Di Renjie: A Fantasy Mystery

At the height of the Tang dynasty, Chang’an was a dream of prosperity, where poetry, wine, music, and dancing were part of everyday life. By day, the sun hung high, and crowds streamed past the magnificent Daming Palace. Yet as the last traces of dawn faded, hurried footsteps sounded from within the palace gates. A palace maid rushed into Di Renjie’s study, her face pale as paper. “Lord Di, please, you have to save me!” the maid cried, her voice trembling with urgency. Di Renjie looked up from his documents, his calm eyes revealing a trace of barely perceptible chill. He set down his brush, motioned for her to sit, and questioned her carefully. “What has you so frightened?”