There were several types of title inheritance. The most common was hereditary succession with demotion. For example, the late Duke Rong had held the title of Duke, and his legitimate eldest son should have inherited the title of Marquis according to protocol. However, due to various unexpected circumstances—perhaps the heir committed errors, perhaps they backed the wrong faction, or perhaps they fell out of the Emperor’s favor—these reasons could result in a demotion of more than one rank.

Another type was unchanging titles that could only be inherited for three or five generations. The Lin family’s title was like this—all were Marquises. Lin’s father was the final holder, and when it came to Lin Ruhai’s generation, he suddenly became a commoner and could only rely on passing the civil examinations to enter officialdom.

Then there was the Iron-Capped Prince—meaning if this generation held the rank of Prince, the heir would also be a Prince, continuing indefinitely without change, without gradually fading into obscurity due to hereditary transmission.

This was also the goal many members of the imperial clan strove for.

Every time there was a war, there were always clan members eager to enlist, wanting to earn merit and advance their titles.

However, the Wang family had little relationship with most of the imperial clan.

The only connection their family had was with Prince Neersu of the imperial clan, who held the title of Commandery Prince Ping.

When Old Commandery Prince passed away in the fortieth year of Kangxi’s reign, Neersu inherited his title and married a daughter of the Zhen family last year.

Commandery Prince Ping Neersu was the banner lord of the Bordered Red Banner, while the current Wang Ziteng was a third-rank military officer. He had been in this position for quite some time and was eager to advance further.

That was why he wanted his daughter’s marriage to provide him with some assistance.

An Iron-Capped Commandery Prince—being able to enter as a Ce Fujin wouldn’t be a loss.

After hearing Wang Xiluan’s words, Madam Wang was startled. “Have you… thought this through?”

An Iron-Capped Commandery Prince! And he was still so young—this was absolutely an exceptional match!

But ultimately, Madam Wang was somewhat worried.

Her daughter’s temperament was simple and lacked scheming. If she entered a great household, could she manage?

However, on second thought, as long as Commandery Prince Ping protected her, what couldn’t she handle? This marriage proposal had come from him first.

Her daughter was so endearing—he would surely cherish her.

Moreover, if their two families became in-laws, they could help each other mutually. He also had occasions to rely on the Wang family.

“You’ve finally come around. There are plenty of fine men out there. After you enter the Prince’s residence and bear a son, he’ll have a title in the future. The Zhen family and our family are old relatives too—the Fujin won’t make things difficult for you.”

When Wang Ziteng returned from the government office and heard his daughter’s words, his brows furrowed. He hadn’t made up his mind yet. “I need to think this over more carefully.” He reproached his wife, “You shouldn’t have told our daughter before it was settled.”

Madam Wang replied, “…Have you changed your mind? Can you find a family of even higher status? Can you make our daughter a Fujin to an Imperial Prince?”

Those Imperial Prince Fujins with humble maternal families who weren’t favored—they weren’t as good as an Iron-Capped Commandery Prince. Because in the future, those unvalued Imperial Princes, if they had no capability themselves, would be Beizi or Beile for life.

Wang Ziteng said, “…Don’t forget, a Ce Fujin requires imperial conferment. If our daughter enters the residence, she can only enter with the status of Gege. Can you bear that?” Except for marriages decreed by the Emperor, one could only request conferment, and to request conferment usually required merit through childbearing. Who could predict matters of childbirth? What if their daughter never conceived?

That was why he hesitated.

However, although Commandery Prince Ping was young, he was still a banner lord. Slowly, he would eventually hold real power. Being able to give him a push was why he remained undecided until now.

Madam Wang hesitated. “…Then perhaps we should forget it.” Gege—the status was too low.

She felt sorry for her daughter. “Master, let’s look at others. We don’t have to enter a Commandery Prince’s residence. What about other Prince residences?”

Wang Ziteng shook his head. “Princes of different surnames? There are none of suitable age.” Those of suitable age had status that was too low. “Let me think it over carefully.”

He had originally thought that the Lin family had imperial favor, and forming a marriage alliance with them wouldn’t be bad either, but unfortunately the Lin family declined.

As for other families, he had considered quite a few, each with shortcomings. Commandery Prince Ping—if conferment could be successfully obtained, a Ce Fujin position truly wouldn’t be bad…

Before long, after Wang Ziteng confirmed that his superior was ill without many days left to live, and whether he could advance depended on this critical moment, Wang Ziteng made up his mind. Soon good news spread.

When Second Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng learned of this matter, they didn’t know what to feel for a moment—there was joy, but also some sadness.

An Iron-Capped Commandery Prince—of course the family status was high! But when Wang Xiluan entered, she could only do so with the status of Gege!

This was too low!

Moreover, Commandery Prince Ping’s legal wife was a daughter of the Zhen family—the Zhen family where the Emperor’s wet nurse belonged.

When the Emperor’s marriage decree came down, everyone was surprised, because the Zhen family were bondservants.

A bondservant’s daughter was elevated to a banner and bestowed upon an Iron-Capped Commandery Prince as his legal wife. Aside from the Emperor’s imperial favor, who could have imagined such a scene would occur?

Some even said the Emperor must have some grievance with Commandery Prince Ping’s line, otherwise why would he bestow a bondservant’s daughter upon him?

Elevation to a banner was elevation to a banner, but only the Zhen family daughter was elevated—the Zhen family remained bondservants.

Even if they had been elevated to the Han Martial Banner, their status would be somewhat higher than bondservants, and the maternal family’s status would be higher when Commandery Prince Ping’s heir was born in the future. But the Emperor hadn’t done so, leaving people unable to fathom his intentions.

Did the Emperor like Neersu or dislike Neersu?

However, the Zhen family should be in great favor—during the previous southern tour, the Emperor had stayed at the Zhen residence.

Madam Wang said, “We’ve discussed it. After Sister Luan gives birth to a child, she’ll request conferment as Ce Fujin. After all, Commandery Prince Ping is young. He currently holds no real power—he wants to go to the battlefield to earn merit.”

Their Wang family consisted of military officers.

They could mutually benefit each other.

Hearing these words, Second Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng felt somewhat better. “If that’s the case, it’s workable. Actually, one doesn’t necessarily need merit through childbearing to request conferment—any reasonable justification will do.”

“Exactly, it’s just usually done this way.”

Jia Lian didn’t think Gege status was low. The Geges the Emperor bestowed upon Imperial Princes and young lords—those of Manchu birth whose paternal side held third or fourth rank positions—weren’t they numerous? How was the Wang family’s daughter being a Gege to an Iron-Capped Commandery Prince wronged?

In the future, if she bore a son, when the Commandery Prince passed away, the legitimate eldest son would inherit the Commandery Prince title, and the others would each receive a title. Cousin Wang could follow her son out of the residence to become an old Dowager Lady and enjoy her blessings.

He had someone bring over their daughter and played with her. “Tell me, can our daughter have fortune like her aunt in the future? An Iron-Capped Prince!”

Wang Xifeng gave him a look. “Second Master, you say this so lightly. My second uncle is third rank.”

So naturally her cousin could enter a Prince’s residence. Entering with Gege status was even somewhat beneath her. But by the time their daughter grew up, her father-in-law should still be around, but who knew if the Old Ancestress could live so long? If she passed away, their daughter would be the legitimate eldest daughter of a General’s residence. He himself only held a fifth-rank nominal position—their daughter might not necessarily be able to enter a Prince’s residence as Ce Fujin.

This was an old refrain. Jia Lian felt it was meaningless. “Can’t you talk about anything else besides this?”

He stopped playing with his daughter, flicked his sleeves, and left without interest.

Wang Xifeng snorted.

You’re incompetent and won’t let me speak of it?

When will you ever enable me to receive an official mandate?

Relying on him wasn’t as hopeful as relying on her yet-unborn son.

Ping’er watched this scene and couldn’t help sighing.

Wang Xifeng heard it and frowned. “You girl, I haven’t sighed yet—what are you sighing about?”

Ping’er forced a smile. “I don’t know either.”

Before she knew it, a sigh had escaped.

The Lin family only learned of this later. After learning of it, they all fell silent. Was Wang Xiluan acting on momentary impulse, or was this the Wang family’s prior decision?

If Wang Xiluan was acting on momentary anger, treating her own life so irresponsibly was unacceptable.

Yun Shuyao asked, “If her family didn’t agree, could it succeed?”

Indeed, without her parents’ consent, this marriage would be impossible.

Perhaps she was acting on momentary anger, but what about her parents?

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then shook his head without speaking further.

When Old Madam learned of this matter, she found it laughable.

A dispute of temperament—completely childish behavior, not knowing what she would face. As for Wang Ziteng and his wife, they simply didn’t cherish their daughter that much.

When were such families ever rare?

“Rather than paying attention to these matters, you should settle Chen Yu’s major life event. How about it—have you decided?”

Regarding this, Old Madam had also struggled for a long time. She knew the one who would ultimately ascend the throne was the Fourth Prince, but she knew little else—for instance, whom the Fourth Prince would rely heavily upon after ascending, which current court officials would have good outcomes… because most of what she could see was limited to the Jia family and Lin family.

The Jia family rarely discussed court matters—after all, there was no one from the Jia residence in court anymore. That Wang Ziteng could climb so quickly was still thanks to the Jia family’s previous remaining influence. He followed the military officer path, different from the Lin family.

When forming marriage alliances, they naturally sought among civil officials. Otherwise, family traditions would be an issue.

Old Madam could only eliminate families connected to the Crown Prince, First Prince, and others, but these families had already been eliminated at the very beginning.

Besides the Fourth Prince, he didn’t want to establish connections with other princes.

After Yun Shuyao received the list Lin Ruhai provided, she first looked to see if there were any familiar family names.

She had studied history, and heard of some particularly famous officials—for example, Zhang Ying and Zhang Tingyu, though Zhang Ying had already retired.

He maintained a neutral stance and wouldn’t form marriage alliances with the princes.

The Lin family had a daughter who entered the Fourth Prince’s residence, which was likewise reason for them to avoid suspicion.

Next was Oboi—he was famous because of the television drama about Emperor Kangxi’s clever capture of Oboi. Then there were Songgotu and Mingzhu, two important figures in the rivalry between the First Prince and Crown Prince.

Additionally, there was Nalan Mingzhu’s son Nalan Xingde, whose poetry was very famous.

Further on, the person Yun Shuyao had the strongest impression of was the great corrupt official Heshen from the Qianlong period.

Qianlong hadn’t even been born yet—she didn’t know whether his birth order would be changed by the butterfly effect, or even his very existence.

The list Lin Ruhai had previously given Yun Shuyao contained four families.

She spent some time investigating their circumstances.

What Lin Ruhai selected was family political stance, political philosophy, and the males in their households.

Regarding the female members’ specific character and conduct, his understanding was relatively superficial.

Among these, the highest in family status was the legitimate granddaughter of a Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretariat was also Lin Ruhai’s next goal.

The lowest in family status was the daughter of a posthumously promoted third-rank official.

Posthumous promotion meant he had already passed away. He was Lin Ruhai’s senior fellow student who died in the line of duty while serving. During his tenure, he held the rank of fourth rank upper grade, and was only posthumously promoted to third rank after his death in service.

His senior fellow student had a daughter and a son who lived with their paternal grandparents. What Lin Ruhai favored was his fellow student’s legitimate eldest daughter.

The siblings had three uncles. The second uncle was currently a fourth-rank prefect serving outside the capital. Of the other two uncles, one managed internal affairs at home, and one served as a teacher in the family’s private school.

Their paternal grandfather had already passed away. Before retirement, he held a third-rank nominal position.

Among these four families, Yun Shuyao had made contact with all of them. The one she was most satisfied with was Lin Ruhai’s senior fellow student’s family.

Perhaps because they lost their father in youth, this pair of siblings and their mother lived with their paternal grandparents and had experienced life’s harsh realities. When she first met them, they reminded her of young grass breaking through the earth after spring rain.

Appearing harmless on the surface, but extremely resilient at the core—no matter the wind or rain, nothing could defeat her.

Among the female members of the other three families, one was conventional in every way—adhering to women’s precepts and virtues. Not that this was bad—it was basically standard in this era, but… too conventional.

One was a youngest daughter, pampered since childhood. Her manners and learning were good, but she was accustomed to following others’ words. She was more suitable for a second or youngest son.

Another was also from a legitimate eldest daughter background, with good manners, fond of horseback riding and archery, with a forthright personality. However, after deeper contact, she had disliked reading since childhood and might lack common interests.

She expressed her opinions entirely based on individual character without considering family status, which surprised Lin Ruhai.

He had thought she would choose the Grand Secretary’s granddaughter, as his mother had done.

Yun Shuyao said, “Two people must spend their lives together. The time I’ve spent in contact isn’t too long—I can’t say I’ve seen through them completely. They certainly have shortcomings I haven’t discovered, and also merits I haven’t discovered. I believe we need to ask Chen Yu’s opinion.”

She looked at him earnestly. “If husband and wife can be compatible, it’s a lifetime’s fortune. If husband and wife appear harmonious but are discordant at heart, household chaos is only a matter of time.”

Lin Ruhai was silent for a moment, then called Chen Yu over.

“Among these people, which do you admire more?”

Chen Yu first eliminated the one who was too conventional and the one without her own opinions.

“These two—may I have a conversation with them? If it’s inconvenient, never mind.”

Disliking reading didn’t necessarily mean having no common topics. Losing one’s father and learning to be independent and strong might also lead to being overly stubborn without equanimity.

If possible, he wanted to meet them in person and chat briefly.

Yun Shuyao strongly agreed. “A major life event—with elders present, it should be possible to accommodate this?”

Lin Ruhai paused. “Don’t rush.”

This depended on the other party’s willingness.

Afterward, Chen Yu separately met with the two young women and chatted briefly. Yun Shuyao didn’t know what they discussed, but only asked, “Are you certain? No regrets?”

Chen Yu smiled. “I’m certain. I dare not say I’ll never regret it my entire life, but at this moment, I have no regrets. Aunt, I will strive to be a good husband.” His latter words were very soft, but expressed his heartfelt thoughts.

Thus, Wang Xiluan entered Commandery Prince Ping’s residence on the front foot, and on the back foot, the Lin family settled the betrothal with Lin Ruhai’s senior fellow student’s family, the Tang family.

When the betrothal gifts were exchanged, Yun Shuyao discovered she saw a familiar name.

The Tang family daughter’s mother’s maiden name was Tian, and she had an uncle named Tian Wenjing.

Tian Wenjing? This name sounded somewhat familiar.