If he didn't speak, the three most powerful yamen in the court would not be able to urinate into the same pot, and they would be able to check and balance each other.

If he opens his mouth, the three most powerful yamen in the court will wait quietly to obey his orders.

Although they are divided into three points, Kou Ji has the final say with one voice, and there is no way to form a situation of mutual checks and balances.

Therefore, Kou Ji was unwilling to attend the court meeting, nor was he willing to continue to deepen his influence on the Song Dynasty.

Kou Ji waited for Zhao Zhen in the meeting hall for a long time. He waited until the next court, but Zhao Zhen was nowhere to be seen.

Until noon, Chen Lin hurried to the meeting hall.

Kou Ji saw Chen Lin, stood up and asked, "Where are the officials?"

Chen Lin sighed and said: "The officials are waiting in the Queen Mother's Palace. The Queen Mother has been in poor health recently, and the officials will go to the Queen Mother's Palace to guard her every day after going to court."

Hearing this, Kou Ji 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, and I have been worried and frightened for many years. After I came out of the cold palace, I have been worried about the official family.

Nowadays, we can see that the officials managed the country of the Song Dynasty peacefully and peacefully, the country was stable, and they had many children.

My heart gradually relaxed.

Diseases born from worry and fear will also appear."

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

Chen Lin said bluntly: "The imperial doctor said...it's difficult..."

Kou Ji sighed secretly and said, "Then what are you doing here if you don't accompany the official family?"

Chen Lin said: "The official knows that you have entered the palace. Although he has no time to see you, he is concerned about your food and drink. He specially asked our family to come over and ask what you want to eat, and then ordered the imperial kitchen to do it."

Kou Ji waved his hand and said, "Just ask the imperial chef to make some. You don't need to pay attention to me. Go and accompany the official family."

Chen Lin nodded and left the meeting hall.

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

Kou Ji simply ate some and then ordered people to clear up the wreckage.

Kou Ji kept waiting in the meeting hall. When it was almost sunset, Zhao Zhen appeared in the meeting hall with his eyebrows furrowed and a tired look on his face.

It can be seen that Queen Mother Li is seriously ill, which makes him worried.

"Official..."

"Fourth brother..."

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

After sitting down, Zhao Zhen let out a long sigh and said: "My mother is seriously ill and has three surprises a day. She only asks me to serve her when eating and drinking. She cannot trust anyone else.

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

She said that the people around her were spies, and not only refused to let them serve, but also beat them to death.

I know clearly that it is not the people around her who want to harm her.

But when she stayed in the cold palace, she worried day and night that the eldest lady would murder her.

That’s why I had such an idea.”

When Zhao Zhen said this, he looked sad, "My mother is living a hard life. Now she is suddenly seriously ill and a little confused. I really can't bear to leave her, so I stayed with her for a while." 67

Kou Ji nodded and said: "I can understand this, and the officials don't need to explain. If the officials can't spare time, they can temporarily let the prince supervise the country. Then they can take care of the Queen Mother wholeheartedly.

Nowadays, the Political Affairs Yuan, the Capital Affairs Yuan, and the Privy Council cooperate in a tacit understanding.

With them assisting the prince in managing the government and the ministers assisting him, there should be no problem."

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and gave Kou Ji an ugly smile, "We will talk about this later. Why did the fourth brother enter the palace this time?"

Kou Ji said bluntly: "In Fang Meiren's case, I found out that Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu were involved, so I sincerely ask the officials for permission to ask Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu."

Zhao Zhen frowned, "Wasn't there only Concubine Zhang Xian before? Why was Concubine Zhou Shu involved again?"

Kou Ji said frankly: "I asked my people to investigate secretly, and found out that in addition to Concubine Zhang Xian, Concubine Zhou Shu was also involved in this matter."

Zhao Zhen pondered and said: "So, it was one of them who instigated Fang Meiren to frame the prince?"

Kou Ji shook his head, "I can't make any conclusions until the case is thoroughly investigated."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Then I won't ask. I have given you full authority over this matter. Just act expediently on who you want to investigate and who you want to interrogate."

Hearing this, Kou Ji nodded and said, "It's getting late today. I'll go back to my house first. Tomorrow I'll go to the harem to see Concubine Zhang Xian and Concubine Zhou Shu."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said: "No need, just stay in the palace tonight."

Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "The prince's troubles in the harem have just passed. I cannot stay in the harem and cause 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 you?"

Any taboo violation can always be forgiven if it is linked to filial piety.

Zhao Zhen insisted on his request, so Kou Ji had no choice but to stay in the palace and go to the Queen Mother's palace with Zhao Zhen.

The two of them didn't stay in the council hall for long. After dealing with today's memorial, they went straight to the Queen Mother's palace.

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

Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen left the meeting hall and walked a short distance before arriving.

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

Probably because the Queen Mother is seriously ill and should not make any noise.

Therefore, there were only a dozen maids and eunuchs serving in the Queen Mother's Palace.

Queen Cao and Prince Zhao Run were waiting beside the Queen Mother's bed.

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

Zhao Zhen took Kou Ji to the Queen Mother's bed.

Queen Cao and Prince Zhao Run stood up to salute, but were stopped by Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen took a closer look and found that the Queen Mother had fallen asleep, so he waved to Queen Cao and Prince Zhao Run.

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

As soon as you enter the palace gate.

Kou Ji then saluted Empress Cao and Prince Zhao Run.

"Chen Kouji meets the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."

Empress Cao returned the courtesy slightly and said: "Kou Qing's family does not need to be polite."

Prince Zhao Run bowed to Kou Ji in a polite manner, "Student Zhao Run, I have met you sir."

It stands to reason.

It is considered a violation of the rules for their monarchs and ministers to greet each other.

But Zhao Zhen treated Kou Ji differently.

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

After the three of them bowed to each other, Zhao Zhen said to Queen Cao and Prince Zhao Run: "Queen, you and Run'er have worked hard all day. Go back and rest.

My fourth brother and I will stay here tonight."

Empress Cao didn't say much. After bowing to Zhao Zhen, she pulled Zhao Run out of the Queen Mother's palace.

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 chatted quietly about things all over the world.

Everything seems to be back to the time when Kou Ji first met Zhao Zhen.

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

But the difference from before was that now Zhao Zhen would not listen quietly, but would interrupt and discuss issues with Kou Ji.

The monarch and his ministers talked about the night shift and then fell asleep.

Just like before.

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

Kou Ji slept on the small bed by the door.

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

Kou Ji fell into a deep sleep. Around midnight, Kou Ji woke up in a daze, feeling very uneasy and feeling that someone was beside him.

Kou Ji slowly opened his eyes, moved his head from side to side, and suddenly sat up from the bed. His eyes widened in shock, and he was completely sleepless.

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

Aged.

Under the moonlight, his face turned a little blue and white.

When staring at people, they stare straight at them and don't move.
To be continued...