According to ancient feudal customs, a wife must observe a three-year mourning period after her husband's death before she can remarry.
However, the laws of the Song Dynasty stipulated that a wife could remarry after the 100-day mourning period.
Wu Dalang had no children, no parents, and Pan Jinlian insisted on remaining a widow for more than three years, thus erecting a monument to her chastity.
Wu Song clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will never forget your kindness, sister-in-law!"
Pan Jinlian smiled, but it seemed forced, tinged with helplessness.
Wu Song then said, "I haven't been able to come home to visit my sister-in-law for the past three years. Please forgive me! I wonder if anyone has bullied you? I, Wu Song, will definitely avenge you!"
Pan Jinlian said, "Uncle's reputation is widespread, who would dare to bully me?"
After a moment's thought, Wu Song's tone became serious.
"My sister-in-law has observed three years of mourning, fulfilling her duties as a wife. Wu Song is deeply grateful!"
“Sister-in-law is still young. She should find a good family and remarry as soon as possible. That way, Wu Song can put his mind at ease.”
Pan Jinlian was stunned, and Li Huan was also stunned.
Unexpectedly, Wu Song took the initiative to persuade Pan Jinlian to remarry, showing such open-mindedness.
Pan Jinlian bowed to Wu Song in thanks, and then said, "I have something I would like to discuss with Brother Li Huan. Please excuse me for now, Uncle."
Wu Song nodded and immediately walked out of the room.
Pan Jinlian glanced at Hu Sanniang and said, "Please excuse us, madam."
Hu Sanniang frowned and left reluctantly.
Pan Jinlian stared at Li Huan, her eyes suddenly reddening, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Three years without a word, you have made me wait so long!"
Li Huan said with a smile, "After Wu Song killed Ximen Qing, I accompanied him to a distant place, where we made a living by selling boxed lunches at a street stall. We were unable to return to Yanggu County."
Pan Jinlian said, "Wu Song killed someone, but you didn't! He can stay at Liangshan, and you can come back to Yanggu County with me!"
Li Huan deliberately asked, "What are you going back to Yanggu County for?"
Pan Jinlian said, "Let's sell boxed lunches together and open more shops!"
Li Huan said, "I'm not interested in opening a shop; I only like setting up a stall to sell boxed lunches."
Pan Jinlian said, "My boxed lunch shop on Lion Street is famous far and wide, attracting many customers every day. Why do you have to work so hard to set up a stall on the street to sell boxed lunches?"
Li Huan laughed and said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. I just happen to like setting up a street stall to sell boxed lunches."
Pan Jinlian stood up, her expression alluring, and moved closer to Li Huan.
"You only like selling boxed lunches at a street stall, and you don't like me?"
Before Li Huan could answer, Pan Jinlian sat directly on Li Huan's lap.
With a soft, fragrant body in his arms, it was time to test Li Huan.
"Sister-in-law, this isn't appropriate, Wu Song is next door..."
"Wu Song has already told me to remarry as soon as possible, so you don't need to worry about him."
The rich fragrance surrounded Li Huan, and her heart began to race.
"Wu Da is a coward and incompetent man. He has hardly ever touched my body before. For the past three years, I have remained chaste, just waiting for you... Tonight, let us meet, and I will do my best to serve you..."
Pan Jinlian spoke sweet words and was passionate, wrapping her arms around Li Huan's neck.
Bang!
The door was kicked open, which startled Pan Jinlian.
The one who kicked down the door was Hu Sanniang!
Her eyebrows furrowed and her almond-shaped eyes glared angrily at Pan Jinlian.
"You shameless hussy! You are utterly shameless!"
Pan Jinlian quickly got out of Li Huan's arms, pointed at Hu Sanniang, and shrieked, "You're the shameless one! Eavesdropping outside the door!"
Hu Sanniang sneered, "Judging from your appearance, you are definitely not a virtuous woman! It's not even dark yet, and you're already eager to seduce Li Huan!"
Pan Jinlian, enraged and ashamed, stepped forward and raised her hand to slap Hu Sanniang.
Li Huan intervened in time, blocking Pan Jinlian.
"You...you actually helped her?" Pan Jinlian exclaimed in surprise.
Li Huan laughed and said, "I'm not helping her, I just don't want to see your front tooth knocked out."
Pan Jinlian looked down on Hu Sanniang, thinking that she was too slender to be a fierce woman who knew martial arts.
Immediately afterwards, Pan Jinlian pushed Li Huan's arm away and lunged at Hu Sanniang.
Snap!
Pan Jinlian received a resounding slap, saw stars, collapsed to the ground, and bled from the corner of her mouth.
Li Huan helped Pan Jinlian up: "See, I wasn't wrong, was I?"
Several finger marks appeared on Pan Jinlian's cheeks. Ignoring the blood from the corners of her mouth, she cried out in grievance.
"She bullied me... You help me teach her a lesson..."
Li Huan laughed: "I never interfere in women's jealousy and rivalry."
Hu Sanniang's face flushed slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about! I was just angry, that's why I came to stop Pan Jinlian!"
Suddenly, Wu Song entered the room and was shocked and at a loss when he saw the scene before him.
Pan Jinlian cried out, "Hu Sanniang has acted violently and injured me! Uncle, quickly teach her a lesson!"
Wu Song asked, "Why is Third Sister bullying her sister-in-law?"
Hu Sanniang said, "Pan Jinlian is shameless. She seduced Li Huan. When I found out, I went into the room to stop her. Not only did she not restrain herself, she even tried to slap me!"
Wu Song understood the reason and looked embarrassed.
He had just praised Pan Jinlian as a chaste woman, and she rushed into Li Huan's arms. How could Wu Song save face?
At least wait until tomorrow.
Li Huan shrugged, indicating his helplessness.
He couldn't explain this situation, and he was too lazy to explain it.
Pan Jinlian took out a handkerchief, wiped her mouth, and said proudly.
"Now that things have come to this, I will not hide it anymore! Three years ago, I confessed my feelings to Li Huan!"
"Unfortunately, Li Huan took Wu Song far away from Yanggu County in order to save his life, which made me wait in vain."
Wu Song was even more shocked.
"You...you observed three years of mourning, not for my brother?"
Pan Jinlian sneered: "That short, ugly man, all he knows is how to carry a load and sell crispy cakes, what skills does he have?"
"Since I married Wu Da, I have been steaming buns and doing housework every day, working hard without complaint, and I have never enjoyed a single day of happiness!"
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