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In this last chapter of "Two Years in the Forbidden City", Der Ling finally came to the conclusion that she could never go back to her country of origin.

This segment of the "Two Years in the Forbidden City", being one of the remaining chapters of the book, details how Cixi was worried about the ongoing war between Russia and Japan. A very proud Cixi confided to Der Ling, suggesting it was the only mistake of her life, in what she argued was an otherwise flawless rule of the country.

On this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"....During the celebrations of the Chinese New Year, Cixi was flattered and indulged in festivities with her people. The humorous and joyful lady was in sharp contrast to a quiet and gloomy emperor Guangxu.

On this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"...the hidden threat of on-going war between Japan and Russia was in the air, but deliberately played down by those that feared these uncertainties.

On this episode, let delve into Her Majesty's birthday celebration in great detail, which provided a rare chance for us to get familiar with the rituals and etiquette of the times.

Two celebrations were going on in the Imperial Palace: one was the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, and the other was an anniversary marking the start of the Manchu dynasty. Well woven into the detailed descriptions of the protocols, etiquette and activities of the two celebrations are narrations, of comparatively trivial, but interesting matters of court.

On this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......Through an account of the emperor's birthday celebration we'll get a glimpse of how Emperor Kwang Hsu suppressed his curiosity toward western civilization and had to succumb to the power of Empress Dowager Cixi.

This episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City" will bring you part 2 of Chapter 13 "The Empress's Portrait" where The Empress Dowager Cixi had a go at the modern technology of photography.

This episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City" brings you part 1 of chapter 13 "The Empress's Portrait", which is about Empress Dowager Cixi's encounter with the art of the western oil painting.

On this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......Mrs. Conger, the wife of the American Minister to Peking asks for a private audience and proposes that a portrait be painted of Her Majesty, which was perceived as horrific at the time.

On this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......Der Ling is given the order, the one she has secretly longed for, to go back into her Manchu costumes, which are much more convenient and suitable to wear in her Chinese imperial court life. A good motherly Cixi brings the young girl a happy day, and an ill-tempered Cixi a miserable one.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"……The detailed description of a garden party given to the ladies of the Diplomatic Corps reveals Cixi's curiosity towards the outside world. It also expresses her determination to safeguard her values, as well as her stubbornness in the belief that the vulnerable Middle Kingdom was still innately superior to other civilizations.

This chapter of "Two Years in the Forbidden City" attempts to bring Emperor Kwang Hsu out of historical shadows and into the spotlight. Find out why the Empress Cixi has overshadowed the man who is supposed to stay in front of the curtain and reign the country.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......Despite the fact that Der Ling has made up her mind to forget what the court ladies have told her, she finds herself guilty of having chosen to deceive the old lady about her religious inclination.

This episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City" is about Der Ling's first day of real work serving the Empress Dowager Cixi. Through seemingly mundane incidents littered a slow-paced but high protocol day, she found Cixi to be a loving and curious human being, but also conservative, suspicious, and assertive.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"…… Der Ling closely observed and carefully studied the appropriate ways to serve Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi's manipulation on the Emperor and state affairs, her particularity about details of her own appearance and her extreme love for jewelry, are all peculiar and novel to Der Ling.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City", a diplomatic audience with the Empress reveals the Supreme Lady's strong sense of self- righteousness, curiosity about the outside world, dubious nature and even womanly gossip. Der Ling and her sister's appearance opened the door wider for her to the outside world. Der Ling has no choice but to stay in the palace to serve as her main interpreter and even marry someone she selected or arranged for her.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......Pre-luncheon appetizing snacks, showing reverence before the feast, eating while standing, numerous dishes left over for others, the supreme lady Empress Dowager Cixi sharing tea with the girls, all of which were taken to be her majesty's kindness and generosity, which also lead to the princess' questioning of her informant's description of Cixi's fierce temper. The initial close-up encounter makes her conclude her majesty was "the sweetest woman in the world" and without much hesitation, agreed to come back and serve within the tall red walls.

In this episode of "Two Years in the Forbidden City"......The two girls being novelty among court ladies, find themselves well received in the imperial court and favored by the court's first lady Empress Dowager Cixi with exceptionally courteous gestures from her. A scene from the Chinese classic literature "A Journey to the West" was staged and was harmoniously enjoyed by all those present.

"Two Years in the Forbidden City" is a book written by Princess Der Ling, who was the renowned Lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager Cixi in the early 20th century. Though Empress Dowager Cixi is a household name, Der Ling's point of view offers a quite unique and surprisingly intimate portrayal of the Empress and Beijing's Imperial Palace in China's last feudal dynasty.