Li Huan originally planned to tell Hu Sanniang about Li Shishi first, and then have intimate contact with Li Shishi.
As a result, he couldn't help himself and embraced Li Shishi, kissing her.
Hu Sanniang pushed open the door and entered, just in time to see what was happening. Her eyebrows immediately furrowed and her almond-shaped eyes glared angrily!
"My lord! You have done such a thing behind my back!"
Li Huan remained calm: "Wife, if I told you that she got sand in her eye and I just blew it out, would you believe me?"
"Sand blowing into your eyes?" Hu Sanniang was taken aback. "Where would there be sand in the bedroom?"
Li Shishi blushed and dared not look at Hu Sanniang.
Li Huan said, "There's no sand in the room, but there is on my clothes."
Hu Sanniang stared at Li Shishi with a mixture of belief and doubt: "Who is she?"
Li Huan introduced her as "Li Shishi, a famous courtesan from the capital!"
"Li Shishi?" Hu Sanniang was stunned.
Li Huan then introduced, "This is my wife, Hu Sanniang! She's known in the martial arts world as 'One-Zhang-Qing'!"
Li Shishi hurriedly bowed and greeted her: "Sister, I am here to greet you."
Hu Sanniang stared intently at Li Shishi, sizing her up and down.
"What a beautiful woman! No wonder she's famous throughout the capital..."
Hu Sanniang paused for a few seconds, her face darkening.
"My lord! Li Shishi is a courtesan. How can you bring her into our bedroom?"
Li Huan said, "A few days ago, Chai Jin led several brothers to the capital, infiltrated Jinqian Lane, and robbed several wealthy merchants who were visiting brothels. Are you aware of this?"
Hu Sanniang nodded.
Li Huan said, "Chai Jin had long admired Li Shishi's reputation and became greedy. He kidnapped Li Shishi and secretly brought her to Liangshan. He hid her in a house and dared not tell anyone, but he tried to take her for himself."
Hu Sanniang exclaimed in surprise, "Master Chai is so cunning! This is unexpected!"
Li Huan said, "Wu Song and I once set up a food stall in Jinqian Lane to sell boxed lunches. We encountered the scoundrel Gao Yanei. I killed Gao Yanei in a fit of rage and saved Li Shishi. You know about this too?"
Hu Sanniang nodded.
Li Huan said, "Before being brought to Liangshan, Li Shishi repeatedly refused Emperor Zhao Ji. She was a woman of great integrity! After careful consideration, I decided to keep her!"
Hu Sanniang said, "Li Shishi is as beautiful as a fairy. If she stays at Liangshan, won't all the brothers be envious? Especially Dwarf Tiger Wang Ying!"
Li Huan said directly, "To avoid the brothers fighting over her, I've decided to take Li Shishi as my concubine. What do you think, my wife?"
"Taking a concubine!" Hu Sanniang was shocked.
Li Huan said, "If my wife feels that taking a concubine is inappropriate, then I will send Li Shishi back to the capital."
Li Shishi lowered her head and remained silent.
Hu Sanniang looked at Li Shishi with a mixture of sympathy and wariness in her eyes.
After a moment's thought, Hu Sanniang said, "If we send Li Shishi back to the capital, wouldn't she be taken by that dog of an emperor?! Humph, I'd rather be a concubine to my husband than let that dog of an emperor have her!"
Li Huan breathed a sigh of relief and praised, "My wife is truly wise and understanding!"
Hu Sanniang then changed the subject: "However, if Li Shishi wants to become a concubine, she must join the Women's Army in the future! She also needs to practice martial arts, horseback riding, and archery!"
Li Shishi was taken aback: "Women's Army? Horseback archery..."
Hu Sanniang said, "This is my husband's rule! Any woman who joins Liangshan must master martial arts so that she can be a good wife and mother, protect Liangshan, and fight against the imperial court."
"If you are afraid of hardship and unwilling to practice martial arts, then please leave the mountain immediately and find your own way. Liangshan will never support idlers!"
After hearing this, Li Shishi frowned deeply.
Li Huan understood; Hu Sanniang was deliberately making things difficult for Li Shishi.
How can a delicate, artistic young woman, who spends her days with "music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and cosmetics," and who is physically weak, practice weaponry, horseback riding, and archery?
Hu Sanniang gave Li Huan face and did not directly refuse the idea of "taking Li Shishi as a concubine". Instead, she cleverly proposed the requirement of practicing martial arts and joining the army, thus making Li Shishi back down.
If Li Huan makes an exception for Li Shishi, how can he convince the brothers of Liangshan in the future?
At that time, the first person to jump out and protest will undoubtedly be Lu Junyi!
Because his new wife was also a delicate woman, she also had to join the women's army and practice martial arts according to the rules!
Li Shishi remained lost in thought with her head down.
Hu Sanniang laughed and said, "My lord, Li Shishi is too delicate and frail; I'm afraid she cannot stay at Liangshan to serve you..."
"Sister!" Li Shishi interrupted Hu Sanniang, "I am willing to join the women's army, practice martial arts, ride horses and shoot arrows, and protect Liangshan."
Hu Sanniang said, "Have you thought this through? Don't regret it later."
Li Shishi said, "We are both women. If you can learn martial arts, so can I. I will never go back on my word."
Li Shishi's eyes shone brightly, filled with determination.
Hu Sanniang said, "Alright! Since you agree, stay at Liangshan, be my sister, and serve and assist the master together."
Li Shishi smiled and tried to bow to Hu Sanniang again.
"Let's get this straight from the start!" Hu Sanniang's tone turned stern. "If you can't endure the hardships of martial arts training and back out halfway, don't blame me for kicking you out of the Women's Army and out of Liangshan!"
Li Shishi said, "If I cannot endure the hardship of martial arts training, I will leave on my own without your help."
Li Huan listened, inwardly wondering what was going on.
Would Hu Sanniang deliberately make things difficult for Li Shishi during martial arts practice out of jealousy?
After all, women are jealous to some extent.
In ancient times, wives and concubines often fought each other for the emperor's favor. This was commonplace, both in the imperial palace and among ordinary people.
Li Huan reminded her, "My lady, Shishi is skilled in playing musical instruments and singing, but has never wielded a weapon. You must teach her martial arts step by step and not rush it."
Hu Sanniang smiled gently: "I understand what you're thinking, my lord. You're afraid that I'll deliberately make things difficult for Shishi."
Li Huan then said, "My wife is not that kind of treacherous and vicious woman. I believe that as long as Shishi is willing to work hard to practice martial arts, my wife will definitely like her and will not hate her!"
Hu Sanniang was pleased to hear this, and stepped forward to take Li Shishi's hand, saying affectionately.
"I'll teach you to ride a horse first, then I'll teach you to shoot arrows."
Li Shishi smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, sister."
Immediately afterwards, Hu Sanniang led Li Shishi out of the bedroom and arranged accommodations for her.
That night, Li Huan spent the night in Li Shishi's room.
As expected, Li Shishi remained untainted by the mud, allowing Li Huan to fully experience a "pure breeze" that brought him joy.
Moreover, Li Shishi was pure and unpretentious, captivating Li Huan with her beauty and making him linger, reluctant to leave...
the next day.
Li Huan didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky.
Li Shishi, with a face as beautiful as a peach blossom and eyes full of affection, gently served Li Huan as he washed up.
Suddenly, Hu Sanniang rushed over.
"My lord! Dai Zong has returned to Liangshan and is awaiting orders in the reception room!"
Li Huan quickly arrived at the living room and saw "Swift-footed Taibao" Dai Zong sitting at the table drinking tea.
He put down his teacup, clasped his hands in greeting, and reported, "Brother! I have already gone to Yanggu County and brought Pan Jinlian to Liangshan."
Li Huan stared intently, searching: "Where is Pan Jinlian?"
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