"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 home, I often heard him mention you."
He couldn’t even be considered from a humble family. Oh, no, Zheng Fan was a mere 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. Original content can be found at N()velFire.net
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 surname Zheng?"
"My surname 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 some surprise, taking another look at him.
According to the political game 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 merit, and his Li family became the foremost aristocratic family in Yan.
Under the current rules, once a person with no family background made a name 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, some would change their surnames to join influential families.
Lord Jingnan found it hard to believe that the Sanshi Zheng Family would overlook a military officer of the same surname who had already become a Commander. After all, the influence of the Sanshi Zheng Family was incomparable to that of the Zuo Family.
It would merely 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 times, 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 come 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 something like, "Ah, when my master was at home, he often mentioned you, Lord Jingnan, to us."
This Lord before me could sit on equal footing with the Earl of North Border and could even meet him in person. If I spouted such nonsense, what if I was exposed?
So, this time, Zheng Fan appeared very humble, saying,
"I am fortunate that the Earl of North Border’s household does not disdain my humble status, allowing me the honor of being one of its loyal servants."
Sometimes, 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 means insignificant. Six of the seven great generals under his command had been granted the surname 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 immediately 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!"
Lord Jingnan uttered an "Oh?", then looked at Zheng Fan again, ordering,
Zheng Fan immediately raised his head and stated gravely,
"I saw no woman. Based on my examination, all assassins were killed. None escaped!"