Honestly speaking, Yu Ho-chung was quite happy to see Ning Yi again today.
The last time he found this childhood friend with Shishi, he still had some grudges in his heart, mainly because he knew that Shishi had a kind heart. If she treated a stranger as kindly as she treated him, it was inevitable that he would feel jealous. However, after understanding Xiaoning's current identity and Shishi's attitude, this little bit of worry naturally disappeared. His impression of Xiaoning also changed.
This time, when he returned to Jiangning from Bianjing, he naturally wouldn't say that he was chasing after Shishi. He just thought of it as returning to the place where he grew up. But to be honest, his hometown wasn't in Jiangning. His father was an official and had to travel everywhere. At that time, he was still young and hadn't lived in Jiangning for too long. In fact, he didn't have many close friends here. This time, other than accompanying Shishi to reminisce about the past and looking for the alleys where they used to live, there was not much else for him to do. He could only treat it as a solo trip to Jiangning. After all, Shishi was in a situation where she had no control over herself. Even if she was kind to him, she could not possibly spend too much time with him. If it was in the capital, even an occasional company like this would be an honor that many high officials and nobles could not even beg for.
Other than him, there were a few other young masters who had nothing better to do than follow Fan Lou's entourage to the south. Needless to say, there was the great scholar Zhou Bangyan who pursued Shishi the most. The others, such as Tang Weiyan, Xu Dongmo and three or four others, were either rather talented or had wealthy families with relatives who were officials. Thus, they were able to follow with the attitude of a spoiled brat. These people also had nothing to do recently. Considering that Shishi had left Bianjing, there would not be many rivals who would fight for her affections. If they could seize the opportunity to get the number one beauty of Bianjing, they would naturally have a lot of face when they returned.
Yu Ho-chung looked down on these people. Zhou Bangyan had just become famous in the capital, but he was already in his thirties, almost forty years old. He had been pestering Shishi and refused to let her go. He was already an official. A few years ago, he was the chief registrar of the Imperial Academy. Last year, he had committed some crimes and was punished, but it was said that it was not serious. People who knew the inside story said that he could still be promoted. This was the life of an official in the capital, with ups and downs. Now that he had some free time, he said that he was going to Jiangning to visit a friend. He lied through his teeth and was shameless.
As for the rest, Tang Weiyan was the nephew of the current Assistant Minister of Revenue, Tang Ke, and Xu Dongmo's family was also a famous aristocratic family in Bianjing. These people either had power and influence, or had outstanding literary talent. Yu Ho-chung couldn't compare to them in terms of poetry and wealth. But his relationship with Shishi was based on old friendship. He didn't need to spend any money and treated her like a family. This was different. Therefore, he felt that the group of people were really like dogs. They surrounded Shishi and drooled without caring about their image. It was too shameful.
Although he cursed in his heart, he couldn't change most of the situation. Shishi still had to pretend to be polite and courteous with those people. Now that she had such a reputation and status, it was inevitable that she would have to accompany this person and that person. Yu Ho-chung knew that Shishi didn't want it to be like this. Because sometimes when they were together, he also saw Shishi smiling and sighing desolately. "What can I do, Brother Yu, with Shishi's current situation, it might be considered glorious. Many girls in the brothels are envious of her. But in the future, even if she likes someone, I'm afraid that the freedom to redeem my body and marry will be gone. It's not as free as before when she wasn't noticed …"
In fact, there were few times when Shishi was not noticed in the capital. At the age of fourteen, she was made the top girl of the brothel. Since then, her reputation had been rising. But Yu Ho-chung understood the helplessness in her words. With her status, she was watched by all the forces in the capital. Although the identity of a girl in the brothel was helpless, many schemes and jealousy surrounded her. Everyone chased after her for fame and reputation. In the end, it became an obsession. One of the Crown Princes of Prince Rong's Mansion said, "Li Shishi is mine." There were many reasonable and unreasonable people who said such things. If she stayed in the brothel, it would be fine if everyone supported her. However, if she really fell in love with someone and wanted to redeem herself and leave, a guy with no status might not even be able to keep his life.
Shishi had only said such words once, but she had said it while looking at him. Yu Ho-chung felt that he could understand the bitterness in her words. He secretly felt that it was a tacit understanding between them. Shishi was such a weak woman, but she still forced herself to smile every day. Even when she was with him, she only talked about happy things.
She was the most famous flower in the capital. She had a noble and pure temperament and yearned for freedom, but she had no choice. Now, he was only a scholar in his early twenties. He had pure feelings for this old acquaintance of his, but he could not help her escape from the abyss of bitterness. Look, it was like those stories in legendary stories. They were both carefully working hard, and one day, there would be a good ending.
The pressure on Shishi was much heavier than on his side. Thinking of this, he felt that Shishi was really a good girl.
These thoughts could only be kept in the bottom of his heart. There was no one to talk to. This time, he came back and there was no one to visit. No one could know about the close relationship between him and Shishi. This gradually changed his mind. Today, he came to the outing early in the morning. There was no one to greet. He only looked at the group of scholars rushing over. Many of them did not even have invitations. He felt that they were all like dogs. However, the moment he saw Xiaoning, he suddenly felt a warmth in his heart.
He's here too. That's great. Look at how lonely he is. He should be one of the people who didn't have an invitation and came to join in the fun. It doesn't matter. We're old friends. I'll just bring him in. How can I let my good friend not enter? Therefore, he excitedly came over to greet them.
"We haven't seen each other for a few days. I didn't expect Brother Ning to come out for an outing. Uh, did you bring your family?"
Yu Ho-chung was friendly and looked around with a smile. Ning Yi was paying attention to the quarrel under the tree. He smiled and cupped his hands, "No family came. I just invited two friends. Brother Yu, you also came. What a coincidence." Jin 'er did not look good over there, but she did not seem to be at a disadvantage. However, the brothel girl next to Liu Qingdi frowned. It was probably this woman who started the fight. It seemed that she had kicked an iron plate. Yun Zhu just stood there, looking coldly at the three men and one woman in front of her.
It was his own people who were provoked. Ning Yi was ready to help them quarrel and say some sarcastic words to anger Liu Qingdi. He did not care much about Yu Ho-chung next to him. However, when Yu Ho-chung also looked over there, he became interested, "Ah, is that … Liu Qingdi?"
"Brother Yu, you know him?"
"Oh, I was introduced to him a few days ago. It is said that he is second to none in Jiangning now. Brother Ning, you know him?" As a person from the capital, Yu Ho-chung did not care much about Liu Qingdi's identity as the second to none in Jiangning. However, Liu Qingdi was most likely invited by Chen Luoyuan. If Xiaoning next to him had an appointment with Liu Qingdi, she might have also been invited. Yu Ho-chung could not help but look at Ning Yi a few more times.
Ning Yi shook his head, "Not very familiar."
As they were talking, they had already walked over there. The quarrel under the tree seemed to have come to an end. Liu Qingdi seemed to see Ning Yi coming over. His face darkened, and then he said a few words and turned to leave with several companions. Jin'er and Yun Zhu also talked for a few words under the tree and then turned to walk to the other side. Then, Jin'er turned her head and saw Ning Yi. She tilted her head and blinked her eyes.
Ning Yi was about to say hello when he saw Jin'er's cheeks puff up. Then she pressed her hands to her face and stuck out her tongue to make a face at him. Then she turned her head to talk to Yun Zhu and pushed Yun Zhu away with a smile.
In the woods on the other side, Liu Qingdi turned his head and should have seen Jin'er's action. Although he couldn't see his expression clearly from a distance, he could still feel the displeasure in his heart. Then he stopped and looked at Ning Yi. He raised his head and cupped his hands in obeisance from a distance. Although it was a salute, the arrogance and provocation in it was extremely obvious. It was basically saying, "I don't like you." After making obeisance, he turned around and left again.
Ning Yi was somewhat helpless about these childish behaviors. Jin'er's side and Liu Qingdi's side were almost the same. He walked to the tree where no one gathered, shrugged his shoulders in boredom, and breathed a sigh of relief. Yu Ho-chung followed him, but he didn't understand what had happened just now. His attention was on Liu Qingdi and he saw Liu Qingdi's action, but he didn't see Jin'er's face. When he saw Ning Yi's helpless expression of "everyone has gone away", he roughly "understood" what had happened.
Xiaoning married into a merchant's family. Even if she had some knowledge, no one would pay attention to this kind of person. Just now he said that he had made an appointment with Liu Qingdi, but it was mostly wishful thinking or he was trying to flatter himself. Now it was different. Liu Qingdi had left, and he didn't give him any face. But it didn't matter. At this moment, Yu Ho-chung wouldn't look down on him. He came from a merchant's family and was a son-in-law. This identity was already very pitiful. It was understandable that he wanted to go higher. It was also very sympathetic that he was not accepted. As an old friend, Yu Ho-chung wouldn't look down on him.
Yu Ho-chung smiled and said, "Haha, in my opinion, Liu Qingdi is actually not that good. Xiaoning, when you go to Bianjing, you will know what it means to have a galaxy of talents. Heroes from all over the world gather in the capital. He looked arrogant just now, but it can be seen that he is broad-minded and just so-so … Oh, by the way, Xiaoning came here today for the party held by Chen Luoyuan, right?"
In the distance, Yunzhu, who had been pushed to the other side by Jin'er, also saw him. She waved her hand, and then probably was pestered by Jin'er to leave again. She smiled helplessly and made a few gestures, and then was pulled away. Ning Yi laughed and said, "Brother Yu, you too, right?"
"Exactly. Does Xiaoning have an invitation?"
"Yes."
Ning Yi nodded. Yu Ho-chung was a little surprised. He had thought that Xiaoning didn't have an invitation. Then he smiled and said, "It's not easy to get an invitation. Brother Ning also has an invitation. "
"Oh, I know a man named Puyang Yi. Give me one."
"Is it the Puyang Family who is known as the richest family in Jiangning?"
Ning Yi nodded. Yu Ho-chung also said, "Oh." He looked at Ning Yi with a strange expression, but he didn't say anything. In fact, he thought that Xiaoning married into a businessman's family, so he could only get an invitation in this way. After all, it was not a good thing to be a businessman, so he didn't need to mention it, lest he hurt Yu Ho-chung's heart.
So Yu Ho-chung smiled very considerately and said, "But I don't have an invitation."
"What?"
"Even if you don't have an invitation, you and I can still go in today. Xiaoning, come with me. Haha … I'll give you a surprise later."
He waved his hand, turned around, and walked forward, smiling mysteriously and warmly.
*****
One of them was called "They Say I'm a Swordsman". It was a book about flying and looking at swords. To be honest, I thought it was great. It was very YY, very smooth, very evil, and also very H ^ _ ^. This book already had nearly a million words. If you liked it, it would definitely be a great enjoyment.
The second book is called "The Great Scientist Reborn". It's a book about education in the late Qing Dynasty. The author has a deep foundation in both arts and science. It's smooth and modern. I like it very much.
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