Princess Taiping facts for kids

Princess Taiping (Chinese: 太平公主; pinyin: Tàipíng Gōngzhǔ, meaning "Princess of Great Peace") was a very important royal princess. She lived during the Tang dynasty and her mother Wu Zetian's Zhou dynasty. She was the youngest daughter of Empress Wu Zetian and Emperor Gaozong. Princess Taiping had a lot of influence during her mother's rule. She was also powerful when her older brothers, Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong, were emperors. During Emperor Ruizong's second time as emperor, she was the real power behind the throne for three years.

Princess Taiping is known as one of the most famous and powerful princesses in history of China. She was very involved in the political events of her time. After a major change in government against Empress Dowager Wei, Princess Taiping became extremely influential. During Emperor Ruizong's reign, she had great freedom. The emperor often made decisions based on her ideas. Many officials and military leaders supported her. Her power grew even bigger than the emperor's.

However, Princess Taiping eventually had a rivalry with her nephew, Li Longji. He was Emperor Ruizong's son and the crown prince. Both wanted to have the most power. After Emperor Ruizong gave the throne to Li Longji (who became Emperor Xuanzong) in 712, their conflict became very open. In 713, Emperor Xuanzong believed Princess Taiping was planning to overthrow him. He acted first, removing many of her powerful supporters. Princess Taiping was then forced to end her life.

Early Life and First Marriage

Princess Taiping's exact birth year is not known. But she was the youngest of six children born to Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Empress Wu. When she was born, her mother, Empress Wu, already held much power. Empress Wu was the real ruler behind Emperor Gaozong.

In 670, Empress Wu's mother passed away. Empress Wu had Princess Taiping become a Taoist nun. This was done to gain good fortune for her mother. Later, when Emperor Gaozong was making a peace treaty with Tufan, the Tufan king wanted to marry Princess Taiping. Emperor Gaozong said no. As an excuse, he built a Taoist temple called Taiping Temple. He made Princess Taiping the head of this temple.

In 681, Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu chose Xue Shao to be Princess Taiping's husband. Xue Shao was the son of Emperor Gaozong's sister, Princess Chengyang. So, he was Princess Taiping's cousin. They had a grand wedding in the fall of 681. It was said that so many torches were used in the parade. The heat and smoke even caused some trees along the streets to die. Princess Taiping and Xue Shao had two sons, Xue Chongxun and Xue Chongjian. They also had a daughter, Lady Wanquan.

Growing Influence in Politics

Emperor Gaozong died in 683. Princess Taiping's older brother, Li Zhe, became Emperor Zhongzong. But the real power stayed with Empress Wu. She became the empress dowager and regent. In 684, Emperor Zhongzong tried to rule more independently. Empress Wu removed him and put another brother, Li Dan (who became Emperor Ruizong), on the throne. Empress Wu then held power even more tightly. She saw Princess Taiping as very similar to herself. Because of this, she favored Princess Taiping greatly. They often talked about important government matters.

In 688, a rebellion against Empress Dowager Wu failed. Princess Taiping's husband, Xue Shao, was found to have been involved. He lost his life.

In 690, Empress Dowager Wu wanted Princess Taiping to marry Wu Youji. He was a grandson of Empress Dowager Wu's uncle. Wu Youji was already married. Empress Dowager Wu arranged for his wife to be removed so Princess Taiping could marry him. With Wu Youji, Princess Taiping had two more sons, Wu Chongmin and Wu Chongxing. They also had a daughter. A possible second daughter, Lady Yonghe, was also born to them.

Later in 690, Empress Dowager Wu had Emperor Ruizong give the throne to her. She started her own Zhou dynasty. This paused the Tang dynasty.

Princess Taiping continued to be involved in politics. She recommended Zhang Changzong to serve her mother. In 697, a secret police official named Lai Junchen was accused of planning to accuse Princess Taiping and others of treason. Princess Taiping and her family members accused Lai of crimes. Empress Wu Zetian had Lai removed from power.

In 699, Wu Zetian made Li Xian, Li Dan, and Princess Taiping swear an oath together. They promised to coexist peacefully after her death. These oaths were carved on iron and kept in the imperial records.

Power During Emperor Zhongzong's Second Reign

In 705, a group of officials led a coup. They removed Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong. They also overthrew Wu Zetian. Li Xian was restored to the throne as Emperor Zhongzong. Princess Taiping was part of this coup. After Emperor Zhongzong returned to power, he gave her a special title. It was Zhenguo Taiping Gongzhu, meaning "the Princess Taiping who secured the state."

She also received her own grand palace. She became very wealthy and powerful. Emperor Zhongzong even sent special Imperial Army guards to protect her mansion. This showed her very high position. In 706, she and other princesses were allowed to have their own staff. This was similar to imperial princes. They ran a government-like structure. Princess Taiping became one of the most powerful women at court. However, her power was challenged by Emperor Zhongzong's wife, Empress Wei, and his daughter, Li Guo'er. These three women often competed for power.

Empress Wei and Li Guo'er had a lot of control during Emperor Zhongzong's reign. They lived very lavishly. Both tried to be like Wu Zetian. Empress Wei sat behind a curtain next to the emperor. She helped make military and civil decisions. Li Guo'er caused problems with her father's government. She tried to convince Emperor Zhongzong to make her crown princess. Both Empress Wei and Li Guo'er sold government jobs. They also harmed people who disagreed with them. Princess Taiping tried to warn Emperor Zhongzong about their actions. But her efforts were not successful. She rarely visited the imperial palace because she feared them.

Princess Taiping worked with Li Longji, her nephew. They started to build relationships with imperial guard commanders. She also gained support from many mid-level officials. This helped her expand her power. She aimed to compete with Empress Wei and Princess Anle. She also sought to protect herself and her brother Li Dan.

A New Coup and Emperor Ruizong's Return

Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly in 710. Many historians believe Empress Wei and Li Guo'er caused his death. They wanted Empress Wei to become emperor. After his death, Empress Wei tried to gain full control. She ordered the palace and capital to be sealed. She brought her allied officials into the palace. She also moved 50,000 soldiers into Chang'an City.

However, Princess Taiping found out about Emperor Zhongzong's death quickly. Princess Taiping and Consort Shangguan Wan'er wrote a will for Emperor Zhongzong. This will tried to balance power. It named Emperor Zhongzong's son, Li Chongmao, as the new emperor. Empress Wei would be empress dowager and regent, helped by Li Dan. Empress Wei's cousin, Wei Wen, changed the will. He removed Li Dan as co-regent. So, Li Chongmao became Emperor Shang, and Empress Wei became empress dowager and regent. This change upset Princess Taiping. She and her supporters began to plan against Empress Dowager Wei.

Empress Dowager Wei's family members advised her to take the throne. They also suggested removing Li Dan and Princess Taiping. An official named Cui Riyong told Li Dan's son, Li Longji, about their plan. Li Longji then conspired with Princess Taiping. Princess Taiping's son, Xue Chongjian, also joined. Several low-level officials joined too. Imperial guard officers also joined the plot. They were unhappy with Empress Wei's nephews.

Princess Taiping helped plan the coup. She provided money and gathered supporters. On July 21, the conspirators acted. They first killed Wei Bo and Gao Song. Then, they attacked the palace. Li Longji led 10,000 soldiers directly into the palace. He looked for Empress Dowager Wei and Li Guo'er. Empress Dowager Wei tried to flee but was killed. Li Guo'er and others were also killed. Li Longji then removed many officials from Empress Dowager Wei's group. After this, Princess Taiping, Li Longji, and Li Longji's brother urged Li Dan to take the throne again.

Ruling an Empire with Emperor Ruizong

After Emperor Ruizong returned to the throne, Princess Taiping received an amazing title. It was Zhenguo Taiping Gongzhu Wanhou. This means "the Princess Taiping who secured the state and has the obedience of all." This title showed her great power.

The emperor's decree publicly stated that Princess Taiping had saved the empire. Emperor Ruizong trusted Princess Taiping completely. She became as honored as an empress in the palace. She discussed and helped decide all military and state matters. When officials made proposals, the emperor told them to talk with Princess Taiping and Li Longji (who was now crown prince) first. Then, he would make his decision. Princess Taiping had decision-making power on many government issues. She could often decide if officials were promoted or demoted.

Her three sons were all made princes. She became extremely rich. Her mansion was like a palace, even more magnificent. Her palace was guarded by soldiers, just like the emperor's. Most chancellors, imperial guards, officials, and warlords were her allies. Princess Taiping became so powerful that she even surpassed Emperor Ruizong. She would often sit behind a curtain next to Emperor Ruizong during meetings. She gave him advice on state affairs. Officials took orders from her while she sat behind the screen. This was similar to her mother, Wu Zetian, and her sister-in-law, Empress Wei.

At first, Princess Taiping agreed to Li Longji becoming crown prince. She thought he was young and would be easy to control. This would help her keep her power. However, she soon saw that Li Longji was strong-willed. She realized he would not be easily influenced by her. She became worried. She often had officials close to her say that Li Longji was not a proper crown prince. She also paid Li Longji's staff to spy on him. She wanted to find faults with him. She worked with a group of officials, including chancellors Dou Huaizhen, Xiao Zhizhong, and Cen Xi. They wanted to find a way to remove Li Longji.

In 711, two chancellors, Song Jing and Yao Yuanzhi, tried to persuade Emperor Ruizong to make a plan. They believed it would stop Princess Taiping's plotting. They suggested sending Li Chengqi and Li Shouli out of the capital. These princes had strong claims to the throne. They also suggested sending Princess Taiping and Wu Youji to live in Luoyang. They proposed that Li Longji be in charge of most state affairs. Emperor Ruizong first agreed. He made the orders as suggested. But he sent Princess Taiping and Wu Youji only to Pu Prefecture, which was closer.

When Princess Taiping found out about the plan, she was very angry. She told Li Longji about her anger. Li Longji, fearing her, asked Emperor Ruizong to punish Song and Yao. He said they were trying to separate him from his family. Emperor Ruizong then demoted Song and Yao. He recalled Princess Taiping, Li Chengqi, and Li Shouli to the capital. After Song and Yao were removed, Princess Taiping suggested reversing a reform they had made. Emperor Ruizong agreed. That year, Princess Taiping also persuaded Emperor Ruizong to collect and publish the works of Shangguan Wan'er. She also asked for Wu Zetian's parents' tombs to be restored. Emperor Ruizong agreed to this too.

By winter 711, Princess Taiping's power had grown even more. Because of her recommendations, Emperor Ruizong changed his administration. He replaced several chancellors with people she recommended. These included Liu Youqiu, Wei Zhigu, Cui Shi, and Lu Xiangxian. The leaders of the Imperial Guards were also loyal to her.

In 712, Princess Taiping's husband, Wu Youji, passed away. Emperor Ruizong gave him the posthumous title of Prince of Ding.

Later that year, Princess Taiping had astrologers warn Emperor Ruizong. They said the constellation for the imperial throne showed a change in the emperor's position. She hoped Emperor Ruizong would suspect Li Longji of planning a coup. This way, she could remove Li Longji. Instead, Emperor Ruizong decided to pass the throne to Li Longji. Princess Taiping strongly opposed this. Li Longji first declined, but then accepted. He became Emperor Xuanzong. However, at Princess Taiping's suggestion, Emperor Ruizong kept much of his imperial power as Taishang Huang (retired emperor). His orders still had more power than Emperor Xuanzong's. Even the new emperor had to obey his rulings.

Power Struggle with Emperor Xuanzong

After Emperor Ruizong became the retired emperor, Princess Taiping remained very influential. She still had great power in government matters through Emperor Ruizong. Most chancellors, imperial guards, officials, and warlords were her allies. Five of the seven chancellors at the time were chosen because of her. This meant she still held the most power. The struggle between Princess Taiping and her nephew, Emperor Xuanzong, became more intense.

Later in 712, Liu Youqiu and General Zhang Wei planned to kill Princess Taiping's allies. They had Emperor Xuanzong's approval. But the plan was leaked. Emperor Xuanzong had to deny the plan. He also informed Emperor Ruizong. Liu, Zhang, and Deng were arrested. But after Emperor Xuanzong spoke for them, they were only exiled.

By 713, it was said that Princess Taiping and her allies were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was also rumored they planned to poison Emperor Xuanzong. When this plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong, he decided to act first. He met with his brothers and allies. On July 29, Emperor Xuanzong sent soldiers to kill Chang Yuankai and Li Ci. Then, Jia Yingfu, Li You, Xiao Zhizhong, and Cen Xi were arrested and executed. Dou Huaizhen fled and ended his own life. Xue Ji was forced to do the same. When Emperor Ruizong heard about this, he quickly went to a tower. He wanted to see what was happening. Guo Yuanzhen told him Emperor Xuanzong's intentions. Emperor Ruizong then had to confirm Emperor Xuanzong's actions. The next day, Emperor Ruizong officially gave all power to Emperor Xuanzong. He moved to a secondary palace.

Princess Taiping heard what happened to her allies. She fled to a temple in the mountains. She appeared three days later. Emperor Xuanzong ordered her to end her life. He also removed her sons and allies from power. However, he spared Xue Chongjian. Xue Chongjian had often advised Princess Taiping against keeping so much power. Emperor Xuanzong even gave Xue Chongjian the imperial family name, Li. Princess Taiping's belongings were taken by the government. It was said there was so much treasure and land that it took several years to count it all.

In Fiction and Popular Culture

• Portrayed by Chen Hong and Zhou Xun in Palace of Desire (2000)
• Portrayed by Zheng Shuang in Secret History of Empress Wu (2011)
• Portrayed by Zheng Shuang and Alyssa Chia in Secret History of Princess Taiping (2012)
• Portrayed by Kristy Yang in Women of the Tang Dynasty (2013)
• Portrayed by Alice Chan in Deep in the Realm of Conscience (2018)