Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 757 - 755

Chapter 757: Chapter 755

"Princess, this is the hand cannon you designed. I’ve had it made. Would you like to test it? Choose someone you don’t like, and that person will be your target," Shangguan Xuanyi said, pointing to the weapon.

He deliberately spoke loudly enough for everyone behind him to hear. How dare they underestimate his woman who is far superior to them!

"Exactly! Princess Rui, the bomb too. The new version is more powerful than the one you initially created, would you like to test it?" Di Shaowei also chimed in.

How dare they look down on my sister! A single bomb from her when she’s angry could send them flying in all directions, Di Shaowei thought.

Everyone behind them was shocked upon hearing this. The hand cannon and the bomb were both designed by Princess Rui?

How could this be possible? How could a delicate woman like her understand such things?

But if it were a lie, neither Prince Rui nor Crown Prince Di would say it. People of their status don’t see any need to lie or to deliberately make up a story to explain to everyone. So, they’ve always been curious about who invented these powerful weapons, it turns out to be a woman!

Xiao’er heard the mocking laughter coming from behind. She turned back and glanced at the crowd, her lips curved into a beautiful arc, revealing a charming smile. Jokingly, she said, "I really want to, but your stares are too intimidating, I dare not! Besides, today’s stage belongs to the soldiers, I can’t steal their limelight!"

Xiao’er understood that both Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Shaowei were speaking up for her because they were upset about the disrespect shown to her. They wanted to assert her right to be on this stage.

But Xiao’er wasn’t angry. Indeed, it was a very important day and the event was a serious one!

The naval review was a very solemn and significant event. The soldiers were demonstrating their skills and determination to guard their nation with their lives to the Imperial Court and the people. They were not performing for entertainment.

Bringing her to the naval review, in their eyes, seemed like Shangguan Xuanyi was just bringing his wife for amusement. It felt as if their hard training was just to please a woman. Feeling insulted and angered was only natural.

Xiao’er could understand their feelings, so she wasn’t angry.

The soldiers hung their heads in embarrassment upon hearing Xiao’er’s joke. Were their actions that obvious?

Seeing Xiao’er’s response, Di Shaowei knew that she didn’t take it to heart. His sister was indeed unique and incomparable to those with petty mindsets. She had the broad-mindedness of a seasoned statesman!

Since Xiao’er didn’t mind and was trying to lighten the mood, he didn’t want to contradict her. Di Shaowei then joked, "Indeed, they are a bit menacing! They probably view you as a sightseer without knowing your real capabilities! Your Highness, please, be generous and don’t hold it against them."

After saying this, Di Shaowei turned to the crowd and said loudly, "Let me tell you, when it comes to strategic military deployment, even I cannot compete with Princess Rui. The reason we’ve been able to crush Li Jun’s forces is thanks to the deployment map designed by her! So don’t act as if you feel insulted. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s order, do you think Princess Rui would deign to watch you? Are you as handsome, skilled in martial arts as myself? Even someone with martial arts prowess and handsome like me, can’t catch her eye, so how can you?"

Everyone laughed at his words and the atmosphere eased.

All the soldiers, who were straightforward, apologized to Xiao’er for their misunderstanding and asked her not to take offense. They acknowledged her and said that she was as capable as a man.

General Xuanwu was particularly interested in these weapons. He was a man who didn’t sweat the small stuff. Once he heard from Xiao’er that there was still a large room for improvement, he immediately approached Xiao’er and began his inquiries.

Xiao’er picked two weapons, like the "Fire Dragon Emerging from Water," a second-level rocket that already existed in ancient times, and explained them briefly.

"Fire Dragon Emerging from Water" was an ancient rocket for both land and sea warfare. When it was launched three or four feet above the water, it could fly two or three miles away, engulfing enemy ships where it lands.

The hand cannon mentioned earlier can be considered as the first generation of metallic tube firearms from ancient times. Xiao’er just brought its appearance forward in time.

The Imperial Court had been manufacturing large quantities of hand cannons and matchlock guns for the past few years. The aim was to strengthen the border, sea, and city defenses, enhancing the nation’s ability to resist invasions.

As the times progressed, the country’s defense could not fall behind. Being caught off guard meant being attacked, although, being too advanced suddenly could be terrifying.

After the naval review, it would be time for the "Fire Dragon Emerging from Water" to take the stage in history!

As Xiao’er explained the uses of the new weapons, General Xuanwu and other soldiers were itching to test them out. They were eager for the Imperial Court to manufacture these weapons as soon as possible.

Weapons were a very specialized field, and seeing Xiao’er speak with such knowledge and professionalism finally convinced the soldiers that she was here for the review, not for entertainment.

Their gazes toward her turned to respect instantly. It wasn’t due to her status as Princess Rui, but her capabilities that impressed them.

Shangguan Xuanyi tightened his grip on Xiao’er’s hand. His girl, no matter where she was, no matter what she did, always had a flair that effortlessly impressed others. It was not about her appearance or her status, her abilities alone were enough to leave others in awe!

"You’re amazing. Is there anything in this world you don’t know!"

Upon hearing Di Shaowei’s words, Xiao’er said, "You’re thinking too highly of me! There are still many things in this world waiting for people to discover, or invent. There’s a lot that I don’t understand!"

What she knew was due to her intelligence and the luck to have expertise as vast as an ancient banyan tree. She was just a hardworking and eager-to-learn girl. If she lacked any one of these traits, she would just be an ordinary person in the vast sea of humanity. Yet she saw herself as just ordinary now.

After visiting the ships and equipment, General Xuanwu looked at the sky and asked, "Sixth Prince, can we begin now?"

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at the sky, the tide was about to come, he nodded slightly and said, "We can begin."

Immediately, General Xuanwu ran swiftly to the command post and waved the leading flag that was on his side.

With the sound of horns and drums, an eagle shrieked low in the sky, and the seagulls took off, flying higher and farther away....