Two Years in the Forbidden City (ePub)

Princess Der Ling (1885-1944), often known as the First Lady of the Chinese Court, occupies a unique place in literary and historical circles due to her remarkable account of life within the imperial precincts of the Qing Dynasty. Born in Beijing to a Hanjun banner family, Der Ling's father was a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court. She was trained in the arts of dance and music and educated in various languages. Her multicultural background and education abroad, including time spent in France and the United States, poised her to become an influential figure between East and West during the early 20th century.

Her seminal work, 'Two Years in the Forbidden City', provides a rare insider's perspective on the imperial household, especially the Empress Dowager Cixi. Published in 1911, the book chronicles her experiences while serving as the First Lady-in-Waiting to the Empress. With meticulous detail and a poignant narrative style, Der Ling offers invaluable insights into the daily life, political intrigue, and cultural customs of the last days of Imperial China. This work has been an indispensable source for scholars studying this period and is celebrated for its literary excellence as much for its historical significance. Der Ling's contribution extends beyond just historical documentation into the realms of cultural understanding, exemplifying a narrative that gracefully bridges two distinct worlds.