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

Jia Jing's consistent view on people is that occasional mistakes are acceptable in minor matters, but one must never be muddle-headed in important matters.

He actually valued the integrity of the major principles more than the integrity of the people in the Jia family, or rather, his own people.

He would usually resort to criticism and education when there were minor oversights.

Like Grandmother Jia and others, they made many foolish mistakes, and he reprimanded them quite often.

But why are they still unharmed?

Ultimately, it's because they didn't do anything seriously wrong!

If Grandmother Jia were like Jia She and Jia Zhen, blindly taking sides, breaking the law, and acting recklessly,

By now, she's probably just like the Marquis of Linchuan and the others; the grass on her grave must be several meters high!

Listening to Jia Jing's descriptions of her as "understanding, suitable for marriage, and well-educated," and recalling his earlier praise of her as "virtuous and kind, and upright in conduct," Baochai, standing to the side,

Her cheeks flushed slightly, turning a deep rosy red. She lowered her head and softly murmured "Mmm."

She somewhat understood what Jia Jing meant; perhaps he wanted her to be bold and be herself, without being too polite or cautious!

In truth, she longed to be as carefree and unrestrained as Xiangyun or even Xiaojiao in front of Jia Jing!

But the more you like something, the more timid you become; the more you care, the more you overthink it!

Just now, Jia Jing was only silent for a moment, and her palms were sweating, her heart was pounding like a drum, and she felt fearful and helpless. How could she possibly let go completely?

Besides, my third brother has always been so dignified and imposing, I really don't dare to...

Turning past the corridor, there was a small lotus pond in front of us. The water shimmered with a silvery-white light under the moonlight, and a few lotus leaves clung to the surface of the water, motionless.

An old osmanthus tree grows by the pond, its dense leaves filtering the moonlight into a carpet of shattered silver.

Seeing Baochai remain silent, Jia Jing smiled and changed the subject back to the Cold Fragrance Pill, saying:

"In a few days, I will invite several famous doctors from the south to the capital and several renowned doctors from the Imperial Medical Academy to conduct a consultation for the master."

"Sister Xue, you can come along with us then, and bring the Cold Fragrance Pill and the medicinal guide so they can take a look."

"Let's see if we can ask them to examine Sister Xue as well and give us a way to cure her illness."

"If all else fails, we can see if we can prescribe another formula. Although the Cold Fragrance Pill is exquisite, the ingredients are still a bit hard to find."

The ingredients for Lengxiang Pills are not simply difficult to find!

If it weren't for the Xue family's wealth and extensive trade routes, an ordinary family might not have been able to prepare this medicine even after ten years.

The twelve ounces of flower stamens and the twelve coins of seasonal water both require "perfect timing".

The flower stamens must be collected exactly in that year, and the seasonal water must be collected precisely on that day when there is rain, dew, frost, or snow.

If there is no corresponding water for a certain solar term in a certain year, then all the other things collected will be wasted!

Although Jia Jing admired the ingenuity of the recipe, he felt it was somewhat idealistic to pursue cleverness too much.

He had also read medical books and knew that flowers and the like were mostly used as adjuncts in medicine, and should not be the main efficacy in treating diseases!

Baochai felt a surge of joy upon hearing Jia Jing's words.

It wasn't because there was hope for a cure for her congenital illness, but rather because Jia Jing's consideration for her showed that he cared about her very much.

Back then, the third brother was able to invite a doctor from the Imperial Medical Academy to examine Lin Daiyu, and now he is even able to invite several renowned doctors to consult on his own case.

Ultimately, she was no worse than Lin Daiyu; she had all the same treatment as Lin Daiyu, and even better!

Thinking of this, Xue Baochai felt even more that she shouldn't have said such sarcastic things. Her third brother had never mistreated her, so how could she have said such things?

Baochai raised her plump and bright face and said softly and obediently:

"Yes! I'll listen to my third brother!"

Immediately, two rosy blushes appeared on her beautiful and delicate face, as radiant as the sunset, and her eyes were brimming with tears.

Jia Jing glanced at Baochai, whose skin was as smooth as snow, and suddenly asked, seemingly casually:

"Sister Xue, have you finished reading the 'Yan Family Instructions' I gave you?"

Upon hearing this, Baochai's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes momentarily showed a hint of panic.

The third brother suddenly mentioned the "Yan Family Instructions" at this moment, and his intention was self-evident!

She was right; her third brother's gift of this book to her was no accident!

Gently twisting the handkerchief in her hand, Baochai looked up at Jia Jing and answered softly:

"I've read it several times already!"

Jia Jing looked at the shy and timid Baochai, remained silent for a moment, and then chuckled softly:

"After reading this, what insights do you gain regarding the art of managing a household?"

Baochai immediately understood that this was probably her third brother testing her, perhaps to examine her philosophy on managing the household!

The deeper meaning behind this test made her heart race for a moment!

Baochai's pink lips parted slightly, and a serious expression appeared on her fair and delicate face. After considering the matter repeatedly in her mind, she carefully and softly said:

"I have some insights, but they are merely my own humble opinions, and I'm afraid they are unlikely to reach the ears of my third brother!"

"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me! Tell me about it!" Jia Jing said.

"Then I'll have to teach you a lesson before an expert. If there's anything I've said that's incorrect, please correct me!"

After Baochai finished speaking, she lowered her eyes. A night breeze blew in from outside the corridor, gently lifting the long hair at her temples.

When she looked up again, her gaze was calm and serene, and her voice, though soft, was clear and distinct.

"First, the key to managing a family is to lead by example, so that those above will follow suit."

The Yan family history states: "The influence of customs and morals is something that flows from the top to the bottom, and from the elders to the younger. Therefore, if a father is not kind, his son will not be filial; if an elder brother is not friendly, his younger brother will not be respectful; if a husband is not righteous, his wife will not be obedient."

"Managing a household and governing a country are based on the same principle. If elders do not set a good example, their children will follow suit."

"No matter how many rules are established, the fundamental thing is to start with oneself."

Jia Jing listened, tapped his fingers lightly on the jade belt at his waist, and nodded, saying:

"That's a very good point, highlighting the key point: leading by example is essential. If you can't set a good example yourself, you naturally have no right to discipline others!"

"If the master cannot perform his duties well, he cannot demand that his subordinates obey the law. To govern a family by law, one must first govern oneself. What else?"

Faced with Jia Jing's nod of approval, Baochai blushed slightly and continued:

"Secondly, the way to manage a family is to combine leniency with strictness, and neither should be neglected."

The *Yan Shi* states: "The leniency or severity in governing a household is like that in governing a state." It also says: "If beatings and anger are neglected in the household, the faults of even the youngest children will immediately become apparent."

"If you are too lenient, your servants will lose their respect and their mistakes will be exposed immediately; if you are too strict, you will lose your compassion and everyone in the household will feel insecure."

"Therefore, one should be lenient when appropriate and strict when necessary, and only by striking a proper balance can harmony be maintained between superiors and subordinates."

Jia Jing remained calm and said:

"A balance between leniency and severity must be struck; one must not be muddle-headed on important matters, nor be overly critical on minor ones; one must be both strict and amiable, both ruthless and benevolent."

"The Rongguo Mansion has always done a poor job in this regard, being far too lenient with its servants and sons!"

Jia Jing spoke of the Jia family, but his heart was set on the imperial court.

Nowadays, the court has reached a point where officials are so lax and difficult to govern!

During the reign of Emperor Taizu, all the civil and military officials had to write their wills before going to court, but now they dare to force the emperor to abdicate and petition at the drop of a hat.

This kind of trend absolutely cannot be ignored without taking drastic measures!

To correct a wrong, one must go to extremes; without going to extremes, one cannot correct a wrong!

Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, the moonlight reflecting off the pond casting a faint silvery glow on his face.