Who put the yellow robe on me?

Yang Zhengming knew that Jiang Chen was doing this for him to see, but now his nephew had something on Jiang Chen's hands, and if he wasn't careful, he would confess.

In order to save Yang Weiqian's life, he had to remain calm, knowing that every word and every action of Jiang Chen contained an invisible threat.

He was anxious in his heart, but his face remained calm. He suppressed his inner turmoil, lowered his head slightly, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the Sixteenth Prince, Yang Weiqian, the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, is now under serious suspicion of bribery, but...but Your Highness should now consider the overall situation and continue to investigate the whereabouts of the Thirteenth Princess."

Before he finished speaking, Yang Zhengming felt a cold gaze pierce into Jiang Chen's eyes, as if a cold hand reached out and grabbed his neck tightly. Jiang Chen's eyes were undisguised, with a hint of threat in them.

"Oh?" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows slightly, tilted his head slightly, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth. "Master Yang, the whereabouts of the Thirteenth Princess is certainly important, but Yang Weiqian in front of us is one of the clues to find the Thirteenth Princess. Perhaps he is one of the accomplices in the kidnapping of the Thirteenth Princess?"

Yang Zhengming's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face. He knew Jiang Chen was as smart as a ghost, and any slight mistake could put him in trouble.

He bowed slightly, a look of helplessness on his face, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Sixteenth Prince, Yang Weiqian's situation is truly his own fault, but...but now is different. The princess's disappearance is a matter of great importance. If we can find clues soon, we may be able to resolve a major threat for Daliang. If we allow the Jingzhao prefect to be arrested at this time, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Jiang Chen chuckled, his tone a little cold. "Is Lord Yang reminding me that arresting Yang Weiqian will leave you with no one to use in Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Yang Zhengming felt nervous. Jiang Chen's words seemed to hit the nail on the head. He frowned slightly, but did not refute immediately.

Indeed, Yang Weiqian was an official promoted by him personally. If all this were exposed, it would undoubtedly bring him unforeseen troubles.

However, he knew that Jiang Chen wouldn't let Yang Weiqian off just because of his soft words. So, he forced a smile and lowered his head, saying, "Sixteenth Prince, Yang Weiqian is already the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture. Once the Ministry of Justice interrogates him, it will be a long interrogation. If we can ask the Dali Temple to take over the case first..."

"Take over?" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "Master Yang, I haven't forgotten that your nephew has just confessed the bribes he accepted. In my opinion, Master Yang should hand him over to the Ministry of Justice!"

Yang Zhengming didn't dare look up, his eyes flickering slightly. His mind raced, unsure of what to do. Just as his mind was wavering, Jiang Chen suddenly said unexpectedly, "Master Yang, I've decided to have the Ministry of Justice take him away."

Yang Zhengming's heartbeat suddenly stopped. A trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes. He quickly lowered his head again and softened his tone. "Sixteenth Prince, you are so decisive and resolute. It seems that the progress of this case will be as you wish."

Jiang Chen smiled faintly and said no more, but the coldness in his eyes never dissipated. He knew that beneath Yang Zhengming's calm surface, there was a heart beating like a raging fire.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly and was about to speak when he heard Yang Zhengming's tone change and continued, "I see that Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince is working hard to investigate the case. The Dali Temple has decided to send a capable person to assist Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince in the investigation."

"Assist me in investigating the case?" Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "Sir Yang, the assistance you mentioned, are you referring to yourself?"

Yang Zhengming smiled softly, feeling a little relieved. He knew Jiang Chen was extremely vigilant and wouldn't allow anyone to get close to his investigation, so he said casually, "No, Sixteenth Prince, that's not you. It's Luo Shihua, the newly crowned third place winner of last month's Spring Examination."

"Luo Shihua?" Jiang Chen paused, his heart trembling. The name echoed rapidly in his mind, carrying with it a hint of a hidden memory. Luo Shihua, the key figure in last year's Autumn Examination case, was also the one with whom he had a complex relationship during the investigation.

Jiang Chen's brow furrowed even more, as the events of that year flashed before his eyes—his collaboration with Luo Shihua and Qin Yiliang, his love-hate relationship with Luo Shihua's sister, Ruolan. Those complex emotions and conflicts made him feel as if he were in another world.

He stood there for a moment, as if he didn't hear what Yang Zhengming continued to say.

After a long while, he slowly turned his head and looked at Xiong Zhiheng who was standing beside him. Xiong Zhiheng's eyes flashed with deep meaning at this moment, and he nodded slightly, as if confirming something.

Jiang Chen was filled with doubts and finally asked, "Who is the person Lord Yang is talking about? I don't think I've ever heard of Luo Shihua."

Yang Zhengming didn't rush to explain. Instead, he smiled and whispered, "Luo Shihua, he's very popular right now. He's the most outstanding among the talented people. As the newly promoted third place winner, he recently joined the Dali Temple. With his extraordinary intelligence, he will definitely be able to help you solve the case."

Jiang Chen's thoughts were a bit confused. As he recalled the past, the turmoil in his heart gradually subsided. He vaguely felt that Yang Zhengming's move was not entirely due to the princess's disappearance case, but had other intentions.

However, he did not show it at this time, but said calmly: "Oh, I see. I'd like to see the person Lord Yang is talking about."

Yang Zhengming felt a little relieved when he saw Jiang Chen's response, but he still kept a smile on his face. He knew that Jiang Chen's intelligence was beyond the reach of ordinary people, and it was almost impossible to hide anything from him.

Therefore, he continued more cautiously, "Sixteenth Prince, Luo Shihua is indeed an exceptional young talent. He has just emerged from the Spring Imperial Examination. He is intelligent, alert, and efficient in handling cases, earning him great recognition from the Dali Temple. If I could assist you in this case, we would surely be able to solve the mystery of the Thirteenth Princess' disappearance more quickly."

Jiang Chen was silent for a moment when he heard this, as if he was thinking about something. His eyes fell on Yang Zhengming again, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if he could see through everything in the other person's mind.

"Lord Yang," Jiang Chen's voice was as cold as a biting wind. "You are right. The case of the princess's disappearance is indeed urgent. It would be a great help if the Dali Temple could send a capable person to assist me in the investigation. Thank you very much, Lord Yang!"

Seeing this, Yang Zhengming was secretly delighted. He had heard about the relationship between the Sixteenth Prince and Luo Shihua before. If the Sixteenth Prince accepted Luo Shihua, then Yang Weiqian's matter could be discussed.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince, for your trust." Yang Zhengming bowed his head again, his tone respectful. "Luo Shihua is outside the government office right now. If Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince is willing, we can meet at any time."

Then Yang Zhengming asked tentatively, "Your Highness, what about Yang Weiqian?"