Fang Zhong paused, a bitterness flashing across his face.

It was just the admonition of the lower officials, and she only listened to half of it. She didn't know who she was instructed by, and she felt that the younger brothers who supported her might as well support the lower officials, so that the lower officials could help her take care of her younger brothers.

She helped Xia Guan find a position as a judge of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Xia Guan also wants to get ahead, and he also wants to let the Fang clan people who swept Xia Guan out of the house in the past see that Xia Guan is not a slut under the fence, but they don't see Xia Guan's talent right now.

So the lower official did not refuse, and there was no way to refuse. ”

As Bao Zheng said, serving as a subordinate official of Kaifeng Prefecture, serving as a magistrate under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture, and then entering the court as a spokesman, it is a green ladder.

Few can refuse.

Generally, people valued by the emperor will take this green cloud ladder to enter the court and hold important positions.

Although the system of the DPRK and China has changed, some of the old rules are still retained.

Unless the new system is completely imprinted into the Great Song Dynasty, some of the old rules will continue to be used.

Innovation and innovation are not only about the system, but also about people's hearts.

Kou Ji stared at Fang Zhong and asked calmly, "You helped those younger brothers of hers deal with a lot of trouble, right?" ”

Fang Zhong nodded and said, "Eight homicides......"

"Grass Kan human life! At court one hand will wash the other! It's a capital offense! ”

Bao Zheng said with a gloomy face.

Fang Zhong said with a bitter face: "It is precisely because Xia Guan knows that it is powerful, so he doesn't have the courage to ask Kou Gong to take the initiative to admit his mistake, and he doesn't have the courage to escape." ”

Bao Zheng sneered: "Maybe there is still a fluke mentality." You don't want to play tricks in front of the envoy, the envoy has handled more cases than you don't know.

Your little bit of caution can't be concealed from your envoy. ”

Maybe he knew that he couldn't hide, so Fang Zhong didn't hide it, but admitted it very frankly, "Xiaguan has a fluke mentality. Xia Guan's official position is not easy to get, he has not yet reached the clouds, and he has not yet let the people of the Fang family admit that he is short-sighted, so Xia Guan really doesn't want to lose it. ”

Bao Zheng snorted coldly: "Helping others cover up the murder case is a felony. As soon as you cover up, you will have eight lives, so don't think about protecting your official position, let's think about saving your life first. ”

Fang Zhong smiled bitterly and was speechless.

Kou Ji waited until the two of them finished speaking, and said thoughtfully: "No wonder she was indifferent when I threatened her with Fang Meiren's family.

When someone related to her threatened her, she actually hit her headlong and died.

She knew in her heart that what happened to her in the palace was her after all.

So no matter how the official family decides the case, no one in her family will die.

But once you are found out, the evidence of her brothers' crimes, and even the concubines who helped her behind the scenes, she will die, and her family will also die.

Even if the official family is willing to let them go, the concubines behind those backgrounds will not let them go.

That's why she crashed and died in the official's bedroom. ”

"Did she really kill herself?"

Fang Zhong's eyes widened in disbelief.

Kou Ji glanced at Fang Zhong, as if he hadn't heard Fang Zhong's words, he asked indifferently, "Who helped you get the position of judge of Kaifeng Mansion?" ”

Fang Zhong hesitated for a moment, "Can you let go of Xia Guan's family?" ”

Kou Ji nodded, "Although you are guilty, you have not yet reached the point of Zhulian. The court will not embarrass your family. In order to prevent others from embarrassing your family, I can let them move to the borderlands.

There are heavy troops on the border, and some of them dare not be presumptuous. ”

Fang Zhong exhaled and said, "That's good...... It is Shufei Niangniang who helps the officials to conspire with the officials, and Shufei Niangniang's maiden family and Lu Fu are in-laws.

At that time, Lu Gong was still in court.

Following the path of Duke Lu, Xia Guan easily sat down in the position of judge of Kaifeng Mansion.

It stands to reason that when the term of office of the lower official expires, he should be promoted.

But Lu Gong has been assigned to Qingtang.

Your people don't seem to like Lu Gong, and they don't like to tease the people promoted by Lu Gong.

So the lower official is still sitting in the position of the judge of Kaifeng Mansion. ”

"Zhou Shufei ......"

Kou Ji muttered Zhou Shufei's name and frowned slightly.

Kou Ji instructed Bao Zheng: "Take him to the prison of the Criminal Law Department, and order someone to strictly guard him, so as not to let some young people hurt his life."

All that he has done is to be punished by the law of the land. ”

Bao Zheng arched his hand and said: "The student understands ......"

After Bao Zheng saluted Kou Ji, he left with Fang Zhong, and Fang Zhong also followed Bao Zheng out of Chen Ji Restaurant very obediently.

After the two left, Kou Ji's brows furrowed even tighter.

The death of a little beauty involved two imperial concubines.

Listening to Fang Zhong's meaning, there are many concubines who are kind to Fang Meiren.

So who forced Fang Meiren to harm the prince?

No matter how stupid Fang Meiren is, she should know that by harming the prince, she is bullying Queen Cao.

And Empress Cao is the lord of the six palaces and has the power to clean her up.

Therefore, the one who dares to force Fang Meiren to harm the prince must be a person with status, and his status is not low.

If the other party can lay out such a big situation, he will definitely not put himself in danger.

Therefore, the other party is sure to protect himself when Queen Cao is in trouble.

The mother is expensive by virtue of her son, and she has the concubines of the prince, so she is qualified to argue with Queen Cao.

"Concubine Zhang Xian? Zhou Shufei? Or someone else? ”

Kou Ji thought about it and stood up and walked towards the outside of Chen Ji Restaurant.

The reason why Kou Ji couldn't reach a conclusion was because he didn't have enough evidence in his hands to prove the matter.

In addition, he felt that Concubine He Defei was not active in the matter of winning the heir again, which was obviously a little abnormal.

You must know that Concubine He De knows her goal better than anyone else in the palace.

Before she entered the palace, she was already ready to help her heirs compete for the throne.

If she gives birth to a prince, the natural mother is more expensive than the son.

If you can't give birth to a prince, you have to follow Liu E's old story.

Now that she has given birth to a prince, she naturally has less killing.

But she had to help her son seize the throne.

So Concubine He Defei didn't make a move when she took the heir, and Kou Ji felt that it was abnormal.

As for Zhang Guifei, there is no need for Kou Ji to doubt it.

Zhang Guifei and Zhang Xianfei sisters are one.

Concubine Zhang Xian's meddling in the succession is tantamount to helping Concubine Zhang Guifei.

Now a line has been found on Concubine Zhang Xian's head, and a line has been found on Concubine Zhou Shu's head.

Kou Ji felt that it was necessary for him to go into the palace and ask.

Kou Ji left Chen Ji Restaurant, returned to the house first, and slept all night.

Early the next morning, I entered the palace in a carriage.

Kou Ji did not go to the court, but waited for Zhao Zhen in the council hall.

Kou Ji is now trying his best to erase his traces in the court, and try his best to form a relatively perfect check and balance between the three systems and the separation of powers.

is also working hard to integrate the three-three system and separation of powers into the Great Song Dynasty.

Zhao Zhen's throne and his position as prime minister are the biggest obstacles to the separation of powers and mutual checks and balances.

Because whether it is Zhao Zhen or him, there is a situation of destroying the three-three system and the separation of powers, and mutual checks and balances.

Zhao Zhen's throne cannot be removed.

Today's Great Song Dynasty, and even the whole world, has no sprout of democracy, nor does it have the soil for the birth of democracy.

People all over the world do not have the consciousness of being the masters of their own affairs.

Therefore, it is simply impossible to promote democracy.

But Zhao Zhen was an emperor who listened to persuasion, and he was also an emperor who was willing to add some constraints to imperial power.

Therefore, he did the least harm to the mutual checks and balances of the three-three system and the separation of powers.

On the contrary, he is accustomed to doing things unscrupulously and has extremely high authority, and he has a great destructive power on the checks and balances of the three-three system and the separation of powers.

If he doesn't open his mouth, the three highest power yamen in the court can't pee in a pot, and they can check and balance each other.

If he speaks, the three highest power yamen in the court will wait quietly to listen to orders.

Although they have three points, Kou Ji has the final say, and there is no way to form a situation of mutual checks and balances.

Therefore, Kou Ji was reluctant to participate in the court meeting, nor was he willing to continue to deepen his influence on the Great Song Dynasty.

Kou Ji waited for Zhao Zhen in the council hall for a long time, and waited until the next dynasty, and there was no trace of Zhao Zhen.

Until noon, Chen Lin hurried to the conference hall.

Kou Ji saw Chen Lin, got up and asked, "What about the official family?" ”

Chen Lin sighed and said, "The official family is waiting in the Queen Mother's Palace. The Queen Mother has been in poor health in recent days, and the official family will go to the Queen Mother's Palace to guard every day after going down to the court. ”

When Kou Ji heard this, he said in a deep voice: "The Queen Mother is not in good health? What did the Imperial Doctor say? ”

Chen Lin sighed and said: "I have been in the cold palace for a long time, worried, frightened, and haunted for many years. After coming out of the cold palace, I have been worried about the official family in my heart.

Now looking at the peace and tranquility of the official family's governance of the Great Song Dynasty, the country is stable, and there are many children under his knees.

The heart is slowly let go.

And with it, the evil sickness that arises from anxiety and fear. ”

Kou Ji waved his hand to Chen Lin and said, "Don't tell me these useless things, just say, can it be cured?" ”

Chen Lin said bluntly: "The imperial doctor said...... It's hard to ......."

Kou Ji sighed secretly in his heart and said, "Then what are you doing here without accompanying the official family?" ”

Chen Lin said: "The official family knows that you have entered the palace, although he has no time to see you, but he is worried about your food and drink, so he specially asked our family to come over and ask what you want to eat, and then instructed the imperial dining room to do it." ”

Kou Ji waved his hand and said, "Just let the imperial chef make some." You don't have to worry about me, go and accompany the official family. ”

Chen Lin nodded and left the council hall.

Not long after, a eunuch and a palace lady prepared a table of sumptuous wine and food for Kou Ji.

Kou Ji simply ate some and ordered someone to sweep away the wreckage.

Kou Ji waited in the council hall, and when it was almost sunset, Zhao Zhen frowned and appeared in the council hall with a tired face.

It can be seen that Empress Dowager Li is seriously ill, which makes him worried.

"Official ......"

"Fourth Brother ......"

Zhao Zhen entered the council hall and pulled Kou Ji to sit down without waiting for Kou Ji to give a salute.

After sitting down, Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "The queen mother is seriously ill, three times a day, she only lets me serve when she eats and drinks, and she can't trust others."

She said she had a dream in which someone was trying to kill her.

said that the people around her were spies, not only did not let them serve, but also killed them with a rod.

I knew it wasn't the people around her who wanted to harm her.

It's that when she stayed in the cold palace in the past, she was worried day and night that the eldest lady would murder her.

That's why I have such an idea. ”

Zhao Zhen said this, with a sad face, "My mother is miserable." Now I'm suddenly seriously ill and a little confused. I couldn't bear to leave her, so I stayed with her for a little longer. ”67

Kou Ji nodded and said, "The minister can understand this matter, and the official family doesn't have to explain it." If the official family can't spare time, they can temporarily let the prince supervise the country. Then take care of the Queen Mother wholeheartedly.

Now the Council of Ministers, the Council of Ministers, and the Privy Council cooperate tacitly.

With them assisting the prince in governing the government, and the ministers assisting from the side, there should be no problem. ”

Zhao Zhen thought about it for a moment and gave Kou Ji an ugly smile, "I'll talk about this later." The fourth brother entered the palace this time, what happened? ”

Kou Ji said bluntly: "In Fang Meiren's case, the minister found out about Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu, so the minister implored the official family for permission and asked the minister to ask Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu." ”

Zhao Zhen frowned, "Wasn't it only Concubine Zhang Xian before?" Why did you implicate another Concubine Zhou Shu? ”

Kou Ji said frankly: "The minister let his people secretly investigate and found that in addition to Concubine Zhang Xian's involvement, there was also Concubine Zhou Shu. ”

Zhao Zhen groaned: "In this way, Fang Meiren framed the prince, and one of the two of them instigated it?" ”

Kou Ji shook his head, "Before the case is investigated, the minister can't assert it." ”

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "Then I won't ask." I've left this matter to you. Whoever you want to investigate, who you want to interrogate, you just have to act cheaply. ”

When Kou Ji heard this, he nodded and said: "It's getting late today, the minister will go back to the house first, and tomorrow the minister will go to the harem to see Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu." ”

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "No need, let's stay in the palace tonight." ”

Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "The matter of the prince's troubled harem has just passed. The minister can't stay in the harem and provoke criticism. ”

Zhao Zhen said solemnly: "You accompany me and go to the Queen Mother's palace to fulfill your filial piety, who dares to criticize?" ”

Anything that is taboo can always be forgiven after it is linked to filial piety.

Zhao Zhen insisted on requesting, Kou Ji could only stay in the palace and go to the queen mother's bedroom with Zhao Zhen.

The two didn't stay long in the council hall, and after dealing with today's recital, they went straight to the queen mother's bedroom.

The Queen Mother's dormitory is not far from Yanfu Palace.

Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen walked out of the council hall and walked a little way to arrive.

There are not many people in the Queen Mother's Palace.

Probably because the Queen Mother is seriously ill and should not be noisy.

Therefore, there are only a dozen palace ladies and eunuchs serving in the Queen Mother's palace.

Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run were waiting on the edge of the Queen Mother's bed.

When Kou Ji saw the crown prince Zhao Run, he knew that the prince Zhao Run had listened to his words.

Zhao Zhen took Kou Ji to the queen mother's bed.

Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run got up to give a salute, but were stopped by Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen took a closer look and found that the Queen Mother was asleep, so he waved his hand at Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run.

The four of them arrived at the side hall of the dormitory.

As soon as you enter the temple gate.

Kou Ji gave a salute to Empress Cao and the crown prince Zhao Run.

"Chen Kou Ji see the queen's mother, see His Royal Highness the Prince......"

Empress Cao returned the salute slightly, and said, "The Kou Qing family doesn't need to be polite. ”

The crown prince Zhao Run saluted Kou Ji in a proper manner, "Student Zhao Run, I have seen Mr. ”

It stands to reason.

Their monarchs and ministers saluted each other, which was already considered a violation of the rules.

But Zhao Zhen treats Kou Ji differently.

Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run naturally had to treat Kou Ji with different attitudes.

After the three of them saluted each other, Zhao Zhen said to Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run: "Queen, you and Run'er have been tired for a day. Go back and rest.

Tonight, I and my fourth brother are here to stay. ”

Empress Cao didn't say much, and after saluting Zhao Zhen, she pulled Zhao Run out of the Queen Mother's bedroom.

After Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run left, Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji sat at the door of the side hall, looking at the bright moon and stars in the sky, and whispered about the affairs of Tiannan and Haibei.

Everything seems to have returned to the moment when Kou Ji first met Zhao Zhen.

The two often had long conversations in the dormitory of the East Palace.

It's just that unlike at the beginning, now Zhao Zhen will not listen quietly, but will interject, and will discuss problems with Kou Ji.

The two talked about the night shift and fell asleep.

As before.

Zhao Zhen slept on the bed in the middle of the side hall.

Kou Ji slept on the cot in the doorway.

The only difference is that Chen Lin's dead face is missing.

Kou Ji fell asleep deeply, and about three days later, Kou Ji woke up in a daze, and his heart was very responsive, feeling that someone was by his side.

Kou Ji slowly opened his eyes, shook his head from side to side, and sat up from the bed suddenly, his eyes widened in shock, and he didn't feel sleepy.

In front of the pillar not far from Koji, a figure stood.

Doddering.

Under the moonlight, his face was a little blue and pale.

When he stares at people, he doesn't move.

Dressed in white, he looked like a ghost.

If it weren't for the figure kneeling at the feet of a group of figures with their heads touching the ground, Kou Ji would have screamed in fright.

Kou Ji stared at his eyes for a long time before he could see clearly that the figure was Empress Dowager Li.

Isn't Empress Dowager Li seriously ill and bedridden?

Can you still get up?

And most importantly, you can get here.

Those kneeling at the feet of Empress Dowager Li were eunuchs and palace laves.

They didn't dare to speak out, they should have received orders from the Empress Dowager Li, or they were afraid of frightening the Empress Dowager Li, who seemed to be 'sleepwalking'.

Empress Dowager Li is now seriously ill, and it is a symptom caused by worry and panic.

If you are frightened, you are likely to die.

Therefore, it is reasonable for the eunuchs and palace ladies to serve carefully.

Kou Ji didn't understand what Empress Dowager Li was staring at her, hesitated again and again, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and prepared to speak.

Unexpectedly, Empress Dowager Li actually walked to her side silently and made a 'shhh' gesture.

Kou Ji slowly closed his mouth.

Empress Dowager Li took Kou Ji's hand and asked quietly, "Are you my emperor?" ”

Kou Ji opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.

Empress Dowager Li has obviously seen his appearance clearly, and she can still ask him if he is Zhao Zhen, which proves that she is confused, or sleepwalking.

Kou Ji hesitated for a long time, and nodded a little stiffly, "It's a ......"

Zhao Zhen called him brother, Zhao Zhen is the son of the Empress Dowager Li, and he is barely the godson of the Empress Dowager Li.

So it's not taboo to admit it.

When Empress Dowager Li saw Kou Ji agree, she said with a look of surprise: "I knew that you were my emperor." But don't speak, be careful of arguing your brother.

I ask you anything, and you just nod or shake your head. ”

Kou Ji nodded very cooperatively.

Empress Dowager Li pulled Kou Ji to sit down, looked around in a ghostly manner, and whispered to Kou Ji: "I miss you so much, so I secretly ran out of the cold palace."

I thought that Miss snatched you away from me, and I will never see you again in my life.

I didn't expect Miss to give birth to a younger brother for you.

Since your brother was born, that position is out of your reach.

But there is hope for our mother and son to be reunited.

Mademoiselle could not have let a son born of a slave sit on the throne in place of hers.

But don't blame Miss, and don't have a desire for revenge.

Miss is not a good person.

You take good care of your brother, guard your brother, and when your brother sits on the throne, our mother and son may be able to recognize each other and be reunited.

Don't even think about looking for me.

The cold palace is not a good place.

In addition to me, there were only three old slaves left.

It's only been three years since they followed me into the cold palace, and they've gone crazy.

The other one is not normal, and I'm afraid I'm going to go crazy after a while......"

Concubine Li pulled Kou Ji and said many, many words.

She said a lot about her son.

I told you a lot of ways to save your life.

also tells a lot of what happened to her in the cold palace.

Zhao Zhen woke up as early as when Concubine Li spoke, and he stood not far away, listening to Concubine Li's babbling words, tears streaming down his face.

Whether it is Zhao Zhen or Kou Ji, they can clearly judge from Concubine Li's words.

Zhao Zhen is the life of Concubine Li, that is, Concubine Li has been in the cold palace for many years, but there is no reason for her madness. It is also the courage of Concubine Li to live hard.

When she just came out of the cold palace, Liu E was still alive.

She knew Liu E's methods very well, so she didn't dare to say a bad word about Liu E in front of Zhao Zhen.

was afraid that Zhao Zhen and Liu E would have a grudge and be rectified by Liu E.

Later, Liu E died, but she didn't have a chance to say.

Because at that time, the Great Song Dynasty was fighting in all directions, and there were a lot of government affairs to deal with every day, and Zhao Zhen didn't have the leisure to listen to her say these bad things.

Wait until the Great Song Dynasty has solved all the problems.

She didn't want to say anything more.

Although Liu E snatched her son and imprisoned her in the cold palace.

But Liu E has raised her son very well.

not only sat firmly in the Great Song Dynasty, but also governed the Great Song Dynasty to an unprecedented level.

Concubine Li thought that if her son had asked her to teach, she would never be so good.

So she felt that although Liu E was sorry for her, she still had everything on her son.

She felt that as long as her son was good, it was worth it for her to suffer no matter how much.

So these words she was going to take into the coffin.

It's just that I didn't expect that after I got seriously ill, my brain was confused, and I said this again.

Kou Ji listened to Concubine Li's narration, and burst into tears at the end.

After Empress Dowager Li finished speaking, she whispered to Kou Ji: "Don't cry, if you wake up your brother, you will definitely be punished." I feel sorry for you being punished...... Don't tell anyone I've been there...... will also be penalized......"

After the Empress Dowager Li gave some advice, she got up and quietly walked out of the palace.

Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen were silent, followed with tears, and followed the Empress Dowager Li to the location of the cold palace, seeing that the Empress Dowager Li entered the cold palace that had been abandoned for many years, lying on the couch where she used to sleep, with a smile on the corner of her mouth.

Some expectations have been engraved in the deepest part of her heart...... So even if she is confused, she will not forget ......"