In 1864, during the third year of the reign of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty, the fake eunuch An Dehai relied on the favor of Empress Dowager Cixi (Liu Xiaoqing) and acted freely in the court, even disregarding the emperor (Chen Daoming). When he learned that Emperor Tongzhi and his palace maid Gui Lian (Gong Li) were on good terms, he sought the approval of Empress Dowager Cixi to take Gui Lian (Gong Li)
In 1864, during the third year of the reign of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty, the fake eunuch An Dehai relied on the favor of Empress Dowager Cixi (Liu Xiaoqing) and acted freely in the court, even disregarding the emperor (Chen Daoming). When he learned that Emperor Tongzhi and his palace maid Gui Lian (Gong Li) were on good terms, he sought the approval of Empress Dowager Cixi to take Gui Lian (Gong Li)