Although Yu Mingyue's expression was calm, she was anxious in her heart.
They couldn't stall any longer. If reinforcements didn't arrive soon, they would truly be doomed tonight.
Gu Tingyun, seeing the oil spreading to his feet, was also terribly flustered.
As soon as he took a step, Yu Mingyue and Gu Youyou, standing on either side, grabbed his arm.
"I'll go with you," they said in unison.
Gu Tingyun shook his head and lowered his voice, "No need. I'll try to delay them. Don't come out unless it's absolutely necessary."
Gu Tingyun himself was unsure as he said this, but these young ladies were still in their prime. Outside were a group of vicious and ill-intentioned rebels. It was better for them to stay in the secret passage than to go out.
"Since it has come to this, why not make a gamble?" Yu Mingyue's voice was firm.
Yu Mingyue's gaze fell on the Yu family guards. This was the only way to buy more time.
The Yu family guards were all carefully selected by her father and elder brother. In terms of individual ability, they were not inferior to the rebels outside.
"We are also willing to follow Sixth Lady's orders," the guards from other families said.
They had witnessed everything Yu Mingyue had done and were deeply impressed.
Moreover, since it was to delay time and save their own young ladies, they were naturally willing.
"Mingyue, you stay behind." He couldn't bear for her to take such a risk, nor could he account for it to Yu Lang.
"Brother Tingyun, I am the descendant of a military general. How can I not be at the forefront?"
"Me too!" Han Dingxin also appeared ready to do her duty.
"We... we will go too." Several young ladies trembled as they held up their hairpins.
"Sisters, you should stay behind and protect yourselves first. It won't be too late to come out when we can no longer hold them off."
Loyalty was important, but this was not the time for it. These ladies, accustomed to the sheltered life of noble households, could barely protect themselves, let alone fight enemies.
Gu Tingyun was the first to step out of the secret passage, followed by Yu Mingyue and Han Dingxin, and the guards from each family.
The rebels, armed with bows and arrows, had already surrounded the entrance to the secret passage, leaving no possibility of escape.
"General, there's no need for such a grand display. Just a few of us," Yu Mingyue said with a forced smile, feigning composure.
He Jing recognized Yu Mingyue's voice and sneered, "You little girl, you're glib-tongued and untrustworthy."
"Say whatever you wish, General. However..." Yu Mingyue paused, then picked up an arrow feather from the ground.
The rebels immediately became vigilant, their arrowheads all aimed at Yu Mingyue.
Yu Mingyue, as if unaware, confirmed her suspicion. Indeed, it was the same arrow feather as the one from the earth temple. They had massacred the village.
"Does the Hanzhong army still use these arrowheads?" Yu Mingyue asked with a hint of mockery in her voice.
"Little girl, you're ignorant. These are the finest arrows of the Great Wei," He Jing sneered.
"Fine, if you say so. It's not my concern if you suffer losses later. I don't care anyway." Yu Mingyue casually tossed the arrow away and clapped her hands, looking utterly disgusted.
"What do you mean by that?" He Jing asked.
"I mean your arrows are not good. The arrows used by the Northern Army now look the same as yours, but in reality, the arrowheads have been modified according to Duke Lu's mechanical arts, making them much more lethal. The weapons for this year have already been sent to all armies. Has your Hanzhong army not received them?" Yu Mingyue spoke with a serious expression, spewing nonsense.
The longer she could stall, the better. The truth didn't matter; as long as she could fool him.
He Jing frowned slightly. Had the dog emperor already sensed movement in Hanzhong and deliberately taken precautions?
The Wang family had an informant in the Northern Army, but they hadn't reported any such news.
Was this girl talking nonsense, or were the Wang family unreliable?
"General, don't be deceived by this girl," someone beside him warned.
Kill her quickly, and those delicate young ladies would be theirs.
He Jing temporarily set aside his doubts. He wouldn't waste time with her now; he would report back to the Prince for investigation after a swift victory.
Han Dingxin, worthy of being the daughter of a military general, seized an opening in the rebels while Yu Mingyue was engaging He Jing. In a flash, she shot the sleeve arrow on her wrist.
At the same time, the guards eliminated several rebels. The two sides gradually formed a stalemate, with the guards fiercely protecting the secret passage entrance, preventing the rebels from advancing.