An official went to check the files from two days ago and returned saying, "Lord Ji, there are no relevant records."
The group was startled, thinking they had misheard.
“It’s impossible that there’s no record. It was only processed two days ago. We even got a backup, and we’re still living in the courtyard house that the Department of Settlement has arranged for us,” Song Qijin said.
The official said, "I checked it several times, including the two days before and the two days after."
“That’s easy,” Song Fusheng said. “Just pretend we’re registering now and we’ll make a new kinship certificate.” He then awkwardly bowed and said, “I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting, sir.”
Lord Ji remained motionless.
“I don’t care who did it for you that day. Since I’m on duty, I have to be more careful and thorough. After all, it concerns the Princess Zhenguo, so we can’t be careless.”
He then instructed an official: "Go and invite Princess Zhenguo here so she can recognize our kinship."
The group of men felt a sudden unease. What if Qiao Lian'er didn't want to acknowledge them at all? What would happen if they invited her here? They were only trying to act first and ask questions later; otherwise, they would have just gone to find Qiao Lian'er directly.
Song Dujuan also became anxious and said, "My lord, we have come from thousands of miles away and have suffered a lot along the way. We are all emaciated. We are afraid that Princess Zhenguo will not recognize us, so we came to the yamen first to have the officials vouch for us before we go to find Princess Zhenguo. If Princess Zhenguo comes and does not recognize us, it will inevitably lead to misunderstandings and people will think that we are swindling people."
Lord Ji's expression became complicated, and he took another good look at the family.
"According to you, what if someone comes to the capital claiming kinship based on nothing but empty words? Wouldn't that cause chaos in front of so many prestigious families?"
"I don't know who handled this for you two days ago. Luckily, it was lost and we can start over. Otherwise, if something went wrong, I, a mere fifth-rank official, couldn't bear the consequences."
Now, Lord Ji is not in a hurry to find out who is at fault; he is only relieved.
The group could only watch helplessly as the people here went to invite Qiao Lian'er. Their hearts were filled with unease and they felt completely lost.
They are Qiao Lian'er's relatives, and although that's true, Qiao Lian'er might not want to acknowledge them.
Song Fusheng turned his pleading gaze to Song Dujuan, for she was the only one who could come up with a solution at the moment.
A thought popped into Song Dujuan's mind.
Whether Qiao Lian'er admits it or not, they have to insist on this relationship with her.
As a princess who protects the country, if she fails to properly settle them, she will be considered an unfilial and unrighteous person, and will be impeached, which will affect her meteoric rise in the government.
In any case, the fact that she has Song family blood in her veins can never be changed.
“Grandpa, don’t worry, Princess Zhenguo won’t disown us. You are the princess’s great-uncle and have watched her grow up. I believe the princess has this filial piety,” Song Dujuan said.
Song Fusheng desperately tried to recall some past events: "Yes, yes, when Lian'er was little, he would play in the mud in the fields and sweetly call me 'Uncle' when he saw me. He was such a sensible and good child."
Although he didn't respond at the time, he was afraid of being bothered by the poor child.
Lord Ji and the other officials did not look too good. The Princess Zhenguo's status is now different from ordinary people. Even relatives should avoid using her name and talk about her less-than-honorable past.
Lord Ji gave the registrar a wink and walked out of the hall, the registrar following him out.
"Who handled such an important matter for them?" Lord Ji asked.
The registrar recalled the date: "That day, the magistrate had just left when all the officials in charge and those with decision-making power also went on duty. Others did not have this authority, which is why I am also puzzled."
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