Chapter 43: It's All a Lie!

Yan Qingwu walked over to Sui Yi’s side, bent down to examine the ancient jar, a faint smile playing on her lips as she whispered, “I didn’t expect to see you here, at the same table…”

“Nor did I… Are you interested in this sort of thing?” Sui Yi had already picked up the Western-style dagger.

Half an arm’s length, half an inch wide, the tip of the blade curled upward like a scorpion’s tail, a few dazzling gemstones set into the scabbard…

Regardless of whether the gemstones were genuine or not, the craftsmanship was exquisite, the touch icy cold.

Sui Yi reversed the dagger and unsheathed it, glancing at the reflected gleam along its blade…

“Mmm, it’s a bit interesting…” Yan Qingwu did not engage Sui Yi in conversation for long; soon enough, the two of them began individually appraising the items on display…

Now was not the time for pleasantries; she could see that this competition seemed to matter quite a bit to Sui Yi.

Yet Yan Qingwu’s actions were clearly more tentative and playful than those of Old Tang and the others, more like fiddling than genuine appraisal.

As for Sui Yi…

She let her fingers glide over the dagger. While she had little experience with antiques, she did have a taste for weaponry, and whenever she came across images of Western arms in history books, she would look them up. After a few moments of examination, she had already formed an idea in her mind.

Still, she used her magnetic sense to probe the dagger for a moment.

The reaction was faint…

As expected.

Sui Yi set down the dagger and glanced at the Tang sword below…

Before long, she reached the last item. The previously indifferent look on her face brightened with a flicker of color. Her eyes sparkled as she caressed the shard-patterned celadon in her hand. Her slender fingers ran lightly over the porcelain; through her magnetic sense, she perceived a beautiful wisp of pale green mist, entwined with milky-white threads, spreading along the porcelain—enchanting to behold. At her touch, a cool sensation seeped through her, refreshing to the core.

This was the real thing!

And the pale blue aura was distinct from the gray mist she had seen before on the “Early Spring Scroll”—the latter being a modern artifact, a far cry from this celadon vase.

The corners of Sui Yi’s lips curved slightly upward. She flicked her fingers, gathering up the pale mist with her magnetic sense, winding it up and drawing it within herself.

The moment the pale mist entered her body, Sui Yi felt as if her organs were bathed in mint-cool water, her bones relaxed, and life surged through her flesh.

Her limbs brimmed with vibrant strength.

Her innate magnetic sense grew stronger as well!

Clearly, this magnetic aura was extraordinarily beneficial to her!

Sui Yi tentatively extended her magnetic sense, and found that where previously it could only penetrate a hand’s length, now it reached nearly double that—almost the span of two palms!

In other words, as long as she touched this celadon, she could see through most of its core—distinguishing the real from the false with ease.

———

As time ticked by, everyone returned to their seats. Tang Hanyan glanced at her daughter.

She seemed to be in good spirits?

The maid had already served a second round of tea; the vibrant embroidery on the qipao caught the eye, but few here had any mind to admire them.

At this moment, all attention was on the seven items—and their opposing team.

Stroking his beard, Elder De smiled, “It seems everyone has finished their inspection…”

The group smiled and nodded in agreement.

After a pause, Elder De continued with a smile, “Then please submit your answers…”

Each participant handed in a slip of paper, Sui Yi included—eight slips in total.

Elder De had invited Tang Hanyan to join in for fun, but she declined without hesitation, saying she neither excelled at nor enjoyed guessing games, and so would rather not take part.

Her words brought a knowing twist to Elder De’s smile.

“A clever woman indeed—knowing this concerns the Literary and Antiquities Society, she makes her disinterest clear. But is she truly unversed in these matters?”

Sui Yi recalled that earlier, Tang Hanyan’s handling of the items had been thoroughly professional—she seemed quite familiar with antique charm.

Li Ling, too, was skeptical. Though she was only an observer sent to this event, she knew her own boss had an interest in such matters, and had heard that her office was filled with antiques…

Eight slips fixed their answers. Elder De’s gaze swept over them one by one, finally returning to the group.

“For now, let’s set aside the question of authenticity. Would any of you like to offer your commentary first?”

Old Han, being the most senior, would never volunteer to go first. Among the rest…

“I’ll go. I never claimed to know much about this stuff—my expertise is more in machinery. Sooner or later, someone has to start.” Yu Quan’s voice was deep and resonant, the youngest of the seven, and his words drew everyone’s attention.

He gestured toward the first item, belonging to Old Tang. “I think that one’s a fake. Also, Lao Qian, your snuff bottle must be a modern jade carving, right?”

At that, Old Tang and Lao Qian bristled with indignation.

“Then tell me, what’s fake about my book?” Old Tang was calm, unbothered in the least.

He looked every bit the wily old fox.

Yu Quan laughed heartily. “Simple. I don’t trust your character! You’re always trying to trick me with fakes. I’m just responding out of habit!”

At this, the whole room burst into laughter. Old Lin slapped his thigh in agreement.

Clearly, Old Tang was not the most beloved among them.

“Boss Yu, I’ve never fooled you…” Boss Qian narrowed his eyes, a sly glint flashing within.

“Well, I can’t very well claim all the others are genuine, can I? I had to pick one to call a fake. Yours just happened to be the one.” Yu Quan was perfectly composed.

This was even more outrageous! Yan Qingwu couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yu Quan, even if you’re rich, you shouldn’t be so blasé about it…”

Indeed, Yu Quan was the wealthiest here. Old Han and Old Tang were antique enthusiasts; unless one had an exceptionally sharp eye and great luck, there was little profit in this trade, and it was more a hobby than a business.

Yu Quan and Boss Qian were different: the former had built his fortune from business, the latter from jewelry—both high-profit fields, with money rolling in and capital accumulating rapidly.

A million meant little to Yu Quan, and this event would have minimal impact on him.

So he had the nerve to take risks and play boldly!

After the laughter died down, Old Han sipped his tea and remarked, “As for me, I can’t quite place that earthen jar…”

This was a polite way of saying he thought it was a fake; in this circle, professionals rarely spoke bluntly.

Reputation matters in the world of collectors.

The person in question took no offense, only smiled. In turn, the rest each offered their own opinions on what they thought was fake among the others’ items.

Still, these were county-level enthusiasts, not true experts—none could cite chapter and verse as on television, nor analyze everything with precision.

They lacked both the leisure and the expertise, relying on experience and the occasional opinion.

In essence, Old Han had identified the earthen jar as not of Ming dynasty quality, but a replica from the Republic era.

He sounded quite certain, and the others nodded in agreement.

Hearing everyone display their skills, Sui Yi and Yan Qingwu found it rather entertaining…

After a while, an abrupt voice broke in, “I think, since Sui Yi is Old Tang’s successor and has been singled out by Elder De, she must be very capable. Why not let her share her insights? Otherwise, we’ll suspect she’s just guessing blindly.”

The words were openly unfriendly.

Qian Shuangyu’s hostility toward Sui Yi was obvious.

Her animosity came out of nowhere, and Sui Yi, who had planned to remain on the sidelines, was suddenly thrust into the center of attention.

Of course, Boss Qian supported his daughter, smiling, “Then let Miss Sui Li have a look…”

Old Tang, though a bit of a rogue, was protective of his own, and retorted with a cold laugh, “I’ve heard your precious daughter is quite learned. She seemed very interested earlier—why not let her go first?”

“Quite learned” was clearly a barbed remark. Everyone knew that the heiress of Fuquan Jewelry was notorious for her poor academics—having attended a third-rate university only to drop out midway, and later, with no other options, hoping to coast at home and eventually take over the family business.

It was a pity, for Boss Qian was a shrewd man who had toiled for decades, yet had no son, only two daughters. He had no choice but to take in a son-in-law.

Yet, even after remarrying, he only had another daughter, and after so many years, there was still no second child… The eldest was brash and ignorant, not business material at all.

Left with no other option, he had to rely on his younger daughter…

Even if she was a poor student!

Still, one had to admit, Qian Shuangyu’s appearance was pleasant, and she had a certain cleverness and social acumen. She never spoke ill to someone’s face, and was always effusive with praise—traits well-suited to the jewelry trade.

Under such circumstances, Qian Shuangyu held herself in high regard, and was naturally arrogant. Hearing Old Tang’s words, her expression soured, and she replied directly, “Since Old Tang insists, I won’t stand on ceremony…”

And indeed, she didn’t! Even Boss Qian couldn’t stop her in time.

She declared, “I think Old Tang’s book is a fake. He just said it was Nalan Xingde’s ‘Collection of Side Hats,’ so that would make it Ming dynasty—how could it possibly be preserved in such perfect condition? Besides, I can smell the scent of modern paper on it…”

Her words brought a variety of expressions from those present. First, Sui Yi and Yan Qingwu both smiled faintly.

“What, you think I’m wrong?” Qian Shuangyu glared at Sui Yi, her tone unfriendly, while Boss Qian exhaled in frustration.

As per their earlier agreement, since Qian Shuangyu had spoken, it was Sui Yi’s turn to comment.

Elder De smiled at Sui Yi, inviting her to speak.

Sui Yi glanced at Qian Shuangyu, her expression steady. “It’s not my place to judge whether Miss Qian is right or wrong. My own impression is… except for Old Tang’s ‘Collection of Side Hats,’ none of the other items are genuine.”

She paused, then added, “And Nalan Xingde was a Qing dynasty figure.”

The room erupted in astonishment!

Even Old Tang raised his brows. All fake?

At Sui Yi’s verdict, Quan Ling’s eyes darkened as she laughed, “Well, my conclusion is the exact opposite of yours, Sui Yi—I believe Old Tang’s item is the fake!”