Wu Zetian, as the only female Emperor in Chinese history, died in 705 A.D at the age of 82. She was buried alongside Emperor Gaozong in the Qianling Mausoleum, located in the Liangshan Mountain in Qianxian Country.

It is the only mausoleum that holds two emperors and due to its strong and secure construction, it is also notable as the only mausoleum to escape the unwelcome attention of tomb robbers.

However, Wu’s Wordless Tablet makes it more mystical. As it known to all, emperors liked erecting tablets with articles to eulogize their achievements. The inscription on the tablet of Emperor Gaozong contains over 8,000 words, singing the praises of Gao Zong’s political achievements and military exploits. However, dedicated to Wu, it had no carved characters when it was erected. Why did she set up an empty tablet for herself?

Some people believed that Wu wanted the later generations to give her a just and fair appraisal. Some said that her achievements were beyond the description of any high-sounding words. Some others thought that it was probably set up by her son Emperor Zhong Zong, who was dissatisfied with her arbitrary decisions and peremptory actions and unwilling to flatter her. But as a son of hers, it was inappropriate for him to reproach her. So he set up the Wordless Tablet to let people of later generations appraise her. The real reason for the tablet is still a mystery. Anyhow, she was the only emperor in Chinese history had a tablet with no word.