The Empress smiled gently and teased, "Look at you, you said you wouldn't protect the Princess, but aren't you protecting her quite well?"

Shangguan Li lowered his head gently, his voice soft, "Your Majesty is too kind. Since there is nothing else, I will take the Princess Consort with me."

"Alright, go down now."

Chu Qingxuan glanced at the Empress, bowed, and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

The Queen nodded gently, "Be careful on the road."

After Shangguan Li and Chu Qingxuan left, the gentleness on the Empress's face disappeared, leaving only a cold and calculating look.

"Your Majesty, it seems that Prince An truly loves Chu Qingxuan," said the old nanny beside the Empress, stepping forward with a sneer.

The Empress gave a cold laugh. "Whether it's genuine affection or feigned affection, Chu Qingxuan has done me a favor. No matter what happens in the future, His Majesty will not pass the throne to Shangguan Li."

“He won’t let a man be empress, don’t you think, Qingruo?”

Without hesitation, Qingruo agreed with the Empress, saying, "Your Majesty is wise; the throne undoubtedly belongs to the Third Prince."

Leaving the palace and just getting into the carriage, Chu Qingxuan hurriedly got out of Shangguan Li's arms and couldn't help but complain, "Shangguan Li, you're the emperor's own son, how come it's so hard for you to survive?"

Shangguan Li leaned against the carriage, his phoenix eyes cold, and said in a cold voice, "Since ancient times, the most ruthless family has been the imperial family. They may be on good terms with you on the surface, but in reality, they have stabbed you in the back countless times."

"If he's a bit slow-witted, I'm afraid I'll have to treat him with all my heart."

Shangguan Li's eyes were deep and his cold face was unpredictable. At this moment, Shangguan Li seemed to already know the Empress's purpose.

It seems to have been moved forward compared to the original storyline.

In the original storyline, Shangguan Li's involvement in the struggle for the throne was related to the female lead; now, Shangguan Li is showing signs of vying for the throne himself.

Chu Qingxuan still remembered that her mission was to make Shangguan Chen the emperor.

Chu Qingxuan stared at Shangguan Li for a long time with a complicated expression.

Suddenly, Chu Qingxuan felt a heavy flick on her forehead. She frowned, widened her eyes, and glared at Shangguan Li.

"Shangguan Li, don't go too far."

I touched my forehead; it really hurt.

No, we have to fight back!

Chu Qingxuan raised her eyes and stared at Shangguan Li's fair forehead. Shangguan Li happened to see Chu Qingxuan's predatory gaze and quickly realized what was going on.

He slowly curved his lips into a smile, keeping a close eye on Chu Qingxuan's every move.

Just as Chu Qingxuan reached out her hand, about to succeed, her wrist was tightly grabbed. Shangguan Li's alluring phoenix eyes were smiling, and he looked very irritating!

Chu Qingxuan narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and switched to her other hand to continue her revenge.

In the end, Chu Qingxuan's hands were both grabbed and she was unable to move.

"My dear concubine, have you ever heard of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? It's wrong to hit your husband like that."

Hearing the word "beloved concubine," Chu Qingxuan's anger flared even more. "Shangguan Li, can you please stop calling me that so mushy? I can't stand it."

Shangguan Li blinked and asked Chu Qingxuan, "Then what does my beloved concubine think I should call you? My wife? My beloved concubine? My princess?"

"Your Highness is too unfamiliar with me. As for you, my wife, you are a man, and you don't like my beloved consort."

Chu Qingxuan sighed, to be honest, she didn't like any of these titles.

"Call me by my name."

Shangguan Li smiled gently, like a fox.

"Okay, Chuchu."

Chu Qingxuan was stunned. Wasn't that the name Gu Shen used?