Consort Zhuang doesn't want palace intrigue; she just wants to raise her child and live a caref

Chapter 290 Cannons and Muskets

Night had fallen, and all was quiet except for a few barks from afar. Su Nuannuan and her group slowly entered the manor.

Granny Song stood at the door, and seeing Su Nuannuan return from afar, she hurried forward to greet her. Her face was filled with a joyful smile as she helped Su Nuannuan and asked with concern, "Your Highness, you're finally back! You must have had a long journey!"

Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and said, "It's alright."

Granny Song hurriedly instructed the kitchen to boil water in preparation for Su Nuannuan's bath and change. At the same time, she also asked someone to prepare a late-night snack, since it was already past dinner time, but Su Nuannuan must be hungry after a long day of travel.

However, Canglan Jingcheng and Canglan Jingyao were picked up separately by Granny Jin and Granny Ru. The two little ones seemed a bit sleepy, muttering that they didn't want to eat anything and just wanted to sleep.

Su Nuannuan shook her head helplessly, thinking that the children were also tired after a long day, so she let them be.

Under Song Mama's meticulous care, Su Nuannuan washed away her fatigue and changed into comfortable pajamas. Afterwards, she sat at the table and enjoyed a bowl of steaming lotus seed soup.

"Granny Song, after I left, did anything happen at the estate or the imperial mausoleum?" Su Nuannuan put down her bowl and asked softly.

With a smile, Granny Song replied, "Your Majesty, everything is fine. The servants on the estate are all performing their duties, and there's nothing unusual. The imperial mausoleum is also peaceful, with no disturbances whatsoever."

Su Nuannuan felt somewhat relieved after hearing this. She nodded and said to Granny Song, "That's very good. Thank you for your hard work, Granny Song."

Granny Song quickly waved her hand and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This is all my duty. As long as Your Highness and the young masters are safe and sound, I am at ease."

"Your Highness looks so thin! Did you not get enough rest in the palace?" Granny Song said with concern as she looked at the somewhat emaciated Su Nuannuan.

"After being away for nine years, going back suddenly feels a bit strange," Su Nuannuan said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"There's only one more year until I can return to the palace. What should I do then?" Granny Song's face was full of worry, her brows were furrowed, and her tone revealed a hint of anxiety and unease.

Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly comforted her, "Granny, don't worry too much. After all, there's still a year left, and things might change during that time. Besides, staying a little longer might help."

Hearing Su Nuannuan's words, Song Mama breathed a slight sigh of relief, but still said with concern, "I hope so, Your Highness. But a year is neither a long nor a short time, and I really don't know what might happen."

Su Nuannuan smiled and said, "Granny, please don't worry. No matter what, we will handle it. It's getting late, you should get some rest too."

Granny Song nodded, bowed to Su Nuannuan, and then turned to instruct Jinse and Yaoqin, "You two take good care of Her Highness and do not neglect her in the slightest."

Jinse and Yaoqin replied in unison, "Yes, Granny."

On the tenth day after returning to the manor, Marquis Ding'an secretly sent someone to inform Su Nuannuan of an important piece of news: the cannon had been successfully developed and was currently in the testing phase.

Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was secretly delighted, but she remained calm on the surface. She said to the person who came, "Go back and tell Marquis Ding'an to report to the Emperor according to the usual procedure."

The man respectfully responded, then took something from his robes and handed it to Su Nuannuan, saying, "Your Highness, this is what the Marquis asked me to give you."

Full of curiosity, Su Nuannuan took the mysterious item and carefully opened it, as if it contained some precious secret. When she finally lifted the lid, the sight before her made her eyes widen in surprise—an exquisite musket lay quietly in her palm.

"This is an improved musket. The Marquis specifically instructed that it be used by the Empress for self-defense," the man explained softly.

Su Nuannuan carefully examined the musket, feeling its weight and texture. She gently tossed the musket in her hand and asked, "How many of these improved muskets have been produced so far? Has it been reported to the Emperor?"

The messenger replied, "It has already been reported, and each border post has now been equipped with a small squad of these muskets."

After listening, Su Nuannuan nodded slightly, indicating her approval of the answer. She knew that this new type of weapon was extremely important for the country's defense.

After the visitor left, Su Nuannuan carefully put the musket away. She gently stroked the surface of the musket, feeling its coldness and hardness, and then placed it in a safe place to ensure it would not be damaged in any way.

Meanwhile, in the imperial study of the palace, the Marquis of Ding'an was respectfully reporting in detail to the Emperor on the development of the cannon. The Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed intently on the Marquis of Ding'an, a look of surprise occasionally appearing on his face.

"You said that cannon has been developed?" The Emperor's voice revealed a hint of urgency as he eagerly pressed the Marquis of Ding'an for an answer.

Marquis Ding'an bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it has entered the testing phase. I request Your Majesty to come and witness the power of this cannon. If there are no problems, it will enter mass production and then be deployed to the border military camps."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor was overjoyed. He stood up and said excitedly, "Excellent! You truly are worthy of my esteemed minister! Let's go, I'll go and see if this cannon is as powerful as the book describes!"

Marquis Ding'an quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Afterwards, accompanied by the Marquis of Ding'an, the Emperor went to the cannon's testing ground. Throughout the journey, the Emperor was filled with anticipation, placing high hopes on this cannon and wishing it would bring about significant changes to the nation's border defense.

"A musket, this is for the Emperor's self-defense," said the Marquis of Ding'an, respectfully handing the Emperor a wooden box he had taken from his robes.

The Emperor looked at the wooden box in the Marquis of Ding'an's hand with excitement, and then took it.

When he saw the musket, he was instantly captivated by it.

He reached into the wooden box, took out the musket, tossed it in his hand, and said, "It's quite heavy. How powerful is it?"

"Your Majesty, please move your carriage."