# Emperor Kwang-Hsu — With the Empress Dowager of China character guide > Emperor Kwang-Hsu in With the Empress Dowager of China by Katharine A. Carl. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Kwang-Hsu, the young Emperor Kwang-Hsu, His Majesty **First appearance:** 0003-i-my-presentation-and-first-day-at-the-chinese-court ## Snapshot The reigning Emperor and the Dowager's nephew, a reserved figure who lacks her magnetism and rules in the shadow of her long regency. ## Who they are He occupies the throne but not the power, a young man whose minority was steered by two Empresses and whose adulthood has not freed him from the older one's grip. Where Tze-Hsi commands a room, he recedes from it, and the court reads the difference. His quiet presence sharpens the question the book keeps circling: what does it mean to be sovereign when someone else has always held the reins? ## Relationships ### [Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/empress_dowager_tze_hsi) _family_ Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control. ### [Prince Ch'un](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/prince_chun) _family_ Prince Ch'un is the Emperor's uncle, but their relationship is strained due to Prince Ch'un's loyalty to the Empress Dowager. ### [Lady Yu-Keng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/lady_yu_keng) _professional_ Lady Yu-Keng serves as a translator and intermediary for the Emperor, but he remains distant and formal with her. ### [Whar-Mou-Lahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/whar_mou_lahn) _social_ The Emperor and Whar-Mou-Lahn have limited but polite interactions, mostly during court ceremonies and family gatherings. ### [Wang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/wang) _professional_ Wang serves the Emperor as a eunuch, but their interactions are minimal and overshadowed by the Empress Dowager's influence. ### [Grand Secretary Yung Lu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/grand_secretary_yung_lu) _professional_ The Emperor interacts with Yung Lu as a minister, but their relationship is distant due to Yung Lu's alignment with the Empress Dowager. ### [Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/empress_dowager_tze_hsi) _family_ Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control. ### [Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/empress_dowager_tze_hsi) _family_ Aunt and nephew, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent and dominating the Emperor's life, keeping him under her control. ## In the story ### [With the Empress Dowager of China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/with-the-empress-dowager-of-china) The young emperor, whose relationship with the Empress Dowager and his role in the court are described, particularly during his birthday festivities. ### [I: My Presentation and First Day at the Chinese Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/i-my-presentation-and-first-day-at-the-chinese-court) The young Emperor, who enters with the Empress Dowager and is presented to Carl. ### [II: Personal Appearance of Her Majesty—A Chinese Repast—Boating](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/ii-personal-appearance-of-her-majesty-a-chinese-repast-boating) Present with the Empress Dowager at the Audience Hall, but not otherwise featured. ### [III: The Palace of the Emperor’s Father (Prince Ch’un, the Seventh Prince)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/iii-the-palace-of-the-emperor-s-father-prince-ch-un-the-seventh-prince) Son of Prince Ch'un, lived in these pavilions after being chosen as heir. ### [V: The Young Empress and Ladies of the Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/v-the-young-empress-and-ladies-of-the-court) Mentioned as the young Emperor, cousin and husband of the young Empress, and having only two wives. ### [VI: Continuation of the Portrait—Her Majesty’s Dogs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/vi-continuation-of-the-portrait-her-majesty-s-dogs) Mentioned as part of the court, but not directly featured in this chapter. ### [VII: Festivities at Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/vii-festivities-at-court) His birthday is being celebrated, though the festivities are advanced by two days due to sacrificial obligations. ### [VIII: His Majesty the Emperor Kwang-Hsu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/viii-his-majesty-the-emperor-kwang-hsu) The subject of the chapter; described in detail physically and psychologically, with emphasis on his patience, intelligence, and the constraints of his position. ### [IX: The Emperor’s Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/ix-the-emperor-s-birthday) Receives congratulations and gifts, dressed in a yellow gown with jade belt buckle, and wears the Imperial Pearl on his hat for the occasion. ### [XI: Some Characteristics of Her Majesty—Second Visit to the Sea Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xi-some-characteristics-of-her-majesty-second-visit-to-the-sea-palace) Mentioned as residing in the palace, but not directly present in this chapter. ### [XIII: The Steam-Launch—Semiannual Sacrifices to Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xiii-the-steam-launch-semiannual-sacrifices-to-confucius) Participates in the Confucian sacrifice, kneeling and prostrating, and remains standing during the service. ### [XIV: The Palace Eunuchs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xiv-the-palace-eunuchs) His Majesty notices a eunuch in Carl's service and promotes him, bestowing a button and a higher rank. ### [XVI: The Great Audience Hall—Some Official Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xvi-the-great-audience-hall-some-official-customs) Described as having held audiences at three a.m. due to shyness, and later as a young ruler who would slip away from the throne during tedious reports. ### [XVII: The Summer Palace and Its Grounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xvii-the-summer-palace-and-its-grounds) Seen returning from ceremonies in Peking, his approach announced by the Empress Dowager. ### [XVIII: The Festival of the Harvest Moon—Work on the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xviii-the-festival-of-the-harvest-moon-work-on-the-portrait) The Emperor participates in the Harvest Moon ceremony, making bows and prostrations to the Moon alongside the Empress Dowager. ### [XIX: A Garden Party at the Summer Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xix-a-garden-party-at-the-summer-palace) Seated at the Empress Dowager's left during the formal reception of the ladies. ### [XXI: A European Circus at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxi-a-european-circus-at-the-palace) Attends the circus, shows interest in horses and fancy riding, and uses opera glasses to screen himself from view. ### [Palace Customs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxii-palace-customs) He pays respects to the Empress Dowager, joins her for audiences, and dines with her on theater days. ### [Her Majesty's Anxiety—Her Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxiii-her-majesty-s-anxiety-her-birthday) Maintains a calm exterior despite anxiety; insists on celebrating the Empress Dowager's birthday with traditional pomp. ### [XXIV: The Winter Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxiv-the-winter-palace) His throne-room is mentioned, and he is said to have given Carl the use of one of his halls for a studio. ### [XXV: Peking—Beginning the Portrait for St. Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxv-peking-beginning-the-portrait-for-st-louis) Referenced when the Empress Dowager says she will 'speak to the Emperor' about the window changes. ### [XXVI: Some Social Customs—Manchu and Chinese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxvi-some-social-customs-manchu-and-chinese) Mentioned as having two wives, with the first wife being the stronger character. ### [XXVII: Present-Giving in China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxvii-present-giving-in-china) The Emperor is mentioned in the context of birthday celebrations, where he also receives presents, though the Empress Dowager's birthday surpasses his in the number and elegance of gifts. ### [XXVIII: Some Winter Days at the Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxviii-some-winter-days-at-the-palace) Mentioned in the context of the Emperor's birthday festivities, though not directly present in this chapter. ### [XXIX: Religious Rites in China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxix-religious-rites-in-china) Described as the 'Son of Heaven' and High Priest of the Nature cult, performing sacrifices at the Temple of Heaven and other great temples. ### [Her Majesty the Empress Dowager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxx-her-majesty-the-empress-dowager) The nephew and adopted son of the Empress Dowager, for whom she served as Co-Regent and who was Emperor during the Boxer Rebellion. ### [XXXII: The Chinese New Year—Official Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxii-the-chinese-new-year-official-audience) Present at the New Year celebrations and the official audience, receiving congratulations from the diplomatic corps. ### [XXXIII: Continuation of the St. Louis Portrait—Spring Days at the Sea Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxiii-continuation-of-the-st-louis-portrait-spring-days-at-the-sea-palace) Inspects new buildings with the Empress Dowager and performs the private plowing ceremony in the Palace grounds. ### [XXXIV: Finishing and Sending Off the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxiv-finishing-and-sending-off-the-portrait) Mentioned as part of the Imperial family, though not directly active in this chapter. ### [XXXV: Return to the Summer Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxxv-return-to-the-summer-palace) Uses his Throne-room during the author's absence, leaving behind a theater program and papers with drawings related to Manchuria. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in the context of filial piety and the Empress Dowager's birthday prostrations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/emperor_kwang_hsu - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters