Chinese

		to sit behind a curtain	to handle matters of state
trad. (垂簾聽政)		垂簾	聽政
simp. (垂簾听政)		垂簾	听政
Literally: “to handle matters of state behind a curtain”.

Idiom

垂簾聽政

1. (archaic) to rule in place of a monarch; to serve as regent
   • 皇上龍體違和，正需要靜養。懇請皇太后垂簾聽政，以安天下人心！ [MSC, trad.]
     皇上龙体违和，正需要静养。恳请皇太后垂帘听政，以安天下人心！ [MSC, simp.]
     From: The Firmament of the Pleiades

     Huángshàng lóngtǐ wéihé, zhèng xūyào jìngyǎng. Kěnqǐng huángtàihòu chuíliántīngzhèng, yǐ ān tiānxià rénxīn! [Pinyin]

     His Majesty's imperial body is unwell and now needs rest. We earnestly beg Empress Dowager to rule the empire from behind the curtain, so as to pacify public sentiment throughout this realm under heaven!