Emperor Guangxu called Cixi father when meeting her, which is quite puzzling to us. Some may take this to be a customary form of address for the Manchu people, but this is not so.

The concubine of Emperor Xianfeng, Empress Dowager Cixi was actually the aunt of Emperor Guangxu. She said "Emperor Guangxu's mother was my younger sister, so he is just like my own son." When Emperor Tongzhi passed away, leaving no son, it was deemed appropriately that Guangxu assume the throne, but it was actually Cixi who dealt with court affairs when Emperor Tongzhi and Guangxu reigned. So she preferred to be called father by Emperor Guangxu, indicating her superiority and power. That was how the strange way of addressing her came into being.

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