The next morning, Song Yaozhu sent someone to inquire about Xie Liwei's whereabouts.

She went to Tingxueyuan to wait for someone last night, but she slept there for half the night and still didn't see anyone come back. She doesn't know what they were busy with.

"The prince isn't here..." Granny Qin said, rubbing her hands awkwardly. "The front courtyard said the prince went hunting outside the city and didn't come back last night."

Song Yaozhu: "......"

Well, even this younger brother can't be relied on. Forget it, I'll just have to do it myself!

After dressing up, Song Yaozhu led her entourage to the gate to board the carriage. As they passed through the garden, to the astonishment of Caiyin and Caijin, she picked a green chrysanthemum and put it in her hair.

"Your Highness, wouldn't wearing green be inappropriate?" Caiyin cautiously reminded her.

Song Yaozhu waved her hand dismissively, "It's alright!"

They soon arrived at Grand Tutor Song's residence. Since the Prince of Xiaoyao's residence, like Grand Tutor Song's, was merely a name without real power, Grand Tutor Song didn't take Xie Liwei seriously. Therefore, he only sent servants to greet them at the gate.

Song Yaozhu didn't care. She got off the carriage and followed the maid toward the main hall. More than twenty maids and servants followed behind her, displaying the airs of a princess to the fullest.

In the main seat, Grand Tutor Song, with his white hair and eyebrows, looked energetic despite his advanced age.

Upon seeing him, Song Yaozhu bowed respectfully. This was because Grand Tutor Song was the tutor of the previous emperor; even after Yuwen Wuji ascended the throne, he retained his position as Grand Tutor and continued to serve as the teacher of several princes.

Although he didn't teach his sons very well, he was very good at training princes.

"Rise." Grand Tutor Song drank the tea she offered and casually asked, "The Prince hasn't come?"

Although his tone was indifferent, Song Yaozhu sensed a probing intent in his words. What did it mean that a prince without any official position wouldn't show up for his wife's homecoming visit?

This shows that they don't give her, their newlywed wife, any face at all!

Song Yaozhu rose gracefully, showing no fear of Grand Tutor Song's gaze. Her posture was ramrod straight, and her elaborate attire only made her more dazzling.

"His Highness went hunting outside the city yesterday, which delayed his return. He should be on his way back now."

The way she said it, without specifying whether Xie Liwei would come or not, left people uncertain about her situation in the Prince's mansion.

Grand Tutor Song gave his granddaughter a quick look; indeed, clothes make the man. Now, dressed in the princess's attire, even her aura had changed. However, he didn't expect this granddaughter to be of any use to him, since she wasn't someone he had raised by his side.

"Okay, go talk to your father and mother!"

After finishing his speech, Grand Tutor Song left with his men, as he still had to teach the princes later.

As soon as Grand Tutor Song left, the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly relaxed.

Song Chengzhang originally intended to use his father's status to warn Song Yaozhu not to cause trouble for the Song family, but he saw her sit down in the main seat where the old man had just sat, her brows furrowing deeply.

"Song Yaozhu, how dare you be so disrespectful in front of your elders!"

Song Yaozhu accepted the tea Caijin offered and took a sip without making a sound. Her disregard for others infuriated Song Chengzhang. He already disliked his uncouth daughter, and now that she was married, she showed even less respect for him as her father. How could he tolerate this!

"Father, please don't be angry. I suppose my sister has been neglecting etiquette at the Prince's residence these past few days and has forgotten," Song Wenyue said in a low voice, actually trying to soothe Song Yaozhu.

Song Yaozhu ignored it and continued drinking her tea.

"Sister, how could you be the head of the household with Father and Mother here!" Song Wenyue said, glancing at Song Yaozhu.

She had expected to see a timid, reserved woman. Instead, the woman in the main seat sat with impeccable posture, as if measured with a ruler, yet her demeanor was relaxed, as if she were in her own territory. This displeased Song Wenyue.

"Insolence!" Qin Mama, having received a glare from Song Yaozhu, immediately rebuked her. "Fourth Miss Song, you are the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Song, don't you know the rank of a princess?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's face darkened!

They made Song Yaozhu marry in their place because they thought Song Yaozhu was gentle and easy to manipulate. Now, their behavior is clearly that of a petty person who has succeeded!

They were careless!

"Speaking of which, you all haven't yet paid your respects to our Princess! Grand Tutor Song is the tutor of the princes, and he must value etiquette above all else. Please do not break the ancestral rules!"

Qin Mama's words were like a blow to the head of the Song family's eldest branch. The country woman they looked down on should have been abandoned by them. They should have been the ones mocking Song Yaozhu for being illiterate and disliked by the Prince of Xiaoyao!

How come they're the ones being manipulated by her using her position as a princess now!

Song Yaozhu, seated at the head of the table, slowly sipped her tea without saying a word. Naturally, the Song family was unwilling to kneel before a daughter they had barely raised, and the scene became tense.

"Sister, your homecoming should have been a happy occasion, so why are you putting on airs as soon as you get back? Isn't it better for the family to be harmonious?" Song Wenyue said aggrievedly, her words implying that Song Yaozhu was causing trouble in the household.

"Song Yaozhu, you should know that you are a married daughter of the Song family. Do I need to remind you of your status?" Song Chengzhang said in an unfriendly tone. "Isn't the fact that the Prince didn't accompany you back to your parents' home today enough to prove everything? You will be disliked by the Prince sooner or later. When the Prince takes in new concubines, who else can you rely on besides your maternal family!"

Song Chengzhang knew that Song Yaozhu wouldn't understand his roundabout words, so he simply said directly, "Even if she becomes a princess, her maternal family is still her support."

Song Yaozhu turned her head and glanced at Song Chengzhang with her half-lowered eyes. The moment their eyes met, Song Chengzhang felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

"Granny, according to the rules, can a fifth-rank official address the princess by her given name?"

Granny Qin clasped her hands together in front of her abdomen, her expression unchanging, but the sweat from her palms was almost soaking her clothes.

With this father and daughter vying for power, how could the prince be absent!

"Your Highness, no."

Song Chengzhang's face was almost as black as the bottom of a pot. He was actually being told by his daughter, whom he looked down upon, that he was a fifth-rank official!

His father being a Grand Tutor had been a lifelong sore spot for him. Now past thirty, he had accomplished nothing, managing only a fifth-rank official position through his father's connections. People gossiping behind his back was one thing, but now she had dared to expose him! How could he bear it!

"Song Yaozhu, do you know that we worked so hard to get you the position of princess? How can you be so ungrateful!"

Looking at Song Chengzhang, whose face was red and neck thick with anger, Song Yaozhu scoffed. She had no other intention than to humiliate him.

As expected, Song Chengzhang was furious.

"Guards! Bring the family discipline! I'm going to teach this unfilial daughter a lesson!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old women that Song Yaozhu brought immediately stepped forward, forming a human wall that greatly diminished Song Chengzhang's imposing manner.

“Lord Song has said something wrong.” Song Yaozhu straightened her cuffs and said calmly, “My entourage has never been the Song family, but the Prince.”

The crowd fell silent for a moment after hearing her words, then Song Chengzhang said disdainfully, "You? You're not worthy!"

"My queen is not worthy of your praise!"