[Wu Zhou] Sun and Moon Ascendant, A Woman Rules as Empress Wu

Yang Chunhua, who was sure she knew early Tang history inside out and understood its famous figures, and could recite Wu Meiniang, Wu Zetian, and Wu Zhao's life stories by heart, ended up in the early Tang by a twist of fate. An emotionally detached person, Yang Chunhua knew she couldn't compare herself to these famous historical figures, but she still couldn't help viewing them with the cold, judgmental gaze of someone from a later era. Yet the events unfolding around her kept shattering her smug assumptions. One moment, Wu and Li were a devoted couple; the next, one had become an exalted ruler, while the other was the late emperor's widow at Ganye Temple. One moment, Xu Chongrong had a far-reaching reputation for virtue and a bright future; the next, she had become Xu Xianfei, who followed the late emperor to her death out of devotion. One moment, veteran ministers and imperial relatives were guiding the court and holding positions of great power; the next, they were handed a package deal of exile, suicide, and a family fallen into obscurity. Yang Chunhua thought she was standing beside the river of history, but she had long since been swept into it. The simple tale in history books of Lady Wu rising through the ranks to become Empress Wu and then Emperor Wu concealed more than a decade of frustration, palace struggles where every step was perilous, and court rivalries fraught with danger. Historical figures came vividly to life one by one, only to fade away in sorrow. At last, Yang Chunhua understood that a few sparse words in the history books and later generations' wild speculation could never capture a whole person. The one who lived to the end was Wu Zhao. And Yang Chunhua was Wu Meiniang's silent maid, and Wu Zhao's loyal female official. Note: This story is fictional, set in a parallel timeline!!! The characters are treated with respect, and each one acts according to their own motivations. 1. Wu Zhao is a resilient, determined heroine who grows into a legend by fighting back from the brink. Yang Chunhua is a heroine who thinks she knows the early Tang's script, but gradually learns to crawl forward one step at a time. 2. The early part focuses mainly on Wu Zhao's growth. Yang Chunhua gradually takes up more of the story later on. 3. Yang Chunhua's romance comes later. Wu Zhao and Li Zhi's romance as emperor and empress is complicated. 4. The story takes some historical liberties, and some historical details are entirely made up. 5. Updates come late at night or in the evening. I may fix typos and such after daybreak. 6. If a chapter appears to have been updated when it's not the latest one, and I haven't said it was heavily revised, then I've just fixed typos or errors in the historical logic. 7. Paragraph comments are open. 8. I'll add more if I think of anything... Theme: Never give up, and you can fight back from the brink