Grandchildren have grown up and are each displaying their talents.
Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi's two children, Shen Jiye and Shen Jifang, have grown into a tall and handsome young man and a gentle and graceful young woman. Shen Jiye showed extraordinary martial arts talent from a young age, learning horsemanship and archery from his father. He has a resolute air about him and often stares intently at the border map, determined to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Shen Nianqing and father Shen Chengyou, galloping across the battlefield to protect the peace of his country. Shen Jifang inherited the intelligence and gentleness of her great-grandmother Su Yunqing. She dislikes swords and spears, but is instead fond of poetry and medicine. She can sit quietly all day with a medical book in her hands, and when her fingertips touch the herbs, her eyes are full of compassion. She is determined to practice medicine and relieve the suffering of the people.
When Shen Jiye turned eighteen, the border army was recruiting. He secretly submitted his enlistment application without his parents' knowledge. When the decree arrived, Shen Chengyou, seeing the determination in his son's eyes, reluctantly nodded in agreement. On the eve of his departure, Shen Chengyou tied the family heirloom jade pendant to his son's waist and said in a deep voice, "Jiye, the military camp is not like home, and the battlefield is a matter of life and death. As a descendant of the Shen family, you should prioritize the country and the people, but remember not to act rashly. Only with wisdom and courage can you protect yourself and your comrades." Wang Ruoxi, with tears in her eyes, packed her son's luggage, stuffing a bag full of his favorite osmanthus cakes, and repeatedly urged, "Take good care of yourself. Your father, mother, and sister are waiting for your safe return in Jiangnan."
Shen Jifang chose a house by a stream in Jiangnan and opened a clinic, naming it "Cheng'an Hall"—a name that both embodies the benevolence of her ancestors and expresses her wish to protect the health and well-being of the people. She possessed superb medical skills and adhered to the principle of "a doctor's benevolence," charging fair fees, especially for the poor, and often making home visits to treat elderly people with limited mobility. In just six months, "Cheng'an Hall" became renowned throughout Jiangnan, and people praised Doctor Shen highly.
It happened to be a day off, so Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi prepared some snacks and went to "Cheng'an Hall" to visit their daughter. As soon as they arrived, they heard gentle voices inside, as if a doctor was examining a patient. Shen Jifang was sitting at her desk, taking the pulse of a hunched-over elderly woman. Her fingers moved lightly, her expression focused, and she asked softly about her symptoms, her tone incredibly patient. After taking the pulse, she carefully wrote down a prescription, instructing her apprentice to prepare the medicine accordingly. She also specifically explained the elderly woman's dietary restrictions. Only after the old woman, leaning on her cane, left contentedly did they look up and see their parents at the door.
"Father, Mother, what brings you here?" Shen Jifang's eyes flashed with surprise as she quickly got up to greet them, the scent of herbs lingering on her sleeves spreading outwards.
Wang Ruoxi quickly stepped forward and took her daughter's hand. Her fingertips touched her slightly cool palm, and she said with heartache, "Look at you, child, you're so busy that you don't even have time to eat. We've come to bring you some snacks and to check if you're feeling alright."
Shen Chengyou's gaze swept over the plaque hanging in the hall that read "Skillful Hands and Benevolent Heart," a gift from the people themselves, its characters strong and vigorous. He nodded with satisfaction, his voice full of pride: "Jifang, you've done very well. Your great-grandmother dedicated her life to healing and saving lives, and now you've taken up her mantle, treating patients with benevolence. I'm so proud of you."
Shen Jifang blushed slightly and said shyly, "Father, you flatter me. I just did what I should do. I feel at ease knowing that I can alleviate the suffering of the people."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a man dressed in military uniform rushed into the clinic, holding a letter in his hand: "Miss Shen, this is a letter from Captain Shen on the border, sent by fast horse!"
Shen Jifang's eyes lit up, and she quickly took the letter, her fingertips trembling slightly as she opened it. In the letter, Shen Jiye described in detail his life in the border military camp, recounting his first patrol with the troops and mentioning a minor victory against the Turkic cavalry. His words were filled with the youthful vigor and spirit. The more Shen Jifang read, the wider her smile became, and she couldn't help but read it aloud. Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi listened quietly beside her, looking at the pride in their daughter's eyes. The couple smiled at each other, their hearts filled with comfort and peace—their children had finally grown into responsible and accomplished individuals.
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