Chapter 37 Chapter Thirty-Seven
The spring breeze is expected to be chilly, and the youth is frozen to death.
The whole Bianjing was shivering with excitement in the cold wind.I don't know how many people whispered to each other, and it was said that General Di was about to return to the capital.
A lot of people made an appointment to go out of the city and stood by the side of the road, just to have a look at Di Qing first.Outside the city of Bianjing, the crowd was surging, stirring up this cold spring.
The wind rises and the night sets, and a solitary lamp flickers on and off, illuminating Di Qing's face full of vicissitudes.He has been sitting in the wine shop for a long time.When the people came out of the city to welcome him, Di Qing, he had already entered Bianjing silently and sat quietly in Liu's old man's restaurant.
The restaurant was as cold as ever, with only Di Qing as a diner.
After Mr. Liu served the food and wine, he sat in the back hall and looked at Di Qing quietly. For some reason, there was a sense of sadness on Di Qing's face that had suffered a lot.
Di Qing looked at a letter under the lamp.
The letter was not too long, but he read it for a long time.The hand holding the letter trembled under the light.Finally putting down the letter, Di Qing stared at the oil lamp on the table and murmured: "I see. That's why." There was a bitter smile on the corner of his mouth.
Guo Zun entrusted Di Qing to give the letter to Guo Kui, but Guo Kui finally passed the letter to Di Qing.
Because this letter was originally written by Guo Zun to Di Qing.
Why did Guo Zun go through such a turning point?Di Qing didn't know, but after reading the letter, he understood Guo Zun's intentions.
Slowly put the letter on the flame, watching a ball of fire ignited and falling with flying ash, Di Qing let go of his hand, picked up the wine glass on the table, but put it down again.
Han Xiao walked in quietly, and said in a low voice, "General Di, there is no accident in Gong County."
"I asked you to help with the investigation, how did you find out?" Di Qing asked, his eyes blurred as he looked at the flickering lights.
Han Xiao took out a scroll from his bosom and handed it to Di Qing, "General Di, please take a look."
Di Qing spread out the scroll and looked over by the light, only to see two people painted on the scroll, one with a handsome face, strikingly like Di Qing.And the other person in the portrait, with bright eyes and a slight smile, vaguely looks like Feixue.
Di Qing's hand holding the portrait trembled a little. He stared at the portrait for a long time before asking, "Are you sure...is this a portrait of Duan Siping?" Seeing Han Xiao nodding, Di Qing smiled shyly.In fact, when he asked the question, he had already confirmed the answer.
He never thought that Duan Siping was so similar to him.
Is it a coincidence, or is there a cause and effect?
When the lights jumped, Di Qing's eyes were brightened, just like the moment when he was rushed out of the waterfall.At that time, a phantom suddenly appeared in his mind, which appeared inexplicably, and he never told others about it.When he woke up, he actually wanted to ask Feixue, but he didn't ask in the end.
When the scroll of portraits appeared in front of his eyes, it brought back his original memory again.In the chaos, a clear picture appeared in his mind...
Duan Siping, who looked like Di Qing, knelt in front of a bed, held a woman's hand tightly, and said in a sobbing voice: "Feixue, I would rather give up the world and want to keep you with me. But..."
The woman like flying snow looked at him, with a reluctant smile on the corner of her mouth, but boundless firmness and love in her eyes, "Siping, you and I are destined not to be together in this life. But in my next life, I will definitely find you. !"
Duan Siping was sobbing, he just held the woman's hand, "Definitely!"
At that time, was the scene in my mind a dream or waking up?If he wakes up, that person is Duan Siping, and who is Di Qing?If it was a dream, why was it so clear and painful when recalled?
Di Qing looked at the portrait, and asked after a long time: "This person next to Duan Siping is called Tang Feixue?"
Han Xiao nodded again, and asked with some surprise: "General Di, why are you looking for the portraits of these two people? Duan Siping's portrait is easier to find, but there is only one portrait of Tang Feixue, which is still hidden in the Dali Palace. If Emperor Dali knew that I was sent by General Di, he would not have given me this portrait."
"Emperor Dali?" Di Qing murmured, not knowing how he felt in his heart, Han Xiao clicked his tongue and said in amazement: "Yes, it was that Duan Silian you saw in Qingtang. The world is impermanent, who would have thought that he would become the emperor. At that time, he was alone and lonely, and he came to Qingtang with a book boy, and he didn't know what to do. Now that he thinks about it, he might have taken refuge in Tubo, or he might have imitated Yelu Zongzhen's move, avoiding disaster openly, and contacting important officials in the court secretly. This overthrew Duan Suxing."
The emperor of Dali is now Duan Silian, who Di Qing had met in Qingtang City back then.
When this person saw Di Qing at the beginning, he took the initiative to strike up a conversation and explained to Di Qing about Chengtian Sacrifice, but Di Qing never saw this person again.Unexpectedly, when Duan Silian was in the Qingtang Dynasty, Gao Zhisheng, an important minister in the court, suddenly staged a coup d'etat, deposing Duan Suxing, the Tianming Emperor of Dali, and embracing Duan Silian as emperor.
Dali is a small country, but the emperor of the court changes frequently, but Dali has always been aloof from the world, and the changes in the court are rarely known to the people of the Central Plains. Han Xiao was entrusted by Di Qing to go to Dali to investigate Duan Siping's past. Emperor Dali was the scholar in Qingtang.But why did Di Qing want Han Xiao to go to Dali to investigate Duan Siping's past, but Han Xiao knew nothing about it.
Seeing that Di Qing was silent, Han laughed and said, "After Duan Silian saw me, he was very enthusiastic towards me. When I saw him like this, I said that I wanted to know about Duan Siping's past. He took the initiative to bring me this portrait and asked me... ...Is General Di very similar to Duan Siping?" After a pause, Han Xiao said in surprise: "General Di, if I didn't know that this portrait was Duan Siping, I would really have thought it was you. Duan Silian also said..." Seeing Di Qing staring at the lights, as if he was out of his mind, Han smiled and shut up.
Di Qing turned his head and asked, "What else did he say?" Suddenly remembering that when he saw Duan Silian, Duan Silian and the book boy next to him looked at him in surprise, and the book boy said in a low voice, "My lord, he seems to be ..." Afterwards, Duan Silian stopped the book boy and was very affectionate to him, Di Qing.
At the beginning, Di Qing didn't pay attention at all, but thinking about it now, the book boy might want to say——He Di Qing looks like Duan Siping.And Duan Silian took the initiative to strike up a conversation, obviously because he resembles Duan Siping.
Han Xiao didn't notice Di Qing's strangeness, and said: "Duan Silian also said that the reason why he has the throne today is because he had a private conversation with Ji Siluo. As for what he said, he couldn't say anything, but it was related to General Di. It was because of this passage that he got up his fighting spirit to overthrow Duan Suxing. He also said that his courage increased greatly when he knew that General Di would definitely help him in the future. He also asked me to say hello to General Di. It’s really strange. Could it be that General Di You look like Duan Siping, so Duan Silian thinks you are Duan Siping's reincarnation? Otherwise, why would you definitely help him?"
After saying that, he wanted to laugh, but when he saw Di Qing's Tieqing face, he suddenly felt that it wasn't funny at all.
It's even... a bit spooky!
Seeing that Di Qing was still silent, Han Xiao laughed and said, "General Di, I just wanted to make a joke. You won't be serious, are you?" Is at a loss.
Di Qing's eyes drifted away, he was silent for a long time, and suddenly asked: "Han Xiao, do you believe that people have past lives?"
Han Xiao was stunned for a moment, his brows were furrowed, wondering why Di Qing asked this question.It can be seen that Di Qing has something serious, and finally said: "I haven't seen it, but the ancient books do have records of previous lives, I don't know if it is true or not."
Di Qing raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are the records in the ancient books?" Water, someone gave him Qionghun Pearl and Jade to eat.Sheng Bo did not dare to interpret the dream, thinking it was an ominous dream.Later, as soon as the dream is interpreted, the person dies.
When he saw this story, he was only attracted by Fan Zhongyan's comments, but he didn't think too much about the meaning of the dream.But he recalled Duan Siping and Tang Feixue many times like a dream or waking up, which made him feel the strangeness of the dream. If Shengbo's dream was unknown, then what was his dream talking about?
Listening to Di Qing's question, Han Xiao murmured: "It was recorded in ancient books that Bao Liang remembered the well, and Yang Hu knew the ring. This can be regarded as the true record of the previous life." The prefect, when he was five years old, told his parents that he was the son of the Li family in Quyang. He fell into a well and died at the age of nine, and was reincarnated in the Bao family. His parents visited the Li family and found that the matter was correct. Later, the matter was recorded in Jin Shu by the official historian. Hu was a famous general in the Western Jin Dynasty, and his deeds were similar to Bao Liang. He also remembered that he was the son of the Li family next door, and died early in the Yang family. He still remembered that when he was a child of the Li family, he buried the golden ring under the mulberry tree and let his wet nurse take it. Back then, people were amazed at that time. This matter was also recorded in Jin Shu."
After hearing this, Di Qing murmured: "So, there might really be a previous life...and mine..." Before he finished speaking, Han Xiao turned his head and looked out of the wine shop. Di Qing was alert to the sound of footsteps and stopped. Huatou.
Di Qing's keen hearing is far better than Han Xiao's. He found out that someone came one step later than Han Xiao, and it was really because of his agitated mood.
As soon as I turned my head away, I smelled a faint fragrance.I saw a woman in light yellow clothes standing in front of the restaurant, illuminated by the lights, and the woman's eyes fell on Di Qing.Di Qing was a little surprised, and slowly stood up and said, "Princess Changning, why did you come here?"
The woman in the yellow shirt is Chang Ning.
Chang Ning moved lightly with lotus steps, walked into the restaurant, and said in a low voice: "I happened to pass by here, and I was looking for the general for something, I don't want to see the general here."
Di Qing thought, "You are a princess, what are you doing in this remote wine shop at night?"
Chang Ning had already sat down opposite Di Qing, and had no intention of leaving immediately.Han smiled and walked out of the restaurant.Di Qing had no choice but to sit down and asked, "I don't know what the princess wants to order?"
Chang Ning looked around and landed on the painting on the table, his expression was a little sad, and his eyes were a little surprised, and said: "Is this painting General Di and Sister Yushang?"
Di Qing was startled, seeing that Tang Feixue's bright eyes in the portrait were kind and lifelike, and he really looked a bit like Yu Chang.
When he saw Feixue, he always noticed her eyes, and almost mistook Feixue for Yang Yushang a few times.Looking at it now, Tang Feixue in the painting not only resembled Feixue, but also somewhat resembled Yu Chang.
Feeling a little dazed for a while, Di Qing shook his head and said, "It's not me in the painting, but Duan Siping, the founding king of Dali, and his concubine."
Chang Ning stared at the painting, feeling strange in his heart, and also felt that Duan Siping and Di Qing were somewhat similar.
Di Qing's heart moved, and he suddenly said: "I just heard people say that I look like him, so I asked someone to make a painting. I feel that Duan Siping... is like my previous life. I don't know how the princess thinks about this?" He didn't know how difficult it was, so he pretended to say this sentence easily.After finishing speaking, his heart hung up, paying attention to Chang Ning's expression.
Chang Ning didn't hear Di Qing's turbulent tone, so he went to look at the painting again, and when he raised his head, Di Qing had already lowered his head.Chang Ning sighed quietly, "Chang Ning dare not look forward to the past life and the next life. If there is a real destiny, I only hope to see it in this life." Looking at the silent man, he suddenly thought, "It will take me several years to see you. But How many years are there in a person's life?"
Di Qing also sighed and said: "Yes, it's a blessing to see you often in this life. But I, Di Qing..." He thought of Yang Yushang again, but didn't continue, and asked again: "The princess is here, is there anything wrong?"
Chang Ning said: "Recently, Chao Wenwu has been talking about General Di a lot. I don't know if General Di knew about it?"
Di Qing shook his head, thinking, "No matter what they talk about, it has nothing to do with me."
Chang Ning didn't understand what was on Di Qing's mind, and his expression was a little resentful, saying: "General Di has done his best for the country, this time he has made great contributions to the pacification of Lingnan, and it is absolutely understandable for him to serve as a privy envoy with General Di's ability, but those foolish officials insisted on saying that it is not in line with the ancestors. The family law is really chilling. The most puzzling thing is that Pang Jida also suggested that you should be dismissed from the position of privy envoy..."
Seeing Chang Ning's rare anger, Di Qing smiled slightly.
Chang Ning saw him and asked, "General Di, aren't you angry?"
Di Qing just shook his head and thought to himself, "Pang Ji should know what I'm thinking. Sigh...he knew about promoting me to be a minister and put me on the cusp of the storm. They might let me go instead. But why should I look at their faces again. "
Chang Ning couldn't figure out Di Qing's intentions, so he didn't know what to say for a while.
Di Qing said indifferently: "Thank you for the correspondence, Princess. In fact, I already know a lot of things. I also know that Master Ouyang Xiu also wrote a letter to ask me to be dismissed... He used yin and yang to say that I was at fault, and blamed me for the Huainan flood. "
Chang Ning was stunned, and stammered, "You know all about it? Well, I always thought Master Ouyang was always upright, able to distinguish right from wrong, and I didn't want him to join you."
Di Qing thought, "After all, Chang Ning didn't know about the officialdom, and he didn't know that Ouyang Xiu and Pang Ji knew that they would meet me before they wrote the letter. Although Ouyang Xiu blamed me for the flood, it was just a fiction. After all, he said I'm excellent in martial arts, my heart is not evil, I am liked by the sergeant, and I have never seen any mistakes." Ouyang Xiu is actually the same as Pang Da, wanting me to get out of this crisis and give me a decent step. They also hope that I..."
Thinking of this, Di Qing said: "Princess, don't think too much, if there is nothing else..."
Seeing that Di Qing was about to leave, Chang Ning suddenly remembered something and said, "Wait... I almost forgot the business, the queen asked me to give you a letter." After speaking, he took out a letter from his cuff and handed it to Di Qing.
Di Qing was very surprised and didn't know why Empress Cao wrote him the letter.He hesitated for a moment before accepting the letter.
Seeing that Di Qing had accepted the letter, Chang Ning sighed softly in his heart, got up and said, "General Di... then... I'm leaving. Actually, I came this time to find Uncle Li Guo. I heard that he often drinks nearby." He stopped suddenly, because he noticed that Di Qing's face had become abnormally pale.
Seeing this, Chang Ning was a little surprised, and hurriedly asked, "General Di, what's wrong with you?"
Di Qing stared at the letter in his hand. There were only five words written on the letter, "The words refer to General Di." There was nothing strange about it.However, those five characters are written like a fly, with white threads looming in the black characters.
Finally looking away from those five words, Di Qing slowly asked: "Princess, is this letter written by the queen herself?"
Chang Ning nodded and said, "Yes, the empress is best at writing Feibai. Is this word pretty?"
Di Qing smiled, but there was indescribable confusion in the smile, "Very well, thank you very much."
Chang Ning saw that Di Qing was full of thoughts, doubts in his heart, but there was no way to enlighten him, so he quietly left the wine shop, before getting on the sedan chair, he looked back into the wine shop, saw Di Qing sitting down slowly under the light, still looking at the letter in his hand.
What's so weird about that letter that made Di Qing like this?Chang Ning felt a little uneasy, and just wanted to ask the queen after turning around.
After Chang Ning left, Han Xiao walked in and was also surprised when he saw the font on the letter.
The characters are in Feibai, and the letter paper is produced by Jixingzhai.This is no different from the letter that exposed the Eighth Prince as the murderer.At the beginning Di Qing and Han Xiao were both confused about who wrote the letter, but now that the truth is about to be revealed, they are equally astonished.
The person who wrote the letter turned out to be Empress Cao? !
Han Xiao looked at Di Qing, Di Qing only looked at the letter in his hand, slowly guessed it, and after reading it for a while, said: "So that's the case, I finally understand..." He didn't feel the joy after solving the puzzle, but felt a sense of depression .Although Han Xiao was not very curious, he still couldn't help asking, "General Di, what's going on?"
Sitting there, Di Qing looked at the dim light and said, "It's a long story. Han Xiao, do you still remember Cao Yi?"
"Of course I remember." Di Qing said strangely: "He is Empress Cao's younger brother."
Di Qing smiled bitterly, "But although you and I know this, we have ignored it. His surname is Cao..."
Han Xiao couldn't understand what Di Qing was talking about. Of course Cao Yi's surname was Cao, so why was it ignored?
Seeing Han Xiao's confused look, Di Qing said indifferently: "Don't forget, the descendants of the Guiyi Army are also surnamed Cao. Back then, one line of people surnamed Cao stuck to Shambhala, but another line of people had different opinions. After leaving the country, we never checked their whereabouts again. They went to Hebei, thousands of miles away from Shambhala, and just wanted to forget their past memories.”
Han Xiao looked at the letter in Di Qing's hand, his mind was spinning, and a horrified expression suddenly appeared in his eyes, "Could it be that Empress Cao and Cao Yi are descendants of those people?"
Di Qing nodded and said, "That's right, that's why Cao Yi went to the northwest to seek the mystery of Shambhala. Otherwise, how could he go straight to Shazhou?"
Han Xiao's shock at that moment is self-evident.
After Empress Cao's original name, her grandfather Cao Bin was a famous founding general of the Great Song Dynasty, and together with the great ancestor Zhao Kuangyin, they helped to conquer the Great Song Dynasty.Since then, the Cao family has been extremely brilliant in the Great Song Dynasty. Who would have thought that he was originally a descendant of the Guiyi Army!
This seems incredible, but when you think about it carefully, everything makes sense.
Because Cao Yu knew the past, he sought to solve the mystery of Shambhala. Zhao Kuangyin and Cao Bin had a very good relationship. Even if Cao Bin made mistakes several times, Zhao Kuangyin treated the Cao family well. Is it because they have a common secret.Zhao Kuangyin left his family law in the Ancestral Temple, which is mysterious and bizarre. Is it also because of Shambhala?
Taizu also knew about Shambhala?
Even if it is Zhenzong, who believes in God wholeheartedly and insists on pursuing Shambhala, is it because he vaguely knows about Taizu's past?
Thinking of this, Han Xiao felt in a haze that everything had been clearly explained, but he still didn't understand why Empress Cao could reveal the details of the Eighth Prince's rebellion?Empress Cao said this to Di Qing, what did she want to do?
Di Qing stopped talking, stood up with difficulty and said: "I'll go for a walk." Handing the letter to Han Xiao said: "After you read it, burn it. Don't show it to others. Don't chase me any longer, I'll take care of it!"
Han Xiao took the letter and saw Di Qing walking out of the restaurant, he couldn't wait to take a look.After only a few glances, his hands were already trembling violently...
Di Qing came out of the wine shop, looked up and saw the stars were like fire, the moon was like a dream, he let out a long sigh of relief, and murmured: "This beautiful scenery is like a dream... After waking up from the dream, I realized that many things, Only in a dream. No wonder Brother Guo chose this way."
Although he still looked melancholy, he straightened his waist and walked along the long street with his brows slightly furrowed, obviously deciding on something important.
When passing by Guo's mansion, after opening the door and entering, seeing the lights reflected in the room, he was slightly surprised.At present, Guo Kui is still clearing up the battle situation in Lingnan, who will light the lamps in Guo's mansion in a grandiose manner?
Without thinking about it, Di Qing pushed the door open and entered, and saw a person sitting under the lamp, with a slightly dark face and a solemn expression.
Di Qing was a little surprised when he saw that person, stepped forward a few steps, and said with a smile on his face, "Why did Brother Bao come here?"
The person who came was Bao Zheng.
When Bao Zheng saw Di Qing enter, he got up and cupped his fists and said, "I'm here... because I think Brother Di should come back. Although there is a lot of prosperity outside the city, it's not what Brother Di likes after all." He and Di Qing are called brothers, so Just like back then, only talking about personal friendship, not like talking about business affairs.
Di Qing felt warm in his heart, knowing that although Bao Zheng and him had only met each other a few times, they knew each other very well. "Brother Bao came to wait for me late at night, of course he has something to say?"
Bao Zheng stared at Di Qing for a long time, and said: "Recently, the court has slandered Brother Di a lot, but I haven't said a word, I don't know if Brother Di will be offended?"
Di Qing shook his head with a smile and said: "Brother Bao, if you don't say anything, it is worth a thousand words. I am very grateful. But those gossips are no longer on my mind."
Bao Zheng let out a long sigh, full of regret, and said, "So...Brother Di has made up his mind?"
Di Qing hesitated for a moment, knowing that only Bao Zheng could see through his thoughts, and said slowly: "Qingben is a farm boy who went out to join the army. He has no ambitions. Although he has done something for the brothers and the common people, this life is only for the one he loves. No. I promised her that I would not let the world peep and belittle me, and be a hero in her heart. Now that my wish is fulfilled, I have no regrets!"
He didn't say this to Pang Ji, he didn't say it to Chang Ning, he didn't even say it to Han Xiao, he only said it to Bao Zheng.
He knew that Bao Zheng knew him, so he didn't need to hide it.
Bao Zheng smiled shyly, thinking to himself, Di Qing was already discouraged and was thinking of retiring, the pillar of the country would eventually leave.If it's just gossip from the officials, as long as the Holy One supports it, Di Qing will not be like this.But recently rumors have been rampant, I'm afraid it's...
Finally he stopped thinking about it, Bao Zheng said: "I came here today, in addition to seeing brother Di, I also want to talk about my views on the case back then." He was talking about Di Qing's involvement in the murder in the palace and Zhang Meiren's poisoning.Seeing that Di Qing's expression was strange, Bao Zheng made up his mind and said: "The case back then was actually extremely simple. Either Brother Di lied, or Zhang Meiren lied. How will I investigate and think about it, but I feel that Brother Di had no reason to kill at all. So...there is only one answer left."
Di Qing smiled, as if he had no interest in this case, "Thank you Brother Bao for your love."
Bao Zheng said sternly: "Although I have a conclusion, I have never been able to figure out why Zhang Meiren wanted to kill brother Di. Later, Zhang Meiren was poisoned, and the case seemed to have something else hidden, so I dare not draw conclusions lightly. In fact, I have been thinking about this matter, but I feel that if there are other murderers, there must be motives and purposes for killing people, but after a few years, no one is against Zhang Meiren. I feel that something is wrong, and I would rather be a villain to infer ..."
Di Qing hurriedly said: "Brother Bao, you don't have to push, and you don't need to worry about this matter. I appreciate Brother Bao's kindness."
Bao Zheng looked at Di Qing squarely, and said word by word: "If I am still investigating the case, I am not in my position, and I am not in charge of politics, I will never make a decision. But today I am here because I regard you as a friend and brother, so this inference, I have to say."
There was emotion in Di Qing's eyes, and he just sighed softly.
"My inference is that it was not someone else who poisoned her, but Zhang Meiren herself!" Bao Zheng paused every word, and finally said what he wanted to say.
The room was silent for a while. Bao Zheng thought that Di Qing would be surprised when he came to this conclusion. He didn't want Di Qing to just smile, "Brother Bao solves the case like a god, I admire it very much."
This time it was Bao Zheng's turn to be surprised, and he said in amazement: "Brother Di already knew the answer?"
Di Qing looked away, and said leisurely: "Actually, after I left the palace that day, I thought Zhang Meiren was trying to avoid suspicion, so I took poison to win the sympathy of the Holy Majesty. But I still can't figure out why she has no grievances with me. Want to hurt me? But I know now."
Bao Zheng was stunned, and quickly asked, "Why did she hurt you?"
Di Qing turned to look at Bao Zheng, and said sincerely: "Brother Bao, you are a good person, and the people need a good person like you. Therefore...you don't want to know too much about me. Thank you for thinking about me at this time, Please come back."
Bao Zheng looked at Di Qing for a long time, and finally nodded and said: "That's good. Brother Di...you take care." He wanted to say something, but finally he left the room and closed the door gently.
Di Qing listened to the footsteps slumping across the courtyard, out of the courtyard gate, slowly sat on the chair, and murmured: "Brother Bao, I don't want to hide it from you. But you really don't need to know too much."
He just sat like that, looking at the solitary lamp on the table, after a long time, someone entered the Guo residence again, came to the front of the room, and gently knocked on the door.
The voice was very soft, as soft as rain hitting a lotus, the autumn dew falling, slightly, with a bit of a bleak coldness...
The sedan chair is long, and Chang Ning sits in the sedan chair, and his heart moves with the ups and downs of the sedan chair.
What was so weird about the letter Empress Cao sent to Di Qing? Why was Di Qing so shocked when he saw the letter?
Chang Ning felt a little regretful, why didn't he read the content of the letter beforehand?If you read it, you don't have to worry so much... But if you read it, you may be more worried.
After the sedan chair entered the palace, Chang Ning couldn't wait, and immediately went to Empress Cao's bedroom.After waiting outside the palace for a while, a court lady came out to tell her that Empress Cao went to see the Holy Majesty and said that if Chang Ningruo came, please wait for her.
Chang Ning was a little surprised when he heard it.I'm not surprised that the Queen went to see the Holy Majesty, but wondered why Queen Cao knew that she would come to see her tonight?Sitting in the hall, the walls are surrounded by green lights, making the hall a bit desolate.
A bit of moonlight secretly shone through the carved windows, as if trying to compete with the lights.
Under the mixed light of the moon, the hall was even more calm.
Chang Ning looked at the past along the moonlight, and saw a bright moon hanging brightly in the sky, and in that bright moon, there were black tree shadows hidden.
According to legend, there is Wu Gang cutting laurel, there is a jade rabbit pounding medicine, and there is Chang'e thinking about her husband.Legends are always beautiful, and Chang Ning used to like these legends very much, but when I saw them today, I always felt that there seemed to be some secret hidden under the open moonlight.
Empress Cao seems to have a secret too, and it's...a big one.
In a state of confusion, I heard a palace maid whispering outside the palace. Although Chang Ning didn't want to hear it, the voice still came over.A court lady said: "Why has the queen been away for so long? Beauty Zhang doesn't know what to do?"
Chang Ning is slightly stunned, she knows that Zhang Meiren's body is getting worse these days, Zhao Zhen stays by Zhang Meiren's side all day, and she is afraid that Zhang Meiren will die.Chang Ning didn't feel much about Zhang Meiren at first, since Zhang Meiren was suspected of framing Di Qing, Chang Ning stopped talking to Zhang Meiren, but thinking that Zhang Meiren would be even more alienated from Di Qing if Zhang Meiren died, Chang Ning was very worried.
I also heard a court lady say: "I heard people say that General Di has returned to Beijing?" Chang Ning paid more attention when he heard Di Qing's name, and another court lady said: "Not only has General Di returned to Beijing, I also know that he is here tonight." He has been summoned to the palace by the Holy Majesty. I heard that the Holy Majesty celebrated General Di and gave him wine to celebrate his victory."
Chang Ning's heart was shaken, and he rushed out, looked at the speaking maid and said, "What did you say?" Hearing that the Holy Spirit had given him wine, Chang Ning's heart was pounding for some reason.
Seeing Chang Ning's pale face, the court lady said in shock: "Princess, I said that the Holy Majesty has given a banquet with wine and invited General Di into the palace."
Chang Ning asked anxiously, "Where is it?"
The maid Nuonuo said: "Wenyuan Pavilion."
After hearing this, Chang Ning didn't care to say anything more, and trotted all the way towards Wenyuan Pavilion.When approaching the pavilion, Chang Ning was even more frightened when he saw that there were forbidden troops guarding all around.Just about to enter the cabinet, someone came forward and said: "Princess, you can't trespass here." It was Qiu Minghao who stopped that person.
Chang Ning shouted: "You captor in Kaifeng, what are you doing in the palace so late, but are you going to rebel?"
Qiu Minghao's face remained unchanged, and he said: "I am acting according to the order? Please turn around and rest the eldest princess." There was a bit of coldness in his flat tone.
Chang Ning glared at Qiu Minghao and said, "Get out of the way. If you don't let me go, I will let your head fall to the ground today." Chang Ning has always been peaceful and quiet, so getting angry is really rare.
Chang Ning moved forward, Qiu Minghao wanted to stop him, but when he saw Chang Ning's eyes that were about to burst into flames, his heart trembled, and he finally stepped aside.
When Chang Ning arrived at the pavilion, he saw that the hall was brightly lit, Di Qingguo was sitting in the hall, and the first eunuch Yan Shiliang was sitting opposite Di Qing.
Yan Shiliang got up and filled two glasses of wine, and Di Qing picked up the wine glass...
Seeing this, Chang Ning rushed over and said, "Di Qing, you can't drink alcohol." She rushed to Di Qing's face by mistake, and grabbed Di Qing's hand.I just felt my heart beating loudly, and my palms were covered in cold sweat.
Di Qing looked over and asked slowly, "Princess, why can't I drink this wine?"
Chang Ning didn't understand the explanation, but felt terrified in his heart. Seeing Yan Shiliang also looking over, he gritted his teeth suddenly, snatched the wine glass from Di Qing's hand and said, "So I want to drink this glass of wine."
She is about to drink it!
She didn't know why she had this urge, but she was willing.
Hearing that Zhao Zhen gave wine to Di Qing, Chang Ning's first thought was... the wine is poisonous!She didn't believe her brother, the brother who was getting more and more unpredictable.Di Qing was in danger, but she couldn't tell the danger.
When the wine came to her lips, she felt sad and happy, and she even hoped that this glass of wine was poisonous.
She didn't know how Yang Yushang left an indelible mark on Di Qing's heart back then, but she knew that no matter what she did, in Di Qing's heart, Yang Yushang was the only one.She died for Di Qing, if she could remain in his memory clearly, she would have no regrets.
A hand reached out and took the wine glass.There was bitterness in Di Qing's eyes, and he said, "You can't drink this wine."
"Why can't you drink it?" Chang Ning was stunned, asking what Di Qing had just asked.
Holding the wine glass, Di Qing looked at Yan Shiliang in front of him and said, "This glass of wine was originally for Lord Yan to drink!"
Yan Shiliang's expression changed suddenly, and he stood up abruptly, almost knocking over the stool.He didn't say anything, but his expression told everyone what he was going to say!
There is a cold light flashing outside the pavilion.
Di Qing was still holding the wine glass, looking far away, with a sense of sadness in it, "Master Yan, please take me to see the Holy One, I have something to say to him."
Sweat dripped from Yan Shiliang's forehead, and he said in a low voice, "What are you talking about?" He turned his head and looked out, with a hint of fear.
Di Qing said lightly: "I haven't chatted with the Holy One for a long time, he will not refuse my request." Holding the cup in his hand, Di Qing sighed and said: "If you don't take me, someone will. You Think about it carefully." His words were very calm, but there was no doubt about it.
Yan Shiliang looked at the wine glass in Di Qing's hand, trembling all over.
Di Qing sighed, had already arrived in front of Yan Shiliang, and passed the wine glass in his hand to his lips.Yan Shiliang took a step back and finally said, "Okay, I'll take you to the Holy One."
Di Qing smiled and murmured: "Actually, I know that the Holy Majesty has been waiting for me."
Yan Shiliang pretended not to hear, and walked out of Wenyuan Pavilion trembling.Di Qing followed Yan Shiliang, and Chang Ning followed Di Qing.Chang Ning saw that the imperial guards outside the pavilion had long been guarded, and thought that these people would stop them. He didn't want Qiu Ming to see Di Qing and Yan Shiliang come out, as if he had never seen them.
But after Di Qing and others passed by, Qiu Minghao waved his hand, and the imperial guards followed behind Di Qing.
Everyone walked forward silently, and the palace was brightly lit, illuminating everyone like ghosts at night.
When they arrived in front of the imperial palace, the palace ladies and maids were all panicked when they saw such a battle.It can be seen that Yan Shiliang led the way, and no one dared to ask what was going on.
Yan Shiliang stood in front of the palace and let the palace people pass the news. Not long after, Empress Cao came out of the palace.Chang Ning was very surprised. Empress Cao looked at Yan Shiliang, then turned to Di Qing and said, "General Di, Your Majesty invites you and Yan Shiliang to go in and have a talk."
Di Qing smiled and stepped into the hall.Chang Ning waited to follow, but was grabbed by Empress Cao.
Inside the imperial palace, it was deserted.Zhao Zhen stood alone in front of the bed, with his back to Di Qing.On the bed, Zhang Meiren lay with her eyes slightly closed, as if she was asleep.
Zhao Zhen looked at Zhang Meiren on the bed, who seemed to have been carved in stone and wood. He heard the footsteps behind him pause, and without turning around, he said indifferently: "Zhang Meiren is dead." sentence.
Di Qing looked at the woman on the bed, silent.Yan Shiliang stood not far away, trembling like leaves falling in the wind, with deep fear buried in his eyes.
What is the turbulent sea under this calm, few people can guess.
"I haven't been free since I was a child, even after I ascended the throne, I won't be free." Zhao Zhen looked at Zhang Meiren who was lying on the bed, with deep pain in his eyes, "In the past, there was a queen mother, then there was the ancestral family law, and then there was a right family. I like Wang Ruyan, but she married someone else. I don’t want to marry Empress Guo, but she has always been by my side. Empress Guo has gone, it is Empress Cao, because she is a daughter of a famous family, and all civil and military officials want me to marry her For the future, even Fan Zhongyan is no exception..."
The corners of her mouth were full of sneering smiles, "If I want to marry a woman, I always have to seek the consent of the people of the world. Therefore, Zhang Meiren is still a beauty, not even a noble concubine. Now, she has gone, and finally gone, are you right? Very happy?" Huo Ran turned around, Zhao Zhen looked at Di Qing, his eyes were full of red threads.
He just stared at Di Qing, and said word by word: "Could it be that as the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of the Ninth Five-Year Song Dynasty, can't I do something for the person I like?"
Di Qing's face was calm and his eyes were calm. At that moment, he was as quiet as ice, "Of course."
Zhao Zhen didn't seem to have expected Di Qing's reply, so he said in a daze: "She said she was afraid of being criticized by the officials and embarrassing me, so she never asked me for a title, but now that she is gone, I must give it to the queen." Fame. No one can stop me!" He gritted his teeth and said this, still staring at Di Qing, as if it was Di Qing who prevented him from making Zhang Mei a queen.
Di Qing didn't evade, and there was no need to evade.This time, he didn't even say a word.It's not that there is nothing to say, but that there is no need to say it.
"Do you know what Zhang Meiren said before she died?" Zhao Zhen suddenly asked grimly.
Di Qing was still calm, and said: "What did she say, does it have anything to do with me?" Zhao Zhen was heartbroken, but Di Qing didn't seem to have any sympathy.
Zhao Zhen broke out suddenly, and hissed: "She said she didn't frame you! Di Qing, how do you explain it? When a person is about to die, his words are good. When she was dying, she said that she didn't frame you. How do you explain it? You have always opposed me to make her queen, so you and Bao Zheng teamed up to frame her, and let her suffer an injustice until she died, and now... are you satisfied?" He shouted hoarsely, with veins on his neck. Since then, it has become abnormal.
Di Qing waited for Zhao Zhen to finish yelling, and then said coldly: "So you believe that I am the murderer? So you asked Yan Shiliang to find me in the palace? Zhang Meiren was poisoned, so you are going to let me drink poisoned wine, and you are going to pay me back?" Is Zhang Meiren fair?"
Zhao Zhen was startled, and looked at Yan Shiliang.阎士良大汗淋漓，神色惨白，仍旧不发一言。赵祯凄然道：“我的确想给你杯毒酒，我信张美人，可我没有想过毒死你。阎士良……他想必知道朕的心意，因此才下毒，阎士良，你怎敢瞒着朕这么做？”
阎士良“咕咚”跪倒，汗出如雨，以头抢地，只是道：“臣该死……臣该死！”
赵祯木然道：“你为何这么做？”他像是问阎士良，又是像问狄青。
狄青道：“那你准备怎么做？”见赵祯不语，狄青眼中露出分厌恶之意，一字字道：“你是不是也准备像对付他义父阎文应一样，将他赐死呢？”
赵祯一震，本是凄然的眼中露出分犀利的光芒，“你……说什么？”
狄青淡淡道：“当初你在无助的时候，有两个人一直站在你的身边，一个是我，一个就是阎文应。我狄青自问从未对不起你赵祯，阎文应若是九泉有知，想必也会这么说的。”他不称圣上，突称赵祯，让赵祯神色讶然，隐有愤怒，更多的却是有些惊怖。
赵祯惊怖什么？
狄青又道：“我们在你有难的时候，都舍生忘死的跟在你身边。我们那时不当你是皇帝，当你是朋友。我虽讨厌阎文应，但今天我很想为他抱不平。皇仪门宫变后，你终掌大权，可你还觉得刘太后是你绊脚石，你恨不得她早死，可她偏偏不死……”
狄青言语幽然，带着说不出森冷之意，那温暖如春的宫中蓦地有种鬼气森森。
就算那明亮的烛火，看起来都有些发青，耀得赵祯脸上铁青。
“阎文应本是太后埋在你身边的细作，用来监视你的举动。但太后从未想到，先帝早有防备，阎文应还是忠于先帝，反倒不停的将太后的消息传给你。于是你就命令阎文应悄悄地在太后的饮食中下了一种药……”
“你住口！”赵祯蓦地喝道，呼吸粗重，脸色狰狞。
“我为何要住口？”狄青冷冷道：“你做得出，还怕人说吗？那种药物不是毒药，但可让人加速衰老，因此刘太后看起来比正常时老得快很多。其实早在赵允升阴谋夺权时，你就开始下药，你想着只要太后一死，你就可以顺理成章的独揽大权。但太后始终不死，你又从八王爷口中得知赵允升有意造反，开始着急。于是你去了永定陵，取了无字天书，然后用别人悄悄告诉你谶语，想要威吓太后，让她收拾赵允升……你始终不敢明目张胆的对付刘太后，因为一来你不敢，二来你还想在世人面前，维持孝子的形象。”
一想到这里，狄青就忍不住的心痛，这件事有几个人明白，但他狄青、杨羽裳不明白。
他和杨羽裳是无辜的。
可他们因为不明白卷入其中，却遭受到最惨痛的打击。
到现在他明白了太多，明白的厌恶，明白的心灰，明白后……却太晚了。
赵祯脸上没有了忧伤，眼中有了惶惑，哑声道：“你……你……胡说什么？”
狄青冷笑道：“你一定很奇怪我知道很多事情吧？或许真的有天，天把一切告诉了我！”脑海中闪过归仁铺外，那雷电交加的夜晚……
那个本来早死的人面对着狄青，嘶声狂叫，“狄青，我赵元俨对你不薄的，可为何是你屡次破坏我的大计？若真有天，那老天真的瞎了眼。当年我帮赵祯夺回皇权，可他如何待我？他处处防着我，他看似给我至高的荣耀，可他根本不给我任何权利。他这么对我，他迟早也会有一天，这么地对你！”
赵祯四下望去，再一次感觉到孤独无助，事情的发展就如皇仪门前，出乎了他的意料。
狄青还是立在那里，长枪一样的笔直，可如兵戈烽火般的落寞，“你本来想要郭遵说服太后，帮你收拾了赵允升。你策划了宫中血案，害死了许多无辜的宫人、宫女，只为让刘太后心存畏惧。可事情有所变化，赵允升终于知道不对，提前发动。八王爷知道此事，才在当初和你在宫中饮酒时，说服用了什么羌活、升登之药。他那时是在提醒你，赵允升要登基篡位立即发动，而你必须要抢先！”
赵祯霍然醒悟，叫道：“八王爷没有死？”
这件事只有八王爷才知道，赵祯不信鬼神，那只有唯一的答案，这件事是赵元俨告诉狄青的。
狄青终于点头道：“不错，八王爷没有死。当初他怕你对他下手，因此诈死后，投奔了侬智高。不想我击败侬智高后，八王爷又遇到了我。”他终于碰到锤子样的那个人，那人就是侬智高！
原来八王爷一直都和侬智高有牵扯，而侬智高早就图谋着香巴拉。不言而喻，侬智高是期盼香巴拉的神力帮他一统江山，可侬智高终究没有得逞。
侬智高就是杀了小月、杨家满门的人。八王爷一直和侬智高等人联系，事后让侬智高逃到夏使那里，不言而喻，本就是想借狄青挑拨宋、夏的关系。
八王爷也一直在想着王位……
想到这里，狄青心中满是苦涩的味道。
赵祯放肆笑道：“看来真的天网恢恢，疏而不漏，你真的以为他帮朕是好心吗？他不过是左右逢源罢了，他投奔侬智高，不就是一直抱着造反的念头？他也真的以为朕相信他？哼！”
狄青静静道：“是呀，你不信他，但是在利用他。你素来都是如此，利用完一个踢走一个。皇仪门前赵允升抢先发动，但你终于胜了，你继续让阎文应给太后下药，只盼太后早点死。太后临死前，见到阎文应和你在一起，想必终于明白。太后临死前，说她明白了，你好……她话没有说完，现在想想，其实她说得简单，她明白了她虽一直想当次皇帝，但你早就抢先发动了。她不是说你好，而是说你好毒！”
狄青说完这些后，终于出了口气，这些事情，他是从郭遵信中所知。他知道的时候，难掩震撼和失落。
他从未想到过赵祯会如此。
突然想起王惟一在青唐时，曾问他太后死时可有异样，又说伴君如伴虎，说以后不会回汴京了。当初狄青不明白，可他现在明白，王惟一肯定已看出太后中了毒，王惟一也知道下毒的是哪个，他怕赵祯对他下手，因此离开了汴京。
赵祯有些失魂落魄，站在那里，一时间不知说什么才好。
这些事情，埋藏了很久，他只以为这辈子不会再有人知道，可狄青怎么都知道了？难道说，这世上真的有鬼？一想到这里，赵祯背脊发亮，又想起太后临死前那怨毒的眼。
“太后扯着兖冕死的。”狄青继续说道：“你对群臣说，不知道太后的用意。群臣猜来猜去，其实猜得都不对。太后当时想说，你赵祯为了权势，是不择手段的！”顿了下，望着赵祯铁青的面庞，狄青又道：“你让阎文应一直对太后下药，药死太后后，本以为这件事无人知道，不想郭皇后无意知道此事。刘太后一死，你厌恶郭皇后，因此废了她，可郭皇后以这件事要挟你，你为了维持你的尊严，不想事情被揭发，又命阎文应药杀了她。百官觉得郭皇后死得蹊跷，你怕事情败露，于是把阎文应推了出去替死。”
赵祯鼻尖已有汗水，灯光照耀下，脸色灰败。他本以为这秘密就此沉隐，不想又被狄青一层层的剥开。
“阎文应对你实在忠心，终于为了你去死。你内心有愧，这才把阎士良提拔起来。可现在你为了推卸责任，又想赐死他吗？”狄青在笑，笑容中满是讥诮。
阎士良浑身还在发抖，不敢抬头。可眼中有泪，滴入了尘埃。
赵祯望见狄青的笑容，积郁的怒火蓦地爆发，他上前一步，怒道：“我有什么错？我不过是要拿回自己的东西，这难道都有错吗？太后是我养母，养了我那么多年，可在她眼中，我这个儿子根本不如一个皇位。既然她不仁，就不能怪我无义。郭皇后一辈子骑在我头上，还要用此事威胁我，她是找死，就怪不得我！”
狄青淡漠道：“那李顺容呢，她也是自己找死吗？”
赵祯周身一震，退后一步，嗄声到：“你说什么？”
狄青冷冷道：“其实你早就知道李顺容是你生母，对不对？当年你去了永定陵后，就已意识到李顺容是你至亲，所有关于天书、五龙的秘密，均是她托李用和说于你知的！你知道李用和是你的舅舅，你也知道李顺容是你的生母，但刘太后在一天，你怕事情有变，因此一直不敢去认生母。李顺容临死前，其实都想再能见你一面，但你竟忍心不见！事后你装作恍然知晓，为掩心中羞愧，这才故作激愤，作态要将刘家斩尽杀绝。当初只有你我之时，你在李顺容的棺前，说你是天子，别无选择，你祈求她的原谅，因为你问心有愧！”
赵祯身形晃了两下，眼前发黑，涩然道：“你都知道了？这又是谁告诉你的？”
狄青见赵祯表情，已知道所言不假，这些消息，本来有些是他亲身经历，有些却是郭遵信中所言。
他也终于明白李用和为何整日借酒浇愁，容颜憔悴。因为李用和对姐姐有愧，也对赵祯厌恶。
李顺容临死前，虽有机会，但终究没有和亲生儿子相见。
“谁告诉我的并不重要，关键是你真地做过。”狄青眼中满是憎恶之意，嘿然道：“我其实真的不敢相信你会做这些事情，现在想想，你去见张妙歌，可能是追思往事，当然也是故作迷雾，让刘太后麻痹大意了。你为了权位，害了养母，毒死妻子，杀了忠心耿耿的阎文应，忍心明知生母死去，也拒不和她相见。赵祯，我真没有想到你是这样人！”
赵祯羞怒交加，“我无论如何，总对你不错！狄青，你莫要忘记了，你能有今日的地位，是我一手提拔。”
狄青突然哈哈大笑，笑声中，有着说不出的愤慨之意，“你真的对我不错，你对范仲淹不也不错吗？你想做个千古明君，又总是担心别人谋夺你的王位！范仲淹声望高了，你就将他踢出汴京，我声望高了，你就赐我一杯毒酒，你这样，是对我们不错？赵祯，我现在才知道，你不需要什么将军，不需要什么一统，你对我狄青不错，其实只是希望我是一条狗，跟在你身边就好。必要的时候，你完全就可以把这狗一脚踢开。什么盟约血誓，什么金书铁券，全部都是放屁。在你赵祯眼中，统统不如一个帝位重要！”
赵祯紧握双拳，浑身颤栗，突然叫道：“你要是我，你怎么做？我本来是个皇帝，可在遇到你之前，每天做梦都是被人从龙椅上拽下来，丢到了牢笼内。我每天都是生不如死，起床时，就怕见到刀剑及颈。我若什么都不做，只有死路一条！我是个皇帝，可成天连狗都不如！你告诉我，你是我，你会怎么做？”
狄青不语，只是沉静地看着赵祯。
赵祯上前几步，已和狄青面面相对，盯着狄青道：“因此我告诉自己，我一定要活得和人一样。我的权利，谁也夺不走。”
“因此你发现我有威胁，就要铲除我。”狄青笑笑，笑容中带着说不出的无奈。
赵祯不语，可他的神情如冰，已告诉了狄青答案。
“你虽和我订下盟誓，但一直都在防着我，时不时的用祖宗家法表达你的无奈。你若真的有心，变法不会败，你若真的有心，就不会刻意提拔我为枢密使，然后授意那些人诋毁我。你不想失信于人，失信于天下……然后你就准备了那杯酒……”
赵祯听到狄青说到这里，蓦地变得激动，“那酒不是我准备的。我只是……只是愤怒你为何对张美人不轨。你应该知道的，她是我最爱的女人！我别的事情可以忍你，但这件事我受不了！她临死都说没错，她没错，错的是谁？”
狄青轻轻地叹口气，截道：“你到现在，还要骗我吗？”
赵祯戛然而止，神色有说不出的怪异。
狄青移开了目光，似乎都不想再看赵祯的脸色，“记得当初你我第一次遇到时，我听你和大相国寺主持说，总觉得四处皆敌，如在牢笼……”
赵祯微有诧异，不想狄青竟知道这件事。
“主持当时劝你，心中有敌，处处为敌。你说你懂了。”狄青哂然道：“但你根本没有懂，你这辈子因此不会有朋友，只会有不同的敌人。或许你就算懂了，你也不想放下这个念头。你从心底，还是忌讳我掌权，还是怕我图谋你的皇位。张美人只是你的借口，你这杯酒，本不是给我喝的，或许你还不想我死，不然也不会让邱明毫轻易放我过来……你就是想让我退却，是不是？”
脸上满是意兴阑珊，狄青怅然道：“酒中有毒，心中更毒。你只看着权位，却不知道，我心中只有羽裳。在你的心中，或许什么都不如江山，却不知道，整个江山在狄青眼中，也不如羽裳睁眼一望。”
赵祯脸上终于有了愧意，想说什么，可嘴唇嚅嚅而动，终于说不出什么。
“我不过是个农家少年，偶尔的际遇，到了今天的相位。在你和那些百官的眼中，我没理由不再进一步的，因为你们始终把我想得和你们一样，可得到江山什么用呢？”狄青眼中满是感慨，望着赵祯道：“还不是像你一样？或像元昊那样？再重的江山，也抵不过一个羽裳。你可知道张美人为何要害我？”
赵祯咬牙道：“张美人无过错。”
“你终究还是不信我。”狄青惆怅道：“但我还是要说，八王爷的女儿不是杨羽裳，而是张美人！”
一言落地，殿寂无声。赵祯踉跄后退几步，失神道：“什么？不可能，不可能的。你骗我！”突然嘶声吼道，“狄青，你骗我！现在她死了，你当然说什么都行了。”
狄青冷漠道：“我为何要骗你？我现在何必骗你？我狄青若杀你，十个赵祯也一块杀了。”
赵祯心头微颤，这才意识到面前狄青的危险。以前的他，从未这么想过。
狄青心中想到，告诉我这个秘密的是曹皇后，她怎么会知道这个消息呢？哦，多半是她见赵祯对张美人太过亲热，担忧皇后的位置不保，她明里装作和张美人姐妹相称，暗地却去查张美人的出身，希望借此做文章。曹皇后本是归义军曹家的后人，连带查出八王爷一直在找香巴拉，也查出了张美人的真正的底细。
原来张美人才是八王爷的女儿。
怪不得张美人在八王爷诈死后脸色不对，立即就想害他狄青。怪不得张美人就算死，也不放过他狄青。
他狄青无意中破坏了八王爷的大计。
一想到这里，狄青心寒中又带着心酸。心酸是，他终究还是没有帮杨羽裳找出生父的下落，心寒的是，八王爷显然也蓄谋很久，他早早的就查到女儿在哪里，将女儿调包送到别家，却故作不知女儿的下落时。后来认杨羽裳为女儿，欺骗太后，显然是包藏祸心。
而张美人为何和以前的王玉烟举止习惯类似，不用问了，肯定是八王爷早就训练好了这个女儿，不过投赵祯所好。
八王爷处心积虑，虽说看似不理世事，显然也想图谋江山。只是可惜……赵祯早就对八王爷心有猜忌。
原来很久很久以前，就有人在这里做文章，可他狄青直到现在才发现。
狄青又想，“曹皇后为何要告诉我这件事呢？是了，她知道我肯定会和赵祯见面，也肯定会把这件事说给赵祯，赵祯知晓后，对张美人的情感肯定会淡化，那她皇后的位置自然保住了。如此说来，常宁也是她找来的了，常宁却不知道这些。”
想到这里，狄青想起殿外的曹皇后，不知心中是何滋味。
“你信或不信无关紧要，但我要说的，都已经说完。”狄青望着脸色苍白，大汗淋漓的赵祯，悲哀道：“其实你让我离去，说一声就好，何必动用如此的心机？我狄青此次回转一战，不为江山，不为你赵祯，只为我还是狄青。但狄青终究只是狄青，不会是霍去病。你赵祯也不过是赵祯，永远成为不了汉武帝。我狄青或许欠种世衡、欠范仲淹、欠郭大哥，欠西北兄弟太多太多，但我唯独不欠你赵祯什么。你给我的东西，我今日都还给你。你要江山，我要羽裳，从今往后，你我恩断义绝，再不相欠！”
说话间，狄青一拍刀鞘，长刀“呛啷”而出，空中一闪，遽然两断。
而狄青早就转身离去，出殿前说了最后一句话，“狄青今后已死，你再也不用担心江山一事，你赢了！”
那声音带着尾音，飘出了大殿。
众侍卫见狄青出殿，不约而同的闪到了一旁。常宁不知何时，早就接近了殿前，听得心惊肉跳，泪眼迷蒙。
见狄青闪身而过，她才待去追，却被曹皇后再次抓住。
只见那身影在暗夜中只是一闪，就已消失不见。常宁想到不久前才说，“若真的有缘，只盼今生常见”但今日一别，只怕此生再难见面。
一念及此，忍不住心中空荡，泪湿罗衫。
有明月正悬，撒下了清冷的月色，