This fact caused a great shock in Liu Chengxi's heart.

During the ensuing banquet, Liu Chengxi remained absent-minded, occasionally glancing at Yun Qing, only to quickly look away as if he had been burned.

His unusual behavior, besides being noticed by his own family, was also observed by another person present.

When Li Huaiyin heard that Liu Chengxi's mother had been promoted, he was very happy for him. After looking at his beloved for a while, he began to search for him.

Before he could even smile, he realized that his friend seemed to be focusing too much attention on Yun Qing.

Moreover, he was all too familiar with that look; those shameless women who often flaunted their charms in front of Yun Qing looked at her with the same gaze.

However, Liu Chengxi was different in Li Huaiyin's heart, and he was willing to give him a chance.

After all, everyone has a love for beauty. If it was the first time they met, it wouldn't be surprising if he was amazed by Yun Qing's appearance and showed such a look.

As long as he realizes his mistake in time and doesn't overestimate himself and try to compete with him, they can still remain friends.

Thinking of this, Li Huaiyin's eyes gradually turned cold.

After the banquet ended, Liu Chengxi was about to get up and meet his family when a palace attendant suddenly came forward.

"Young Master Liu, please wait a moment. Your Highness, please come to the Imperial Garden for a chat."

The eldest prince? Upon hearing this title, Liu Chengxi couldn't help but recall what he had just seen: Li Huaiyin and Yun Qing. Although the two of them didn't interact openly, they were wearing clothes of the same color and style, which was probably what modern people call matching outfits.

However, it seems that only he discovered this, and everyone else thought it was just a simple coincidence.

"Since it was the Crown Prince who invited us, please lead the way."

Following the servant, Liu Chengxi turned down several small paths and arrived behind the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden.

As he drew closer, he seemed to hear faint voices talking.

"Cousin, is there something you couldn't say earlier, and why did you have to bring me here?"

You'll find out soon enough.

As soon as he finished speaking, a palace attendant stepped forward to report: "Your Highness, Miss Yun, Young Master Liu has arrived."

"I understand. You may leave."

Li Huaiyin turned around and focused his gaze on Liu Chengxi.

When Liu Chengxi saw Yun Qing, his eyes widened. Considering his friend, he quickly lowered his head to hide his surprise.

"Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here?"

Li Huaiyin stood with his hands behind his back, stared at Liu Chengxi for a while, and then said, "It's nothing, it's just that my cousin heard me mention you and is a little curious. Since everyone is here today, I thought I'd introduce you to each other."

Is she actually curious about me? After hearing Li Huaiyin's explanation, Liu Chengxi tried his best to suppress his excitement, but he couldn't help but feel his heart surging.

When faced with someone of the opposite sex whom you have feelings for, who can treat them with a normal attitude?

Compared to Liu Chengxi, the other person pointed out by Li Huaiyin was surprisingly calm.

She had foreseen this day when she learned Liu Chengxi's identity.

That day, when she was rescuing people in the suburbs, Yun Qing guessed that this young master she had never met before might have fallen in love with her at first sight.

She didn't think this way out of narcissism, but rather because past experiences reminded her that she shouldn't mess with men on the street.

In recent years, as she has grown up, whenever she walks down the street, strange men "accidentally" bump into her, and the scene of a hero saving a beauty has been staged countless times.

Nevertheless, she would still intervene whenever she saw injustice.

The story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is a common tale, but if someone truly needs help, then it is a good deed.

Moreover, Liu Chengxi looked nothing like an ordinary man. He didn't wear makeup, and his behavior was graceful and elegant, much like a woman. He was the type that Yun Qing would appreciate.

Although many things flashed through my mind, only a moment passed.

Faced with Li Huaiyin's probing, Yun Qing smiled and said, "Cousin, please don't tease me. I just sensed from your words that Young Master Liu and you get along very well, so I wanted to get to know him so I could learn how to win your favor."

Yun Qing's ability to charm men was innate and self-taught. Upon hearing this, Li Huaiyin's discomfort immediately dissipated.

He reverted to his usual arrogant demeanor: "You're just good at sweet-talking me."

Yun Qing raised her hands in surrender: "Heaven and earth bear witness, my words come from the heart. If cousin doesn't believe me, I swear to heaven that if even a single word I said was false, may I be punished..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Li Huaiyin couldn't bear to let her swear, so he quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth.

Yun Qing blinked her eyes innocently and held onto his hand tightly.

Not far away, watching this scene, the little bit of delusion that had just risen in Liu Chengxi's heart was instantly shattered.

He forced a smile, trying to put on a relaxed one, but after a long time, all he managed was a stiff one.

"Ahem, it's getting late, I should go back now, otherwise my parents will worry."

Having received Yun Qing's statement, Li Huaiyin no longer cared about Liu Chengxi's feelings and resumed his friendly attitude towards him.

"Then you should go back first. Let the servant escort you out of the palace. I will come to the Hidden Incense Pavilion to find you another day."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

Turning around, Liu Chengxi let out a long breath, and the smile on his face could no longer be maintained.

At that moment, he suddenly began to hate himself.

He had never realized before that he was such a person who would forget his friends for the sake of women.

Arriving in the Great Sheng Dynasty and being able to meet his idol, whom he had admired for over a decade, was his only solace in this unfamiliar era.

Why has his mindset changed now? Is it just because of a woman who is a little prettier?

Well, Liu Chengxi had to admit that Yun Qing wasn't just a little bit pretty, she was a whole lot better.

At the very least, in his time, there had never been anyone so beautiful, either on screen or in real life.

Such extreme beauty can easily overturn one's worldview.

Thinking of this, Liu Chengxi seemed to have found an excuse for his wavering will: it wasn't that he was lustful at first sight, it was just that Yun Qing was too much.

She could captivate everyone's attention simply by standing there, not to mention that she saved his innocence at such a critical moment, with the grace of a goddess descending to earth.

Given this suspension bridge effect, it's only natural that he would fall in love with her.

It's not his fault, nor is it hers; it's just fate.

Indeed, Liu Chengxi's gaze gradually focused, and the determination in his eyes was almost tangible.

Although he had been running away ever since he learned of Yun Qing's identity, matters of the heart are never in one's own hands; the more one suppresses them, the more turbulent they become.