In 684, he offended Empress Dowager Wu by defending fellow chancellor Pei Yan against charges of treason and was arrested and then exiled.
Liu Qixian had, at one point, served as an assistant imperial censor, before becoming the military advisor to the prefect of Bing Prefecture (并州, roughly modern Taiyuan, Shanxi).
Around the new year 684, Liu Jingxian was made Shizhong (侍中) -- the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor.
As Pei Yan several times suggested that she return imperial powers to Emperor Ruizong, he soon drew her ire.
After Li Jingye the Duke of Ying rose in rebellion later in 684, claiming to want to restore the emperor's powers, and Pei again proposed that Empress Dowager Wu return imperial powers to Emperor Ruizong to defuse the rebellion, Empress Dowager Wu accused him of treason and imprisoned him.
While Pei was imprisoned and interrogated, a number of officials tried to intercede on his behalf—include Liu and his deputy Hu Yuanfan (胡元範).