0:00

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Even the

0:02

Royals early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery

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Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple

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Podcasts. A quick note

0:08

about our show. We do a lot of

0:10

research for our stories, but we also aren't

0:12

your boring high school history class, so some

0:14

details and scenes are dramatized. And

0:16

keep in mind today we're talking about women's

0:18

rights and women's wrongs. So

0:21

this episode does feature some violence. Please

0:23

be advised. It's

0:32

a summer morning in 1900, and a warm

0:35

breeze moves through a courtyard in the Forbidden

0:37

City. Empress Dowager Tse-she stands

0:40

at one end wearing a yellow

0:42

robe inlaid with shiny pearls. She

0:45

eyes the doors at the other end of the courtyard. She's

0:48

so tired, but she knows that today

0:50

of all days she cannot show any

0:52

signs of weakness. Suddenly

0:54

the doors to the courtyard are thrown

0:56

open, and Tse-she sees eunuchs come out,

0:59

dragging a young woman behind them. The

1:01

woman kicks and screams as they carry her towards

1:04

a well at the center of the courtyard. She

1:07

looks over and notices the Empress Dowager. She

1:10

stops screaming and begs Tse-she to spare

1:12

her life. The young woman

1:14

swears that she thought she was doing the right thing

1:16

for China. For

1:18

a moment, Tse-she can relate. Like this

1:21

woman, Pearl, she also risked her life

1:23

for power. But Tse-she has

1:25

come too far to let anyone get in

1:27

her way. She turns to

1:29

the eunuchs and tells them to

1:31

throw Pearl down the well. Wow.

1:34

Okay, so not women supporting

1:36

women. Got it. Yeah, yeah.

1:39

At first, no one moves. Tse-she

1:41

starts to sweat. She

1:44

knows this looks bad, but she has no choice. There's

1:47

only one way to stop this ambitious

1:49

woman from undermining her authority. So,

1:52

she yells at a young, strong eunuch and

1:54

tells him to follow her orders. There's

1:57

a horrible pause. Then

2:00

he picks the young woman up and

2:02

throws her into the well. Oh my God.

2:05

Yeah, it's harsh and difficult for Tashi

2:07

to watch, but Pearl was

2:09

too determined and too clever. Tashi

2:12

reminds herself that this isn't anything new. She's

2:15

ordered executions before, but

2:17

as Tashi looks around the courtyard, she

2:19

can see everyone is staring at her with a new look

2:21

in their eyes. People have always

2:24

respected her, but now they

2:26

fear her because most

2:28

witnesses here today don't really know

2:30

why Tashi felt compelled to kill

2:32

Pearl. In fact, no one

2:34

will know the full truth for almost a

2:36

century. So after today, even

2:39

her allies believe Empress Dowager Tashi

2:41

has cracked, yet she's

2:44

finally become the villain. If

2:47

only they knew her secret. If

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slash Wondery. From

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Wondery, I'm Brooke Ziffrin. And I'm

3:53

Aresha Skidmore-Williams. And this is Even

3:56

the Royals. He

4:06

heard theories about Empress Dowager Says she

4:08

of China in Portland to see Rose

4:10

from concubine to ample for the help

4:12

of her background on a savvy political

4:15

feel what while so she was busy

4:17

turn in China into an international power

4:19

player her and me that court were

4:21

plotting ways to destroy her now the

4:24

man she loved his and executed and

4:26

says she wants revenge but so find

4:28

out the hard way. So revenge and

4:30

power and that a cough. Hard

4:33

to merlin on Iraq. It's

4:43

the summer of eighteen Seventy Four and

4:46

says she is feet walking over a

4:48

snow covered bridge. Below her a lake

4:50

is frozen over, she's rushing to a

4:52

palace that sits in the center of

4:55

the lake and she doesn't have much

4:57

time for son is dying. Oh

4:59

yeah, There's a lot of death and we

5:01

are. Literally just getting started so

5:04

case crush on me. For

5:06

see son Tons he is eighteen and

5:08

has been in power for two years

5:10

after he got married so she's time

5:12

as coal region and dead see it

5:15

holds. her son would be a great

5:17

leader with her good genes. He had

5:19

to be right but tongues he has

5:21

been more interested in having wagers. Than

5:23

running the country mean, can you blame

5:25

him? He's a team I've yet. Yeah,

5:28

exactly. Rights. So all of tissues

5:30

hard work trying to fortify China's

5:32

economy and infrastructure has ground to

5:34

a halt. But today says she

5:36

isn't worrying about policy. Love

5:39

her son's. Behavior but her heart

5:41

breaks. To think of him dying. It

5:44

took her years to come to

5:46

peace with losing little on the

5:48

losing her son. That would be

5:50

unbearable. See an earth Her son's

5:52

bedchamber. She walks a his bedside

5:54

and sees that the energetic party

5:56

boy is gone. Now her son

5:58

is. Thin. And we. He's

6:01

covered with source so bad she can

6:03

barely see his eyes. Oh, now, in

6:05

case you're not a. Learn. A doctor or

6:07

woman. Of science like a resource and. Homes

6:10

he has Smallpox and things have

6:12

taken a turn. For the worse. The

6:15

see watches her son dressed in and

6:17

out of consciousness sees reminded of the

6:19

peaceful way he's asleep as a little

6:21

kid. Her eyes still with

6:24

tears. But. At the same time,

6:26

she can't help thinking about the future

6:28

tongues he has no legitimate sons and

6:30

has yet to pick a successor. If

6:33

he doesn't name one before he dies, she might

6:35

be able to return to the seat of power.

6:38

She's done it before and she knows

6:40

she can do it again. As a

6:42

sick twist of fate though, for sign

6:44

in exchange for leading China again. Like

6:46

talk about. A high price to

6:48

pay? The Ultimate are basically yeah.

6:51

But says she has never been one

6:53

to waste and opportunity. She knows tangible

6:56

die soon. So now it's time to

6:58

set her sights. On. The Future. A

7:04

few weeks later, Ponzi dies

7:06

without naming a successor, which

7:08

has basically never happened. But.

7:11

Says she isn't worried, she's been

7:13

preparing for this. She brings the

7:16

advisors together and offers them a

7:18

solution. She'll pick the successor. She

7:20

is a former emperor region and

7:22

mother after all. Plus.

7:24

She was basically ruling in the emperor's place and

7:26

he got to sick and she already knows how

7:29

to do the job. says. She

7:31

tells them so pay the young successor. Like

7:34

toddler young. So teach

7:36

him everything she knows as as region

7:38

until he comes of age, gets married

7:40

and can take over. It's basically Tongji.

7:43

To play now. Only

7:45

this time. So he will make sure

7:47

she moans the kid into the perfect a

7:49

leader he now just normal parenting goals. Yeah

7:51

yeah that's why you have a second child

7:53

you know exact Ccs six all the mistakes

7:55

you made with the first one. Yeah. So.

7:58

Unlike the free who air. The advisors

8:00

are like yes please! A know

8:02

she can do the job and

8:04

honestly better than her son dead.

8:06

They're pretty desperate right now so

8:08

this may be unusual, but fuck

8:10

it says she is their best

8:13

apps and the advisors make it

8:15

official. The death of her son

8:17

is still won't answer. See that

8:19

now it's time to do it.

8:21

She does best get to work.

8:23

There is so much to do

8:25

including identifying the next emperor that

8:27

says she is up for the

8:29

task. Plus this new power comes

8:31

or something else. A chance for

8:33

revenge says she's never forgotten the

8:35

role that Prince Ton played and

8:38

getting her beloved little on executed.

8:40

And now that she's back in

8:42

charge, she's about to get. Even.

8:46

Honestly, I love a good for

8:48

of and story in retail. Shortly.

8:51

Afterward says she finds herself behind

8:54

that old. Yellow screen and the

8:56

Imperial court. She looks over

8:58

at her best friend and partner in crime

9:00

see I'm sitting next to her now thirty

9:02

eight and just as beautiful and I'll again

9:05

as. Friends

9:08

watch as members of the court file

9:10

and and take their place. On the

9:13

other side of the screen says he

9:15

folds her hands neatly on her lap

9:17

to keep them from shaking. not with

9:19

fear but with anticipation because today C

9:21

and C On are revealing who the

9:24

next Emperor. Will be now! Risa.

9:26

I can only imagine your list of gases

9:28

is very long list of what might be.

9:32

I just one. I'm excited to stem

9:34

the setting real quick though. Her though,

9:36

they're sitting behind the yellow curtain. Blood?

9:39

That's where they're going to announce. Who.

9:41

That an emperor is. So

9:44

nobody even get to see them. It's like

9:46

the Wizard of Oz exactly. Honestly thought it

9:48

got it. Scares you know I This is

9:50

really hard to tell. I have no idea

9:53

who could possibly be. Yeah well. the options

9:55

were slim, but there's only one who would

9:57

com with a side of reasons. So

10:00

at first he looked at a screen

10:02

at the shadowy figures until see here's

10:05

the familiar voice of Prince Charles. She.

10:07

Clears her throat and as a hush falls

10:09

over the room. As

10:11

he pauses before she announces their choice.

10:14

She. Wants to save a little

10:16

moment. She takes a deep breath

10:18

and makes a proclamation. They've chosen

10:20

a three year old boy. A

10:23

cousin of their late Sung Tongs,

10:25

he. Now. The boy also

10:27

happens to be Prince Charles son

10:30

was just a few words says

10:32

she has turned her enemies beloved

10:34

child and for. The most powerful

10:36

forces in China. Which seems

10:39

like a great thing for turn

10:41

right? Yeah I was like this

10:43

is a twist I say yeah

10:45

Well the catch is that from

10:47

now on C and C on

10:49

will be the boys only parents

10:51

As of this moment Son is

10:53

no longer his dad. Wow! He

10:55

took her love so says she

10:57

is taking his son. Wow the

10:59

sun he loved more than anything

11:01

in the world. especially since his

11:03

other son died. Love. God

11:06

yeah they do not play

11:08

around. Wow. I honestly feel bad

11:10

for something like that is

11:12

crazy. Well. I know, but

11:14

just wait. It gets even worse

11:17

for ton. Since he's a biological

11:19

father but not the regent, I'll

11:21

have to resign from his political

11:23

position. That way he can't use

11:25

his connection to it's former signed

11:27

to gain favor. And

11:29

when fun put two and two together, he

11:32

starts. To whale and beat his head

11:34

on the for about? that seems extreme.

11:36

By. I know and for fun

11:38

these c is gonna have

11:41

gone to call her and

11:43

I quote Papa Dearest until

11:45

my guide You know they

11:47

say hell hath no fury.

11:49

I'm well aware mail see them

11:51

and for everyone and I kinda

11:53

of it said ruff. Yeah, I

11:55

mean she's totally erasing phone from his

11:57

son's life and it yellow serenely patty.

12:01

In any to cry but on the other side

12:03

of the screen. Says she is

12:05

buzzing with that natural revenge

12:07

hi. The of

12:09

at all is so bad that

12:12

shown actually passes out and says

12:14

she has unix remove him from

12:16

the room with her very first

12:18

act back in power to she

12:20

is sending a message. No more

12:22

Mister Nice guy. Distorted.

12:26

Overly makes you like. Oscillate.

12:28

Very quickly between like routing and

12:30

I know by now he being.

12:32

Each. Character know it's true. So C and

12:35

C On spend the next six years

12:37

ruling together and they're a hit. Basically

12:39

like what you and I would be

12:41

if we decided to rule the world,

12:43

you know? Oh, One hundred percent

12:45

undoubtedly and me it's kind of what

12:47

we're already doing some the podcast the

12:50

World Ruling the World. One podcast that

12:52

it says says see handles all the

12:54

government stuff and beyond takes care of

12:56

the more nuance court relationships between the

12:59

two of them. China seems to have

13:01

the perfect ruler benevolent but very few

13:03

with teamwork and some light political scheming

13:05

women can have it all. Their.

13:08

Does he have that that? don't? Say.

13:10

See doesn't send a ton of time

13:12

with her new son but See and

13:14

got more about maternal energy anyway it

13:17

out. Bedtime stories were just slowed. says

13:19

she down a job because as See

13:21

does not have a minute to spare,

13:23

she won't be regent forever so have

13:25

to retire again once her adopted son

13:28

Guangzhou gets married. Whether she wants to

13:30

or not, She. Has limited time

13:32

to create the china of her dreams. But.

13:34

With See On as a partner, she feels confident

13:37

that she can. But. Then in

13:39

April eighteen Eighty One says he is

13:41

getting ready for bed when a unit

13:43

knock on her door. She's. Annoyed

13:45

a being interrupted, but she's also

13:47

worried. It's unusual for someone

13:49

to bother her this late, and

13:51

then she sees a unix Faith

13:54

Her stomach drops. She knows that

13:56

whatever, he has to tell her

13:58

it's bad. And Lisa Frasier. I

14:01

often like blitzes and the same here.

14:03

I can't handle more. Bad Day was

14:06

defined already. has been nothing but dozen

14:08

doubles cease and I now love the

14:10

unit. tells her that see on his

14:12

dad. Okay, literally what I

14:15

just said. I know it's so

14:17

sad and it was likely complications

14:19

from a stroke. Sweet. Whole

14:22

the see she's only forty three

14:24

when she dies. So great lake

14:26

this is what part for worry

14:28

about back then and currently. I

14:30

mean back then people did not

14:32

live long so young and says

14:34

she holds the together until the

14:36

unit leaves and she's alone, sucrose

14:38

up and a ball of greece

14:40

how can see on be gone.

14:42

She's been by the seaside since

14:44

he came to the forbidden city

14:46

she saved says she's life and

14:48

more than that she made since

14:50

she's life better with her friendship.

14:54

Like you and me I know and

14:56

really a. Sissy

14:58

has now lost every one she's

15:00

loved. She's not a daughter

15:02

or mom or friend or lover

15:05

anymore, and that leaves only one

15:07

rule for her. The sole Regent

15:09

of China Sea has a unit

15:12

come back to the room. She

15:14

orders that all music in court

15:16

be silenced for twenty seven months.

15:19

Okay, that is more home diamonds

15:21

oh I know, and celebrations around

15:23

the country or to be cancelled

15:26

for the next sixty days. See

15:28

throws herself into leading and doubled

15:30

down on. Her efforts with the

15:32

young Amber, She's determined to sculpt

15:34

the perfect future. Leader. The

15:37

see approach is a second round of

15:39

motherhood like a military campaign. Long

15:41

suicide and says she makes and

15:44

spend all his time studying. When

15:46

she eventually settled down she wants

15:48

to be sure the kingdom and

15:50

and capable hands. That says he

15:52

is about to learn that she's

15:54

not just creating a brilliant emperor,

15:56

she's also creating her most powerful

15:58

enemies. In

16:15

the Fall of Eighteen Eighty Eight, the

16:17

see A standing in the courtyard of

16:19

the Palace of Earthly Honor. She's eyeing

16:21

a row of young women who are

16:23

trying to look their best. It's been

16:25

seven years since the on died, but

16:28

today the sea is painfully reminded of

16:30

her best friend because once she and

16:32

See On were just like these young

16:34

women waiting and hoping to be pets

16:36

to serve the Emperor. Shoe

16:38

is now sixteen and the time has

16:40

come to chooses his consorts. He'll

16:43

pick has concubines, But the

16:45

she gets to select his empress

16:47

and she's determined to make the

16:49

right choice. Not just the her

16:52

son can have some at home

16:54

seminal company button for her own

16:56

purposes as well. Because I see

16:58

always has a plan. I'm convinced

17:00

she's of our. Go! Oh God

17:02

you would be. Other we would

17:05

never kill. So

17:08

once Gwangju gets married says she's

17:10

time as region is done again.

17:12

so choosing his embrace might be

17:14

the last official decision she ever

17:16

makes. She needs to pick a

17:18

woman whose interesting enough to distract

17:20

her son from the pressures of

17:22

rolling an empire but of course

17:24

not ambitious enough to you know

17:27

plot at who course a woman

17:29

she can trust to stay on

17:31

and keep her son and then.

17:33

Sell. Today. says. She is acting

17:35

as her son's own personal tinder. It

17:38

like that M T V So I was. My

17:42

eyes years or so gravy. The

17:45

see walks down the line, examining

17:47

each woman closely. She studies

17:49

their eyes, their serene expressions, and

17:52

their posture. And then finally she

17:54

spots the perfect girl. She's

17:56

meek and good natured and just

17:59

so happens. The be the daughter

18:01

of says she's brother. O

18:04

J. I

18:06

know my first thought was his cousins but then. I

18:08

remind her. Actual aside, actually I was like.

18:10

Has of like oh no see so

18:13

the sailed from Jan two adults that

18:15

are her correct yes see note once

18:17

you won't be happy with her choice

18:19

he doesn't find her attractive the what

18:22

his heart was is not her main

18:24

concern besides hill so have is concubines

18:26

including a young woman named. Pearl.

18:30

Pearl. Is beautiful that a quiet

18:32

confidence in a glint in her eye. She's

18:34

not all that different from a younger version

18:37

of that see which could be good or

18:39

bad but says she doesn't have a choice

18:41

in the matter. All she can do with

18:43

hope that the new empress will keep her

18:46

son in line. A

18:53

few months later, Kwang Soo gets

18:55

married and assumes power, and now

18:57

at the age of fifty three

18:59

so she can finally chill. Gwangju

19:02

isn't a charmer, but he's smart

19:04

as hell. She's more confident in

19:06

his leadership, and she was in

19:08

tongues ease. Maybe China won't completely

19:10

fall apart without her. With

19:12

her duties done she had to the

19:14

newly rebuilt summer palace to get some

19:17

are and are not a recent. I'm

19:19

curious if he won the lottery and

19:21

tomorrow you could just retire. What would

19:23

you do? Have oh what

19:25

What an ideal. I

19:28

mean travel I would allow percent travel

19:30

and I will hate You know. My.

19:33

Friends, my family, or be like. I've been going to

19:35

be doing a world tour. Forever. Okay,

19:37

meet me wherever you want. I'll fly you.

19:40

Wow. Wow. okay. moneybags, smile and a lottery

19:42

ice on? That's true, I forgot to. Somehow

19:45

I forgot that as I said

19:47

for sex with the goal of

19:49

ah about well says see sleep

19:52

then learn to paint and listen

19:54

to music born i don't see

19:56

growth, fruit trees and breeds person

19:59

dogs was. I didn't have

20:01

them, I wouldn't do that, I would

20:03

add some side. That's true. She also

20:05

builds a three storey opera house where

20:08

she stages these gorgeous productions nameplate. She

20:10

even asked to take a ride in

20:12

a hot air balloon which I have

20:14

done and I will say it's a

20:17

very serene experience like pick retirement. bad

20:19

stuff. I believe that I've always wanted

20:21

going hot air balloon, but someone didn't

20:24

invite me. but this he spends three

20:26

blissful years living in the Summer Palace.

20:28

but she's not totally disconnected. In

20:31

fact, going to come by daily to

20:33

give her reports not because he wants

20:35

to, but because she made him agreed

20:37

way back when they transferred power. Similarly,

20:41

just some all of these boxes see

20:43

Dead Sea for Bears is like there

20:45

will be no loopholes. You are not

20:48

getting away with anything. Well clearly succeed

20:50

and plug all the loophole because by

20:52

the summer of Eighty Ninety Four, his

20:55

reports are starting to bother her. He's

20:57

running a lot of her reforms laps,

20:59

meaning. China is heading back to the way things

21:01

were. Before she made all of her changes.

21:04

Bronx zoo has also been neglecting to

21:06

keep up with the Navy's costs. It

21:09

was once the strongest and Asia thanks

21:11

to see that now it's fourth pales

21:13

in comparison to neighboring countries like Japan.

21:16

Basically, picture your Honda Accord against a

21:18

Ferrari and a race. Wow wow Wow.

21:20

Confirm my beautiful two thousand and eight

21:22

car yes, I am that hundred as

21:25

the tanks. It's a tank in the

21:27

sense that it doesn't have air conditioning.

21:30

I'm saying. She

21:33

made all of her changes. Bong Soo

21:35

has also been neglecting to keep up

21:37

with the Navy's cause it was once

21:39

the strongest in Asia. thanks to see

21:42

that Now it's fourth pales in comparison

21:44

to neighboring countries like Japan. Basically, picture

21:46

your Honda Accord against a Ferrari and

21:48

a race. Wow wow Wow. Come from

21:51

my beautiful two thousand and eight car.

21:53

Yes, I am that how to his

21:55

attains It's a tank in the sense

21:58

that it doesn't have air conditioning. I.

22:06

See warned him about keeping the

22:09

navy strong, especially to defend against

22:11

both Like Japan that once didn't

22:13

take her seriously. And

22:15

just as to see had feared it

22:17

all comes to ahead. And the summer

22:20

of Eighty Ninety Four when Japan and

22:22

China go to war over control of

22:24

Korea by China's stuff with out of

22:27

date worship your Honda softball Japan has

22:29

a much more modern Navy the Ferrari

22:31

look at my Honda. Would destroy

22:33

any said. In a minute. sorry

22:36

for your Honda for she's not betting

22:38

on it. She knows the war won't.

22:40

Go great for China when. She gets

22:42

the news see no, shall have to

22:44

kiss her. dreams of riding in a

22:46

hot air balloon that by says long

22:49

shoe is utterly unqualified to leave China

22:51

in a time for So she packed

22:53

her bags and head back into the

22:55

fold help her son up his mess.

23:00

By September eighteen Ninety Four to see

23:02

his back in the Forbidden City. She's.

23:05

Only planning to stay for ten days.

23:07

Get in, fix things, get back to

23:09

her dogs. Went to

23:12

see walks the familiar halls. She has

23:14

to admit she's excited to get back

23:16

in the room where it happens and

23:18

she's anxious to get to work for

23:20

wins the she asked for updates on

23:23

Japan, Kwang soo hold back and a

23:25

nice her access to key documents uno

23:27

yeah it looks like loving family reunion

23:29

was not on his eighty Ninety four

23:31

bucket list. Who knew get the shaft

23:34

but says she is like dude relax

23:36

I'm not saying long he can keep

23:38

his mojo dojo costs a house Oh

23:40

no has. To do some damage control

23:43

with this Japan as you then she's

23:45

back to the summer palace that long.

23:47

Sue doesn't feel like sharing so they

23:49

see as lasted density information herself. Right

23:52

away she can see that things are

23:54

a lot worse than she thought. The

23:56

war is just one of kind of

23:58

problem. a peasant. Rebellion is brewing in

24:01

the countryside and money is running out. This

24:03

is way more than ten days of work

24:05

the cells that she won't be going home

24:07

anytime soon. Someone is gonna need a watch

24:10

her. Dozens of dogs and I would happily

24:12

time travel to do it for free and

24:14

your name again, the hot air balloon and

24:16

just. Was hop. That. A

24:18

bad life? Yeah, with every day that

24:21

passes, the situation just gets worse. To.

24:23

See needs to find a way to

24:25

persuade her son to do what she

24:27

wants and fast and as we know

24:30

says she is very good at the

24:32

art of persuasion. She discovers a secret

24:34

that might be her ticket back into

24:36

the. Inner. Circle. It seems

24:38

some pretty important jobs have

24:40

been. Going To quote Friends

24:42

of Guam shoes favorite Concubine

24:44

Pearl like Mayor of Shanghai,

24:46

which means pearl has literally

24:49

been selling jobs to the

24:51

highest bidder. Know.

24:54

Yeah or Pearl to use her relationship

24:56

with the emperor like this is a

24:58

crime punishable by death. So says she

25:00

goes to her son and tells him

25:03

what she found out and then before

25:05

once you can panic she tells him

25:07

that so keep quiet about his part

25:09

in the corruption. Is. He

25:11

finally works with her not against

25:14

her. Yeah, just a healthy

25:16

dose of family blackmail him. What

25:18

family is complete without it from it works every

25:20

time. Let's be honest, the up. And it

25:22

does work. This time May be running

25:25

an empire and fighting with your mom

25:27

is just too much work. and whatever

25:29

the reason, he agrees to let the

25:31

See back into the fold. Three.

25:36

Years later says she is as a summer

25:38

palace again. That. Hold Your hot

25:40

air Balloons! Because she was not retired

25:42

yet, China ended up taking a big

25:44

loss in the war against Japan including

25:47

to their ego. It's one thing to

25:49

lose to the West by it's a

25:51

whole new level of defeat to lose

25:53

to there once week or neighbor. Despite

25:56

the embarrassment, things eventually stabilize enough in

25:58

Beijing for says she to. Learn to

26:00

the camera. Once there,

26:02

she dies back into her fruit and

26:04

puppies and painting By now, the fruit

26:07

seems to right and the puppies bark

26:09

too much and her paintings all look

26:11

like shit. She can't relax now that

26:13

she knows Gwangju isn't a genius emperor.

26:16

She raised them to be. At least

26:18

Kwang Soo still shows up, ask for

26:20

help and see is happy to provide

26:22

at a may not be the retirement

26:24

she had in mind but says she

26:26

is willing to do just about anything

26:28

for China and to preserve her legacy.

26:31

But in late August of eighty ninety. Eight

26:34

things start to change. Gwangju

26:37

comes to visit her as normal. But.

26:39

Says he can tell there's something different.

26:42

There's. A confidence to him that she hasn't.

26:44

Seen before our own. Pearls.

26:46

Pregnant? Is Angie know god known?

26:48

As I was certain I would

26:50

like, She's gonna be knocked up.

26:53

Know. Gwangju grids his

26:55

mother and then pots to the chase

26:57

he's looking the make some changes, To.

27:00

She's like okay, he says her

27:02

a decree. It states that the

27:04

Emperor will fire all of his

27:07

advisors and replace them with new

27:09

man. Oh, except for one

27:11

person who he's going to keep on

27:13

a man named Kang. He way. Says

27:16

she knows him. He's a big advocate for

27:18

reform and has been advising her son for

27:20

a few months now. He's. A

27:23

new Be but she's made against the dude.

27:25

In fact, she agrees with some of his

27:27

ideas. But. Still, this is very

27:29

suspicious for came to be the

27:31

only guy not fired. Okay plus

27:33

these new guys will have no

27:35

loyalty to see and the guys

27:37

who got kicked out are gonna

27:39

be pissed says She warns the

27:41

emperor that they might retaliate and

27:43

it could cost him his throne,

27:45

but Guangxu doesn't seem to care

27:47

for. She also worries that given

27:49

Kings Nissan influence, he could make

27:51

a power grab for himself and

27:53

she is not about to let

27:56

that happen. This. Woman, she's

27:58

got so much dumb soon. I

28:00

do and I'm I'm done time a

28:02

lake fix this country. I'm done trying

28:04

to do this stuff. I'm like I

28:06

was given up Girl he yeah well

28:08

luckily says she is not you because

28:10

she doesn't give it up. Instead she

28:12

tells her son she does not approve

28:14

of any of this but Guangzhou is

28:16

adamant the she can only push him

28:18

so. Far he is still the

28:20

emperor. She settles for keeping

28:22

a few old advisors and let's Kwang

28:24

Soo fire the rest. But it's clear

28:27

that her adopted son is done living

28:29

by his mommy's. Role. And

28:31

says she is about to find this out. Of

28:33

hardly. Been.

28:38

Mixing says he knows. Tang and

28:40

Gwangju put out over forty decrease

28:43

in just about a hundred days.

28:45

Okay, basically. survival. Absolutely. They're like

28:48

are affidavits like I know how

28:50

yeah. they're all designed to completely

28:52

transform Chinese culture. That's like getting

28:55

a new country in between seasons

28:57

of survivor. Now a lot of

28:59

people in China. Support these

29:01

reforms. But none of them were

29:04

done with says she's approval and the

29:06

reforms are seeking the status quo power.

29:08

Of more conservative leaders

29:10

including. Sissies. She was a once

29:12

the radical young court number, but

29:14

now and almost sixty three, she's

29:16

no longer the youngest or the

29:18

most radical. She's a boomer, but

29:21

in the nineteenth century. Yeah, you're

29:23

not wrong. I mean, it's definitely got

29:25

some Genji, less diverse, boomer lefty vibes

29:27

going on here. This He spends the

29:29

coming days and weeks of the Summer

29:32

Palace pacing her anxiety away. It's clear

29:34

things are quickly moving out of her

29:36

control and she doesn't like it. Then

29:38

she gets a message from a military

29:40

general from outside Beijing's one of them

29:43

many people sell on T and says

29:45

she. She tells her that Kang knows

29:47

she's the one who stands between him

29:49

and supreme power. So now he's working

29:51

with the Emperor's. Inner Circle to

29:53

have see. Removed and that's

29:56

code for. New

30:00

and paying her own son would

30:02

defend her, but that's the worst

30:05

part. Guangzhou knows about Kings plot

30:07

and it seems he's not doing

30:09

as same the South. Him Tang

30:11

has convinced the Emperor that hanging

30:13

on to power requires drastic action

30:15

and honestly see agrees with him.

30:17

This calls for some drastic action

30:19

for sure, but she's gonna be

30:21

the one to take. It is

30:24

time for sissies. Seconds. And

30:29

is this woman sleep he do.

30:42

It September twentieth, eighty Ninety Eight and

30:44

to see as as a C palace

30:46

waiting for the emperor. It only took

30:48

her a few days to come up

30:50

with a plan for retaliation and today

30:52

she's putting it in motion. She

30:55

waits patiently for Gwangju to finish.

30:57

A meeting with some officials in the grand hall

30:59

of the Palace. Moments later, the

31:01

doors to the hollow been and

31:04

the Emperor walks out. He's likely

31:06

expecting to return to Beijing. That

31:08

says, she has other plans. She

31:10

stops him in his tracks and

31:12

calmly tall blondes to and he

31:14

won't be going anywhere he has.

31:16

He's staying here. Is

31:18

the she's prisoner for the

31:20

rest of his allies. Or

31:24

the idea. It sounds like he like walking

31:26

down a hallway and she stands. In front

31:28

of him, she's like you're not going

31:31

anywhere you like. okay, have any looking

31:33

around for some of the size as

31:35

he. But no Cc is like

31:37

dude I know you went up

31:39

to and it ends here and

31:41

now she takes on a step

31:43

further and forces the Emperor to

31:45

write a decree naming her as

31:47

his official guardian meaning that once

31:49

again once you become less, he's

31:51

purpose. So we're at

31:53

the korea number three million as of

31:56

lately. Forget

31:58

the second act the season. A

32:01

a time he decides that then. She

32:03

returned to court and no one will

32:05

put her on a corner. About an

32:07

hour and or story and forty years

32:09

and to her time at court. Says

32:12

she gets rid of bought all the yellow

32:14

screen. Now everyone

32:16

can see who's really inserts.

32:19

Love that! Now

32:23

this is a real boss moment

32:25

for the see it's giving Miranda

32:27

Priestly. that's all sides right now.

32:29

That's all that matters now. not

32:31

everyone is jazzed about the seeds

32:33

return to power clearly Gong Show

32:35

and Kane are against her. But

32:38

so are a host of others

32:40

who think for see if holding

32:42

on to tightly outdated ideas. But

32:44

the Empress dowager as like screw

32:46

them season charge now so she

32:48

ignores her haters and focuses on

32:50

damage control. Her first order of

32:53

business is to take care of

32:55

the troublemakers. There's a big less

32:57

to choose from. Kang is public

32:59

enemy number one. Pearl Guanxi. His

33:01

favorite concubine is on the shortlist as well.

33:04

She's been helping Kane and the

33:06

Amber communicate this entire time. Plus

33:08

who has a track record. For breaking

33:10

the rules. But with them

33:12

wealthy simple. The test says she doesn't

33:14

want people to find out that her

33:17

sign help Kane plot her assassination. That

33:19

would not. Look. So great for it's a sheath. People

33:22

might say Gwangju had a reason for wanting

33:24

his mom taken out. Maybe she

33:26

was mean our power hungry or.

33:28

Worse inept. Fishy

33:31

can afford to have anyone questioning her

33:33

leadership, Not when she's just on her

33:35

power back. That be

33:37

forced to see can arrest Mccain. He

33:40

gets the hell out of Dodge and

33:42

eventually a state to Japan. So at

33:44

least Pearl says decides the best way

33:46

to deal with her is to imprison

33:49

her. With. All that

33:51

dirty business taking care of the she

33:53

returns to court life on full blast.

33:55

but it's not as fun as it

33:57

used to be. She's just stopped a

33:59

murder. Then again, fair trial.

34:02

Coming back the third this way just

34:04

leaves are flowing butter and frustrated on

34:07

have made worse when kong sir calling

34:09

every one of the emperor of on

34:11

house arrest and how the see as

34:14

the evil stepmother behind at all not

34:16

a good luck even says western allies.

34:18

Start to turn on her. They use

34:20

appraised. Se for her steady an open

34:23

mind and leadership and now the relationship.

34:25

A stained Chinese. Rebels

34:27

have gotten tired of the west influence

34:29

and of started carrying out attacks. On

34:31

foreigners. But says she has

34:33

her people's backs and if this leads to

34:36

foreign powers leaving China. All. The

34:38

better. Now. This doesn't sit

34:40

so well with the west and they're quick

34:42

to take long suicide when they hear about

34:44

the Emperor's house arrest. They. Even

34:47

want her to him back Power to gong

34:49

sil. Which. Infuriates the see.

34:52

Basically the second who is more like

34:54

fire fast than potala. Oh great

34:56

reference. Thank. You so much now

34:58

says she has become a supervillain who

35:01

can't be trusted and the Western Powers

35:03

want to work with her Lesson that

35:05

so, Diplomatic problems that might have been

35:07

talked out a few years ago eventual

35:09

a lead to a full on war

35:11

between China and Europe and America has

35:13

you know we have to get our.

35:16

Grubby paws all over, I know, The

35:19

conflict get so bad that by nineteen

35:21

hundred says she has forced to flee

35:24

Beijing. She brings key members of

35:26

the court with her, including her son.

35:28

But. Then there's Pearl says she doesn't

35:31

have room to bring everyone. And

35:33

she certainly isn't gonna make room for a

35:35

troublemaker like her. She. Offers Pearl

35:38

the honorable and customary way.

35:40

I don't buy it. From

35:43

Aig year think. Fitness. See

35:46

believe this. Leave her with only one

35:48

choice. A choice that may finally turned

35:51

her into the villain a king says

35:53

she is. It's

36:00

a summer morning and nineteen hundred and

36:02

says she waits in a courtyard as

36:05

a forbidden city for yellow roads are

36:07

covered in. Like Pearl, she's giving total

36:09

empress. She wants to remind everyone at

36:11

court that she is running this country.

36:14

And in case you didn't guess already,

36:16

this is where we started our episode

36:18

that moment when says she watches Pearl

36:20

being dragged over by the you. The

36:24

young girl then falls at the she's

36:26

feet and beg for forgiveness but it's

36:28

too late. The empress his mind. Is

36:30

made Us. People. Stare and

36:32

with her. I don't really

36:34

understand why Pearl was sentenced to

36:37

death to seize Excuse is that

36:39

Pearl is too young and beautiful

36:41

and therefore be a liability on

36:43

the road and attract unwanted attention

36:45

which like yikes but also. Can't

36:48

see. Just leave her behind A recent

36:50

don't be silly, that would just be

36:52

too easy. Now,

36:56

but rumors have been swirling about says

36:58

she's ulterior motives. I'm sure she desperately

37:00

wants to explain to them that she

37:02

has no choice and tell them about

37:04

all the ways Pearl is made trouble.

37:06

But the she can't say any of

37:09

this without spilling the beans about the

37:11

attempted assassination on her life. Remember that

37:13

wouldn't be a good look. For her,

37:15

she can't win. Says she

37:17

watches Pearl disappeared on the well. And.

37:20

The people around her watch their empress

37:22

become a villain. The.

37:31

War with the West End in

37:34

disaster again. China has to

37:36

pay massive amounts of money to the Western

37:38

forces and allow Western armies to say in

37:40

the country. And when people hear the news

37:42

of what's the she. Did a pearl. It

37:44

just confirms the image of. Her that Kane

37:47

has created. But as

37:49

the she looks over a country that's

37:51

currently in shambles, she's not feeling particularly.

37:53

Vengeful. She. Can't deny her

37:55

own doing in this field war and she

37:57

vows to leave her country and better shape.

38:00

Even. If it means acknowledging and learning

38:02

from her own mistakes, She's

38:04

almost sixty five now, and considering

38:06

it's nineteen hundred and life expectancy

38:08

is around thirty two, she probably

38:10

doesn't have much time left. Yeah,

38:12

who knew that? Been a vengeance

38:14

and running a country with absolutely

38:16

an iron fist would be so

38:18

good for your whole I know.

38:20

So over the next seven years

38:22

since she pursues some of her

38:25

biggest reforms yet, many aimed at

38:27

rebuilding China and it's relationship with

38:29

the West in the process. Many

38:31

of these reforms help modernized China

38:33

and make life. Better for girls like

38:35

the she wants was. She band

38:37

split binding which is an ancient

38:40

Rome practice at seriously impedes when

38:42

it's ability to walk. See also

38:44

encourages women month aristocratic women to

38:47

get a modern education and won't

38:49

be until later that women will

38:51

more broadly had those opportunities. But

38:54

you know baby! Sat here with

38:56

us start somewhere finally she makes

38:59

her bowl display and yet turning

39:01

China into a constitutional monarchy. Meaning

39:04

ordinary people. Could run for elected

39:06

positions. The emperor with still have power

39:08

but it would be more restricted the

39:10

she isn't a first person to have

39:12

this idea. In fact King suggested something

39:14

like this years ago but now that

39:17

the she is back in control she's

39:19

ready to see it to after all

39:21

her life has shown her that's a

39:23

burden of ruling and empire is too

39:25

much for one person. and also that

39:27

sons are completely. Useless. A

39:30

big take. Oh I see the to lessen

39:32

the ah yes see believe that doing this

39:35

will also help secure the future of the

39:37

dynasty she's run for the last forty some

39:39

years but says she is also a realist.

39:42

It's. Now nineteen? Oh wait, and see

39:44

Seventy Three. She's feeling tired more days

39:46

than not, and she knows her time

39:48

is limited. But. Dying doesn't

39:50

scare says she's so much as it

39:53

stresses her out because the constitutional monarchy

39:55

thing won't get off the ground before

39:57

she dies. Which means it says she

39:59

dies. Or one hill he could

40:01

regain power again. And at the

40:03

very least, the she wants to

40:06

choose her own successor. But to

40:08

do that, Gwangju needs to be

40:10

dead and seen. May get what

40:12

she was because by the fall

40:14

of that year, lungs who isn't

40:16

doing so well himself? Oh now has

40:18

he been giving him t. With

40:21

faces. She's like I said, his meals.

40:23

Don't worry everyone. our research deflate. Oh

40:25

no, don't see his life great.

40:28

Maybe nature will do my dirty

40:30

work for me said day. After

40:32

day the kids just keep saying

40:35

it on of when every minute

40:37

that passes as a minute closer

40:39

to her own death. So what

40:41

for girls to do things under

40:43

her own? A house gop Cillizza

40:45

See decides to hurry things off

40:47

a it with poison. Okay this

40:50

woman I know some like you

40:52

know what? you're my way. Time

40:54

for deaths Yeah spob. You know

40:56

desperate times says that measures so

40:58

I guess he says she arsenic

41:00

Isabel Best friend. She had

41:03

a massive amount slipped into Guanxi

41:05

food. Now all she has to

41:07

do is wait and live with

41:09

herself. She's. Got so many

41:11

people's lives under a bad as point. I

41:14

know, On.

41:18

November Fourteenth nineteen Oh wait to see

41:20

is lying in bed with week and

41:22

sick. Guanxi, His wife comes

41:24

to her bedside and tells her that

41:27

the Emperor's house just took a really

41:29

bad turn, like probably gonna die soon.

41:32

This he pretends to be shocked. Who

41:35

could ever believe that! timing? The

41:38

younger woman leave her room and Sissy

41:40

laws alone with her thoughts. She knows

41:42

she's. Near the end as she hostile

41:44

live gong show or the whole plan

41:46

will be for nothing. More

41:49

when she gets son is the

41:51

Guangzhou has died. She must feel

41:53

relieved. Her final act for China

41:55

and her legacy. is the success

41:58

this country has taken her day her

42:00

love and her health. I

42:02

know she has nothing left to give. So

42:05

she dies just one day after

42:08

her son. Wow. I know. Wow,

42:10

that is some impressive planning

42:12

on her part. I know. Her

42:15

funeral is a massive affair and people

42:17

come from all over to pay their

42:19

respects. And it culminates in the

42:21

burning of a 236 foot paper

42:23

boat on the river inside the Forbidden City.

42:26

It's a ceremony that's supposed to

42:28

welcome Sashii to a new, better

42:30

afterlife. But Sashii's actual body

42:32

is laid to rest in a tomb close

42:35

to Sian, her best friend. The

42:37

woman who could have thrown Sashii to the

42:39

wolves. Instead, Sian and

42:42

Sashii chose friendship and partnership.

42:45

And thanks to that, two women rewrote

42:48

history. So

42:55

there you have it. The honestly

42:58

truly next level story of Empress

43:00

Dowager Sashii. Aritia, oh

43:02

my God. How

43:04

much time do we have? I feel like I said this last time. It's

43:13

hard, okay. So I like have to

43:15

keep reminding myself of the time period.

43:17

Like she existed in a world where

43:20

because she has ovaries, she's

43:23

less than. She is. True.

43:25

What's really wild to me is that

43:27

it wasn't until the 1980s that

43:30

historians uncovered the assassination attempt on Sashii's

43:32

life, which gave her a lot more

43:34

perspective. As somebody who needs everyone to

43:37

know when I'm right immediately, I can't

43:40

imagine having to wait centuries for the world

43:42

to see that. I know, I know. That

43:45

really bums me out. That better not happen

43:47

to me. I should

43:49

also mention that after all these efforts to

43:51

basically preserve her vision for China, the

43:54

Imperial dynasty came to a violent end literally

43:56

just a few years after she died. Oh

43:59

no. Her legacy kind of died with

44:01

it, honestly. Well, and that's sad. At least she

44:03

didn't have to see that. Yeah.

44:06

Because I would be, I last did this.

44:08

I worked for 70 years, murdered countless

44:11

people, and I didn't even get what I wanted. I

44:13

know. I know. In the end,

44:16

we can't say for sure whether she

44:18

lost sleep over killing people, but no

44:21

one can deny that Sushi changed the game for

44:23

China in a huge way. Waste

44:25

it, still let go now. So Beyonce

44:27

was right. Girls really do run the

44:29

world. Even in 19th century

44:31

Imperial China. Hell yeah, they do.

44:37

Follow Even The Royals on the Wondery app,

44:39

Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

44:41

You can listen to every episode of Even

44:43

The Royals early and ad-free right now by

44:45

joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or

44:47

on Apple Podcasts. Before you go,

44:50

tell us about yourself by completing a

44:52

short survey at wondery.com/survey. This

44:59

is Villanera, part two of our

45:01

two-part series on Empress Dowager Sushi.

45:05

We use many sources when researching

45:07

our stories, but we especially recommend

45:09

the book, Empress Dowager Sushi by

45:11

Zheng Cheng. We also reference The

45:13

Dragon Lady, Empress Dowager Sushi by

45:15

Nirajah Vishwanathan and articles from the

45:17

Smithsonian Magazine and National Geographic. You

45:20

can follow us, your hosts, on socials

45:22

at brooksifrin and at arisha skidmore-williams. I'm

45:25

Brooke Sifrin and I'm Arisha Skidmore-Williams.

45:28

Colleen Scriven wrote this episode. Story

45:30

editing is by Michaela Bly and our

45:32

cultural consultant is Nellie Ting Yang. Our

45:34

associate producer is Hannah Ward. Sound design

45:37

is by Sam Ada. Our coordinating producer

45:39

is Sophia Martins and our senior managing

45:41

producer is Ryan Law. Julie Magruder and

45:43

Rachel Engelman are our series producers.

45:45

Our executive producers are Jenny Bloom,

45:47

Erin O'Flaredy and Marsha Louis for

45:49

Wondery. you