Seeing Li Huaiyin's attitude, Liu Chengxi felt disappointed but also relieved. In this way, they would be even.

He can disregard what happened today and consider it repayment for the favors he received in the past.

In this way, he could stand openly beside Yun Qing without having to consider other people's feelings.

The two reached an agreement in the room, but when they went outside, they found that things had gone far beyond their expectations.

In the courtyard, Zhao Shuyu was kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly. Yun Qing sat at the head of the table, her face covered with frost. Zhao Junhou, standing to the side, also had a faint bluish complexion, as if she was dissatisfied, but it was unclear to whom she was dissatisfied.

"Father, what's going on?" Li Huaiyin asked.

"You'll have to ask Yun Shinu about that. Why are you being so aggressive over something that has nothing to do with you?"

As soon as Zhao Junhou said this, before Li Huaiyin could say anything, Yun Qing couldn't hold back anymore. Originally, out of respect for him, she was unwilling to be disrespectful to her uncle.

"Is a man's innocence something that the Empress Dowager considers irrelevant? Not to mention that I have some business dealings with Young Master Liu, even if he were a stranger, he should help him out of a sense of justice."

"What a generous act of helping others! I never realized before that Miss Yun had such a sharp tongue. Has she become so tough now that she's joined the Li family?"

"Father!"

"uncle!"

"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!"

Zhao Ru's merciless sarcasm towards Yun Qing instantly provoked three urgent voices.

Zhao Shuyu was initially hurt by Yun Qing's cold attitude towards him, but seeing his beloved being scolded, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

As for Li Huaiyin, he told himself that he just didn't want today's events to reach his mother's eyes, lest she become dissatisfied with the Zhao family. However, only he himself knew what he was really thinking.

Liu Chengxi was deeply moved. He never expected that Yun Qing would go to such lengths for him, even at the risk of offending the Empress, to deal with the mastermind behind the crime.

In an instant, he forgot all about the agreement he had just reached with Li Huaiyin in the room, and all he could think about was Yun Qingwei’s imposing figure.

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you thoroughly investigate today's events and restore my innocence." He strode forward and knelt down beside Zhao Shuyu.

"Fine, fine, fine!" Zhao Ru looked at Yun Qing and Liu Chengxi, her teeth practically grinding to powder.

"Since that's the case, do whatever you want. I will no longer interfere."

...

After that day, Yun Qing sent Zhao Shuyu to the frontier and ordered him not to return to the capital for three years.

As for Liu Chengxi, he completely lost Li Huaiyin as a friend and offended the Empress and the Zhao family.

Gradually, another rumor spread in Shengjing, saying that his body had been seen naked by several women that day, yet he still had the nerve to do business outside. If he were a man of strong character, he should have shaved his head and become a monk long ago.

When the Liu family heard these rumors, they felt as if the sky had fallen, and they were gloomy and unhappy all day long.

Although Liu Chengxi wasn't greatly affected at first, over time she gradually stopped going out, fearing being stared at by others.

Just when he thought he would live like this forever, Yun Qing stepped forward once again.

She personally went to the Liu family to ask him if he was willing to marry her. If he was, she would immediately go to the emperor to request a decree to grant them marriage.

When Liu Chengxi first heard this suggestion, he could hardly believe his ears.

It wasn't until he asked repeatedly that he confirmed Yun Qing wasn't joking; she genuinely wanted to marry him.

But do I really deserve it?

He did not agree rashly, but asked Yun Qing for three days to consider it.

"Son, what are you still hesitating for?" After seeing Yun Qing off, Liu's father looked at him with disappointment.

No one knows a son better than his father, and he understood his son's mind perfectly.

He clearly adored Yun Shinv, but now that such a wonderful opportunity had fallen into his lap, he was turning it down. He just couldn't understand it.

In fact, Liu Chengxi wanted to agree even more than he did. He pinched his palm hard, even drawing blood, to restrain his impulse.

He quickly realized that Yun Qing hadn't come to propose marriage because she liked him. Rather, she had heard the recent rumors circulating in Shengjing and had come to protect his reputation.

It is precisely because she is so kind and warm that he cannot burden her for his own selfish reasons; otherwise, what difference would that be from repaying kindness with enmity?

She has already saved him twice, and even risked offending the royal family to seek justice for him. If her marriage is to be ruined because of this, it would be too pitiful.

After hearing his explanation, Mr. and Mrs. Liu looked at each other in bewilderment.

"My son, have you ever heard the saying, 'To pity a woman is the beginning of misfortune'?"

"Huh? Is there such a saying?" Now it was Liu Chengxi's turn to be surprised. There are similar sayings in modern times, but the main idea is completely opposite.

"Of course there is." Mother Liu stroked a non-existent beard and earnestly advised him.

"I'm a woman, would I lie to you? In my opinion, you'd better agree to Yun Shinv's marriage proposal now, and take advantage of her still having pity on you to get a formal title as soon as possible. You say she's pitiful, but let's do the math. In terms of status, everyone knows the Emperor's intentions. She is the undisputed next heir, second only to the Emperor, and will have three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines in the future. Even if she marries you today, it doesn't mean she'll be tied to you for life."

“Yes, your mother is right.” Liu’s father also advised him from the side: “Besides, you are handsome and talented, and you can earn countless gold and silver treasures for her. How is that a disservice to her?”

After hearing his parents' words, Liu Chengxi's already wavering heart gradually swayed again. Yes, he was indeed not bad. Although his appearance could not compare to Li Huaiyin and Zhao Shuyu, he came from the modern era and possessed systems and technologies that the Great Sheng Dynasty did not have. As long as he was willing, he could become Yun Qing's most powerful and virtuous assistant and help her become a wise ruler.

Thinking that in the future their names would be recorded together in history books and their love story would be passed down by future generations, Liu Chengxi's heart burned with passion, and a blissful smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"Father, Mother, I understand. I will go to Yunqing now and tell her how I feel."

"That's right, it's best if you can figure it out."

“Just a moment ago you were Yun Shinu, and now you’re using your full name. We’re really getting old; we don’t understand the thoughts of you young people at all.”

Liu Chengxi made a decision, and the Liu family finally shook off the previous gloom and showed smiles again.