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

Ji's mother's voice was also a little choked up, "Silly girl, didn't you want your eldest brother to celebrate your birthday with you the most?"

"Now that your older brother is really going to celebrate your birthday with you, why don't you believe it anymore?"

"I believe it, I believe it."

"Brother, will this interfere with your important business?"

Ji Lingfeng looked at Ji Fu with some heartache, "No, there are still some things to take care of in the capital."

"Oh, oh." Ji Fu was very happy. Even though her older brother didn't leave it specifically for her birthday, she was happy as long as he spent her birthday with her.

Before the group could finish speaking, He Yu walked in with a serious expression. "Master, someone from the Prefectural Governor's Office has arrived."

"They say there has been an important discovery."

Ji Lingfeng nodded. "Take him to the study first, I'll be there shortly."

He Yu immediately accepted the order.

Ji Lingfeng turned around and said apologetically, "Mother, sister, I'll go take a look first, and I'll come to see you later."

"Brother, important matters come first. It's my birthday banquet. You and Mother can just have a meal with me."

"It's alright, we'll talk about it later."

Upon arriving at the study, as soon as Ji Lingfeng entered, Prefect Zhang of the Jingzhao Prefecture immediately approached him and bowed.

"What happened?" Ji Lingfeng asked with a stern face.

Something big must have happened, otherwise he wouldn't have come looking for him.

Just yesterday, he instructed Hefei to investigate the incident of bandits appearing in the outskirts of Beijing a month ago.

The next morning, Hefei went to the Jingzhao Yin Mansion. He was surprised to find that the Jingzhao Yin Mansion was quite efficient.

If it were simply a matter of bandits, the prefect could just arrest them directly.

The fact that he came to find me means he discovered something.

Sure enough, after he sat down, the prefect said very seriously, "General, after receiving your instructions early this morning, I immediately went to the outskirts of the capital to investigate."

"Because it happened a month ago, when I led people to investigate, there was no trace of the bandits."

"I thoroughly searched that area, and to my surprise, I actually found something."

After saying that, he presented an item to Ji Lingfeng.

When Ji Lingfeng saw clearly what the prefect was handing over, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

It turned out to be a token from the Great Qing Kingdom.

"You mean those bandits are from the Great Qing Kingdom?"

“It’s possible that those people are spies from the Great Qing Kingdom. I’ve reviewed the case files. Those bandits caused trouble some time ago and were imprisoned for a few days.”

"They'll be released that day."

"But if they were spies from the Great Qing Kingdom, why would they do such a thing in the outskirts of the capital?"

"And the trouble that happened some time ago was also part of it."

"Spies should be hidden in the shadows. Aren't they afraid of being exposed by being so blatant?"

"What they are doing this for is what I am worried about."

Ji Lingfeng frowned, staring at the small token, which was only the size of an adult man's thumb.

If it falls to the ground, it will definitely be overlooked unless you search carefully.

He had seen this token before; he had found it in Dongfang Ming's tent.

The fourth prince of the Daqing Kingdom.

After a long pause, he gave the order, "Investigate this matter secretly."

"Write to me immediately after you have the investigation results."

"In addition, remember not to alert the enemy."

"If the investigation can't continue, stop immediately."

"When you really can't make up your mind, then..."

Ji Lingfeng paused for a moment, then said, "Let's report this to His Majesty."

"I understand."

After seeing Lord Zhang off, when He Yu returned, he saw his master take out a map of the Great Xia Kingdom and lay it on the ground to look at it.

The territories of the Great Qing Kingdom and the Great Xia Kingdom did not border each other; they were separated by the Persian Kingdom.

In terms of territorial size alone, the Great Qing Kingdom was smaller than the Great Xia Kingdom.

However, since most of the territory of the Daqing Kingdom was grassland, its inhabitants were mainly nomadic peoples.

Nomadic peoples are generally tall and strong, and skilled at riding horses.

Therefore, if the two countries were to go to war, the strength of the Great Qing Kingdom should not be underestimated.

Moreover, fourteen years ago, they almost destroyed the Great Xia Kingdom.

Now, the spies of the Great Qing Kingdom have penetrated deep into the capital; the claws of the Great Qing Kingdom have reached out.

Moreover, they had close relations with the Persian Empire.

If the two countries join forces, the Great Xia Kingdom will be in a very passive position.

Noticing He Yu's return, Ji Lingfeng looked up and asked, "What do you think about this?"

"I don't know either, but I always feel that ever since the last time in Xin'an County, the Daqing Kingdom seems to be eyeing us covetously. They will definitely start a war once they have the chance."

"Go on."

"The incident in the outskirts of the capital, and the prefect's statement that those people caused trouble before, may have been a trap set by the Great Xia Kingdom to lure us in."

"But I don't know exactly what kind of trap it is."

"Didn't you send someone to Daqing Kingdom secretly before the New Year?"

"Some time ago, our spies reported that there was chaos in the Great Qing Kingdom. It is said that their emperor is getting old and may not be able to make it."

"The eldest prince and the fourth prince fought tooth and nail for that position."

"But logically speaking, at this critical juncture, they are all too busy taking care of themselves to cause trouble in the Great Xia Kingdom."

Ji Lingfeng carefully analyzed the current situation, and He Yu's words made sense.

“You should investigate this matter personally. Set off immediately for Daqing Kingdom. I don’t quite believe what the spies say.”

After receiving the order, Tsuruha immediately left.

Ji Lingfeng stayed in the study for a while before going to see Shen's mother.

The servant just told him to go over there after he finishes his work.

Upon entering Shen's mother's courtyard, he heard his sister and mother chatting happily inside, their laughter particularly melodious.

He lifted the heavy curtain, warmed himself by the fire for a while to dispel the chill, and then sat down next to the two of them.

"Mother, sister."

"Busy working?"

Ji Lingfeng nodded.

Madam Shen instructed the outside, "Wang Mama, have someone prepare the meal."

"We'll eat in my room today."

Because it was Ji Fu's birthday, the kitchen prepared many of Ji Fu's favorite dishes early in the morning.

One of the dishes was braised pork ribs. Ji Lingfeng thought of the sweet and sour pork ribs that Shen Cao had made in Xin'an County before. He thought his sister would like it too.

Seeing her older brother staring at the ribs, Ji Fu assumed he liked them and picked up a piece for him.

"Brother, try this. The ribs made in the kitchen are delicious."

"it is good."

Ji Lingfeng took a bite, and it wasn't as good as Shen Cao's.

Ji Fu enjoyed the meal very much because her older brother said he was free in the afternoon and could play dominoes with her.

"Big brother, you promised me, you can't go back on your word."

Ji Lingfeng nodded, "But it seems that playing Pai Gow requires four people, and we only have three. That's not enough, is it?"

Ji Fu smiled and said, "Don't worry, the fourth person is already on their way."