Who put the yellow robe on me?

Bai Binggong and Xiong Zhiheng followed closely behind Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen. Their footsteps echoed through the corridors of the Ministry of Justice's prison, sounding especially heavy. The air was filled with a damp, musty smell, a mixture of rust and blood, making one hold their breath.

As Bai Binggong walked, he couldn't help but wonder, and whispered, "Your Highness, I've been solving cases for over thirty years, and I've never encountered such an interrogation method. Your Highness's plan just now is truly ingenious!"

Jiang Chen chuckled softly, his lips curled up slightly, his eyes as deep as the night, as if he had already seen through everything. His voice was low and calm, with a hint of elusive meaning: "The psychological game of the prisoner's dilemma is not worth mentioning."

Bai Binggong was slightly taken aback, unfamiliar with the term, but then a look of sudden enlightenment appeared on his face. He secretly sighed inwardly, thinking that the Sixteenth Prince was indeed unfathomable, capable of such sophisticated psychological tactics.

He couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what does this 'prisoner's dilemma' mean? I am ignorant and would appreciate your guidance."

Jiang Chen walked steadily, his tone calm, as if describing a perfectly ordinary matter: "The prisoner's dilemma is about creating a situation of mutual suspicion between two prisoners. The file I showed Liu San made him believe that he had been betrayed by Mu Shenru, so he naturally chose to protect himself."

Bai Binggong was shocked when he heard this, and a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes. He couldn't help but whispered in praise: "Your Highness is indeed far-sighted. I admire you!"

Xiong Zhiheng on the side frowned, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

He suddenly asked, "Your Highness, Mu Shenru has not truly confessed his guilt. You just used that fake dossier to scare Liu San. This plan is indeed brilliant, but if His Majesty investigates this matter, how should we respond?"

Bai Binggong also echoed, "Yes, Sixteenth Prince, if His Majesty knew about this, pretending to be the Three Judges' joint judge would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Jiang Chen's pace remained steady, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable confidence: "Minister Bai, after Liu San confessed his guilt, will anyone still care whether this dossier is true or false, or even whether it exists at all?"

Bai Binggong's heart trembled, and a trace of deep thought appeared in his eyes. He suddenly understood Jiang Chen's intention and couldn't help but feel excited.

This move was not just about interrogation, but also about keeping the entire situation firmly in his hands. As long as Liu San confessed, even if Mu Shenru and others had someone backing them up, even if Liu San suddenly changed his confession, the matter would be a done deal!

Jiang Chen continued, "Besides, wasn't this Liu San interrogated by your Ministry of Justice during the Great Punishment? Have you forgotten about it so quickly?"

Bai Binggong was stunned at first, then his pupils shrank slightly, a smile appeared on his face, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. He suddenly realized, bowed deeply, and said in a respectful and excited tone: "Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince is indeed far-sighted. I understand!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Binggong felt a heavy weight lifted from his heart. He understood that Jiang Chen's move wasn't just an interrogation; it was also a way of selling the favor of the interrogation results to the Ministry of Justice. As long as Liu San confessed, even if Mu Shenru had someone behind him, the matter would be settled!

This strategy of killing two birds with one stone is truly brilliant! And the favor that the Sixteenth Prince sold to the Ministry of Justice was accepted by Bai Binggong!

Xiong Zhiheng frowned slightly, but ultimately said nothing more. A flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes. He secretly sighed in his heart, the Sixteenth Prince was indeed extraordinary, able to turn the situation around in such a short time.

After Bai Binggong sent Jiang Chen out of the Ministry of Justice prison, he went back to continue interrogating the criminal Liu San, while Jiang Chen and the Ministry of Justice's Assistant Minister Xiong Zhiheng rode away on horseback.

Jiang Chen's eyes were stern, but he was thinking about his next move. He knew that time was running out and he had to find the whereabouts of the Thirteenth Princess as soon as possible.

The two men rode non-stop to the Ministry of Revenue's tax and silver treasury, only to see that the treasury was heavily guarded. The soldiers held spears in their hands and looked around vigilantly. The air was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Jiang Chen and Xiong Zhiheng dismounted and quickly entered the palace. They saw General Zhong Xiaoshan of Annan standing in the courtyard, directing two elite teams in a search and capture operation.

His voice was loud and powerful, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Everyone, conduct a thorough search and find the Thirteenth Princess. However, you are not allowed to touch the tax silver. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed!"

"Yes!" the soldiers answered in unison, their voices so earth-shaking that even the air seemed to be trembling.

Jiang Chen sighed in his heart, thinking that it was a good bet to let Zhong Xiaodan search for the Thirteenth Princess this time.

Zhong Xiaodan and the Thirteenth Princess, Jiang Sirou, were already lovers, and their urgency to find Jiang Sirou was no less than Jiang Chen's. The army he brought with him was far more mobile than the Forest Rangers, truly the elite among the elite.

Deng Yunde, Xuanyuan Feiyan, and the others greeted Jiang Chen upon his arrival. After greeting everyone, Jiang Chen walked straight to Zhong Xiaodan and asked in a low voice, "Second Young Master, how are you now?"

Zhong Xiaodan bowed briefly to Jiang Chen, his tone carrying a hint of anxiety: "Sixteenth Prince, I found this on the floor of the tax treasury." After that, he took out half a pair of earrings from his arms and handed it to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen took the earrings and examined them carefully, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He asked in a low voice, "Could this be...?"

Zhong Xiaodan nodded, his voice low and heavy: "Yes, Your Highness Sixteen, these earrings are a birthday gift I gave to Princess Thirteen on her birthday last year."

Jiang Chen took over the conversation, his tone carrying a hint of urgency: "Now that you've found these earrings here, it means we're at least on the right track! Did you find the Thirteenth Princess?"

Zhong Xiaodan shook his head, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. "We've already searched this place three times, even every box of tax silver, but still..."

He didn't say anything else, but Jiang Chen knew the situation wasn't optimistic. The air was filled with a sense of oppression, as if even breathing had become difficult.

Xiong Zhiheng stepped forward and whispered, "General Annan, where did you find this half pair of earrings? Could you take me there to check it out?"

Zhong Xiaodan knew that this Minister of Justice had a close relationship with Jiang Chen, so he nodded, with a hint of fatigue in his tone: "Please follow me!"

Zhong Xiaodan led Jiang Chen and Xiong Zhiheng through the corridor of the tax treasury. Their footsteps echoed clearly in the empty hallway. The air was filled with a stale smell, a mixture of metal and paper, which made people hold their breath unconsciously.

There are dim oil lamps hanging on the walls on both sides of the corridor. The lights flicker and cast long shadows, as if telling some unknown secret.

The three of them arrived at a secret underground room. The door had been opened, revealing the dim space within. Zhong Xiaodan pointed to a corner on the ground and whispered, "We discovered a secret room here, and this earring was found here!"