In the depths of the Forbidden City, the prologue of the day slowly unfolds. The morning light shined through the window lattice and sprinkled on the Empress Dowager Cixi's bedroom. This day is destined to be extraordinary for this woman who has single-handedly controlled the government of the Qing Dynasty for nearly half a century. In the morning, she was still dealing with the aftermath of the late Guangxu Emperor and arranging the succession of the new emperor Puyi, and in the afternoon, she had already changed into a shroud and lay quietly in bed to welcome the end of her life.
The political situation of the end of Guangxu
November 14, 1908, was the last day of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. The ill Emperor Guangxu was powerless, and the imperial doctors were helpless. Faced with the imminent death of this childless emperor, the court of the Qing Dynasty fell into a tense atmosphere. Empress Dowager Cixi, as the mother of the nation, must make decisions at this critical moment to ensure the continuation of the Qing Dynasty. She summoned Prince Qing, Prince Alcohol, Prince Gong, Yuan Shikai, Zhang Zhidong and other important ministers to discuss the issue of inheritance in the Yiluan Palace.
The Empress Dowager Cixi was dressed in a vermilion court dress and sat on a high dragon chair with a solemn face. Inside the Hall of Yiluan, the flames of the fireplace reflected her serious expression. Prince Qing, Prince Alcohol, Prince Gong, Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong stood in front of her in turn, their expressions equally serious.
"Guangxu has no heirs, and the court can't be without an owner. The Empress Dowager Cixi spoke, her voice echoing in the grand hall.
Prince Qing bowed slightly, but did not speak. Prince Alcohol and Prince Gong exchanged a look, and then Prince Gong said softly, "Your Majesty is wise. ”
Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong stood aside, they looked at each other, but remained silent. Yuan Shikai's gaze was slightly wandering, as if he was thinking about something, while Zhang Zhidong's eyes were deep.
The Empress Dowager Cixi continued: "I have made up my mind, and Pu Yi, the son of Prince Liol, will be the new emperor. Her voice was firm and unmistakable.
Prince Qing bowed his head slightly, showing respect. Prince Alcohol looked a little surprised, but quickly regained his composure. Prince Gong said softly: "Only when the court is stable can the country be stable." ”
Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong only nodded slowly at this time, but their expressions remained cautious. Yuan Shikai slowly spoke: "Empress Dowager Shengming, we will act according to the order. Zhang Zhidong did not speak again.
Empress Dowager Cixi's gaze swept over every minister present, and then she stood up and walked outside the hall. Her steps were steady, and she seemed unusually determined. With the departure of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the atmosphere in the Yiluan Hall became even heavier.
Xindi's choice and Guangxu's reaction
The decision of the Empress Dowager Cixi, Pu Yi, the son of Prince Liol, as the new emperor, quickly spread in the Forbidden City.
In Emperor Guangxu's ward, the imperial doctors were anxiously busy. They talked in low voices, discussing possible cures. But their eyes revealed helplessness, because they knew that Emperor Guangxu's condition had reached the point of no return.
When Emperor Guangxu heard about Empress Dowager Cixi's decision on his sickbed, his reaction was mixed. There was surprise and helplessness in his eyes. A palace maid cautiously approached and warmed him up with a hot water bottle, but Emperor Guangxu didn't seem to notice.
"It's her style to choose young children. Emperor Guangxu's voice was weak, but it was particularly clear in the quiet ward.
After hearing this, the imperial doctor next to him immediately lowered his head and didn't dare to say more. They knew that this was the emperor's evaluation of the Empress Dowager Cixi's decision-making, and it was also a helpless sigh for his fate.
The atmosphere in the palace became even heavier. The eunuchs were busy in the court, their footsteps echoing through the corridors. Everyone's face was full of worry, because they knew that once the emperor died, the entire court would face great changes.
At the Empress Dowager Cixi's residence, she was poring over a document. There was no expression on her face, but her fingers clutched the document tightly. A palace maid stood quietly aside, not daring to disturb.
Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong met outside the Yiluan Palace. The two exchanged a look, but didn't say much. Yuan Shikai took a deep breath and turned to leave. Zhang Zhidong stood there quietly, looking in the direction of the Empress Dowager Cixi's residence.
As night falls, the lights of the Forbidden City gradually turn on. In this solemn and ancient palace, every corner is filled with the heaviness of history. And at this momentous moment in history, everyone is experiencing the turning point of this empire in their own way.
Cixi's busyness and political determination
After the death of Emperor Guangxu, Empress Dowager Cixi's schedule became even busier. Inside and outside the Forbidden City, there is a busy scene. The Empress Dowager Cixi not only had to deal with the funeral of Emperor Guangxu, but also issued the edict of Guangxu and arranged for Puyi to ascend the throne.
Early in the morning, when the Empress Dowager Cixi got up, the palace ladies were already busy preparing. They lightly arranged the hot water and various skin care products. The Empress Dowager Cixi sat in front of the dresser, and the palace maid gave her a hot compress, and the steam gently enveloped her face. After the hot compress was completed, the palace ladies began the basic maintenance steps again, and their movements were skillful and gentle.
In between dealing with state affairs, the Empress Dowager Cixi examined the edict of Emperor Guangxu. Her eyes were focused, and the pen in her hand quickly swung across the paper. The palace maid on the side stood quietly, flipping through the documents for her from time to time.
Regarding Pu Yi's accession to the throne, the Empress Dowager Cixi also handled it seriously. She carefully selected every word in the edict to ensure that everything was in accordance with royal etiquette. The eunuchs in the palace quickly conveyed her orders under her instructions.
In the depths of the court, eunuchs and palace ladies were busy preparing for the upcoming funeral of Emperor Guangxu and the enthronement ceremony of Puyi. They carried ritual items and whispered to each other.
The Empress Dowager Cixi also had to meet with several ministers to discuss state affairs. Occasionally, she would pause to listen to the ministers' reports as she reviewed the papers. The ministers bowed, their words full of respect.
At noon, the Empress Dowager Cixi held a small meeting in the Taihe Palace. Prince Qing, Prince Alcohol, Prince Gong and other princes and some important ministers were present. During the meeting, the Empress Dowager Cixi discussed in detail the arrangements for the funeral and the details of Puyi's accession to the throne.
With the meeting over, the Empress Dowager Cixi returned to her residence. Despite her busy schedule, she maintains a rigorous routine. She has lunch and then takes a break for the busy afternoon.
In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager Cixi once again devoted herself to state affairs. She personally checked the preparations for Emperor Guangxu's funeral and made sure that everything was carried out in accordance with royal etiquette. She also summoned the officials in charge of Pu Yi's enthronement ceremony and carefully inquired about every detail of the ceremony.
Cixi's illness and doomsday decisions
In the Forbidden City, with the busy preparations for the funeral of Emperor Guangxu and the enthronement ceremony of Puyi, the physical condition of the Empress Dowager Cixi suddenly deteriorated sharply. She began to experience severe abdominal pain and pus and blood, which made the atmosphere in the womb even more tense and worried.
The attending imperial physicians gathered outside the Empress Dowager Cixi's bedroom, their faces solemn. They discussed the Empress Dowager's illness in private, but apparently felt helpless. The physicians repeatedly studied the medical books and tried to find a solution, but their faces gradually showed expressions of disappointment and powerlessness.
In the Empress Dowager Cixi's bedroom, she was lying on the bed, her face pale. The ladies of the palace were busy in the room in a whisper, taking care of her carefully. From time to time, they changed the Empress Dowager's pillows and bedding in an attempt to make her comfortable.
Despite her illness, the Empress Dowager Cixi still insisted on handling court affairs. She asked to move her desk to the bedside, which was filled with various pieces of music and papers. She read every document with all her might, directing the conduct of state affairs.
At this critical moment, the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Prince Qing, Prince Alcohol and some ministers. She met them on the bed, her voice firm, though weak. The ministers bowed and saluted, nervously listening to the instructions of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
"Pu Yi is about to become the new emperor. Empress Dowager Cixi said weakly.
"We will do our best to assist the new emperor. Prince Qing responded.
"Leave the matter of state to the regent. The Empress Dowager Cixi continued to command.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, everything is arranged. Prince Alcohol said softly.
At the end of this meeting, the Empress Dowager Cixi reviewed several important documents on state affairs and made a series of decisions. She personally appointed the regent and laid down the process of the transition of state affairs in detail.
Empress Dowager Cixi's condition did not improve in the next few days. The ladies and eunuchs were busy in the palace, making final preparations for the upcoming funeral and enthronement ceremony. They talked in a low voice in the corridor, not daring to disturb the Empress Dowager Cixi's rest.
In the hospital room of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the imperial doctors were still relentlessly trying various treatments. They mixed various herbs, hoping to find a way to relieve the Empress Dowager Cixi's illness. But no matter how hard they tried, Empress Dowager Cixi's condition did not seem to improve significantly.
The atmosphere in the palace grew heavier and heavier. The palace ladies sobbed softly from time to time, while the eunuchs were silently busy, trying their best to maintain order in the palace.
Cixi's life summary and death
In the last hours of Empress Dowager Cixi's life, there was a solemn and solemn atmosphere in the Forbidden City. In her bedroom, the eunuchs and palace ladies stood quietly in a solemn atmosphere. The Empress Dowager Cixi was lying on the bed, her face pale and her breathing was weak, but her eyes were still firm.
She asked her men to bring pen, ink, paper, and inkstones, and despite her frailty, she insisted on writing the last decree of her life herself. Her hands trembled, but their strokes were still fluid. This decree contains her views on the state, politics, female politicians, and eunuchs, and every word reveals her deep thinking and strong will.
"And this decree shall be promulgated immediately. Empress Dowager Cixi weakly ordered.
The eunuchs carefully took the decree and bowed out of the room, ready to carry out her orders immediately.
After completing this last important task, the Empress Dowager Cixi seemed to feel a sense of tranquility. She slowly lay back on the bed, and the ladies gently covered her with the quilt and adjusted the pillows to make her as comfortable as possible.
The eunuchs discussed in whispers outside the room, knowing that Empress Dowager Cixi's days were numbered. One eunuch brought out a pearl of the night, and another brought a shroud, which was the last ritual for the Empress Dowager Cixi.
In the night, the palace lamps dimly illuminated the room of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The palace maids stood quietly aside, their eyes full of reluctance.
Empress Dowager Cixi's breathing became slower and slower, and finally stopped. Seeing this, the eunuchs immediately stepped forward, gently put the night pearl on her, and then carefully put on her shroud. These preparations are carried out with great care and respect in accordance with royal etiquette.
During the whole process, the other eunuchs and ladies in the palace waited quietly outside the room, and the air was full of heaviness and sadness. They know that a generation of empresses, a powerful woman who controlled the political situation of the Qing Dynasty for nearly half a century, ended her legendary life in this way.
With the death of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the night in the Forbidden City became quieter. Under the palace lights, the palace maids and eunuchs dispersed separately, preparing for the follow-up. The Empress Dowager Cixi, who dominated the power for nearly half a century, quietly left this world, and her life was full of legends, controversies and games of thrones. On this night, every corner of the Forbidden City is silently telling her story.
"Qing History Manuscript", "The Complete Biography of Cixi"