Lin Chong's Women's Cuju Team

Chapter 158 The Women's Cuju Team is Officially Awarded Titles

It turned out that Shen Daoyuan had learned in advance that Chai Nianci was going to the palace to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with Consort Luo and Emperor Huizong. He was worried about Chai Nianci, fearing that she might be plotted against in the palace. Moreover, he hadn't seen his fiancée for several days and missed her dearly. So, Shen Daoyuan waited at the palace gate early to request an audience with the emperor, hoping to watch Consort Luo and Emperor Huizong play Cuju.

Shen Daoyuan was somewhat surprised to hear that Emperor Huizong had summoned him to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football). However, he had already inquired about the situation on the Cuju field on his way to the palace. He did not agree with the Jin envoy's request to borrow the ghost ball, but he also understood that this Cuju match was a good opportunity for Lin Chong and his women's Cuju team to perform again in front of the emperor.

The football match resumed. Shen Daoyuan actively cooperated with Mohart to win the ball. Mohart felt that this Minister of War's football skills were no less than Emperor Huizong of Song's; his reactions were quick, and his assists were effective. He was very satisfied and full of fighting spirit. Shen Daoyuan got the opportunity to dribble the ball and sprinted towards the opponent's goal.

“Shen Lang, this Jurchen won this football match because he wants to borrow the Ming Ball invented by our Great Song Dynasty. He has ulterior motives and wants to steal the craftsmanship of the Ming Ball. And you actually helped him?” Chai Nianci approached Shen Daoyuan and whispered to him with a displeased expression.

Shen Daoyuan pursed his lips, gave Chai Nianci a mischievous smile, and said, "Ci'er, why haven't you left Xiangshan Temple to see me these past few days? I've missed you so much!"

"Shen Daoyuan, how could you do this in front of so many people..." Chai Nianci blushed at Shen Daoyuan's teasing words and said to him with a hint of anger.

Shen Daoyuan kept teasing Chai Nianci with his words, while keeping a firm grip on the football ball, not daring to relax for a moment. He deliberately took advantage of Chai Nianci getting close to him, reached out and grabbed her slender waist, and pulled her forward. Chai Nianci quickly pushed Shen Daoyuan's hand away, trying to create distance between them, but he was taller and bigger than her, and she couldn't move her body. She could only take the opportunity to kick his shin.

"Ouch! Are you trying to murder your husband?" Shen Daoyuan yelled, grimacing, stopping and bending down to touch his calf. Chai Nianci seized the opportunity to snatch the football from his feet. To Lin Chong, Emperor Huizong, and others, this was undoubtedly a foul, but the young couple seemed to be flirting.

Lin Chong frowned and thought for a moment, then decided that the game should be stopped. So, Chai Nianci had no choice but to hand the ball back to Lin Chong. Lin Chong stood between the two teams of players, restarted the game, and warned Chai Nianci, "Miss Chai, you just kicked Lord Shen, which was a foul and prevented him from advancing! If you do it again, I will send you off the field and you will not be allowed to play football."

"Instructor Lin, I know I was wrong! I only broke the rules in a moment of panic." Chai Nianci admitted her mistake to Lin Chong with a flushed face, while glaring at Shen Daoyuan. She thought to herself that if this guy hadn't taken advantage of her earlier, she wouldn't have kicked his leg.

Seeing Chai Nianci glaring at him, Shen Daoyuan immediately pulled her aside and coaxed her, saying, "Ci'er, don't be angry! Who told you to scold me for helping the Jin people just now? I won't play a fixed game to side with you. If you and Lin Chong have real skills, then show them to us and have a match of Cuju."

"Shen Daoyuan, don't think that just because you taught me Cuju, I can't beat you! Coach Lin taught me just as much as you have, so don't underestimate our women's Cuju team." Chai Nianci raised an eyebrow, turned around, and walked away without looking at Shen Daoyuan's reaction. Shen Daoyuan simply glanced at his beloved with his hands on his hips, then, without intending to coax her, walked towards Mohart with a mysterious smile.

Mohart had been watching Shen Daoyuan and Chai Nianci closely. Although he couldn't understand or hear their conversation, he felt that the man and woman were clearly arguing. He thought that Xiao Minghao had just said they were engaged, but now, watching their fighting on the football field, they didn't seem like a couple at all; they looked more like mortal enemies. Thinking this, Mohart felt a secret joy. He believed that Shen Daoyuan was on his side and didn't intend to help Lin Chong and his female teammate.

The match resumed, and this time Mohart was brimming with confidence. He was flanked by Lin Chong and Chen Jinhuan, who were attacking from the left and right. He glanced behind him and saw Shen Daoyuan standing not far to his left. He gave Shen Daoyuan a wink, and Shen Daoyuan ran to him. Mohart passed the ball to Shen Daoyuan swiftly and decisively, showing complete trust in him.

Shen Daoyuan's lips curled into a smile as he steadily controlled the ball and sprinted forward. Chai Nianci quickly caught up with him. Just as Shen Daoyuan sensed Chai Nianci reaching out to hook the ball at his feet, he deliberately slowed his pace and suddenly stopped. Chai Nianci, unable to stop in time, nearly fell directly onto his back.

Shen Daoyuan suddenly turned around and pulled Chai Nianci into his arms, but the football was still pinned down by his left foot. Seeing this, Chai Nianci blushed and quickly crossed her arms to avoid the awkward collision with Shen Daoyuan. Shen Daoyuan, however, deliberately kissed the top of her head and whispered, "In a moment, I'll pretend to slip, and you hook my football away and run away. Do you understand?"

Chai Nianci blinked, wondering if she had misheard. Didn't this man just say he wouldn't help her and wanted fair competition? Was he just trying to gain Mohart's trust? Chai Nianci didn't think about it anymore. She chose to believe Shen Daoyuan because this man was a master of pretense, a male vixen who would die if he didn't do something.

Chai Nianci gave a soft "hmm," and Shen Daoyuan indeed cried out "Ouch!" before leaning back as if he had slipped. At that moment, Mohart caught up and quickly reached out to help Shen Daoyuan, but Chai Nianci seized the opportunity to snatch the ball from Shen Daoyuan's feet. When Mohart looked up, he saw that Chai Nianci had already run more than three zhang (approximately 10 meters) with the ball.

Mohat thought to himself, "Oh no! This woman doesn't care about her fiancé's life or death; she's only interested in playing Cuju. These women from the Central Plains are truly heartless. Choosing Cuju over her fiancé—what else is that but cruelty?" Thinking this, he looked at Shen Daoyuan with pity and then said in the Jin language, which the other couldn't understand, "Your woman doesn't want you anymore!"

The Jin translator, following closely behind, awkwardly translated the sentence to Shen Daoyuan. Upon hearing this, Shen Daoyuan's face darkened, and he pointed in Chai Nianci's direction, shouting to Mohart, "Brother, hurry and catch up with her! Ouch! I think I twisted my ankle, it hurts!"

Upon hearing Shen Daoyuan's shouts, Liu Guangyu, who was serving Emperor Huizong of Song, immediately ordered two eunuchs to help Shen Daoyuan to the edge of the Cuju field. He also summoned an imperial physician to massage Shen Daoyuan. After sitting down at the edge of the field, Shen Daoyuan stopped pretending and simply enjoyed the physician's services while glancing at the scene on the field.

Chai Nianci had already brought the cuju ball to the opponent's goal, intending to shoot directly. However, Mohart blocked her way, preparing to intercept her shot. Knowing she couldn't force the ball, Chai Nianci turned and passed it to Lin Chong behind her.

Lin Chong gained control of the cuju (ancient Chinese football). He brought the cuju to the side, calmly aimed at the opening in Mohart's body, and kicked the cuju with force. Surprisingly, the cuju flew through the air in a beautiful arc and went into the goal.

"Coach Lin, that was fantastic!" Chen Jinhuan, who had watched Lin Chong's brilliant football skills from the other side, clapped and praised him as soon as he scored. Emperor Huizong stood next to Chen Jinhuan and also applauded Lin Chong's brilliant goal. Then he gently put his arm around Chen Jinhuan's waist and said ingratiatingly, "My dear concubine, you have excellent judgment! This Lin Chong is indeed a talent for football; I shall reward him."

"Your Majesty, this Cuju (ancient Chinese football) wasn't just Coach Lin's skill. My sister Chai also had a hard time snatching it from the feet of those Jin people and Minister Shen. Don't you think my sister Chai deserves a reward?" Chen Jinhuan said sweetly to Emperor Huizong, her tone carrying a hint of seeking a reward.

"Of course I'll reward you! I'll also reward you, my beloved concubine. How about I punish you by making you accompany me to admire the moon tonight?" Emperor Huizong said to Chen Jinhuan in a doting tone, and then gently kissed Consort Luo's lips.

Upon hearing that the Emperor intended to reward Lin Chong and the female players including Chai Nianci, Liu Guangyu immediately shouted loudly towards the football field: "Time's up! The two sides are tied, the match is over! His Majesty wishes to reward Lin Chong and the others, quickly prepare the writing materials for the imperial edict."

Lin Chong and Mohart exchanged a glance on the Cuju field. Mohart snorted unconvinced. Lin Chong, however, excitedly ran to Du Shiniang, picked her up, and shouted to her, "Shiniang, we finally succeeded! His Majesty is finally going to officially recognize our women's Cuju team!"