Who put the yellow robe on me?

The night was as dark as ink, a sky dotted with stars, appearing brilliant and profound. Guo Wulie, the Left Vice Minister of War, passed through the shadow of the palace wall, his steps steady yet tinged with a hint of urgency, arriving at the study of the Sixteenth Prince, Jiang Chen. He took a deep breath, raised his hand, and knocked on the door. The sound was particularly crisp in the silent night.

"Come in." Jiang Chen's steady and low voice came from the study, with an elusive majesty.

Guo Wulie pushed open the door, bowed slightly, and walked in. The flickering candlelight in the room made Jiang Chen's slender figure look like a sculpture. He sat upright at his desk, holding a scroll in his hand, his eyes fixed on Guo Wulie.

"Lord Guo, you are visiting me so late at night. Is there anything important?" Jiang Chen put down the letter gently, speaking in a calm tone.

Guo Wulie hesitated for a moment, then closed the study door and whispered, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. I dare not delay for a moment and have come to inform Your Highness."

"Oh?" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes, "What's so urgent?"

Guo Wulie took a few steps closer, his face heavy, and whispered, "Your Highness, this secret concerns the continuation of the royal bloodline and may even overthrow the court."

As soon as these words came out, a sharp light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. He fixed his gaze on Guo Wulie and said in a low voice with a hint of chill: "Go on."

Guo Wulie took a step forward, moved closer to Jiang Chen, and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, the disappearance of the Thirteenth Princess is inseparable from this matter."

Jiang Chen's gaze suddenly sharpened, like a blade. A flicker of unease crossed his mind, but his expression remained calm. "Continue."

Guo Wulie glanced at Jiang Chen with a complicated expression, gritted his teeth, and said, "The Thirteenth Princess is not simply missing. She may have some crucial evidence. And this evidence directly points to the mystery of the current emperor's biological mother."

The air in the study seemed to freeze instantly. Jiang Chen's hand paused slightly, but his gaze remained as steady as a mountain. He slowly spoke, "Master Guo, how did you learn of this?"

Guo Wulie took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I stumbled upon some clues from some secret scrolls of the Ministry of War, and then secretly investigated and finally obtained this astonishing clue. Your Highness, the Thirteenth Princess's disappearance is probably because someone doesn't want her to reveal this secret."

Jiang Chen's fingers tapped lightly on the desk, his eyes piercing Guo Wulie's heart. He didn't say anything, as if waiting for Guo Wulie to continue.

Guo Wulie felt Jiang Chen's pressure, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. He swallowed hard and whispered, "I've also discovered that this matter may involve the Minister of Revenue, Cao Shouku, and a very special person. This person is none other than Liu San from Nanchu!"

"Liu San?" Jiang Chen's eyes suddenly darkened, and there was a hint of coldness in his tone.

Guo Wulie nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. Liu San was once a spy for Southern Chu, but he has been lurking in Great Chu for many years, remaining extremely secretive. I suspect he may hold crucial evidence regarding the Thirteenth Princess' disappearance and the royal family's secrets."

Jiang Chen closed his eyes slightly and let out a long breath. He slowly stood up, hands behind his back, and looked out the window at the dark night sky.

"Lord Guo, you have devoted yourself to the court over the years. I believe in your loyalty." Jiang Chen turned around and stared at Guo Wulie with a burning gaze. "But do you know what the consequences will be if such a huge secret is leaked?"

Guo Wulie's expression grew increasingly solemn as he bowed and said, "I understand that this matter is of grave importance, and therefore I dare not act rashly. Your Highness, I implore you to consider this matter carefully. If we can solve this mystery, we will not only be able to recover the Thirteenth Princess's whereabouts, but will also be able to control the entire situation."

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and nodded. He walked to the desk, lowered his head, and wrote a few words on the scroll. Then he handed it to Guo Wulie: "Master Guo, you have done a great job on this matter. I will arrange everything. You can leave now. Remember, do not let any news leak out."

Guo Wulie took the letter and bowed respectfully: "I obey your command."

After Guo Wulie left, Jiang Chen stood alone in the study, his expression deep. He reached for the teacup on the table and took a sip, his heart surging like a raging sea.

"Princess Thirteen, Liu San, the secrets of the royal family..." He muttered to himself, a cold look in his eyes. "It seems that this game is more complicated than I imagined."

The candlelight in the study flickered, illuminating Jiang Chen's sharp silhouette. He slowly clenched his fists, as if he had made up his mind.

Jiang Chen stared at Guo Wulie with a sharp gaze. A breeze blew in through the cracks in the window lattice, picking up a few wisps of dust from the documents and ruffling Guo Wulie's slightly trembling sleeves.

"Your Highness, this matter... is of no small importance. It truly is..." Guo Wulie began hesitantly, his voice filled with undisguised fear. As he finished speaking, his hand quietly clenched the silk handkerchief in his sleeve, and beads of sweat gleamed on his forehead in the dim light.

Jiang Chen calmly withdrew his gaze and leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but faintly majestic.

"Lord Guo, at this point, there's no point in being vague. Since you've taken the initiative to come to see me, I believe you're aware of the situation."

Hearing this, Guo Wulie took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision. He slowly knelt down, his knees hitting the ground hard, making a crisp sound.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I am guilty."

"Oh?" Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows and looked at him carefully. "Where is the crime?"

Guo Wulie raised his head, his face pale, and his tone was filled with pleading and fear.

"Your humble servant...knows a huge secret. If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I would never have believed it. This...concerns..."

He paused, as if his throat was blocked by something, and his words were stuck in mid-air. Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers lightly on the chair handle, his voice cold.

"Go on."

Guo Wulie took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "This matter concerns... the current throne."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room froze, as if even time had stopped. Jiang Chen's gaze fixed, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He looked at Guo Wulie quietly, as if weighing the weight of every word he uttered.

"The current throne? Lord Guo, do you know what you are talking about?"

Guo Wulie kowtowed repeatedly, and blood was already oozing from his forehead.

"I dare to say that this is not groundless! Your Highness, I dare not fabricate a single lie!"

Jiang Chen stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pitch-black night. The wind rustled the corner of his robe, making a low rustling sound. His voice was low but clear, revealing an elusive emotion.

"continue."

Guo Wulie's body trembled slightly, as if he mustered up his last bit of courage before speaking:

"Your Highness, I have overheard a conspiracy. A few months ago... someone secretly spread the rumor that the late emperor's will had not been made public, but had been tampered with. The true will originally enthroned the emperor, not the current emperor, but..."