《资治通鉴·唐纪·唐纪十九》
太后从徐敬业造反后，怀疑天下人多想算计自己，又因自己长期专擅国家事务，而且操行不正，知道皇族大臣心怀不满，心中不服，就想大加诛杀以威慑他们。
太后自徐敬业之反，疑天下人多图己，又自以久专国事，且内行不正，知宗室大臣怨望，心不服，欲大诛杀以威之。
After Xu Jingye’s rebellion, the Empress Dowager suspected that many people were plotting against her, and since she had long monopolised all state affairs and conducted herself improperly, she knew that the imperial uncles and ministers were dissatisfied and resentful. She was therefore intent on killing many of them to intimidate them.