“We are relatives of the Princess Zhenguo, which is equivalent to being royalty. Why do we need to hide it like this? It’s as if it’s dishonorable,” Song Qijin said unhappily.

“Big cousin, this is a temporary measure. Think about it, what if Lian’er doesn’t want to see us at all and has something to say? If we show up, the guards at the gate will go and inform the Qiao family, and they won’t show up. The key is to catch them off guard,” Song Dujuan said.

The Song family had already guessed this possibility; why was Qiao Lian'er never around? She was probably intentionally avoiding them.

"If that's really what she thinks, doesn't she have any conscience? No matter what, she's a member of the Song family. Our whole family worked so hard to come to her for refuge, and she's so cold-blooded and heartless," Song Qijin said indignantly.

"It doesn't matter what Qiao Lian'er thinks. What's important is that she takes responsibility for us. In that case, we've achieved our goal."

Song Dujuan looked at the main gate of the Qiao residence, then at the side gate. Strangely, no one from the Qiao family came out for quite some time.

She had learned that the men of the Qiao family were generals in charge of the Qingfeng Plain fiefdom and the city gates, while the women of the Qiao family managed shops, restaurants, and teahouses. They should have set off early in the morning to perform their respective duties.

But there wasn't a single person in sight.

Now that they've become masters, they don't need to rush around so much.

She believed that unless they had come to the wrong place, one or two members of the Qiao family would eventually show up.

Unbeknownst to Song Dujuan, after breakfast, the Qiao family members were teleported away by Qiao Lian'er and are now all in their places. Qiao Lian'er also instructed the others not to go out.

The Song family arrived; it was the branch that hadn't been completely wiped out.

Now that the Qiao family has prospered, it's not surprising that all sorts of people come knocking on their door, whether they're related or not.

Qiao Lian'er leaned back on the chaise lounge in the warm pavilion, closed her eyes to rest, and gently tapped the armrest with her fingers.

When the children come to play with her, she takes out one or two toys and tells them to go play somewhere else.

It was certain that Song Ruier was behind this. She went to find Song Ruier and discovered that he was also observing the Song family's movements.

Since that's the case, then don't blame her for retaliating in kind.

Qiao Lian'er opened her eyes, having already made up her mind.

"Fire Inscription".

Qiao Lian called out, and Huo Ming leaped in through the window.

"Princess, what are your orders?"

After Qiao Lian'er gave some instructions, Huo Ming left.

Song Dujuan and Song Qijin waited for more than half an hour. It was already past midnight, but they still couldn't see the Qiao family members come out.

"That's strange. The Qiao family couldn't possibly know we were waiting outside, could they?" Song Qijin muttered.

Song Dujuan frowned. She felt that many things were strange. The kinship certificate had mysteriously disappeared, and none of the Qiao family members who needed to go out in the huge Qiao mansion had appeared.

"Wait a little longer. If they don't come back, we'll go back and come back in the evening." Song Dujuan thought to herself, "It's probably because the Qiao family went out before dawn. They'll come back eventually."

"It's so troublesome to recognize a relative," Song Qijin said, quite dissatisfied.

“Big cousin, don’t rush. Good things come to those who wait. If you want to enjoy wealth and luxury, it’s okay to experience some setbacks at the beginning,” Song Dujuan said.

As the two were talking, they suddenly noticed someone standing next to them, someone who had arrived at some unknown time.

The man was dressed in a black robe with his hat brim hanging low, obscuring most of his face.

"Hmph, you've all been fooled," the other party said.