Concubine Cixi gave birth to Zaichun, the future Tongzhi Emperor.
On April 27, 1856, Cixi, then a concubine, gave birth to Zaichun, who later became the Tongzhi Emperor. This event significantly strengthened Cixi's standing at the Qing court, as she became the mother of the emperor's only surviving son. Her newfound status facilitated her rise to power, as she moved from a secondary position in the harem to the influential role of Empress Dowager.