According to Qin Tian's thinking, the Fourth Prince should be willing to put in effort in dealing with the Ninth Prince.

Moreover, if this matter is handled well, the Fourth Prince would have saved the Murong Family at a critical moment. In the future, wouldn't the Murong Family be eternally grateful? At the very least, in the future, the Murong Family would never be an enemy of the Fourth Prince's regime.

Therefore, this is a decision that Qin Tian believes the Fourth Prince would be very happy to make.

"Sorry, our Highness does not receive guests."

However, when Qin Tian arrived at the gates of the Fourth Prince's palace, the guards unexpectedly refused Qin Tian entry, not even bothering to inform him.

Qin Tian was frustrated, looking around to sense that he had clearly shaken off all trackers before.

But why wouldn't the Fourth Prince see him?

"Can you just report that Qin Tian has urgent business for a meeting?"

Qin Tian was unwilling to give up.

The guard hesitated for a moment, nodded, and went inside.

But shortly after, the guard came back out and said, "His Highness really does not receive guests, Qin Marquis. It's not just you, but anyone. Sorry."

Qin Tian was taken aback. The Fourth Prince knew he was coming, yet refused to see him? 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

With a bitter smile.

At this moment, Qin Tian could only smile with a mix of emotions.

He had a premonition that the Fourth Prince likely knew about the Murong Family's affairs and seemed to know that he was coming to find him, so—

Not meeting, what does that mean?

This mysterious and powerful Fourth Prince was truly hard for Qin Tian to fathom at the moment, so he could only return home and wait for Xiao Zhuang's reply and arrangements.

After waiting for two days, Xiao Zhuang sent someone to quickly relay a message back, which finally arrived.

Zhou Yang and others followed all of Qin Tian's arrangements and reminded Qin Tian to be careful.

"Qin Marquis, Qin Marquis!"

Just as Qin Tian burned the letter, Murong Ao's anxious voice came from outside Qin Mansion.

"Marquis, there's someone outside claiming to be a young master of the Murong Family wanting to see you..."

A personal soldier came to report, but before he finished speaking, Qin Tian had already hurried out.

Looking around vigilantly, after escorting Murong Ao inside the gates, Qin Tian frowned and said, "Didn't we agree not to meet openly? What is it, is there something urgent?"

"Yes."

Sweat was streaming down Murong Ao's face, looking as if he was extremely anxious, "The heads of another two major branches of our Murong Family have returned, and they want to challenge my uncle for the position of Family Head!"

"Let's go!"

Without saying more, Qin Tian and Murong Ao immediately headed to the Murong Family.

On the way, Qin Tian asked, "Your Murong Family's position as Family Head can be challenged at will?"

"No, but if more than ten branch heads agree, it can convene a family assembly to challenge the Family Head or re-elect the Family Head. This time, those two branch heads brought a joint letter from twelve branch heads, challenging my uncle for the Family Head position!"

It turns out the Murong Family has fifteen branches. As long as ten branch family heads agree, it can re-elect the Family Head at the biennial family assembly.

If not at a family assembly, it must be a joint request, which provides an opportunity to challenge the Family Leader. Succeeding means a new Family Head.

"It must be the Ninth Prince's doing, otherwise why would those two old monsters suddenly return without any prior news?"

Murong Ao said angrily.

Qin Tian frowned and said, "Can Elder Murong fight against the two old guys you mentioned? Can he succeed in the challenge?"

"They fought before; neither was a match for my uncle, but that was six years ago. They went abroad afterward and haven't returned for years. Unexpectedly, now upon returning, they wish to contend for the Family Head position."

Listening to Murong Ao's words, Qin Tian faintly felt things couldn't be so simple.

At the most critical moment, these two old guys return, undoubtedly, they must have received the Ninth Prince's support.

Since the Ninth Prince dared to support their return to the Imperial City to strive for the position of Family Head, it implies they must have confidence in victory.

While thinking, Qin Tian and Murong Ao had already arrived outside Murong Family gates.

The subordinates of those two old monsters attempted to block Murong Ao and Qin Tian from entering. Murong Ao shouted fiercely, "Get out!"

Those fellows could only let the two enter.

At this moment, in the Murong Family square, two elderly white-haired men were facing Murong Tiannan and Murong Tianren, the four of them sitting opposite each other with a rectangular wooden table in the middle, and a tea cup at each side.

"Murong Tiannan, you've been the Family Head for many years, now, it's time for you to step down!"

One of the elderly men was slim but looked energetic. He sipped tea, looked casually at Murong Tiannan, and said, "We are all of the same lineage. Considering your contributions to the Murong Family over the years, how about this: voluntarily announce your stepping down from the Family Head position, leave the Imperial City immediately, and I will not make things difficult for you."

Around the four were dozens of members from up and down the Murong family.

Of course, these two old guys also brought dozens of people back, creating a somewhat tense atmosphere.

Murong Tiannan remained silent. Murong Tianren tried to mediate, "Two brothers, last year just saw a family assembly, it's not the time for one right now, your return at this time..."

"We've brought the joint letter. According to family rules, with signatures and handprints from more than ten branch heads, it permits a challenge for the Family Head position through force. Forcefully stripping the Family Head's power! Hehe, here's the joint letter. You can send people to verify the situation."

Murong Tianren smiled, "In that case, please both brothers rest well, and after we've verified, we can discuss about changing the Family Head position, how about it?"

"Hahaha, trying to buy time? Impossible!"

Next to the slim elder was a slightly chubby elder, who seemed even more arrogant, "Today, Murong Tiannan either relinquishes the Family Head position or fights us. There's no third option!"

He continued, "You've seen the joint letter, so why, now afraid of the challenge? Want to be a turtle hiding in its shell? Being a cowardly Murong Family Head, surely would shame the ancestors!"

"Outrageous!"

Murong Tiannan finally spoke, his voice a roar, silencing the place instantly!

"You two suddenly return to the Imperial City challenging my position as Family Head, hmph, someone instigated you, right?"

Murong Tiannan chuckled coldly, "That individual is truly generous, managing to buy over twelve branch heads to serve him within days! Hmph, truly ruthless!"

After speaking, Murong Tiannan directly stood up and said, "Since it follows the rules. Fine, I accept your challenge! Who's coming!?"