Angry Banana
Chapter 56: Deterrence (Part 2)
Generally speaking, literary figures and scholars compete in poetry and prose for the sake of pride. Even if they lose to others, they cannot lose their composure or their manners. Such events are commonplace for people like Gu Yanzhen, and they can usually predict the outcome after seeing the beginning.
一般情况下大家都说文无第一，诗词稍差些，通常也不会有太大的问题。当然眼下是因为陈季问的在场，在那苏家两兄弟也实在差得过分，因此对方一番奚落之后将笔墨纸砚推过来，苏文定等人也不敢再下笔，免得再成笑柄。若在外面，这情况打起来都有可能，只是眼下围观者众多，若在这聚会场中打架，也少不了被维持秩序的官兵给架出去，一时间涨红了脸话都说不出来。
In most cases, people say that there is no definitive first place in literature, and slight differences in poetry are usually not a big deal. However, currently, because Chen Jiwen is present and the Su brothers are exceptionally poor, after being ridiculed, the other party pushed the writing instruments over. Su Wending and others dared not write anymore, lest they become a laughingstock again. If this were outside, a fight might break out, but with so many onlookers, fighting in this gathering would undoubtedly lead to being dragged out by the officers maintaining order. For a moment, they were red-faced and speechless.
当李频上得楼来，又表现出与那苏氏兄弟认识，这样的情况下想要脱身怕是没可能了。随后陈季问摆明了提出挑战，那内容传来这边之后，顾燕桢与沈邈等人便笑了起来，这一番无聊的争吵终究变得有些意思。
When Li Pin came upstairs and showed that he knew the Su brothers, it seemed impossible to escape the situation. Then, Chen Jiwen openly issued a challenge, and when the content was relayed to Gu Yanzhen and Shen Miao, they laughed. This boring quarrel finally became somewhat interesting.
谁知道接下来那边不过几句话的功夫，原本剑拔弩张的双方就像是被泼了一盆冷水，那对峙的局势随后依然在持续着，但那锐气都像是被什么东西无形间给压了下去，李频不过只打了几个招呼，与同伴去往一边，看来不再插手，原本想要写诗词的几人竟然犹豫着无法落笔，他们的诗才顾燕桢先前也看见过了，特别是陈季问，提着毛笔心中似乎有着什么顾虑一般，似是有了诗句，想要落笔又一直犹豫着，怎么可能出现这样的事情。
Who knew that after only a few words, the tense atmosphere between the two sides seemed to be doused with cold water. The confrontation continued, but their sharpness seemed to be invisibly suppressed. Li Pin only exchanged a few greetings and went to the side with his companions, seemingly no longer intervening. The others who wanted to write poetry hesitated, unable to put pen to paper. Gu Yanzhen had seen their poetic talent before, especially Chen Jiwen, who seemed hesitant with the brush in his hand, as if he had verses in mind but kept hesitating to write them down. How could such a thing happen?
这边听不到那边的谈话，也只能是让一些信息慢慢传过来，诡异的气氛在周围看戏的一众才子间蔓延，窃窃私语、指指点点，苏氏兄弟放松了情绪，但同样也有写不好决定下一步行动的感觉，在那儿对视着，又往李频那边望过去。
Those on this side could not hear the conversation on the other side and could only let the information trickle over. A strange atmosphere spread among the talented scholars watching the show. They whispered and pointed. The Su brothers relaxed, but they also felt unable to write well and decide on their next move. They looked at each other and then towards Li Pin.
“德新来了，竟让那陈季问犹豫着不好下笔？何时有这样的事情的？”顾燕桢皱着眉头，不过他毕竟几年未回江宁，心中也是一阵震撼。
"Dexin is here, and he's making Chen Jiwen hesitate to write? When did such a thing happen?" Gu Yanzhen frowned, but he hadn't been back to Jiangning for several years and felt shocked.
沈邈摇摇头：“方才还向德新挑衅，此时怎会下不了笔。”
Shen Miao shook his head: "He was provoking Dexin just now, how can he not be able to write now?"
“莫非是先前觉得有一首好词，此时才发现有一处句子未曾想好？”
"Could it be that he thought he had a good poem earlier, but now he realizes that he hasn't figured out a sentence?"
同伴如此猜测着，随后，一个人离开了座位：“我且去看看。”
His companion guessed. Then, one person left his seat: "I'll go and take a look."
那人绕过几个坐席，去到窃窃私语的人群中问了问，随后望向窗边李频等人的座位，这才有些恍然，随后一路折回，笑了起来：“原来如此，并非因为德新，而是因他旁边那人。陈季问他们这次，还真是有些倒霉……”
The person walked around several seats, went to the whispering crowd, and asked a few questions. Then, he looked towards the seats by the window where Li Pin and the others were sitting. He seemed to understand something, then returned, laughing: "So that's it, it's not because of Dexin, but because of the person next to him. Chen Jiwen and his group are really unlucky this time..."
“那人年轻，到底是谁？”
"Who is that young man?"
“宁毅。”
"Ning Yi."
“……苏府宁毅？宁立恒？”沈邈愣了愣，随后哑然失笑，“呵，难怪了……能让陈季问犹豫这许久的，原来是他，这人从不参与应酬，难怪不认识。我若过去写诗词想必也得为难许久，碰巧遇上他，陈季问这次为难了……”
"...Ning Yi of the Su Mansion? Ning Liheng?" Shen Miao was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "Ah, no wonder... It's him who made Chen Jiwen hesitate for so long. This person never participates in social gatherings, no wonder I don't recognize him. If I were to go over there and write poetry, I would probably have to struggle for a long time. Chen Jiwen is in trouble this time for running into him..."
“是那水调歌头、青玉案的宁立恒？我在东京也常听到这明月几时有的名声，不过要到这种地步……”顾燕桢皱着眉头，先是疑惑，随后却也将话语停了下来，看着对面那情景，心中咀嚼着那两首词作，惊疑不定。
"Is that Ning Liheng of 'Shuidiao Getou' and 'Qingyu An'? I often heard the fame of 'When Will the Moon Be Clear' in Dongjing, but to this extent..." Gu Yanzhen frowned, first in doubt, then stopped talking, looked at the scene opposite, chewed on the two poems in his mind, and was filled with surprise and uncertainty.
陈季问犹豫了许久，终于还是将笔落了下去，与他同来的人如蒙大赦地围过去，似乎松了一口气。随后再将那诗作拿去对方那边，只是目光一直停留在窗户的方向，先前那般傲气的放言，不断奚落的态度已然一扫而空，此时有的，也不过只剩几句场面话而已，然后，便是稍有些紧张地等待着那边的反应。
Chen Jiwen hesitated for a long time, and finally put pen to paper. The people who came with him surrounded him as if they had been pardoned, seemingly relieved. Then, they took the poem over to the other side, but their eyes kept lingering in the direction of the window. The arrogant remarks and constant ridicule from before had been swept away. Now, there were only a few polite words left, and then, they waited somewhat nervously for the other side's reaction.
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宁毅坐在窗户边，这时候多少也已经感受到了这边整个对峙的局势，并不像他第一眼看到的那么友好。不过这个与他无关，他这时的心情，也不在这上面。
Ning Yi sat by the window, and at this time, he had somewhat sensed the entire confrontational situation on this side, which was not as friendly as he had first seen. However, this had nothing to do with him, and his mood at the moment was not focused on this.
上楼的时候，外面光芒闪烁，似乎是看到了什么东西，随后想想，连他自己都无法确定。
When he came upstairs, the light outside flickered, as if he had seen something, but then he thought about it, and even he couldn't be sure.
似乎只是无意间看到的一个印象，在某个心情落下的间隙，忽然回忆起来的，是元夕那晚在写“蓦然回首”时的惊鸿一瞥。老实说，那时候没能看到女刺客的样子，只是注意到那个眼神，这时候想起来，时间已经过去四个月，方才与李频过来时感受到的那个画面，连他自己都觉得无法确定。
It seemed to be just an impression seen unintentionally, recalled in a moment of melancholy, a fleeting glance from the Lantern Festival night when he wrote "Looking Back Suddenly." Honestly, he didn't see the female assassin's face at that time, just noticed that look. Now, thinking about it, four months had passed, and even he himself couldn't be sure of the scene he had felt when he came with Li Pin just now.
方才在会场中转来转去的时候，其实也看到了那都尉宋宪，正带着一些亲卫在与人谈笑风生，也让他回忆起了那个女刺客。今晚与元夕的某些景观也类似，可能是因为这样，产生的多余心情，他在心中做出如此的判断，不过坐下之后，还是有意无意地往下面看着，视野之间人群来往，那印象愈发稀薄下去。
When he was walking around the venue just now, he also saw Captain Song Xian, who was chatting and laughing with people while accompanied by some guards, which reminded him of the female assassin. Tonight, some of the scenery was similar to the Lantern Festival, and perhaps because of this, he had extra feelings. He made such a judgment in his heart, but after sitting down, he still looked down intentionally or unintentionally, and the impression became increasingly faint as people came and went within his view.
该是想错了。
He must be mistaken.
就在他完全未曾在意酒楼间的对峙的片刻间，另一边的陈季问也的确是为着宁立恒这个名字而犹豫着。宁毅不了解对方的名头，对方却不可能没听说过那水调歌头与青玉案，这主要也是因为宁毅的剑走偏锋，对人心和舆论算计到了极点，旁人要成才子之名，几十几百首的诗，每一个聚会间的张扬。但宁毅却只是两首，时机的巧合，中间欲扬先抑的手法，再加上那句“道士吟了两首”的随意与此后性格的低调，旁人顶多只能说他是隐士狂生，性格古怪，却已经完全无法忽视他的存在。
Just as he was completely unaware of the confrontation in the restaurant, Chen Jiwen on the other side was indeed hesitating because of the name Ning Liheng. Ning Yi didn't know the other party's reputation, but the other party couldn't possibly not have heard of "Shuidiao Getou" and "Qingyu An." This was mainly because Ning Yi took a different approach, calculating people's hearts and public opinion to the extreme. Others wanted to become famous literary figures, writing dozens or hundreds of poems, and showing off at every gathering. But Ning Yi only had two poems, the coincidence of timing, the technique of praising after suppressing in the middle, coupled with the casual "the Taoist priest recited two poems" and the subsequent low-key personality. Others could only say that he was a reclusive eccentric, with a strange personality, but they could no longer ignore his existence.
而隐士这种东西，由于神秘感的存在，有些时候更让人觉得无法把握。
And hermits, due to the existence of mystery, sometimes make people feel even more elusive.
陈季问并非没有才学，若准备一番，他确也可以与李频等人争争高下，但在这时想着对方的两首词作，再想想自己方才预备的这首，一时间就只是不断的斟酌。最终咬牙写出来之后，还是无法自信，只能就这样看着对面的反应了。
Chen Jiwen was not without talent. If he prepared, he could indeed compete with Li Pin and others, but at this time, thinking about the other party's two poems, and then thinking about the one he had prepared, he just kept deliberating. After finally gritting his teeth and writing it out, he still couldn't be confident and could only watch the reaction from the other side.
窗户边，宁毅没怎么在意这边的行为，李频还是第一时间反应过来了的，陈季问写诗之时，他便大概打听了事情的发展，随后回来笑着说了起来。望望陈季问在那边复杂的脸色，这才明白了对方为什么那样说话，不由得哑然失笑。随后看看苏文定苏文方，起身过去。
By the window, Ning Yi didn't pay much attention to the behavior on this side. Li Pin was the first to react. When Chen Jiwen was writing the poem, he had roughly inquired about the development of the matter, and then came back and said with a smile. Looking at Chen Jiwen's complex expression over there, he understood why the other party had said that, and couldn't help but smile silently. Then, he looked at Su Wending and Su Wenfang and got up to go over.
这时那边正将陈季问的诗作拿过来，说几句场面话又不想惹人不快，斟酌得甚是痛苦，随后道：“顾燕桢顾公子他们也在那边，哼，不学无术就是不学无术，方才的评语，可不是我一人说的！”
At this time, they were bringing Chen Jiwen's poem over, saying a few polite words but not wanting to offend anyone, deliberating painfully. Then, he said: "Gu Yanzhen, Master Gu, and the others are over there. Hmph, those who are unlearned are unlearned. The comments just now were not just from me!"
李频望了望顾燕桢等人所在的地方，苏文定等人则连忙将那诗作交给他品评，李频拿在手中笑了笑：“方才看来有些乱，还未与唐姑娘问好，失礼了。”这话首先还是对被冷落在旁边的唐静说的。
Li Pin looked towards where Gu Yanzhen and the others were. Su Wending and the others quickly handed the poem over for him to evaluate. Li Pin took it in his hand and smiled: "It seemed a bit chaotic just now, and I haven't greeted Miss Tang yet, my apologies." These words were first spoken to Tang Jing, who had been neglected on the side.
苏文定等人这才反应过来，先前被逼得窘迫，竟连这事也给忘掉。唐静之前也不知道该怎么办，然后忽然听见李频这样的名字，甚至宁毅宁立恒，她一时间也瞪着眼睛不知道该怎么打招呼，苏文定又不给她介绍，一个年纪也不算大的姑娘家被冷落在一旁，甚是可怜。这时候才终于能跟李频见礼，然后宁毅也已经过来了：“之前未与唐姑娘打招呼，真是失礼。”
Su Wending and the others finally reacted. They were so embarrassed by the previous situation that they even forgot about this. Tang Jing didn't know what to do before, and then suddenly heard names like Li Pin, and even Ning Yi Ning Liheng. For a moment, she stared blankly, not knowing how to greet them. Su Wending didn't introduce her either. It was pitiful for a young woman to be neglected on the side. At this time, she was finally able to greet Li Pin, and then Ning Yi also came over: "I didn't greet Miss Tang before, my apologies."
唐静心中欢喜，连忙行礼：“小女子唐静，见过宁公子，宁公子言重了，该是小女子先与宁公子问好才是。”
Tang Jing was happy in her heart and quickly bowed: "This humble woman is Tang Jing, greetings to Master Ning. Master Ning is too polite, it should be this humble woman who greets Master Ning first."
“呵，其实说起来，先前唐姑娘是在中央的大鼓上跳舞吧？倒想不到与文方文定认识。”
"Ah, speaking of which, Miss Tang was dancing on the big drum in the center earlier, right? I didn't expect you to know Wenfang and Wending."
“宁公子方才也看见了小女子的表演吗？”那唐静的脸瞬间红了，瞪着眼睛有些紧张。
"Did Master Ning also see this humble woman's performance just now?" Tang Jing's face turned red instantly, and she stared with some nervousness.
“自然看了，跳得很漂亮。”宁毅笑着点点头，“德新方才也在，不是么。”那唐静受宠若惊：“谢谢宁公子、李公子。”随后又看一眼苏文定，这边的气氛几乎就此化解开来，过了好一阵，方才说起以文会友的事情，宁毅看着桌上的诗作，李频也将手中那首递过来：“好诗，立恒看看。”回头朝陈季问拱手行了一礼。
"Of course I saw it, you danced beautifully." Ning Yi smiled and nodded, "Dexin was also there just now, wasn't he?" Tang Jing was flattered: "Thank you, Master Ning, Master Li." Then, she glanced at Su Wending, and the atmosphere here almost dissolved. After a while, they talked about using literature to make friends. Ning Yi looked at the poems on the table, and Li Pin also handed over the one in his hand: "Good poem, Liheng, take a look." He turned his head, cupped his hands towards Chen Jiwen, and bowed.
宁毅笑着看完，点头道：“嗯，好诗。”也是一礼，那边陈季问的神色才放松下来，回了一礼，不说多话。
Ning Yi smiled after reading it, nodded, and said: "Yes, a good poem." He also bowed, and Chen Jiwen's expression relaxed, and he returned the bow without saying much.
“这首倒也是好诗。”不久之后，宁毅将苏文定写的那首拿出来看了看，然后递给唐静，“贵乎一片真心，唐姑娘还是收好它吧。”
"This one is also a good poem." Not long after, Ning Yi took out the one written by Su Wending and looked at it, and then handed it to Tang Jing, "It values a sincere heart. Miss Tang, you should keep it safe."
桌上的几首诗词大抵都是咏佳人的，宁毅倒是将这最差的一首递了过去，那唐静连忙点头：“是。”将诗笺收进怀里。
Most of the poems on the table were about beautiful women, but Ning Yi handed over the worst one. Tang Jing quickly nodded: "Yes." She put the poem into her bosom.
这几句轻描淡写，旁人即便想要说些什么，一时间竟也找不出什么词汇来了。
These few words were so understated that even if others wanted to say something, they couldn't find any words for a moment.
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“……贵乎一片真心？”
"...It values a sincere heart?"
顾燕桢这边一直在看着那边的发展，听消息传过来。他先前也曾笑过几句那诗作，但在对方口中，竟一句话说成了好诗，而那唐静也珍重地收进了怀里，一时间觉得这样的事情微微有些荒谬。他也是高傲之人，自恃才华，这一幕落入眼中，委实有些复杂。他回忆那两首词作，本觉得自己也差不了多少，不过仔细想过之后，才发现自己若要下笔，恐怕也得犹豫一番。
Gu Yanzhen on this side had been watching the developments over there, listening to the news being relayed. He had also laughed at the poem a few times earlier, but the other party actually turned it into a good poem with just one sentence, and Tang Jing cherished it and put it in her bosom. For a moment, he felt that such a thing was slightly absurd. He was also a proud person, confident in his talent. This scene was complex in his eyes. He recalled the two poems, and originally thought he was not much worse, but after thinking carefully, he realized that if he were to write, he would probably have to hesitate.
对面已经没什么好戏可看，陈季问一时间已经失了锐气，纵然心头不悦，也没什么好作品可以拿出来证明。沈邈笑道：“德新也在，要不要过去打个招呼？”
There was nothing good to see on the other side. Chen Jiwen had lost his edge for a while. Even if he was unhappy, he had no good works to prove himself. Shen Miao smiled: "Dexin is also there, do you want to go over and say hello?"
顾燕桢摇了摇头：“不用了，渺渺的表演快开始，我们也先下去吧，招呼回头再打……今日之事，确实有趣。”
Gu Yanzhen shook his head: "No need, Miaomiao's performance is about to start, let's go down first, we can say hello later... Today's events are indeed interesting."
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文墨楼上李频与宁毅的出现令得陈季问竟不敢下笔之事到明天会传成怎样怕还难说。于宁毅或许只是件小事，他这时的心情不在这上面。而对于唐
It's hard to say how the story of Li Pin and Ning Yi's appearance at Wenmo Tower, which made Chen Jiwen afraid to write, will spread by tomorrow. For Ning Yi, it may just be a small matter, and his mood is not focused on it. But for Tang
静、苏文定等人则是一件大事，特别是唐静，她的名气还没有多少，这次见到李频和宁毅，这两人竟还夸她舞跳得好，心情难言。
Jing, Su Wending and others, it is a big event, especially for Tang Jing, who does not have much fame yet. She met Li Pin and Ning Yi this time, and the two of them praised her dancing, making her feel indescribable.
大家在楼上聊了一阵天，小婵要了些点心送过来时，宁毅看见宋宪的身影出现在楼下，带着几个兵丁似乎正在悠闲游荡，随后消失在视野的另一侧。他皱了皱眉，这才站起来。
Everyone chatted upstairs for a while. When Xiaochán ordered some snacks to be sent over, Ning Yi saw Song Xian's figure appearing downstairs, seemingly wandering around leisurely with a few soldiers, and then disappearing on the other side of the view. He frowned, and then stood up.
“有些事情，先下去一趟，待会上来。”
"I have some things to do, I'll go down first, and come back later."
“嗯？”小婵正拿了颗小小的水晶包子往嘴里送，这时候抬起头来，拍拍手打算跟上，宁毅倒也笑着拍了拍她的肩膀：“不用一起来了，你先在上面吃些东西，我马上就回来的，待会还要一块去看表演呢。李兄、诸位，若是有事，无需等我。”
"Hmm?" Xiaochán was putting a small crystal bun into her mouth, and at this time, she looked up, clapped her hands, and planned to follow. Ning Yi smiled and patted her shoulder: "No need to come together, you eat something upstairs first, I'll be right back, we'll go watch the show together later. Brother Li, everyone, if there's anything, no need to wait for me."
话说完，转身往楼下过去。
After saying that, he turned and went downstairs.
有些事情，总是要确定一下才心安……
Some things always need to be confirmed to feel at ease...
另一方面，文墨楼不远处的一片人群当中，顾燕桢此时脱离了队伍，有些疑惑地跟随着前方不远处的一名黑袍公子。那黑袍公子身材颀长单薄，拿着折扇，戴了文士巾，远远看去倒也颇有风度，该是很能引起女子心思的小白脸类型。这时候正一边走，一边左瞧右瞧的，似乎正在留意着什么人……
On the other hand, in a crowd not far from Wenmo Tower, Gu Yanzhen had left the group and was following a black-robed young master not far ahead with some doubt. The black-robed young master was tall and thin, holding a folding fan, and wearing a scholar's scarf. From a distance, he looked quite elegant, a type of pretty boy who should be able to attract women's attention. At this time, he was walking while looking left and right, as if he was paying attention to someone...