Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 57 Lin Wan'er's Talent

"Lin Wan'er is there too?" Shen Li was a little surprised. Her husband had told her that she usually investigated secretly, so why was she going openly?

"Yes, you two won't start a poetry contest or a musical contest as soon as you meet, will you?" Shen Yue was still very worried about seeing this, after all, she really couldn't understand it and would only feel a headache.

Shen Li was both amused and exasperated by his words: "Do you think we're fighting cocks, always trying to be the best when we meet?"

"Isn't that right?" Shen Yue was still somewhat skeptical.

"Let's go quickly." Shen Li pulled her along: "What if they leave if we're too late?"

Hearing the anxiety in her older sister's words, Shen Yue felt even more uncertain. She felt that her sister was worried that if they didn't meet, they wouldn't be able to compare.

After all, the two have been vying for the title of the most talented woman in Kyoto for so many years, and they compete against each other at almost every major event.

The carriage stopped in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. As one of the few ducal mansions in the Great Zhao Dynasty, it was once extremely glorious. However, with the deaths of generations of the Xiao family on the battlefield, only an old man and a young boy are left to support the family now.

In people's imagination, it seemed that the collapse of the great edifice was inevitable. The Great Zhao Dynasty was becoming increasingly corrupt, and it was inferior to neighboring countries in terms of both food and manpower. Even if the God of War were alive, he would not be able to create glory again under such circumstances.

It's already difficult enough for the North to be able to retreat and protect itself; under such circumstances, how can there be any military merit to speak of?

Shen Li sighed with regret upon seeing the enormous Duke's mansion. A weakened nation is a quagmire from which military generals cannot escape. No matter how valiant the Xiao family members are, they can only risk their lives to fill this huge hole.

With only two months left until the war, it remains to be seen whether this life can rewrite the course of the battle.

"The two young ladies have arrived. Please come in quickly." The gatekeeper saw the Shen sisters and led them into the mansion. They did not need to be announced.

"Bang bang bang!"

As the two were led into the second courtyard by the butler, they heard a series of loud explosions—the sounds of firearms.

"Is someone practicing with muskets?" Shen Yue asked.

"Miss Lin, it's Miss Lin, the old master, and the young master testing their firearms at the training ground. You'll see them when you get there," the butler replied.

"Testing a flintlock musket? There's a new flintlock musket?" Shen Yue's eyes lit up, and she immediately ran off, saying, "I want to go take a look first, sister, you walk slowly."

Shen Li didn't stop her, but just smiled indulgently and said to the housekeeper, "Uncle Zhang, please excuse the child's liveliness."

Butler Zhang, an old soldier who had retired with the Duke, had a limp due to an arrow wound in one leg. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Miss, what are you saying? We old servants watched the Second Miss grow up, and we love her more than enough."

"I had someone bring some ointment, saying it's good for old injuries. It will be delivered to your room in a little while, Uncle Zhang. Don't forget to try it, Uncle Zhang," Shen Li said.

"Young Miss, you're too kind to this old servant. What can I say?" The steward was so moved that he didn't know what to say.

He had never met anyone better than the young lady in his entire life.

"We're all family, so let's not stand on ceremony. If Uncle Zhang finds it good, I'll bring some more next time."

"This old servant thanks you, young lady."

When Shen Li walked to the training ground in the backyard, she saw Shen Yue holding a short musket and aiming at the target.

The old Duke and his cousin Xiao Qi each held a longer musket, their expressions excited. Lin Wan'er, still dressed in white, stood gracefully to the side, instructing Shen Yue on target practice.

"Greetings, Grandfather and Cousin." Shen Li stepped forward, cupping her fists in a military salute.

"Li'er has arrived." The old Duke, his hair and beard completely white, looked at Shen Li with loving eyes: "Did you suffer any injustices in the palace? Your grandfather submitted two memorials to His Majesty, I wonder if His Majesty has shown you any favors?"

"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa. Your granddaughter is doing well and no one can bully her." Shen Li was very kind to the old man and went over to squat down in front of him to talk.

"These words sound like something my granddaughter from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion would say." The old Duke Xiao Zhan looked at Shen Li with even more appreciation in his eyes. This child seemed to be quite different from before.

She's become more lively and outgoing; perhaps it's because of the change of clothes, but she looks more spirited and less scholarly.

"It's rare to see our Li girl not spouting pedantry." Xiao Qi said jokingly, but he couldn't hide his doting affection. He didn't have a younger sister, so he had always treated his two cousins ​​like his own sisters.

Despite saying that, he still greatly admired his cousin's talent.

"Brother Qi, is your leg any better?" Shen Li asked. "I heard from Mother the other day that you can get out of bed and walk now, is that right?"

"It's nothing serious. Your brother is strong and healthy. In three to five days, I'll be able to ride a horse and go to the battlefield without any problem." As the most outstanding young military general, Xiao Qi spoke with a military air about him.

However, his face was different from most of the rugged soldiers. He had fair skin, bright eyes, and chiseled features, making him extremely handsome. He was also tall with long legs and a strong but not bulky physique. He was the kind of person who was both good-looking and full of masculinity.

It is said that after his injury, countless young ladies sent him gifts.

Of course, only Lin Wan'er dared to come to the door.

"boom!"

Before Shen Li and Lin Wan'er could speak, Shen Yue fired a shot. Shen Li watched as the force of the musket pierced a hole the size of a bowl through a scarecrow fifty paces away.

Her pupils immediately contracted. Although she didn't know much about firearms, they had been used since the founding of the dynasty, and there were even imperial guards like the Shenji Battalion.

So, through what she had seen and heard, she knew a thing or two. She was certain that the firearms of that period were not as powerful, and the barrels were not as short.

"That's great! The power of this musket has more than doubled! Did you really modify it, Sister Lin?" After firing the gun, Shen Yue looked at Lin Wan'er with admiration.

Shen Li was also somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Lin Wan'er to be so knowledgeable about these things. It was a real shame she was reborn; it would have been such a waste for her to be trapped in the deep palace for her entire life.

"I changed it." Lin Wan'er turned to Shen Li: "What do you think about me presenting it to His Majesty in the palace tomorrow and asking him to mass-produce it for the army?"

Xiao Qi and Shen Yue were both taken aback. Who was she asking?

Aren't they always at odds?

Is this a new form of provocation? Or are they just not well-read enough to understand?

The cousins ​​exchanged a glance, already tacitly preparing to break up the fight. The atmosphere was quite good today, so it was best to avoid a conflict.