[1] After the Anglo-French joint invasion and the destruction of the Yuanming Garden, the Xianfeng Emperor indulges in hunting at the Jehol Summer Resort and Prince Gong is becoming more influential in the Qing government through frequent negotiations and operations with foreign powers.

When Sushun, the most trusted Imperial Consultant, visits the Emperor, he suggests that Noble Consort Yi should be executed before her son's succession to the throne, to prevent her from intervening with state affairs.

The Emperor designates Noble Consort Yi's six year-old son Zaichun as his heir and appoints Sushun and seven other ministers as regents.

Afterward, the Emperor orders Noble Consort Yi to stay behind and gives her one of his jade seals as a symbol of authority to assist the Empress.

Prince Gong, who comes from Peking to Jehol to pay tribute to the late Emperor, meets with the empresses dowager to discuss a coup to seize power.

Still holding the government, the regency secretly hires assassins against the empresses dowager on their way back to Peking, but their plan is foiled because of an undercover.

Seeing her political enemies eliminated, Cixi goes to see Consort Li, who turns out to have been put in a large wine urn with her limbs chopped.