The deep knocking sound caused the bottom of the box to sink further, and the mechanism disengaged.
Lifting the top cover revealed a narrow secret compartment.
Inside lay a piece of brocade.
*Swish!*
Li Chonglou took out the brocade and unfurled it with a gentle shake.
Rows of small characters appeared, which he slowly began to read.
"For seventeen years since my ascension, rebels have threatened the capital. Though I am humble and perhaps have offended Heaven, it is the ministers who have misled me."
"I have no face to meet my ancestors in the netherworld. I shall remove my crown and cover my face with my hair."
"Let the rebels divide my body, but harm not a single commoner."
"An Edict of Self-Incrimination!"
Silence.
In an instant, the entire venue fell utterly silent.
The onlookers showed expressions of shock. After a brief silence, they all stood up.
Everyone present was an elite of the Qin Prefecture's antique circle, either renowned collectors or veteran association members.
All of them possessed a deep understanding of history.
Who among them didn't know that the text Li Chonglou had just read was the Edict of Self-Incrimination issued by Emperor Chongzhen before his suicide at Coal Hill?
Emperor Chongzhen's handwriting, coupled with the inscription from Emperor Xizong Zhu Youxiao at the bottom of the box.
Could it be...
Was everything Li Chonglou had said true?
"Zhu Youxiao's craftsmanship was exquisite. While this box appears ordinary on the outside, it contains hidden wonders. With his inscription, it can be verified at a glance!"
Before the audience could recover from their shock, Li Chonglou's voice boomed like thunder, "This box, which once held the imperial seal, carries the lifelong aspirations of the last two emperors of the Han people."
"The spirit of the Chinese dragon is gathered here!"
"Its value is immeasurable, making it a priceless treasure."
"Cao Zhi, I called you blind. Do you accept it or not!"
This declaration was like a bolt from the blue.
It struck Cao Zhi, freezing his expression. His face turned from green to white, his eyes bulged, and his complexion became ashen.
*Pfft...*
A mouthful of blood spewed from Cao Zhi's mouth, flying two meters, splashing many nearby.
His body swayed precariously, and he slumped back into his seat.
In an instant, he appeared nearly ten years older.
He had lost...
He had lost completely, with no chance of recovery.
Under the public gaze, he had been toyed with like a fool by Li Chonglou for so long.
He had even agreed to Tang Xiuzhu's gifting of the box to Lu Yunxu.
He suddenly realized that all of this had been deliberately orchestrated by Li Chonglou.
At this moment, all his pride and smugness transformed into invisible slaps, fiercely striking his face.
His self-esteem, accumulated over decades, was crushed into dust.
"Blind eyes, unable to recognize true treasure!"
These words felt like sharp knives, gouging his heart and tearing him apart.
"Director Cao..." someone beside him exclaimed in panic.
Tang Xiuzhu stood on the stage, his face gloomy, his hands clenched until they were white and trembling, his eyes filled with venomous fury as he stared fixedly at Li Chonglou.
He suddenly realized that all his plans and arrangements were a joke in front of Li Chonglou.
Instead, he had been cleverly outmaneuvered.
To willingly hand over this priceless treasure to Lu Yunxu was a profound agony.
Hatred!
His hatred was immense, yet he was utterly helpless.
This feeling almost made him lose control, plunging him into madness.
Lu Yunxu's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
Her trust in Li Chonglou had wavered several times. Even with prior preparation, she could never have anticipated such a stunning reversal.
How could he have discerned the box's unusual nature without even examining its secret compartment?
Lu Yunxu's heart was in turmoil. Thinking of how close she had come to losing Li Chonglou's trust, she felt a chill of fear.
That would have been the greatest loss of her life.
At this moment, Li Chonglou's figure grew infinitely tall in her eyes, reaching an unreachable height.
"Master Li, I am convinced. How did you discern the origin of this box? Do you truly possess legendary clairvoyance?"
"Cao Zhi's narrow-mindedness misled us. We sincerely apologize to Master Li!"
"It's laughable that we in the Qin Prefecture's antique circle are so arrogant, yet we rejected a figure like Master Li. Would you be willing to join the Antique Association?"
Someone, snapping out of their shock, asked humbly, apologizing sincerely, all with expressions of reverence.
Li Chonglou's move was a stroke of genius, a miracle.
From this day forward, his name would be sung throughout the Qin Prefecture's antique circle.
If defeating Qin Muyang was already hard to believe, then today, this Master Li would achieve fame, becoming renowned throughout the Qin Prefecture's antique circle.
In all of Qin Prefecture, apart from Chairman Lu, who else could rival him?
What was even more terrifying was that he was only in his early twenties. No one could imagine how formidable he would become in another two or three decades.
At this moment, in their eyes, Li Chonglou was a god.
Not a single person dared to take out their phones to take pictures, fearing they might desecrate this god-like figure.
"If you want me to join, I'll only be the会長 (huìzhǎng - chairman)!"
Li Chonglou's smile was cold, unrestrained and arrogant. "The first thing I'll do as chairman is to completely dissolve this so-called Antique Association!"
*Hiss...*
Instantly, the entire venue gasped.
These words were audacious.
But at this moment, no one found Li Chonglou arrogant.
Only profound shock.
What kind of person was he?
"Let's go."
Li Chonglou didn't even spare them a glance. He placed the Edict of Self-Incrimination back into the box and handed it to Lu Yunxu.
He didn't possess clairvoyance. The reason he recognized the box was because he had seen it, touched it, and personally authenticated it in the Capital Museum in his previous life.
This artifact, representing the final spirit of the Han people, he had confirmed the moment he saw it.
The reason he acquired it in Lu Yunxu's name was due to his lack of any possessive desire.
It was because of the hidden hostility and the various schemes orchestrated by Tang Xiuzhu against him.
Even if the treasure fell into his hands, it would not be easy to leave Qin Yun Manor today.
But Lu Yunxu was different.
She represented the Lu Group. No matter how furious Tang Xiuzhu was, he would have to consider the consequences.
"I..." Lu Yunxu's lips trembled slightly, unable to speak from emotion.
She left, cradling the box, under Li Chonglou's protection.
"Young Master Tang, are you just going to let him leave like that?" the butler asked softly, rushing onto the stage and whispering into Tang Xiuzhu's ear.
"Let her go! After the charity auction, everything belonging to Lu Yunxu will be mine."
Tang Xiuzhu's teeth ground together, his eyes filled with immense malice. "Once the Lu Group falls, I will ensure Li Chonglou meets a miserable end!"
Li Chonglou paid no mind to Tang Xiuzhu's resentment and personally drove out of Qin Yun Manor.
Lu Yunxu sat in the passenger seat, holding the box, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Her gaze was distant, never leaving Li Chonglou.
She was completely convinced.
Finally, she broke the silence, "Brother Li, why did you give it to me?"
"You paid a million yuan for it. If not you, then who?"
Li Chonglou breathed a sigh of relief. "Besides, did you not see Tang Xiuzhu's expression? If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to leave the gates today."
Lu Yunxu seemed to understand, her shock profound.
Li Chonglou had been setting a trap from the very beginning, guiding Tang Xiuzhu step by step into his scheme.
Seeing her silence, Li Chonglou said seriously, "Actually, today's setup has clarified many of my thoughts."
"If my guess is correct, the charity auction will not be as simple as it appears."
"The original two-pronged plan is not enough to cope."
"But this ultimate treasure can help you turn the tide!"
Lu Yunxu's eyes widened in surprise. "You're not suggesting I auction it off, are you?"