Shangguan Wan'er
Later, after Emperor Gaozong's death in 683, Empress Wu became empress dowager and deposed, in succession, her two sons, Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong. In 690, she took the title of "emperor" herself, abolishing the Tang Dynasty and establishing her own Zhou Dynasty. Particularly after the "Wansui Tongtian" era (696-697), Shangguan Wan'er, as Wu Zetian's secretary, was in charge of drafting imperial edicts, and her writing style was said to be exceedingly beautiful. On one occasion, she was supposed to be put to death after disobeying Wu Zetian's order; Wu Zetian, caring for her because of her talent, spared her, but tattooed her face. Thereafter, Wu Zetian usually consulted with her on the officials' petitions and important affairs of state.