Here's the translation of the provided Chinese novel excerpt:

With all sincerity, Yu Hezhong was quite happy to see Ning Yi again today.

The last time he and Shishi found this old childhood friend together, he had felt a slight discomfort. This was mainly because he knew Shishi was kind-hearted, and if she treated a stranger with the same warmth she showed him, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. But after learning about Xiao Ning's current status and Shishi's attitude, that little bit of worry naturally disappeared, and his perception of Xiao Ning changed.

This time, he returned to Jiangning from Bianjing, ostensibly not to chase after Shishi, but simply to stroll around the place where he grew up. But frankly, his old home wasn't actually in Jiangning. His father was an official, constantly moving around, and he was young at the time, so he hadn't lived in Jiangning for very long, and didn't have any particularly close friends there. This time, besides accompanying Shishi to reminisce about the past and find the old alleyways they used to live in, there wasn't much else to do. He could only treat it as a solitary trip to Jiangning. After all, Shishi was also in a situation where she couldn't do as she pleased. Even if she was kind to him, she couldn't possibly spare much time to spend with him. If they were in the capital, even such occasional companionship would be a glory that many high-ranking officials couldn't obtain.

Traveling south with the Fan Lou troupe this time, besides him, there were actually several other bored young masters. The most ardent pursuer of Shishi, the talented Zhou Bangyan, needless to say, and others like Tang Weiyan and Xu Dongmo, numbering three or four, were either quite learned or came from wealthy families with influential relatives who held official positions. Therefore, they were able to follow along with the attitude of second-generation heirs. These people were also free recently, and considering that Shishi had left Bianjing, there were no longer so many rivals vying for her attention. If they could seize the opportunity to win over this capital's top courtesan, they would naturally gain a great deal of prestige upon returning.

Yu Hezhong looked down on these people. Zhou Bangyan's talent was renowned throughout the capital, but he was actually already in his late thirties or nearly forty, clinging to Shishi. The old lecher! He was also an official, having served as a registrar in the Imperial College a few years ago. He had been dismissed last year for some incident, but it wasn't considered serious. Those who knew the inside story said he could still be promoted. That's how it was with officials in the capital, rising and falling. Having some free time, he also claimed to be coming to Jiangning to visit friends, lying through his teeth, shameless.

As for the others, Tang Weiyan was a cousin of Tang Ke (Tang Qinsou), the current Vice Minister of Revenue, and Xu Dongmo's family was also a well-known aristocratic family in Bianjing. These people either had power and influence or were talented writers. Yu Hezhong couldn't compete with them in poetry or wealth. But his relationship with Shishi was based on old friendship, requiring no money, and was like family. This was different, so he felt that those people were like dogs, shamelessly drooling around Shishi like a bone, which was too shameful.

Despite his silent complaints, he couldn't change most things. Shishi still had to interact with those people insincerely. With her current reputation and status, having to accompany this person and that person was inevitable. Yu Hezhong knew that Shishi didn't want this either, because sometimes when they were together, he saw Shishi smile forlornly and sigh, "What else can I do, Brother Yu? Shishi's current situation, it might seem glamorous, and many courtesans envy it, but in the future, even if I fall in love with someone, I probably won't have the freedom to redeem myself and marry. It was better when I was unnoticed in the past..."

Shishi rarely went unnoticed in the capital. She was already touted as Fan Lou's top courtesan at the age of fourteen, and her reputation continued to rise. But Yu Hezhong understood the helplessness in her words. With her status, she was watched by various forces in the capital. Although a courtesan's identity was inherently helpless, many intrigues and rivalries revolved around her. People pursued her for fame and prestige, and later, it became an obsession. A young master from the Rong Prince's mansion even said, "Li Shishi, I will have you!" There were many who said such things, both reasonable and unreasonable. If she stayed in the brothel, everyone would patronize her, but if she truly fell in love with someone and wanted to redeem herself and leave, a person without any status probably couldn't even protect their life.

Shishi had only said such things once, but she was looking at him when she said it. Yu Hezhong felt that he could understand the bitterness in her heart. Shishi, a gentle woman, carried so many worries, yet still forced herself to smile every day, even when she was with him, only talking about happy things.

She was the capital's top courtesan, noble in character and longing for freedom but unable to control her own destiny; while he was just a student in his early twenties, sharing a pure affection with this old acquaintance, yet unable to help her escape her sea of suffering for the time being. See, it's just like those stories in legendary tales. They were both cautiously working hard, hoping that one day there would be a good ending.

Shishi's pressure was much heavier than his. Thinking this, he felt even more that Shishi was a good girl.

These thoughts could only be kept silently in his heart. There was no one he could confide in. This time, he had returned, but there was no one he could visit, no one who knew about his intimate relationship with Shishi. This gradually changed his feelings. He came to this spring outing early today, with no one to greet, just watching batches of scholars rushing over, many without invitations. He felt that they were all like dogs, but when he saw Xiao Ning, he suddenly felt a warmth in his heart.

He came too, great! Seeing him all alone, he probably didn't have an invitation either, just came to join the fun. It didn't matter, they were old friends, he could bring him in. How could he leave a good friend out? So he excitedly came over to say hello.

"It's been a few days, I didn't expect Brother Ning to come out for a spring outing. Uh, didn't bring your family along?"

Yu Hezhong was enthusiastic, smiling and looking around. Ning Yi, however, was paying attention to the argument under the tree, smiling and cupping his hands. "No family came, just met up with two friends. Brother Yu came too, what a coincidence." Jin'er looked displeased over there, but didn't seem to be at a disadvantage. Only the courtesan next to Liu Qingdi frowned, probably because this woman had started the trouble first, and seemed to have run into a brick wall. Yunzhu was just standing there, coldly watching the three men and one woman in front of her.

Since his own people were being provoked, Ning Yi was preparing to go over and help with the argument, saying a few sarcastic remarks to infuriate Liu Qingdi, not paying much attention to Yu Hezhong beside him. But when Yu Hezhong also looked over there, he became interested. "Ah, is that... Liu Qingdi?"

"Brother Yu knows him?"

"Heh, I was introduced to him a few days ago. They say he's the leading young literary talent in Jiangning. Brother Ning actually knows him?" As someone from the capital, Yu Hezhong didn't really care about Liu Qingdi's status as the leading talent in Jiangning. But Liu Qingdi had probably received an invitation from Chen Luoyuan. If Xiao Ning had an appointment with Liu Qingdi, he might also have an invitation. Yu Hezhong couldn't help but take another look at Ning Yi.

Ning Yi shook his head. "Not very familiar."

While they were talking, they were already heading over there. The argument under the big tree seemed to have come to an end. Liu Qingdi seemed to have seen Ning Yi walking over, his expression darkening. Then he said a few words, and turned to leave with his companions. Jin'er and Yunzhu under the tree also exchanged a few words, and turned to walk in the other direction. Then, Jin'er turned her head and saw Ning Yi, tilted her head, and blinked her eyes.

Ning Yi was about to say hello, when Jin'er puffed out her cheeks, then pressed her hands against her face, stuck out her tongue, and made a funny face at him. Then she turned her head, spoke to Yunzhu, and smiled as she pushed Yunzhu away.

In the woods on the other side, Liu Qingdi must have turned back and seen Jin'er's action. Although he was too far away to see his expression clearly, one could still sense his displeasure. Then he stopped, looked towards Ning Yi, raised his head, and cupped his hands from a distance. Although it was a greeting, the arrogance and provocation in it were extremely obvious. This was basically saying, "I don't like you." After cupping his hands, he turned and left.

Ning Yi was helpless with these childish actions. Jin'er's side and Liu Qingdi's side were about the same. He walked to the tree where no one was gathering, shrugged his shoulders, and let out a sigh of relief. Yu Hezhong followed beside him, not understanding what had just happened. His attention was on Liu Qingdi, and he saw Liu Qingdi's actions, but didn't see Jin'er's funny face. When he saw Ning Yi's helpless expression of "everyone's gone," he roughly "understood" what had happened.

Xiao Ning had married into a merchant family, and even if he had some knowledge, people like that were ignored. He had said he had an appointment with Liu Qingdi, probably wishful thinking or trying to make himself look good. Now look, the other party had left, giving him no face at all. But it didn't matter. At this moment, Yu Hezhong wouldn't look down on him. A merchant family, and a son-in-law at that, his status was already pitiful. His desire to climb higher was understandable, and it was also worthy of sympathy to be rejected. As an old friend, he wouldn't look down on people.

Yu Hezhong smiled. "Heh, actually, in my opinion, that Liu Qingdi isn't that great. Xiao Ning, when you go to Bianjing one day, you'll know what it means to be full of talent. The heroes of the world gather in the capital. He looked very arrogant just now, but you can see that his temperament and character are only so-so... Oh, by the way, Xiao Ning, you came for the gathering held by Chen Luoyuan over there today, right?"

From afar, Yunzhu, who had been pushed into his field of vision by Jin'er, also saw him, waved her hand, and then was probably dragged away by Jin'er again. She smiled helplessly and made a few gestures, then disappeared. Ning Yi laughed. "Brother Yu too?"

"Exactly. Does Xiao Ning have an invitation?"

"Yes."

Ning Yi nodded, and Yu Hezhong was somewhat surprised. He had originally thought that Xiao Ning didn't have an invitation. Then he smiled. "These invitations aren't easy to get. Brother Ning has connections."

"Heh, I know someone named Puyang Yi, got one from him."

"Could it be the Puyang family, known as the richest in Jiangning?"

Ning Yi nodded, and Yu Hezhong "oh"ed. He glanced at Ning Yi, his expression a little strange, but finally said nothing. Actually, he was thinking, Xiao Ning married into a merchant family, so he could only get an invitation through this kind of channel. Merchants are not well-regarded, after all. He didn't need to mention it, so as not to hurt his feelings.

So Yu Hezhong smiled very considerately. "However, I don't have an invitation."

"Hmm?"

"Even without an invitation, you and I can still go in today. Xiao Ning, follow me, haha... I'll give you a surprise later."

He waved his hand, turned and walked forward, smiling mysteriously and warmly.

**********

Recommending two books, one is called *They Say I'm a Swordsman*, written by Xianfei Kandao. Honestly, I think it's great, very YY, very smooth, very evil, and also very H^_^. This book already has nearly a million words, if you like it, it's definitely a great enjoyment.

The second book is called *Rebirth of a Great Scientist*, which is about being reborn in the late Qing Dynasty to run education. The author's knowledge of both humanities and science is very deep, smooth, and doesn't lose the atmosphere of the times. I like it very much.

Neither of these are friendly recommendations. They are two books that I've been enjoying recently and have been following.