長孫無忌
Li Zhi is now the new Emperor, as Emperor Gaozong of Tang. He is displeased with his wife Empress Wang for being too controlling and jealous of his favorite, Consort Xiao. Yet, he cannot forget the affair he had with Wu Meiniang. Empress Wang decides to bring back Wu Meiniang to make Consort Xiao jealous, and Wu Meiniang is reunited with Li Zhi. Wu Meiniang gives birth to a son, and is promoted to the rank of Zhaoyi. She also gives birth to a daughter, Princess Anding. She realizes that to survive she needs to be Empress, and strangles her newborn daughter and accuses Empress Wang. Li Zhi wanted to depose the Empress, but Zhangsun Wuji objected. Zhangsun Wuji was Li Zhi's uncle and brother to his mother, Empress Wende, and he withheld most of the political power.