The secret passage, though spacious, had a small entrance and limited ventilation.
If a fire broke out inside, even a small one, the smoke could suffocate everyone.
"General, how can you treat a defenseless young woman like this? Even if you conquer the world, won't you be ridiculed by everyone?"
Yu Mingyue's voice still carried a hint of childishness. The people outside were of no concern to her, and their mockery only fueled her resolve.
"Insolent fool, whose daughter are you? I'll spare your life and send word to your family of your demise, for your courage is commendable," He Jing sneered.
Yu Mingyue paused for a moment upon hearing the term "young girl." It sounded like a local way of addressing young women in Hanzhong. The soldiers earlier, though speaking Mandarin, also had a Hanzhong accent. Could these rebels be from the Hanzhong army?
Hanzhong was over a thousand li from the capital. To prevent leaks, they would have to travel by night and take difficult, remote mountain paths, which explained their surprise attack.
"It's not that I won't tell you, General, but I fear the news might shock you," Yu Mingyue said with a light laugh, trying to buy time.
Her words were met with even greater laughter.
"This is truly the biggest joke I've ever heard," He Jing scoffed. As Yu Mingyue attempted to step forward, Gu Tingyun pulled her back. "No!"
They were already very close to the exit. Moving further without cover would be dangerous if the enemy seized the opportunity to fire arrows.
"Don't worry, I won't go out," Yu Mingyue replied, winking at Gu Tingyun.
She estimated that the rescue requested by Brother Jing Zhan should arrive soon. For now, stabilizing the situation was paramount.
"General, if you doubt my words, you can examine what I throw out. Please have your men step aside to avoid accidental injury," Yu Mingyue said with an air of childlike innocence.
He Jing, having been tricked before, was now wary. "You are on the brink of death, do not play any tricks."
"You are right, General. Besides, what tricks could a mere young girl play? Please step aside. You can decide after you've seen it," Yu Mingyue said, then threw out the scabbard of her dagger.
He Jing breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was a luxurious scabbard, but his disdain only grew.
"General, please pick it up and take a look. You will know my identity!" Yu Mingyue's voice carried a hint of disdain.
He Jing would not pick it up himself. A nearby soldier retrieved it and presented it to him.
"Do you see the gems on it? Do you see how exquisitely crafted this scabbard is? This dagger was bestowed by the late Emperor upon Princess Pingyang, a valiant heroine of our Great Wei, the female war god of Great Wei. She passed it down to me."
Yu Mingyue spoke with pride, then raised her voice. "Now do you know my identity?"
Princess Pingyang was the late Emperor's cousin and the elder sister of Prince Han. She was also the matriarch of the Zheng family of Xingyang. She had passed away ten years ago.
She had just claimed that Princess Pingyang had passed it to her. Could she be a young lady from the Zheng family?
Gu Tingyun looked down at Yu Mingyue, her face filled with confusion. Why was she claiming to be from the Zheng family?
"Well? Is this identity sufficient?"
"So what if she is from the Zheng family?" He Jing toyed with the scabbard.
The Prince would not spare them for the sake of a grand-niece he had never met. At most, he would capture this young girl and leave her for the Prince to deal with.
"My grandmother was the female war god of Great Wei, and our Zheng family's warhorses are renowned throughout the land. If you haven't even heard of these, then I advise you not to contend for the throne. It would be better to return home and enjoy your old age with your grandchildren."
Yu Mingyue sighed from within, shaking her head with disdain, as if the other party were utterly ignorant.