Who put the yellow robe on me?

Zhen Jun's eyes were filled with panic and he instinctively glanced at Boss Zhen, hoping to seek some redemption from the latter.

However, Boss Zhen remained silent, his brow furrowed, as if he were contemplating how to escape his current predicament. A suffocating sense of oppression hung in the air, making even breathing difficult.

The atmosphere in the room was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment. Jiang Chen sat on a high chair, his face stern and his eyes sharp as blades.

At this time, Xiong Zhiheng stepped forward and asked sternly: "Zhen Jun, why did you ask Bai Yinlang to postpone the night watch time?" His voice was like thunder, which made Zhen Jun tremble.

Zhen Jun's face instantly turned pale, and sweat dripped down his forehead. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he remained silent. His eyes wandered, avoiding everyone's gaze, as if searching for a way to escape.

Finally, he managed to squeeze out a few words: "Because..."

Before he could finish his words, however, Boss Zhen suddenly interrupted him, "Shut up!" Boss Zhen's voice was a little hoarse, but it carried an undeniable authority. He clenched his fists, as if trying to suppress his inner emotions.

Boss Zhen then turned to Jiang Chen with a sly smile on his face: "Your Highness, if we tell the truth, can you promise to save our lives?"

His words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

Everyone in the room turned their eyes to him, some with confusion, some with vigilance.

Jiang Chen didn't respond immediately. His gaze was sharp, as if he could see straight into Boss Zhen's soul. He pondered for a moment, then said coldly, "Boss Zhen, are you still negotiating terms? Do you think you're still qualified to do so?"

Boss Zhen did not feel flustered by this, but instead showed a playful smile.

He said calmly, "Your Highness, you know better than I do that this matter involves more than just our Zhen family. If I'm not mistaken, what you really want to know is the reason behind the postponement of the night watch, not the lives of our Zhen family members, right?"

Boss Zhen's words were like a needle, piercing the silence in the room. General Xuanyuan, unable to contain his anger, slammed the table with a loud bang, "Stop talking nonsense! Either tell the truth, or I'll send you packing!"

When Zhen Jun heard this, his body trembled and he fell into complete despair.

He lowered his head, staring blankly at the ground, his lips trembling slightly, as if muttering to himself: "Uncle, forget it, don't delay any longer..."

However, Boss Zhen's eyes suddenly darkened, and he shouted, "Shut up! Stop talking nonsense if you want to live!"

Seeing this, Jiang Chen waved his hand lightly, signaling General Xuanyuan to stay calm.

He slowly stood up, walked to Boss Zhen, and whispered, "Boss Zhen, do you really think you still hold the trump card?" His voice was low and oppressive, and every word was like a hammer, knocking on Boss Zhen's heart.

"I will find out the purpose of delaying the night watch sooner or later." Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then continued with a sneer, "But if you confess now, I might consider giving you a decent ending. Otherwise..."

Jiang Chen's eyes grew colder, and his tone carried a hint of unquestionable majesty: "Otherwise, you will lose everything."

Boss Zhen took a step back under Jiang Chen's gaze, a layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead. However, he quickly regained his composure, a sneer curling his lips. "Your Highness, this world is not won by harsh words. If you can guarantee both our lives, I might as well confess everything."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone held their breath and turned their eyes to Boss Zhen, waiting for his next words.

Boss Zhen straightened his clothes and said slowly, "We're postponing the night watch to facilitate a deal. A deal that involves greater interests."

Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and a hint of inquiry appeared in his eyes: "What deal?"

Boss Zhen smiled slyly, his tone revealing a hint of pride: "You can't just say this, Your Highness. If you really want to know, you have to ensure the safety of Zhen Jun and me."

Hearing this, General Xuanyuan was furious again: "Do you think you can negotiate?"

Jiang Chen raised his hand to stop General Xuanyuan's rage, his eyes still calm and sharp. "Boss Zhen, you are right about one thing. This matter involves a wide range of people, and your confession alone may not be enough. But if you can provide solid evidence, I might consider letting you live."

A glint of pride flashed across Boss Zhen's eyes. He took a deep breath and whispered, "That night, someone offered three thousand taels of silver for an hour of quiet. They wanted to make sure there were no night watchmen during that hour, and preferably not even a single bark of a dog."

General Xuanyuan slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Who paid for these three thousand taels of silver?"

Boss Zhen raised his head and smiled bitterly: "They contacted me through an intermediary. I don't know who the real buyer is."

General Xuanyuan was furious: "Do you think we are three-year-old children?"

Jiang Chen raised his hand to signal General Xuanyuan to calm down. His eyes remained fixed on Boss Zhen. "Since you don't know who the buyer is, then you must know the middleman, right? Where is he?"

Boss Zhen hesitated for a moment, his lips twitching a few times, and finally sighed: "The middleman is a veteran and always acts cautiously. After the transaction, he has already left the capital with his men and is said to have gone to Southern Chu."

"Nanjiang?" Jiang Chen frowned. "What's this person's name?"

Boss Zhen pursed his lips, still obviously hesitant, but under the pressure of Jiang Chen's sharp gaze, he finally gave in and said in a low voice: "I don't know his real name, but everyone calls him Liu San."

When he heard the name, a strange light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, but he soon calmed down.

He turned to look at Luo Shihua, his tone stern: "Luo Shihua, quickly send someone to thoroughly investigate this person's whereabouts."

Luo Shihua nodded slightly: "As you command, Your Highness."

Xiong Zhiheng had been in the Ministry of Justice for many years and was very experienced. He stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Do you remember what Liu San looks like?"

Boss Zhen nodded and said, "We can find an artist to draw his appearance."

Jiang Chen waved his hand, and an artist quickly stepped forward. Boss Zhen closed his eyes and recalled for a moment, then described Liu San's characteristics one by one.

After a while, a portrait was drawn and the painter handed it to Jiang Chen with both hands.

Jiang Chen took the portrait, stared at it for a moment, frowned slightly, and then shook his head: "I have never seen this person." He casually handed the portrait to Xiong Zhiheng.

Xiong Zhiheng studied him repeatedly, his expression gradually becoming serious, but he finally shook his head: "It seems I've never seen this person before."

At this moment, Xuanyuan Feiyan, who was standing nearby, suddenly uttered a soft "Is it him?"