Li Shishi, born in the Northern Song Dynasty, lost both her parents at the age of four. She was left to be raised by Granny Li, a former comedian, and eventually trained to become a renowned courtesan in Bianjing. She secretly fell in love with the renowned musician Zhou Bangyan. Emperor Huizong Zhao Jiqiao, disguised as a wealthy businessman, visited the brothel to witness the beauty in person. Infatuated with the emperor, Shishi fell in love with him. However, she also secretly met with Jia Yi and Zhou Bangyan, becoming a laughing stock. When the Jin army invaded, Huizong was captured. In order to save the emperor, Li donated all the rewards she had received over the years as military rations. She also loved her husband and remained loyal to him. She became a Taoist priest. The commander of the Jin army, admiring her beauty, ordered her arrest. Li Shishi was found by the traitor Zhang Bangchang.