Because Gao Zhao was exceeding powerful by that point, and his niece Consort Gao was Xuanwu's favorite concubine, it was largely suspected that Gao Zhao and Gao murdered them, but there was no conclusive proof.
Karena Gao Zhao sangat berkuasa pada saat itu, dan keponakannya Selir Gao merupakan selir kesayangan Xuanwu, sangat mungkin bahwa Gao Zhao dan Gao membunuh mereka, namun tidak terdapat bukti yang kuat.