Who put the yellow robe on me?

"Your Highness?" The night was as dark as ink, with stars dotting the sky. A gentle knock was heard outside the door of the Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen.

The sixteenth prince, Jiang Chen, immediately sat up. His voice was still tired, yet it carried the majesty of a command: "You're not asleep yet. Come in, Dianzhang!"

The door was gently pushed open, and Dianzhang's figure was dimly shrouded in the shadow of the lamp. His expression was solemn but firm. "Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you so late. I really have something important to report."

Jiang Chen's hand trembled. Just as he was about to pick up the amulet he had prepared from his pillow, he saw a faint flash of light. He hurriedly covered it up and thought to himself, "I can't let the soldiers see that I have any private concerns."

He asked in a deep voice, "Dianzhang, what's the urgent matter at this late hour?"

Dianzhang stepped in and gently pushed the screen behind him. The flickering candlelight flickered, the wick trembled slightly, and a few wisps of candle smoke seemed to sigh silently.

Dianzhang handed over the military report from General Zhong Xiaodan of Anbei, and lowered his voice even more: "Your Highness, there has been unrest in the Northern Qiang."

Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes, frowned for a long time, and tapped the bamboo slips on the desk with his fingers: "Unrest? What do you mean?"

He suddenly raised his head, his expression gradually changing, as if he had realized something, "Could it be that..."

Dianzhang nodded, a vein throbbing in his forehead. "Yes, Your Highness! Khan Yelu Weiyuan has passed away, and the Yelu Princesses are now at loggerheads. The Northern Qiang Dynasty is about to collapse."

Jiang Chen suddenly recalled the time when he and Yelu Mengmeng had shared life and death together in the Western Regions. His blood boiled and his fists clenched white. "What about the Black Wolf Cavalry on the front line? Are there any unusual movements?"

Dianzhang bowed and replied, "General Anbei reports that the Black Wolf Cavalry has retreated thirty miles and set up camp, neither advancing nor retreating. They have no clear offensive intentions, but they are unwilling to retreat."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief and slowly leaned back, his thoughts racing. "Yelu Weiyuan's death is likely to shock the entire world. As for Yelu Mengmeng...does she have any more news?"

Dianzhang's face was solemn, his eyes flickering. He coughed lightly before speaking, "Your Highness, when I secretly escorted the Third Princess that day, I left several spies in Northern Qiang territory. This morning, they reported back that the Third Princess is isolated and powerless at court. Although there's a will appointing her as Khan, most of the Northern Qiang generals refuse to obey. Furthermore, Yelu Qingmin is secretly interfering, putting the First Princess in danger."

Jiang Chen's chest tightened, and unspeakable pain surged in his heart - his feelings for Yelu Mengmeng had long gone beyond the courtesy of alliance.

In the past, under the cunning autumn snow, she had saved him from danger regardless of her status. At that time, he had also been fascinated by her icy and snowy body. When he recalled it tonight, he felt even more attached to her.

"So, the Third Princess is trapped, facing both internal and external troubles." Jiang Chen said in a low voice, his eyes deep, "Is there any other movement?"

Dianzhang swallowed, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "And... Yelu Weiyuan's nephew, Yelu Zhongji, is also eyeing the Khan's throne. He even threatened to make the two princesses 'test their strength in battle.'"

As soon as these words came out, Jiang Chen's chest was filled with rage: "If he really dares to take action, it will be strange if Northern Qiang doesn't fall into chaos!"

Seeing His Highness's agitation, Dianzhang hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Highness, don't worry. Although the Northern Qiang are in chaos, their military morale is still unstable. We can still seize the opportunity."

Jiang Chen took a deep breath and said, "If I send out the troops based solely on my passion, not only will I struggle to gain support from the court, but I'm afraid there will be rebellion. Furthermore, the Emperor Liang is still ill, and the government is in shaky shape. If I mobilize the border troops for my own selfish reasons, I'll be considered a traitor."

His eyes were like torches as he suddenly turned to Dianzhang: "I need to find another helper."

Dianzhang was puzzled for a moment: "Your Highness, may I ask where you are going?"

Jiang Chen raised the corner of his mouth, a cold light flashing: "I think of someone who can help with this situation."

Dianzhang's heart moved, and he hurriedly asked, "Can you explain it clearly?"

Jiang Chen nodded lightly: "Come with me and you will find out."

With that, he turned around, his steps brisk, his gaze sweeping across the hall, scanning the maps and military tokens on the desk one by one. His gaze unexpectedly became more eager and resolute. Dianzhang bowed in response, saying solemnly, "As you command, Your Highness!"

The two of them moved lightly, like shadows, passing through the heavy rosewood door and stepping into the moonlit courtyard. A cold wind whistled through the columns, making Jiang Chen's cloak flutter. A cold gleam flashed across his face, making him look even more spirited.

The guards outside cast a skeptical look, but didn't dare to stop them. Jiang Chen and Dian Zhang hurried through the night, a curtain covering their figures as they silently disappeared along the winding stone path.

Soon, the two arrived at the gate of the Zhong Mansion. The glittering lights in front of the mansion echoed with the lanterns in the night market, adding a touch of solemnity.

Jiang Chen raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door. The sound of the red copper bell echoed in silence, and then the door creaked open. After the guards informed him, Zhong Xiaodan came in a short while.

General Annan raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the two men appear, but he did not panic. Instead, he whispered, "Your Highness, please come in to discuss matters."

Jiang Chen nodded and bowed: "Thank you, General."

Everyone left the door one after another. Jiang Chen and Dian Zhang followed Zhong Xiaodan inside, passed through the numerous balconies and corridors, and entered the study.

Inside the study, a single oil lamp lit the room, and several maps and secret reports were spread out on the desk. Zhong Xiaodan glanced around and lowered his voice, "Since His Majesty fell into a coma, there have indeed been a lot of unusual movements within the palace. The last time we hunted for Deadpool, we were unsuccessful. It seems someone is deliberately covering it up."

Jiang Chen's expression was solemn. "Can we interrogate another group of Deadpools to understand the undercurrents within the mansion?"

Zhong Xiaodan shook his head: "No matter how much I ask, I won't get any results. I suspect this matter may be related to the brothers in the palace. The Sixth Prince and the Ninth Prince have always been eyeing my palace covetously."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly. "The palace is treacherous, so it's important for you to protect yourselves. What's the purpose of your visit, Your Highness?"

Zhong Xiaodan stepped back and spread the scroll on the desk. "Your Highness, please read this. This is a report from Anbei. The Third Princess of Beiqiang is in a dangerous situation. Yelu Zhongji is ready to make a move. If the northern border is left without a leader, it will pose a threat to our Daliang border defense."

Jiang Chen frowned deeply. "Although the Black Wolf Cavalry has retreated temporarily, they are still like a lurking tiger. Once unified, they will surely come and test Daliang first."

He raised his hand and pointed at a corner of the Northern Qiang on the map. "Now that the Khan's position is undecided, the Northern Qiang generals are holding each other back. If there are any wise men, they can take advantage of this chaos to form an alliance."

Zhong Xiaodan's expression brightened: "Your Highness's idea is indeed very brilliant."

Jiang Chen raised his lips slightly. "This man is a highly respected guard among Yelu's former subordinates. He is from the Western Regions, proficient in cold weapons and well versed in etiquette. He can be a great help in the new policy for the Northern Qiang."

Zhong Xiaoshan was startled. "Your Highness intends to deploy these guards in Northern Qiang to stabilize the Third Princess's position?"

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed fiercely. "Indeed! Although his rank in Northern Qiang is not high, he is highly regarded by the Third Princess. If I can recruit him, I can alleviate the Third Princess's current isolation and bring some peace of mind to the Northern Qiang army."

Seeing this, Dianzhang hurriedly bowed and said, "If Your Highness is so determined, I will accompany you and invite this person to meet you as soon as possible."

Zhong Xiaoshan pondered, "Your Highness, this journey is dangerous. The border is desolate and full of dangers. We should also act in secrecy to avoid alerting the enemy."

Jiang Chen said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, the affairs in the mansion are temporarily blocked. Only two people are needed for this trip. They will meet with the Western Region Guards and have a few words with them."

Zhong Xiaodan shook his head: "I am still worried about one thing..."