Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Therefore, Jia Jing's attitude towards Grandmother Jia was very simple: to win her over while simultaneously fighting her, seeking unity through struggle.

He was neither as blindly obedient and sycophantic as Jia Zheng and others, nor did he resort to ruthless and cruel methods.

As long as you don't get in my way, I won't bother with you. But if you don't know your place, I'll give you a talking-to.

In any case, the Jia family can only serve as an asset behind him, and must never become a political burden.

Yuanyang stood up, a strange look on her oval face, and said weakly:

"Grandma, I've served her for so many years, spending every day with her, so I naturally know her personality and character well."

"The Marquis is a high-ranking official and a hero of the state, and I have little contact with him on a daily basis, so how could I possibly know what kind of person he is!"

"However, Lord Marquis has rendered meritorious service to the country and is fair and upright at home, unlike the other gentlemen in the household who are addicted to drugs... He must be an excellent person!"

"If it weren't for that, how could I dare to tell you these things from the bottom of my heart?"

As she finished speaking, the mandarin ducks turned their heads slightly to one side, their heads turning somewhat red.

She had originally intended to say that Jia Jing was not as obsessed with women as the other men in the Jia family, but later realized that it was inappropriate. If she said that, wouldn't it be seen as him seducing the men?

Damn it!

It was all because I casually mentioned it to a few girlfriends in private that I almost offended the Marquis!

"No wonder the old lady said she couldn't sleep well without you; you truly are a perfect match, with a heart full of eloquence and a silver tongue!"

"Good looks are secondary; what's most precious is a heart of gold."

Jia Jing glanced at the slender Yuanyang and said calmly.

As Jia Mu's confidante, Yuanyang was the undisputed chief maid of the Jia family.

Although she held a high position and often had to carry out certain missions on behalf of Grandmother Jia, she was fair, self-respecting, kind-hearted, and just in handling affairs, which earned her the deep respect and love of everyone in the Jia family.

As Li Wan in the original novel said:

"How could the old lady's room function without that Yuanyang? From the madam down, who would dare to contradict the old lady?"

"From the second wife and the first wife onwards, no one dared to do it. But the old lady only listened to her. She remembered everything about the old lady's clothes that others didn't."

"If it weren't for her managing things, who knows how many people would have been swindled! That child is fair-minded; even so, she often speaks up for others and never bullies anyone."

Jia Jing had some appreciation for Yuanyang's character and, unusually, offered a compliment.

Upon hearing this, Yuanyang blinked and looked at the dignified and imposing young man beside her, a feeling of shyness and joy welling up in her heart.

My lord, praise her for her beauty! And her heart of gold!

This... must be extremely high praise!

I've never heard of the Marquis praising any other maid in his mansion!

Even Xiangling and Xiaohong in the Marquis's courtyard don't seem to have this honor!

Is the Marquis after me...? But I'm the old lady's confidante, what should I do...?

Yuanyang felt a surge of heat in her heart, but looking at Jia Jing's aloof, handsome, and dignified face, she felt she was overthinking things.

Jia Jing, leading Yuanyang, walked along the eaves, saying as he went:

"The old lady may be a good person, but she's not a good family leader!"

"I don't have any major issues with her. She can enjoy herself in Rongqing Hall, playing with her grandchildren, watching plays, and playing cards. As long as she doesn't interfere in the affairs of the household, it's fine."

"As for her liking Baoyu, it's nothing. If Baoyu hadn't made Lin Daiyu and the Second Master so angry that they vomited blood and caused a ruckus in the mansion, I wouldn't have planned to interfere."

"As for these servants, I can't control how kind and benevolent the old lady was in managing the household in the past, but now that they are affecting the reputation of the mansion and threatening the safety of the masters, I can't ignore them."

"Like the Lai family, the Shan family, and the Wu family, they did so many evil deeds, do you think they shouldn't have been killed?"

"As for how I treat the old lady in the future, it doesn't really depend on me, but on her."

"I didn't need to be rude to her, but sometimes showing firmness is unavoidable; only decisive action reveals a compassionate heart!"

"Clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of both parties beforehand can actually prevent more intense conflicts later on!"

As Yuanyang listened to Jia Jing's words, she stared intently at his profile.

With a touch of emotion, Jia Jing continued in a clear voice:

"I know that my recent reorganization has been harsh and ruthless, and the servants in the manor, including you, have felt a sense of loss and are finding it difficult to adapt."

"They won't have any positive feelings towards me either, but... who can truly understand my heart!"

"Not only you, but many people outside the manor have also seen my ruthless methods, my decisive killings both internally and externally, and my lack of compassion."

"Therefore, to make unfounded speculations, implying that I was arrogant and reckless due to my early success, and that I would meet a bad end, is utterly wrong!"

"The old lady often said that our Jia family should be a blessed family, so we are compassionate to the poor and weak, lenient and indulgent, and weak and do not fight."

"But truly blessed families are not like that; they are not simply benevolent and kind."

"They treat the legacy left by their ancestors as a luxurious haven, indulging in extravagance and debauchery, spoiling their servants, and lacking any ambition, all while calling themselves a blessed family."

"What you see as the Jia family in the past is one of laughter and joy, but what I see is the Jia family standing on the edge of a cliff, one step forward and it's an abyss."

"The old lady is getting on in years, and I should show her some respect out of filial piety."

"But above filial piety, there is also family and country."

"The Jia family is not only a haven of comfort for women in the inner quarters, but also the most prestigious military family in our Han Dynasty. It is a banner for all military families in the Han Dynasty and bears important responsibilities to the country and the Emperor."

"If I say a harsh word to the old lady today, she will be sad for three days. If the Jia family is raided one day, even the women and children will have nowhere to turn to cry!"

As Jia Jing spoke, he also thought of the fate of the Jia family in the original novel.

A thousand red flowers weep, ten thousand beauties grieve.

When the Jia family was raided, Grandmother Jia, Yuan Chun, Feng Jie, Qin Keqing, Daiyu, Ying Chun, and others all died. Xiang Yun ended up in prostitution, Xi Chun became a nun, and Tan Chun married far away. None of the masters had a good ending.

Just like the poem describing birds returning to their respective forests: officials have seen their families decline; the wealthy have lost all their gold and silver; those who owed lives have repaid their debts; those who owed tears have shed them all. It's as if birds have eaten their fill and returned to their forests, leaving behind a vast, clean, white expanse.

The tragic end of the Jia family was no less severe than that of the servants who are being disciplined today.

Therefore, Jia Jing's statement that the entire family of women and children had nowhere to turn for help was not just empty talk or a lie.

If Grandmother Jia knew that the Jia family would end up like this, and compared it with her current life, she would probably be happy to be scolded by Jia Jing every day.

Although Jia Jing had his own purposes and demands in reforming the Jia family, he genuinely saved the fate of everyone in the family.