Cixi was an important political figure in the late Qing Dynasty, and there were many elaborate rituals and rules in her daily life. It is said that Cixi would wake up at 3 a.m. every day and go to morning court at 8 a.m., during which time she would do the following for 5 hours:
Freshening: In ancient times, there were no modern colorful entertainment activities, and the ancients rested early, so the emperor went to the morning court before dawn. As the ruler of the Qing Dynasty, Cixi would get up every day under the service of the palace maids to carry out a series of complicated grooming processes such as dressing, makeup, and combing hair.
Breakfast: After freshening up, Cixi will enjoy a hearty breakfast with a variety of porridges, dim sum, soups, etc.
Worship the Buddha: Cixi is a devout Buddhist and performs daily worship activities. She would chant sutras, burn incense, and worship the Buddha in a special Buddhist hall, praying for the Buddha's blessing on herself and the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty.
Reviewing the recitals: Cixi would review a large number of recitals every day to deal with national affairs. These cantatas come from all over the country, covering all aspects of politics, economy, and military. Cixi would carefully read each piece of music and give instructions accordingly.
In short, Cixi's life routine was very regular, and she paid great attention to detail and etiquette. Her lifestyle and habits also reflected the traditions and culture of the Qing court at the time.