Chapter 323: Baichai Discusses the Way of Managing a Household

And Jia Jing's consistent view on judging and treating people is that minor matters may occasionally have mistakes, but major matters must never be muddled.

Regarding the people inside the Jia Mansion, or rather his own people, he actually places greater emphasis on not compromising the overarching principle.

When there are occasional oversights in minor matters, he mainly resorts to criticism and instruction.

Just like Jia Mu and the others, there are many foolish deeds, and they have not been short of reprimanding them.

But why have they remained completely unscathed to this day?

In the end, it's because they have not committed any major mistakes!

If Jia Mu were like Jia She or Jia Zhen, randomly picking sides, breaking laws and regulations, and acting wilfully,

then at this point she would, I suppose, be like Lord Linchuan and the others, with the grass on the graves probably several meters tall!

Beside them, Baichai heard Jia Jing's words such as "understanding, suitable for home and family, well‑versed in literature and etiquette," along with earlier praises like "virtuous and pure, maintaining integrity."

She couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm, rosy like sunrise clouds, lower her delicate head, and softly utter a "hm."

She somewhat understood Jia Jing's meaning, perhaps that he wanted her to be bold and be herself, without excessive politeness and overcautiousness!

In fact, she has never not wanted to be like Xiang Yun, or even Xiao Jiaoer, freely unrestrained before Jia Jing!

But the more she likes it, the more she shrinks back; the more she cares, the more she overthinks!

Just now Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, and she began to sweat in her palms, her heart beating like a drum, fearful and helpless; how could she possibly relax completely!

Moreover, Third Brother has always been imposing and solemn; she truly feels a bit hesitant…

Turning around the corridor, ahead lay a small lotus pond, its water shimmering silver‑white under the moonlight, a few lotus leaves pressed to the surface, utterly still.

By the pond grew an old osmanthus tree, its leaves dense, filtering the moonlight into a carpet of shattered silver.

Jia Jing, seeing Baichai silent, smiled and steered the conversation back to the Cold Fragrance Pill, saying:

"In a few days, I will invite several renowned physicians from the south to the capital and a few divine doctors from the Imperial Medical Institute to consult for the Great Master."

"Sister Xue can come along then, bring the Cold Fragrance Pill and the medicinal guide, and let them examine them."

"See if we can have them treat Sister Xue as well, providing a method to eliminate the root of the illness."

"If not, we can also see whether another formula can be devised; although the Cold Fragrance Pill is exquisite, its ingredients are indeed hard to find."

The ingredients of the Cold Fragrance Pill are no longer simply a matter of being hard to find!

If it weren't for the Xue Family's wealth and extensive trade routes, an ordinary household might not be able to assemble this medicine even after ten years.

Both the twelve liang of flower stamen and the twelve qian of seasonal water demand precise timing.

The flower stamen must be harvested precisely in that year, and the seasonal water must be collected on a day that has rain, dew, frost, and snow.

If in any year a particular seasonal water is missing, then all the other collected ingredients become void!

Jia Jing, though admiring the formula's subtlety, felt it pursued cleverness excessively, bordering on idealism.

He had also read medical texts, knowing that flowers used in medicine mostly serve as auxiliaries and are not the primary therapeutic agents!

Baichai, hearing Jia Jing's words, felt a surge of delight inside.

Not because her congenital illness now seemed curable, but because Jia Jing considered these matters for her, showing he truly cares about her.

Back then Third Brother could have summoned the Imperial Medical Institute to examine Sister Lin, and now he can even bring multiple divine doctors to consult for himself.

After all, she is no less than Sister Lin; she receives the same treatment, perhaps even a step better!

Thinking of this, Baichai increasingly felt she shouldn't have made those sour remarks earlier; Third Brother has never shortchanged her, so she could not utter such cutting words!

Baichai lifted her plump, bright face and sweetly said in a gentle voice:

"Hm! I will listen to Third Brother!"

Immediately, two rosy blossoms rose on her beautiful, delicate face, like brilliant clouds of mist, her eyes shimmering.

Jia Jing glanced at Baichai's skin, crystal‑clear as snow, and suddenly asked, seemingly without pretense:

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

Baichai heard this and felt her heart flutter, her eyes momentarily flustered.

At this moment, Third Brother's sudden mention of the Yan Family Instructions made its purpose obvious!

She indeed had not guessed wrong; Third Brother's gifting of this book was certainly not an idle gesture!

Gently twisting the handkerchief in her hand, Baichai lifted her gaze to Jia Jing and answered softly:

"I've read it over several times!"

Jia Jing, looking at the shy and timid Baichai, fell silent for a moment, then smiled lightly and said:

"I wonder, after reading it, what insights you have regarding the way of managing a household?"

Baichai immediately understood; this must be Third Brother's test of her, perhaps to examine her philosophy of household management!

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

Baichai's pink lips moved, her snow‑white face showing a serious expression; after pondering repeatedly in her mind, she carefully replied in a gentle voice:

"I have some insights, but they are merely my personal shallow views, perhaps too trivial for Third Brother to hear!"

"Among three, there must be a teacher! Now speak, let me hear!" Jia Jing said.

"Then I shall be a novice wielding an axe; if I say anything incorrect, please Third Brother criticize and correct me!"

Baichai lowered her eyelids after speaking, and a night breeze drifted in from the corridor, gently lifting the long hair at her temples.

When she raised her eyes again, her gaze was as calm as water, her voice not loud yet each word clear.

"First, the way of managing a household values leading by example; the upper influences the lower."

"The Yan Family says: 'One who cultivates morals acts from the top down, from the earlier to the later. Thus, if a father is unkind, the son is not filial; if a brother is not friendly, the younger brother is not respectful; if a husband is unjust, the wife is not obedient.'"

"Managing a household and governing a state share the same principle; if elders are not upright, the younger generation will inevitably imitate them."

"No matter how many rules are established, it must start with oneself; that is the foundation."

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

"This point is well summarized; leading by example is the premise—if one cannot do it oneself, one naturally lacks the right to discipline others!"

If the master does not do well, he cannot be harsh in demanding that those below obey the law and discipline; governing the household by law must first start with oneself. And what else?

Facing Jia Jing's nod of approval, Baichai's cheeks flushed slightly, and she continued:

Second, the way of managing a household lies in balancing leniency and strictness; neither should be neglected.

The Yan family clearly states: "The leniency and severity in governing a household are likewise like that of a state." It also says: "If punishment and anger are abandoned in the family, then the faults of the young will be immediately evident."

If one is only lenient, the servants lose respect and mistakes show up at once; if one is only strict, one loses benevolence and everyone in the household lives in fear.

Therefore, be lenient when leniency is called for, strict when strictness is needed, handling the balance properly; only then can superiors and subordinates be at peace.

Jia Jing's face remained calm, and he said:

Balancing leniency and strictness, major matters must not be handled carelessly, minor matters must not be blamed harshly; we must be both strict and harmonious, both harsh and benevolent.

The Rong Guo Mansion has previously done poorly in this regard, being overly indulgent toward servants and junior members!

What Jia Jing spoke of was the Jia Mansion, but what he had in mind was the imperial court.

Nowadays, in the imperial court, officials have actually reached a point of being indulgent and hard to control!

In the time of the Grand Ancestor, even civil and military officials would write a last will before going to court; now they dare to storm the palace and petition at the slightest provocation.

Such a climate absolutely cannot be left without harsh measures!

To correct excess, one must go to the opposite extreme; yet merely being upright is insufficient to correct excess!

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment; the pond water reflected the moonlight, casting a layer of pale silver-white upon his face.