"Let's go up and broaden our horizons," Li Chonglou said, leading Lü Yunxu to the second floor.
The area was set up like an auction hall, with a T-shaped stage and seating arranged around it on three sides.
They had arrived late, so there were no seats in the front row.
Fortunately, due to the shape of the stage, they could still see clearly.
Tang Xiuzhu, dressed in a tuxedo and bow tie, stood under the spotlight, looking like an auctioneer. Behind him, a large screen displayed one artifact after another.
There were seventeen items in total.
Ceramics, calligraphy and painting, jade, and miscellaneous items, covering a wide range of categories.
"As everyone knows, Qin Yun Manor holds an appreciation fair almost every year," Tang Xiuzhu began, once everyone was seated. "These collections were all acquired by my father. He's accustomed to making mistakes in appraisal."
"So, I implore everyone here to lend your eyes and, if possible, help clarify the provenance of these items."
"Rest assured, everyone in attendance will receive a generous gift."
"However, aside from the gifts, I'd like to establish a new rule this year!"
He paused for dramatic effect.
The crowd below began to stir, "What new rule?"
Seeing the excitement, Tang Xiuzhu continued, "These seventeen artifacts were all collected from different individuals."
"To add some fun, I've specifically set up a wager!"
"Within five minutes, everyone can choose an artifact to bet on, with a stake of one million yuan."
"If it turns out to be a fake, I will donate the wager on everyone's behalf, and the counterfeit will be smashed on the spot."
"If it's genuine, not only will the wager be returned, but a grand prize will also be awarded."
"What do you all think?"
A roar of cheers erupted.
The attendees were either top players or seasoned collectors with substantial wealth; a million yuan was pocket change to them. And there was the promise of a grand prize.
Tang Xiuzhu beamed with satisfaction and cast a glance at Li Chonglou and Lü Yunxu seated behind him.
He had specifically created this rule for Li Chonglou.
The antique collecting circle had always been intertwined with high society. While the money was negligible, it was a astronomical sum for ordinary people.
He had already had Li Chonglou's background checked. A nobody with no power or influence, and no experience in appraisal. The 300,000 yuan he'd swindled from Qin Muyang was to pay for his mother's hospital bills.
Knowing this, he hadn't bothered to investigate further. How could someone like that afford a million yuan?
The money would surely come from Lü Yunxu. If Li Chonglou made a mistake, it wasn't about the money itself, but the shame it would bring upon the Lü Group. With Lü Yunxu's personality, it was bound to create a rift and diminish her perception of Li Chonglou, thus achieving his objective.
As for these artifacts, he had already made arrangements, waiting for Li Chonglou to fall into his trap.
*Clap, clap, clap!*
Tang Xiuzhu clapped three times, and seventeen beautiful women in qipaos, each with a distinct aura, emerged from behind the screen. Each held a tray with an artifact displayed on the large screen, parading around the T-stage like models. This ensured that every item was clearly visible to everyone from all angles.
"Brother Li, which one should we choose?" Lü Yunxu asked, looking dazzled.
"Let's take a closer look, it's a million yuan wager after all," Li Chonglou replied with a slight smile.
He scanned the seventeen artifacts. Most were genuine, and the few fakes were expertly crafted to appear real. Without keen eyes, one could easily be misled.
However, even the genuine items were of ordinary value. Identifying their origins was not difficult, but tracing their lineage was.
Only artifact number eight caught his attention. It was a lotus seed-shaped pot, deliberately coated with a layer of black antique lacquer, obscuring any inscriptions or carvings. Yet, its shape and craftsmanship were undoubtedly the work of a master.
"Don't worry, I'll cover the wager. Any winnings are yours, after all, I invited you," Lü Yunxu said softly, thinking Li Chonglou was feeling pressured.
"Then let's choose number thirteen," Li Chonglou's eyes gleamed. He shifted his gaze from the lotus seed pot and selected a nondescript wooden box, number thirteen. It was square, its black lacquer chipped and worn, revealing a dark gray base. One side of the box was inscribed with a passage of scripture, many characters worn away. Only a few lines were decipherable.
"What is the meaning of this, that the void realm has such thoughts..."
"To deliver through day and night, seasons, years, and kalpas, what is the reason..."
The calligraphy was elegant and graceful, balanced yet lively, exuding a refined air. Though not the work of a famous master, it hinted at nobility. The few lines were obscure and difficult to understand, but they piqued his interest more than the lotus seed pot number eight, whose origin and material couldn't be determined. The rest held no appeal for him.
"Is there anything special about that box?" Lü Yunxu asked in surprise.
"I'll know when I handle it," Li Chonglou replied in a low voice.
A hint of doubt flickered in Lü Yunxu's beautiful eyes. Of the seventeen items, that box was the most unremarkable. Even as an amateur, she could tell it lacked any artistic carving. Apart from the decent calligraphy, it was worthless. Why had Li Chonglou chosen it? Was there something more to it, or had he misjudged?
Li Chonglou was her guest. If he made a mistake in front of so many people, she would lose face as well. She couldn't help but ask, "Do you want to choose a few more, just to be safe?"
"No need, one is enough!" Li Chonglou shook his head.
Seeing his resolve, Lü Yunxu didn't press the matter further.
The parade of items continued. After five minutes, Tang Xiuzhu stepped onto the stage and announced, "Time's up! Please place your bets and we'll reveal the results."
Soon, the betting results for the seventeen artifacts appeared on the screen behind him. It had to be said that the appraisers present that day had some discernment. No one had bet on a fake, and most had chosen the genuine items. Only Li Chonglou had bet on the box, number thirteen, and Cao Zhi had bet on the lotus seed pot, number eight.
"Master Li, out of so many genuine pieces, you chose a broken wooden box. You truly have a unique insight!" Cao Zhi's mocking voice echoed through the hall.
The crowd chuckled. The exposed wood of the box, number thirteen, suggested it wasn't even high-quality wood, let alone rosewood. Although it had some age, its ordinary craftsmanship and the peeling lacquer due to time made it virtually worthless. It was even inferior to the two expertly forged fakes. Everyone present was an expert and had wisely avoided it. Yet, Li Chonglou had singularly chosen this dilapidated box.
Even Tang Xiuzhu couldn't hide a flicker of disdain in his eyes. He had expected Li Chonglou to at least stumble upon a genuine item, though he wouldn't be able to identify its provenance, and would inevitably be overshadowed by Cao Zhi. He hadn't expected him to make such a blatant misjudgment right from the start. It seemed inevitable that Li Chonglou would be exposed. Once Lü Yunxu abandoned him, how could this mere nobody escape his grasp?
Li Chonglou surveyed the crowd and sneered, "The ancient artifact circle of Qinzhou is truly filled with the blind and the ignorant."
"You fancy yourselves superior by forming your own clique, but you're just a mob huddling together for warmth."
"Even if there were true treasures, you might not be able to recognize them."