"...If you don't understand poetry, then don't pretend here. If this poem spreads, losing your face doesn't matter, but people will think Miss Tang has no taste..."

"Exactly, Miss Tang, it's best not to bother with such ignorant people anymore. I speak from the heart—Brother Qingting and I have long admired Miss Tang, and we truly can't stand seeing Miss Tang suffer such insult..."

On the Literary Ink Building's upper floor, noise and clamor filled the air as the winning side mocked the losers in their own way. Such arguments never arose from nothing—in fact, Su Wenfang, Su Wending and the others already had grievances with their opponents. But being caught with such a weakness at this moment was truly embarrassing.

Though these words seemed considerate of Tang Jing's face, how could Tang Jing not know they were speaking carelessly, using her to embarrass Su Wending and the others? But she had no reputation now, and her opponents had status and background. As a mere entertainer, she couldn't afford to offend such people and couldn't possibly tear off masks to stand with Su Wenfang's group. Since the opposition was determined to embarrass Su Wending's group and she lacked both the status and skill to smooth things over gently, her few attempts were cleverly suppressed, leaving her helpless for the moment.

Present were not just both parties but many surrounding spectators. Whoever truly lost control now would really lose face later. Therefore, though Su Wending himself had turned red and couldn't speak, someone in his group could still force out a few words: "There's no first in literature or second in martial arts. Do you really think your poetry is that much better?"

"Skill levels are obvious at a glance. With so many present, shall we ask each one? Need we repeat Brother Shen Miao's evaluation from over there?"

"Lin Ziyi, saying such things clearly shows you're speaking nonsense, forcing yourself to hold on. Haha, fine then—when this spreads, it'll prove exactly what kind of people mix with vulgar creatures like Su Wenfang and Su Wending!"

"If you're unconvinced, then let's continue competing. Come, come, everyone write together, then take them out for evaluation. Su Wending, speechless? Or are you brewing emotions for some masterpiece to emerge? Good, good. Brother Jiwen, let's go first—borrowing flowers to present to Buddha. After we finish writing, I'll grind ink for you. How about it?"

The chaotic scene—arguing parties, spectators, discussers, cold observers, those chatting and laughing—decorated the Literary Ink Building's second floor with a heated atmosphere. Gu Yanzhen watched this boring scene, then looked toward the nearby stairs. Li Pin and the man with a maid he'd just seen were now coming up the stairway. He thought about how to greet Li Pin, then noticed that after Li Pin and that man paused briefly, they actually headed toward the arguing group.

It appeared the man with the maid knew the Su family brothers being mocked. This man looked young, just over twenty, but carried himself with some bearing. His learning was unknown, but at such an age, having never seen him before, his scholarship was probably limited. But with Li Pin beside him, the situation would likely become complicated.

Several nearby also recognized Li Pin and were already telling those around them. Then Gu Yanzhen remembered something: "Dexin now teaches at that obscure Yushan Academy. This Yushan Academy seems to be run by the Su family that manages cloth stores?"

Someone thought for a moment before nodding: "That being so, Dexin probably knows those Su brothers and might now stand up for them?"

"This will be interesting to watch." Someone laughed.

Li Pin's learning equaled Cao Guan and Gu Yanzhen's—they'd all witnessed and quite admired it. But Chen Jiwen's talent was also considerable. In past poetry competitions, he could exchange blows with even Cao Guan and Gu Yanzhen. Even if his reputation didn't match theirs, truly competing in literary composition would only add to his fame. Moreover, with both sides' tempers clearly ignited, probably neither would willingly lose face in public. If Li Pin wanted to use soft tactics to resolve this, it would likely be difficult. A great literary battle seemed imminent, and everyone excitedly prepared to watch the show.

Gu Yanzhen also smiled watching that side. He now felt no goodwill toward Li Pin, only thinking Li Pin degraded himself by associating with such ignorant people. But he could still acknowledge his literary talent. Thinking about the upcoming competition between him and Chen Jiwen, there probably wouldn't be much suspense—it would merely add to both their reputations. Perhaps only the brothel courtesan would gain the most. Finding it boring in his heart but naturally not showing it outwardly, he chatted and watched with everyone.

However, amid such expectations, with both sides' tempers at their peak, the subsequent developments truly exceeded everyone's expectations. For a moment, it was simply incomprehensible...

Ning Yi and Xiao Chan had been walking around the venue, having already watched performances for about half an hour.

They'd originally entered with Li Pin and others but separated after entering, each seeking performances they liked. Ning Yi had some interest in these programs but really lacked experience in choosing, so the selection fell entirely to Xiao Chan. Following the little girl's preferences as she led him around, after watching this initial batch of performances, they encountered the solo Li Pin again. After chatting for a while, they decided to rest at the Literary Ink Building and have some tea.

Downstairs they'd already heard the commotion above. Coming up, they hadn't expected to encounter Wending and Wenfang. Since they'd barely greeted each other at the gate originally, even meeting face to face now could have been just a nod and done. But this time was different. Upon reaching the floor, while Xiao Chan was still looking around for empty tables, Ning Yi immediately saw Su Wending not far away—mainly because the other was also looking this way, first slightly startled, then after being stunned for a while, his gaze became somewhat complex, as if wanting to greet him.

He looked around, feeling the situation seemed somewhat strange, unable to understand much at a glance. In any case, it had nothing to do with him. Since the other had such an expression and they were so close, just nodding and leaving probably wouldn't be good, so he casually nodded: "Wending, Wenfang, you're here too." Xiao Chan said somewhat distressedly from behind: "Young Master, there seem to be no seats."

"Uh, Cousin..." Su Wenfang reacted, nodding from not far away, his expression also seeming somewhat strange. He and Su Wending were only slightly younger than Ning Yi, so they called Ning Yi "brother." Unable to simply turn and go downstairs now, Ning Yi could only approach with Li Pin. Xiao Chan greeted them: "Young Master Wenfang, Young Master Wending." Ning Yi looked at the ink, brushes, paper and inkstones on several tables, seemingly with already-written poems, thinking they were probably meeting through literature. Seeing a brothel girl standing nearby who seemed to have just performed, he could only understand it as writing poetry to pursue girls and such. He smiled and casually made small talk.

"We walked around downstairs for a while and got somewhat tired, so came up to sit. What a coincidence. Oh..." He gestured toward Li Pin for introductions. "Perhaps you've met—Wenfang, Wending... This is Li Pin... heh, don't mind us..."

A group of talents surrounding a brothel girl naturally wanted to eagerly perform and distinguish themselves. Li Pin could also see the situation now and smiled: "Don't bother with us, we'll go ourselves..." Before he finished speaking, someone on the other side called out: "Li Pin. Brother Dexin, I'm Chen Jiwen, long admired."

Li Pin and Chen Jiwen hadn't formally met before, but at occasions like Mid-Autumn poetry gatherings they'd had invisible exchanges and knew each other's names. He smiled and cupped his hands: "Ah, so Brother Jiwen is here too, what a coincidence." Though both sides had been somewhat tense earlier, they now paused slightly. Looking like they were together with Su Wending and Su Wenfang, someone at Chen Jiwen's table heard Li Pin's name and also greeted him. Both sides exchanged pleasantries, with Li Pin casually saying things like "Everyone's refined interests..." Chen Jiwen thought for a moment before smiling: "We were just composing poems for Miss Tang Jing. Since Brother Li knows Brother Wenfang and Brother Wending, why not join the excitement?"

To others, this was already a declaration of challenge. Though Chen Jiwen knew his reputation didn't match Li Pin's, he believed his talent wasn't inferior, which was why he spoke. Though Li Pin, like Ning Yi, could sense the strange atmosphere, he didn't yet understand the situation and casually declined. Another man who'd picked up a brush but hadn't written poetry since Li Pin's arrival also smiled and asked: "I wonder who this gentleman is? Su Wending, won't you introduce us?"

"He is..." Su Wending originally wanted to just say the name but then thought to put the Su family first. "He is my second cousin sister's husband..."

The other side smiled: "Oh..."

Ning Yi, who was being discussed, seemed to remember something at this moment and frowned slightly, turning to look back at the stairway, recalling something. Hearing the inquiry, he turned back and cupped his hands, friendlily greeting Wending and Wenfang's friends: "Uh, I am..."

Laughter came from that side: "Ah, so it's..."

The words stopped mid-sentence, frozen.

Not long after, the newly arrived two men and one woman sat at seats by the window near the confrontation. The young man with the maid was looking down at the floor below, his expression suggesting he was thinking about something. Meanwhile, the confrontation resumed. Ink, brushes, paper and inkstones were all prepared, and the person who'd been ready to teach the Su brothers a lesson with poetry had already picked up his brush. However, Chen Jiwen held his brush poised for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking, his expression complex.

That brush couldn't fall.

Whispers spread through the crowd, rippling outward. Earlier everyone had been unrestrainedly watching the excitement, and many understood what was happening. But now the entire atmosphere had become somewhat eerie, as if everyone was discussing some secret.

Gu Yanzhen watched that side for a long while, slowly chewing a bite of food in his mouth, unable to understand this scene before him.

"What exactly happened?"