This book describes the Qing dynasty nobility, whose fates were determined at birth. Those born into the imperial family were fortunate enough to have the opportunity become sealed princes, but those estranged from the throne were reduced to idleness and, as the strata of Manchu clansmen clearly illustrates, affected their sinecures. Their lives mainly consisted of wealthy gentility, without any aspiration, because any false step might provoke sudden misfortune.