There Would Only Ever Be One Empress

She continued, "The reason for killing Li Xian was even simpler. He believed other people's lies and thought I was not his birth mother. Fear took root in his heart, and he wrote a poem: 'Beneath the Yellow Terrace, melons grow; when ripe, their fruits hang thick. Pick once, and the melons thrive; pick twice, and the melons thin. Pick three times, and it may yet be borne; pick four times, and one returns clutching only the vines.' After that, he was granted death."

Before she knew it, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

What else could Li Wan'er say? What else did she dare say? At this moment, she could only bury her head like an ostrich.

Wu Zetian suddenly said, "Wan'er."

Li Wan'er came back to herself and cupped her hands. "Your daughter is here."

Wu Zetian calmly said, "After I die, how will you judge me?"

Li Wan'er was greatly startled. She looked Wu Zetian over, thought for a moment, and hesitated, not knowing what to say.

Wu Zetian said, "Speak freely."

Li Wan'er considered it, then answered honestly, "Your merits and faults are evenly balanced!"

"To be honest, after you inherited the throne, you governed tianxia in excellent order, and the people lived and worked in peace."

Wu Zetian let out a breath and softly said, "In the entire court, only you would dare say that."

Li Wan'er cupped her hands. "There are no ruler and subject across from one another—only a conversation between mother and daughter."

Wu Zetian turned around and looked at Li Wan'er. "Do you know how Mother would judge herself?"

Li Wan'er shook her head slightly, but inwardly thought, The wordless stele, of course.

Wu Zetian's expression remained calm. "If I were to erect a monument for myself, I