Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

Li Juan went to university the next day. It seemed the best thing to do right now. She busied herself with the work so that she gets no time to think about anything else.

If she stays at home, Mei Rong will easily find about her mood swings.

Mei Rong was already worried about Li Juan since she didn't turn up on New Year day.

She believed that Li Juan went to some forest where the mobile network was unavailable.

Li Juan didn't try to correct her misunderstanding.

It is better to think that Li Juan went to the forest rather than knowing that she once again slipped away from death's hands.

Li Juan went to the lab and recorded down her findings of the Jade land and map.

"Tae Minah, do you know why Tang Corporation invests in our project?" While writing Li Juan suddenly remembered Liang's words about Tang Corporation's interest in an archaeological expedition.

"I don't know Noona. You were the one who is in the team from the beginning." Lee Tae Min replied.

She was indeed the part of the research team, but she never knew about the investors or their interest in funding this project.

Suddenly Li Juan heard someone knocking on their door. She opened the door and found a man in suits.

"I'm Ahn Lu Shan from Tang corporations."

Speak of the devil. Li Juan thought.

"I'm here to relay a message from Chairman Tang."

Chairman Tang. Tang Wei Sheng's grandfather.

"Chairman wants to meet Miss Li,"

"Meet me," Li Juan was surprised for a moment. "Right now?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Chairman wants to hear about your findings."

Li Juan looked at Lee Tae Min.

"But we were asked to present a final report next week before a selected panel of investors." Lee Tae Min notified him.

"Yes, I am aware of that. Chairman wants to meet Miss Li because she went to Xi city to collect the route map herself. It is nothing official." Secretary Ahn assured Lee Tae Min.

Li Juan walked towards the desk and packed her Laptop.

"Should I come with you?" Lee Tae Min asked her in concern.

"No, it is fine,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Tae Minah, can you go and meet the supervisor Wang? We need to prepare a list for necessities for the excavation team."

"Yes, Noona."

Li Juan took her bag and walked outside.

"Noona, wait for a minute."

Lee Tae Min pulled out his phone from his jacket's pocket.

"Keep this until you get a new phone."

Li Juan looked at him with shock.

"How can I contact you if I have come across some misunderstandings with supervisor Wang? He only listens to you." Lee Tae Min explained.

"Okay, Thanks, Li Juan took the phone from him, bye, I will call you once I finish,"

Secretary Ahn brought Li Juan to a traditional restaurant in the posh area in the city.

"Good Morning Miss Li Juan." Tang Fei greeted her.

Even though Li Juan went to Tang mansion several times, this was the first time Li Juan having a conversation with Tang Fei.

Li Juan bowed before him and paid her respects.

"Please sit." Chairman Tang offered her a seat.

Even though his face had a welcoming smile, the strong domineering aura surrounded Tang Fei made Li Juan, uncomfortable for a moment.

"How are you, Miss Li?"

"I am fine sir,"

A server came inside to take the order from them.

"What do you like to have Miss Li?"

"Anything is fine sir." Li Juan replied politely.

Tang Fei ordered the famous delicacy from the menu.

"So how was your trip to Xi city? I heard that you found a route map of the Lost City?" Tang Fei initiated a conversation with Li Juan while eating.

"Yes, it was good sir. We were able to solve the route map to the lost city. If everything goes well, we can start the expedition as soon as possible." Li Juan reported.

"Hmm." Tang Fei hummed and continued. "Who all are there in your family, Miss Li?"

Li Juan was a bit startled by his question. I thought this meeting is about the expedition.

Why he is interested in my family?

"I don't have," Li Juan hesitated for a moment. "Both my parents passed away. Nowadays, I live alone."

"I am sorry for your loss Miss Li", Tang Fei looked at her with kind eyes.

"I heard that you are a friend of little Lanlan?"

"Yes, sir, we were in the same class." Li Juan replied smilingly.

"You must have been a bright student to get admitted to Silver Oak."

I was fortunate to get selected for the scholarship offered by Silver Oak high school. Li Juan was aware of the fact that Tang Corporations was one of the benefactors of Silver Oak school and her scholarship. Scholarship in school and research funding in university, it seems like she has been always in the care of Tang corporation.

"How long have you been in a relationship with Tang Wei Sheng?" Tang Fei asked her directly.

There was a sudden shock appeared on Li Juan's face.

Did he know?

"Chairman Tang," Li Juan got flustered." I, CEO Tang is getting married." Li Juan didn't know how to answer that question.

"Yes. I know." Tang Fei's voice appeared deadly serious.

"That is why I am asking you."

"I Liked CEO Tang." Li Juan replied with downcasted eyes.

This is it! This is the most anticipated moment of truth.

"You like him," Tang Fei asked again as if he didn't understand Li Juan's reply. "Not love?"

"It started as a childhood crush." Li Juan replied mechanically. Tang Wei Sheng confessed his feelings towards her, but she was hesitant to acknowledge it after his marriage announcement.

Unfortunately, Li Juan started doubting him.

"But both of you went together to Xi city." Tang Fei reminded her.

"It was part of my job sir,"

"Can I believe your words?" Tang Fei asked her directly.

Li Juan remained silent.

"Do you still hold feelings for him?"

Li Juan didn't want to answer that question either. She idly sat there looking at the floor. She knew her heart and had a clear idea about her feelings for Tang Wei Sheng.

But Tang Wei Sheng and his feelings about her, she is not sure about that, especially after his marriage got announced.

"It seems like you still have feelings for him." Tang Fei sighed.

"I can understand it. But you know, he already got engaged.

When Wei Sheng's marriage got fixed, Lanlan requested that she wants you as her sister in law. When little Lanlan told me about you, I was curious to meet you." Tang Fei expressed why he wanted to meet Li Juan.

Tang Wei Lan, her best friend!

Li Juan felt a numbing pain and guilt in her heart.

Tang Wei Lan didn't know that Li Juan has already confessed her feelings to Tang Wei Sheng and got dumped within three days.

Li Juan hid everything from Tang Wei Lan, but still, she spoke for Li Juan.

"I love my grandchildren a lot." Tang Fei looked at Li Juan's agonized face and continued.

"Wei Sheng and LanLan, both of them, know you and maybe like you.

But when it comes to a marriage, there are certain things we elders consider. Everyone wants best for their children.

And for my precious grandson, I always wanted to see his happiness.

When he said he wanted to marry Miss Ning, we were surprised by his decision.

Even though we were looking for a bride for him, he never showed interest in anyone other than the girl he likes.

If he likes a girl who is qualified enough to become Tang family's daughter in law, how can we disagree to that?

We agreed upon the marriage between him and Miss Ning.

After all, it is his decision and we don't have anything to say in it."

Tang Fei tried to convince Li Juan that Tang Wei Sheng never had any intention to marry Li Juan.

So Tang Wei Sheng was already in a relationship when he proposed to move in with her. Li Juan's mind started overthinking.

Does she look that desperate for his attention and love, so that he offered her to become his mistress?

Tang Wei Sheng wants her to be his mistress.

She thought it was love, but it turns out to be something else.

Never knew that Tang Wei Sheng was ruthless. Li Juan felt her eyes are burning.

No, she must not cry. Not here, not in front of Tang Wei Sheng's grandfather.

Everything Tang Fei told about Tang Wei Sheng and his marriage was a Lie, but looking at Li Juan's confused face, Tang Fei assumed that he created enough misunderstandings in Li Juan's mind.

Stupid girl!

"But little Lanlan was against this marriage. She said that Miss Li liked her brother."

"Chairman Tang, please don't mind little Lan's words.

I don't have any feelings for him." Suddenly Li Juan interrupted Chairman Tang.

"Not anymore."

Li Juan looked into Chairman Tang's eyes.

"I don't care about your relationship with Wei Sheng till now, but Miss Li, you are wise." Chairman Tang smiled.

"You are wise enough to know that meddling in the life of an engaged man is morally wrong.

We live in a society where gender equality prevails, but when it comes to relationships, it doesn't matter.

Whether you are a victim or guilty of being in an illicit relationship, The fault will be always on women." Tang Fei elaborated his words.

"You might've heard about materialistic women who woos men from powerful family through illicit affairs and illegitimate children.

I hope Miss Li understands that ruining a family and their happiness is evil and morally wrong.

I believe that your parents lived enough to teach you that."

Li Juan looked at Tang Fei's face with a shock.

What did he say?

Tang Fei laughed triumphantly in his mind when he realized that he was successful in playing with Li Juan's insecurities and fears.

Li Juan felt her blood boiling.

Is he pointing out that she doesn't have any morals?

And how dare he drag her dead parents into this?

"Chairman Tang, My parents, taught me so many things. But mainly they taught me to respect others, no matter how different they are from me- everyone deserves to be respected.

But Chairman Tang, I am sorry," Li Juan flashed him a bitter smile.

Tang Fei looked at the women sitting in front of him with sharp eyes. Just a moment ago she appeared like a scaredy-cat but in a glimpse, her aura has changed into a hurt tigress. Fighting for her survival while enduring the pain

"You don't have to emotionally blackmail me." Li Juan said in a strong voice.

"I loved your grandson.

I believed he loved me too.

Unfortunately, he proved me wrong." Li Juan sneered.

"So you don't have to worry,

I will stay out of his sight. Not because you want me to.

I will stay out of his sight, because of my morals," Li Juan assured.

"A cheater doesn't deserve second chances.

If you don't have anything else to discuss, Then I will take leave,"

Li Juan silently bowed and walked outside.

"Secretary Ahn," Tang Fei called his assistant.

"Did you say that she is called a silent cat?" Tang Fei appeared in disdain. "What I saw wasn't a cat, it was a tigress."

"Master,"

"No wonder Tang Wei Sheng appears heads over heels for her.

For a moment, I thought she is going to cling upon Wei Sheng, but she proved me wrong.

She is too prideful to go after a man who cheated her." Tang Fei laughed in a mocking tone.

"But master, What if young master tries to clarify the misunderstandings with Li Juan?"

"Make sure that they don't get a chance." Tang Fei ordered.

When Li Juan left the restaurant, all she ever wanted to do is to run away. Runaway to a place where no one can see her, no one can hear.

She wants to scream at top of her lungs.

She felt like her heart is getting torn into millions of pieces.

She acted tough in front of Tang Fei, but it was excruciating to know that Tang Wei Sheng cheated her.

He took advantage of her feelings.

When Li Juan returned to Jing city, she has already made up her mind to forget Tang Wei Sheng,

But somewhere deep in her heart, she had hope.

The Tang Wei Sheng she knew, would never betray her.

But when Tang Fei confirmed his grandson's relationship with the Actress, everything was clear -Tang Wei Sheng played with her feelings.

But why?

She told him about her circumstances, her painful past and still, he took advantage of her.

Li Juan felt her temples starting to ache. Before it turns into something big, she must get back home. Li Juan walked fastly.

Suddenly everything went blurry in front of her eyes and she felt suffocated.

Gradually Li Juan collapsed into the ground.

Lee Tae Min continuously tried to contact Li Juan by the old phone he left with her.

After a while, a woman took the call.

"Noona, where are you?"

"Excuse me, are you a friend of the owner of this phone?"

"Huh," Lee Tae Min was shocked." Isn't it Li Juan's phone? Where is she?"

"I am calling from the emergency centre in Jing city hospital.

The owner of this phone fainted and currently, she is in the ER.

Can you please come here?"

"Yes, I am on the way."

Lee Tae Min ended the phone call and rushed to the hospital.

When Lee Tae Min reached the hospital, Li Juan was still unconscious.

"Nurse, how is her condition?" He asked the nurse in charge of Li Juan.

"Oh, you are the relative of this patient. Dr Fang wants to meet you. He is in room no 101,"

The nurse informed him and led him to the doctor's room.

Lee Tae Min thanked the nurse and went to Dr Fang's room.

When Lee Tae Min realised that, he is stepping into the neurological department, he felt something amiss.

Is anything serious with Li Juan?

"May I come in doctor?" Lee Tae Min knocked on the door.

"Yes, please."

"Good afternoon doctor, I am the relative of Li Juan, the girl who brought to the ER an hour ago."

"Oh, please sit down." The doctor asked him to sit.

"Is she suffered from any head injuries before?"

"Yes, doctor. Seven years ago she met with an accident." Lee Tae Min explained Li Juan's previous medical conditions.

"She went to coma and even had memory loss. She had several relapse episodes.

For a while, she was suffering from depression and she is still on medication."

"So she had two previous encounters." The doctor sighed and adjusted his spectacles.

"Is there anything wrong with her?" Lee Tae Min asked in worry.

"Right now, it is just fainting due to stress and hyperventilation. Maybe due to anxiety.

But scan reports shows that there is a wrong with her brain, there is a high chance of relapse."

There was a shock in Tae Min's face.

"Is she going to have another episode of memory loss?"

"There are chances for it," Doctor said with a straight face. "But if you can avoid things which may lead to any physical or mental trauma for the patient, we can delay the relapses."

"Is there any permanent solution for my sister's condition?" Lee Tae Min asked the doctor.

"Young man, the medicine for her physical wound has done its job so far. Since it is a head injury, it has changed the patient's emotional and mental state.

Depression and anxiety disorders are results of that.

We can continue the medicines, but it is better to prevent her from experiencing any mentally disturbing events to avoid trauma."

The doctor looked at Lee Tae Min's worried face. His face appeared pale as a ghost.

" You have to, you should keep your sister happy.

Sometimes our love and care can create miracles in cases likes this."

When Lee Tae Min came out of the Doctor's room, his eyes were reddened.

He felt like crying.

Li Juan's neurological condition was getting worse.

If Li Juan gets exposed to emotional trauma, that's it.

She will lose her memories or even worse, fall into a coma for the rest of her life.

"No!"

He will not allow Li Juan to experience any more misery.

He must keep her safe and happy at any cost.

Lee Tae Min immediately took his phone and dialled his brother's number.

"Hyung, I want you to come here." The moment the call got connected, Lee Tae Min requested his brother.

"What happened Minah?" The voice from the other side sounded anxious.

"I am going to ask for a favour from you, you must promise me that you will do it by any cost."

"What is that?"

"Promise me."

"Minah,"

"PROMISE ME, FIRST" Lee Tae Min raised his voice.

"Okay, okay, I promise I will do whatever you ask me," he assured Lee Tae Min.

"I want you to marry Li Juan."