Yuan Qi didn't think there was anything wrong with it, nor did she think it was a way of showing her affection to Xiangli Youming. She thought it was just reciprocity; since he always gave her nice things for free, she had to reciprocate in kind, right?

However, in Xiangli Youming's heart, this whip was specially made for him by Yuan Qi. If not, why didn't Yuan Qi give the whip to someone else?

She had a good relationship with Bai Youhui and Bai Fujun, and Yuan Qi never gave them anything specially made.

After thinking it over, Xiangli Youming felt that Yuan Qi treated him very specially, and he was very happy.

"Let's not join them in the fun, let's eat here by ourselves." Xiangli Youming had actually planned this all along, but he was worried that Yuan Qi wouldn't agree, so he made two preparations.

He looked at Yuan Qi with some trepidation, silently praying that Yuan Qi would agree to his suggestion. He also guessed that Yuan Qi disliked those kinds of occasions, especially since she had recently become very famous and many people wanted to get close to her, so she disliked socializing even more.

“Sure, I don’t like wasting time talking to those people anyway, so let’s just stay here and have some peace and quiet.” Yuan Qi readily agreed.

Xuan Yu walked in and stood next to Xiang Li Youming, whispering in his ear, "The patriarch sent someone to say that Princess Li Yue has arrived and is waiting for you in the front hall."

Xiangli Youming glanced at Yuan Qi with concern. Last time, he heard that Yuan Qi was going to meet Zheng Hongxiu at Baihelou with Jiang Junjing. Coincidentally, Princess Liyue invited him to play that day, so he booked a meal at Baihelou.

He had come prepared and it wasn't an accidental encounter with Yuan Qi. His purpose that day was to test whether Yuan Qi would be jealous if he saw him on a date with another woman. He didn't really have any special feelings for Princess Liyue.

Now that Yuan Qi was showing him goodwill, he naturally couldn't let Yuan Qi misunderstand again. The Xiangli family had never shown any respect to the royal family, and Xiangli Youming knew this well. Without thinking, he had Xuan Yu reply: "Just say that I have a distinguished guest and I don't have time to see her today."

Seeing that Xuan Yu didn't dare to say it openly in front of her, Yuan Qi guessed that this matter wasn't so pleasant, so she pretended not to be interested.

Xuan Yu answered without hesitation: "Yes."

Xiangli Youming smiled guiltily at Chao Yuanqi: "Some unrelated people always want to see me, but I usually don't."

Yuan Qi smiled and said, "Are you a young lady?"

Xiangli Youming was taken aback and felt very embarrassed: "It's... Princess Liyue. I don't have any romantic feelings for her. She's the one who's been pestering me."

Yuan Qi had an "I knew it" look on his face. This Xiangli Youming was quite interesting. He always had an icy expression when facing girls, but he would actually feel guilty when questioned by others.

Intending to tease him a little, she asked, "So many girls outside want to marry you, how do you feel about that?"

Xiangli Youming became even more anxious. He felt that Yuan Qi was angry, but it was also a sign that he cared about him, so he was also a little happy: "I'm so annoyed. The way they look at me is so disrespectful."

He had a feeling that he was more like a wronged young wife waiting for her husband's judgment.

"Is that so?" Yuan Qi chuckled twice. "Princess Liyue is so beautiful, how could you let her turn her away? So many guests today know that Princess Liyue came to see you. Won't she be angry with you for not being able to see you?"

Xiangli Youming snorted: "Who has the Xiangli family ever been afraid of? She brought this upon herself by deliberately coming when there were many people around. Who can she blame for losing face?"

"You're so cold-hearted," Yuan Qi sighed.

Xiangli Youming quickly explained, "I may be cold-hearted towards other women, but I'm not cold-hearted at all towards you."

In the time it took to speak, the four guards had already cleared away the tea and pastries from the table and replaced them with a table full of delicious food.

Yuan Qi glanced at them and saw that they were all her favorite flavors.

Under the veranda outside the front hall, stood many guests, all prominent figures, teasing the birds.

Princess Liyue's face immediately darkened upon hearing the servant's reply. She dared not look at the expressions of the onlookers; she, a princess of a nation, had been turned away at the door.

Not only was she rejected by Xiangli Youming, but so many people were watching. What's worse, none of the women in the Xiangli family came out to entertain her, leaving her humiliated and without even a way to save face.

She lost her bet. She had thought that since he had agreed to meet her last time, she would be able to make a name for herself in front of everyone and let them know that he was in love with her.

I never expected things to turn out this way.

Should she continue waiting for Young Master Jiu, or turn away in a huff?

No matter which method is used, she has lost all face today.

Just as they were at a loss, a young woman came over. This woman was Xiangli Jiuyou's wife. She was dignified, virtuous, and knew how to behave properly. Today, she was responsible for finding the female relatives who came to offer birthday wishes. She had personally witnessed Xiao Jiuye leaving with Yuan Qi and knew Xiao Jiuye's temper. He said he would not see anyone no matter what others did.

Although the four major families had a strained relationship with the royal family, they couldn't afford to embarrass the empress's legitimate daughter in front of so many people.

"Your Highness, I am the eldest son's wife. Today, the Ninth Prince has taken distinguished guests to the Nine Heavens Tower and is probably too busy to see you. Why don't you come inside with me?"

Princess Liyue knew that today was Xianglimu's birthday and had brought a gift. Since someone was giving her a way out, she decided to accept it.

"Alright." She waved her hand, and a palace maid came over with an exquisite box and handed it to the maid behind the eldest son's wife.

"This is a small gift from the Empress Dowager to wish the Xiangli family head a long and prosperous life." Princess Liyue felt relieved that she wouldn't lose face.

Although he harbored resentment towards the Xiangli family, he dared not show it. After all, the Xiangli family was an existence that could crush the imperial power. Although they did not raise thousands of troops, their connections and influence were enough to overthrow the imperial power and change the dynasty.

She naturally wouldn't dare to act recklessly here, since even her father wouldn't dare to offend such a family openly.

He was only wondering who the young master's distinguished guest would be today.

She gave a wink to her personal maid, who immediately left and tried to ingratiate herself with the servants of the Xiangli residence, hoping to find out from them who the Ninth Master's distinguished guest was that day.

If it were a man, that would be fine, but if it were a woman, she would like to see who had caught the eye of the Ninth Master.

Halfway through the banquet, the maid returned and whispered something in her ear.

Although Princess Liyue is young, she has been well-educated by the Queen. Even if she hears shocking news, she can remain calm and composed, and she can endure being humiliated by others.

Who made Consort Feng superior to the Empress? Even though the Empress has a legitimate son, he cannot inherit the throne and has to bow down to the Feng family.

It was her! The four great families really went too far.

She glanced at the women present, all radiating confidence and self-importance, none of them bothering to greet her, as if they didn't know she was a princess. Even though the young mistress of the Xiang family had just introduced her…