When scholars and poets engage in battles of verse and prose, they contend for pride; even if they lose in skill, they cannot afford to lose their composure or dignity. Such scenes were common to people like Gu Yanzhen; they only needed to see the beginning to predict the likely outcome.
Usually, there is no true ranking in the literary world, and if one's poetry or prose falls slightly short, it's not a major issue. But today was different because of Chen Jiwen's presence, and since the Su family brothers were considerably lacking, after some scorn from their opponent, they didn't dare pick up their brushes, fearing further embarrassment. In another setting, this might have even led to a physical fight, but with so many onlookers here, any altercation would surely lead to them being escorted out by the officials maintaining order. The brothers' faces flushed, but they could say nothing in their defense.
When Li Pin arrived and it became clear he was acquainted with the Su brothers, any chance of gracefully excusing himself vanished. Chen Jiwen made his challenge openly, and upon hearing this, Gu Yanzhen, Shen Miao, and others couldn't help but laugh—this dull quarrel was suddenly becoming interesting.
But then, in just a few exchanges, the fierce tension between the two parties seemed to be doused with cold water. Though the confrontation lingered, all momentum mysteriously dissipated, as though something unseen had pressed down on it. Li Pin simply greeted a few people and moved aside with his companions, apparently choosing not to intervene. Strangely, those who had been eager to compose verses now hesitated. Gu Yanzhen, who had seen their poetic abilities earlier—especially Chen Jiwen's—couldn't comprehend why Chen Jiwen, holding his brush, seemed troubled, as if he had the lines in mind yet hesitated to write them down. How could this be?
Unable to hear the conversation, those nearby could only let bits and pieces of information slowly filter over. A strange atmosphere spread among the crowd of scholars watching the scene. Whispers, furtive glances, and murmuring abounded. The Su brothers, though they began to relax, still seemed undecided about their next move, glancing toward Li Pin every so often.
"De Xin's arrival actually made Chen Jiwen hesitate to put down his brush? When did such a thing ever happen?" Gu Yanzhen frowned, though having been away from Jiangning for several years, he too felt a bit shaken.
Shen Miao shook his head. "He was challenging De Xin just a moment ago—how could he suddenly be at a loss now?"
"Perhaps he thought he had a good line but suddenly realized there's an unfinished phrase he can't quite perfect?"
One companion guessed, and soon one person left their seat. "I'll go take a look."
He walked around a few tables and made his way over to the whispering crowd, asking a few questions before looking toward the window where Li Pin and his friends were seated. Realization dawned on him, and he chuckled as he returned. "Ah, so that's it. It's not because of De Xin; it's because of the man next to him. Chen Jiwen and his group are rather unlucky this time…"
"That young man? Who is he?"
"Ning Yi."
"…Ning Yi of the Su household? Ning Liheng?" Shen Miao blinked, then laughed softly. "Ah, that explains it. So he's the one who could make Chen Jiwen hesitate so long. He never participates in gatherings like these—it's no wonder they don't recognize him. If I tried to write poetry before him, I'd likely struggle too. As it turns out, Chen Jiwen has met his match…"
"Is that Ning Liheng of 'Shui Diao Ge Tou' and 'Qing Yu An'? I've heard his 'When Will the Bright Moon Appear' often in Bianjing, but to this extent…" Gu Yanzhen furrowed his brow, looking puzzled, but he stopped speaking and watched the scene, mentally revisiting those two pieces, now with a new sense of awe.
After hesitating for what seemed an eternity, Chen Jiwen finally lowered his brush. His companions seemed relieved, crowding around him as if liberated from a great burden. When the finished verse was brought to the other side, Chen Jiwen's gaze lingered on the window. The arrogance, mockery, and disdain that had marked his earlier attitude had completely vanished, leaving only a few polite phrases and a somewhat anxious anticipation of the response.
Ning Yi sat by the window, sensing that the tense standoff nearby wasn't as friendly as it had first appeared. But this had nothing to do with him, and his mind was elsewhere.
As he climbed the stairs, he caught a glimmer of something outside, though he couldn't be sure what it was. It seemed like an impression he saw by chance—a memory slipping back into his mind, recalling that fleeting glance he'd had when he wrote "I turned back suddenly" on the Lantern Festival night. He hadn't seen the female assassin's face back then, just noticed her gaze. Now, four months later, that scene surfaced again as he and Li Pin entered, though he wasn't certain if it was real. Earlier, while he wandered around the venue, he'd even spotted the captain Song Xian, laughing and talking with his guards, which also reminded him of that female assassin. Tonight's atmosphere resembled that festival night, stirring an inexplicable emotion, but he brushed it off as coincidence. Still, after sitting down, he couldn't help glancing at the crowd below, watching as people came and went, until that fleeting impression faded entirely.
He must have been mistaken.
During these moments when Ning Yi paid no attention to the standoff in the tavern, Chen Jiwen on the other side was indeed hesitating over Ning Liheng's name. Ning Yi was oblivious to Chen's reputation, but Chen Jiwen couldn't ignore Shui Diao Ge Tou and Qing Yu An. Ning Yi's unconventional path had captivated public attention—two perfectly timed poems, each with a unique rhythm that raised expectations before leaving everyone in awe. Instead of the hundreds of poems others composed in their quests for fame, Ning Yi only needed two. Combined with his enigmatic and modest demeanor, people began to see him as a reclusive genius, a figure who was both elusive and impossible to ignore.
And recluses, with the aura of mystery they carry, are even harder to predict.
Chen Jiwen wasn't lacking in talent. With some preparation, he could indeed hold his own against people like Li Pin. But now, reflecting on those two famous poems and comparing them to the one he had just prepared, he found himself agonizing. After much inner struggle, he finally set his brush down, yet he felt far from confident, and all he could do now was wait for the response from across the room.
By the window, Ning Yi wasn't paying any attention to what was happening. Li Pin, however, quickly noticed Chen Jiwen's reaction. After learning the story of what had happened, Li returned to Ning, laughing as he relayed the events. Glancing at Chen Jiwen's conflicted expression, Ning Yi now understood the reason behind his words, and he couldn't help but chuckle. After a glance at Su Wending and Su Wenfang, he stood up and walked over.
At that moment, Chen Jiwen's poem was being brought over. He exchanged a few polite words, carefully choosing his tone so as not to offend anyone. "Young Master Gu Yanzhen and his friends are over there. Hmph, a lack of education is still a lack of education. That earlier remark wasn't just my opinion!"
Li Pin glanced toward Gu Yanzhen and the others, while Su Wending quickly handed him the poem for review. Li Pin took it and smiled. "Things were a bit chaotic just now, and I haven't even had the chance to greet Miss Tang. My apologies." His words were directed at Tang Jing, who had been left unnoticed.
Only then did Su Wending realize, amid the earlier tension, that he had forgotten all about her. Tang Jing, unsure of what to do, heard the names "Li Pin" and "Ning Liheng," and was momentarily stunned, uncertain of how to greet them. Su Wending hadn't introduced her, so she stood there alone, slightly awkward. Finally, she had the chance to greet Li Pin properly. Ning Yi had also walked over by then. "My apologies for not greeting you earlier, Miss Tang."
Tang Jing was delighted and quickly curtsied. "Tang Jing greets Young Master Ning. You are too polite; it should be me who greets you first."
"Ah, if I'm not mistaken, Miss Tang was dancing on the big drum earlier in the evening. I didn't expect you to be acquainted with Wending and Wenfang."
"Did Young Master Ning see my performance?" Tang Jing's face turned bright red, her eyes widening in surprise.
"I did indeed. It was very graceful." Ning Yi nodded with a smile. "And De Xin was watching as well, wasn't he?" Tang Jing, surprised and overjoyed, bowed slightly. "Thank you, Young Master Ning, Young Master Li." She glanced at Su Wending, and the tense atmosphere softened almost immediately. After some conversation, they resumed discussing the poetry gathering. Ning Yi looked at the poem on the table, and Li Pin handed him the one in his hand. "A fine piece. Liheng, take a look." Li Pin then turned and gave Chen Jiwen a courteous nod.
Ning Yi finished reading the poem, nodded, and said with a smile, "Hmm, a fine poem." He gave a respectful bow, which allowed Chen Jiwen to finally relax and return the gesture without further words.
"This one is also quite a good piece." Shortly afterward, Ning Yi picked up the poem written by Su Wending, glanced at it, and then handed it to Tang Jing. "Cherish it for the sincerity it holds. Miss Tang, you should keep it safe."
The poems on the table were mostly verses dedicated to praising beauty. Ning Yi chose to pass the least impressive one to Tang Jing, who quickly nodded. "Yes," she said, tucking it carefully away.
These few words of Ning Yi's, said so lightly, left others momentarily speechless, unable to find anything to add.
"…Cherish it for the sincerity it holds?"
Gu Yanzhen had been watching the scene unfold from across the room and heard the report about what happened. Earlier, he had mocked the quality of the poem, yet here was Ning Yi calling it a "fine poem" and Tang Jing, carefully tucking it away, as if it were a treasure. The whole situation seemed slightly absurd to him. Gu, who took pride in his own talent, couldn't help but feel conflicted seeing this unfold. He reflected on Ning Yi's two famous verses, thinking he could match them, but after some contemplation, he realized he would also hesitate if asked to write something on the spot.
There wasn't much else to see at the opposite table. Chen Jiwen, who had lost his edge, seemed unable to come up with any further work to support his reputation. Shen Miao chuckled, "De Xin is here too; shall we go over and say hello?"
Gu Yanzhen shook his head. "No need. Miao Miao's performance is about to start, so let's head down. We can greet them later… Today's events were certainly interesting."
The story of Chen Jiwen's hesitation to write in the presence of Ning Yi and Li Pin would likely circulate by the next day. For Ning Yi, this was a minor matter, as his mind was on other things. But for Tang Jing, Su Wending, and others, it was a significant event—especially for Tang Jing, whose reputation was still budding. Meeting Li Pin and Ning Yi, who even praised her dancing, left her feeling indescribably elated.
After chatting for a while, Xiao Chan brought some refreshments over, and Ning Yi noticed Song Xian downstairs, accompanied by a few soldiers, strolling leisurely before disappearing from sight. Frowning, he finally stood up.
"There's something I need to check on downstairs. I'll be right back."
"Hmm?" Xiao Chan had just popped a tiny crystal dumpling into her mouth. She looked up and, after dusting her hands off, prepared to follow him. But Ning Yi gently patted her on the shoulder and said, "No need to come with me. Enjoy some food upstairs; I'll be back shortly. Afterward, we can go watch the performance together. Li, everyone, no need to wait for me if something comes up."
With that, he turned and headed downstairs.
There are always things one needs to confirm in person to be at ease…
Meanwhile, not far from Wenmo Tower, within a crowd of people, Gu Yanzhen had separated from his group, following a certain young man in a black robe with a hint of curiosity. The young man ahead was tall and slender, holding a folding fan and wearing a scholar's cap. From a distance, he appeared elegant and refined—the type to easily capture a lady's interest, with a look reminiscent of a charming gentleman. He was strolling along, glancing left and right, seemingly searching for someone in particular…