Xiao Chenyi has only been on the throne for two years, and the number of concubines in the harem is not large. Currently, there is only one empress, two consorts, two Zhaorong, two Guiren, two Jieyi, and five Changzai.

Seeing that Xiao Chenyi arranged for Yaolan to stay in Yaohua Palace, everyone understood the emperor's intentions.

Inside the Kunning Palace.

Granny Xu brought in a bowl of medicine: "Your Highness, it's time to take your medicine."

Empress Xu coughed lightly, put down the book in her hand, took the medicine and drank it all in one gulp.

The head maid, Yuan'er, hurriedly handed over a box of candied fruit: "Your Highness, have a piece of candied fruit to relieve the bitterness."

Empress Xu waved her hand: "No need, this medicine is not bitter."

Granny Xu took the bowl and put it down, sighing inwardly.

She was the Empress's wet nurse and had watched the Empress grow up since she was a child, so how could she not know the Empress's thoughts?

No medicine is without bitterness, but even the bitterness cannot compare to the bitterness in Empress Xu's heart.

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that your illness is caused by excessive worry and anxiety. He advised you to think about happier things."

Empress Xu smiled and said, "Granny, if a bird is trapped in a cage all day, what happy things can it think about? It can only stay in its memories, but how many happy things are there for people to remember?"

After Empress Xu finished speaking, she looked at the birdcage hanging not far away. Inside was a myna bird, which Xiao Chenyi had specially sent to amuse her.

Empress Xu was clearly only 16 years old, yet she appeared to be a 60-year-old woman, lifeless and dull.

Granny Xu looked at her young mistress with heartache, her eyes even turning red.

Miss used to be such a lively and cheerful girl. In the Prime Minister's mansion, she followed the eldest son to climb walls and trees. She was scolded by the master countless times for not having the demeanor of a proper lady.

The young lady retorted to the master, "I don't want to be a lady from a respectable family. I want to see all the beautiful scenery of the Great Chu, marry a great general, and fight alongside him on the battlefield to protect the people of the Great Chu."

Before the young lady could even see all the beautiful sights in the world and find her general, an imperial decree confined her to the inner palace.

Being the queen of a nation is a position that countless young women dream of, but my own daughter simply discards it like trash.

Having only been in the palace for two short years, the young lady, who could once climb walls and trees, developed a heart condition.

But Granny Xu was helpless.

Perhaps this is the young lady's fate, since her father is the Left Prime Minister, who can help the new emperor in the previous dynasty.

The young lady's elder brother is a mighty general who commands an army of 100,000.

All she could do was advise the young lady to accept her fate.

"Miss, I heard that the newly arrived Princess Yaolan has been arranged by the Emperor to live in Yaohua Palace." Granny Xu changed the subject, trying to divert her mistress's attention.

Logically speaking, where Princess Yaolan lived was a matter of the inner palace and should have been arranged by the Empress. However, Empress Xu, citing poor health, had long ago handed over the power to manage the inner palace to Empress Dowager Wei.

Empress Xu gave a slight smirk: "Isn't that perfect? ​​With Consort Yao in the palace, it will suit the Emperor's wishes perfectly and be an extra asset to him, cough cough."

Yuan'er hurriedly stepped forward to pat Empress Xu's back: "Your Majesty, Princess Yaolan's welcoming banquet will begin soon. Let me help you change your clothes."

As the empress of a country, Empress Xu always had to attend the welcoming banquet for the princess of another country.

Empress Xu had no idea that the welcoming banquet that evening would turn into a grand spectacle.