Lord Chen tried to explain, but he couldn't utter a single word. The chill of fear made his vision go black and his hands go numb.

Mingyue slammed her hand on the table, and Lord Chen's body trembled violently. "You, Chen Wei, today we will confiscate your mansion, strip you of your official hat, and imprison the entire Chen family. They will be executed at a later date!"

It’s over!

Chen Wei lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes glazed over, his face ashen.

Ji Yong'an raised his hand and ordered his men to carry the man away. Chen Wei couldn't even bring himself to beg for mercy.

"Your Excellency, shall we rest here for a few days?"

Mingyue said, “After three days of rest, I will first go and finish counting the stolen goods and confiscate them. I will also write a secret letter to explain the matter clearly.”

The emperor wouldn't blame her for punishing a minor official; on the contrary, he would be pleased that he had dealt with the bandits who had been giving the court a major headache.

Just as Ji Yong'an left after receiving the order, Xiao Yun rushed in. "My lord, some women outside don't want to leave. What should we do?"

Mingyue brushed the dust off her clothes. "Go take a look."

Xiaoyun bowed her head in agreement and followed behind Mingyue.

There were about ten people kneeling sparsely in the courtyard, all of them young and beautiful women, their soft sobs evoking pity in people's hearts.

When the dozen or so beautiful women saw their aloof and noble masters appear, they all kowtowed and knelt down, pleading, "Please, sir, give us women a way out. We are willing to serve you for the rest of our lives."

"This humble woman is willing to serve you for life, sir. Please take me in."

Hearing the women's cries, Xiaoyun's eyes reddened, and she couldn't help but plead for them, "Sir, why don't we take them with us?"

Mingyue looked at the group of women and said calmly, "Following me doesn't necessarily guarantee a good future."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, the woman in the lead gritted her teeth and said, "As long as we get out of here, what difference does it make who I serve?"

They were kidnapped by these bandits and basically lost their innocence. Even if they went back, they would be judged and their families would be disgraced. It was better to suffer with the adults than to die.

Mingyue, "What's your name?"

The woman kowtowed, "My lord, my name is Chen Yao."

“If you follow me, you’ll have to sign the slave certificate. If you want to leave, I’ll arrange for someone to let you go.” Mingyue pointed at Xiaoyun. “Think it over and tell her. Otherwise, we won’t wait.”

The prospect of being registered as slaves caused some of the women present to hesitate, and one of them couldn't help but ask, "Sir, if you're going to send us away, where will you send us?"

They would be even more unwilling to be assigned to brothels or nunneries to live out their lives as old nuns.

Mingyue said, "Each person will receive ten taels of silver for a new identity. As for where they go or how they make a living, I will not interfere."

The women present were immediately intrigued by the prospect of having ten taels of silver after changing their identities. They thought that if they banded together and left to open a small shop, they might be able to make a living.

Many people kowtowed to Mingyue to express their gratitude, and most of them decided to leave. Only Chen Yao and a young-looking woman remained.

"Now that it's decided, have General Ji make the arrangements and send her off." Mingyue fiddled with the jade beads. "Besides you, what's her name?"

Chen Yao looked at Shen Yu with pity, "Her name is Shen Yu. She is the mute young lady of the Shen family. She was just taken back. I feel sorry for her and take care of her in every way so that those people can get their hands on her."

Shen Yu looked at Mingyue with bright, sparkling eyes, smiled shyly, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth.

Mingyue gave an "oh" and lazily sat down in the chair. "Can you cook?"