"Opportunities are fought for and lost if missed."
Seeing a flicker of emotion in Jing Zhan's eyes, Yu Mingyue smiled and continued, "Brother Jing Zhan, if we can get out of this safely today, it's not just Youyou, but all the ladies here who will owe you a favor. Their fathers, brothers, and future husbands are all powerful figures in the capital, with promising futures..."
"How do you want me to cooperate?" Jing Zhan didn't hesitate for long, as the longer they delayed, the more dangerous it became.
"The Gu family's manor used to be a royal villa, it must have secret passages and mechanisms."
Jing Zhan did not deny it. The manor did indeed have a secret passage, which the Gu family had later renovated. The passage could accommodate dozens of people.
"At that time, Brother Jing Zhan can lead a team of guards to report to the Northern Army. Once the crisis in the capital is resolved, Brother Jing Zhan will be a great hero."
Jing Zhan scoffed after listening, "Why do you think I would take this risk? Wouldn't it be safer for everyone to hide in the secret passage? After we're safe, I'll escort the ladies back to the capital, and their families will still be grateful to me, won't they?"
"If Brother Jing Zhan didn't agree, why would you listen to me for so long?"
Yu Mingyue met Jing Zhan's gaze, though she wasn't entirely certain in her heart.
Jing Zhan glanced at Gu Youyou, who was peeking out of the carriage not far away and waving at him. He curved his lips slightly. Gu Youyou was smiling carefree, appearing completely innocent of worldly affairs.
Yu Mingyue followed his gaze to Youyou. Gu Youyou called out, "Mingyue, hurry into the carriage."
"Coming!" Yu Mingyue replied, then looked back at Jing Zhan, "Time is running out. I still need to persuade a few more ladies to return. If we delay any longer, we'll truly be like meat on a chopping block."
"Only the Sage can mobilize the six armies of the Northern Army. Even the Crown Prince can only dispatch at most two routes, let alone an unknown soldier like me," Jing Zhan frowned.
Delivering the message wasn't the difficult part; the difficulty lay in making the recipient believe it.
"Brother Jing Zhan, give the letter to General Han later, and he will understand the implications," Yu Mingyue said confidently.
"Alright, I'll deliver the message, but..."
"Brother Jing Zhan, don't worry, I will protect Youyou and ensure she suffers no harm."
"Alright, I'll trust you for now."
Yu Mingyue cupped her hands towards Jing Zhan, then walked towards Gu Youyou and the other carriages. Unbeknownst to them, after she spoke to them, the ladies agreed to return.
...
The journey back confirmed her suspicion that something had happened to the village.
After such heavy rain, even adults would venture out, let alone children.
Because after heavy rain, there would be many dragon fleas, which could be used as medicine and also be a delicacy. How could children resist such temptation?
Birds and beasts were most sensitive to danger. Not a single bird flew in the sky. Yu Mingyue also broke out in a cold sweat over her decision.
Fortunately, the journey back was smooth, and they encountered no danger along the way.
The servants at the villa were somewhat taken aback to see them return, but they dared not inquire about the masters' affairs, assuming the young ladies were just being playful.
After the carriages and horses were brought in, everyone gathered in the banquet hall, and Gu Tingyun finally revealed the truth.
"Weren't we told that the Seventh Prince would pass by here on his return to the capital, and we were here to welcome him? How could there be danger?" the ladies asked fearfully.
"The Seventh Prince is indeed passing through here on his return to the capital. However, the danger we encountered is real, but the most dangerous situation is not for us, but for our relatives in the city."
"Have rebels entered the city?" Han Tingxin asked.
Han Tingxin's father was General Han of the Northern Army. She came from a military family and had a natural sensitivity to such matters. She had sensed something amiss on the journey, but she was not certain and feared causing panic, so she dared not speak out.
"Sister Han is indeed a warrior's daughter," Yu Mingyue bowed to Han Tingxin. "Whether we can escape and whether our families in the city can be safe depends on Sister Han's help."
"Me?"
"Precisely." Yu Mingyue explained her plan.
Han Tingxin was also a straightforward person. She immediately called for brush and ink, and promptly wrote a letter to her father.
Finally, she took off the hairpin from her head and handed it to Yu Mingyue. "This is a hairpin my father made for me with his own hands when I came of age. My father will know when he sees it."
Jing Zhan observed everything. He thought that this Yu Liuniang, at such a young age, was so cunning and calculating, moving step by step. No wonder she was chosen by the Sage to be the Crown Prince's consort.
With the Luo family's rebellion and the Crown Princess's martyrdom, the status of the Luo family's daughters plummeted. Countless families in the capital had their eyes on the position of Crown Princess.
These ladies' families might have harbored such intentions. What could be more enticing to them than the Seventh Prince passing through this place?
After returning here, she would reason with them publicly, and the Han family's daughter would naturally be at her mercy.
Of course, this would also allow Lady Han to gain some prestige.