Empress Quotes
Cixi had been one of the many concubines of the Emperor and she bore a son who was first in the line of succession. The Emperor’s wife, Empress Zhen had no children but was the senior official of the Empire when her husband died. Instead of being rivals, Cixi and Zhen were very close friends so when it had to be decided who was to rule until Cixi’s son became of age, the women agreed that Zhen would see to the education and the training of the child and manage the court, and Cixi would manage the government and the Empire as regents for the child. However, in 1875, the boy died and there was no clear successor. Cixi with Zhen’s approval then issued this edict and in effect seized control of the entire empire of China.
