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Picture of Empress Dowager and her Mahjong Friends.
Empress Dowager of the Qing
Dynasty (1644 - 1911 A.D.) loved to play Mah Jong. Princesses and wives
of the royal family were common guests of Empress Dowager's Mah Jong parties.
During games, two of Empress Dowager's maids would constantly give out
signals behind her back, hinting to the players what tiles she was anticipating.
Her guests would naturally discard these cards to her. When Empress Dowager
won a game, her guests would happily pay their dues. Although her guests
lost most of their games against Empress Dowager, what they got in return
were far more valuable than the mony they lost. And everyone was happy!