Early Years
Cixi was born in the winter of 1835. According to the information listed on a red sheet (File No. 1247) within "Miscellaneous Pieces of the Palace" (a Qing Dynasty documentation package retrieved from the First Historical Archives of China), Cixi was the daughter of Huizheng, an ordinary official from the Manchu Yehenara clan. Palace archives also show that Huizheng was a member of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Eight Banners, and was working in Beijing during the year of Cixi's birth, indicating that Cixi was born in Beijing. Also, the file recorded the location of Cixi's childhood home, which was Firewood Alley of West Sipailou, Beijing (Chinese: 西四牌楼劈柴胡同).
In 1851, Cixi participated in the selection for consorts to the new Emperor Xianfeng alongside sixty other candidates. It turned out that Cixi was one of the few candidates chosen to stay, and was created Worthy Lady Yi. Among the other chosen candidates were Worth Lady Li of Tatala clan (later Consort Li), Concubine Yun of Wugiya clan, and Concubine Zhen of Niuhuru clan (later Xianfeng's empress consort).
In 1854, Cixi was elevated to Concubine Yi, and in 1855, Cixi became pregnant. On 27 April 1856, she gave birth to Zaichun, the Emperor Xianfeng's only surviving son. Soon afterward, she was elevated to the rank of Consort Yi. In 1857, when her son reached his first birthday, Cixi was elevated to the rank of Noble Consort Yi. This rank placed her second only to the Empress within Xianfeng's harem.
Unlike other Manchu women in the imperial harem, Cixi was known for her ability to read and write the Han Chinese language. This granted her ample opportunities to help the ailing emperor in daily state governing. On various occasions, Emperor Xianfeng had Cixi read palace memorials for him, and leave instructions on the memorials according to his will. As a result, Cixi became well-informed about state affairs, and learned the art of state governing from the ailing emperor.
Read more about this topic: Empress Dowager Cixi
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