She traveled with him and performed the duties of an official hostess[2] when he was a Minister of Imperial China from 1896 to 1910, serving in the United States, England, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Cuba, and Japan.

[5] She also pointed out the health-damaging effects of corsets for Western women: "While I am exceedingly fond of America and enjoy many of its privileges and ways," she explained, "yet I prefer having small feet to a little waist.

My vital organs are not affected in any way or injured by the confinement of my feet in childhood, but the health of many an American woman is ruined by the constriction of her waist.

"[6] In widowhood Ho Miu-ling returned to Hong Kong, where she was a major donor to charities, including building funds for churches and scholarships.

Their son Wu Chaoshu (1887–1934) was born in Tianjin, educated in American schools,[9] and followed his father into a career in diplomacy.