Chapter 142: Imitation or Authentic?

After all, those involved in officialdom always stand apart wherever they are.

Seeing this, Lu Haobai felt a certain distaste for bureaucrats deep within, yet he maintained his usual composure and proceeded to entertain them as expected.

Of course, the ink that Sui Yi had chosen was already prepared. Noticing that Sui Yi was engrossed in examining the renowned inks, he refrained from interrupting and instead walked directly toward Director Bai.

At this moment, Director Bai was very pleased with the effect of his speech, although he himself knew nothing about ink.

Suddenly, Director Bai’s gaze halted on the only person with their back turned to him.

Coincidentally, that person slightly turned sideways, revealing a faint profile.

A broad smile spread across Director Bai’s face as he raised his hand and called out, “Miss Sui…”

The first call went unanswered; the figure in white did not turn around.

Had he mistaken someone?

Director Bai quickly stepped forward, calling again, “Miss Sui Yi!”

Sui Yi turned to see the plump, pale-faced Bai Xiong, the deputy director of the Education Bureau in Nanxun.

She also noticed Bai Lingshuang staring at her in surprise.

Ah, so these two were father and daughter?

Sui Yi did not dwell on it and merely nodded slightly to Bai Xiong. “Hello, Mr. Bai.”

Her choice of address showed she paid little heed to his deputy director status.

Bai Xiong was unconcerned and stepped forward with a smile. “Ah, Miss Sui, I didn’t expect to see you here… I was just wondering why the silhouette looked so familiar.”

The other parents nearby found Bai Xiong’s enthusiasm toward this girl puzzling. Could it be…?

Mrs. Bai grew tense and, hearing Bai Xiong’s warm words, felt a pang of jealousy. “You old fox,” she thought. “You can’t even see me when I’m three meters away, but your eyes become hawk-like when a young, pretty girl appears!”

Though displeased, Mrs. Bai, in her menopausal mood, approached with a full smile. “Hey, Ah Xiong, who is this young lady?”

Before Bai Xiong could reply, Bai Lingshuang and several classmates approached.

Having witnessed this fellow’s terrifying basketball skills, Bai Lingshuang felt outmatched physically and preferred to avoid confrontation.

She quickly introduced Sui Yi’s identity to her mother and the other parents.

A student from Second High School.

Many parents smiled politely but secretly speculated about Sui Yi’s background.

Bai Lingshuang was also puzzled by her father’s warmth toward Sui Yi.

Bai Xiong said nothing more, instead asking Sui Yi, “Miss Sui, are you here to purchase ink? Have you found something you like?”

“I bought an antique inkstone, just for the experience,” Sui Yi replied. Having previously communicated with Bai Xiong about transferring schools, she found it necessary to maintain some cordiality, though she remained cool and reserved. Such was her nature.

To other parents, this aloofness seemed disagreeable, making them wonder about the girl’s background.

Bai Xiong did not want to end the interaction there. He knew Sui Yi had extensive connections, which could be beneficial for his career.

“Lingshuang, since you’re both in your senior year, you should learn from Miss Sui. She did very well this time!”

As the bureau director, Bai Xiong was well informed about Sui Yi’s academic performance.

Bai Lingshuang responded with some displeasure, “Dad, I ranked eighth in the joint school exams; Sui Yi was tenth.”

Ouch—that was a blow. Bai Xiong’s expression darkened, feeling awkward.

Other families’ expressions shifted, surprised that this girl’s grades were so excellent.

Bai Lingshuang’s results were already exceptional—second at Second High School, with Su Ziyi ranking second in the joint school exams, just ahead of her.

No one expected this young lady to also be in the top ten.

Though tenth place.

Sui Yi glanced at them lightly, her expression unchanged, and said softly, “Lingshuang’s results are indeed better than mine… Mr. Bai, you must be an excellent teacher.”

Offering a graceful way out, Sui Yi’s words improved Bai Xiong’s impression of her, seeing her as a worthy acquaintance. He smiled and nodded. “You flatter me. Ah, Miss Sui, regarding the matter you mentioned earlier, I happened to receive some news just last night…”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Bai understood immediately.

This was the young woman Bai Xiong had often spoken of, the one with a powerful background. She quickly took her daughter and others to browse the ink.

Meanwhile, in the renowned ink section, Sui Yi was selecting ink while Bai Xiong spoke beside her.

“Ordinary schools in the provincial capital are easy to enter. With your current grades, Miss Sui, even the advanced classes are within reach. But the prestigious schools, like Xuejun, Huangyan, or Yunfeng, are very difficult to get into. First, their quotas are full, and second, since you’re already in your senior year, transferring is even harder…”

Hearing this, Sui Yi knew Bai Xiong was trying to elevate his own importance.

When helping someone, if you say it’s a simple matter, others will think it’s easy. But if you say it’s difficult, they will appreciate your effort.

There is an art to social favors.

Sui Yi remained unperturbed and calm. Taking a piece of ink, she asked softly, “In your opinion, Mr. Bai, is there a way to resolve this?”

“Coincidentally, I know someone at Yunfeng who has some influence. He told me that recently Yunfeng expelled a few students due to certain issues, so there should be some vacancies. But many are eyeing those spots, and only those with outstanding grades stand a chance. Yunfeng highly values academic excellence.”

“Yunfeng? Is that school very focused on grades?”

Sui Yi was unfamiliar with schools in the provincial capital, and her demands were modest. Yet, if there was a good school, naturally she preferred to go there for peace of mind, and perhaps she might meet Yan Qingwu again.

She felt some regret about that deskmate.

If possible, she wished to test whether she could help her.

“The Yunfeng High School in the provincial capital is the top high school, and it is a provincial and national key school, very prestigious. Slightly below it are Xuejun and Huangyan, though the differences are minor. Yunfeng has stronger backing, especially for university recommendations, even reaching prestigious foreign institutions. Its management is closer to foreign educational methods, with overall superior quality…”

Quality education? And overseas connections?

Sui Yi was somewhat surprised. She thought that Bai Xiong’s claim of difficulty might not be exaggerated.

Considering Yan Qingwu’s background, grades, and Tang Hanyan’s personality, it was unlikely she would choose the second-best option.

“I see. I understand. Please, Mr. Bai, do your best regarding Yunfeng. If it works out, that would be wonderful; if not, it’s fate.”

Having spoken, Sui Yi looked toward the shelf and picked up two boxes of ink. Suddenly, her fingers paused as she spotted a circular ink cake nearby.

The ink was round, with raised edges along the rim, a deep black with white flecks inside resembling clouds and flowing water, and a slender dragon coiled within.

A label read: “Chinese Famous Ink, Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink, Ming Jiajing Period, Diameter 8.1 cm, Thickness 0.9 cm, Price 70,000.”

Sui Yi raised an eyebrow and gave Lu Haobai a slight smile. “Mr. Lu, may I ask, is this ink a replica by a famous maker?”

Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink is a renowned Chinese ink from the Ming Jiajing era and should not be sold here, let alone priced at 70,000 yuan. That was why Sui Yi asked.

She guessed Lu Haobai was unafraid of others recognizing it as a replica.

“A replica? Isn’t that a fake? Why price a fake at 70,000? Isn’t that deceiving people?” Mrs. Bai and the others, unfamiliar with such matters, immediately protested.

Lu Haobai remained calm, knowing many misunderstood the concept. He explained softly, “Everyone, these replicas are not inferior products. Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink is indeed a famous Chinese ink from the Ming Jiajing era. However, as the saying goes, ‘Lord Ye loved dragons,’ naturally some have ‘transformed’ it. The genuine ink is beyond our reach, so many master ink makers have crafted replicas based on its form. Look at the ink’s color and fragrance—they use the same materials as the original Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink, making them quite exquisite.”

“Replicas include both counterfeits and another type made from the same materials but crafted differently—not to deceive but simply to imitate the appearance. This is commonly called ‘packaging.’ You can tell from my price that I have no intention of cheating anyone…”

Some understood after his explanation, though the students were astonished. “70,000 and it’s not a rip-off? What kind of ink is this? Aren’t they all made with modern techniques?”

“This piece is not a modern product,” Lu Haobai said, pointing to the ink in Sui Yi’s hand. “It was made in the late Qing Dynasty by the famous Jiangnan ink maker Han Gongfang. It is said that their family once obtained the genuine Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink long ago and carefully studied it to replicate such a piece almost indistinguishable from the original. To differentiate the real from the fake, they left a subtle mark—the genuine ink has the characters ‘Xuan Yu’ in raised seal script on the back, with ‘Made by Jiang Zheng at Qingchuan in the year of Gengzi during Jiajing’ inscribed on the side. The replicas, however, bear ‘Han Gongfang’ instead…”

Sui Yi turned the ink cake over and indeed saw the characters “Han Gongfang.”

The onlookers sighed in appreciation.

“Of course, during the same period, the Han family produced many Jiang Zhengxuan Jade Ink replicas. The authentic piece was destroyed during the upheavals of the time, burned along with the Han Gongfang workshop. Later generations preserved some replicas to pass down.”

Hearing this, everyone understood—it wasn’t a modern craft, but late Qing era, holding some historical value.

It was a rare piece!

No wonder it was so expensive.

At that moment, as Sui Yi listened to Lu Haobai, a faint smile played in her eyes.

A replica?

Then why, when she probed the magnetic response inwardly, did she find beneath the moderately thick black carbon layer a layer of sky-blue magnetism?

Judging by the age, it should be from the Ming Dynasty, right?

So this piece was authentic.

Back then, Han Gongfang had indeed left a subtle mark!

—To be continued—

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