The Twilight of the Forbidden City

Author: Princess Der Ling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: This is the Chinese translation of Princess Der Ling's English work Two Years in the Forbidden City. As a firsthand witness to history, Princess Der Ling recounts her experiences serving as an "Imperial Attendant" to Empress Dowager Cixi, revealing many court secrets that ordinary people could never know. It was precisely because of this book that it attracted widespread attention both domestically and internationally, which in turn fueled the author's desire to write more, leading to the publication of several other works describing late Qing court life, such as The Fragrance of the Incense and Tears on the Island of Rongtai. In this book, based on the author's personal experiences, she records her firsthand observations during her service to Empress Dowager Cixi, disclosing many court secrets that others could never access. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to describing the daily life, attire, behavior, and character of China's highest female ruler at the time, Empress Dowager Cixi. Many chapters in the book can be cross-referenced with major historical events that actually occurred, making it undeniably credible and demonstrating its rightful historical value.