Unlikemanyotherwomenintheimperialharem,EmpressDowagerCixiwasknownforherabilitytoreadandwrite.Thisprovidedherampleopportunitiestohelptheailingemperorindailystategoverning.Onvariousoccasions,theXianfengEmperorhadCixireadpalacememorialsforhim,andleavecommentsonthememorialsaccordingtohiswill.Asaresult,Cixibecamewell-infonnedaboutstateaf&irs,andlearnedthetechniquesofstategoverningfromtheailingemperor.HistoriansbothhomeandabroadhavegenerallyportrayedherasasinnerresponsibleforthefalloftheDynasty.