Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 889: Chapter 885: Sending Some Festive Cheer

”The Xuande Furnace is an exquisite piece, but apart from its age and preservation, the most essential aspect of an antique’s value lies in its historical significance.”

”This Ming Ding Incense Burner may not be as refined as the genuine Xuande Furnace in terms of craftsmanship, but it is still a fine example of a Ming Dynasty bronze incense burner. Additionally, its unique inscriptions represent its one-of-a-kind origin, bolstered by historical context. This increases the burner’s value by several levels. While it may not surpass the value of the Xuande Furnace, it can certainly rival it.”

Zhou Shitao stared at the Ming Ding Incense Burner a few more times before finally looking at Huo Sining. ”You always have such great luck, bringing in something this significant without making a fuss. I don’t even know what to say.”

Huo Sining smiled faintly, but before she could respond, Jiang Xiaoqin suddenly cried out and looked at Huo Sining with a frustrated and anxious expression, ”We’ve lost big, we’ve really lost big this time!”

”What’s up with you? What are you panicking about?” Li Quan frowned at Jiang Xiaoqin. ”What do you mean ’lost?’ This is a great find, we are the ones making a big profit here. Why are you saying such discouraging things?”

”No, it’s not that!” Jiang Xiaoqin was anxious. ”If Sister Ningning really got a bargain, I would be thrilled. But don’t forget, this afternoon, while at Madam Yan’s place, Sister Ningning signed a contract with her. This incense burner wasn’t bought outright; we’re just selling it on her behalf. Once it’s sold, we can only take a twenty percent commission!”

As soon as Jiang Xiaoqin said this, Li Quan and Qiao Zhenhuan’s expressions changed. Thanks to Jiang Xiaoqin’s reminder, they recalled the contract signed that afternoon. Even though they managed to identify the Ming Ding Incense Burner, it indeed didn’t belong to them, and the majority of the proceeds from its sale would have to be shared.

”If I had known this was going to happen, I would have advised Sister Ningning not to go through with it. Now, after all our hard work, we’ve effectively made a dowry for someone else. This thing still belongs to someone else, and we’ll only get a meager fee from its sale!”

Jiang Xiaoqin looked dejected, as if she had not been part of the group cursing that rascal with sympathy for Madam Yan on the way back in the car that afternoon, having entirely forgotten about it.

Listening from the side, Zhou Shitao sensed something was amiss and immediately inquired, ”What contract? What’s going on?”

Feeling a bit awkward, Huo Sining was about to intervene when Jiang Xiaoqin, unable to stop herself, explained the events at the Governor’s Mansion earlier that afternoon in great detail.

Once the whole story unfolded, Zhou Shitao smiled, glanced at the slightly uncomfortable Huo Sining standing in the room, and nodded, saying,

”You did the right thing. Virtue precedes talent. To be a successful appraiser, one must possess not only solid expertise but also noble character. Like water nurturing everything, one must maintain clarity amidst the endless allure of antiques, never forgetting to foster virtue, benefit all things without seeking fame or profit. You have honored your teacher, and as your mentor, I am proud of you!”

Huo Sining felt a bit self-conscious. Zhou Shitao’s high praise of benefiting all things without seeking fame or profit seemed too lofty for her. She privately questioned herself, having spent over a year relentlessly pursuing fame and profit. Could she genuinely live up to her mentor’s expectations of simplicity and detachment?

To be like water and uphold virtue. Could she achieve this high standard her mentor set?

Huo Sining was moved and puzzled, silently staring at the incense burner for a long time without speaking.

Li Quan and Qiao Zhenhuan, having heard Zhou Shitao’s words, also began to ponder their meaning, showing contemplative expressions.

After bringing out the Ming Ding Incense Burner, the old man took a keen interest in it. However, Zhou Shitao eventually couldn’t escape the old man’s furious spiel and had to part with a valuable collectible in the end.

The old man, clutching a snuff bottle in his hand, left with satisfaction.

Huo Sining and the others had dinner at the Zhou Family’s residence. At Zhou Shitao’s request, the Ming Ding Incense Burner stayed temporarily in his hands.

With many tasks to handle for the opening of the new shop, Huo Sining decided not to get involved. However, given that the store was her business and the profits mostly went into her pocket, it was impossible for her to stay completely hands-off.

After finalizing the opening date, Huo Sining asked Li Quan for a stack of invitations and wrote over a dozen names on them.

Though she hadn’t spent much time in the Imperial Capital, Huo Sining knew a good number of people in and out of the circle. Since she was opening a shop, she didn’t hold back. Naturally, she would invite notable figures like Zhou Shitao and Qin Lianshan, along with Gu Xu’s childhood friends and members of the Huang Family. Invitations were also sent to the Gu Family and the Lu Family. With this, she filled out all the invitations quickly.

Seeing the names on Huo Sining’s invites, Li Quan instinctively swallowed hard and somewhat unsurely asked, ”Miss Huo, are all these people really coming?”

Huo Sining laughed, ”I can’t say for sure if they all will, but there will definitely be quite a crowd. Plan well and make sure everything runs smoothly. By the way, prepare an extra glass display case for the opening day, around half a zhang square, without any shelves inside, just an empty case.”

Li Quan, unaware of what Huo Sining had in mind, instinctively wanted to ask, ”Why do we need such a large display case?”

Huo Sining smiled, ”Since this is the grand opening of your new store, I should bring a celebratory gift. I’ve prepared something for a free exhibit that will draw plenty of attention. As for what it is, that’s a secret for now; you’ll see soon enough.”

Nearby, Jiang Xiaoqin and Qiao Zhenhuan exchanged curious glances, both puzzled and secretly speculating about the mystery item.

With their curiosity piqued but with no answers in sight, it was torturous. Jiang Xiaoqin couldn’t help but coyly plead with Huo Sining, injecting humor into her efforts to learn what the mysterious item was.

However, no matter how much she begged and joked, Huo Sining kept her lips sealed, leaving Jiang Xiaoqin, feeling itchy with curiosity, entirely helpless.

With preparations needed for her October trip to Dongyang for the exchange program, even if the stay was only three months, there was still much to organize. Huo Sining explained the situation to Qin Shaoyou and requested another extended leave.

Qin Shaoyou initially wanted to refuse Huo Sining’s request. However, she pointed out that she hadn’t volunteered for the exchange program herself; denying her leave meant she wouldn’t go to Dongyang. These frank words left Qin Shaoyou speechless, and he had no choice but to grant her the leave.