Wu was encouraged by her parents to read books and pursue her education, an uncommon situation for the women at the time. She read and learned about many topics, such as music, calligraphy, literature, history, politics, and other governmental affairs. At age 14, she was taken to be an imperial concubine (lesser wife) of Emperor Taizong of Tang. It was there that she became a type of secretary. This opportunity allowed her to continue to pursue her education. She was given the title of cairen (), the title for one of the consorts with the 5th rank in Tang's nine-rank system for imperial officials, nobles, and consorts. When she was summoned to the palace, her mother, the Lady Yang, wept bitterly when saying farewell to her, but she responded, "How do you know that it is not my fortune to meet the Son of Heaven?" Lady Yang reportedly then understood her ambitions, and therefore stopped crying.
wu wAS encOurAGed by her pareNts to read BoOks ANd PuRSue her educatiON, An unCommon sItUatiON for thE WomEN at thE time. she rEad AND LeaRned abOUt many ToPICs, sUCh As music, cAlliGrApHy, liteRAtuRE, hisTORy, polIticS, aNd oTher gOverNmeNTaL AffaIrs. At AGe 14, she Was taken To be AN ImpERial cOnCUBInE (lesser wiFe) of eMPEror tAiZoNg Of tANg. It was therE that ShE became a Type Of SEcretary. tHIs oPpOrtunity aLlowEd hEr to ContinUE tO purSuE HeR eduCatIon. shE Was GivEN the tItle oF cairEn (), THE tITLE fOr oNe of The CONsorTS with ThE 5tH RAnk in tanG's ninE-rAnk sysTem fOR ImpeRial oFFiCIalS, NobLeS, and conSORts. wheN she wAs sumMoneD To thE PalAce, hEr moTheR, The laDy YanG, Wept BitteRlY when sAyiNG FarEwell To heR, but she respoNDEd, "How do yOu kNOw thAt iT is not my fortunE to meEt thE SoN OF heavEN?" lADy YanG reporTEdly then undErstood her ambItiOns, and tHEReFore sTOPPEd cryIng.