Who put the yellow robe on me?

The atmosphere in the court was so solemn that it was suffocating. The three-day deadline given by Emperor Liang had finally arrived.

Jiang Chen felt a suffocating tension in the air, and even his heartbeat was echoing in his ears.

In the court, Emperor Liang sat on the dragon throne. His golden dragon robe was like a heavy dragon vein stretching across the land, exuding endless majesty and oppression.

Each of the officials lowered their heads, mentally pondering the outcome of the day. Bai Binggong and Yang Zhengming stood beside Jiang Chen, their expressions unusually calm, as if they had no fear of what was about to happen.

After all, Bai Binggong has solved countless cases, big and small, for Emperor Liang over the years and has long gained the trust of both sides. He still has one of his three golden medals of immunity from death that can be used.

As for Yang Zhengming, the Minister of the Dali Temple, his family has the imperial sword bestowed by Emperor Liang five years ago, so Yang Zhengming seems to be safe now.

However, Jiang Chen's heart had already been stirred. He knew that although he was 90% sure that he could solve the problem, there were still many uncontrollable factors.

Emperor Liang glanced around the court and spoke in a deep voice: "Three days, I give you three days. Today, I want to ask you - where is the Thirteenth Princess?" His voice was like a sword, so sharp that no one present dared to look directly at it.

Bai Binggong lowered his head, his eyes flickering unconsciously. He looked up at Yang Zhengming next to him, and their eyes met, as if they were exchanging something.

Then, Lord Bai Binggong slowly knelt down, his knees hitting the ground with a dull thud. He whispered, "Your Majesty, I failed to rescue the Thirteenth Princess. I am truly incompetent and willing to accept the punishment."

Yang Zhengming followed closely behind, performing the same exact movements, kneeling on his knees with a solemn expression. His voice was equally low, yet tinged with a hint of coldness: "I, your Majesty, have also failed to complete my mission on time. I beg for your punishment." A calculating glint flickered in his eyes, as if he had anticipated the outcome.

Jiang Chen stood aside, his hands slightly clenched. The Emperor Liang's rage made the entire court tremble, and he gained nothing.

His mind couldn't help but recall the events of the past three days. The entire court had mobilized, but despite his and everyone else's efforts, nothing had been achieved. At that moment, he knew he might have fallen into a vortex from which it was difficult to escape.

Emperor Liang's expression darkened, the rage in his eyes threatening to incinerate Jiang Chen. He spoke coldly, "Three days have passed, and I still can't even find my beloved princess. Do you really think I dare not kill you?"

These words were like a sharp blade slicing through the air, and everyone's heart trembled violently. Jiang Chen felt an invisible pressure sweeping over him, as if the entire court was forcing him to respond.

However, he felt no fear, but instead a deep anxiety. He had no control over the situation before him.

Just as Jiang Chen lowered his head to think, the Ninth Prince Jiang Yu had already walked out. His eyes were cold and his steps were firm, like a sharp claw reaching out to Jiang Chen.

He glanced around, his eyes sweeping over Bai Binggong and Yang Zhengming before finally settling on Jiang Chen. Then, he spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, none of these three have been able to rescue the princess. I'm afraid their abilities are no longer sufficient for this important task. If we don't act now, I'm afraid no one else will be able to take on this responsibility."

Jiang Yu's tone was forceful and unforgiving. His gaze, like a sharp blade, slashed across Jiang Chen's face, carrying an unquestionable determination. His words only added fuel to the fire, further escalating the already tense situation.

The Sixth Prince Jiang Fu stood up at this time, with a trace of regret on his face, as if he felt sorry for the unfortunate fate of Jiang Chen and others.

But his words were like a knife, piercing the core of the court: "It is a pity to kill three people, but since Your Majesty has given the order, there must be no regrets. Once the dignity of a royal family is lost, how can it survive again?" As soon as he finished speaking, the civil and military officials around him lowered their heads with complicated expressions.

Jiang Chen's emotions were like surging waves, difficult to calm. He knew that if he didn't make a decision, there would be no turning back. The current situation would not allow him to delay any longer.

The other ministers and vice ministers were whispering to each other. Although a few people such as the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice and the vice minister of the Ministry of War pleaded for Jiang Chen and others, most people were just watching the fun and not afraid of trouble.

The atmosphere in the court instantly grew tense. The powerful civil and military officials cast their gazes over Jiang Chen like cheetahs, yet they dared not make a hasty decision.

The court at this moment was like a grand theater. Everyone was playing their own roles, and behind every person, there were unknown thoughts.

The hall was filled with low voices, as many ministers were whispering and discussing, constantly exchanging their opinions. Their eyes held a mixture of bystander indifference and expectation, as if Jiang Chen's fate no longer belonged to him, but had become a pawn in their power struggle.

These voices gradually faded in Jiang Chen's ears. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a chill grew in his heart. Although he couldn't hear every word clearly, he could sense a deep hostility and forbearance. These ministers schemed against each other in the court, and behind the scenes, there was even more swordplay.

At this moment, several particularly active ministers stood up. They made no secret of their position in this turmoil, especially the Minister of War Su Yunliang, the Minister of Rites Mu Shenru and the Minister of Revenue Cao Shouku.

Su Yunliang raised his brows slightly, a nonchalant smile on his face. He slowly stood up, his voice steady, like a boulder dropping into a lake, stirring up ripples. "Your Majesty, the Sixteenth Prince and the two adults have failed to fulfill their responsibilities and failed to rescue the Thirteenth Princess on time. In this case, in my opinion, according to Your Majesty's instructions, a thorough investigation of this matter is only natural. After all, the majesty of the royal family cannot be desecrated."

His voice was not loud, but it was very firm and carried a sense of authority. As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the court became more serious. Many ministers nodded in agreement. Obviously, they had begun to agree with Su Yunliang's position.

As the Minister of Rites, his position in the court was not to be underestimated. His eyes, like a pool of stagnant water, revealed a coldness hidden beneath his seemingly calm face. "Your Majesty, propriety and law cannot be ignored. The righteousness of our nation lies at stake. Since the Sixteenth Prince and his companions have failed to complete their mission, they must be severely punished as a warning to others and a deterrent to lawless individuals."

Mu Shenru's words were even more rigorous and profound. He spoke in the name of the Ministry of Rites, aiming to uphold the laws of the court, but in his silent eyes, he seemed to be hiding some unknown calculation.