Princess Der Ling (Author of two years in the Forbidden City) was a favourite and confidante of the Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi. Tzu Hsi was born Yehonala on November 29, 1835. At the age of 16 she was chosen to be one of the concubines of Emperor Hsien Feng. Instead of marrying her true love Jung Lu she went to live in the Forbidden City, a vast complex of palaces and gardens run by thousands of eunuchs. Yehonala was the only concubine to gave birth to a surviving son. After his birth she was raised in rank from third-grade concubine to first-grade.Yehonala took the name Tzu Hsi, meaning "Kindly and Virtuous." (In later years she would be nicknamed The Old Buddha.)Tzu Hsi was a strong ruler who put down many rebellions. During her years in power Westerners gained great influence in China. Although many people disliked Princess Der Ling, this insightful biography portrays the magnificence and saddness of Imperial China and life in the Forbidden City. Frontispiece, the Empress in Robes and Pearl Necklace; 21 photo illustrations. Orange cloth, decorative title panel in black with red Chinese stamp, black lettering to spine. Yellow decorated end papers. Boards and text very clean, tighly bound. In protective polyester wraps. tall 8 vo, 347 pages Orange cloth, decorative title panel in black with red Chinese stamp, black lettering to spine. Yellow decorated end papers. Boards and text very clean, tighly bound. In protective polyester wraps. tall 8 vo, 347 pages. Please click for image.

Princess Der Ling, Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi, Manchu Society, Forbidden City, Dowager Tzu Hsi, Concubines China, Old Buddha Emperor Hsien Feng, Imperial China