The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

The constable took out a sealed envelope from his pocket and presented it with both hands: "Your Excellency, this is an urgent message from the Ministry of Justice forwarded from Lingzhou, delivered by express mail over a distance of 600 li. Please give it to you."

Di Chun took the envelope, turned around, and handed it into the carriage: "Master."

Di Renjie took it and looked at the sealing wax stamp on the cover.

The official seal of the Ministry of Justice was a bright red, clearly indicating an urgent document.

"Understood, Di Chun. Sign the document and send the envoy back."

"Yes."

After the servants left, the carriage continued forward.

Di Renjie opened the envelope and took out the official document.

Zhang Rui leaned over to take a look.

The official document clearly states: The case of the murder of the Turkic delegation is still unresolved, and the perpetrator, Li Yuanfang, is at large. A report has arrived from Lingzhou that the criminal resisted arrest within the territory, killed nineteen constables, and has vanished without a trace. A warrant for his arrest has been issued, and all prefectures and counties along the route are to conduct a thorough search and manhunt without fail.

After reading it, Di Renjie remained silent for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"What a bold Li Yuanfang! I'd like to see what kind of person he is."

Zhang Rui suddenly spoke up: "He's not the murderer."

Di Renjie raised his eyes: "Oh? Why do you say that?"

Zhang Rui paused for a moment: "A feeling."

"Feelings?" Di Renjie raised an eyebrow.

"...I remembered some fragments," Zhang Rui said carefully, "vague."

Di Renjie's expression changed instantly. He put down the official documents, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Zhang Rui's face: "What have you remembered? Do you remember where you came from? Who your parents are?"

Zhang Rui shook his head.

Looking at Di Renjie's concerned eyes, a wave of guilt washed over me.

There's not much to say about my background, and it's not easy to talk about.

He was only recalling a scene from a TV series, but he didn't want to say it directly, so he gave a vague answer, which led to Di Renjie's misunderstanding.

"No, just some fragmented images."

Di Renjie looked at him for a while, and his gaze gradually softened.

"It's okay, if you can't remember, then don't think about it anymore, take your time."

Zhang Rui lowered his head and didn't say anything more.

After a moment of silence in the carriage, Di Renjie spoke again: "You just said that Li Yuanfang isn't the murderer?"

"Yes, he's not a bad person."

"Why are you so sure?"

Zhang Rui thought for a moment and said, "I saw... the scene of the lord talking to him at the Jiangzhang Post Station, and the scene of you traveling together."

Di Renjie's expression changed slightly.

This child is no ordinary person; it wouldn't be surprising if he had some special abilities.

However, he had never believed in ghosts and gods, and for a moment he didn't know how to deal with it.

Di Renjie picked up the official document again, glanced at it, and suddenly said, "If Li Yuanfang really did murder the Turkic delegation, his first reaction should have been to find a secluded place to hide so that the court couldn't find him. But this Li Yuanfang escaped alone, drawing all the court's attention to himself, yet instead of hiding, he went to Lingzhou and committed a major crime, as if he was afraid the emperor wouldn't know where he was. This doesn't make sense."

Zhang Rui continued, "Perhaps the real culprit wouldn't let him hide."

Di Renjie nodded: "That's possible. He certainly wasn't the mastermind behind the mission's downfall; otherwise, his name wouldn't have appeared on the mission's list, and he certainly wouldn't have fled alone when the mission was destroyed. Doing so would have made him a target to be hunted down."

"Furthermore, the court's attention is not entirely focused on Li Yuanfang."

"Oh?" Di Renjie looked up.

"The majority of the problem lies with the adults." Zhang Rui looked at him. "If two people who are being watched collide and something else happens, this case will become even more difficult."

Di Renjie's gaze deepened: "You mean, someone wants us to run into each other?"

Zhang Rui did not answer directly: "I just feel... that adults shouldn't linger here any longer."

Di Renjie remained silent for a long time.

The carriage continued forward, the sun gradually sank below the horizon, and the evening glow on the horizon dimmed.

After a long while, Di Renjie suddenly spoke: "Di Chun."

"master?"

"Is that the Crimson Tent Inn ahead?"

"Exactly."

"We'll stay there tonight."

Zhang Rui was taken aback: "My lord..."

Di Renjie glanced at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Didn't you say he wasn't a bad person? Then I should meet him even more, so I can hear about the injustice he suffered."

Zhang Rui opened his mouth, but then swallowed his words back.

-----------------

Jiangzhang Inn is located beside the official road and is a three-courtyard building.

Entering through the main gate, there is a small hall with a row of side rooms on each side, and behind them are the stable and the woodshed.

The courtyard was small, but it was kept clean and tidy, and the bluestone pavement shone brightly underfoot.

Di Renjie asked for a superior room, and Zhang Rui followed him in.

The room was simply furnished with a wooden bed, a table, two chairs, and a painting on the wall that had turned yellow.

"Does Your Excellency truly intend to see him?"

Di Renjie took off his cloak and hung it on the clothes rack: "I'd like to see you."

"But--"

"Since someone wants to bring us together, I'll go along with it and see what tricks they're up to." Di Renjie sat down in a chair and slowly sipped his tea. "Besides, what's meant to happen can't be avoided, so we might as well face it head-on."

Zhang Rui stood by the window, looking at the night outside.

Lanterns were lit in the courtyard, and people coming and going cast long shadows.

Someone was drawing water from the well when the wooden bucket fell into it with a thud.

In the distance came the sound of the night watchman's clapper, striking it again and again in the night.

"Are you worried?"

Zhang Rui didn't turn around: "I just feel... it's too risky."

"Danger? I've seen plenty of dangerous things in my life."

Di Renjie smiled, walked to the window, and stood side by side with Zhang Rui.

Zhang Rui remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "My lord, there is something I need to tell you."

"Um."

"Tonight...not only will Li Yuanfang come. There will also be people impersonating the Imperial Guards, and they might pose a threat to you, sir."

Di Renjie did not press him on how he knew, but simply looked at the night outside the window and remained silent for a while.

"Come on then, I'll be waiting."

Zhang Rui opened his mouth, but then swallowed his words back.

He didn't know how to explain it, he only knew that a lot would happen tonight.

A young man who visits late at night, a group of fake Imperial Guards, an ambush, and an experience of life and death together.

There's also a certain unspoken understanding between Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang.

"Sir, please be very careful."

Di Renjie turned his head, and the moonlight fell on his face, illuminating the wrinkles and the gentleness in his eyes.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Zhang Rui looked at his profile; even at a time like this, he was still trying to reassure him.

"Go to sleep."

Di Renjie walked towards the bed, then stopped, took the extra quilt from the bed, and spread it on the ground not far from the bed.

He didn't say anything, just laid out the bed, patted it, and then lay down on the couch.

What's meant to come will come.

Zhang Rui lay down, his eyes still open.

Moonlight filtered through the window paper, casting a thin layer of bluish-white light on the ground.

Turning to his side, facing the bed, he could see the outline of Di Renjie lying on his side, the bedding rising and falling slightly.

The room was quiet, and the old man's breathing gradually calmed down, becoming slow, steady, and even.