My name is Qu Lanzhou. I was born in Chang'an in the 18th year of Chuyuan, into a rising military family. I was the illegitimate daughter of Qu Yancheng, Duke of Qu and Grand Commandant, and the second empress of Emperor Taizong Cheng, the third emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, whose reign title was Jianzhao.
In the fourth year of Jianzhao, at the age of fourteen, I entered the palace as a Talented Lady. That same year, I was successively promoted to Worthy Attendant and gave birth to Gaozong, the second prince. I framed the empress, leading to her deposition, and so in the twelfth month of the fourth year of Jianzhao, His Majesty promoted me to Consort Hui. Four months later, he made me empress and named Gaozong crown prince.
During the Jianzhao era, I bore His Majesty seven princes and seven princesses, fourteen children in all. I also gradually took control of the court by assisting His Majesty in governing.
Twenty-two years later, Taizong died and the crown prince, Gaozong, ascended the throne. At thirty-eight, I became Empress Dowager.
Forty-eight years later, at the age of eighty-six, I died of illness in Changxin Hall.
Afterword: Qu Lanzhou's rise through the ranks:
Talented Lady Qu (Fifth Rank) - Beauty Qu (Fourth Rank) - Lady of Handsome Fairness Qu (Third Rank) - Worthy Attendant Qu (Second Rank) - Consort Hui Qu (First Rank) - Empress Qu - Empress Dowager Qu - Empress Wenmu (posthumous title) - Empress Wenmu Ming (including the emperor's posthumous name)
