Lin Chong's Women's Cuju Team

Zhou Chengquan, dressed in a black robe, slowly approached Du Shiniang, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and pulled her close to his chest. Du Shiniang leaned shyly on his shoulder and said, "General Zhou, why have you come looking for me?"

“I told His Majesty that I was afraid Gao Can would bully you, so he allowed me to come out and look for you.” Zhou Chengquan said these words with a tone full of doting affection. Gao Can’s eyes widened, and his jealousy surged like the sea. His fist, which was clenched in his sleeve, tightened even more, and the veins on his hand bones bulged.

"General Zhou really knows how to please women! No wonder your household is full of wives and concubines," Gao Can said sarcastically to Zhou Chengquan. Upon hearing this, Zhou Chengquan's face showed embarrassment. What Gao Can said was indeed true, and he was powerless to refute it, yet unwilling to give up. So, he gritted his teeth and retorted, "This general is a dashing hero, naturally beauties throw themselves at him. Unlike you, Lord Gao, who only likes to eat wild game all day long and doesn't even have a proper wife at home."

Upon hearing this, Gao Can was so angry that he cursed, "I don't like being controlled by women. I don't have General Zhou's ability to marry even the Empress's own sister. There's always trouble in the backyard. If it were me, I would definitely go crazy."

"You... Senior Advisor... are you tired of living? Do you think this general wouldn't dare to touch you?" Zhou Chengquan's eyes were bloodshot. He was so angry that he couldn't speak properly and was about to explode.

Du Shiniang quickly leaned close to Zhou Chengquan's ear and whispered, "General Zhou, think of the bigger picture! Don't argue with this guy." As soon as she finished speaking, Du Shiniang lightly kissed Zhou Chengquan's cheek like a dragonfly skimming the water. Zhou Chengquan was startled, glanced at Du Shiniang, and instantly felt his hair smoothed out. He then stopped arguing with Gao Can.

Du Shiniang then glared at Gao Can and said to him, "Lord Gao, I promise you I will recant my testimony and say that I misunderstood Zhang Ruowen, but there must be an explanation for the assassination of the Jin envoy, otherwise I'm afraid the Emperor will hold our Zixiang Pavilion accountable."

In fact, Gao Can had already prepared a plan to rescue Zhang Ruowen. Originally, he wanted Chen Jinhuan to bring up the matter in front of the Emperor, but unexpectedly, Chen Jinhuan was targeted by the Empress and Consort Hui after entering the palace. He dared not easily let Chen Jinhuan mention the assassination of the Jin envoy in front of Emperor Huizong. Now that Du Shiniang had agreed to rescue Zhang Ruowen, he was naturally happy that someone had taken the lead.

After Gao Can, Du Shiniang, and Zhou Chengquan reached a consensus, the three returned to the Imperial Study to meet the Emperor. Unbeknownst to them, their conversation in the corridor had been secretly overheard by Ning Zhanyan, who was acting on Emperor Huizong's orders to monitor their exchange. His current identity was Chen Ge, the commander of the Imperial Guards, and he enjoyed Emperor Huizong's deep trust.

Ning Zhanyan secretly relayed Gao Can's discussion with Du Shiniang and Zhou Chengquan to Liu Guangyu, who then informed Emperor Huizong of Song. Emperor Huizong's face showed a hint of relief upon hearing this. He was only concerned with whether Chen Jinhuan could change the rumors of her unlucky fate; he didn't care much about anything else. He knew Gao Can and Du Shiniang were cunning, but wasn't this exactly the kind of person he needed to smooth things over? Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain the assassination of the Jin envoy to the Jin people.

With a grave expression, Gao Can said to Emperor Huizong, "Your Majesty, just now, Du Shiniang helped me recall the time when Consort Luo was selected as a concubine. I vaguely remember that Chen Jinyan was Consort Luo's older sister. The two looked alike, were two years apart, and were the most beautiful and talented among all the candidates. However, later, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory calculated that Consort Luo's fate was inauspicious, so her spot was given to Chen Jinyan..."

"Enough! Minister Gao, just tell me where Chen Jinyan is in the harem. Minister Ning will find out the rest and give me and Consort Luo an explanation. There's no need for you to worry about it, Minister Gao!" Emperor Huizong waved his hand, interrupting Minister Gao and ordering him to reveal Chen Jinyan's identity.

“I overstepped my bounds just now. Chen Jinyan is no longer a high-ranking palace maid; she was recently promoted by His Majesty to the rank of Consort Xian. Consort Xian’s original name is Chen Jinyan.” The advisor’s answer struck Emperor Huizong’s heart like a heavy hammer.

Emperor Huizong was taken aback; his face immediately darkened, and his lips turned pale. Chen Jinhuan noticed the change in his expression, gently tugged at his sleeve, and asked softly, "Your Majesty, are you alright? Why do you look so pale?"

Emperor Huizong glanced sideways at Chen Jinhuan, only to see a woman with an innocent and calm expression, as if Gao Can's answer had neither surprised nor angered her. Could it be that Consort Luo had recognized Xianfei as her sister all along, and that she also knew that her sister had framed her years ago? But why didn't she directly tell him her grievances? Her silence, her cooperation with Du Shiniang and Gao Can in today's charade, suggested a lack of trust in him.

The thought that Chen Jinhuan didn't trust him and might not have entered the palace willingly made him even more confused. He was so infatuated with her, how could she be so insincere and have no sincerity towards him?

Emperor Huizong's desire to conquer was aroused. He suddenly pulled Consort Luo into his arms and whispered fiercely in her ear, "I love you so much, and you lied to me! But today I will prove to you just how much I love you."

Consort Luo, Chen Jinhuan, was stunned upon hearing this. She knew that Emperor Huizong might have discovered her secret plot to take revenge with Du Shiniang and Gao Can. However, Chen Jinhuan was a woman of many talents, and Ning Zhanyan had been both crazy and doting on her. Compared to her lover, Emperor Huizong's emotional fluctuations were far less intense, so she was not afraid at all.

"Your Majesty, I am eagerly awaiting your arrival." Chen Jinhuan said these words in a nonchalant tone, then looked at Emperor Huizong with affection in her eyes. Her long, delicate eyelashes trembled slightly, making Emperor Huizong's heart itch with desire, and he wished he could take the woman in front of him on the spot.

Emperor Huizong suppressed his emotions by half-closing his eyes, and then said to Liu Guangyu, "Eunuch Liu, send someone to lead Commander Chen to the inner palace to bring Consort Xian to the Imperial Study. I want to interrogate her personally."

After receiving the order, Liu Guangyu sent a eunuch with Chen Ge to the inner palace to arrest Consort Xian. Gao Jian, seeing this, gave Du Shiniang a meaningful look. Du Shiniang understood, quickly approached Emperor Huizong, knelt before him, and pleaded loudly:

"Your Majesty, today Shi Niang presented the treasure map and assisted Lord Ning and Lord Gao in finding the true culprit who murdered Consort Luo years ago. You just promised to reward me. I don't want any gold or silver, I only ask Your Majesty to release Lin Chong. He has no connection with the assassination of the Jin envoy. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy!"

Emperor Huizong released Consort Luo, glanced coldly at Du Shiniang, snorted lightly, and then said to Du Shiniang in a sarcastic tone, "Du Shiniang, it seems you are truly cunning and shrewd, actually using the matter of presenting the treasure map and seeking justice for Consort Luo to ask me for a reward. You want me to release Lin Chong, don't you?"

Du Shiniang bit her lip and nodded emphatically. Emperor Huizong sighed and looked up: "Fine! I am the Son of Heaven, and my word is as good as gold. I will release Lin Chong this time. But if you dare to scheme against me again in the future, don't blame me for not showing respect for the General of the North and punishing you severely!"

Du Shiniang was surprised that Emperor Huizong of Song agreed to release Lin Chong so readily, and she quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude. Chen Jinhuan couldn't help but wipe the sweat from Du Shiniang's brow. Her good sister had just made a deal with the current emperor. She was too bold and composed. Was this what it meant to be fearless in the face of great love? Thinking of this, Chen Jinhuan couldn't help but look at Du Shiniang with awe.