Tang Beixuan mustered all the courage he had and faced his sister, the empress. He refused to be intimidated by her if it meant he could protect Li Meili.

  "It is me who wanted to pursue Meili. She'd never forced anything on me, except to give up on her."

  "But you didn't." Tang Moyu crossed her legs and arched a brow at him.

  Tang Beixuan pressed his lips into a thin line.

  "I-I couldn't…" He confessed. He'd also thought that with distance between him and Li Meili, he would be able to test his resolve, but his traitorous heart still wanted her no matter where he was and no matter how unattainable Li Meili was.

  The empress slowly nodded, resting her chin with the back of her hand as she regarded her younger brother.

  "But Beixuan, you do know that you are putting Meili in a dangerous situation by being with you, right?" She pointed out, which made Tang Beixuan freeze in his spot.

  "W-what?" What did his sister mean by that? Why the hell would she say that he would put Li Meili in a precarious situation? Was there something he didn't know?

  Tang Moyu's eyes darkened.

  "Beixuan, I haven't told you yet, but my birth mother and my twin brother were killed at the same time. A week later, Father brought me home. Don't you find it suspicious?"

  Her brother opened his mouth to say something, but his mind was still trying to comprehend what she meant, until it clicked for him. Tang Moyu was suspecting that her mother's death was the result of a premeditated murder.

  This… What could this mean for him and Li Meili?

  "You know I don't believe in coincidences, Beixuan. How convenient was it for Zhang Wuying and the Zhang family that my mother and my twin brother lost their lives? My brother, Tang Lingjun was a son, no matter if he was a child out of wedlock or not. He will eventually have a chance to seize and challenge your position as the Tang family's young master."

  Tang Moyu thought that perhaps she had been kept alive because she was a daughter, who would have a lesser chance to compete against Zhang Wuying's children if she had any. Too bad, whoever caused the demise of her birth mother and Tang Lingjun hadn't expected that she was the child prodigy between the two.

  "I hate to break this to you, Beixuan but you and I are still under our mother's influence. I'm not sure if Zhang Wuying or the Zhang family was involved in my birth mother and brother's death, but if they are… do you think Li Meili would be safe, considering that you, Beixuan, is an important chess piece for the Zhang family?"

  So long as Zhang Wuying could make sure Tang Beixuan's succession, the Zhang family would still be able to have influence on the Tang family.

  Tang Moyu scoffed. Weren't the Zhang family too bold to think that they could devour the Tang family's resources? Not that she minded if they did, just not under her management.

  "I-I…" Tang Beixuan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was their mother really involved in that incident? He was a person who doesn't easily fall into schemes as his carefree and outgoing appearance might seem to indicate.

  "I understand." He conceded. If it'd be for Li Meili's safety then, he would do his best to protect her.

  "Do you?" Tang Moyu inquired. "Beixuan, I have no problems with you and Meili being together. But if there comes a time when she would be endangered because of you, I'll be the first person to destroy you, even if you are my brother. That's my Li Meili we're talking about." She warned him.

  Tang Beixuan stared at his sister. Even though Li Meili had been beside the empress for a long time, why hadn't she suffered any loss from it? Being with the empress should also put her in a more precarious situation compared to her being with him, but why?

  Though it actually wasn't surprising, because considering Tang Moyu and Li Meili's bond, which was stronger than what he had with his sister, the empress would simply destroy anyone who would dare to harm the Li heiress, while Li Meili would always have the empress's back.

  "En. I understand." He sighed, pleased that his sister didn't have any problem with him being with Li Meili and was only concerned about their safety.

  "I'm not asking you to give up on each other. But Beixuan, you have to keep this under wraps before it reaches 'mother''s ears. She would surely make a scene about how Li Meili is not suitable for you. I hate to see you and Li Meili get hurt. So please be careful." She reminded him.

  Since she had no right to stop them or interfere with their affairs, Tang Moyu could only give them this advice. She wouldn't mind seeing her best friend with her brother, only if Zhang Wuying wouldn't come after Li Meili once she found out.

  Tang Moyu was sure that the old woman wouldn't take the news lightly, but she would never allow Li Meili to get involved with their family problems.

  "Now, let's go inside. I'm starving." Tang Moyu pulled herself back on her feet and walked back towards the guest house. Her nose could scent the wafting smell of the dish Feng Tianyi made for them tonight and could feel her mouth watering already.

  Ah, the perks of dating a man who could cook! Perhaps this is one of the reasons why she couldn't ignore Feng Tianyi. He made such delicious meals that had never failed to make her come back for an extra serving, albeit a dangerous risk on her weight.

  When she arrived at the dining area, her little buns and Li Meili were already seated, waiting for their return. Little Star's face lit up once she saw her.

  "Mommy, let's eat!" She said enthusiastically, earning a laugh from a.d.u.l.ts.