The Nine Ranks of Aristocratic Clans

The next day.

Yang Zhao rode a swift horse to Moonlake Commandery City.

After arriving at the Yang Residence, he told his eldest uncle, Yang Wenfeng, what had happened.

"You insist on marrying your daughter into a minor clan in Qingjiang County?"

"Eldest Uncle, our families have already exchanged betrothal letters and completed the engagement rites. All that remains is to choose an auspicious day for the wedding. How can I go back on my word? I cannot let the Yang Household bear a reputation for dishonor."

In the end, Yang Zhao followed his wife's advice and let Yang Ronghua happily marry the man she loved.

After all, great clans had never placed much value on women, treating them mostly as tools for marriage alliances.

But Yang Shichang could not escape his arranged marriage.

With that in mind, Yang Zhao knew that once matters here were settled and he returned to Qingjiang County, he would have to make his lie hold up as soon as possible.

If all went well, he would remain in Qingjiang County for no more than another half year or so.

Yang Wenfeng pondered for a moment, his gaze wavering. "If that is so, we can only do as you say."

"Originally, it would have been perfect for Shichang to marry the Wen Household's legitimate daughter, and for Ronghua to marry their legitimate son.

Now we can only choose someone else. Your third uncle's granddaughter, Yang Rongchun, is eighteen and a suitable choice."

"I expect he will be glad to forge this strong marriage alliance with the Wen Household."

With that, Yang Wenfeng glanced at Yang Zhao again and said evenly, "Come with me to the Wen Household shortly. We'll tell them in person."

"Thank you, Eldest Uncle."

That same day.

Yang Zhao returned to Qingjiang County.

As soon as he got home, he sent Yang Shichang to the Xu Household to invite Xu Chuan to the County Yamen.

His duties as County Magistrate's Deputy kept him busy. After a few days' leave, official work had piled up and awaited his attention.

Qingjiang County, County Yamen.

"Brother Yang, what was so urgent that you called me here?"

"It concerns my daughter's marriage to your son."

Xu Chuan paused. Not long ago, he and Yang Zhao had agreed that the two children were still young and could wait a year or two before discussing marriage.

"Has something changed?"

"It's a matter in the Commandery Seat. I'm contending for the post of Commandery Commandant, but the Yang Household wants me to form a marriage alliance with the Wen Household, with one child marrying in and the other out. Shichang is to marry their legitimate daughter, and Ronghua was originally meant to marry their legitimate son."

"But Hua'er and your eldest son have sworn vows of love. I feared that tearing them apart would make them hate us for the rest of their lives, so I lied and said Hua'er had already exchanged betrothal gifts with your Xu Household and completed the engagement rites. They were only waiting for an auspicious day to wed."

"That was how I persuaded my eldest uncle to agree to a replacement."

"But we must make this lie hold up, or it will bring needless trouble upon both our families."

"Rest assured, Brother Yang. I'll have my wife see to it as soon as possible. We'll keep our accounts consistent and let nothing slip, so you won't be put at risk."

"Mm." Yang Zhao nodded.

Xu Chuan then cupped his fists in congratulations. "Let me congratulate you in advance on your promotion, Brother Yang."

"It's just that once you return to the Commandery Seat, the distance between us will make it hard to share a drink again."

"I'll take your kind words as a good omen, Brother Xu." Yang Zhao returned the salute with a hearty laugh. "Your Xu Lineage is no fish meant to stay in a pond. One day, you'll surely expand your Lineage to the Commandery Seat too."

"Brother Xu, the major Commandery Seats are the best places for Aristocratic Clans to grow."

"Though Qingjiang County Seat is counted among Moonlake Commandery's prosperous counties, it's difficult to encounter even one immortal cultivator here on an ordinary day.

In the Commandery Seat, however, the major Aristocratic Clans all have descendants who cultivate the Martial Way or the Immortal Way, and there's a vast variety of resources to aid both paths."

"My Yang family is a major clan in Moonlake Commandery, but the truly powerful top Aristocratic Clans all set their sights on immortal cultivation. Some great clans even have mighty Foundation Establishment cultivators presiding over them."

"As for the Martial Way, even a Grandmaster is only comparable to someone at the Late Stage of Qi Refining."

This was Xu Chuan's first time hearing such secrets about the great clans of the Commandery Seat, and his interest was piqued.

"By the way, Brother Yang, could you tell me how the Aristocratic Clans in the Commandery Seat are ranked?"

Yang Zhao smiled in surprise and began to explain. "Within the Great Wei Dynasty, Aristocratic Clans are unofficially divided into nine ranks, much like official posts. Ninth Rank is the lowest, and First Rank the highest."

"A Ninth-Rank Aristocratic Clan must have at least one Xiantian martial artist or an immortal cultivator at the Third Layer of Qi Refining."

"An Eighth-Rank Aristocratic Clan needs a martial artist at the late stage of Xiantian or an immortal cultivator at the Mid Stage of Qi Refining."

"A Second-Rank Aristocratic Clan must have at least three Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"A First-Rank Aristocratic Clan must have five Foundation Establishment cultivators, including a mighty cultivator at Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Xu Chuan considered this, then gave a rueful smile. "Then my Xu Household doesn't even qualify as a Ninth-Rank Aristocratic Clan."

"These rankings are for the Aristocratic Clans of the Commandery Seat. Those in county seats generally aren't included. After all, more than ninety percent of them don't even have a Xiantian Martial Artist, so there's no need to belittle yourself, Brother Xu."

"I, Yang, have great confidence in your Xu Household."

Xu Chuan nodded, then asked, "What rank is your Yang Household now?"

"Curious? It's no secret in the Commandery Seat, so I don't mind telling you." Yang Zhao smiled calmly. "My Yang Household is ranked Sixth Rank."

Sixth Rank meant they had at least three Grandmaster martial artists, with one Late-Stage Grandmaster presiding over the family.

Exactly how many powerful members a clan had was among its most closely guarded secrets.

Yang Zhao naturally wasn't foolish enough to reveal that.

"The road is long, and the burden heavy," Xu Chuan said with a sigh.

"Brother Xu, how could an Aristocratic Clan be built in a day? It took my Yang Household more than three hundred years, with every generation working tirelessly to strengthen it, before we rose into the middle three ranks."

Yang Zhao shook his head and chuckled helplessly.

After returning home, Xu Chuan immediately asked Bai Jing to prepare the Three Letters and Six Rites. He also told her to accompany him and Xu Mingwei to the Yang Residence in two days.

Xu Mingwei was delighted, but puzzled as well.

So he asked about it.

Xu Chuan hid nothing and explained the Yang Household's situation.

"Thank you, Father."

"You should thank your Uncle Yang even more. He's your future father-in-law, and the Yang Household could easily have sent Ronghua off for a marriage alliance. He chose not to, and he's taking a risk."

Xu Chuan smiled and patted his shoulder. "Remember this favor. You'll have to repay it someday."

"I know, Father."

Two days later.

The Yang Residence.

"Brother Yang, my Xu Household has prepared everything for the Three Letters and Six Rites. Please look it over."

Xu Chuan cupped his fists and looked at Yang Zhao. Yang Zhao smiled. "I trust you to handle it, Brother Xu. Come, let's talk over tea."

Xu Chuan and his wife chatted cheerfully with Yang Zhao and his wife about Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua's wedding.

After some discussion, they settled on the second day of the second month of the coming year.

It was now the tenth month.

That left four months.

Plenty of time for both families to make all the wedding arrangements.

"Brother Mingwei, the marriage is finally settled. Congratulations." Yang Shichang cupped his fists.

"Congratulations to you too, Brother Shichang. Father told me about your family's plans." Xu Mingwei studied Yang Shichang. In his eyes, he saw only a trace of bitterness and envy.

"What is there to congratulate me for? It's just a clan marriage alliance."

He patted Xu Mingwei's shoulder. "Treat my little sister well. If I hear she's been mistreated, don't blame your future brother-in-law for coming back from the Commandery Seat to give you a beating."

"Of course." Xu Mingwei made his promise solemnly.

Xu Chuan decided to announce the marriage between their families on the day the Xu Lineage was founded.

Yang Zhao raised no objection.

The Xu Household was now a rising Aristocratic Clan in Qingjiang County, with everyone seeking its favor.

For an event as important as the Lineage's founding, who knew how many Qingjiang Aristocratic Clans and wealthy merchants would attend?

Announcing it before them all would make the marriage as certain as a nail hammered into a board.

Even if his eldest uncle and the Wen Household investigated, they would find no gap to exploit.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Xu Lineage's founding arrived.