"Indeed, it’s the Huwei Zuo Family."
This was the essence of aristocratic politics: family background was considered first. An equal or impressive family background was the ultimate entry ticket and your seat at the table.
"How is Old Master Left’s health?" Lord Jingnan asked.
Old Master Left was surely the current clan leader of the Zuo Family.
"Replying to you, Lord, my grandfather is doing well. When I was at ho, I often heard him ntion you."
He couldn’t even be considered from a humble family. Oh, no, Zheng Fan was a re commoner with no family connections whatsoever, kneeling quietly to one side.
However, there was no envy for others’ nobler status or jealousy toward Zuo Jiqian, who was garnering more attention, on his face.
At last, after finishing his small talk with Zuo Jiqian, Lord Jingnan finally turned a bit of his attention to Zheng Fan, asking, "Is your surna Zheng?"
"My surna is Zheng, Lord."
"What is your relation to the Sanshi Zheng Family?"
"Replying to you, Lord, I have no connection whatsoever."
"No connection?" Lord Jingnan looked at Zheng Fan with so surprise, taking another look at him.
According to the political ga rules of Yan, the children of aristocratic families had a significantly higher probability of rising because they possessed most of the resources. However, it was not entirely impossible for commoners to rise.
In fact, the most inspirational commoner in Yan was the first Earl of North Border. He initially had no family status, not even qualifying as from a humble family. Yet, he rose through sheer military rit, and his Li family beca the foremost aristocratic family in Yan.
Under the current rules, once a person with no family background made a na for themselves, two things typically happened. First, they themselves would often feel a sense of inadequacy and proactively seek to associate with an established family by tracing their lineage. Second, other aristocratic families would not miss the chance to absorb such elites.
Therefore, so would change their surnas to join influential families.
Lord Jingnan found it hard to believe that the Sanshi Zheng Family would overlook a military officer of the sa surna who had already beco a Commander. After all, the influence of the Sanshi Zheng Family was incomparable to that of the Zuo Family.
It would rely involve holding a ceremony and concocting a story. For instance, claiming that many generations ago, their branch of the family had moved elsewhere and lost contact with the main lineage, and now they were acknowledging their ancestors and returning to the fold. It was just a matter of changing a few words in the family records.
This practice was exceedingly common in Yan.
Even in later tis, long after the Qing Dynasty had fallen, imperial princesses were still highly sought after in marriage.
"Where are you from?"
"Replying to you, Lord, I co from Beifeng Prefecture."
"Beifeng Prefecture?" Lord Jingnan mulled over these words, then continued to ask, "Any connection with the Li Family?"
This was a genuine Lord. Although his title was not hereditary and he only commanded the fifty thousand strong Jingnan Army, he was nonetheless one of the most prominent nobles on the front lines of the current Yan court.
Zheng Fan wouldn’t dare try to fool Lord Jingnan the way he had fooled Hui Wenzu, nor would he copy Zuo Jiqian, who had just casually bluffed to Lord Jingnan with sothing like, "Ah, when my master was at ho, he often ntioned you, Lord Jingnan, to us."
This Lord before could sit on equal footing with the Earl of North Border and could even et him in person. If I spouted such nonsense, what if I was exposed?
So, this ti, Zheng Fan appeared very humble, saying,
"I am fortunate that the Earl of North Border’s household does not disdain my humble status, allowing the honor of being one of its loyal servants."
Sotis, the more unassuming you appear, the less others dare to underestimate you.
For instance, Zuo Jiqian, kneeling beside Zheng Fan, felt no disdain whatsoever for Zheng Fan’s humble origins.
The Earl of North Border’s household was not large in number, but its influence was by no ans insignificant. Six of the seven great generals under his command had been granted the surna Li!
Lord Jingnan fiddled with his thumb ring for a while before asking,
"You’ve all examined the corpses. Are any assassins missing?"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Jiqian imdiately raised his head and said gravely,
"Replying to the Lord, one assassin is unaccounted for—a female assassin. She was hidden in the coffin from the beginning and was the one who released the poisoned needles in the mourning hall. I have checked twice; there is no female corpse among the assassins!"
"Oh?"
Lord Jingnan uttered an "Oh?", then looked at Zheng Fan again, ordering,
"You speak."
Zheng Fan imdiately raised his head and stated gravely,
"I saw no woman. Based on my examination, all assassins were killed. None escaped!"
"..." Zuo Jiqian.
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