In an era like the Tang Dynasty, a young and handsome young man became the favorite of the powerful empress Wu Zetian for 700 years, and the 20-year-old Zhang Changzong not only got the favor of the 77-year-old empress Wu Zetian, but also had an ulterior affair with the famous female official Shangguan Wan'er in the palace.
In the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian, as the only empress in Chinese history, was recognized for her wisdom and skill. But there are also many lesser-known stories in her personal life. Zhang Changzong, whose name may not be as resounding as Wu Zetian in the long river of history, is no less dramatic and complex in his story.
Zhang Changzong was originally the male favorite of Princess Taiping, because Princess Taiping wanted to please her mother, so she dedicated him to Wu Zetian. After Wu Zetian lost two important male favorites, Zhang Changzong's appearance undoubtedly brought a lot of comfort to her later life. With his handsome appearance and skillful speech, this young man quickly won the favor of Wu Zetian and quickly rose to the rank of important minister in the court.
Zhang's ambitions don't stop there. In a place like the court, which seems to be gorgeous but is actually full of danger, everyone is constantly calculating for their own benefit. Although Zhang Changzong is loyal to Wu Zetian on the surface, his heart is full of yearning for free love. It was driven by this emotion that he had a personal affair with Shangguan Wan'er.
Shangguan Wan'er's life experience is also miserable, she was originally the granddaughter of the prime minister, but because of political changes, she and her mother were forced to become female officials in the palace. She is not only beautiful, but also extremely talented, and these qualities deeply attracted Zhang Changzong. The meeting between the two in the palace can be said to be fate.
Their relationship developed quietly in the palace, and whenever Wu Zetian fell asleep in the dead of night, Zhang Changzong would quietly come to Shangguan Wan'er's room. The time the two spent together was short but sweet, and they shared the passion and vision of the future that is unique to young people. Such happiness is built on extremely dangerous foundations.
As time passed, Zhang Changzong's position in the court grew, and he and his brother Zhang Yizhi almost controlled the government. This expansion of power makes them begin to ignore the dangers around them. Although Wu Zetian is old, her political sense is still keen, and her trust and favor for Zhang Changzong have not completely overshadowed her vigilance. Wu Zetian's intelligence network was all over the palace, and the relationship between Zhang Changzong and Shangguan Wan'er did not escape her eyes after all.
At a palace banquet, Wu Zetian deliberately mentioned the topic of loyalty and betrayal, and his words were full of deep meaning. Although Zhang Changzong's face did not change, the fear in his heart was already surging like a surging river. He knew that once Wu Zetian began to doubt him, then the fate of him and Shangguan Wan'er would be very miserable.
This pressure led Zhang Changzong to consider more self-preservation strategies, and he tried to consolidate his position through more political marriages and alliances. However, Game of Thrones is always brutal, especially in front of an extremely intelligent and ruthless empress like Wu Zetian, where any small mistake can become a fatal weakness.
With this, Shangguan Wan'er's mood is becoming more and more complicated. She is deeply in love with Zhang Changzong, but at the same time she is aware of the delicate place of her status and emotions in the power structure of the entire court. She began to become more involved in the cultural and educational activities of the court, trying to gain more respect and security for herself. The love between her and Zhang Changzong, although beautiful, is also full of uncertainty and danger.
Finally, in a coup d'état in 705, Zhang Changzong and his brother were brutally murdered on charges of usurping power and rebellion. Although Wu Zetian couldn't bear it, in order to maintain her throne and the stability of the imperial court, she still decided to eradicate this potential threat. Shangguan Wan'er survived this turmoil, but her life has never been as bright as it used to be.
The story of Zhang Changzong and Shangguan Wan'er is a tragic love story in a feudal dynasty. Their love, on the surface, is sweet and romantic, but behind it lies countless political calculations and dangers. Whether it was Wu Zetian as the empress, or Zhang Changzong and Shangguan Wan'er as favored ministers and female officials, their lives and choices were deeply influenced by the political and social environment of the time.