Li Shishi

Li Shishi was a famous courtesan during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

She was the daughter of a family that engaged in the art of dyeing. Li was sent to a temple at the age of three. At the age of four, her father was sent to jail and died there. Li was brought up by her neighbors and grew into a beautiful woman. Then a procuress adopted her and she became a renowned courtesan in the capital. The Emperor Huizong (1082-1135) was a regular client of hers.

When Emperor Huizong was taken prisoner by the Jin army, the Jin army failed to capture Li Shishi, whose whereabouts was unknown. It is said that she donated all her property and became a Buddhist nun.

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