My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

The backyard of the Prince's Mansion is like a paradise on earth.

The blizzard was kept at bay by an invisible barrier, and the courtyard was lush with greenery and fragrant with flowers.

Cui Wanqing took a deep breath, suppressing the overwhelming shock in her heart. She led the guard Cui Meng and the maid Huan'er carefully to the white marble table.

Looking at the young man in front of me, dressed in a white robe and with a languid expression.

Cui Wanqing stopped, clasped her hands in front of her, and gracefully bowed.

"Your subject is Cui Wanqing, of the Cui clan of Qinghe."

"Greetings to the sixteenth prince of the Great Tang Dynasty, Your Highness Prince Qin."

This is standard etiquette for a Tang Dynasty subject to a royal prince. There's not a single flaw to be found.

However, after performing this ritual...

Cui Wanqing did not get up. Instead, she took half a step back, raised her hands above her head, and bowed deeply, performing the grand ceremony of an ordinary person worshipping a deity.

"Cui Wanqing, an ordinary woman."

"Greetings, Immortal Master."

The two sets of etiquette are clearly distinct.

The former is to pay homage to the imperial power in the mortal world, while the latter is to pay homage to the supreme immortal path that transcends the secular world.

Li Chen leaned back in the rattan chair, toying with the crystal-clear purple clay teacup in his hand.

He looked at the stunningly beautiful and intelligent woman from a prominent family before him with great interest, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Oh?"

Li Chen gently blew on the steam rising from his cup, his voice calm, "Are you so sure I'm that immortal? What if I'm just an ordinary prince, bluffing like this?"

Cui Wanqing straightened up, her clear, beautiful eyes meeting Li Chen's gaze without flinching.

"Your Highness is joking."

Cui Wanqing's voice was like a nightingale emerging from a valley, carrying a sense of composure and confidence.

"The inside and outside of this mansion are like two different worlds. Outside it is the dead of winter, but inside it is warm as spring, and even the flowers are blooming against the season. Such a transformation of the world is something that no ordinary person could accomplish."

"Furthermore, the three of us women were able to enter without pushing open the door, and even hear Your Highness's voice directly in our minds. This kind of miraculous immortal magic has long surpassed the laws of the world."

Cui Wanqing smiled slightly, a hint of wisdom flashing in her eyes.

"Most importantly, there was not a trace of surprise in your eyes when faced with my worship. Since you did not refute it, it is naturally an admission."

"Hahahahaha!"

Li Chen put down his teacup and couldn't help but burst into a hearty laugh.

"Excellent, excellent. As expected of the most outstanding eldest daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe in this generation."

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction. "You're quick-witted and have exceptional courage. You're much better than those pedantic, pedantic scholars in the court who only know how to nitpick over words."

Li Chen leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms in front of him, and his gaze became somewhat profound.

"Speak. What exactly does the Cui family of Qinghe want, going to such lengths, even risking their lives to knock on my door?"

Hearing Li Chen's straightforward question.

The guard Cui Meng, standing behind him, tensed up instantly in fright, his palms sweating profusely.

He was terrified that his young lady might say the wrong thing and anger this living deity, which would mean the end for all three of them today.

Cui Wanqing, however, appeared remarkably composed.

"Replying to the Immortal Master."

Cui Wanqing bowed slightly, her tone sincere, "This humble woman has come here with no ulterior motives. It is simply that the elders have long admired you, Immortal Master, and wish for me to pay them a visit."

"If I were fortunate enough to get to know the immortal, even if it were just to become a nodding acquaintance, it would be an immense blessing for the Cui family of Qinghe."

There were no greedy demands, nor any grand exchanges of benefits.

It's just two simple words: make friends.

"To be friends?"

Li Chen raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Your aristocratic families certainly know how to do business. But since you're here to make friends, you can't come empty-handed, can you?"

Cui Wanqing immediately understood and turned to give Cui Meng a wink.

Cui Meng quickly stepped forward, placed the two heavy mahogany boxes he was carrying on his back on the ground, and carefully opened them.

"Whoosh—"

As soon as the box was opened, the dazzling jewels instantly illuminated the surrounding ground.

The box on the left was filled with top-quality pearls the size of a baby's fist, flawless jade carvings, and a thick stack of Tang Dynasty money exchange receipts.

The box on the right was filled with rare medicinal herbs of exceptionally long history. There were century-old ginseng roots shaped like human figures, top-grade snow lotuses emitting a unique fragrance, and even a few pieces of meteorite ore radiating a faint spiritual energy!

Any one of these items would be enough to make the wealthy merchants of Chang'an fight tooth and nail for them.

The Cui family of Qinghe went to great lengths to befriend this immortal.

Li Chen's gaze swept over the boxes, lingering for a moment on the ores that contained a faint spiritual energy.

"Okay, I'll take the things."

Li Chen nodded without hesitation, "If such a good thing is delivered to my door, I'd gladly accept it. Please thank your family head for me when you get back."

He waved his sleeve.

Without him making any unnecessary movements, the two heavy mahogany boxes vanished from their original spot after a faint flash of light!

"hiss--!"

Cui Meng and his maid Huan'er gasped, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

What kind of sorcery is this?! Those two huge boxes just vanished like that?!

Cui Wanqing was also shocked, but she forcibly suppressed the urge to exclaim, her eyes becoming even more respectful.

Li Chen ignored their shock.

He casually picked up the purple clay teapot on the table, turned over a clean teacup, and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Now that we've met, let me offer you a cup of tea."

Li Chen lightly tapped the stone table with his fingertip.

The steaming cup of tea seemed to be lifted by an invisible hand, slowly leaving the table and floating steadily in front of Cui Wanqing, where it hovered in mid-air!

Telekinesis!

Seeing this illogical scene, Cui Meng felt his scalp tingle and his legs go weak.