Lady Ming took a sip of her tea, but she kept looking at Tan Xiuying the whole time. "Your mother and I were indeed friends, but the world is full of secrets, Third Miss. Some things are better left buried."
Tan Xiuying felt a chill run down her spine at Lady Ming's words, but she wasn't about to back down. "If there's even a sliver of a chance to uncover the truth, I must take it, secrets be damned."
Lady Ming placed her cup down, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Very well. What would you like to know?"
Tan Xiuying took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. "Lady Ming, I'd like to know how you and my mother became friends and the nature of your relationship. Were you just social acquaintances or was there a deeper connection?"
