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Princess Taiping太平公主

TangHistory × Fiction

Beloved daughter of Wu Zetian, first married to Xue Shao, then to Wu Youji. She plotted to execute Huaiyi, participated in the coup to support Emperor Ruizong, wielded great power, plotted to depose Emperor Xuanzong, and was finally ordered to commit suicide.

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DIRECT FIGURES
24
RELATION RECORDS
44
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Princess Taiping, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

7 figures · 7 records
4 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

6 figures · 9 records
3 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

15 figures · 21 records
12 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 3 records
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12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

Sister of Emperor Zhongzong, titled Princess Taiping of Zhenguo. Princess Taiping of Zhenguo, granted additional fief. She requested restoration of Wu Youji's tomb, later plotted rebellion and was executed.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

Beloved daughter of the Empress Dowager, first married to Xue Shao, then to Wu Youji. Daughter of the Empress Dowager, plotted to execute Huaiyi. Favored by the Empress Dowager, competed with Princess Anle in grass fighting.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    25 profile notes
    17 relations17 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang→ order suicide →Princess Taiping
    • Princess Taiping→ accomplice →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→ siblings →Princess Taiping
    • Princess Taiping→ support enthronement →Emperor Ruizong
    Verified original text · 17
    1. 赐死于家

      order suicide · Old Book of Tang, 外戚传

    2. 临淄王讳与太平公主子薛崇简

      accomplice · Old Book of Tang, 中宗睿宗本纪

    15 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    8 profile notes
    7 relations4 verified quotations
    • Li Longji→ prevent →Princess Taiping
    • Princess Taiping→ plot against →Li Longji
    • Princess Taiping→ exploit →Xiao Zhizhong
    • Princess Anle→ grass fight →Princess Taiping
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 赐死于家

      order suicide · Romance of Sui and Tang, 078

    2. 谋欲废之，日夜进谗于睿宗

      plot against · Romance of Sui and Tang, 078

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    33 profile notes
    27 relations30 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang→ order suicide →Princess Taiping
    • Princess Taiping→ plotted deposition →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Princess Taiping→ accomplice →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang→ aunt niece →Princess Taiping
    Verified original text · 30
    1. 赐死于第

      order suicide · New Book of Tang, ch. 83

    2. 主闻变，亡入南山，三日不出，赐死于第。

      order suicide · New Book of Tang, 诸帝公主传

    28 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

In the official history, Princess Taiping secretly plotted to lure and kill Xue Huaiyi, and the novel faithfully reproduces the plot of selecting strong women to set an ambush and execute the villain.

  • attestedPrincess Taiping designed to lure and execute Xue Huaiyi

    The New Book of Tang, Biographies of the Sons of the Three Ancestors, records: 'At that time, Princess Taiping had a sinister plan.' Empress Wu Zetian ordered her to eliminate the arrogant and disfavored Xue Huaiyi. The princess selected strong women, shut them in beneath Yaoguang Hall, and had them beat him to death. In Chapter 74 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Princess Taiping, seeing Empress Wu angered, volunteered, saying, 'Tomorrow I will put him to death for you.' She then dispatched robust palace maids to lure Huaiyi to a secluded spot and kill him. The mastermind and method are both taken from official history.

Relationship network

25 figures · 196 links
Princess TaipingPrincess TaipingEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangWu ZetianWu ZetianEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangZhang YueZhang YueWu HouWu HouEmperor RuizongEmperor RuizongSong JingSong JingZhang YizhiZhang YizhiLai JunchenLai JunchenLi LongjiYao ChongXiao ZhizhongWu ChengsiZhang ChangzongPrincess AnleCui ShiDou HuaizhenEmpress WeiCen XiXue JiWei AnshiKing PingLu Xiangxian
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: New Book of Tang, 三宗诸子传; Old Book of Tang, 中宗睿宗本纪; Romance of Sui and Tang, 073; New Book of Tang, 二王韦陆二李杜传; Old Book of Tang, 于志宁高季辅张行成传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 074; New Book of Tang, 于志宁曾孙 休烈四世孙 敖附 庞严五世孙 琮高冯张行成族子 易之 昌宗传; Old Book of Tang, 刘幽求锺绍京郭元振张说传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.