Tang Li had breakfast and went to visit Xiao Minglan.

Song Jingtian had an incident and went missing at school. Although it was a false alarm, the old lady, given her age, was still shocked, and her heart couldn’t quite take it, so she’s been resting in her room these past couple of days.

Tang Li was holding a bowl of bird’s nest when she went over.

Xiao Minglan took the bird’s nest but didn’t eat it immediately. She placed it aside and asked Tang Li to sit by the bed. She looked at Tang Li carefully, her expression much softer. "Baiyan kept the matter of your trip to Nanwa from me. To cover up the news, your bodyguard was sent back to the country and hospitalized, but not in the same hospital as me."

"But in this world, there’s no impenetrable wall." Xiao Minglan sighed softly, "He didn’t want me to know, fearing it would cause me resentment."

A girl kidnapped for five or six days gives too much room for imagination.

Burma’s chaos is well-known.

There had been stray bullets hitting villages on the border of S Country before.

Those regional armed forces could be said to be lawless.

Song Jingtian is just a little boy, but Tang Li is different. Falling into the territory of the local armed forces, once it spreads, will inevitably harm her reputation.

Xiao Minglan spoke of what Tang Li understood.

She’s been kidnapped several times, which is not a praiseworthy experience.

The previous kidnapped female artist still has reports shadowing her even thirty years later.

If she were a nobody, such matters could be suppressed.

However, her husband is a president, and certain issues are bound to be magnified.

"Baiyan is still in office now." Xiao Minglan added, "I considered not making your relationship public and told Baiyan so."

Tang Li listened without any dissatisfaction.

She could understand Xiao Minglan’s concerns.

This world doesn’t revolve solely around her.

Even if certain oppressive methods could temporarily silence everyone, there would be corresponding consequences, and Tang Li hopes Song Baiyan gets reelected. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept a close eye on Isa’s accounts; more than clarifying her own background, she wants to change the outcome four years from now.

Whether she enjoys the honor of being the First Lady has never been the most important thing to her.

Xiao Minglan looked at Tang Li and added, "But Baiyan told me there’s no need."

No need.

Those three words made Tang Li look up at Xiao Minglan.

As a country’s executive decision-maker, every word Song Baiyan says represents not only himself.

At that time, it was in the hospital room.

Xiao Minglan made the suggestion after thorough consideration.

She knew it might be unfair to Tang Li, but since she chose to marry a high-ranking person, she must accept the accompanying gains and losses.

Just like when the Song Family had the scandal involving Song Jinyang’s mother and son.

Even though she was deeply hurt, she eventually chose forgiveness.

Her daughter Song Ru always thought it was because Song Mingzhang died unexpectedly on a business trip that she compromised and even adopted Jingtian.

But she knew in her heart that what allowed her to endure the existence of Song Jinyang’s mother and son was never the deep love between her and her husband but her duty as the Song Family’s matriarch.

A lifetime could be spent following one’s heart or being powerless over oneself.

She chose the latter way of living.

Personal gains and losses are sometimes insignificant in the face of the family.

As the family head, she must consider the clansmen.

Back when Song Baiyan could give up the military for politics for the family, and now having reached this height, he should be more cautious step by step. Emotional entanglements, though disturbing, shouldn’t truly muddle one’s mind.

Xiao Minglan has always trusted her son.

However, back then, Song Baiyan didn’t respond, only tucking her in.

When she spoke again, he replied with those three words.

"He said he married you simply because he wanted to." This matter holds no political factors.

"So, your marital relationship doesn’t need to compromise for his status."

No one in this world can be successful in everything.

Xiao Minglan remembers distinctly what her son said.

He cherishes Tang Li’s youth and vibrancy, so he must naturally bear the risks it brings.

No one is perfect.

Another girl would also have her flaws.

He cannot just enjoy the benefits Tang Li provides and then be the first to deny her in times when he needs to reciprocate.

From the moment he decided to be together, his responsibility to Tang Li began.

No matter if Tang Li is the offspring of a drug lord or a descendant of the Li Family, it has never been that important.

As the family head, Song Baiyan is beyond reproach.

But even the greatest of heroes cannot resist the lure of beauty, Song Baiyan was no exception. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I am telling you this not to make you take any action."

Xiao Minglan continued, "I am old already; one day, you will have to bear the responsibility and obligation a family mistress should bear."

By that time, she will no longer be able to hide behind her husband.

This is what Xiao Minglan cared about.

Tang Li understood, so she did not argue.

Xiao Minglan then switched topics, "You should know about Jingtian’s background."

Tang Li looked back at Xiao Minglan and nodded.

"Then Jingtian..."

Tang Li anticipated what Xiao Minglan wanted to know and proactively informed her, "He doesn’t know himself; Jin Lihua hasn’t had the chance to tell him yet."

Xiao Minglan nodded and said: "For a child not knowing is a good thing."

Not every child can withstand a sudden life change.

Moreover, it’s not even a good background.

Song Jingtian recognizing Jin Lihua is equivalent to becoming another Tang Li.

"The little girl Kang Yunxi brought from Country F is legitimately adopted and can’t be deported. She has already been taken by her mother to the Jian Family for upbringing." Xiao Minglan took a sip of water, "As for Kang Yunxi, whether or not she can return depends on her own luck."

Throughout, Xiao Minglan never inquired about Jin Lihua.

Even hearing the name from Tang Li’s mouth, she showed no emotional fluctuation.

As Tang Li rose to leave, Xiao Minglan suddenly added, "A mother may not be excellent, but she cannot vent her emotions onto the child. Once she does, the child won’t live the life she envisions and could instead be pushed into the abyss."

This remark made Tang Li think of Song Jinyang.

Jin Lihua and Kang Yunxi, in some ways, are the same type of people.

They’re both too emotional.

Thus, leaving Song Jingtian with Jin Lihua would only nurture another Song Jinyang.

"Jingtian’s nature is very much like that of his uncle from the Jin Family. If it weren’t for me suppressing, and his brother managing him, he’d inevitably become like his uncle."

Uncle...

That is to say, Jin Lihua’s brother.

Curious, Tang Li asked, "What did his uncle do?"

Xiao Minglan replied indifferently, "He learned to smuggle, got sentenced to six years; after release, he learned to tomb rob, and got sentenced to eighteen years."

Tang Li: "..."

——

Second update pending. If there’s more, see you at midnight.

Merry Christmas!