Retiring to Jiangnan, living a leisurely and contented life
The courtyards in Jiangnan are built along the water, their white walls and black tiles reflecting the shimmering waves. Outside the courtyards are vast rice paddies, while inside, the gardens are filled with flowers and plants cultivated by Wang Ruoxi herself—peonies blooming gracefully, jasmine exuding a delicate fragrance, and most eye-catching are the several osmanthus trees in the corner, transplanted from the old osmanthus trees planted by Shen Qingci years ago, filling the courtyard with fragrance every autumn. Shen Chengyou often sits on the stone bench under the osmanthus trees, caressing the bamboo teacup left by his grandfather, and the image of his grandfather and grandmother admiring the flowers together seems to appear before his eyes.
"What are you thinking about?" Wang Ruoxi walked over carrying a plate of freshly made osmanthus cakes and gently placed it on the stone table. The aroma of the cakes mingled with the fragrance of osmanthus, creating a sweet and refreshing scent.
Shen Chengyou snapped out of his reverie and smiled as he took a piece: "I was thinking about the days my grandfather spent here back then. I imagine he must have been just as carefree." He pointed out to the outside of the courtyard, "Look at that rice paddy. It's exactly the same as the description in my grandfather's notes. It's a golden expanse, full of the joy of a bountiful harvest."
Wang Ruoxi sat down next to him and said softly, "I went to my grandfather's former residence the other day. The courtyard is very well maintained, and the lotus pond in the corner is still there, just like when we visited with my father back then." She took out a silk handkerchief, on which was embroidered the scenery of Shen Qingci's former residence. "I embroidered it from memory. We can go there often in the future."
Shen Chengyou accepted the silk handkerchief, his fingertips tracing the pavilions and towers outlined in the embroidery, his heart filled with warmth. In the days that followed, they often visited Shen Qingci's former residence together, sitting on the old stone benches, flipping through Shen Qingci's handwritten notes, reminiscing about the past. Sometimes, when they encountered people coming to pay their respects, they would tell them the stories of Shen Qingci, ensuring that their grandfather's integrity and original aspirations would continue to live on in the land of Jiangnan.
Rural life was peaceful and fulfilling. Shen Chengyou rekindled his childhood hobbies, practicing calligraphy and painting daily. His calligraphy inherited the strength of Shen Qingci's style, while adding a touch of the warmth of age. Many neighbors came to him seeking his calligraphy, and he never refused, often writing phrases like "Peace and prosperity for the nation" and "Harmony in the family brings prosperity to all," which he then gave away for free. Wang Ruoxi, on the other hand, focused on flowers, herbs, and medicine. She combined Su Yunqing's medical books with her own experience, improving the processing methods of several herbs. The resulting ointment was remarkably effective for bruises and sprains, and she would give it away for free to the nearby residents who needed it, earning her the affectionate title of "Madam Shen" from her neighbors.
What delighted them most was the arrival of their grandchildren. Shen Jiye and Shen Jifang would bring their children to Jiangnan for a short stay every year, instantly enlivening the courtyard. Their eldest grandson, Shen Si'an, inherited Shen Chengyou's talent for martial arts and would pester Shen Chengyou every day to teach him how to use a spear. Shen Chengyou would hold his little hand and teach him the proper way to hold the spear and the force to strike it, while also telling him the story of how his grandfather used this spear to guard the border. Their second granddaughter, Shen Si'ning, enjoyed following Wang Ruoxi to tend to flowers and plants and identify herbs. Wang Ruoxi would teach her how to plant and process herbs, passing on Su Yunqing's medical skills little by little.
One day, Shen Si'an was practicing shooting in the courtyard when he accidentally fell to the ground, tears streaming down his face from the pain, yet he stubbornly refused to cry out. Shen Chengyou stepped forward, helped him up, and patted the dust off his clothes: "How can a martial artist not get injured? Your great-grandfather fought on the border and suffered injuries far worse than this, yet he never retreated." He pointed to the pine and cypress trees in the courtyard, "Look at them, they have weathered storms yet become even more upright. One should be like that in life, persevering and unwavering, only then can one achieve great things."
Shen Si'an nodded as if he understood, wiped away his tears, picked up the spear again, and his eyes became firm. Shen Si'ning, on the other hand, picked a few herbs using the method Wang Ruoxi had taught her, mashed them up, and applied them to her brother's wound. She said in a childish voice, "Brother, don't be afraid. These are herbs passed down from our great-grandmother. They will make the pain go away."
Looking at their grandchildren, Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi exchanged a smile. They knew that the Shen family's traditions, like the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, were deeply rooted in this land, flourishing and passed down from generation to generation.
In the Jiangnan region, life is free from the strife of the imperial court and the dangers of war. There is only the tranquility of mountains and rivers, the warmth of couples supporting each other, and the joy of three generations sharing family happiness. Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi lived a leisurely rural life here. Their love grew stronger with time, and their story flowed gently in the Jiangnan breeze, intertwining with the stories of their grandfather Shen Qingci and grandmother Su Yunqing, becoming a beautiful tale spanning a century.
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