Her tomb stands beside Gaozong's. In front of it is a blank stone stele.
No inscription.
No official praise.
No condemnation.
Her enemies called her:
Tyrant
Murderer
Usurper
Her achievements include:
Strengthening the civil service system
Expanding imperial authority
Promoting social mobility
Stabilizing the empire during transition
She was the only woman in over two thousand years of imperial Chinese history to rule in her own name as emperor.
Was she ruthless?
Yes.
Was she extraordinary?
Undeniably.
In a world that denied women sovereignty, she did not ask for permission.
She took the dragon throne.
And for fifteen years, the Son of Heaven was a woman.