Lin Chong's Women's Cuju Team

Ning Zhanyan obediently knelt on the ground, awaiting the Wolf King's whip. However, the Wolf King only symbolically lashed Ning Zhanyan's back three times, using only thirty percent of his strength. Bai He, who came up to deliver pastries, secretly glanced at Ning Zhanyan's back, where three clear bloodstains were left. Although they looked painful, they were actually just superficial wounds.

Bai He couldn't help but wink at Ning Zhanyan. Ning Zhanyan, of course, knew that the Wolf King was just putting on an act. As the saying goes, "You can see through something but you can't say it out loud," so he quickly cooperated by putting on a pained expression.

"Uncle, your nephew knows he was wrong and won't do it again!" Ning Zhanyan begged loudly for mercy. Seeing this, Bai He fearlessly stepped forward to plead for Ning Zhanyan, saying to the Wolf King, "Wolf King, I think Brother Ning already knows he was wrong. You just whipped him, so please forgive him this once. After all, he is your own nephew, isn't he?"

The Wolf King didn't say anything after hearing this, but simply threw down his whip and sat down to eat the osmanthus cake that Bai He had brought. Ning Zhanyan quickly put his shirt back on, stood up, picked up the teapot, and went forward to pour tea for the Wolf King, putting on a fawning expression.

The Wolf King took the teacup Ning Zhanyan handed him, gave him a meaningful look, and asked again, "You brat, I won't forgive you this time. If you lie to me again next time, I'll definitely break one of your arms. Tell me, what brings you here today?"

"Uncle, Shuang'er is worried about Awen and wants you to find a way to get him out of Dali Temple as soon as possible. I wonder what your plan is? I will do my best to cooperate with you." Ning Zhanyan said to the Wolf King with a flattering tone.

"So it was about Awen. I'm glad you and your sister have a conscience. That brat Awen was harmed by Du Shiniang and Zhou Chengquan this time. I'll definitely deal with those two later. As for the plan to rescue Awen, Advisor Gao has already informed me. We really need your cooperation." The Wolf King took a sip of hot tea and said solemnly to Ning Zhanyan.

"What exactly does Uncle need me to do? Just tell me, and I will do my best to help you and Awen," Ning Zhanyan replied sincerely.

"Send Chen Jinhuan to the palace to be our pawn. I wonder if you're willing to part with her? Of course, after she enters the palace, I will send people to protect her well and not let that dog emperor touch her." As the Wolf King spoke, he carefully observed Ning Zhanyan's expression. He knew that he was asking Ning Zhanyan to make sacrifices.

As expected, Ning Zhanyan's face darkened immediately upon hearing the Wolf King's request. His feigned obedience and filial piety vanished, replaced by an arrogant and unruly expression. He bit his lower lip and asked the Wolf King, "Doesn't Uncle know that Jin'er is my woman? All these years, she's been my only woman. How could Uncle be so heartless as to send your future nephew's wife into the palace to risk her life?"

Faced with Ning Zhanyan's barrage of questions, the Wolf King chuckled and pointed to the chair opposite him. Ning Zhanyan understood and sat down opposite the Wolf King. The atmosphere between the two instantly became tense. Bai He was so frightened that he quickly shrank to the corner of the room, but he dared not run away, fearing that he would not be able to find him if the Wolf King needed him. The Wolf King was not Zhang Ruowen; he was usually ruthless to them, and they would be whipped for saying the wrong thing.

"Ning Zhanyan, do you think I wanted to do this? But this was Gao Advisor's idea. He said that the current emperor is obsessed with Chen Jinhuan and has sent people all over the capital to search for her. He even promoted her sister, Consort Xian, who looks similar to her, to Imperial Concubine Xian. Therefore, sending Chen Jinhuan into the palace will not only help our future cause, but also help Awen escape danger as soon as possible, so that we don't have to waste manpower and resources dealing with the emperor." The Wolf King patiently explained to Ning Zhanyan.

"Consort Xian? I can't believe this shameless woman has once again climbed to the top by stepping on Jin'er. I haven't even settled my old score with her yet, and now this has added another one. I really want to storm into the palace and kill this bitch with one sword!" Ning Zhanyan said through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Yan'er, you can't go directly into the palace and risk your life! Listen to me, send Chen Jinhuan into the palace so she can take revenge herself. I believe she would be willing. Besides, I promise you, she won't suffer in the palace. Gao Qiu and his son will definitely help her gain a foothold there." The Wolf King tried to persuade Ning Zhanyan, his tone half-coaxing.

Ning Zhanyan lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. Chen Jinhuan had always wanted to take revenge on her sister herself. If she knew there was a chance to enter the palace and take revenge personally, she might agree to Gao's participation in the Wolf King's plan. However, he also knew that this was like dealing with a tiger for its skin. He was worried about leaving Chen Jinhuan alone in the palace; she was his most precious treasure.

After some deliberation, Ning Zhanyan made a request to the Wolf King: "Uncle, it's not impossible for Jin'er to enter the palace, but you and Gao Can must grant me one request."

"What are your demands? Tell me." The Wolf King quickly pressed for an answer when he heard that Ning Zhanyan was willing to compromise.

"Let me accompany Jin'er into the palace, whether I'm disguised as a eunuch or a palace guard. My disguise skills are quite good, Uncle, you can rest assured." Ning Zhanyan laid out his request in detail.

"Alright! Your uncle will persuade Gao Can to let you disguise yourself and accompany Chen Jinhuan into the palace. But you must promise me that you will follow Gao Can's arrangements and not act on your own!" The Wolf King patted Ning Zhanyan's left shoulder and readily agreed to his request.

Seeing that the Wolf King had agreed to his request so easily, Ning Zhanyan asked with some doubt, "Uncle, I'm a little curious. If I didn't agree to let Jin'er enter the palace, how would you treat us? I'm a cautious person, and I think ten steps ahead when playing chess. Please don't take offense, Uncle!"

The Wolf King did not reprimand Ning Zhanyan, but instead, with a slight smile, he stared into Ning Zhanyan's eyes and calmly said the following:

"Yan'er, you've always been meticulous and far-sighted in your work, and that's what your uncle admires about you. When our great cause is accomplished in the future, I will definitely rely on your and A-Wen's support. Since you asked me about it today, I don't want to hide it from you anymore, lest you cause trouble for me after we enter the palace and ruin my plans with Gao Qiu and his son."

"What is Uncle hiding from me? Tell me quickly." Ning Zhanyan lost his patience and urged the Wolf King impatiently.

"Yan'er, don't be anxious. Your uncle couldn't bear to see you suffer for a woman back then, so he secretly asked a cook from Mingfu Cave to help Chen Jinhuan escape, but you found out. After that, you used the love potion to control Chen Jinhuan. Aren't you curious why that prisoner who knows how to use the love potion would so easily teach you his special skill?" The Wolf King said, looking smugly at Ning Zhanyan's face, which turned from red to white.

"Uncle, I never imagined you would go to such lengths to control me! You didn't poison me directly like you did with Shuang'er, but you found my weakness. No wonder you weren't angry with me when you knew I faked my death to break free from your control; it turns out you've been manipulating both Jin'er and me for a long time." Ning Zhanyan shouted at the Wolf King with a look of surprise and resentment.

"Yan'er, don't worry! I have the antidote for this love poison. As long as you help me accomplish my great task, I promise you that I will definitely cure you and Chen Jinhuan. As for your sister Du Rushuang, I will also let Awen marry her. It's not impossible for you and your sister to regain your freedom." The Wolf King gently patted Ning Zhanyan's other shoulder to soothe his agitated emotions.

Ning Zhanyan looked at the smug wolf king, the dart he was gripping tightly under his sleeve trembling slightly, his expression twisted as if he were about to kill the wolf king with the dart at any moment. However, reason told him that he could not kill the wolf king at this moment, because Jin'er was still waiting for him to return so they could have dinner together.

Bai He overheard the entire conversation between the uncle and nephew from the corner of the study. To scheme against his own nephew like this showed how ruthless the Wolf King truly was. Bai He couldn't help but feel sorry for Ning Zhanyan. Fearing that Ning Zhanyan might lose control and anger the Wolf King, he mustered his courage and stepped forward to grab Ning Zhanyan's sleeve.

“Brother Ning, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you go back and tell Madam Chen about entering the palace? Let me see you off.” Bai He said, while winking at Ning Zhanyan, implying that he should leave as soon as possible and avoid a direct confrontation with the Wolf King.

Ning Zhanyan bit his lip until it bled, barely suppressing the urge to assassinate the Wolf King. He was then half-pushed and pulled away from the study by Bai He. Seeing Ning Zhanyan's departing figure, the Wolf King sneered, flicked his sleeve, and ordered Mu Can, who was outside the door, to serve dinner.