"What? The Princess Zhenguo isn't here." Disappointment showed on Song Fusheng's wrinkled face.

The people from the Qiao family went in with the documents, and he assumed that Qiao Lian'er was inside.

Butler Chai smiled and said, "Everyone knows that Princess Zhenguo is a very busy person. She may be here one moment and gone the next. We servants in the manor are already used to it."

"Why don't you come back in a few days?"

A look of anxiety crossed Song Guangtian's face. He was about to speak when Song Dujuan stopped him with a look.

"Then let's go back first."

She suspected that Qiao Lian'er was actually in the manor, but simply didn't want to see them.

If that's the case, it's fortunate that I listened to that young man and obtained the kinship certificate first.

Otherwise, even more guards might emerge from this gate, driving them all away and preventing them from ever showing up again.

Thinking about this, she still felt lingering fear.

Butler Chai noticed the family leaving and his expression became somewhat complicated. His gaze fell on Song Dujuan.

This girl is not that simple; at the very least, she's someone who can think.

Hopefully, this won't cause any trouble for Princess Zhenguo.

Qiao Lian'er also went back with the Song family.

Song Qijin stopped: "That's not right. If Qiao Lian'er isn't here, there should be at least one or two members of the Qiao family. They couldn't possibly not recognize us."

Song Fusheng said, "Qiao Lian'er at least has Song family blood in her, so she is the most suitable person for us to find. The Qiao family will not recognize us."

As for why he didn't acknowledge it, Song Fusheng knew the answer in his heart.

Before Qiao Lian'er returned to the Qiao family, the Qiao family lived a life of hardship, barely having enough to eat. When they saw members of the Qiao family, they wouldn't even greet them, and would avoid them like the plague, keeping their distance whenever they saw them. Even though Qiao Yunni married into the Song family, the two families were still considered to be related.

Therefore, they had no face to approach the Qiao family.

Besides Qiao Lian'er, Qiao Lian'er is also a descendant of the Song family, a fact that she cannot change even if she changes her surname. Based on this alone, she has to take responsibility for them.

Song Fusheng felt a bit annoyed. If he had known the Qiao family would end up like this, he would have treated them better in the past, and things wouldn't be so difficult now.

However, the official documents they possess give them confidence.

“Big cousin, it would be best if we went directly to see Lian’er. Let us come back in a few days. We’ll go back and rest for three days first. We’re tired from the long journey, and now that we have a place to stay, there’s no need to rush,” Song Dujuan said.

The Song family craned their necks in the courtyard, expecting good news, but the group returned empty-handed.

If the family reunion had been successful, the group wouldn't have looked so disappointed; they would have been beaming with joy. Or perhaps the Qiao family would have sent someone to come and take the whole family over.

"What's going on? Does Princess Zhenguo refuse to acknowledge us?" Song Guangdi asked.

"It's not that we don't acknowledge it, it's just that the person isn't here. We'll go again in a few days," Song Fusheng said.

Madam Wu frowned: "You're not deliberately trying to avoid seeing us, are you? You came into the house and saw with your own eyes that Qiao Lian'er wasn't there?"

Song Qijin shook his head: "Don't even mention it. We can't even get through the gate. There are so many rules in these wealthy families. The servants have to go in first to announce our arrival while we wait outside."

The Song family members looked at each other, a sense of unease creeping into their hearts.

Was Qiao Lian'er truly not there, or was she intentionally avoiding them?

If she doesn't want to see them at all, then what difference does it make whether she goes next time or this time?

Song Fusheng sat at the door, took out his pipe and started puffing away. His deep wrinkles also hinted at a touch of worry.

Thinking that his living quarters were different now, he went back into the hall and sat on the armchair.