Scholars, competing in poetry and literature, were fighting for their pride. Even if they lost, they could not lose in spirit, they could not lose in demeanor. People like Gu Yanzhen were used to this kind of thing. Basically, after seeing the beginning, they could more or less guess the result.
Under normal circumstances, everyone said that there was no first place in literature. Even if one's poetry was slightly inferior, it usually wouldn't be too big of a problem. Of course, this was because Chen Jiwen was present. In the eyes of the Su family, the two brothers were really too inferior. Therefore, after the other party ridiculed them and pushed the brush, ink, and paper over, Su Wending and the others didn't dare to start writing, lest they become a laughing stock again. If this was outside, this situation could even lead to a fight. However, there were many onlookers. If they fought in this gathering place, they would inevitably be dragged out by the soldiers who maintained order. For a moment, their faces were red and they couldn't say anything.
When Li Pin came upstairs and showed that she knew the Su brothers, it would be impossible for her to escape under such circumstances. Then, Chen Jiwen made it clear that he had issued a challenge. After the content was transmitted over, Gu Yanzhen, Shen Miao, and the others laughed. This boring quarrel finally became somewhat interesting.
Who knew that in the time it took for the other side to say a few words, the originally hostile two sides seemed to have been splashed with a bucket of cold water. The confrontation continued, but the spirit seemed to have been suppressed by something invisible. Li Pin only gave a few greetings and went to the side with her companions. It seemed that she wasn't going to interfere. Those who originally wanted to write actually hesitated. Gu Yanzhen had seen their poems earlier. Especially Chen Jiwen, who seemed to have some misgivings in his heart when he held the brush. It seemed that he had a poem and wanted to write it, but he kept hesitating. How could such a thing happen?
They couldn't hear the conversation over there, so they could only slowly transmit some information over. A strange atmosphere spread among the scholars who were watching the show. They whispered and pointed. The Su brothers relaxed, but at the same time, they felt that they couldn't decide on their next move. They looked at each other and then at Li Pin.
"De Xin is here, and that Chen Jiwen actually hesitated to write? When did such a thing happen? "Gu Yanzhen frowned. However, he hadn't returned to Jiangning for a few years and was also shocked.
Shen Miao shook his head, "Just now he was still provoking De Xin, how can he not take action now?"
"Could it be that you thought you had a good poem, but now you realize that you haven't thought of a sentence?"
His companion guessed. Then, one of them left his seat. "I'll go take a look."
That person walked past a few seats and went to the whispering crowd to ask about it. Then, he looked at the window where Li Pin and the others were sitting. Only then did he come to a realization. He turned back and laughed, "I see. It's not because of De Xin, but because of the person beside him. Chen Jiwen and the rest are really unlucky this time … "
"That young man, who is he?"
"Ning Yi."
"… Ning Yi from the Su mansion? Ning Liheng? " Shen Miao stared blankly for a moment, then laughed involuntarily. "Ha, no wonder … it was him who could make Chen Jiwen hesitate for so long. This person never participates in social gatherings, no wonder I don't know him. If I were to write poems in the past, I would have to struggle for a long time. Coincidentally, I met him. Chen Jiwen is in trouble this time … "
"It's that Ning Liheng from Shuidiao Getou and Qingyu Case? I've often heard of the reputation of When the Bright Moon Appears in Tokyo, but to reach such a level … "Gu Yanzhen frowned. He was puzzled at first, but then he stopped talking. He looked at the scene opposite him and pondered over the two poems in his heart. He was bewildered.
Chen Jiwen hesitated for a long time. Finally, he put down his brush. The people who came with him surrounded him as if they had been pardoned. They seemed to be relieved. After that, he took the poem to the other party's side, but his gaze remained in the direction of the window. The arrogant words and ridiculing attitude from before had already been swept away. At this moment, all that was left were a few pleasantries. Then, he nervously waited for the other side's reaction.
*****
Ning Yi sat by the window. At this time, he had more or less felt the situation of the confrontation. It was not as friendly as he first saw it. However, this had nothing to do with him. His current mood was not on this.
When he went upstairs, there was a flash of light outside. He seemed to have seen something. After thinking about it, even he himself could not be sure.
It seemed to be an impression that he had inadvertently seen. In a gap of a certain mood, he suddenly recalled the startling glimpse he had when he was writing "Suddenly Looking Back" on the night of the New Year's Eve. To be honest, at that time, he did not see the female assassin's appearance. He only noticed her gaze. Now that he thought about it, it had been four months. Even he himself could not be sure of the scene he had seen when he came over with Li Pin.
When he was walking around the venue, he actually saw that County Commandant Song Xian. He was chatting cheerfully with some of his personal guards, which made him recall the female assassin. Tonight's scene was similar to the New Year's Eve. Perhaps it was because of this that he had created unnecessary emotions. He made such a judgment in his heart. However, after sitting down, he still looked downwards, whether intentionally or unintentionally. In his field of vision, there were people coming and going, and the impression gradually faded.
He must have been wrong.
Just when he was not paying attention to the confrontation in the restaurant, Chen Jiwen, who was on the other side, was indeed hesitating about the name Ning Liheng. Ning Yi did not know the other party's name, but it was impossible for the other party not to have heard of the Shuidiao Getou and the Green Jade Case. This was mainly because of Ning Yi's unconventional approach. He was extremely calculative about the hearts of people and public opinion. If others wanted to be known as a gifted scholar, they would have to recite hundreds of poems and publicize it in every gathering. However, Ning Yi had only composed two poems. Due to the coincidence of the timing, the technique of holding back in the middle, and the casualness of the phrase "a Daoist recited two poems" and his subsequent low-profile, others could only say that he was a hermit with an eccentric personality. However, it was impossible to ignore his existence.
For a hermit, due to the existence of a mysterious feeling, sometimes people would feel that it was difficult to grasp.
Chen Jiwen was not without talent. If he had made some preparations, he could indeed compete with Li Pin and the others. However, at this moment, when he thought of the other party's two poems and the poem he had prepared just now, he could only ponder over it. In the end, after he clenched his teeth and wrote it out, he still could not be confident and could only wait for the other party's reaction.
Beside the window, Ning Yi did not pay much attention to the behavior of the other side. Li Pin was the first to react. When Chen Jiwen was writing the poem, she had roughly inquired about the development of the matter. Then, she came back and told the story with a smile. Looking at Chen Jiwen's complicated expression, she then understood why he said that. She could not help but laugh. Then, she looked at Su Wending and Su Wenfang, stood up and walked over.
At this moment, the other side brought Chen Jiwen's poem over. She did not want to say a few words but she did not want to offend him. After deliberating for a while, she said, "Gu Yanzhen, Young Master Gu and the others are also over there. Hmph, ignorant and incompetent is ignorant and incompetent. The comments just now were not made by me alone!"
Li Pin looked at where Gu Yanzhen and the others were. Su Wending and the others hurriedly passed the poem to her for evaluation. Li Pin held it in her hand and smiled. "It seemed a little messy just now. I have not greeted Miss Tang yet. Sorry for my impoliteness." These words were first said to Tang Jing who was being ignored.
Only then did Su Wending and the others react. They were forced into a corner previously and had even forgotten about this matter. Tang Jing did not know what to do before. Then, suddenly hearing the name Li Pin, and even Ning Yi and Ning Liheng, she stared at them and did not know how to greet them. Su Wending also did not introduce them to her. A young lady who was not considered old was being ignored at the side. It was very pitiful. At this moment, she was finally able to greet Li Pin. Then, Ning Yi also came over. "Sorry for not greeting Miss Tang earlier."
Tang Jing was overjoyed and quickly bowed. "I am Tang Jing. Greetings to Young Master Ning. Young Master Ning is too polite. It should be me who greets Young Master Ning first."
"Heh, actually speaking of which, Miss Tang was dancing on the big drum in the center, right? I did not expect you to know Wen Fang and Wending. "
"Young Master Ning, did you see my performance just now?" Tang Jing's face instantly turned red. She stared at him nervously.
"Of course, you danced beautifully." Ning Yi smiled and nodded. "De Xin was there just now, wasn't he?" Tang Jing was flattered. "Thank you, Young Master Ning, Young Master Li." Then, she glanced at Su Wending. The atmosphere here was almost dissolved. After a while, they talked about making friends through literature. Ning Yi looked at the poems on the table. Li Pin also handed over the poem in her hands. "Good poem. Liheng, take a look." She turned and bowed to Chen Jiwen.
Ning Yi smiled and finished reading. He nodded and said, "Hmm, good poem." He bowed as well. Chen Jiwen's expression then relaxed. He returned the bow and did not say anything else.
"This is also a good poem." Not long after, Ning Yi took out the poem written by Su Wending and looked at it. Then, he handed it to Tang Jing. "What is valuable is sincerity. Miss Tang should keep it."
The few poems on the table were mostly about beauties. Ning Yi handed over the worst one. Tang Jing quickly nodded. "Yes." She kept the poem in her arms.
These few sentences were understated. Even if others wanted to say something, they could not find the words for a while.
*****
"… What is valuable is sincerity?"
Gu Yanzhen had been watching the development over there. He heard the news. He had laughed at the poem before. But in the mouth of the other party, it was said to be a good poem. Tang Jing also treasured it and kept it in her arms. For a moment, he felt that such a thing was slightly ridiculous. He was also a proud person. He was proud of his talent. When this scene fell into his eyes, he felt a little complicated. He recalled the two poems and felt that he was not far off. But after thinking about it carefully, he realized that if he wanted to write, he would probably hesitate.
There was no good show to watch. Chen Jiwen had lost his drive. Even if he was unhappy, there was no good work to show. Shen Ao smiled. "De Xin is here too. Do you want to go over and say hello?"
Gu Yanzhen shook his head. "No need. Miao Miao's performance is about to start. Let's go down first. We can say hello later … Today's matter is really interesting."
*****
The appearance of Li Pin and Ning Yi in the Ink House made Chen Jiwen afraid to write. It was hard to say how the news would spread tomorrow. To Ning Yi, it might be a small matter. He was not in the mood for it. To Tang Jing, Su Wending, and the others, it was a big matter. Especially Tang Jing. She was not famous yet. This time, when she saw Li Pin and Ning Yi, they actually praised her dance. She was in an indescribable mood.
Everyone chatted upstairs for a while. When Xiaochan brought some snacks over, Ning Yi saw Song Xian's figure appear downstairs. He seemed to be wandering leisurely with a few soldiers. Then, he disappeared on the other side of his vision. He frowned and stood up.
"I have something to do. I'll go down first. I'll come back later."
"Hmm?" Xiaochan was about to put a small crystal bun into her mouth. At this time, she raised her head and clapped her hands, intending to follow. Ning Yi smiled and patted her shoulder. "You don't have to come with me. You can eat something upstairs. I'll be back soon. We still have to go to the performance later. Brother Li, everyone, if there's anything, you don't have to wait for me. "
With that, he turned and went downstairs.
Some things had to be confirmed in order to be at ease …
On the other hand, in a crowd not far from the Ink House, Gu Yanzhen left the group and followed a black-robed man not far ahead with some doubts. The black-robed man was tall and thin. He held a folding fan and wore a scholar's scarf. From afar, he looked quite elegant. He should be a pretty boy who could attract the attention of women. At this time, as he walked, he looked left and right as if paying attention to someone …
*****
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