Who put the yellow robe on me?

He looked down at the peach blossom bracelet in his hand, his fingertips touching the cool texture, and his heart was in turmoil, a complex mixture of emotions. The bracelet's links reflected a faint light in the sunlight, as if carrying some inexplicable mysterious power, which made Jiang Chen's heart sink inexplicably.

He knew that He Xiaowei must have discovered something, but perhaps she did not tell him everything directly. Perhaps she was protecting herself, or perhaps she was waiting for a suitable opportunity, and the bracelet in her hand was a clue, a link that connected the complicated situation between them.

Jiang Chen closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath, feeling the cool air enter his lungs and a refreshing sensation in his throat. He opened his eyes again, his gaze fixed on the peach blossom bracelet in his hand, and recalled his brief conversation with He Xiaowei. The subtle hesitation in her eyes must have hidden more unsolved secrets. She might really know something, and he might just be an unintentional bystander in this game of power.

Jiang Chen, feeling mixed emotions, stopped thinking and slowly put the bracelet on his wrist. A cool touch spread throughout his body. The bracelet's texture tightly wrapped around his skin, as if it contained some kind of power that could not be ignored. He felt a vague sense of oppression, but then he could feel that power gradually merging with him, as if the bracelet had already become a part of his body, unable to be removed.

"Hmm..." He whispered to himself, muttering, "This bracelet...is not bad." The corners of his mouth rose slightly.

The next morning, the court was still filled with a solemn atmosphere. As usual, the ministers in the palace came to the hall early and stood on the long stairs, waiting for the emperor Liang's decree.

Emperor Liang seemed different today. His expression was stern, and between his brows lay a hard-to-disguise rage. He sat silently on the throne, looking around before finally settling on Prime Minister He.

"My dear Lord He, please tell us the truth about what happened to the Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen!" Emperor Liang's voice was cold and intimidating, making the atmosphere in the entire court even more solemn.

Prime Minister He bowed slightly and spoke calmly: "Yes! Your Majesty, I have already investigated the matter of the Sixteenth Prince. It is impossible for him to appear in two places at the same time, and the disappearance of the Thirteenth Princess does not seem to be related to him. After a detailed investigation, we can confirm that the Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen was not involved in the kidnapping." When he said this, his expression was calm and his voice was calm, but there was a hint of irrefutable determination.

The ministers in the court all lowered their heads, unable to conceal their emotions. Some breathed a sigh of relief, their worries about Jiang Chen's involvement in the kidnapping having eased somewhat; others, however, had a look of hidden disappointment in their eyes, as if things had not turned out as they had expected.

Guo Wulie, the Minister of War, breathed a sigh of relief, his brow raised, a wistful smile playing on his lips. He stared intently at Prime Minister He, as if pondering some unspoken meaning. Though outwardly calm, the thoughtful glint in his eyes clearly hinted at something.

However, the Minister of Rites Mu Shenru seemed a little regretful. He sighed softly, with a helpless look in his eyes, as if he was a little disappointed with Jiang Chen's innocence.

"So... is this matter settled?" he asked in a low voice, his tone full of doubt, but also with a hint of anxiety that could not be concealed.

At that moment, the Ninth Prince, Jiang Yu, smiled faintly, his eyes sweeping over the ministers in the court with a slightly provocative look. He raised his hand slightly, as if about to speak. Jiang Chen immediately sensed a subtle hint of provocation in his tone. It wasn't just a verbal exchange, but more like the prelude to a power struggle.

"Father," Jiang Yu's slightly frivolous voice echoed in the hall, "I have something to say, and I would like to ask for your understanding."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Sixth Prince Jiang Fu smiled imperceptibly, as if he had already anticipated what would happen next.

Jiang Yu glanced at his brother, a hint of deep thought flashing in his eyes.

He looked up at Emperor Liang and spoke in a deep, powerful voice, "Father, I want to say that I've seen frequent sightings of people from the Western Regions in the capital lately. They're active everywhere, and their words suggest they're colluding with some of the nobles in the capital. I believe Cao Shouku is colluding with these Westerners, perhaps hoping to use the Thirteenth Princess as leverage to force Father to make concessions."

Emperor Liang frowned, his gaze turning to Jiang Fu with a hint of surprise, as if demanding more information. The court was completely silent, with only the sound of bells and drums echoing through the hall. Everyone's attention was focused on the conversation between Emperor Liang and the Ninth Prince, Jiang Yu.

"People from the Western Regions?" Emperor Liang frowned and muttered, "How could so many people from the Western Regions appear in the capital? Doesn't this mean..."

"No!" Jiang Chen's heart suddenly trembled. He sensed that the Sixth Prince Jiang Fu's gaze was no longer simply directed at Jiang Yu, but held some unspoken purpose. He knew that Jiang Fu must be trying to mislead Emperor Liang, and the "Westerners" he mentioned carried a disturbing meaning.

"Enough!" Emperor Liang slammed the table and stood up, his anger overwhelming. "Who is it? Who is behind this? Who is guiding these people from the Western Regions into the capital?"

Emperor Liang's furious roar shook the entire court like thunder. All the ministers lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the enraged emperor. The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and the silence was filled with tension.

Jiang Chen felt his heart pounding, and his eyes involuntarily flicked to the Sixth Prince, Jiang Fu. Jiang Fu's expression remained unchanged, as calm and composed as if he had anticipated this moment.

The atmosphere in the court was extremely tense, and each minister's expression showed different emotions.

Some, their eyes flickering, were simply opportunistic; others, brows furrowed in genuine concern for the court, were deeply concerned. Jiang Chen vaguely sensed that Emperor Liang's anger concealed a deeper crisis. Perhaps, behind all this, there was more than just a simple power struggle.

"Your Majesty!" Sixth Prince Jiang Fu suddenly stepped forward, his voice low but firm. "I know that many people from the Western Regions have indeed infiltrated the capital, and there's a massive conspiracy behind these people. I believe Cao Shouku's collusion with the Western Regions isn't just to kidnap the Thirteenth Princess, but more likely to curb your power and force you to compromise."

A hint of doubt flashed in Emperor Liang's eyes, but he still didn't completely believe Jiang Fu's words. He turned to look at Jiang Chen, his eyes as sharp as a knife, as if asking him if he had any more clues.

"Father," Jiang Chen said in a calm and composed tone. His eyes swept over every minister in the court, finally landing on Emperor Liang's. "However, the truth behind this requires further investigation."

Jiang Chen glanced at Prime Minister He inadvertently, but a subtle feeling surged in his heart.

A strange glint flashed in Prime Minister He's eyes. He seemed to have planned this all along, and the development of the situation did not surprise him. Jiang Chen could sense that Prime Minister He must have some secrets that he was unaware of, and these secrets might be the source of all the current doubts.