Chapter 324
**Chapter 322: Monitoring Lu Xuan**
A flicker of hatred crossed Lu Xuan's eyes. Now confined to Changxin Palace, she had become the laughingstock of the entire harem.
And just at this moment, Shen Wei made a grand entrance.
What was she here for?
Was she deliberately coming to flaunt her success?
Lu Xuan remained seated, leaning against the soft couch of the favored concubine, her gaze dark and brooding.
Before long, the curtain at the entrance of the chamber was lifted, and Shen Wei, shedding her fox fur cloak, approached with a smile in her eyes. "How is the Shufei doing?"
Lu Xuan's expression soured, her voice laced with suspicion. "Very well, no need for the Guifei to worry."
Shen Wei smiled gently. "You look a bit unwell. Perhaps you should see a doctor? The female medical office has recently welcomed a new batch of skilled female physicians, quite adept at treating women's ailments."
Lu Xuan clenched her fists tightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Shen Wei's radiant face.
Now pregnant, Lu Xuan had been plagued by anxiety for too long, her complexion dull and her skin waxy and haggard, no longer the stunning beauty she once was. Yet, looking at Shen Wei, who was a few years her senior, it was hard to believe she was a woman who had borne three children.
In charge of the harem and favored above all, Shen Wei shone like a flower blooming in the cold of winter, exceptionally striking.
A pang of bitterness twisted in Lu Xuan's heart.
Coldly, she said, "You're the one trying to draw me into your schemes, deliberately plotting against me."
Doctor Mo was a woman, and it was perfectly reasonable for Shen Wei to seek her out for acupuncture in broad daylight. Shen Wei had intentionally laid out bait, luring Lu Xuan into her trap.
Lu Xuan felt a wave of regret wash over her, wishing she had acted differently.
In a fit of jealousy, she had lost her reason, only thinking of dragging Shen Wei down into the mud, never considering that Shen Wei would set a trap for her.
Shen Wei did not approach Lu Xuan, keeping a safe distance by the open door.
Holding a warm soup pot, she smiled, "Given the circumstances, Shufei should focus on nurturing the baby and stop sending letters to the Lu family."
Lu Xuan's face turned ashen, a chill creeping down her spine.
Shen Wei actually knew she had been sending messages to the Lu family.
There were spies of Shen Wei everywhere in this harem...
Lu Xuan's palms nearly dug into her skin as she glared at Shen Wei. "You're only so bold because you have the Emperor's favor. When that favor fades, your fate won't be any better than mine."
Shen Wei shrugged, not bothering to respond.
Even if one day misfortune struck and she lost the Emperor's favor, she would still find a way to survive.
Her clear gaze swept around Lu Xuan's chamber, her willow-like brows furrowing as she called over the head maid of Changxin Palace, reprimanding, "It's cold; why hasn't the charcoal in the stove been replaced? The Shufei is sensitive to the cold, and if her health suffers, it won't be good."
The maids hurriedly knelt, apologizing.
Shen Wei continued to nitpick, her dissatisfaction growing as she noticed the windows still wide open on such a cold day. "The heir is of utmost importance; how could these servants be so careless?"
Lu Xuan's eyelids twitched incessantly.
Before Lu Xuan could protest, Shen Wei used the excuse of the palace staff's negligence to replace nearly all the eunuchs and maids in Changxin Palace.
Among them, over ten of Lu Xuan's trusted aides were sent to the Yeting to do hard labor.
With a smile at the corner of her lips, Shen Wei said, "It's cold in winter, and since Shufei is still under house arrest, I've sent away these incompetent servants and replaced them with more capable ones, allowing Shufei to rest easy during her pregnancy."
Lu Xuan's face was as cold as ice.
Finally, Lu Xuan understood that Shen Wei's visit to Changxin Palace was not just to gloat but to eliminate her most capable supporters.
From now on, the palace would be filled with Shen Wei's people.
Everything Lu Xuan did would be under Shen Wei's watchful eye.
"It's getting cold; take good care of the baby," Shen Wei left with a veiled remark, taking her leave with the palace attendants.
Inside the chamber, Lu Xuan swept the bird's nest off the table in a fit of rage. With a crash, the small porcelain bowl shattered into pieces, the glistening bird's nest scattering across the floor.
Her eyes reddened as she stared intently at her prominently rounded belly.
If, if the child within her were to be lost today, could she pin the blame on Shen Wei?
Her only remaining close maid, Xiao Qi, rushed over and knelt on the ground. "My lady, please don’t think like that! First, your baby is already eight months along; if anything happens, it could harm you as well. Second, what if it’s a little prince?"
Lu Xuan bit her lip.
After a long pause, she ultimately abandoned the terrifying thought.
Taking a deep breath, she murmured, "I will not give up. As long as I am alive, there will be a day when I can turn the tables."
There was still plenty of time; as long as she lived, she would find a way to drag Shen Wei into the abyss.
...
...
After leaving Changxin Palace, Shen Wei headed to the female medical office at the Tai Hospital.
Established just half a month ago, the female medical office had welcomed over thirty female physicians, the youngest in their teens and the oldest already sixty.
After rigorous evaluations by Mo Xun and other male physicians, three female doctors were granted official positions. Mo Xun showcased her exceptional medical skills, and the other female doctors were reluctant to leave, willingly staying on as apprentices.
Mo Xun seemed to have discovered a new world, full of energy and enthusiasm, teaching her well-crafted medical texts to these female physicians.
"Guifei Chen has arrived."
With the eunuch's crisp announcement, a throng of female doctors rushed out, kneeling in reverence.
Seeing the legendary Guifei Chen, the female doctors were filled with excitement. This Guifei had changed their fates, and they would forever remember her kindness.
Shen Wei smiled warmly, encouraging them to rise.
She and Mo Xun spoke privately in the room. Mo Xun had changed into a blue physician's robe, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, revealing her delicate features.
It was clear she was a woman.
Confident and capable, she exuded an air of vitality.
The male physicians in the palace who had befriended Mo Xun were left speechless. Several young male physicians even came by frequently to discuss life and aspirations with her.
Mo Xun poured a cup of tea for Shen Wei, grinning. "Guifei, I owe you my gratitude; I think I've found the meaning of life."
Shen Wei sipped her medicinal tea. "What do you mean by that?"
Mo Xun replied, "To pass on knowledge and solve problems, to share my medical skills and help the needy—this is what gives life meaning."
In the past, Mo Xun had only focused on escaping marriage and survival, constantly hiding and feeling sorry for herself.
Now she realized that compared to running away, teaching and honing her medical skills was the true purpose of life.
Mo Xun opened the window, pointing to the group of female doctors in the courtyard.
She gestured to a sixty-year-old woman with white hair. "This old lady accompanied her husband in practicing medicine for forty years, skilled in acupuncture. After her husband passed away, her son took over their clinic and all their wealth, forbidding her from practicing. She came to the female medical office and became a court physician, able to support herself with her skills."
Mo Xun then pointed to another woman in her thirties. "This young lady used to work as a pharmacist in a clinic but was recently dismissed by the owner. She has a talent for treating children, which is quite rare. If any of the little princes fall ill, she would be the one to see."
Without the female medical office, these talented women would have remained hidden gems, never seeing the light of day.
Mo Xun discussed medical techniques with them, gaining invaluable insights.
Shen Wei said, "The female medical office is under your management. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to me."
Mo Xun's eyes sparkled with joy as she leaned closer, genuinely praising, "Guifei, you are truly wonderful."
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