Two Years In The Forbidden City

""Two Years in the Forbidden City"" is a memoir written by the Chinese princess Der Ling, also known as Ling Yu. The book chronicles her experiences as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager Cixi during the last years of the Qing dynasty. Der Ling was one of the few Chinese women who had the opportunity to live in the Forbidden City and interact with the imperial court. She provides a unique insider's perspective on the daily life, rituals, and politics of the imperial palace. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the etiquette and customs of the court to the personal relationships between the emperor, empress dowager, and their courtiers. Der Ling also shares her observations on the political situation of China at the time, including the Boxer Rebellion and the foreign powers' influence on the country. Der Ling's writing is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of life inside the Forbidden City. Her memoir is not only a valuable historical document but also a fascinating personal account of a young woman's journey through a world of privilege, intrigue, and tradition. ""Two Years in the Forbidden City"" is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history, culture, and society.Princess Dar Ling's chronicle of life at court.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Princess Der Ling was born in 1885, the daughter of Lord Yu Keng who served as Chinese minister to Japan and then as minister to France for four years from 1899. She received a Western education in Paris and in 1903 at the age of 18, entered the palace as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager, acting as her interpreter and helper. She left the palace in March 1905 to be with her father, who died in Shanghai that year. She married an American named Thaddeus White in 1907, published this book in 1911 and died in the United States in 1944.