The dynasty was interrupted for a short time by the Zhou Dynasty ( å ` ) ( 16 October 690 â `` 3 March 705 ) founded by Empress Wu Zetian who managed to claim the throne , becoming the first and only Chinese Empress . The dynasty was interrupted briefly by the Second Zhou Dynasty ( October 8 , 690 â `` March 3 , 705 ) when Empress Wu Zetian seized the throne , becoming the first and only Chinese empress regnant , ruling in her own right .