The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

He Fei immediately appeared in front of Ji Lingfeng, kneeling on one knee and waiting for Ji Lingfeng's instructions.

Ji Lingfeng's face was dark, and he coldly ordered, "Go and investigate what happened a month ago in the outskirts of Beijing."

"Yes." He Fei's voice was firm.

"Wait, be careful, don't reveal Fu'er's identity."

"Understood." After saying that, he flew away and disappeared from Ji Lingfeng's sight.

Time quickly came to the 24th.

Early in the morning, the servants of the Ji family were busy preparing.

Today is not only General Ji's departure from the capital, but also Miss Ji's birthday.

Ji Fu, one of the main characters today, got up very early. In previous years, every day before her eldest brother left the capital, she and her mother would go to Hongfu Temple early in the morning to ask for a peace charm for him.

This year was no exception. Despite what had happened before, she still wanted to ask her older brother for a peace charm.

When Ji Fu arrived at her mother's residence, her mother had already finished preparing.

She said to Ji's mother, "Mother, let's take a few more guards with us today."

Madam Ji was puzzled. In previous years, they would bring their personal maids with them. Why did Fu'er bring several more guards today?

Ji Fu, fearing that her mother would worry, said, "Mother, I heard Ma Liangcai say some time ago that there seem to be bandits in the outskirts of the capital. Although his words may not be reliable, it's better to believe it."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ji frowned, somewhat worried, "Is the outskirts of the capital really this chaotic? Doesn't the Prefectural Governor's Office care?"

"Mother, you don't need to worry. So many days have passed, the prefect will definitely take care of it."

"But we went early, just in case."

Only then did Ji's mother feel relieved.

As dawn broke, a carriage departed from the General's Mansion, traveling along the main streets of the capital and heading straight for the city gate.

After leaving the city gate, we headed towards Hongfu Temple.

Then a group of people also came out of the general's mansion and followed them, some near and some far.

That group of people were arranged by Ji Lingfeng to protect his mother and younger sister.

As the carriage drew closer to Hongfu Temple, Ji Fu inside became increasingly nervous.

Especially when she was almost at the scene of the accident, her whole body was tense, and she couldn't even hear what her mother-in-law was saying to her.

"Fu'er?"

"Fur!"

Ji's mother's voice pulled her from her memories, and she trembled slightly before coming back to her senses.

"Mother, you called me?"

"Fu'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Ji Fu quickly composed herself and forced a smile. "Mother, I'm fine. I just probably didn't sleep well last night, and I was a little flustered just now."

Mrs. Ji quickly moved to her side and gently placed her head on her shoulder. "Then you can take a nap. I think it will be a while before we arrive."

Ji Fu shook her head. "No, I'm much better now."

As she finished speaking, she raised her slender hand and lifted a corner of the curtain.

The scene outside the carriage came into view.

Coming.

She clenched her other hand tightly under her sleeve, so tightly that it almost tore the sleeve apart.

Although Ma Liangcai arrived in time that day, she was still frightened by those bandits.

If Ma Liangcai hadn't shown up that day, she intended to kill herself, preferring death to being humiliated by such a person.

Suddenly, the carriage was pulled to an abrupt stop.

Ji Fu and her mother, who were inside the carriage, both stumbled and almost fell.

Ji's mother's voice was tinged with anger, "What happened?"

The coachman quickly and cautiously apologized, "I'm so sorry, madam, there are people ahead."

Upon hearing this, Ji Fu's face turned pale. Had she encountered bandits again?

When Ji Fu's mother saw that Ji Fu's face had turned pale, she assumed that the young girl was a little scared because it was the first time she had encountered such a situation. She took Ji Fu's hand and held it.

Why is it so cold?

Ji Fu did not speak.

Madam Ji said to the outside of the carriage, "Send a few guards to go and see what's going on."

A short while later, the coachman returned. "Madam, the Jingzhao Yin's office is handling a case ahead. I heard you were going to Hongfu Temple, so they've cleared the road for you."

"Then let's hurry up, or we won't make it in time to see Feng'er off."

Ji Fu was relieved to hear that the case was being handled by the Jingzhao Yin Prefecture.

Now that the government has intervened, there shouldn't be any more bandits appearing on this road in the future.

When they passed by the officials from the Jingzhao Prefecture, Ji Fu secretly glanced at them, and it seemed they were investigating the matter of the bandits.

Could it be Ma Liangcai?

She breathed a sigh of relief; the heavy weight in her heart had finally been lifted, and she felt much brighter.

On the way back, Ji's mother looked at Ji Fu with a hint of something in her eyes.

Ji Fu noticed the gaze upon her and looked at her. "Mother, what's wrong?"

"How about we celebrate your birthday together with your older brother at noon?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Fu was initially delighted, but then frowned and shook her head. "No, my brother is leaving today. I can't let my birthday delay his important business."

"Let's stay at home after my brother leaves."

"Anyway, it's always you, Mom, who spends every year with me!" Although this was true, there was still a hint of disappointment in her tone.

When the two returned to the general's mansion, they ran into Ji Lingfeng, who was also returning from outside.

"Wind, where have you been?"

"Hello, elder brother." Ji Fu greeted Ji Lingfeng as she followed behind her mother.

"Mm." Ji Lingfeng replied to her before walking up to his mother, helping her inside as he said, "I'm going to see General Ma and the others off."

Ji's mother and Ji Fu were both speechless.

Ji Lingfeng looked at Ji Fu, who was silently standing to the side, and said, "I'll leave tomorrow. I have important business to attend to today."

Ji Fu wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she always felt that when her older brother said there was something important to do today, he was looking at her as he spoke.

But she knew her brother's character; he would never let personal matters interfere with important business, especially matters in the military camp.

The three of them entered the main room together. Ji Fu handed the amulet she had brought that morning to Ji Lingfeng, saying, "Brother, this is this year's amulet. You must carry it with you at all times."

Ji Lingfeng took the amulet and casually tucked it into his chest pocket.

"Thank you for your kindness. I've troubled you and Mother every year."

"By the way, how did you usually celebrate your birthday?"

When Ji Fu heard her elder brother mention her birthday, she was taken aback, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.

"Is my elder brother asking about my birth date?"

Ji Lingfeng chuckled and looked at her, "Isn't today your birthday? Have you forgotten?"

"Big brother, are you staying here today to celebrate my birthday?"

Ji Lingfeng nodded.

Having received confirmation from her elder brother, Ji Fu's eyes welled up with tears of joy, and she said with a nasal tone, "The important thing my elder brother mentioned is celebrating my birthday?"

Ji Lingfeng nodded again.

Ji Fu felt a little dizzy. She felt it was unreal. "Mother, am I dreaming? My eldest brother is really going to celebrate my birthday with me."