The legend has come to an end; he passed away peacefully.
When news of Shen Jifang's coma reached the capital, Shen Nian'an and Shen Chengze were extremely anxious. They immediately requested leave from the court and rushed to Jiangnan overnight. When they arrived at the courtyard, Shen Jifang was lying on the bed, breathing weakly, his face as pale as paper.
"Auntie!" Shen Nian'an rushed to the bedside, grasped her hand, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Auntie, wake up, it's me, Nian'an!"
Shen Jifang slowly opened her eyes and saw Shen Nian'an and Shen Chengze. A glint of light flashed in her eyes, and her lips moved, but no sound came out. Shen Chengze quickly leaned closer to listen to her weak words.
“Nian’an… Chengze…” Shen Jifang’s voice was barely audible, “I… am going to see… your grandfather… and… your parents…”
“Aunt, please don’t speak. Just focus on getting better. You’ll get better.” Shen Chengze said, his voice choked with emotion. “We want to stay with you for a few more years and listen to you tell us more stories about our ancestors.”
Shen Jifang shook her head, a relieved smile appearing on her face. She looked out the window; the peach blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, just as they had been when she first married into the Shen family. She thought of her parents' love, her brother's protection, and every detail of her life as a doctor, her heart filled with peace.
She gently patted Shen Nian'an's hand and pointed to a wooden box on the table. Shen Nian'an opened the box; inside was a thick manuscript of a medical book and a letter. The letter read: "Nian'an, Chengze, I have no children of my own; you are my closest relatives. This medical book represents my life's work. I hope you will pass it on to the apprentices of 'Cheng'an Hall' so they can continue to save lives. After my death, there is no need for a grand burial; bury me next to your parents' and brother's graves. The Shen family's traditions must be passed down through generations; we must not forget our roots, nor betray the country and its people."
After reading the letter, Shen Nian'an and Shen Chengze were already in tears. They knelt by the bed and said in unison, "Auntie, we remember, we will definitely not let you down!"
Shen Jifang looked at them, her eyes filled with satisfaction. She slowly closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, and passed away peacefully at the age of ninety-eight.
After news of Shen Jifang's death spread, people from all over Jiangnan came to pay their respects. They spontaneously kept vigil for her, offering flowers and sacrifices to express their gratitude for her saving their lives. Many people who had been treated by her wept as they recounted her good deeds, praising her as a "living bodhisattva."
Following their aunt's last wishes, Shen Nian'an and Shen Chengze held a simple funeral for her, burying her next to the graves of Shen Chengyou, Wang Ruoxi, and Shen Jiye. The four tombstones stand side by side, as if the four members of a family are forever guarding this land south of the Yangtze River.
As the sun sets, golden sunlight bathes the tombstone, warm and serene. Shen Jifang's legendary life has come to an end, but her kindness and family traditions will forever remain in people's hearts.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
