"…If you don't understand poetry, don't put on a show here. If this poem gets out, it'll only embarrass you, but people might think Miss Tang has poor taste…"
"Exactly. Miss Tang, it's best to avoid unlearned people like this. I say this sincerely. My brother Qingting and I have admired you for a long time and can't bear to see you suffer such disrespect…"
The upstairs of Wenmo Pavilion was buzzing with noise, as the side with the upper hand mocked those on the losing end in their own style. Such arguments are never unprovoked; in truth, there had already been a grudge between Su Wenfang, Su Wendeng, and their opponents. Yet, getting caught in such an embarrassing situation was truly mortifying.
Their words sounded polite, as if they were considerate of Tang Jing's feelings, but Tang Jing knew full well that they were just using her to humiliate Su Wendeng and his group. Lacking any real fame and unable to confront someone with connections, she couldn't stand up for Su Wenfang's group. Her opponents were set on disgracing them, and though she tried to defuse the situation tactfully, she lacked both the status and the skill to pull it off. After just a few words, her attempts were smoothly thwarted, leaving her helpless.
Besides the two groups, there was a sizable crowd of onlookers. If anyone really lost their temper here, they'd end up losing face later. Su Wendeng, though flushed and at a loss for words, had someone in his group who tried to stand firm: "There's no first place in literature, no second in martial arts. Do you really think your poetry is that much better?"
"The depth of one's skill is clear at a glance. With so many here, shall we go around and ask them all? Or maybe repeat Shen Miao's earlier critique?"
"Lin Ziyi, to spout such nonsense, you're clearly floundering, barely holding on. Well then, let this be known to all—just what kind of people associate with vulgar types like Su Wenfang and Su Wendeng!"
"If you're dissatisfied, then let's continue! Come on, let's all write, then show it around for judgment. Su Wendeng, do you have nothing to say, or are you still brewing some masterpiece? Very well then. Brother Jiwen, let us begin; I'll grind the ink for you after you've penned your verses."
Amid the chaotic scene, with arguments flaring, spectators gossiping, observing with cold eyes, or chuckling, the second floor of Wenmo Pavilion was brimming with excitement. Gu Yanzhen watched this ridiculous scene unfold and glanced over to the stairs, just as Li Pin and the young man with the maid reached the top.
As he pondered how to greet Li Pin, he noticed that Li Pin and the young man, after pausing briefly, headed toward the quarreling group.
It seemed that the young man with the maid was acquainted with the Su brothers who were being ridiculed. Though young, likely only in his early twenties, he carried himself with some grace. Gu Yanzhen was uncertain of his scholarly abilities, but given his age and the fact that they hadn't crossed paths before, he assumed his knowledge was limited. However, with Li Pin present, the situation was likely to become more complicated.
Some bystanders recognized Li Pin and had already begun discussing him with those around them. Gu Yanzhen then remembered something: "Dexin is currently at that obscure Yushan Academy, which, as I recall, is run by the Su family's textile business?"
One person thought for a moment, then nodded, "In that case, Dexin probably knows the Su brothers and might even stand up for them?"
"Well, we're in for a good show now," someone chuckled.
Li Pin's scholarship was comparable to that of Cao Guan and Gu Yanzhen, and all of them held him in high regard. However, Chen Jiwen was also quite renowned; in past poetry duels, he could even hold his own against the likes of Cao Guan and Gu Yanzhen. Though his reputation wasn't as illustrious, a genuine literary contest would only boost his name. Given that tempers on both sides were already inflamed, no one would want to lose face in front of such an audience. If Li Pin wanted to defuse things diplomatically, it would be challenging. It seemed a full-blown literary duel was imminent, and everyone was eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
Gu Yanzhen watched with a slight smile from the sidelines. His fondness for Li Pin had waned, as he saw Li associating with unrefined individuals as a fall from grace. Still, he couldn't deny Li Pin's talent, and he figured that the upcoming duel between Li Pin and Chen Jiwen would probably be no contest—a simple way for both to boost their reputations, though the one to benefit most might be that famous courtesan. Feeling bored, Gu didn't show it outwardly, laughing and chatting along with the crowd.
However, as everyone waited in anticipation, with tempers flaring on both sides, what unfolded next took everyone by surprise. For a moment, it was beyond anyone's comprehension…
Ning Yi and Xiao Chan had been wandering around the venue, watching performances for nearly half an hour.
They had entered with Li Pin and the others but split off to explore separately, each finding programs they enjoyed. Ning Yi showed some interest but, with no real experience in choosing, left all the decisions to Xiao Chan, letting her lead him from one show to the next. After the first round of performances, they ran into Li Pin, who was alone, and after a brief chat, they decided to head to Wenmo Pavilion upstairs for a break and some tea.
They heard the commotion upstairs even from below, and Ning Yi hadn't expected to run into Su Wendeng and Su Wenfang. Everyone had barely acknowledged each other at the door earlier, so even now, a simple nod might have sufficed. But this time was different. As they reached the top, Xiao Chan was still looking around for an empty table, while Ning Yi immediately spotted Su Wendeng in the distance. Their eyes met, and Su Wendeng seemed surprised, his expression turning somewhat complicated, as if he wanted to greet him.
Ning Yi surveyed the scene, sensing something odd though not quite grasping it at once. Since Su Wendeng had given him such a look and they were only a few steps apart, a quick nod seemed impolite, so he acknowledged them casually. "Wendeng, Wenfang, you're here too?" Behind him, Xiao Chan said in slight frustration, "Master, it looks like there aren't any seats."
"Uh, Cousin…" Su Wenfang, finally recovering, nodded from across the room, his expression equally odd. As he and Su Wendeng were just a bit younger than Ning Yi, they addressed him as elder brother. There was no turning back now, so Ning Yi approached with Li Pin, and Xiao Chan greeted them. "Young Master Wenfang, Young Master Wendeng." Noticing the brush, ink, paper, and freshly written verses on the tables, Ning Yi assumed they were exchanging poems. He also noticed a courtesan who had been at the performance earlier and figured it was probably another case of impressing a lady. Smiling, he casually began with some small talk.
"We just wandered around downstairs and felt a bit tired, so we came up to rest. What a coincidence. Oh…" He gestured to Li Pin for introductions. "Perhaps you've met before—Wenfang, Wendeng…this is Li Pin. Ah, don't mind us…"
A group of scholars gathered around a courtesan would naturally be eager to show off, and Li Pin, seeing the situation, also smiled and added, "No need to pay us any mind; we'll be over here…" Before he finished speaking, someone from the other side called out, "Li Pin! Brother Dexin, it's Chen Jiwen. I've long admired you."
Li Pin and Chen Jiwen had never formally met, but they knew of each other from poetry gatherings, such as the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival. Smiling, Li Pin clasped his hands in greeting, "Ah, so Brother Jiwen is here too—what a coincidence." The tension between the two groups relaxed momentarily. Chen Jiwen's group exchanged pleasantries with Li Pin's, while someone else who heard Li's name also nodded in acknowledgment, leading to a brief round of polite greetings. Li Pin exchanged pleasantries with phrases like "a pleasure to join such fine company." After a moment, Chen Jiwen chuckled and said, "We were just composing poetry in honor of Miss Tang Jing. Since you know Brother Wenfang and Brother Wendeng, why not join us for some fun?"
To onlookers, Chen Jiwen's words practically sounded like a direct challenge. Although he knew his fame didn't quite match Li Pin's, he believed his talent was no less impressive, prompting him to issue the invitation. Li Pin, like Ning Yi, sensed the tension but didn't fully understand the situation and casually declined. Another man, who had been holding a brush but hadn't written anything since Li Pin's arrival, looked over with a smile and asked, "And who might this gentleman be? Su Wendeng, won't you introduce us?"
Since Chen Jiwen had already decided to challenge Li Pin, the others naturally felt confident to speak up as well.
"He is…" Su Wendeng was about to say Ning Yi's name but decided it was better to mention the family connection first. "He's the husband of my second cousin."
The man across the table smiled knowingly. "Oh, I see…"
Ning Yi, who had been the subject of their remarks, suddenly seemed to remember something. He furrowed his brows, glanced back at the staircase as if recalling something, and, upon hearing the man's inquiry, turned back to give a polite greeting, bowing slightly to the friends of Wendeng and Wenfang. "Ah, I am…"
Laughter drifted over from the other side. "Oh, so it's…"
The words trailed off, and they were left momentarily stunned.
Shortly afterward, two men and a woman took seats near the window by the tense gathering. One of the young men, who had a maid with him, gazed thoughtfully out the window, lost in his own thoughts. Meanwhile, the standoff resumed at the table; brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were set, and those ready to teach the Su brothers a lesson in verse had already picked up their brushes. Yet, despite the preparation, Chen Jiwen held his brush over the paper for a long moment, his expression complicated.
His brush hovered but would not fall.
Murmurs spread through the crowd, growing and echoing as if sharing some secret knowledge. Earlier, everyone had been openly watching the drama unfold, fully aware of what was happening, but now the atmosphere took on an oddly mysterious quality, as if everyone were whispering some hidden truth.
Gu Yanzhen watched the scene for a long time, absently chewing on a bite of food, utterly baffled by what he saw.
"What exactly happened here?"