latelenovela Chapter 308 The Lady of Ding'an Marquis Enters the Palace
Chapter 308 The Lady of Ding'an Marquis Enters the Palace
Canglan Jingcheng and Crown Prince Canglan Jingyun were sitting in the study, flipping through a mountain of memorials while constantly complaining about their contents.
"These memorials are a real headache!" Cang Lan Jingcheng rubbed his temples and said helplessly.
Meanwhile, Su Nuannuan was enjoying a very leisurely time in her Cuiwei Palace. She was lazily leaning back on the couch, savoring delicate pastries and gazing at the scenery outside the window.
However, despite her comfortable life, Su Nuannuan remembered something. She summoned the eunuch Li Quan and ordered, "Li Quan, go to the Imperial Household Department and remove my green plaque."
Li Quan looked at Su Nuannuan with some surprise and asked, "Your Majesty, why is this?"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and explained, "I haven't been feeling well lately and need to rest. I really don't have the energy to serve you in bed. Go and tell the people in the Imperial Household Department to take down my nameplate."
Li Quan nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will definitely handle this task well." After saying that, he limped away.
Not long after Li Quan left, Tingxue came in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Lady of Ding'an Marquis requests an audience."
When Su Nuannuan heard that it was her sister-in-law who had arrived, she was overjoyed and quickly got up to go out and greet her.
However, before she could even move, a hearty laugh rang out. Immediately afterward, a tall woman dressed in the indigo-blue robes of the Marquis of Ding'an strode in.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Noble Consort." Lady Gu Sangyan, the wife of the Marquis of Ding'an, moved gracefully to Su Nuannuan, slightly bent her knees, and elegantly performed a half-squatting bow.
The maid following behind her carried an exquisite wooden box and kept a close eye on her. When Gu Sangyan bowed, the maid also bowed respectfully to Su Nuannuan.
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly got up, walked briskly to Gu Sangyan, reached out her hands to help her up, and asked with concern, "Sister-in-law, get up quickly. What made you decide to go to the palace today? How are An'er and Ning'er?"
Gu Sangyan took advantage of the momentum to stand up, a gentle smile on her face, and replied softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. An'er and Ning'er are both well."
Hearing this, Su Nuannuan felt somewhat relieved. She took Gu Sangyan's hand and they sat down together on a small couch. She smiled and said to Gu Sangyan, "Sister-in-law, next time you come to the palace, bring Ning'er with you so I can see her. Ning'er is already three years old this year, but I only saw her when she was born. She must be incredibly cute now."
Gu Sangyan smiled and nodded gently in response, "Yes, Your Majesty. Ning'er also often talks about wanting to pay her respects to Your Majesty."
She sat on the small couch, her demeanor dignified, her voice gentle yet firm, "Ning-jie originally wanted to come along, but today I am here on your elder brother's behalf to deliver some things to you, and it would be inconvenient to bring her into the palace."
At this moment, Tingxue deftly served tea and snacks to the two of them, arranged them neatly, and then quickly retreated like a light butterfly.
Hearing her sister-in-law's words, Su Nuannuan understood. Her gaze fell on the maid carrying the large wooden box, and she asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, how did this thing get into the palace?"
Gu Sangyan smiled slightly and explained, "Naturally, we went through the proper channels. Your elder brother has the imperial decree. Without it, even if I had the greatest abilities, I wouldn't have been able to bring it into the palace."
Su Nuannuan suddenly realized what was going on, and her gratitude was overflowing. She quickly said, "Thank you in advance, elder brother and sister-in-law." After saying that, she was about to get up and bow to Gu Sangyan to express her gratitude.
However, Gu Sangyan reacted quickly and stopped Su Nuannuan, saying softly, "What are you doing, sister? There's no need for such formalities between us sisters."
"Little sister, you're making me feel so bad!" Gu Sangyan said with a smile, holding Su Nuannuan's hand, but her tone revealed a hint of fear and unease.
Then he sat down with Su Nuannuan and turned to Cai'er, who was holding the wooden box, and instructed her, "Cai'er, put the wooden box in your hand on the table over there."
Cai'er responded and carefully placed the wooden box on the designated table.
Gu Sangyan looked at the wooden box, then turned to Su Nuannuan with a smile and said, "Little sister, take a look, are these three muskets?"
Su Nuannuan nodded, then instructed Jinse, who was standing to the side, "Jinse, go and check."
Jinse strode to the table, opened the wooden box, and carefully examined the items inside. After a moment, she looked up and replied to Su Nuannuan, "Your Majesty, it's three muskets."
"Take it away and keep it safe."
"Yes, ma'am."
After Jinse finished speaking, she picked up the wooden box with its lid already closed, as lightly as a swallow, and walked briskly towards the bedroom where Su Nuannuan was.
Su Nuannuan continued chatting with her sister-in-law, their laughter never ceasing.
Time flies, and before long, Gu Sangyan left satisfied, carrying a large pile of rewards.
After Gu Sangyan left, Su Nuannuan tidied up a bit, then picked out a flintlock pistol from the wooden box and went to Anning Palace with Jinse.
As soon as she stepped into Anning Palace, Su Nuannuan went straight to the Empress, presented the musket to her, and said softly, "This is the musket I mentioned before."
Upon seeing this, the Empress looked on with curiosity. She carefully picked up the musket and examined it closely, muttering to herself, "This is a musket? A weapon with great destructive power."
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly replied, "Indeed, Your Majesty, this musket is my source of confidence."
Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded slightly, weighed the musket in her hand, and praised, "It is indeed a fine piece of equipment."
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan seized the opportunity to suggest, "Your Majesty, would you like to go to the courtyard and test the power of this musket?"
"Teach me how to use a musket first, and I'll practice when I have time." The Empress put the musket in her hand into the wooden box that Su Nuannuan had given her.
"Alright! Then I won't disturb Your Majesty any longer." Su Nuannuan slowly stood up from the small couch. She bowed slightly to the Empress and then said softly.
The Empress spoke up, saying, "Don't rush off. Can you take a look at this tiger-head hat I embroidered and see if there's anything wrong with it?" Her voice revealed a hint of doubt and uncertainty.