Chapter 25: "The Collection of Tilted Hats"

A moment later, he saw the small yellow booklet tucked between the pages of an elementary school language textbook.

He understood Sui Yi’s temperament well—if it weren’t a serious matter, this upright person would never have spoken in such a way.

So, for once, he mustered a bit more seriousness. Even before he examined the booklet, he had already made some guesses.

“This is…”

Sui Yi leaned against the sofa, her gaze clear and composed. She gave a brief account of the booklet’s origins, ending with, “Its provenance is perfectly clean, you needn’t worry. As for what it is… I’m quite certain. In the jargon of your trade, this is… an authentic heirloom, handed down from the ancestors.”

Sui Yi also knew Old Tang’s nature. Some antique dealers selling their wares would ask sky-high prices and then settle for much less, while auction houses buying items would do everything to drive the price down, refusing to stop until they’d disparaged your treasure as a mere lump of clay.

No matter how well she knew him, she had to be on her guard.

Old Tang caught the implication in Sui Yi’s words and felt a touch of annoyance, though inwardly he remained skeptical.

This young girl might be gifted, but she’d never dealt in this trade—how could she be so sure of the booklet’s authenticity? Yet she spoke with such certainty!

Intent on teaching Sui Yi a lesson and perhaps bringing her into the fold, Old Tang stroked his beard and snorted, “Don’t make such sweeping claims. Let this old man take a look before pronouncing judgment…”

Out of professional habit, he put on white gloves and, with some care, picked up the small yellow booklet, opening it gingerly.

When he glimpsed the faint brown traces of three traditional characters on the inner page, his eyes sharpened at once.

Though astonished, his features grew even more composed. Sui Yi, stealing a glance, sensed that Old Tang’s interest was well and truly piqued.

Turning the pages with even greater care, Old Tang’s every movement took on a refined elegance—a common affliction among collectors. After all, even the most dilapidated relics were worth money, and every word might be worth a fortune; caution was only natural.

When Sui Yi felt that two cups of tea’s time had nearly passed, Old Tang finally set the booklet down. Exhaling a long breath, he glanced at her repeatedly, took a sip of tea, and calmed himself before asking, “Do you know what these words are?”

He pointed to the three characters in the upper left corner of the page.

Though Sui Yi knew little about antiques, her command of language was excellent, and she had a natural gift for traditional characters. Without needing to look at the four characters, she answered smoothly, “Side Hat Collection.”

She had glanced through it earlier.

“Side Hat Collection… It’s no surprise you can recognize it. But do you know who wrote it?”

Hm? Sui Yi realized Old Tang was testing her, but—

“Old Tang, you must know I’m not versed in these matters. Why waste time?”

Her words grated a little. Old Tang stroked his mustache. “Hmph, you students these days study language for years, yet know nothing of our ancestors’ culture… Never mind, I’ll mention a name—you should recognize it… Nalan Xingde, have you heard of him?”

Sui Yi was silent.

Old Tang: “…”

“Then surely you know Nalan Rongruo!”

Ah? Nalan Rongruo—the name rang a bell. “They’re the same person?”

“Of course… Setting aside all the nonsense fabricated on television, according to historical records, Nalan Rongruo was in fact Nalan Xingde of the Yehenara clan, Manchu Plain Yellow Banner. His style name was Rongruo; his original name was Chengde, but he changed it to Xingde to avoid a naming taboo in the prince’s household. Later generations all referred to him as Nalan Rongruo…”

Old Tang spoke with such assurance that Sui Yi couldn’t help but glance at him with new respect.

She was also surprised that the first relic she ever acquired belonged to the renowned Nalan Rongruo. But Nalan was a figure of the Qing dynasty, a lover of literature, given to the tastes of scholars and fond of the landscapes of Jiangnan. If he had left manuscripts behind in an ancient Jiangnan town like Nanxun, it would not be out of the ordinary.

“So this Side Hat Collection was his work?” Sui Yi couldn’t help but glance again at the page.

Old Tang nodded.

Every relic bore the weight of its own history, each with a basketful of tales. Old Tang chose the essentials to share, offering Sui Yi a brief lesson.

“Nalan Rongruo was a celebrated young talent of the Qing dynasty, skilled in both literature and martial arts, highly favored at court. Yet he was indifferent to fame and fortune, preferring poetry and scenic beauty. At twenty-four, he compiled his poetry into the Side Hat Collection, which was later renamed Water Words. Later, others merged and supplemented both collections to form the Nalan Poems.”

“The extant Nalan Poems were already highly esteemed in their day, much like their author—elegant and refined, praised by scholars. As for these few manuscript pages before us, they are among the earliest handwritten drafts of the Side Hat Collection. Their condition, however, is poor—fragmented and incomplete, holding only a portion of their original value.”

Old Tang paused, catching the faint smile on Sui Yi’s lips, and realized he’d let too much slip. Frowning, he added, “You’re practically one of us, and I truly had no intention to swindle you. This item is indeed genuine. The handwriting shows its age, though its preservation is lacking and several pages are missing. Only these six remain. As for value…”

He understood well that Sui Yi hadn’t sought him out for a history lesson, but rather for money to solve an urgent problem.

“You know I’m a businessman, and profit is king. Judging strictly by the value of these manuscripts, the most I can offer is this.” He raised a single finger.

Sui Yi met his gaze, her expression calm, her eyes clear and distant, making Old Tang feel oddly out of sorts. He curled his finger, just about to speak—

“Three hundred thousand. That’s likely the highest price you’re willing to pay, Old Tang. It’s late, and I have class tomorrow. You’re no longer young; best not to waste any more time or effort. Three hundred thousand, fixed price—your shop has contracts, I presume?”

Old Tang’s face darkened, staring at Sui Yi, who sat there with such poise it was as if she were the buyer.

After a moment, he sighed. “I knew you were too sharp for your own good. It seems you’ve figured out all my habits and motives.”

Sui Yi closed her eyes briefly at his words. “You flatter me, Old Tang. I trust you’ll sell these mere six sheets for several times what you pay me.”

“Ah, but what a pity the manuscript is incomplete.” Old Tang shook his head with a sigh, all trace of his usual shrewdness fading. Yet he quickly added, “Otherwise, the price could easily quadruple or more!”

“That’s your concern, Old Tang.”

The relic she had just received would now belong to someone else, and Sui Yi felt a tinge of loss, even though she had already absorbed the scholarly spirit of the Side Hat Collection.

Her heart, however, was small and could only hold on to people and things that truly belonged to her.

Old Tang shook his head and, together with Sui Yi, finalized the transfer contract that very night, then used online banking to transfer the funds.

Although it was late and no bank staff were on duty, Sui Yi had no worries Old Tang would go back on his word.

The incident with the assassin alone was enough for Old Tang to treat her with extra care. Besides, three hundred thousand was hardly a fortune for him.

With the money in hand, Sui Yi felt a measure of relief. She went upstairs, bathed in the guest room, and soon fell asleep.

She didn’t know that Old Tang sat for a long time beneath the lamp, gazing at the Side Hat Collection in contemplation.

To know so little about the item, yet be so certain of its authenticity—either she had intimate knowledge of its provenance, or she possessed a rare discernment.

It seemed Sui Yi was even more gifted than he had imagined.

Or perhaps… she was simply extremely fortunate!

In the world of collecting, it is rare indeed to come across a treasure and recognize its worth. Besides a discerning eye, fate and serendipity—what collectors call “fortune”—play a role.

Sui Yi had helped Aunt Wang, acting with kindness, and reaped the reward of good fortune: and that fortune brought wealth.

“Judging by her demeanor tonight, it seems she’s developed some interest in this trade…” Old Tang mused, then smiled, placed the Side Hat Collection into a wooden box prepared for the shop, and picked up his phone.

Casually, he dialed a number…