Why do you think Empress Wu was never ever popular?

Empress Wu Zetian, though a powerful and capable ruler, faced significant unpopularity due to her unconventional rise to power, which involved eliminating rivals and manipulating court politics. Her authoritarian rule and the use of secret police to suppress dissent further alienated many aristocrats and Confucian scholars, who viewed her as unfit for the throne. Additionally, her gender challenged traditional norms, leading to resistance from those who believed a woman should not hold such authority. Despite her accomplishments, these factors contributed to her enduring unpopularity.