Từ Dụ was elevated to the position of one of the "Tam Cung" (三宮) together with Trang Ý and Học phi.

[1] Từ Dụ played a significant role in the dethronement of Hiệp Hòa, whom was a pro-French emperor, and enthroned Kiến Phúc.

Tôn Thất Thuyết decided to launch the Cần Vương movement against French colonists.

"Tam Cung" fled to Tomb of Tự Đức together with Emperor Hàm Nghi.

Thuyết decided to take them to a mountain base at Tân Sở, and then went to China to hide, asylum and seek reinforcements.