the palace increased, she went down the same path as her mother when trying to become highly influential in government matters, ruling behind the thrones of the emperors, and stealing the power from her own nephew; who later became Emperor Xuanzong.
After her plot against Emperor Xuanzong failed, she was ordered to commit suicide at home and all of her sons were put to death, ending the life of a princess.
(Princess Taiping, casted by Alyssa Chia in "The secret history of Princess Taiping".
These ancient people had too many secrets tho)
Talking from a modern perspective, Princess Taiping's life can only be concluded in 2 words: Sad and Lonely. Her husband was killed by her own mother, her mother was indirectly killed by herself, and she was killed by her own nephew. There was no one she could trust, and as a woman in ancient China history, it's impressive that she could go so far.
For that reason, I think she deserves to be a GR hero instead of just a free UR, and FOTE should make Helan Ci a UR hero. Not because I want to get him through summon, ok?
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Princess Taiping has always been one of my favorite heroes in the game. I think of her very kick butt. It is sad knowing her life was like this though.