Who put the yellow robe on me?

Inside the Wanhe Hall, the magnificent golden ceiling shimmered in the candlelight. Ministers stood on either side, their expressions varied, their gazes occasionally darting towards the Sixteenth Prince, Jiang Chen, who stood in the center. His figure stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face calm, yet a hint of coldness lingered in his deep eyes.

Ninth Prince Jiang Yu stood aside, his lips curled slightly, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. He coughed softly, the sound neither loud nor soft, but loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly: "Sixteenth brother, there shouldn't be any need for investigation, right?"

These words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples. Sixth Prince Jiang Fu frowned slightly, his gaze shifting between the Ninth and Sixteenth Princes. Then he asked, "Ninth Brother, what do you mean?"

Ninth Prince Jiang Yu smiled slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Sixth brother, you may not know that there are two generals in Sixteenth Brother's residence who are former generals from the Western Regions, and their official positions are not low."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly tensed. Everyone's eyes were focused on the Sixteenth Prince, Jiang Chen, as if waiting for his response. Jiang Chen's face remained calm, as if the Ninth Prince's words had not affected him at all. However, his heart was already stirring.

"What are you hinting at, Brother Nine?" Jiang Chen sneered inwardly, his gaze sweeping across the Ninth Prince's feigned composure. He knew the Ninth Prince's words were not unintentional, but rather a deliberate attempt to stir up trouble in front of Emperor Liang.

The Sixth Prince, Jiang Fu, frowned even more deeply, and asked tentatively, "Ninth Brother, are you saying that Minister Cao's imprisonment of the Thirteenth Princess is related to these generals from the Western Regions?"

The Ninth Prince shook his head and said in a pretentious tone, "It's hard to say. It's really hard to say."

His tone was light and casual, but it heightened the tension within the palace. Emperor Liang sat on the dragon throne, his gaze deep as a lake, his fingers tapping the armrests with a rhythmic rhythm. His gaze shifted between the Ninth and Sixteenth Princes, his heart already stirring.

"A general from the Western Regions?" Emperor Liang pondered, his brow furrowing slightly. He was already suspicious, and the Ninth Prince's words undoubtedly sowed a seed of doubt in his heart.

Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen keenly noticed the change in Emperor Liang's expression, and his heart sank slightly. He knew that if he allowed the Ninth Prince to continue his instigation, the situation would be extremely disadvantageous to him. He had to take the initiative and break the Ninth Prince's plot.

"Brother Nine, what exactly do you mean by saying this?" Jiang Chen's voice was low and powerful, and his eyes looked directly at the Ninth Prince, as if he wanted to see through his eyes and see into his heart.

The Ninth Prince Jiang Yu still had a smile on his face and said in a relaxed tone, "Sixteenth Brother, I am only stating a fact."

"State the facts?" Jiang Chen sneered, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Ninth Brother, are you doubting my loyalty to Daliang?"

His words were like a sharp sword, piercing the Ninth Prince's heart. Ninth Prince Jiang Yu's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew he couldn't argue with Jiang Chen over this issue, as it would only complicate the situation.

"Sixteenth brother, you are overly suspicious." The Ninth Prince said lightly, with a hint of perfunctory in his tone.

Jiang Chen didn't give up. He knew that if he continued to argue with the Ninth Prince about the two Western Region generals, nothing good would come of it. Instead of passively defending, it was better to take the initiative and seek wealth and honor in danger.

"Ninth Brother, are you suspecting me of having any connection with the Western Regions?" Jiang Chen's voice suddenly rose, his gaze sweeping across the Ninth Prince like a knife. "I guess the next sentence you'll say is about accusing me of treason, right?"

His words were like a hammer, hammering down on the hearts of everyone in the hall. Ninth Prince Jiang Yu's expression instantly darkened, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He hadn't expected Jiang Chen to pose the question so directly.

"Sixteenth brother, what do you mean by this?" The Ninth Prince said coldly, with a hint of threat in his tone.

Jiang Chen didn't flinch. His gaze remained firm, and his tone carried a hint of unquestionable authority: "Ninth Brother, if you have evidence, just bring it out. If not, don't make insinuations and sow discord here!"

Ninth Prince Jiang Yu's expression turned even uglier. He knew he couldn't continue this conversation. He snorted coldly and muttered, "Who knows if the Western Regions generals in your mansion are related to Minister Cao? What if these two Western Regions men are plotting a rebellion?"

Although his voice was not loud, it was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly. Emperor Liang's face instantly turned gloomy, and his eyes swept across the Ninth and Sixteenth Princes like knives, and a storm of turmoil had already been set off in his heart.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly solemn, as if even the air itself had grown thicker. Emperor Liang's fingers continued to tap gently on the armrest, but the rhythm gradually quickened, revealing his inner unease and doubt. His gaze flickered between the Ninth and Sixteenth Princes, silently weighing their words.

Ninth Prince Jiang Yu was secretly pleased when he saw that Emperor Liang hadn't immediately expressed his opinion. He knew that his words had successfully sowed the seeds of doubt in Emperor Liang's heart. A little more fueling would make Jiang Chen's situation even more difficult.

"Father," the Ninth Prince suddenly spoke, his voice filled with a hint of respect and tentativeness, "I have no intention of doubting Sixteenth Brother, but this matter is of grave importance, and we must proceed with caution. After all, the identities of the generals from the Western Regions are inherently sensitive. If they harbor ill intentions, they could cause immeasurable damage to Daliang."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liang frowned even more. His gaze fell on Jiang Chen, and his tone was tentative: "Chen'er, what do you say?"

Jiang Chen's heart trembled, knowing that the Liang Emperor had begun to waver. He had to reverse the situation quickly, or the consequences would be disastrous. He took a deep breath, his tone calm and resolute, "Father, the two Western Regions generals in this son's household are former subordinates from my time fighting in the Western Regions. They are loyal and have made great contributions to Daliang, and they have no ulterior motives. If anyone is using this to sow discord, I am willing to confront them face to face to prove my innocence!"

His words were resounding, like a hammer hitting the hearts of everyone in the hall. Emperor Liang's eyes flickered slightly, as if touched by Jiang Chen's words.

Seeing this, Ninth Prince Jiang Yu felt a surge of anxiety. He knew that if he allowed Jiang Chen to continue his defense, his plan would fail. He had to find a new breakthrough as soon as possible.

"Sixteenth brother," the Ninth Prince suddenly sneered, a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "You say they are loyal, but who can guarantee that they don't have ulterior motives? After all, the relationship between the Western Regions and Daliang has always been complicated. Who can guarantee that they won't secretly collude?"