One of the best ways to accurately gauge the status of the relationship is type and quality of meals or food which is served to visitors or guests.
Some time ago, a relative invited family members, for a meal.
He was very polite while inviting everyone for lunch.
Yet when the meal was served it was not tasty, the food was not well cooked.
The relative did not want the family members in the city, since they would stake their claim to a part of the property. So serving a tasteless meal was a subtle indirect way to convey that the family members were not required in the city.