Spring deepens in the courtyard, and longing lingers.
After returning to Beijing from the northern border, Shen Jifang's health gradually declined. Her courtyard in Jiangnan became her last attachment, where her grandparents' tombstones, her brother's footprints, and her most precious memories were kept. That spring, Shen Jiayan returned from the disaster area in the north and made a special detour to Jiangnan to visit his great-aunt.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw Shen Jifang sitting on a stone bench under the grape trellis, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, her eyes fixed on the direction of Shen Qingci and his wife's tombstone, her expression dazed. The peach blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, and the petals drifted down in the wind, landing on her white hair, adding a touch of desolation.
"Auntie," Shen Jiayan called softly and quickly stepped forward.
Shen Jifang slowly came to her senses, and when she saw him, a weak smile appeared on her face: "Jiayan, you're back. Is the disaster in the north... all better?"
"Everything's alright, Auntie. Don't worry, the people have resumed production, and next year will surely bring a good harvest." Shen Jiayan helped her sit up and poured her a cup of warm ginger tea. "You're not feeling well, why are you sitting in the wind?"
“Sitting here, I can see your great-great-grandparents and also think of your grandfather.” Shen Jifang took a sip of tea, her voice hoarse. “Back then, your grandfather always said that once the war was over, he would return to Jiangnan to plant peach blossoms with me. But he guarded the border his whole life and in the end, he didn’t get to enjoy a few days of peace and happiness.”
Shen Jiayan felt a pang of sadness and grasped her great-aunt's withered hand: "Grandpa was a hero. He protected the peace of the border and our whole family. Look, the Great Jing is now peaceful and prosperous. This is all thanks to the blood and sweat of Grandpa and his generation."
“Yes, it was all earned with their blood and sweat.” Shen Jifang’s eyes welled up with tears. “I still remember your great-grandmother, Su Yunqing. Back then, she traveled thousands of miles to Ningguta to follow your great-grandfather. She endured so much hardship along the way, but she never complained. She always said that as long as she could be with the one she loved, no matter how bitter or difficult it was, it was all worth it. The women of our Shen family are all so resilient.”
She paused, then looked at Shen Jiayan: "Jiayan, I'm getting old, and I'm afraid my days are numbered. After I die, please bury me next to your grandparents' graves. I want to be with them, and I also want to be with this land that gave me birth and nurtured me."
"Grandma, please don't say that. You'll get better." Shen Jiayan held back her tears. "Grandson wants to stay with you for a few more years and listen to you tell more stories about our ancestors."
Shen Jifang smiled and reached out to stroke his cheek: "Silly child, everyone dies eventually. I am already very satisfied to see you all succeed and to see peace in Dajing. You must remember that no matter what position you hold in the future, you must be like your grandfather and your father, putting the people first, never forgetting your roots, and never betraying the reputation of the Shen family."
Shen Jiayan nodded emphatically, tears finally falling: "Aunt, I remember, I will never forget."
A spring breeze swept through the courtyard, and peach petals fluttered down, as if whispering endless longing. Shen Jifang gazed at the tombstone, her eyes filled with yearning. Her entire life had been spent in longing and steadfast devotion; now, she only wished to return to her loved ones and, together with them, protect this land south of the Yangtze River.
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