Yun Ya knew that Seventh Master, Yan Nangui, was twenty-six years old and a terrifying figure in the Capital City. Rumor had it that he loved to toy with won, causing the deaths of countless ones, and he was extrely arrogant and brazen, even daring to flirt with his own sister-in-law, which infuriated the old master into wanting to kick him out nurous tis, only to be stopped by the fourth mistress who doted on him. All in all, he was a man rotten to the core, yet still unmarried but reportedly engaged to Miss Xiao of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ling’er.
There are three granddaughters from the Yan Family, Yan Qing and Yan Lan from the third room, and Yan Zi from the fourth room. Among them, Yan Qing and Yan Zi have married into powerful families, the Yi Family and the Jiang Family, respectively, in the Capital City.
Among the great-grandsons, only Yan Song and Yan Ke from the couple in the second room, Yan Nanmo’s family, and Yan Sheng from the couple in the fourth room, Yan Nanrong’s family. Yan Song, as the first great-grandson, has achieved the rank of colonel at a young age, and the Yan Family is expected to flourish under the second room’s guardianship. anwhile, Yan Sheng upholds the fourth room’s tradition, being skilled in drinking, gambling, and womanizing.
There are four great-granddaughters; Yan Jin, Yan Hua, and Yan Xing from ng Shujing of the first room; ng Shujing had three daughters, which her mother-in-law resented her for, and she later had difficulty conceiving again due to health issues. The youngest great-granddaughter, Yan Si, cos from Yan Nanrong and Pei Xinyi of the fourth room and is only nine years old this year.
The Yan Family holds significant numbers and complex relations, tying together a vast network of in-laws among noble families in the Capital City, pulling one thread shakes the entire structure.
The best way for these noble families to secure their status is through marriage alliances, a concept existent since dieval Europe and the Spring and Autumn period, used universally as an international political tool. However, the outcos varied, with Europe practicing monogamy, which demanded caution in choosing partners, allowing them to hold power and maximize gains, while the polygamy of the Spring and Autumn period greatly reduced the effectiveness of such alliances. Today, monogamy continues to maximize the impact of marriage alliances.
Examining the Yan Family’s status, they maintain marriage ties with the ng Family, Pei Family, Jiang Family, and Xiao Family, forming a faction that stands firm and forms a formidable force in the political landscape against families led by the Dongfang Family. This is a common tactic in political struggles. As the first great-grandson, Yan Song’s marriage cannot be taken lightly, as it represents the future direction of the family. Choosing the matriarch must be done with the utmost care.
To be honest, when Yun Ya learned of these dynamics, her heart grew cold.
She had once only loved this man, but now her considerations have expanded greatly, including his family and the responsibility on his shoulders, making their relationship subtly heavier with many things. She felt afraid, afraid that one day she could no longer hold onto him. The Capital City was a bustling and opulent city she feared might engulf the feelings between them like a giant beast.
She was a girl from a rchant family, a societal class since ancient tis, and in the eyes of power players, rchants were traditionally seen as lesser. To the Yan Family, this was particularly true. Even if she possessed imnse wealth, in the eyes of these individuals, she still didn’t asure up to Yan Song, with the divide between political and economic marriage alliances being quite significant.
In the circle of socialites in the Capital City, Dongfang Yi, Jiang Hanbi, Xiao Bao’er, and ng Junci, these won all had the qualifications to beco Yan Song’s wife. Her only reliance was her reputation she had built up over the years, yet compared to these won of noble birth, her identity seed awkward and ridiculous.
According to gathered intelligence, these won all had designs on Yan Song. Dongfang Yi’s intentions had long been no secret, but the Dongfang Family was too ostentatious, making the Yan Family’s likelihood of choosing them very small, especially since the families held differing political views. anwhile, ng Junci frequently visited the Yan Family due to her aunt’s relations, making her undoubtedly the best choice if they were to select a wife for Yan Song.
Yun Ya sat on the narrow bed board, feeling suffocated in the cramped space. A wall lamp emitted a faint glow as the train tirelessly traveled the predetermined tracks. Shadows flickered outside the window, with scattered lamplight swiftly sweeping across her face, and her glancing gaze felt like a dark night, profound with no end in sight.
Her gaze settled on the man’s face opposite her in the bunk. His sleeping visage appeared serene, with features possessing an extraordinary beauty that softened the sternness of his brow, displaying a gentle elegance.
She had never doubted Yan Song’s feelings for her, but there were too many future temptations and changes. If one day... she suddenly felt despair and fatigue. She had once thought she would lead a simple life with the one she loved, peacefully living a lifeti together, but she was too naive after all.
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