参考答案:
Unlike many other women in the imperial harem, Empress Dowager Cixi was known for her ability to read and write. This provided her ample opportunities to help the ailing emperor in daily state governing. On various occasions, the Xianfeng Emperor had Cixi read palace memorials for him, and leave comments on the memorials according to his will. As a result, Cixi became well-infonned about state af&irs, and learned the techniques of state governing from the ailing emperor. Historians both home and abroad have generally portrayed her as a sinner responsible for the fall of the Dynasty.