Chengyou grows and shows his talent.

Shen Chengyou's childhood was steeped in the family traditions passed down through generations. His grandfather Shen Qingci's handwritten notes were filled with the maxims of "integrity, uprightness, honesty, and clarity," which he regarded as the guiding principles. His father Shen Nianqing was gentle and refined, and often took him to explore the city, teaching him that "an official should know the suffering of the people." His mother Li Yanran was knowledgeable and reasonable, and nurtured his gentle nature with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She also instilled in him a compassionate heart with the teaching that "no good deed is too small to be done."

He displayed extraordinary talent from a young age, recognizing a thousand characters at three, reciting the Analects at five, learning military strategy from his father at seven, and mastering martial arts by ten. His teachers at the academy often praised him, saying he "possesses both his grandfather's strategic acumen and his father's humility, and will surely achieve great things in the future." Shen Chengyou, however, was never arrogant. Every day at dawn, he would first practice a set of spear techniques in the courtyard, then go to his study to study the classics and historical texts. In the afternoon, he would follow the old servants to work in the fields, experiencing the hardships of farming—this was specially arranged by Shen Nianqing, who feared that his privileged upbringing would make him forget the suffering of ordinary people.

At the age of fifteen, Shen Chengyou insisted on taking the imperial examination. Although Shen Nianqing was worried about his young age, he respected his ambition and only told him: "The imperial examination is not for fame and fortune, but for the opportunity to serve the country and speak out for the people. You must remember your original intention." He lived up to expectations. During the examination, he wrote a brilliant essay entitled "On the Foundation of People's Livelihood," which quoted classics and criticized the current malpractices. He proposed three major policies: "lightening taxes and corvée labor, building water conservancy projects, and establishing rural schools." Every word hit the nail on the head and won the appreciation of the chief examiner. In the end, he ranked third in the first class and became the youngest Tan Hua Lang since the founding of the Da Jing Kingdom.

On the day of the imperial examination, Shen Chengyou, dressed in a blue robe, stood calmly in the Golden Palace, answering questions fluently. The emperor was delighted to see his maturity beyond his years and his extraordinary eloquence, and immediately appointed him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, praising him: "The Shen family has produced three generations of virtuous and capable people, and this young man has surpassed them all. He will surely become a pillar of the nation in the future!"

When the news reached the Shen family, the whole family was overjoyed. Shen Nianqing and his wife personally went to the gate to greet them. Li Yanran held her son's hand, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction: "Chengyou, you have done it, but you must not forget your roots." Shen Chengyou bowed and said firmly: "I dare not forget my parents' teachings. In the future, I will definitely take my grandfather and father as my role models, be an upright official, and do things that benefit the people."

After entering the Hanlin Academy, Shen Chengyou became even more diligent. Although young, he was never arrogant. He arrived at the office earliest and left latest every day, personally copying classics and drafting documents. When he encountered something he didn't understand, he humbly sought advice from his seniors and colleagues. He knew that the Hanlin Academy was a place for cultivating talent, and only by accumulating knowledge and understanding the politics of the court could he take on important responsibilities in the future.

In his spare time, he often disguised himself and went out of the palace to visit the streets and alleys, recording the people's demands: the river in the east of the city was silted up and prone to flooding during the rainy season; the village schools in the west of the city lacked teachers and books, making it difficult for children to attend school; the farmers in the suburbs were suffering from poverty due to excessive taxes... He compiled these observations into a book, attached his own suggestions, and quietly presented it to his superiors. These suggestions were clear, logical, and practical, and quickly attracted the attention of the court. Many measures to benefit the people were subsequently implemented, and the people applauded and praised the young compiler Shen as "caring for the people and a good official."

Shen Chengyou's emergence did not stem from his illustrious family background, but from his inherent integrity and sense of responsibility, and from the patriotism passed down through generations of the Shen family. Like the rising sun, he radiated youthful vigor and gradually shone with his own light in the court of Dajing.