Empress Dowager Xiaozhen (Cixi’s mother-in-law)

Empress Dowager Xiaozhen was the mother of Empress Dowager Cixi, a powerful and influential figure during the Qing Dynasty. She played a significant role in her son’s rise to emperor and helped shape his early reign. Known for her political acumen and support for her family’s status, she maintained influence behind the scenes. Her position as mother-in-law to the emperor positioned her as an important figure in court politics, contributing to the familial and political alliances that reinforced her family's power during a turbulent period of Chinese history.