the rich and powerful families

resplendent

Lip service

Changing the family name

sparkle to the nth power(dazzling radiance)

Fence

seek momentary ease in an isolated place

barely manage to survive

with an assumed name

fig. to be meddlesome; lit. a dog who catches mice (idiom)

cannot have one's heart's desire but will not stoop to less

all corners(every hole and corner)

a man of superior attainments and a cultivated person living in retirement

fair

How dare I not obey your order?

officialese(red tape)

it happened exactly as expected

to partition

fair and square(fair and reasonable)

knotty(be intricate and obscure; troublesome)