Chapter 158: Reunion of Martial Sisters

The next day was the day An Ruosu was to visit her family.

Early in the morning, Old Madam Tang was bustling about, directing the younger generation in cleaning, chopping vegetables, and preparing meat—a flurry of activity.

Suddenly, a knock sounded from outside the courtyard, and the busy household paused. Old Madam Tang’s eyelids twitched; quickly recovering, she strode to the door and opened it.

Outside stood An Ruosu, dressed in a deep blue, asymmetrical buttoned blouse, paired with a black pleated skirt, white socks, and square-toed leather shoes. Even her hair had been cut into a neat, ear-length student bob.

Old Madam Tang, upon seeing this, was momentarily dazed—as if her senior sister was still the gentle young woman of old, as if the years of hardship and wandering had been but a dream.

Tears blurred her vision as she opened her mouth in silent greeting: “Senior Sister.”

An Ruosu smiled softly. “Xiao Mei, long time no see.”

Indeed, it had been a long time. In the blink of an eye, their hair had turned white.

The two sisters locked eyes, both with reddened rims. Though separated by only a few steps, it had taken over forty years to bridge that distance.

Tang Banxia had no intention of interrupting this long-overdue reunion, but seeing Old Madam Tang’s heaving chest, she had to speak up. “Grandma, Senior Uncle, shall we go inside?”

She gently smoothed the elder’s chest as she spoke.

“Yes, yes, come inside,” the old gentleman responded, also regaining his composure.

“Alright.”

An Ruosu stepped inside, followed by two men carrying the gifts she had brought.

Wen Mubai and Tang Qicheng took the offerings, exchanging a glance with An Ruosu. After she nodded in acknowledgment, they promptly released their hold and remained nearby, ensuring her safety.

They moved to the main hall, where Sister-in-law Tang served the two old ladies warming angelica and red date tea. Then, with unspoken understanding, everyone quietly left the room, closing the door behind them.

Even the two bodyguards who had accompanied An Ruosu were left outside.

Tang Laoye and Tang Qicheng went to discuss the matter of two available positions. The Tang family did not intend to monopolize these spots; with many in-laws and old acquaintances, exchanging them for resources was a wise choice.

After all, it would be too conspicuous for the Tang family to take both at once.

Tang Banxia and Sister-in-law Tang headed to the kitchen to prepare the noon banquet, with Wen Mubai assisting.

Outside, the two bodyguards stood like sentries.

Xu Cong had been sent out on an errand by the old gentleman, and the two guards protecting Tang Banxia had yet to appear.

Inside the hall, An Ruosu and Old Madam Tang held hands, tears streaming down their faces. After exchanging words of parting sorrow, they began to discuss the four senior and junior siblings from years past.

“Senior Sister, have you had any news of the two senior brothers?” Old Madam Tang asked.

Once, she had been hopeless, believing they would never reunite in this lifetime.

But now, reunited with her senior sister, she dared to hope. What if fate was kind? What if the heavens could not bear their separation and allowed them a day of reunion?

Yet An Ruosu shook her head. “No news.”

Over the years, she had tried to trace the whereabouts of the other three, but the chaos of those times and the recent domestic turmoil had yielded no results.

If it weren’t for the chance meeting with Tang Banxia at the base, she might never have heard from her junior sister again.

Though disappointed, Old Madam Tang quickly lifted her spirits. “Perhaps one day, there will be news.”

Just like this time—wasn’t it a pleasant surprise?

“Indeed,” An Ruosu agreed firmly. “As long as we live, there will be a day of reunion.”

The four siblings were orphans, taken in and raised by their master, who was as close as family.

Besides their master, the siblings were each other’s dearest kin. How could they give up searching? How could they stop hoping?

Mentioning their master, An Ruosu’s eyes reddened again. “Xiao Mei, how is Master?”

Sadness clouded Old Madam Tang’s face.

Their master had fallen ill on the eve of the founding of the nation. The younger generation was unworthy; the once-prosperous Bai family was no longer but a shadow of its former glory, exploited by descendants who used its name for personal gain.

Three years ago, when the Bai family met its misfortune, Old Madam Tang was attending a conference out of town. By the time she returned, the damage was done.

Fortunately, Tang Laoye had acted swiftly to preserve two strands of their master’s bloodline. “Senior Sister, Master’s bloodline still survives.”

She recounted how Tang Laoye had sent Lu Xun and another away to avoid the turmoil.

An Ruosu’s sorrowful eyes brightened with joy. “Really?”

Old Madam Tang nodded. “More than that. That child came to the capital city and now works in the procurement department of the military hospital.”

The Bai family’s misfortune began with the second branch, who resented the family head’s strict control and the fact that Lu Xun’s mother, a woman, held the family’s reins.

They colluded with outsiders to falsely accuse the family head’s line of treason during the war, even fabricating correspondence.

Caught in the storm, the Bai family fell apart instantly. The family head’s line was nearly wiped out, and many Bai family members suffered consequences. Only the second branch profited, rising in rank and wealth.

The leader of the second branch even became director of the Fourth People’s Hospital in the capital, enjoying unparalleled prestige.

Inside the hall, the two sisters talked at length about their experiences over the years.

Outside, Tang Banxia listened as Sister-in-law Tang rambled about trivial family matters and the wayward behavior of her two children.

“Sister-in-law, Jinghui is about to graduate high school, right? Do you and my eldest brother have any plans?” Tang Banxia asked.

Tang Jinghui was her eldest nephew, the male lead of this story.

He was the rightful match for Song Qing and Song Yu—the ever-flowing female lead and steadfast male lead.

At the mention of her son, Sister-in-law Tang sighed. “Going to the countryside.”

Tang Banxia turned to look. “Jinghui’s going to the countryside?”

With the Tang family’s current influence, keeping Jinghui in the city would not be difficult.

At first, many passionate youths had shouted slogans about vast opportunities in the countryside, but after years of sobering reality, they had come to see the truth.

Is the countryside really such a wonderful place?

“Yes, he insisted,” Sister-in-law Tang said reluctantly. Though she complained about him, she felt pain at the thought of her son suffering in the rural hardships.

But he was stubborn. “That brat said if we don’t let him go, it means we have political issues and are blocking his bright future.”

Tang Sister-in-law ground her teeth, but she couldn’t say outright that the countryside was a place of hardship—that would only give others ammunition.

Tang Qicheng, that heartless man, said letting their son go would toughen him up; boys needed to be resilient.

Sister-in-law Tang was vexed but saw this as an opportunity to vent her frustrations to her sister-in-law.

Tang Banxia responded with a hesitant “Uh…”

Her eldest nephew this dramatic? Could someone like that really be the male lead?

“Maybe you should take Jinghui to the countryside for a couple of days to experience the hardships. Maybe then he’ll change his mind.”

Tang Banxia thought the boy was just spoiled. She had seen how many rural children were so sensible, even if mischievous, they would still go wild vegetable gathering and firewood collecting—they simply had no idle time.

When survival itself is a challenge, there’s little time for lofty ideals.

“You’re right, we’re on the same page. Come spring, I’ll send him to the countryside,” Sister-in-law Tang said, feeling understood.

But not now—it was winter, and the countryside was in hibernation. Sending him there now would be pointless; he’d only become more infatuated with rural life.

Spring, during the plowing season, would be the right time.

She vowed to herself that he would learn the true hardships of life.

Their casual chatter was interrupted when the door to the hall opened, and the two elderly women emerged, leaning on each other...