Ling, Der

"Princess" Der Ling (1885- 1944) was a Hanjun bannerwoman, the daughter Yu Geng. Her father was a member of the Hanjun Plain White Banner Corps. She received a western education, learning French and English, and studying dance in Paris with Isadora Duncan. Upon her return to China, Der Ling became the First lady-in-waiting to the Empress Dowager Cixi, as well as interpreting for her when she received foreign visitors. Der Ling stayed at court until March 1905. Der Ling wrote of her experiences in court in her memoir Two Years in the Forbidden City, which was published in 1911. Der Ling provide...