As time passed by, the Princesses grew up and the Empress Dowager grew old. One can observe that her temper had become milder with maturity. As she grew older, she become thinner and weaker physically but she is still the same old 老佛爷 inside.
That fateful morning on the 14th September 2006, as usual I went to Their Highnesses to give them their morning call and serve them breakfast. I realized that 老佛爷 was not feeling well. In fact she looked terrible. She is breathing heavily, in cold sweat and struggling to move. I panicked. I tell that she cannot die. Not now, not today. I tell her I will be by her side and she can tell me whatever she want me to do. Instead of letting me stay, she sent me away to do some errands. Her headstrongness and strength never bend even when she was already dying, she insisted in completing all necessary things before she go.
Although I am unwilling to leave, I cannot defy her orders so asked her to wait for me to return that night. “老佛爷，您一定要等老臣回来。您一定要挺着，千万不要放弃，老臣一定会在日落前把事情办妥，您一定要等老臣回来。” I left her in tears and worries. Through the way she looked at me, I know I have to go. I remembered her black beady eyes when she was still strong and young. Now her eyes were filled with agony and tears.
As promised, I returned by evening and she was waiting for me. She waited for me. I kneeled down in front of her and reported my assignments. She was already very weak. I knew she was going soon. There and then, right in front of me and their Highnesses, she drew her last breathe and returned to Heaven.
I regretted. I regretted telling her to wait for me. If she had not done so, she will not have suffered so much. She could have attain 极乐sooner. Until today when I recalled this incident, my tears will start to well. 老佛爷，老臣对不住您，老臣知错了。I wished I can be by her side to serve her till her last breath but it was my greatest honour that she waited for me until I returned.
That fateful morning on the 14th September 2006, as usual I went to Their Highnesses to give them their morning call and serve them breakfast. I realized that 老佛爷 was not feeling well. In fact she looked terrible. She is breathing heavily, in cold sweat and struggling to move. I panicked. I tell that she cannot die. Not now, not today. I tell her I will be by her side and she can tell me whatever she want me to do. Instead of letting me stay, she sent me away to do some errands. Her headstrongness and strength never bend even when she was already dying, she insisted in completing all necessary things before she go.
Although I am unwilling to leave, I cannot defy her orders so asked her to wait for me to return that night. “老佛爷，您一定要等老臣回来。您一定要挺着，千万不要放弃，老臣一定会在日落前把事情办妥，您一定要等老臣回来。” I left her in tears and worries. Through the way she looked at me, I know I have to go. I remembered her black beady eyes when she was still strong and young. Now her eyes were filled with agony and tears.
As promised, I returned by evening and she was waiting for me. She waited for me. I kneeled down in front of her and reported my assignments. She was already very weak. I knew she was going soon. There and then, right in front of me and their Highnesses, she drew her last breathe and returned to Heaven.
I regretted. I regretted telling her to wait for me. If she had not done so, she will not have suffered so much. She could have attain 极乐sooner. Until today when I recalled this incident, my tears will start to well. 老佛爷，老臣对不住您，老臣知错了。I wished I can be by her side to serve her till her last breath but it was my greatest honour that she waited for me until I returned.
The Empress Dowager last seen in public with Their Highnesses at a dinner 1 week before her departure.
Her Majesty, the Old Empress Dowager 10 days before returning to heaven on 14 Sep 2006
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