East and West Stand Together

[Just to be safe, a warning: The female leads are Cixi and Ci'an. This is a history-based fanfic with many male characters. The female leads both enter the harem, and their views are limited by the era.]

[Female leads: Cixi and Ci'an. If this bothers you, don't read!]

[Female leads: Cixi and Ci'an. If this bothers you, don't read!]

[Female leads: Cixi and Ci'an. If this bothers you, don't read!]

In 1881, Cixi was gravely ill and unable to handle state affairs, while the Guangxu Emperor was still young. As a result, Ci'an was left to handle all state matters on her own.

Unable to manage the major affairs of state, Ci'an succumbed to the immense pressure and died suddenly at Zhongcui Palace on the tenth day of the third lunar month that year.

From then on, all power belonged to the Western Palace. Cixi stood alone at the top, personally governing the state. After Ci'an's death, Cixi began ruling the Qing Dynasty with absolute authority, effectively acting as emperor.

Theme: Feudal dynasties are doomed to fall. Heroes cannot shape the times; it is the times that make heroes.