Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

With this thought in mind, Jia Yun had already made up his mind.

He looked at Wang Xifeng, then changed the subject: "However, since it is the Old Ancestor's order, for the sake of the family's future, I should try my best no matter how difficult it may be. However, since I am taking on a master, I must uphold the dignity of a teacher. I am young, and without some support, I am afraid I will be difficult to control, especially Master Bao. Therefore, I have two requests that you may convey to the Old Ancestor."

Seeing that he had given in, Wang Xifeng quickly asked, "What request do you have? Tell me."

Jia Yun said solemnly, "First, since it is about teaching, it must be done properly. Please ask the Ancestor to give the order so that Lan-ge'er, Bao-er-ye, and Huan-ge'er can perform a formal apprenticeship ceremony in front of the elders of the family. 'A teacher for a day is a father for life,' and the ceremony cannot be abandoned. In this way, when I teach, I will have a legitimate title, and when they listen to my instructions, they will have reverence."

"Secondly, once they have become my disciples, they must follow my rules. The time for studying, the progress of their studies, and the assessments and rewards will all be determined by me. During this period, neither the master and mistress nor any other elders may interfere with my teaching methods. If these two points are agreed upon, I will do my utmost to urge them to make progress."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng secretly praised Jia Yun for his thoughtful consideration.

This apprenticeship ceremony elevated his status as a "teacher," making him no longer just an ordinary cousin instructing his younger brothers and nephews, and giving him a legitimate reason to discipline them in the future.

The request for "no interference" effectively prevented Madam Wang and others from feeling distressed or hindering her.

She nodded and said, "You're right. I will definitely tell the old lady everything."

The next day, Grandmother Jia summoned Jia Yun to Rongqing Hall, where Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, and others were also present, giving the impression of a joint trial.

Grandmother Jia formally explained her intention to have him tutor Baoyu, Jialan, and Jia Huan, concluding with, "Your studies are excellent, and the clan has high hopes for you. Tutoring them well is not only for your brothers' future but also for the sake of the family. In the future, if you brothers work together, you will bring glory to our family."

Jia Yun respectfully agreed, and then, neither servile nor arrogant, presented his two conditions: "Your Majesty's benevolent command is one I dare not refuse, and I will certainly do my utmost. However, only with strict teachers can one be respected. I am young and inexperienced, and without rules and regulations, I fear I will find it difficult to command respect and fail to live up to Your Majesty's expectations. Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission for two points..."

"Firstly, once you have entered my tutelage, you must perform the ceremony of formally becoming my disciple. As the sage said, 'I have never refused to teach anyone who brings me a bundle of dried meat as tuition.' This is an ancient custom, and it shows its solemnity."

"Secondly, in teaching and nurturing students, discipline is inevitable. If they disobey my instructions or neglect their studies, I have the right to punish them, whether by beating or scolding. At that time, I hope that you, my ancestors and elders, will not interfere."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang frowned immediately and couldn't help but say, "This... Yun'er, you are still young. Baoyu and the others are, after all, your uncles or nephews. Performing the apprenticeship ceremony is already against the proper etiquette. This beating and scolding... I'm afraid it's not in accordance with the proper etiquette. It won't sound good if word gets out."

Jia Yun had anticipated her objection, and calmly looked at Grandmother Jia, his tone steady: "Grandmother, you are wise. You know Baoyu's temperament. If no one can or dares to discipline him, and he is indulged without restraint, I fear... even with my vast knowledge, I will be unable to teach him. My actions are not to show off my power, but truly for their studies. Strict teachers produce outstanding students; this has always been the case."

As Grandmother Jia listened, she recalled Baoyu's usual dislike of studying and his playful nature, as well as Jia Huan's wretchedness and lack of ambition. Then, looking at Jia Lan's still somewhat immature but eager little face, she made up her mind.

She couldn't let Madam Wang's doting spoiling ruin this opportunity.

So, ignoring Madam Wang's pleading look, the old lady made her decision directly: "Alright! Yun-ge'er is right! Since we've let him teach, we should trust him! The apprenticeship ceremony is proper. Lan-ge'er and Huan-ge'er, I'll make the decision now, they'll kowtow and become your apprentices! As for Bao-yu, we'll have to ask his father's opinion. As for discipline..."

The old woman swept her gaze over everyone present with a scrutinizing look, and said, "You can scold or beat them as you please, as long as it's for their own good, we won't interfere!"

Seeing that Grandmother Jia's attitude was so firm, Lady Wang knew that it would be useless to object further, and that it would only make her seem inconsiderate.

She could only suppress her displeasure and worry, forcing a smile: "Since the old lady has said so, I... I have no objection."

And that's how things were settled.

The next morning, Jia Lan, dressed in a brand-new royal blue robe, arrived at Jia Yun's courtyard where he was recuperating, led by Li Wan.

He held in his hands an exquisite gift for becoming an apprentice—a set of writing implements and a piece of dried meat (a gift for apprenticeship).

The young man, with a solemn expression, walked to Jia Yun's bedside, knelt down properly, and respectfully kowtowed three times, his voice clear and bright: "Student Jia Lan greets Master! Please teach me!"

Jia Yun looked at his small face and gently helped him up, saying, "Get up. Just study hard from now on."

A little later, Aunt Zhao also pushed and shoved the hesitant Jia Huan as he arrived.

Jia Huan was clearly very unwilling, but under Aunt Zhao's pinching and glaring, he reluctantly knelt down and kowtowed, calling out "Sir" in a muffled voice.

However, his manners were nowhere near as good as Jia Lan's.

Although Jia Huan was unwilling, he knew this was the right path. Otherwise, why would the household disregard hierarchy and seniority when initiating apprenticeships? Wasn't it because Jia Yun possessed extraordinary talent?

As long as you can teach someone to become a scholar or a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, I'll be willing to call you my godfather. Being just a teacher isn't an insult to me.

As for the clan school... as for Master Dairu... the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) that he could never obtain in his entire life was obtained by Jia Yun at the age of fourteen.

It's true, comparing yourself to others is just plain frustrating.

However, once this door was opened, quite a few other members of the Jia clan of the appropriate age also wanted to become his disciples.

It was even rumored that Jia Qin and Jia Qiang were interested.

Jia Yun scoffed at such rumors. He thought to himself, "If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely get my revenge. Why would I take on a disciple?"

Do you really think you're so great?

Since Jia Yun had already taken on the task of instructing Jia Lan, Jia Huan, and Bao Yu, it would be inappropriate for him to then go to the inner chambers to instruct the young ladies.

When the news reached the garden, it inevitably caused a small commotion.

In the past, when Jia Yun came to give lectures, although the rules were strict, the atmosphere was always lively. He quoted classics and was witty, and the girls all felt that they benefited a lot. Now that he has suddenly stopped, it is inevitable that people will feel disappointed.

That day, the sisters were sitting together and talking about this matter.

It was Xichun, who had always been as still as a stone, who pouted first: "How boring! Yun-ge'er's storytelling is so much more interesting than those old scholars. Now it's all bad, we have no one to supervise us."

Tan Chun, ever quick-witted, retorted, "Exactly! Who will we ask to critique our poems from now on? Although Sister Bao is good, she is ultimately not as knowledgeable as Brother Yun."

Even Yingchun, who was usually quiet, sat silently by the window, unconsciously twisting her handkerchief in her hand, her eyes dim and even more melancholy than usual.

Xue Baochai took in everyone's expressions, especially Yingchun's barely concealed dejection.

She understood perfectly, but her face remained as gentle as ever as she smiled and took a small sip of tea.

Baochai glanced at Yingchun seemingly casually and asked in a gentle voice, "Second sister, what's wrong? You seem a little listless. Are you feeling unwell? I've heard there's been a lot of happy occasions around here lately. Perhaps we could join in the festivities sometime?"

Yingchun snapped out of her daze, hurriedly lowered her eyelids, and whispered, "No...it's nothing, thank you for your concern, Sister Bao."

The more she tried to hide it, the more obvious her underlying grievances and disappointment became.

Anyone with a bit of sense in the garden knows that Yingchun has a crush on that handsome Yun-ge.

Although the old lady has not explicitly stated that she favors Tan Chun, the rumors have already spread, and it is no wonder that she feels bitter.

Tan Chun was a quick-witted and straightforward person, and besides, she was the one directly involved in this matter.

Seeing Baochai deliberately prying into Yingchun's feelings, Yingchun felt a little reluctant and also somewhat unhappy.

Tan Chun sat down next to Ying Chun, took her slightly cool hand, and said loudly, "Second Sister, you must not have slept well last night. Don't overthink it. We sisters are together, so if you're unhappy, just say it. I see the flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully these days. How about we find an excuse to write a few poems tomorrow to cheer ourselves up?"

Tan Chun's words were both to comfort Ying Chun and clearly an attempt to change the subject.

However, Lin Daiyu, watching coldly from the side, had long seen through Xue Baochai's deliberate "concern".

She remembered the day before Jia Yun was beaten, when Yingchun came crying her eyes out, begging her to plead with the matriarch no matter what.

The young lady didn't even bother with her modesty; her anxiety and worry were genuine.

Now that the matter is over, Baochai is playing the good guy and deliberately stirring up Yingchun's sadness, which is truly disgusting.

Daiyu already harbored some resentment towards Jia Yun, this "troublemaker," and seeing Baochai's behavior, she couldn't help but curl a cold smile at the corner of her mouth.

She gently put down the book in her hand, her eyes glancing sideways at Xue Baochai as she spoke in a clear, cold voice:

"Third Sister is right, Second Sister should take a break. But Sister Bao's concern for Second Sister is truly touching, it shows their deep sisterly affection."

Her tone was slightly raised, with a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "But, from what I vaguely heard, it seems that Third Sister's good fortune is almost certain? After all, the old lady has a good eye and chose at the right time. Speaking of which, Sister Bao is older than us and has a wider perspective. In the future... she will surely have a better destiny waiting for her, so she doesn't need to worry about us little girls all the time."

Wow, that's a direct insult, naming names.

It basically means that Sister Bao is getting old, so don't worry about your younger sisters. You should focus on your own marriage.

Everyone knows that after Xue Baochai failed to be selected, her mind was mostly on the "golden and jade marriage". However, now that Baoyu is facing uncertainty, this is the source of her deepest anxiety.