The glorious Chang'an, its fame will last for eternity.
Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi lived a secluded life in Jiangnan for over a decade, witnessing the apricot blossoms and spring rains, and quietly appreciating the autumn moon and winter snow. Their days were peaceful and serene. But time waits for no one. Shen Chengyou passed away peacefully first, and Wang Ruoxi spent her days in tears, falling ill from grief. Less than half a year later, she followed him in death.
The couple's funeral was simple yet solemn. The emperor, grateful for Shen Chengyou's outstanding achievements in guarding the border and reorganizing military affairs throughout his life, specially dispatched an imperial envoy to offer condolences and posthumously conferred upon him the title of "Duke of Wuzhong" and the posthumous name of "Jing'an". Wang Ruoxi was posthumously conferred the title of "Lady of Virtue" because of her virtuous character and her good deeds in comforting the soldiers when she accompanied her husband to guard the border.
When the news reached the border, Shen Jiye, dressed in military uniform, knelt before his tent, gazing towards Jiangnan with tears streaming down his face. He immediately ordered the entire army to observe three days of mourning. Shen Jifang closed her clinic and, with her apprentice, rushed back to Jiangnan overnight. The siblings personally handled the funeral arrangements for their grandparents, observed three years of mourning at their graves, and recited scriptures day and night to comfort their departed souls.
When the people of Dajing heard the news of Shen Chengyou's passing, they all mourned. In the streets of the capital, merchants who had been protected by him spontaneously hung white banners; in the border areas, people held up the clear water from the irrigation canals that Shen Chengyou had overseen the construction of and sprinkled it on the ground, expressing their gratitude for his kindness in garrisoning the land and protecting the border from famine.
Time flies, and several years later, Shen Jiye, thanks to his outstanding military achievements, was promoted to Grand Marshal of the Army and Commander of the entire nation's army. He followed the military management methods of his grandfather and father, combining leniency with strictness, emphasizing military discipline while cherishing his soldiers. His army became a powerful force, forming the most solid bulwark for the Great Jing Dynasty.
Shen Jifang was summoned to the palace and took charge of the Imperial Medical Academy, becoming the first female physician in the Great Jing Dynasty. She not only took good care of the royal family, but also devoted herself to promoting medical policies that benefited the people. She established pharmacies for the benefit of the people in various places, compiled simple medical books to teach folk doctors, and spread the benevolence of "Cheng'an Hall" far and wide, becoming a "living bodhisattva" in the mouths of the people.
The story of four generations of the Shen family has been passed down through generations in Dajing. From Shen Qing, who resigned from the imperial examination to report on his country and was exonerated but remained true to his original aspirations, to Shen Nianqing, who served three dynasties and turned the tide to protect the stability of the court; from Shen Chengyou, who was both a scholar and a warrior and guarded the border to protect the country and its people, to Shen Jiye, who distinguished himself on the battlefield, and Shen Jifang, who practiced medicine to save lives, the descendants of the Shen family have always adhered to the belief of "loving one person for a lifetime and protecting one country with one heart".
Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing's unwavering devotion weathered the storms of Ningguta; Shen Nianqing and Li Yanran's harmonious union warmed the hearts of the court; Shen Chengyou and Wang Ruoxi's life-and-death companionship witnessed the flames of war on the border; Shen Jiye and Lady Liu's respectful relationship protected the peace of the years. Their love, like the landscape of the Great Jing Dynasty, withstood the test of time, remaining steadfast and becoming a timeless tale of love.
With the joint assistance of four generations of the Shen family and a group of virtuous ministers and generals, the Great Jing Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, abundant harvests, and a life of peace and contentment for a century.
As the sun sets, its golden rays bathe the glazed tiles of the ancient city of Chang'an, as well as the courtyards of Jiangnan and the city walls of the border. This prosperous age is just as Shen Qingci had hoped for: peace and prosperity for the nation, and the safety of its people. This country, as Shen Chengyou protected throughout his life, boasts a vast territory and healthy people. This love, as generations of the Shen family have upheld, is a testament to enduring love and unwavering devotion.
The patriotism that is ingrained in the blood of the Shen family, from Shen Qingci to Shen Jiye, from calligraphy and painting to battlefield action, from the fragrance of medicine to court strategy, has long been transformed into the spiritual totem of the Great Jing Dynasty, living on this land and being remembered for all time.
(End of Volume 5)
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