Who put the yellow robe on me?

After Prime Minister He finished speaking, the court was shocked.

The civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment, a subtle feeling welling up in their hearts.

Prime Minister He has always been cautious in his words and actions. He always starts his speech by talking about his plans for the country. This time he actually spoke to defend the Sixteenth Prince, which must have a deeper meaning.

Emperor Liang gave Prime Minister He a meaningful look and said, "Jiang Chen, tell me everything that happened last night."

Jiang Chen bowed, then raised his head and began to recount his experience of last night with a firm gaze.

"Father, at midnight last night, the Imperial Hospital was flooded. Princess Thirteen sent someone to inform me. After arriving at the Imperial Hospital, based on some clues and deductions, I believed that the refugee camp outside the city might be in danger. To prevent a greater disaster, I, along with Princess Thirteen and Dianzhang, left the city overnight to investigate."

Cheng Jingde, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, asked, "Leaving the city at night? Sixteenth Prince, are you aware that leaving the palace after curfew is a serious crime?"

Jiang Chen spoke sincerely to Emperor Liang, "Father, I know this is a grave crime. However, the matter is of great importance. If not dealt with promptly, it could lead to disaster. I know this action is inappropriate and am willing to accept any punishment."

Emperor Liang's gaze softened slightly: "Go on."

"We found a man in black outside the city, drugging a well near the refugees. His behavior was suspicious. After a chase, we finally captured him."

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he looked at the Sixth Prince Jiang Fu, the Ninth Prince Jiang Yu, and the Twelfth Prince Jiang Zhan, and spoke word by word.

"During the interrogation, the man in black confessed the mastermind behind the incident."

Having said that, Jiang Chen paused and slowly scanned the expressions of the three princes.

The Sixth Prince Jiang Fu's eyes flickered, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he looked a little nervous.

The ninth prince Jiang Yu sneered, his eyes full of ridicule and disdain.

The twelfth prince Jiang Zhan had a blank expression on his face, seemingly completely unmoved, but his fingers trembled slightly in his sleeves, revealing his inner uneasiness.

Minister of Justice Bai Binggong asked, "Sixteenth Prince, since the man in black has confessed, who is the mastermind behind this?"

Jiang Chen smiled and repeated, "During the interrogation, did the man in black confess the mastermind...? No!"

Everyone was stunned. After a moment, a low murmur broke out in the court, and it seemed that they were discussing the sixteenth prince's words and gasping for breath.

Emperor Liang said coldly, "Don't beat around the bush. Just speak your mind."

Jiang Chen took a deep breath and explained, "Father, the plague has been spreading everywhere recently. It's spreading very quickly among the refugees, so we suspect someone is trying to harm them."

Cheng Jingde sneered, "Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince truly has a brilliant vision, but are you taking such a risk based on mere speculation?"

"Master Cheng, last night we went to get the medicine during the day, and we discovered that someone had burned the herbs at night. This is extremely unusual. If someone poisons the refugees again, they will have no medicine to cure them, and countless people will be killed or injured."

"Your Highness, does this prove that you're right? If you're wrong, wouldn't that harm the Thirteenth Princess and the Guard Captain Dianzhang?"

"Master Cheng, it turns out that my guess is correct."

Cheng Jingde was speechless for a moment, with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

The commander of the Imperial Guards, Lin Shigong, asked, "Your Highness, where is the captured man in black now?"

"Commander Lin, the man in black has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice and is being held in the Sky Prison."

"Sixteenth Prince, may I ask why you took away the chief of the city guards, Dianzhang?"

"Neither the Thirteenth Princess nor I have any martial arts skills. If there really is an evil person coming, he must be someone with martial arts skills. The guard is very skilled in martial arts, so I took a gamble and brought the rules with me."

"Your Highness, this matter is of grave importance. The guards were on duty that night, and leaving to relieve the guards would surely lead to errors. Why didn't you inform the Emperor in advance?"

"Commander Lin, it was curfew and the situation was urgent, so there was no time to report."

Jiang Chen then turned to Emperor Liang and said, "So, I acted on my own initiative and once again request your punishment."

Emperor Liang's expression eased slightly, and he ordered, "Master Bai, no matter what method you use, you must find out the whole story of this person."

Minister of Justice Bai Binggong bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Then he said to Jiang Chen, "Thanks to Chen'er's prompt decision, the refugees outside the city were not put in danger. No punishment should be given, but rewards should be given for your response! Come on!"

Jiang Chen immediately said, "Father! This achievement was not solely the work of this son. Dian Zhang spared no effort to capture the traitor. I would like to ask for a reward for the captain of the imperial guards."

Just as the Emperor Liang was about to speak, Lin Shigong immediately objected: "Your Majesty, according to the rules, those who leave their posts without permission must be punished. If you reward them instead of punishing them, I'm afraid all the guards will lose their discipline in the future."

Jiang Chen refused to back down. "Commander Lin, it was me who took out the Imperial Commissioner's gold medal, and the Imperial Guards had no choice but to follow."

"The Imperial Envoy's gold medal is like the Emperor himself! Regarding the rules and regulations, he has not left his post without permission."

"This..." Lin Shigong was just a warrior, so naturally he was not as eloquent as Jiang Chen.

Emperor Liang turned to Prime Minister He and asked, "Prime Minister He, what do you think about this?"

Prime Minister He said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard performed exceptionally well in this matter. Without his assistance, the prince and princess would have been in danger."

"For the sake of the country, clear rewards and punishments are the way to govern. However, if rewards and punishments are not appropriate, it will also discourage the soldiers."

Emperor Liang said approvingly, "Prime Minister He is absolutely right. I will appoint the Chief of the Imperial Guards as Deputy General of the Right Guard of the Imperial Guard, a sixth-rank official."

Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed loudly to express his gratitude: "On behalf of the Chief of the Imperial Guards, I thank you, Father, for your grace."

Emperor Liang waved his hand and said, "Do you have anything else to report?"

Minister of War Guo Wulie submitted a memorial: "Your Majesty, there have been unusual movements in the military defenses of the Western Regions."

"Send it up!"

……

After the ministers dispersed, Jiang Chen quickly walked to Prime Minister He, stopped in front of the three princes and ministers, and whispered, "Prime Minister He, please stay."

Prime Minister He stopped and looked back at Jiang Chen with a faint smile: "Sixteenth Prince, what can I do for you?"

Jiang Chen bowed and said sincerely: "Prime Minister, thank you for your great help today. If not for this, I'm afraid today..."

Jiang Chen didn't continue speaking, but Prime Minister He knew exactly what he meant.

Prime Minister He remained expressionless as he walked, saying, "Sixteenth Prince, what I did today was not for myself, but for the good of the country."

"I don't want Daliang to lose the heart of a prince who cares about the people."

"However, today's assistance does not mean that I will provide other assistance in the future."

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed with gratitude, and he bowed and said, "I will remember the Prime Minister's teachings in my heart."

Before leaving, Prime Minister He said, "Xiao Wei'er once told me about your recent affairs. I told her that you are a good prince who cares about the refugees. I hope you will not betray my trust... and Xiao Wei'er's trust."

Jiang Chen's eyes were firm: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I will not let Lord He and Miss He down."

Prime Minister He smiled slightly and turned to leave.

Jiang Chen looked at Prime Minister He's back, feeling a mixture of gratitude and respect in his heart.

This scene was seen by all the other princes, and a hint of gloom flashed in the eyes of the ninth prince Jiang Yu.

He thought to himself that Prime Minister He had actually come out to defend the Sixteenth Prince today, and it seemed that the situation had become even more complicated.

He snorted coldly and then turned and left.