The flames would inevitably alert the hidden guards, making the main entrance the most overlooked.
With Jing Zhan's skills and the ensuing chaos, he would surely be able to break out.
The city gates were already closed. By now, Uncle Gu should have obtained Mo He's command token and entered the city with the Qianniu Guards.
They would surely take the main road and encounter Jing Zhan. Once the message was delivered, they would be safe here too.
Although fire attacks were cruel, it was the best way to prevent the rebels from attacking the Seventh Prince.
"This way, I can leave easily, but the rest are mostly ladies. How do you plan to use fire?" Jing Zhan asked.
Fire attacks were indeed good, but difficult to execute. The rebels had planned so meticulously on their way to the capital; how could they be allowed to succeed so easily?
"Who said you need to get close to use fire? Today, we will also perform a 'borrowing arrows with straw boats' stratagem," Yu Mingyue said, pointing to the sky and smiling with a child's innocence.
"Kongming lanterns?"
"Precisely."
When the sky was filled with Kongming lanterns, the enemy would surely become suspicious. As long as they shot them down, the lamp oil hanging beneath the lanterns would be scattered, and the fire would be unstoppable.
Jing Zhan looked at her for a long time before saying, "Sixth Lady's plan is brilliant. I am impressed."
Yu Mingyue chuckled, "Brother Jing Zhan, your expression doesn't look like admiration."
Jing Zhan let out a meaningful "Oh" and remained silent.
"Brother Jing Zhan, don't worry. You are Youyou's husband, and you will always be my friend, Yu Mingyue. I am very loyal to my friends," Yu Mingyue said, her eyes bright, smiling like a carefree child.
Jing Zhan also smiled, "Thank you for your trouble."
"You're welcome, but I will still need Brother Jing Zhan's help today."
When Yu Mingyue came out of the room, Gu Tingyun had already found everything.
Yu Mingyue asked him for paper again. The ladies, hearing that they were going to make Kongming lanterns, were all eager to try.
In fact, they didn't need to make them themselves. The attending maids were all clever and skillful, and in a short while, they had made many.
Moreover, everyone was busy making Kongming lanterns and preparing to set off fireworks later, which made the atmosphere relaxed.
Gu Youyou, carefree as ever, pulled Jing Zhan and said, "Jing Zhan, look, I've written your and my names here. We will all be safe."
"Youyou, you only have your fiancé in your heart now, and you've forgotten us good sisters," Mo Yuxi teased.
"Hmph, who says that? Look, I've made several. I've written your name, mine, and Mingyue's here. We will be good sisters for life too," Gu Youyou said, lifting them for Mo Yuxi to see.
Yu Mingyue also joined in the fun, but she didn't tell them the purpose of these Kongming lanterns.
The tragic atmosphere was turned into something like a wish-making session by the group's banter.
Fireworks rose into the sky, brilliant and dazzling. Yu Mingyue looked up, wishing that this calamity could pass safely.
Gu Tingyun didn't care about his own villa and asked the servants to add more lamp oil to make the fire bigger.
The hidden guards dared not approach, but they could hear laughter, singing, and the sounds of music from inside.
They couldn't help but mock, thinking that after tomorrow, these pampered ladies and young masters, who were even lower than them, would no longer be able to laugh.
When the fire started, they felt a sense of dark satisfaction. Although they looked down on them, they still had to pay attention to the movements inside, lest they play any tricks.
Jing Zhan left in the moment the guards were lax. Yu Mingyue began releasing the Kongming lanterns about half an hour after he left.
The hidden guards guarding them cursed, "These suicidal fools, still in the mood to play with Kongming lanterns at a time like this."