Liang Wang Wu Sansi never expected that Dali Temple Minister Zeng Tai would catch him by surprise that day.In fact, in the eyes of Liang Wang, Zeng Tai is just a mediocre person, and he has achieved his current position only thanks to Di Renjie, his great backer.When discussing the appointment of Zeng Tai as Minister of Dali Temple, Wu Sansi expressed his approval because he always felt that people with more than loyalty but insufficient talent are not to be feared. Most of the trash, it's too easy to play with him. But today, King Liang discovered that when a puppet is manipulated by a powerful person, its lethality is quite powerful!When Zeng Tai came to ask for an interview in person as the Minister of Dali Temple, and the content he talked about turned out to be about the "Samarkand" headless murder case, and he also solemnly declared that the case was directly related to the family members of King Liang, Wu Sansi felt that his head It hurts.

Zeng Tai could not have expressed the purpose of this trip very clearly: since Datku, the Persian treasurer of "Samarkand", had identified the headless female body as the fifth concubine Gu Xianji of Liang Wangfu, as the presiding judge of this case, Zeng Tai Tate came to Liang Wangfu to verify this matter.Of course Zeng Tai believed that Datku was talking nonsense, but for the sake of fairness, he still hoped that Liang Wang would let Gu Xianji herself come forward to break this malicious rumor.Of course, Zeng Tai also considered that if such rumors spread to the market, it might affect the reputation of King Liang, so he did not verify the matter in the court, but came to Liang with a simple trip. In the prince's house, he only asked Gu Xianji to show her face, so that Datku's perjury would be self-defeating.

Wu Sansi pondered for a long time with a gloomy face, but he couldn't find a reason to refute Zeng Tai's remarks.Although he disapproved of Zeng Tai from the bottom of his heart, after all he is a third-rank minister of Dali Temple, and his investigation of the case is justified to him, not to mention that Zeng Tai was so considerate and thoughtful about King Liang's reputation. If you cooperate, you will appear guilty.After thinking about it again and again, Wu Sansi told his family to invite the fifth aunt. The family took the order to leave, Zeng Tai bowed to Wu Sansi again, and said in a loud voice: "King Liang, I have never seen the fifth concubine, so I can't confirm her identity, so I have to let the Persian in 'Samarkand' Only the shopkeeper can verify that the headless female corpse is not the fifth concubine." Wu Sansi changed color suddenly: "You! How can my relatives see anyone casually?!" Zeng Tai said calmly: "The king of Liang Don't get angry, this officer is doing this to please people. Today I have brought Datku, and now I am waiting outside the mansion. Now I just need to detain him outside the hall. When the fifth aunt comes over Find a secluded place by the side of the road you must pass, and give this guy a look from a distance, even if you stop him, I will have an explanation." Wu Sansi hesitated for a while, and finally agreed.

Half an hour later, on Zeng Tai's carriage, "Datku" took off his soft hat with trembling hands, and stripped off his full beard. His face, which was painted black, was already covered with tear stains.Before coming, Di Renjie told Uk Doha to get ready to watch a good show, Uk Doha never dreamed that what Di Renjie let him watch was the living Gu Xianji!In the carriage, on the opposite side of Ukdoha, Zeng Tai silently watched the sad man weeping, and he was filled with emotion: After experiencing the despair of parting, he unexpectedly found his true love. Love is still alive and well, shouldn't he be happy?But if this discovery actually contained a betrayal and conspiracy that was crueler than death, would he still prefer her to die? !

Zeng Tai's carriage drove directly into Di's mansion.In the study, Di Renjie had been waiting quietly for a long time.The warm sunshine in the afternoon penetrates through the window paper and splashes on the green brick floor in patches. Outside the window, the newly sprouted green leaves of green bamboos sway slightly in the wind, drawing shades on several green bricks painted golden yellow by the sun. Appropriate shade.Di Renjie came to the window and carefully looked at the Suxin Hanlan on the floor-to-ceiling flower stand. The slender and fragile green branches were half-stretched and half-hanging as always, just like her shyly drooping her pink neck, with pearls shining on her clean forehead. The luster of her skin... After so many years, her face is still so clear, just like the delicate orchid grass in front of her. Even if there are no flowers blooming, there is still a faint elegant fragrance, and every leaf tip is deduced from the essence. and holy.

The sharp pain in his chest reappeared, Di Renjie couldn't help touching his chest with his hand, and left the window sill with a long sigh. Every time such a memory can't last long, otherwise his body would start to protest before his mind. Could it be true? Should all this be forgotten?Di Renjie felt funny from the bottom of his heart. He insisted on doing the right thing all his life, but he didn't expect that in his old age, he began to question the principles that guided his entire life. Isn't this a kind of failure?No, he absolutely cannot accept such an idea. How could Di Renjie fail?

When Zeng Tai rushed into the study calling "Teacher" repeatedly, his tone was full of excitement and admiration, Di Renjie knew that at least this time, he had succeeded again.Di Renjie raised his hand leisurely to signal, Zeng Tai was still excited when he sat down, and sighed from the bottom of his heart: "Master, you are amazing!" , Looking up, Uk Doha, who was in tears, was pushed and shoved by Di Chun, and staggered into the study, still sobbing.Di Renjie winked at Di Chun, and Di Chun held up a stool with disdain, and pushed the mournful Uk Doha to sit down. Zeng Tai didn't care about Ukdoha, he just told the story of going to Liang Wang's mansion today in a high-pitched voice.He was talking vigorously, when Di Chun led in a tall and burly man, it was Mei Yingchun.After meeting with Di Renjie and Zeng Tai, Mei Yingchun sat down beside her and listened quietly to Zeng Tai's story.Zeng Tai finally talked about Ukdoha's shock and grief after seeing Gu Xianji, and glanced at Ukdoha who finally stopped crying, and saw him slumped on the stool in a daze, as if he had been completely crushed.

Mei Yingchun was very surprised when she heard from Zeng Tai that Gu Xianji lived intact in Prince Liang's mansion, and also learned that Di Renjie deliberately arranged for Uk Doha to pretend to be "Datku" to recognize Gu Xianji, she felt even more incredible, and asked in surprise Di Renjie: "Master Di, how do you know that the headless female corpse does not belong to Gu Xianji?" Di Renjie smiled and said, "It's very simple to put it bluntly. From the very beginning, the pavilion has been very confused about the identity of the headless female corpse. Mr. Mei , you must still remember the discussion about the identity of the headless female corpse after we finished the Ukdoha trial a few nights ago?" Mei Yingchun nodded: "I remember. At that time, Lord Di said that the identity of the headless female corpse was suspicious. He said he would find a way to make sure."

Di Renjie smiled and said, "Yes, this court has used the most common method: autopsy." "Autopsy? Didn't the body have already been examined?" "Yes, but those autopsies are all to find the cause of death. And I, let them examine it from another angle." "What angle?" Di Renjie looked at Mei Yingchun's eager and curious expression, smiled kindly, stroked his beard and said slowly: "I just asked them to have a look, has this female corpse just given birth?" "Oh!" Mei Yingchun responded suddenly, and Di Renjie continued to explain: "The body of a woman who has just given birth will undergo great changes, and it often takes several months to recover slowly. The results of the inspection by Wu Zuo show that this The headless female corpse has never given birth, so how could it be Gu Xianji?!" Hearing these words, Ukdoha suddenly raised his head, his despairing eyes swept over Di Renjie's face, and instantly became gloomy again, and lowered his head dejectedly .Zeng Tai couldn't help admiring: "Men, this method is simple, but thanks to you, how can you think of it. The ability of a mentor will give students new surprises every time!"

Di Renjie waved his hand, and said calmly: "Actually, the woman Xiao Liangzi received was not Gu Xianji. I confirmed this a long time ago." Mei Yingchun nodded frequently: "Well, Master Di makes a lot of sense. Little Liang Zi met the female guest before Sishi, but Ukdoha confessed that he sent Gu Xianji to the alley where "Samarkand" was located at noon on the first day of February. Before that, Gu Xianji had been with him. Together, so the female customer who arrived first must not be Gu Xianji." Zeng Tai interjected: "So, there were two female customers who entered the 'Samarkand' that day. Since Gu Xianji was not killed, could the female customer who entered the store be the headless body? !" Di Renjie smiled slightly, shook his head and said, "Zeng Tai, Xiao Liangzi's confession is very clear. There was only one female guest who entered 'Samarkand' that day, not two."

"This..." Zeng Tai's face was full of confusion, and Mei Yingchun immediately asked: "Master Di, who is that female customer who entered the store before noon? Why did she come here with a fake wooden sign?" Samarkand, and the time was just before the time agreed between Gu Xianji and Datku, and she died tragically in 'Samarkand'?" He shook his head, and said in a somewhat dejected way: "Why do I feel that this case has come to this day? Instead, it's even more confusing?" Di Renjie laughed loudly, took a sip of tea, and said leisurely: "Mr. Mei, you are still impatient. This is a big taboo in solving the case." Di Renjie cupped his hands.Zeng Tai also laughed, and said to Mei Yingchun: "Mr. Mei, I have followed my mentor for many years, and I can tell from his expression that my mentor has already made up his mind. You and I should be calm and calm, just wait for our mentor to solve the riddle." Di Renjie shook his head with a smile, his expression suddenly became solemn, he thought for a while, and then he said: "Let's ask ourselves a question first, besides Datku and Gu Xianji, there is a third person in this world who knows that they are A date in 'Samarkand'?" Mei Yingchun thought for a while, pointed at Ukdoha, and said loudly: "He!" "Well," Di Renjie nodded: "Uk Doha did know about this date. Well, then we now have three suspects: Datku, Gu Xianji and Uk Doha. It must be one of these three people who will 'Samar Han's appointment was rescheduled, and a false wooden sign was given to the first female customer, causing her to come to the jeweler's shop on the first day of February, where she eventually died." "This..." Zeng Tai and Mei Yingchun looked at each other, and Mei Yingchun plucked up her courage and said, "Master Di, I can vouch for Datku, and he will never hide anything from me." Di Renjie nodded: "Well, Datku Teku's suspicion should be ruled out, because Gu Xianji's life and death have nothing to do with him, and I can agree with that." Zeng Tai said: "Then Gu Xianji and Ukdoha are left!" As he spoke, he glanced at Ukdoha, only to see that the other party was still slumped on the stool with a blank expression, as if he had lost consciousness.Di Renjie also glanced at Ukdoha, sighed softly and said: "I also suspected that Gu Xianji conspired with him in this whole matter, but looking at him today, he showed his true feelings. Zeng Tai, with you From the observations throughout the whole process, does Ukdoha seem to know that Gu Xianji is still alive?" Zeng Tai shook his head again and again: "Men, this guy has been completely devastated since seeing Gu Xianji, I don't think it's pretending. Otherwise, he is too good at acting." As soon as Zeng Tai's words fell, Ukdoha shouted hoarsely from his throat: "I, I really don't know! She, she lied to me!" Without a word Yes, he burst into tears again. Mei Yingchun and Zeng Tai looked at each other in surprise, and Di Renjie sighed: "The most bitter thing in life is infatuation. Ukdoha, you are a kind of lover, but it's a pity that you meet people who are not nice." Ukdoha gritted his teeth and muttered in a low voice: "Bitch, she's a whore after all." His ferocious face would have disgusted others, but the unstoppable tears in his eyes made him look so sad that people couldn't help mourning his misfortune .Zeng Tai asked: "Master, if Ukdoha doesn't know the inside story, then only Gu Xianji forged the wooden sign and attracted another female guest?" Di Renjie nodded and remained silent.After a while, Zeng Tai couldn't help but asked again: "Teacher, who is this female guest that Gu Xianji attracted? Why did she do this?" Di Renjie's tone was a little tired: "Datku once mentioned that on the third day of the first lunar month, Liu Yan'er from Yuxianlou went to 'Samarkand' and left a letter for Gu Xianji. On the 28th day of the first lunar month, Datku Seeing Gu Xianji on 'Send Poor Day', he gave the letter to Gu Xianji." Zeng Tai said: "Student remembers this. Could it be..." Di Renjie nodded: "Well, I asked Shen Huai to visit Yuxianlou unannounced a few days ago , that Liu Yan'er has been missing since the first day of February, and the bustard refused to report to the officials because she was afraid of causing trouble, so she just thought that the woman ran away with some guest, and she thought it was bad luck." "Teacher! Is it really Liu Yan'er?! Is she the headless female corpse?" Di Renjie nodded with a gloomy expression. He has solved countless cases in his life, but not every time he reveals the truth, he feels the joy of seeing the light of day.For example, at this moment, when the truth came out, what surged in his heart was only endless sorrow and disappointment in people's hearts. After Gu Xianji and Ukdoha lived in exile for a whole month, she felt that her life had fallen into a dark bottomless abyss, with no happiness, no freedom, and no future.This is by no means what she imagined when she first fell in love. She is just a woman who is greedy for life and afraid of death, and is on the verge of pleasure.When there is nothing lacking, of course she likes the nourishment of love, but when life is threatened and all comforts and comforts are lost, how insignificant love becomes, even the newborn baby in her arms becomes Chicken ribs, although reluctant to throw them away, can hardly bear the burden of them.Gu Xianji wanted to find a way out. Liu Yan'er's letter left in "Samarkand" suddenly made her discover life.In the letter, Wu Sansi made it clear that as long as Gu Xianji is willing to bow her head and plead guilty, he can put aside the past suspicions, not only let her live, but even welcome her back to Prince Liang's mansion again.Gu Xianji has always been a decisive woman, she made a decision quickly and thought through all the arrangements.She wrote the whole plan into a letter, spent a few extra dollars, and found someone to send it to Prince Liang's Mansion.Even in the eyes of an evil person like Wu Sansi, this plan is vicious and despicable. The plan was this: Gu Xianji asked someone to send a fake wooden sign to Liu Yaner, and tricked Liu Yaner into meeting in "Samarkand"; on the first day of February, Gu Xianji asked Uk Doha to accompany her to the jewelry store. At the entrance of the alley, but actually did not enter "Samarkand", but hid in the secluded alley behind the shop, had a round with Liang Wang's men, and they sent him back to Liang Wang's mansion.At the same time, the killer sent by King Liang killed Liu Yan'er in the jewelry store and cut off her head so that no one could identify her. Uk Doha is convinced that it is Gu Xianji.There are two purposes for doing this: first, Gu Xianji betrayed her best friend Liu Yan'er to Wu Sansi, asking him to avenge the death of her brother-in-law Fu Min, thereby reducing her own guilt for Fu Min's death; The golden cicada in "Samarkand" escaped its shell and could return to Prince Liang's mansion without anyone noticing, but Ukdoha thought she was dead and would not try to find her again.But Ukdoha and the baby who lost Gu Xianji are like fish and meat, and can be disposed of by King Liang.These are the conditions that Gu Xianji exchanged with Wu Sansi for herself to survive. "This woman is too vicious!" Zeng Tai was almost dumbfounded after hearing Di Renjie's analysis.Mei Yingchun thought for a while in silence, and decided to ask: "Master Di, I still have one thing I don't understand." "you say." "Master Di's reasoning about Gu Xianji tricking Liu Yan'er to come to 'Samarkand' to escape the golden cicada's shell, the reasoning of the whole process is seamless and convincing. If King Liang is really as ruthless as Lord Di thinks, and he must retaliate, then He must not let Liu Yan'er and Gu Xianji, the two murderers of Fu Min, easily let go. It is reasonable for Gu Xianji to exchange Liu Yan'er's life with King Liang. But my question is, since Gu Xianji has Decided to abandon Ukdoha and their children and return to the arms of King Liang, how could King Liang let Ukdoha go? Even if King Liang killed Ukdoha and the baby together, the woman Gu Xianji would never dare To say a word, why bother to get rid of the golden cicada's shell?" Di Renjie narrowed his eyes, smiled appreciatively, and nodded: "This is a very good question. I think that King Liang's decision to leave Ukdoha's life must not be out of compassion. The only explanation I can give That is: for King Liang, Ukdoha is still useful." Zeng Tai asked in surprise: "Ukdoha is useful for King Liang? This...how is it possible?" Di Renjie said with a smile: "On this issue, I think, only Only he can answer!" As he spoke, his sharp eyes shot at Ukdoha, who was paralyzed like mud, like an arrow. At this time, there had been no movement for a long time, and Ukdoha suddenly stood up like a dead person, with a pair of eyes that were red from crying on his pale face, emitting a cold light that was almost crazy.He said in a stern voice: "Master Di, my lords, I think I know why King Liang spared my life. Your lords are the saviors of Ukdoha and the children. Ukdoha is willing to tell the whole story. Save the life of the villain and my poor child!" He moved his body from the stool, knelt down on the ground with a "plop", and kowtowed his head again and again. Di Renjie gestured with his eyes, and Mei Yingchun stepped forward to help Uk Doha, and said in Turkic: "Uk Doha, you must have heard of what kind of person Di is. Now this is the only way of life in front of you. Take care of yourself." Ukdoha nodded heavily, raised his arms to wipe away his tears, and his expression calmed down a lot. Thus, Di Renjie and others heard an astonishing secret, a jaw-dropping conspiracy from Uk Doha!It turns out that this Ukdoha is not an ordinary Turkic translator, but his real identity is the spy sent by Juemochu Khan in Dazhou.As early as seven or eight years ago, Ukdoha took advantage of a border battle to capture him by the Dazhou army. With his fluent Chinese and decent appearance, he was recommended to Honglu Temple and became a Professional Turkic translator.Because of his excellent work and prudent behavior, he was quickly appreciated. Since then, Ukdoha served as the interpreter for the most important Turkic envoys in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Indispensable persons in related affairs.And all of these are actually carefully planned and premeditated activities, the purpose is to use the identity of the translator as a cover, so that Ukdoha has the opportunity to observe the movements of the highest level of the Great Zhou Dynasty and pass on the collected information in time Sip Khan silently. In the past few years, Ukdoha has been conscientiously performing his duties. Until the end of last year, he received an extremely confidential and important task from Mochu Khan: negotiating with Zhang Yizhi on behalf of Mochu Khan, conspiring Provide support to Er Zhang from the outside to help him gain imperial power!And Er Zhang promised to silently sip Khan's control of the Western Regions in return for silently sipping.Due to the importance of the matter and the negotiating parties' own ulterior motives, the process was not smooth, but with Ukdoha's efforts, the negotiations were still moving forward with difficulty, but the unexpected incident of Gu Xianji's pregnancy and childbirth caused the entire negotiation unexpected interruption. While Ukdoha and Gu Xianji were fleeing for their lives, they not only had to avoid the capture of King Liang, but also beware of the pursuit from Mo Chuo Khan. At the end of the road, Ukdoha had no choice but to tell Gu Xianji the inside story of the negotiation.Now, linking the whole matter together, it is very likely that Gu Xianji threw this top-secret negotiation as a bait to King Liang, and King Liang cooperated with Gu Xianji to deceive Ukdoha in order to obtain information, and left Ukdoha behind. Most of his life is to continue to follow the panic-stricken Ukdoha, catch big fish with a long line, and get more information for other plans.At the same time, Mo Chuo Khan also sent killers to hunt Uk Doha everywhere. In the Turkic Bazaar that day, if Mei Yingchun hadn't arrived in time, Uk Doha would have been murdered and silenced. Listening to Ukdoha's narration, cold sweat broke out on Di Renjie's forehead. He felt it was difficult to breathe, and his heart beat uncontrollably.Although, Di Renjie is not unaware of the dangers lurking in today's Great Zhou Dynasty situation, but when such a huge conspiracy is revealed, he still feels nervous, oppressed, and even fearful from the bottom of his heart! spring is coming.As if overnight, the entire city of Luoyang woke up from the bleakness of the severe winter, the grass grows and the flowers bloom, and it is a good time for outing in the blink of an eye.Although the land of the Central Plains is not yet full of singing and dancing, colorful, but the severe cold has indeed restrained its majesty, the wind and frost that used to be like a knife and sword have completely disappeared, and the strength of the sun is increasing day by day. The heart is soft and the thoughts are wandering.How many idiotic men and women who have long been unable to bear the loneliness have hurriedly started to explore the spring, to find their own piece of spring. However, Mr. Zhou Liangkun, Minister of Honglu Temple, still seems to be immersed in the shadow of the case at the end of last year.He goes to court as usual every day and handles official duties, but he always seems a little absent-minded.Fortunately, Zhou Liangkun has been in charge of Honglu Temple for many years, and he knows all the affairs of Honglu Temple like the palm of his hand, and Yuchijian, the new capable young minister, managed everything in an orderly manner without any mistakes.Since the last conversation with Di Renjie, Zhou Liangkun has never seen Mr. Di Ge again.It is said that Di Ge is old and frail, and his spirit is getting weaker day by day. The Holy Majesty has granted him that he can not go to court in case of major military affairs, so Di Renjie seems to have gradually faded out of the political core of the Great Zhou Dynasty.For the courtiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty, this phenomenon seemed to have some special significance.Because since the end of the second year of the holy calendar, Emperor Wu himself has been getting sicker and sicker, and the control of the government is through the two brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, while the prince and Liang Wang each lead a faction, representing the forces of Li and Wu. The court situation was chaotic, and it seemed like you were singing and I was coming on stage.At this delicate moment, Di Renjie avoids the center of the vortex as a mainstay, and is basically in a semi-retired state, which makes other courtiers think about various things, and it is difficult to guess the true intentions of this veteran minister. The court maintains a balance of power amidst the chaos, with slight ripples on the surface and no waves, but an undercurrent surging underneath, brewing a great crisis.Zhou Liangkun, as a high-ranking minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, couldn't help feeling this, but he seemed to have no time to take care of it.Di Renjie had already uncovered his crime, but let him live again. Zhou Liangkun felt terrified while being grateful for this. He dared not and could not guess what Di Renjie's real purpose was.He only knew that there was not much time left for him, and Zhou Liangkun was determined to make good use of this time.There is still a weight in his hand that is heavy enough, for which he has almost sacrificed his life and career. Zhou Liangkun has been thinking these days that he is already in his fifties and his future is bleak. There was nothing to regret about dying, but his only daughter, whose delicate buds had just opened like a flower in early spring, had just begun her life.As an old father, Zhou Liangkun is willing to give everything in exchange for a bright future for his daughter Jingyuan, otherwise he will surely die. But Zhou Liangkun also found that his smart and beautiful daughter has changed a lot since the end of last year. Every time he talked with her, she always looked thoughtful, asking her what was on her mind, but refused to say anything.Zhou Jingyuan lost her mother when she was young, and her continuation with Zhou Liangkun has never been harmonious. This is also a reason why Zhou Liangkun has always felt guilty for her daughter. Now facing this grown-up daughter, Zhou Liangkun feels even more embarrassed. As a father Yes, how can I get my daughter to reveal her heart? This day, as soon as he returned to the mansion, Zhou Liangkun asked Zhou Jingyuan to be summoned.He was in high spirits today. Seeing his daughter walking into the study dressed in green spring clothes, her graceful figure was like a graceful willow tree, and the bright eyes on her oval face were as pure as pitch-black jewels. Feeling proud, Zhou Jingyuan swayed her lotus steps and came forward to pay her respects to her father. Zhou Liangkun asked his daughter to sit down on the couch beside him. He had prepared a lot of time for today's conversation, and now he started talking from the Huachao Festival in the next day.Zhou Liangkun stroked his beard lightly, and said with a smile: "Jingyuan, the day after tomorrow will be the Huachao Festival on February 15th, what are your plans?" Zhou Jingyuan lowered her eyelids, covering her eyes with long eyelashes, Softly said: "Jingyuan wants to go to Tianjue Temple." "Tianjue Temple?!" Zhou Liangkun exclaimed, he never expected his daughter to bring up this place. After calming down a little, Zhou Liangkun asked, "Jingyuan, why did you go to Tianjue Temple? There was a murder case there just a few years ago, so why go to such an unlucky place." Zhou Jingyuan still lowered her head and muttered in a low voice: " Tianjue Temple Huachao Festival has Daochang, as well as Baixi grand event, my daughter wants to go and have fun." Zhou Liangkun couldn't help but slightly frowned: "The Huachao Festival will be held in Luoyang's major temples and Daochang, and Baixi performances are not the same. Tianjue Temple is the most famous, like Xingshan Temple, Luohan Temple, Huichang Temple and Tiangong Temple. The flower festivals in these temples are the most outstanding in Luoyang. Jingyuan, wherever you like, my father will personally accompany you there. " Hearing what her father said, Zhou Jingyuan raised her head in surprise. Just as she was about to speak, an imperceptible cloud suddenly appeared on her face.She bit her lip and said softly, "Daddy, Jingyuan just wants to go to Tianjue Temple." "You!" Zhou Liangkun furrowed his eyebrows tightly, unknowingly rising with nameless anger in his chest, he tried his best to restrain himself, and said with a sneer, "Jingyuan, why are you becoming more and more disobedient? If you must go to Tianjue Temple , I can’t go with you as a father.” Zhou Jingyuan lowered her head and said nothing. Zhou Liangkun waited, then said in a slow tone: "Jingyuan, we will talk about the arrangements for the Huachao Festival later. I want to ask you now, how do you think about what your mother discussed with you a few days ago? Seeing that Zhou Jingyuan was still silent, Zhou Liangkun sighed helplessly, and said, "Jingyuan, it stands to reason that I, a father, shouldn't be asking this kind of thing, but Mrs. Wang said you wouldn't say anything to her. I also know that you disapprove of her in your heart, anyway, for the sake of my daughter's lifelong happiness, it's okay for me to ask. Jingyuan, can you tell Dad the truth, what do you think of this marriage with Mr. Qiu Shilang?" Zhou Jingyuan's eyes were fixed on the square brick floor in front of her, and her slender fingers kept stirring a piece of silk handkerchief in her hand.Zhou Liangkun cleared his throat, and said with some embarrassment: "At court today, Qiu Shilang asked me about this matter. It can be seen that their intentions are very sincere. I have met his young master before. Tangtang, the Jinshi who just graduated last year is now waiting for a vacancy in the Ministry of Officials. He is a talent that the court wants to use. Jingyuan, father, father is old... now the biggest wish is nothing else, just hope to see you have a good job My daughter must not marry the wrong person. If she wants to marry, she must marry the best man. Jingyuan, you know that there have been more than a dozen people who have come to my house to propose marriage. I can't pass this test. This time, Father really thinks it's pretty good, but he still needs to listen to Jing Yuan's thoughts before he can make a decision." After finishing the call, Zhou Liangkun couldn't help feeling a little ups and downs in his heart. He stared straight at his daughter, and asked silently in his heart, son, can you understand the painstaking efforts of your father?As if she heard his heartfelt voice, Zhou Jingyuan finally raised her head, her dark eyes shone with dazzling brilliance, her fair cheeks were slightly flushed, she smiled softly at her father, and said, "Good dad, don't you Worry, the women of our Great Zhou Dynasty are not contrived people from the sages to the princesses and noble relatives. Jing Yuan has high ambitions and is unwilling to be compared with others. Didn’t Master Di say last time that her daughter is a woman? A man?" Zhou Liangkun was a little confused by what she said, so he responded casually.Zhou Jingyuan blinked coquettishly, and continued: "Father, Jingyuan still remembers what you told me about how Princess Taiping reminded the late Emperor and the Holy Majesty to choose a son-in-law for her..." Zhou Liangkun was a little puzzled, and said: "Well, this incident is a good story in the court and the public, and everyone knows it. That day, the late emperor hosted a banquet in the palace to entertain his relatives. Princess Taiping wore a purple robe, a jade belt around her waist, a black scarf on her head, and held Bow and arrow, come to the banquet, and dance for the late Emperor and the Holy Majesty. After the dance, please tell me that I want to give the military officer's robe worn by the Second Saint to her son-in-law..." At this point, Zhou Liangkun stopped suddenly, and he Looking carefully at the instant blush on her daughter's face, she was slightly dazed.Zhou Jingyuan was finally embarrassed by her father's stare, and called out in a low voice: "Daddy!" and lowered her head deeply. "Military officer, military officer..." Zhou Liangkun murmured several times before mustering up the courage to ask his daughter, "Jingyuan, don't tell me...you already have someone in your heart? And a military officer?" "Daddy!" Zhou Jingyuan raised her voice and called again, this time her neck was completely red.Zhou Liangkun thought about it: "Jingyuan, can you tell Dad that you..." "Father," Zhou Jingyuan interrupted her father, and said coquettishly, "If you really don't want to accompany your daughter to Tianjue Temple, Jingyuan will invite Master Di to swim with you!" "Master Di?" Zhou Liangkun was stunned: "Jingyuan, you mean Master Di Renjie?" Zhou Jingyuan pouted: "Which Lord Di is there in our court?" "This..." Zhou Liangkun was completely stunned.He really couldn't figure it out, what exactly did his daughter want to do? Zhou Jingyuan was a little proud, and said softly: "Daddy, my daughter has already inquired about it. It was because of the murder case that happened during the Chinese New Year. In order to eliminate the influence, Tianjue Temple is doing everything possible to make this ceremony into a rare event. Even Master Liaochen, the head master of the scripture translation institute of Tianjue Temple, can give lectures on the altar, but he has never given a lecture..." Zhou Liangkun interrupted his daughter: "Jingyuan, what are you messing around with? What is Lord Di? Why would a person of high status go to Tianjue Temple with you?" Zhou Jingyuan hummed softly, "Why not? Master Di is now serving as an official in the court, and he is so old, so it shouldn't be too long. Leisurely and leisurely?" Zhou Liangkun couldn't help but laugh: "No matter how leisurely Master Di wants to be leisurely, it's impossible for a little girl like you to invite him to spend the Flower Festival together?" Zhou Jingyuan smiled confidently: "Daddy, just wait and see, daughter I will definitely invite Master Di to visit Tianjue Temple with my daughter." Then, she blushed again and said, "Father, my daughter didn't intend to oppose you, but I met Master Di by chance last time under the Tianyin Pagoda in Tianjue Temple. That’s why there’s this reason.” Zhou Liangkun was completely dumbfounded.Zhou Jingyuan waited for a while, and seeing that her father ignored her, she got up, bowed to her father, and walked out the door.Walking to the door, Zhou Liangkun suddenly heard Zhou Liangkun's trembling voice behind her saying: "Jingyuan, do you know what you are doing?" Daddy, you are Jingyuan's dearest person in this world, everything Jingyuan thinks and does is to share her worries, and please ask her to relax." Zhou Jingyuan left for a long time, and Zhou Liangkun sat in the room blankly, his mind was full of chaos.Suddenly, he muttered to himself: "Military officer? Military officer? Lord Di Renjie... Could it be that person?!" In the evening of that day, Shen Huai came to Di Renjie's study as usual.Zhou Liangkun has sent people to monitor for more than a month, and found nothing abnormal.Therefore, Shen Huai is relatively free these two days, just dealing with some daily chores. When Shen Huai entered the door, Di Renjie was sitting in front of the desk, holding Zhang Shujian and reading it over and over again.Shen Huai didn't dare to disturb her, so she stood by the door and waited silently.As soon as Di Renjie looked up and saw him, he smiled and waved to let him come in, pointed to the book in his hand and said, "Miss Zhou Jingyuan is really interesting. She actually thought of inviting me to visit Tianjue with her on the Flower Festival on February 15th." Temple." Shen Huai just smiled and didn't speak, he didn't want to express any opinion on Miss Zhou Jingyuan.Di Renjie didn't care either, put down the booklet, asked Shen Huai a few words, and asked him to go back to rest.Since Shen Jun came to Luoyang, if there were no special circumstances, Shen Huai would go back to the small courtyard where Shen Jun lived to have dinner with her every day, and then return to Di Mansion, and still live in Li Yuanfang's original house at night, which can be regarded as fulfilling her duties. 此刻沈槐看没什么事，便向狄仁杰告辞，狄仁杰吩咐道：“你出去时，顺便将我的这封回书带给狄春，让他尽快送到周梁昆大人府上。嗯，也让狄春准备准备，后日一早我们一起去天觉寺过花照节。”沈槐点头，狄仁杰又不经意地道：“对了，你那堂妹来洛阳也已月余了吧，干脆也请上她共游天觉寺，有她与那周靖媛小姐做个伴，都是青春少女嘛，总比与我这老头子共游有趣得多。另外，让狄春再去请过曾泰大人，如果他得空，也一起去。” “是。”沈槐领命而去，不知为什么，对两天后的花朝节，他的心中竟产生了些许莫名的期待，但也有些隐约的担忧，让他感到阵阵忐忑。 花朝盛会，是春天里的第一个节日，和煦的春风和温润的暖阳，催开了早春最争先的花朵。虽然满心期待，当狄仁杰一行众人来到天觉寺前时，寺院内外遍开的桃花、梨花和玉兰，还是带给他们莫大的惊喜，不知不觉中，春天真的已经来到眼前了。夹杂在粉红的桃花，雪白的梨花，和嫩黄的玉兰之间的，是青年男女身上五颜六色的华服，映衬着那一张张青春洋溢的俊美面容，愈发显得娇艳动人。 寺院之外的开阔地上，精彩纷呈的百戏开演了，只见各色伎人忙着吞刀吐火、吹竹按丝、走园跳索，真是不亦乐乎。密密匝匝的人群把天觉寺的门前挤了个水泄不通，随着表演进入高潮时不时爆发出鼓掌和喝彩之声。狄仁杰和曾泰走在最前面，周靖媛与沈珺紧跟，沈槐和狄春则落在最后，游玩的同时也不忘保持着警惕，仍然时刻留意着周边的动静和穿梭来往的人群，不过似乎并没有人注意到他们这一行人，毕竟面前的百戏和身边的鲜花，已经把绝大多数人的心都吸引住了。 沈珺还是头一次来到洛阳，常年离群索居在穷乡僻壤间，今天的她不禁有些目不暇接。丧父的哀伤尚未消逝，在洛阳居住这月余来，她深居简出，几乎就没有离开过栖身的小院。沈槐始终不冷不热的态度，和心事重重的样子令沈珺的心中很是不安，她本来没有多少游兴，但因是狄仁杰大人的邀请，沈珺能看出来堂哥沈槐对此相当重视，因此她今天还是郑重地穿上了自己最好的素色衣裙。服丧期间不能浓妆艳抹，沈珺本也不擅长涂脂抹粉，更连一件像样的首饰都没有，还是何大娘帮忙，从自己随身所带的包袱里取出一枝金镶玉的凤头步摇和一枚银花簪，替沈珺插在发髻上，就算是她全部的装饰了。 在狄府门前，沈珺头一次见到了闻名已久的狄仁杰大人，心中原存的畏惧被他慈祥和善的笑容冲淡了不少，沈珺少经世事，没有多少见识，但并不愚蠢，凭借最淳朴的聪慧，她也能从狄仁杰的神情中很明白地看到，这位老迈的宰相大人很喜欢自己。沈槐显然也看出了这一点，神态随之轻松了不少。不过兄妹俩人的好心情，在周靖媛出现以后，又渐渐低落下去。 狄春应狄仁杰之命，特意去周府将周靖媛接到天觉寺，与狄仁杰一行会合。与沈珺的素朴装扮截然不同，周靖媛今天真是盛装而来。鹅黄的锦缎长裙上满是巧夺天工的刺绣，百褶裙摆随着她灵动的脚步变幻出彩虹般的绚烂色泽，脸上显然是花费了一番心思的妆容，柳眉淡扫，朱唇浓点，黑宝石般的双眸不停地朝沈槐瞥去，竟令得他心中慌乱，不由自主地要掉转目光，避免与那对大胆而锐利的视线相触碰。 此刻，他们一行人已经在天觉寺门外流连了不少时间。了尘大师的讲经尚未开始，百戏表演又很有趣，他们便一处一处地看过来。周靖媛起初一直紧随在狄仁杰的身边，小心地陪着狄仁杰说笑，这会儿慢慢落到后头，与沈珺走在了一起，亲热地和沈珺交谈着。沈槐在后面冷眼观察，发现和周靖媛一比肩，沈珺的那身装扮便显得说不出的寒酸气，姿色也比周靖媛平庸不少。沈槐知道，其实堂妹的五官容貌并不逊色，但却是块未经雕琢的璞玉，美好的潜质处处被小家穷户的拘谨所包裹，与周靖媛那通身上下的大家闺秀气派实在是不可同日而语。想到这里，沈槐心中隐约的不快变得愈来愈明显，只觉一股郁积的晦气弥漫整个身心，又无处发泄。 正胡思乱想着，前面来到了绳戏的圈地。越过鳞次栉比的人头，可以看见相距几丈远立着两根木柱，柱头上连接一根粗大的绳索，绳索之上两名艳服女子相对而立，且舞且蹈，做出各种惊险的动作，时而前行，时而后退，又时而错身相交，看得人心惊胆战，呼喊连连，那两个绳伎却动静自在，如履平地一般。狄仁杰一行人驻足在此，细细欣赏着，沈珺因是头一次见到这个，紧张地连气都透不过来，当那绳伎在空中侧翻时，她不觉低低一声惊呼，连忙伸手掩口。身边的周靖媛全看在眼里，轻轻娇笑一声，凑过来道：“沈珺姐姐，你别害怕，这些人以此为生，成天就练这个，不会有事的。”沈珺有些不好意思，微红着脸道：“是我没见过，倒真替她们担惊受怕。只是……我总觉得以此为生，太辛苦，也太危险了。”周靖媛眼波闪动，满不在乎地道：“以何为生不辛苦不危险？在家务农倒是安闲，可又有什么意思？在我看来，只要能得到自己想要的，辛苦些危险些又算得了什么。”她抬起手悄悄指指狄仁杰的背影：“你看咱们这位狄宰相大人，他的辛苦危险还少吗？可这才成就了一位当世的豪杰呀。”沈珺轻声道：“嗯，可这是男人的……”周靖媛柳眉一竖，不屑一顾地道：“沈珺姐姐，难道你忘记了如今的圣上也是女人？！” 沈珺遭此抢白，一下子无言以对，红着脸低下头。周靖媛瞧着她的样子，突然促狭地低声道：“沈珺姐姐，靖媛相信愿赌服输这句话，你觉得呢？”沈珺闻言脸色骤然大变，求救般地回头去找沈槐，他却茫然不知地正与狄春说笑。周靖媛倒没发觉沈珺的异样，低头去扯沈珺的手，一边惊讶地问：“咦？沈珺姐姐，你的手上怎么还生着冻疮？天气已经暖了好些日子了……”沈珺忙不迭地把手往衣袖里缩，她至今仍每日自己洗衣做饭，她支吾着又瞥了眼沈槐，那人却干脆把脸掉向另一侧。 周靖媛继续亲热地和沈珺攀谈：“沈珺姐姐，我是属蛇的，今年二十了，你呢？”沈珺答：“我比你大五岁，属鼠。”周靖媛头一歪，狡诘地问：“沈珺姐姐，你二十五了怎么还未出阁？”沈珺的脸由白转红，咬着嘴唇低下头，半晌才凄然地笑了笑，轻声回答：“爹爹常年患病，只有我一人照料他，所以……”周靖媛表示理解地直点头，调笑道：“沈珺姐姐真是孝女，我最佩服这样的人。这回令尊过世，沈珺姐姐也可以安心找户人家嫁了。”沈珺把头低得更深，声音轻到几乎听不见：“我、我还要居丧一年……” 狄仁杰走在两位姑娘的前面，虽然四周嘈杂，这番谈话仍然断断续续地钻入耳窝。对于周靖媛，他突然有了一种新鲜的认识，这种感觉令他很不舒服。而沈珺，从见到这姑娘的第一眼起，狄仁杰就心生爱怜，总觉得与她有种说不清道不明的亲近，回想这一生中所见过的无数的人，每次初见，狄仁杰都会从心中寻找最直接的感觉，他相信这种由智慧、天赋和经验累积起来的直觉，几乎从来没有出过差错。迄今为主，能让他一见如故，倍感亲切和信任的人，少之又少，沈珺算是其中之一，除了她还有谁呢？狄仁杰突然不愿意再想下去，他回过头去，笑容可掬地招呼尾随的众人：“时辰快到了，咱们去听了尘大师讲经吧。” 步入天觉寺，人潮都向后院涌去，今天的讲经坛，就设在天音塔前。自腊月二十六日夜的惨剧之后，天音塔前还是头一次聚集起了这么多人。了尘大师在译经院掌院多年，对佛学的造诣闻名于世，但这位高僧淡泊俗世，几乎从不与外人交往，开坛讲经更是头一遭，因此吸引了洛阳城大批善男信女前往。大家一边来争睹了尘大师的风采，一边还在纷纷议论着，是什么令这位遁入空门已久的大师突然决定登坛开讲呢？许多人推测，年前发生在天音塔上的惨祸可能是一个重要的缘由吧，毕竟，佛门弟子如此惨死，天觉寺的大师应该出面超度的，开坛讲经也是一个方式吧。 讲坛搭在天音塔前，了尘大师身披袈裟升坐，念偈焚香，编称诸佛菩萨之名。因双目失明，他的眼睛始终低垂，面容愈显平静而空廖，开始宣讲《法华经》。自他一开口，周围喧闹的人群立刻变得寂静无声，只有了尘那并不高亢的淡然嗓音回响，随着他的讲述，人们渐渐平复了起伏不变的心绪，随之进入到澄明宁静的精神世界之中。 狄仁杰被让到了第一排，他看着了尘沧桑的容颜，却不同寻常地思绪万千心潮澎湃，因为只有他才真正地知道，这么多年来都从不公开讲经的了尘，为什么会突然选择打破自己立下的规矩，反而以衰老而病弱的躯体，面对尘俗中的众人，宣讲佛陀的觉悟。狄仁杰听着听着，竟止不住地眼含热泪，他在心中默念：了尘啊了尘，佛说要顿悟，可你潜心礼佛二十余年，却依然在三界中受着煎熬，这么多年过去了，你终于还是无法求得解脱。了尘啊，看来就是佛祖也帮不上你的忙，你尘世中的业难了啊。我，又何尝不是呢？ 了尘讲了大约一个时辰，讲经结束以后，狄仁杰让沈槐、狄春分头送周靖媛和沈珺回家，自己则带着曾泰再度来到了天觉寺旁的译经院，与了尘在他的禅房中见面。禅房中的经案上焚着香，小沙弥奉上清茶，了尘盘膝坐在经床上，双目微冥，许久都不说一个字。 狄仁杰也默然而坐，曾泰自不敢言，只管低头饮茶。过了很久，了尘才悠悠长叹一声，道：“怀英兄，今日我升坐讲经时，竟有了种幻觉，仿佛我的女儿就坐在下面，望着我，听我说话。”狄仁杰喟然叹息着，无言以对，只是摇头苦笑。 了尘等了片刻，又道：“怀英兄，就是这个'痴'字，这份执着，当初害了郁蓉，害了汝成，害了……他们的孩子，还有敬芝，和我的女儿……”说到这里，曾泰惊诧地发现，了尘灰白的眼眶中竟缓缓落下两行清泪，他接着道：“我遁入空门多年，为的是要躲避这个痴，和这份执着。我以为自己已经心如止水，渐入悟境，却不想这三界轮回之苦，不是那么容易摆脱。”狄仁杰凄然接口：“大师，该来的总还是要来，躲是躲不掉的，这就是孽吧。你我二人，这么多年来时时刻刻想求心安，但又何尝得到过片刻宁静。我在想，这本身就是一种执着吧。以此执着去逃避那执着，想来只能算是蠢行罢了。” 突然，了尘语气急促地问：“怀英兄，你说，我还能找到女儿吗？”狄仁杰苦笑：“你也不是不知道，我找汝成和郁蓉的儿子，找了整整二十五年了，至今音讯皆无。”了尘蠕动着嘴唇，半晌才道：“可是……怀英兄，你是当世神探啊，如果你都找不到，那难道真的就没希望了？难道，难道他们真的已经不在这个世上了？”狄仁杰摇着头，沉声道：“不，我总觉得那孩子还活着，他没有死，他不会死的。还有你的女孩儿，也许他们俩一直都在一起，生活得好好的，正如敬芝所期望的那样：不离不弃，生死相随。” 了尘重复着：“不离不弃，生死相随……假如真是那样，那我们也可以告慰汝成、郁蓉和敬芝他们的在天之灵了。”他猛然伸出枯干的双手，在空中挥舞着。狄仁杰立即将他的双手紧紧握住，了尘混浊的双眼圆睁，死死地盯住前方，声音嘶哑地道：“找到他们，怀英兄，一定要找到他们！你能做到的，我知道你能找到他们的。怀英兄，在我们离开尘世之前，我、我一定要见到这两个孩子，我要见到我的女儿！”狄仁杰颤动着双唇，费力地挤出一句话来：“好，我答应你，在我狄怀英的有生之年，我一定要找到他们！” 是夜，在狄仁杰的书房中，万籁俱静，深沉的夜色仿佛有千钧之重，压得人喘不过气来。曾泰端坐在狄仁杰的对面，全神贯注地倾听着狄仁杰的讲述，与这位恩师相交多年，他还是头一次看见狄仁杰如此毫无保留地在自己面前追忆往事，回顾过往，只是那许多年前的过去，怎会令人如此黯然神伤？ 这是一个关于诬陷与背叛、友情与拯救的故事。 今夜的谈话从一个问题开始。狄仁杰首先问曾泰，是否还记得唐高宗上元元年所发生的蒋王李恽被诬谋反案？曾泰当然是记得的，这可是桩发生在上元元年震惊朝野的大案，影响之深远、牵连之广泛，其引发的桩桩血腥事件，哪怕今日回首，仍然叫人唏嘘不已。而且，曾泰更加知道的是，狄仁杰在上元二年被从并州调入京师，从一名地方官吏直接升任大理寺丞，就是先帝亲自任命来处理这桩案件的。狄仁杰果然不辱使命，很快就将此案审理得水落石出，可以说他就是凭着这个案子而一战成名的。对此，大理寺的那些老人们至今还在津津乐道。 曾泰接任大理寺卿以后，也曾特意花了好几天的时间，调阅狄仁杰任大理寺丞时所处理的案卷来细细研读，狄仁杰当初一年之内审理一万七千余人，无一人申诉称冤的政绩，确实让曾泰为之深深折服。但他也奇怪地发现，狄仁杰成功审理的第一桩也是最重要的案件——李恽谋反案，在卷宗中却记载寥寥，只是简单地叙述了事情的经过，而没有任何对其中细节和内情的进一步阐述。此刻曾泰听狄仁杰开门见山便提出这个案子，不由就把自己的这个疑问提了出来。 狄仁杰听了曾泰的问题，沉默了许久，才苦涩地答道：“曾泰啊，你跟随我多年，应该知道，越是重要的案件，越是内情复杂的案件，越是影响深远的案件，最后所能记录下来见诸于笔端的，往往是其最表面的过程。不是不能对其深入剖析寻根究底，只因这样的挖掘所带来的创痛至为刻骨，为了安慰逝者，更为了保护生者，最后才不得不选择无言。有多少真相就这样永远地湮没在如烟的往事中，不过今天，曾泰，我要告诉你的，恰恰是那些印刻在我脑海深处的故事，它们埋在我心底整整二十五年，却仍然像发生在昨天一般地清晰。” 见诸于史册的李恽谋反案是这样的：李恽，唐太宗李世民第七子，贞观五年，始封为郯王，贞观十年，改封蒋王。先后拜安州都督、梁州刺史。其人纵情享乐，尤爱搜刮民间各种宝藏，令所辖州县不堪其劳，民愤沸反，怨声以道。上元元年，唐高宗李治迁李恽至箕州任刺史，箕州录事参军张君彻诬陷李恽谋反，高宗盛怒，将李恽全家押至长安受审，彼时武后已掌权，李氏宗嗣频频受到打击，朝野上下，竟无一人敢为李恽喊冤。李恽家族广受牵连，或被赐死或流放千里，李恽万般惶惧之下，竟在牢中上吊自杀。 唐高宗李治听闻兄长惨死狱中，因遭背叛而充斥于心的愤怒才稍稍平息，等静下心来反复琢磨，他开始感觉到有必要重新审视这个案件。李恽毕竟是他的兄长，凭其对这位兄长的了解，说他荒淫滥权尚可信，谋反逆天却实在不像是他的作为，难道这真的是桩冤案？ !李治越想越觉得寝食难安，可遍视朝堂，竟没有一个可信得过，又敢于出头说真话的人，能帮助他理清事情的真相。就在百般为难之际，时任并州法曹，政绩卓著，倍受尚书阎立本推崇的狄仁杰进入了李治的视线。 于是狄仁杰就在上元元年末，被破格提拔为大理寺丞，并由唐高宗亲自任命彻查李恽谋反的案件。狄仁杰果然不负圣望，只花了短短两个多月的时间，就把案情的始末原委查了个水落石出，张君彻承认诬陷，被处以极刑，相关做过伪证，以及落井下石的各色人等也都一一遭到了处罚。案件的最终结果是，上元二年，李治为李恽*，追赠司空荆州大都督，李恽所有因此案无辜受到牵连的家人，也终得昭雪。狄仁杰更是因此闻名天下，做稳了大理寺丞的位置，并得到了李治和武则天的特别赏识。 狄仁杰听完曾泰重述的这段往事，静静地思忖着，半晌才道：“曾泰啊，你所说的这些都是事实，但我要告诉你的却是其中隐含的另一段不为人知的往事。” 李恽有三个儿子，在谋反冤案中无一幸免，全部惨遭杀害。狄仁杰一直耿耿于怀的，是他虽然为李恽一家申了冤，却没有替他们避开灾祸。其实就连皇帝也不知道，当时狄仁杰使尽浑身解数为李恽*，并不仅仅是出于正义感和责任心，他还在竭尽所能地力图帮助自己最好的朋友——李恽的小儿子，汝南郡王李炜一家，然而，他的帮助到得太迟了。 狄仁杰还是在任汴州判佐时，偶然与李炜相识，遂成莫逆之交。但由于李炜的特殊身份，和狄仁杰自己的谨慎，这段交往几乎没有外人知道。狄仁杰在与李炜相识后不久就迁任并州法曹，自此双方再无往来。直到李恽案发，狄仁杰才听说李炜亦牵连在内，就在狄仁杰接受此案的前几天，李炜刚刚被处极刑。当时，李炜的妻子许敬芝正在汴州娘家待产，李恽案发后，她躲避到李炜的好友谢汝成家中，却不知怎么走漏风声，官府闯入谢家，不问青红皂白地乱打乱抓，竟将刚产下一名女婴行动不便的许敬芝活活打死，谢家亦遭牵连，整个宅第被烧成一片焦土。谢宅里当时还有谢汝成年仅八岁的儿子谢岚，和李炜那刚落地还未满月的女婴，据说都葬身于火海之中。唯一逃出谢宅的是谢汝成的妻子郁蓉，这女人很久以来就有些疯癫，经此变故更是彻底疯狂，就在狄仁杰赶到汴州查案的当天，郁蓉喊着谢汝成的名字投入汴州城西的龙庭湖，追随她的夫君而去了。 曾泰听完狄仁杰的这段叙述，大为震惊，好半天才叹息道：“这、这岂不是惨绝人寰的横祸？！”狄仁杰凄苦一笑：“谁说不是呢。老夫一生所经历的惨剧也不算少了，但像这样令人伤痛欲绝，又发生在与老夫休戚相关的友人身上的，唯有这一桩。”曾泰听得心惊胆颤，低头不语。良久，他才听到狄仁杰仿佛在自言自语地说：“其实，李炜并没有死。” “啊？！”曾泰张大了嘴瞪着狄仁杰，说不出话来。狄仁杰拍了拍他的手臂，轻轻叹息道：“你已经和他见了几次面了。”曾泰嚅嗫着：“见过面……啊？难道，难道是了？”狄仁杰点点头：“是的，你猜得没错，了尘大师就是李炜，当初的汝南郡王，李恽案中唯一的幸存者。” “可是李炜不是已经被处死了吗？” 狄仁杰深深地叹息着，道：“被处死的不是李炜，而是有人冒他之名，代他去死。”曾泰越发惊得双目圆睁：“这，这怎么可能？有谁会代人去死？”狄仁杰苦笑着摇头：“有啊，这世上就是有这样的傻子。那代替李炜去死的傻子，是他的好友谢汝成。”原来这谢汝成和李炜年龄相仿，长相也有些相似，李恽案发后，李炜当即带着许敬芝逃到汴州，就是在那里由谢汝成李代桃僵，冒充李炜入狱，当时的主审官员为了抢功献媚于高宗，连审都未曾仔细审过，就将冒充李炜的谢汝成押解法场杀了头。 曾泰百思不得其解地问：“可是这谢汝成为什么要代人去死啊？还有，如果他代替李炜被杀了头，留在谢家又是谁呢？”狄仁杰叹道：“留在谢家的是李炜本人，他在官兵闯入之前就逃走了。至于谢汝成为什么要代李炜去死，你可知魏晋名士之风，重情义轻生死，谢汝成乃陈郡谢氏之后，浑身都是名士的风骨。他与李炜是生死之交，也知李炜遭陷蒙冤，故而才愿以命相救。当然……谢汝成这样做，还有别的原因。”说到这里，狄仁杰突然停了口，又一次陷入沉思。 曾泰看着狄仁杰，连大气都不敢出，只静静地等候着。许久，狄仁杰从回忆中猛醒过来，朝曾泰淡然一笑道：“李炜一时贪生，哪想到却连累了谢汝成一家人，还有自己的妻儿。他虽然活了下来，却落得个家破人亡。在外逃亡整整一年后，他回到京城投案，那时候李恽案已告结，先帝看到李恽三子李炜竟然还活着，喜出望外，当即赦免了他的欺君之罪，还打算要授以高官厚禄，怎奈李炜已万念俱灰，看破红尘，只求一处僻静之所静修，赎其罪孽，度其残生。因此，先帝才准他剃度在天觉寺，法名了尘。他的真实身份，整个大周朝，除了当今圣上，也就只有我才知道。”曾泰恍若大悟：“原来如此。那么恩师，您现在想要学生做的……” 狄仁杰抬起头来，死死地盯住曾泰：“曾泰啊，为师可曾为了私事相求于你？”曾泰连连摇头：“不曾，不曾。恩师您……”狄仁杰一字一句地道：“那好，今天为师就求你替为师去办一件私事。” “恩师您说，学生定当效劳！”狄仁杰点头，郑重地道：“好。曾泰，你去帮我找两个人。谢宅被焚之后，在现场并未发现谢汝成的儿子谢岚和李炜初生的女婴，后来有人说在附近看到过谢岚和那女婴的踪迹。因此，我和了尘始终抱着希望，觉得那两个孩子说不定真的逃出了生天。曾泰，我要你找的就是一个男子，名叫谢岚，还有一个女子……我也不知道姓名。他们二人很有可能在一起生活，或以兄妹相称，也或者已结成夫妻。”曾泰为难地看着狄仁杰：“这……”狄仁杰再次凄然一笑：“我知道很难，甚至徒劳。但这是我和了尘此生最大的遗憾，这两个孩子，只要他们没有死，我就一定要找到他们。” 此刻，在与狄府一箭之遥的独门小院内，沈槐兄妹也在进行一场颇为艰难的谈话。两人刚用过晚餐，沈珺习惯性地起身收拾碗筷，被沈槐闷声喝住：“你坐着别动！”沈珺茫然无措地坐回椅子，沈槐朝门外喊道：“何大娘，你来收拾一下桌子。”何大娘答应着从西厢房中跑出来，忙忙地擦拭桌子，把碗筷捧了出去。 沈槐看着她的背影，低声道：“阿珺，我和你说过多少遍了，以后这类事情就让何大娘去做。你是有身份的小姐，不是下等仆役！”沈珺脸上白一阵红一阵，期期艾艾地道：“大娘五十多岁了，也上了年纪。我不好意思让她多疲累。”沈槐冷笑：“那她就好意思在咱们这里白吃白住？”他看了看沈珺局促的表情，放缓语气道：“阿珺，我知道你心地善良，但对人情世故却懂得太少。何大娘与我们非亲非故，我们好心收留她，她为我们做点家务尽点心，她自己住着也更踏实些，不是吗？” 正说着，何大娘端着个茶盘走进来，奉上香茶，嘴里道：“沈将军，阿珺姑娘，你们喝茶。” “嗯。”沈槐点了点头，捧起茶杯在嘴边吹了吹气，随口道：“何大娘，你在我家住了这么些日子，生活也习惯了吧？平时的家务，还请何大娘你多多操心，尤其是出外抛头露面的事情，尽量不要让阿珺去做。”何大娘点着头，小心翼翼地道：“沈将军说得是，老身明白。阿珺姑娘是千金小姐，不该做那些粗鄙的活计。只是她的心太好，看我忙碌就要来帮忙，老身拦都拦不住。”沈槐不耐烦地皱眉道：“总之以后还请何大娘多多操心。” 何大娘很有眼色，拿起茶盘就要退下，沈槐又招呼道：“大娘，明日你陪小姐去集市买些新鲜的绸缎吧。我听阿珺说你的女工乃金城关一绝，可否帮阿珺裁制几套新衣？”何大娘忙应道：“好啊，我也说过好几次，要给阿珺姑娘做几套新衣服，老身我的手艺还是不差的。可阿珺姑娘老说她尚在孝中……”沈槐打断她的话：“只要颜色素净些就行了，好过那几身旧衣服，实在太土气太寒酸。”何大娘瞥了眼沈珺，只见她面红耳赤的，一副可怜相，不