Before she was the most famous female ruler in Chinese history, Wu Mei Liang was a woman vying for her husbands’ love. While her first husband kept her at arm’s length by a prophecy foretelling a woman of Wu stealing the Tang Dynasty, her second husband welcomed her with open arms. During her time as a minor consort to Li Shi Min, she learned how an effective Emperor rule his court. Using that knowledge, she helped Li Zhi take back power from his Regent, and herself into the position of Empress. She co-ruled with Li Zhi until his death, after which she ruled the country in her own right.
