The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

Late at night.

One by one, the lights in the inn went out, and the dogs in the neighboring courtyard stopped barking. The whole street was plunged into a quiet darkness.

The window was opened a crack, and moonlight squeezed in through the crack, spreading a thin layer on the table.

Judge Di leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the table, his fingers unconsciously twirling the long-cooled teacup. The bottom of the cup spun gently on the table, occasionally emitting a very faint sound of porcelain rubbing against wood.

"I believe about 70% of what you said."

"What about the remaining three points?"

"We'll have to wait until we see His Majesty the day after tomorrow to discuss it further."

Zhang Rui was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

Upon seeing Wu Zetian, one can naturally verify who was imprisoned in the earthen kiln.

It's not that I don't believe in myself, it's just that Judge Di is someone who is used to relying on evidence.

Besides, he currently has no power or position, and even if he knew the truth, he wouldn't know where to start.

"You're saying the princess is one of the masterminds behind this?"

"Um."

"If this is true, then this matter cannot be treated as just a simple case."

Judge Di stood up from his chair, walked to the window, and pushed it outwards by about a hand's width.

More moonlight poured in, spilling onto the ground and stretching his shadow long, from the table leg at his feet all the way to the empty white wall behind him.

"It has nothing to do with the case itself. His identity is what it is. Once it is made public, it will not only implicate her. Anyone in the Li Tang imperial family who is even remotely connected to him, whether they were involved or not, whether they knew about it or not, will probably not be able to escape."

Zhang Rui fell silent; he knew that Di Renjie was right.

Wu Zetian's attitude towards the Li Tang imperial family was always "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free."

This can be seen from the case of the Blue Robe Record later on.

Wait, the Blue Shirt Chronicle...

It seems that Xu Shide is the mastermind behind this.

It turns out that Di Renjie's visit to the Xu residence today was indeed to see an "old friend".

Zhang Rui vaguely remembered that in the story of the Blue Robe, there was a recollection of Di Renjie being falsely accused and imprisoned, and then tried by the Imperial Guard.

These things are a bit too far off right now. The most important thing right now is the audience at Yuanjue Temple the day after tomorrow.

In any case, once the princess's rebellion is made public, it will lead to a purge.

It wasn't just one or two people, it was a group of people.

Judge Di stood by the window with his hands behind his back, remaining silent for a long time.

The moonlight outlined his silhouette with a silver edge, from his graying temples to his thin shoulders, and he remained motionless.

"Investigating the case isn't difficult; the difficulty lies in what to do after the investigation is complete. Therefore, this matter can only be known to you and me; no one else can know about it."

"Yes, sir."

"Yuanfang is a good boy, loyal and upright. But the less he knows about this matter, the better. It's not that I don't trust him, but some things, once known, become a burden. He hasn't cleared his own name yet, so I shouldn't take on any more burdens for him."

"However, everything will have to wait until after we meet His Majesty the day after tomorrow to make a decision." Di Gong turned around, walked to the bedside, first tidied up the bed that had been made for Zhang Rui on the floor, and smoothed out the fine wrinkles, before standing up and sitting on the edge of the bed. "There's no use thinking about it now, let's get some rest."

"Yes."

Di Gong took off his outer garment, folded it neatly, and draped it at the foot of the bed.

As I lay down, the bed frame made a soft creaking sound.

Zhang Rui also lay down. The bed had just been made, the blankets were neatly arranged, and the pillows were placed upright.

"Connecting to the secluded place".

"grown ups."

"You said you can only remember things related to me?"

"……Um."

"And what about your home? What about your family? Have you ever thought about them, even the slightest thing?"

A breeze blew in from outside the window, causing the paper window to flutter slightly before settling back down.

"no."

Di Gong hummed in agreement, pulled the covers over himself, and closed his eyes.

Zhang Rui turned to the side, looking at Di Gong's back.

The old man had broad shoulders and lay there like a wall, quiet and still.

My breathing gradually subsided, one breath at a time, very slowly.

The next morning, before dawn, Di Renjie got up.

A thin layer of crab-shell blue tinge shone on the window paper, and there were already sporadic footsteps and the sound of doors being removed on the street.

Across the street, the breakfast stalls had just lit their stoves, and a wisp of white smoke rose from under the eaves, carrying the scent of firewood and morning dew, seeping in through the window cracks.

Zhang Rui heard the noise and opened his eyes.

Di Renjie had already dressed and was bending over to make the bed.

"Awake?" Di Gong skillfully folded the blankets diagonally, straightened the edges, and placed them on the headboard. "We need to go to Yuanjue Temple first today, and I'll take you to explore the capital properly another day."

"Is it about tomorrow's audience?"

"Hmm." Di Renjie straightened up and straightened his cuffs. "There are quite a few people in the capital who know me. With so many eyes and ears, and this case being so complicated, it would be best to meet with His Majesty privately. Fortunately, I am an old acquaintance of the abbot of the temple. Asking him for help should be no problem."

Zhang Rui floated up and followed behind Di Gong.

Di Renjie walked to Li Yuanfang's door and knocked twice.

The door opened, and Li Yuanfang was still dressed neatly, with his knife beside him and a bowl of cold water on the table.

"Yuanfang, the same as before today, you stay at the inn. I'll have the food delivered, so don't go out."

Li Yuanfang glanced at Di Renjie, his lips moved as if he wanted to say he would go along, but in the end he only replied, "Yes, sir, be careful on the road."

Di Gong went downstairs and left the inn. Instead of taking the busiest street from yesterday, he turned into a side alley and walked along the city wall towards the west.

There were few people on this road, only a few vendors carrying loads and old men sweeping the streets early in the morning. No one paid attention to the old man in the worn blue cloth robe.

The morning breeze was a bit cool, carrying a crisp, grassy scent as it touched my face.

The walls were made of rammed earth, and clumps of withered weeds grew on top of them, swaying gently in the wind.

Dew from the previous night had accumulated at the base of the wall, and patches of dampness clung to the bluestone path.

The distant sound of the bell from Yuanjue Temple drifted over, one note at a time, neither hurried nor slow.

Di Renjie did not walk fast; he walked with his hands behind his back, the hem of his clothes swaying gently with his steps.

"Does the master know the abbot?"

"know."

"How did you meet?"

"I studied at a temple when I was young, so I guess you could say I have a connection with Buddhism." Di Gong walked around a loose stone slab on the ground. "I met Master Yuanzhen of Yuanjue Temple back when I was at Dali Temple. We've been friends for twenty years."

The mountain gate of Yuanjue Temple is now visible.

The morning light shone from the east, gilding the temple's gray tiled roof and hipped eaves with a faint golden hue.

In the open space in front of the mountain gate, several young monks were sweeping the ground with brooms made of bamboo branches. The broom tips grazed the bluestone slabs, making a steady rustling sound, one stroke after another, which carried far in the quiet morning.

The incense in the incense burner had just been lit, and a thin wisp of smoke rose straight up, only to be dispersed by the morning breeze halfway up the mountain.

The imperial guards were still standing on both sides of the passageway, their backs ramrod straight and motionless, probably waiting for the emperor's arrival tomorrow before they withdrew.