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

Jia Jing stood up, walked down from the hall, and came to the group of people.

First, open the small box that Zijuan handed over. Inside is a blue jade safety buckle. The jade is warm and smooth, and it is tied with a red rope in a swastika knot. It is very simple.

Jia Jing picked it up and examined it for a moment, then pondered:

"This jade looks...quite old!"

Zijuan carefully observed Jia Jing's expression, then pursed her pink lips and lowered her head, saying:

"This was brought from Jiangnan by my daughter. It was given to her by her master to keep her safe."

"The young lady said she doesn't need it at home, but the Marquis is often away fighting, so she's praying for his safety! The knot on this piece was also handmade by her!"

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then tucked the safety buckle into his sleeve and said gently:

"You're so kind, Lin! Go back and tell her I've accepted the gifts. Tell her to take good care of herself. I have urgent military duties these days and will be returning to the camp tomorrow, so I'm afraid I won't have time to visit her again!"

"If she needs anything, she should go to her third sister, or wait until I get back and then tell me."

Seeing that Jia Jing had accepted the peace buckle, Zijuan's eyes flashed with joy, and she smiled:

"Rest assured, my lord! I will take good care of my young lady!"

"Oh, by the way, my daughter also asked me to pick up some official gazettes and newspapers from the capital; she wants to read them when she has some free time."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression hardened, and he walked back to his desk, taking out a stack of official gazettes and reports from the capital.

After thinking for a moment, he took another book from the desk, held it in his hand, walked down from the hall, and handed it to Zijuan, saying:

"These are the latest official gazettes and the capital gazette; please give them to Lin Daiyu first."

"If any new ones arrive later, I will have Xiangling take them to Lin Daiyu."

"Take this copy of 'Lu Xuan Gong's Memorials' back with you. It's a model book on politics from the previous dynasty, and it contains my annotations. If you're interested, Lin Meimei, you can take a look."

"If you can't concentrate on it, just put it aside. But you must tell Lin Daiyu that she is still ill and should focus on recuperating. She shouldn't read too much every day, as it's not good for her to strain her mind and spirit."

Zijuan took the books and newspapers and agreed to everything.

After finishing his conversation with Zijuan, Jia Jing looked at the item Ying'er handed him: a pair of knee pads with fine stitches and embroidered with fragrant herbs.

Jia Jing took the knee pads and carefully examined the embroidered sprig of fragrant grass on them.

Jia Jing's mind raced, and he had already guessed Xue Baochai's intentions. He looked up at Ying'er and said in a similarly gentle tone:

"Sister Xue's embroidery skills are exceptional; you've put a lot of thought into it!"

Then he took a book from the desk and handed it to Ying'er, saying:

"Take this copy of 'Yan Family Instructions' back with you. Sister Xue can take a look if she's interested. It's a book that serves as a model for managing and preserving a household. I've annotated every chapter in it."

"Tell Sister Xue that if she has any questions, she can ask me when I'm home."

Ying'er carefully took the book, her eyes flickering, her charming demeanor tinged with a hint of confusion, wondering why the book Jia Jing gave to Zijuan was different from the one he gave to her.

She felt there might be some purpose behind this, but she didn't dare to ask and could only nod her head.

Her soft, delicate eyes held a hint of seriousness as she gently replied:

"Understood, My Lordship!"

Jia Jing remained calm and said softly:

"Okay, you guys can go back now! Be careful on the road late at night."

"Don't worry, my lord, there are old women with you."

After Ying'er and Zijuan took their leave, Xiao Hong, who was standing to the side, asked the question that had been bothering her:

"My lord, why are the books you gave to the two young ladies different?"

Jia Jing walked back to the table and sat down. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said thoughtfully:

"Because they are different."

Xiao Hong was still a little confused when she heard this, and asked:

"What's different?"

Jia Jing did not answer, but said meaningfully:

You'll find out later!

Xiao Hong pursed her lips, her eyes thoughtful.

……

Night had fallen, and the moon, like a hook, hung obliquely in the sky.

Inside the magnificent Qianqing Palace in the Forbidden City, the lights were bright and the charcoal fire was burning brightly, but it could not dispel the chill of the winter night.

Memorials piled up like a mountain on the imperial desk. Emperor Jingsheng sat behind the desk, holding a memorial that Jia Jing had handed to him that evening.

"Memorial on the Reorganization of Household Affairs and Request for Action Against Lai Shangrong".

Emperor Jingsheng has now developed the habit of reading Jia Jing's memorials every day.

Since Jia Jing returned to the capital, he has reported on almost everything, big or small, every day. Sometimes, he would write memorials to Emperor Jingsheng to ask for advice on his thoughts and doubts.

Emperor Jingsheng was also generous in his teachings to this trusted minister.

Despite his busy daily affairs, he would read Jia Jing's memorials as soon as they arrived and would always write his own imperial comments in red ink.

At this moment, he held Jia Jing's memorial and read it carefully, word by word, occasionally his eyebrows twitching slightly and occasionally the corners of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly.

Xia Shouzhong stood to the side with his head bowed. Seeing Emperor Jingsheng's appearance, he dared not even breathe loudly, but in his heart he was even more surprised by Jia Jing's imperial favor.

Only he knew that Emperor Jingsheng was an extremely serious person, and he rarely showed any emotion, even in private in front of the princes and empress.

However, whenever Emperor Jingsheng read Jia Jing's memorials each day, his expression would become somewhat more cheerful, quite unlike his usual demeanor.

The only sounds in the hall were the occasional crackling of the lamp wick and Emperor Jingsheng's occasional cough.

It was getting closer to midnight.

Emperor Jingsheng finally closed the memorial and placed it on the table.

He didn't look up; a thoughtful expression appeared on his resolute, cold face, before he asked softly:

"Any news from the Imperial City Guard regarding what happened at the Jia family residence during the day?"

Xia Shouzhong took half a step forward and whispered:

"Your Majesty! News has come from the Imperial City Guard that during the day, Jia Baoyu, the second son of the second master Jia Zheng, and Lin Ruhai's only daughter had a quarrel."

"Lin Ruhai's only daughter was so angry that she vomited blood. Then Jia Zheng heard the news and wanted to punish his son with a cane, but he was stopped by the old lady of the Jia family and the second wife. Jia Zheng was so angry that he vomited blood and fainted."

"When Marquis Jingwu learned of the unrest in his household, he returned home, flogged Jia Baoyu, and summoned all the servants of the household, saying that he would govern the family with military discipline and rectify the family's conduct."

"Those who violated laws and regulations, abused their seniority, or deceived their superiors were either beaten to death or sold off. A number of them were dealt with. The old lady, Madam Jia, watched the whole thing from beginning to end without saying much."

Emperor Jingsheng hummed in agreement and said:

"I spoke with Minister Jia about Lin Ruhai a while ago. Lin Ruhai has served the country with selfless dedication. His only daughter is in the capital, and the court should take care of her."

"I suspect that's why Jia Qing reacted this way. Make a note of this, and tomorrow send some good medicine from the palace to Lin Ruhai's daughter."