The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

After a long while, Di Renjie finished reading the document, raised his head, and said in a somewhat deep voice, "Your Excellency, this..."

"Lord Di," the imperial envoy interrupted him, his voice low, "His Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time. The situation in the court is complex, and only you can investigate these cases."

Di Renjie remained silent for a moment, carefully put away the official document, and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, sir."

The imperial envoy said no more, nodded, and strode out of the main hall.

The sound of horses' hooves came from outside the door and quickly disappeared at the end of the street.

Di Renjie stood in the hall, clutching the imperial edict and official documents in his hands, remaining motionless for a long time.

Seeing that the imperial envoy had walked away, Di Chun, who was standing to the side, quickly came forward, his face showing a mixture of caution and barely suppressed concern.

"My lord, is this... a return to the capital?"

"Hmm." Di Renjie looked down at the imperial edict and official documents in his hand, responded with a tone that revealed neither joy nor anger.

Di Chun rubbed his hands together and tentatively asked, "Then... shall I go pack my things?"

"Go ahead." Di Renjie nodded, then suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh, right, go to the tailor shop again and ask how those clothes are coming along. Bring them back if they're finished, and don't rush the ones that aren't... But make sure you settle the money with the shopkeeper, don't let them suffer a loss."

Di Chun was taken aback, clearly not expecting his superior to still be thinking about making clothes at this moment. However, having followed Di Renjie for so many years, he knew his superior's temperament and did not ask any further questions. He simply replied, "Yes, I've got it."

He turned to leave, but then remembered something, paused, and turned back to ask, "Sir, what about the county government... how should we explain this?"

Di Renjie pondered for a moment, then put the imperial edict and official documents into his sleeve, straightened his sleeves, and strode out: "Go and summon the county magistrate and the registrar. I have something to say to them."

"Yes!" Di Chun replied and ran off.

The county magistrate's surname was Liu. He was over fifty years old and had served in the Pengze County government office for more than ten years. He was an honest and conscientious man who didn't talk much but was reliable in his work.

The registrar, surnamed Zhang, was in his early forties. He was lean and wiry, with a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. He handled many paperwork matters for Di Renjie and was a well-known capable person in the county government.

When the two men were summoned to the front hall by the bailiffs, they were still somewhat confused.

When Magistrate Liu entered, he looked around and saw nothing unusual. Only Lord Di was standing in the hall, holding the imperial edict in his hand.

Zhang, the registrar, was quicker to notice the unusual atmosphere. The incense table hadn't been cleared yet, and the lingering smoke of incense still wafted from it. Although the official's expression remained unchanged, there was something indescribable between his brows.

"Sir, you were looking for us?" County Magistrate Liu stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

Di Renjie briefly explained the imperial edict, speaking calmly as if he were informing someone of a routine official matter: "The court has decreed that I must depart for the capital immediately. I do not know when I will be able to return. I will have to trouble the two of you to take care of the affairs of the county government."

County Magistrate Liu was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a sudden turn of events, but he quickly recovered and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my utmost and will never dare to slack off."

Zhang, the registrar, nodded in agreement, but his gaze fell on the imperial edict in Di Renjie's hand, as if he were weighing the weight of the words "return to the capital."

Di Renjie gave a few more instructions: which backlog cases should be handled first, which neighborhood disputes could be mediated, which official documents could be postponed, and which matters needed to be reported to the prefectural government.

He spoke about each point one by one, in a clear and orderly manner, as if he had already sorted out his thoughts.

County Magistrate Liu listened attentively, taking notes of everything, occasionally nodding and asking a question.

Zhang, the registrar, would occasionally add a comment to make Di Renjie's words more comprehensive.

After finishing his official business, Di Renjie waved his hand, signaling them to leave: "Go, you two have worked hard these past few days."

The two bowed and turned to leave.

When Zhang, the registrar, reached the door, he suddenly paused, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't speak and went out with Liu, the county magistrate.

Seeing that Di Renjie had finally finished his work, Zhang Rui walked in from outside.

Di Renjie sat in a chair, one hand supporting his forehead, as if he were somewhat tired.

Looking at him, Zhang Rui suddenly realized that the burden on this old man's shoulders was much heavier than he had imagined.

Di Renjie read the document from beginning to end again. After a long while, he slowly raised his head and looked at Zhang Rui.

"I'm afraid there won't be any peace for quite some time to come." His voice was somewhat deep. He paused, then added, "You'll have to work hard following me around."

Zhang Rui was still struggling with how to bring up the idea of ​​"I want to follow you" since Di Renjie was returning to the capital.

He was, after all, an outsider, someone who didn't even have a physical body. What right did he have to demand to stay by Di Gong's side forever?

But as soon as Di Renjie said those words, the little bit of unease in my heart dissipated.

At this critical juncture, the old man wasn't thinking about his own future or those thorny cases; he was worried that Zhang Rui would suffer as a result.

Zhang Rui felt a warmth in his heart, and his voice softened, but he was very serious: "I'm fine. I'll follow you wherever you go."

Di Chun left quickly and returned quickly.

As Zhang Rui was talking to Di Renjie, he saw Di Chun walk in from outside, carrying a set of neatly folded clothes, with a strange expression on his face.

"Sir, the clothes have been retrieved."

Di Renjie nodded: "What did the shopkeeper say?"

"The shopkeeper said that time was too tight and he could only rush out one outfit. This was because the shopkeeper heard that it was ordered by the lord and put it ahead of time without saying a word." Di Chun gently placed the clothes on the table and added, "He also said that Lord Di is the father and mother official of the people of Pengze, and it is their blessing to make clothes for the lord."

Di Renjie didn't reply, but just glanced at Di Chun.

Di Chun lowered his head, his gaze falling on the clothes, and the more he looked at them, the more something seemed off.

The size of these clothes is clearly not for an adult.

He had followed the master for so many years and knew his stature all too well. The master was tall and broad-shouldered, yet these clothes were several sizes too small, more like...

He secretly gestured, and a thought suddenly struck him.

It's like my size, but slightly smaller.

It wasn't about the other servants in the mansion; he knew exactly who was around the master.

So, who was this garment made for?

Di Chun grew increasingly confused and couldn't help but raise his head, tentatively asking, "Sir, are these clothes... made for me? I already have clothes to wear, you don't need to..."

"It's not for you."

Di Renjie rolled his eyes at him, but offered no explanation.

Di Chun was taken aback, opened his mouth, wanting to ask but not daring to.

He had followed Di Renjie for over a decade and knew the man's temperament.

What needs to be said will be said, and asking what shouldn't be asked is pointless.

"Alright, go pack your things." Di Renjie waved his hand. "We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

Di Chun responded, glanced at the clothes again, and left, full of doubt.