Who put the yellow robe on me?

Prime Minister He's eyes flickered slightly, and he bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance. I believe that we cannot determine the Sixteenth Prince's identity based solely on a secret letter. Since the Censorate cannot verify the handwriting, perhaps we can summon the head of the Yang family to the palace for a confrontation and inspection."

Emperor Liang nodded slightly, but his eyes fell on Jiang Chen: "Jiang Chen, do you have anything to say?"

Jiang Chen bowed his hands and said, "Father, the case of Cao Shouku has not yet been concluded, and the authenticity of the secret letter is still unknown. If I truly intended to rebel, why would I leave such obvious evidence? If today's situation was a conspiracy, the person behind it must have planned it long ago. If you rashly determine that I am guilty, I am afraid you will play into their hands."

Emperor Liang narrowed his eyes and stared at Jiang Chen, as if measuring the weight of his words.

At this moment, a report came from outside the palace: "General Zhong Wenbin of the Western Regions requests an audience!"

Emperor Liang's eyes fixed on him, and he waved his hand and said, "Announce."

A moment later, an imposing man in military uniform entered the hall. It was General Zhong Wenbin of the Western Regions. He knelt on one knee and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I, Zhong Wenbin, pay my respects to you!"

Emperor Liang's eyes shone brightly, and he said in a deep voice, "General Xiao, since you have been summoned to the capital, you must be aware of what is happening there. I would like to ask you, do you know the true identity of the Sixteenth Prince?"

Zhong Wenbin raised his head and spoke in a steady and powerful voice, "Your Majesty, I personally escorted the Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen back to the capital. He is indeed the prince of the current emperor. There is no falsehood!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court.

Ninth Prince Jiang Yu sneered, "The person General Xiao is escorting may not be the same Sixteenth Prince from back then. Father, I believe this matter deserves further investigation."

Zhong Wenbin's eyes were stern as he replied, "What do you mean, Your Highness? Could it be that I cannot see the prince's true appearance? Moreover, the soldiers of the Western Regions can all testify that when His Highness Jiang Chen returned to the capital with the army, there was absolutely no substitution."

Emperor Liang tapped the table with his fingers, his eyes solemn, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

Prime Minister He coughed lightly and spoke, "Your Majesty, since General Xiao is willing to testify on behalf of the Sixteenth Prince and personally escorted him back then, perhaps there's something fishy going on in this case. However, the secret letter shouldn't be ignored. In my opinion, it would be better to temporarily detain Cao Shouku and two generals under Jiang Chen to the Ministry of Justice. We'll make a final decision after a thorough investigation."

Emperor Liang pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "Approved! Come, take Cao Shouku to prison and make a decision after the interrogation."

Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief. At this step, he was temporarily stable.

However, at this moment, another announcement came from outside the palace: "Empress Defei requests an audience!"

Emperor Liang's face darkened slightly, and after a moment he said, "Announce."

Concubine De slowly entered the hall, bowed, and then said bluntly: "Your Majesty, I have something that can prove the true identity of the Sixteenth Prince."

She took out a brocade bag and handed it to Emperor Liang's desk.

When Emperor Liang unfolded it, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

Everyone stared with bated breath, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The ninth prince Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes, and a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

The hall was silent, and all the ministers' eyes were on the brocade bag in Emperor Liang's hand.

Emperor Liang narrowed his eyes, slowly opened the brocade pouch, and pulled out a letter. The paper was slightly yellowed, clearly showing its age. He unfolded the letter and scanned it from top to bottom, his brow furrowing slightly as a hint of uncertainty crossed his gaze.

In the hall, all the ministers held their breath and waited.

Jiang Chenyi stared at the expression of Emperor Liang, wondering what was hidden in the brocade bag that could make Emperor Liang look so subtle?

After a moment, Emperor Liang slowly put the letter down and said solemnly, "De Fei, do you know the origin of this letter?"

De Fei slowly stood up and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this letter was left by the late Emperor. He entrusted it to me for safekeeping, instructing me that if there ever comes a time when the court is shaken and the identity of the heir is in doubt, it should be given to Your Majesty to rectify the bloodline."

As soon as these words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion suddenly broke out in the hall.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "The late emperor's letter? Why is it being brought out now?"

He looked at Emperor Liang calmly, trying to deduce more information from his expression. However, Emperor Liang remained silent for a long time, as if weighing the pros and cons.

Prime Minister He's eyes flickered slightly, and he stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, since this letter concerns the royal bloodline, please read it aloud to clear up the doubts of the world."

Emperor Liang nodded slowly, lifted the letter, and read in a low voice, "I have read the late emperor's will, urging you to remain loyal and protect the foundation of the country. However... the sixteenth prince is a pretender to be an imperial descendant and is not of royal blood..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court was in an uproar!

The ministers were whispering to each other. The Ninth Prince Jiang Yu's eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, while the Sixth Prince Jiang Fu's eyes also showed a gleam of intelligence.

Jiang Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his fingertips exerted slight force, and his knuckles turned a little white.

"What a last will from the late emperor..." Jiang Chen sneered in his heart. He knew very well that if this letter was true, he would be completely trapped in a dead end.

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Mu Shenru suddenly stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "When the late emperor passed away, did he leave behind a will? Why has this letter only appeared today? Your Majesty, please carefully examine the authenticity of this letter to avoid misjudgment!"

Prime Minister He also said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I believe that this letter is of great importance and must be strictly examined by the Censorate and the Imperial Household before a decision can be made."

Emperor Liang's eyes flickered slightly, and he seemed a little hesitant.

However, the Ninth Prince Jiang Yu stepped forward and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, how can one impersonate someone of royal blood? If this letter is indeed from the late Emperor, then the Sixteenth Prince's identity is in serious doubt. This matter must not be delayed; it must be resolved immediately!"

Jiang Chen looked at Jiang Yu, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he suddenly said: "Ninth Brother is so anxious, could it be that... he already knows the contents of this letter?"

Jiang Yu's expression changed slightly when he said this, but he sneered, "Sixteenth Brother, if you didn't have something to hide, why would you test me like this? Do you dare to swear in public that this letter is a forgery?"

Jiang Chen said loudly, "I am the Sixteenth Prince, Jiang Chen. I entered the Western Regions as a child and returned to the capital after suffering hardships. Everything I have done and said has been aboveboard. However, a sudden letter sent to me today is trying to put me in an unjust position. Isn't that ridiculous? Since Ninth Prince is determined to make a decision, Your Majesty, please order a thorough investigation to determine whether this letter is genuine or not!"

Emperor Liang looked at Jiang Chen gravely. After a moment's silence, he finally said, "Tell the Imperial Censorate and the Imperial History Bureau to thoroughly investigate the authenticity of this letter!"

Hearing this, all the ministers nodded, while the Ninth Prince Jiang Yu frowned slightly.

The matter has not yet concluded, but the situation is already tense.

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing that he was still in danger. But he also knew that if this letter was forged, it would definitely have flaws.

Cao Shouku's face turned pale, and a trace of gloom flashed across the brows of the ninth prince Jiang Yu.

Emperor Liang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "I must thoroughly investigate this case! The three courts will immediately conduct a new trial!"

The situation once again fell into a strange balance, and Jiang Chen finally succeeded in shaking this power structure...