Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1855: Chapter 1758: It’s Right Here in My Hands

Master Li’s pupils suddenly contracted, and then he frowned tightly: ”It’s him? No wonder!”

Others nearby were confused: ”Master Li, who is this Wang Dechu?”

Master Li said: ”Wang Dechu, also known as Wang Zhao, was a famous painter of the Ming Dynasty, and also a renowned sculptor.”

Appraising antiques is like this: being familiar with historical figures is the first step in appreciating antiques. Many items cannot show their origin on the surface; one must integrate all historical figures to analyze the specific origin. Therefore, anyone in this field must learn these basic knowledge.

However, most people only know some famous figures and tend to overlook the minor characters, but often these minor figures not mentioned in history books are the key to antique appraisal.

”Indeed, the vital evidence I’m referring to is that Wang Dechu once collaborated with Tang Yin on the famous ’Inscription of Emperor Xuan at Zixiao Palace’. This stele stands on Zixiao Cliff at Mount Qiyun, and the inscription was written by Tang Bohu and engraved by Wang Zhao.”

”This shows that Tang Yin and Wang Zhao were acquainted. Also, Mount Qiyun is located in Xiuning, Anhui, which in ancient times was also known as Shexian, and Wang Dechu happened to be from Xiuning. Huizhou is precisely the production site of She Inkstones.”

”If one point coincides with historical facts, it could be considered a coincidence. But when all points align perfectly, it’s not just a mere coincidence, right? So, I have reason to believe that this ancient inkstone, along with Tang Bohu’s Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone, should be crafted by the same individual, meaning this is likely the legendary Qilin Jin Xing Yan!”

Huo Sining analyzed earnestly.

Hearing Huo Sining’s analysis, Master Li couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment, but soon he forced a bitter smile.

Huo Sining’s analysis is certainly correct, but ultimately it’s just her personal opinion; determining a relic’s authenticity and origin requires concrete evidence, not mere intuition. If it’s only based on intuition, no one present, nor anyone in the entire antique circle, would believe—even if this comes from Huo Sining’s master, the renowned Zhou Shitao, it wouldn’t work.

Master Li is not devoid of empathy. In fact, he has already stored Huo Sining’s analysis in his mind and has gained a certain degree of confidence in her judgment. He thought about it and couldn’t help but turn his gaze to Butler Li:

”Who sent this gift?”

Butler Li was about to speak when Adrian could hardly wait to stand up: ”No need to ask, I brought this item. Old man Li, I remember you love collecting the Four Treasures of the Study, and I found this among a pile of old items. I thought since it’s an antique, you’d surely like it, so I brought it.”

Master Li’s expression stiffened, and his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

There’s no need to ask; he knows that this item was certainly brought by a foreign guest who has only a superficial understanding of Huaxia culture. If it were a guest of Chinese descent, they surely wouldn’t gift a damaged item. Someone who makes such a faux pas often doesn’t sweat the details and is fairly close to him. Besides Adrian, Master Li really couldn’t think of anyone else.

However, seeing Adrian’s bewildered look, Master Li also knew that this guy certainly didn’t understand the origin of this item; otherwise, he wouldn’t have brazenly brought it as a gift.

Master Li was somewhat conflicted because if this item truly is Zhu Zhishan’s Qilin Jin Xing Yan, then it’s not merely a regular antique inkstone. The historical and archaeological value contained in this item exceeds the value of the inkstone itself by many times.

But how to prove that Huo Sining’s analysis is correct?

Huo Sining seemed to understand Master Li’s dilemma. She smiled and spoke to Master Li and the many guests: ”Grandfather Li, actually, the way to verify whether this ancient inkstone is the legendary Qilin Jin Xing Yan is quite simple.”

Hearing this, Master Li was startled and subconsciously looked up at Huo Sining, curiously asking: ”Oh, do you have a way?”

Huo Sining smiled slyly, a cunning glint in her eyes: ”That’s to find the other inkstone. If the Qilin Jin Xing Yan and Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone are a pair from Wang Zhao, then they should have common features in craftsmanship, patina textures, etc. Just find the other Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone, compare the two, and it can prove whether my analysis is right or wrong, isn’t it?”

Upon Huo Sining’s words, not only did the crowd fail to feel excitement, but instead looked at Huo Sining with eyes as if seeing a fool—this included Master Li, who also looked angrily at Huo Sining, thinking her joke clearly ridiculed him.

Even Xing Jiaojiao, who didn’t understand antiques, couldn’t help but interrupt, angrily mocking Huo Sining: ”You speak so lightly. Finding a single antique inkstone is purely impossible; it might have been destroyed or lost during the Ming Dynasty. How could you find it now? Are you an idiot?”

Huo Sining coldly glanced at Xing Jiaojiao: ”Who is an idiot; that’s clear to oneself. Do you think I’m like you? I have my reasons for saying such things. If you don’t understand, don’t rashly intervene, or else you really display the limits of your intelligence!”

Xing Jiaojiao trembled with rage at Huo Sining’s retort, her chest heaving, eyes blazing with fury.

Contrary to Xing Jiaojiao, Master Li was intrigued by Huo Sining’s words. He discreetly formed a hypothesis, prompted by Huo Sining’s confidence, and couldn’t help but ask:

”Girl Huo, why are you so sure you can find the other ancient inkstone? Have you seen it?”

Huo Sining smiled and nodded: ”Yes, I have seen it, and this Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone is right in my possession. I found it by chance in an antique store in Las Vegas.”

Upon hearing this, Master Li was instantly stunned, eyes sparkling with curiosity:

”Haha, I wondered how you dared to speak without evidence—turns out the other Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone is indeed in your possession. This explains everything! Can you describe this other Shenlong Shenghu Inkstone to me?”

Huo Sining smiled: ”No need to go through such trouble; I brought the inkstone with me to America. It’s in my suitcase now, and I’ll ask my friend to help bring it over.”