Ho Jung-Er had been Dowager Cixi's lady in waiting from 1893 to 1901 when the Dowager was in her 60s. There were six most significant things in this oral history:
1. She revealed that Dowager Cixi had a better temper and was kind to her ladies in waiting when compared to Empress Lungyu who had a very bad temper, narrow-minded, and hard on her servants. This insight might provide a perspective on their personalities, and one of the reasons that the Qing dynasty failed three years after Empress Lungyu had become Dowager. 2. In the court, everyone served quietly and was very keen on getting hints on what their masters were about to do. When there was someone to be present, their presence would never be announced out loud as what was shown in dramas. 3. Jung-Er mentioned that all the ladies in waiting could only do braids to their hair. It was definitely not allowed for them to decorate their hairdo. 4. She described Li Lien-Ying as a man who was moderate. He respected Emperor Kuangshu and Dowager Cixi equally. Emperor Kuangshu was very grateful for the kindness that Li had shown him, including on the route of their 1900 escape. However, it was this equal respect that resulted in Dowager Cixi's suspicion. Because during this time period, the Emperor party vs. the Dowager party had already formed a solid line. Dowager Cixi would not appreciate Li's kindness to the Emperor. Hence, she turned her favor and trust to another famous eunuch Chui Yu-Kuei. 5. Ho Jung-Er was with Dowager Cixi on the day Consort Jen was forced to die. A day before the court flee from Union Army, the Dowager woke up from a nap that day and quietly got up from bed, which had never happened before. Ho and her colleagues hurried to serve the Dowager and accompanied her to Leshuo Tang. The Dowager asked all the servants to leave. The following was according to Ho Jung-Er's hearsay from Chui Yu-Kuei when he visited Ho and her husband Lui, Chui Yu-Kuei testified the death of Consort Jen. The Dowager called Consort Jen, firstly implied she to commit suicide. Consort Jen neglected the implication and demanded that it should be the time for the Emperor to be in charge. The Dowager was even more furious and ordered Chui to force Consort Jen into a well. When the Consort was dragging away to the well, she had been yelling that she wanted to see the Emperor. And her last word was that they shall meet each other again in the next life. 6. Ho Jung-Er accompanied Dowager Cixi in fleeing from Forbidden City all the way to Xian. She talked about how everyone changed their clothes and embarked with anxiety. She also talked about how she and her colleague Chuanzi tried their best to serve the Dowager and the Emperor. She also mentioned that everyone had rashes on their body, especially on the neck and scalp, due to the humidity and hotness, the Dowager reminded them not to use cold water but warm water to clean. This was the wisdom passed down from a eunuch before they left the Forbidden City.
It has descriptions about inner palace and Queen Cixi's life. Within a few kids not able to do shit in palace, Cixi is really powerful.. and hardworking.