A scroll was brought up by the staff. As it was slowly unrolled, a meticulously preserved painting was revealed, adorned with various antique seals.
These were likely the marks left by previous owners, alongside elegant or magnificent script detailing their impressions.
As the painting was officially unfurled, the crowd collectively gasped.
Xia Qingtian looked around, puzzled by everyone's excitement.
The host softly said, "I believe this piece, without my introduction, you are all very familiar with its origin and value."
"I don't know!"
Xia Qingtian desperately wanted to say this, but it was not the right moment. The screen only displayed details of "Prince Yu's Ning Mountain Seclusion Painting."
Her beautiful eyes flickered as Xia Qingtian remembered a previous lucky draw where she might have something useful.
Accessing the system interface in her mind, Xia Qingtian clicked on "Treasure Appraisal" in her inventory to use it.
Immediately, an introduction and historical account of the painting began to sync within Xia Qingtian's mind.
Looking at the entire story, the painting encompassed the sixteen years of upheaval and hardship of a quasi-crown prince, culminating in his eventual acceptance and calmness.
Due to warfare, the painting had also been displaced, disappearing for a full sixteen years. It was finally discovered by a businessman from City A in a dilapidated second-hand shop on a British street and purchased.
Later, a fire broke out in the businessman's home, and thieves took the opportunity to break in and steal. The painting vanished once more.
Its reappearance this time had already caused quite a stir.
"Appraised as: Authentic, valued at twenty million, with potential for appreciation."
With the synchronized explanation in her mind, Xia Qingtian truly understood the painting's worth. Yet, seeing the auction price heading towards twenty million, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.
In comparison, the bags she bought were not expensive at all!
Finally, "Prince Yu's Ning Mountain Seclusion Painting" was acquired by a wealthy merchant from the capital for a staggering price of twenty-three million.
However, from this moment on, Xia Qingtian gradually began to develop an interest in antiques.
The next exhibit was a brush washer from fourteen hundred years ago, dating back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty when smelting technology had reached a certain level. The brush washer was exquisitely shaped, resembling a lotus leaf made of jade.
Under the light, its ancient green luster was breathtakingly beautiful, captivating the eye.
The starting bid was 12 million.
Although Xia Qingtian found it beautiful, she couldn't help but gasp at the price.
It seemed that the 10 million her father had given her was not enough to play with.
Xia Qingtian observed the expressions of Uncle Shao and Grandpa Fang beside her and saw them looking calm and composed, as if it were all to be expected.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingtian's mind was receiving a synchronized explanation of this Tang Dynasty brush washer.
It was evident that the item was indeed good, and its price was genuinely high.
"Appraised as: Genuine, valued at fifty million, with potential for appreciation."
Ultimately, this Tang Dynasty brush washer was purchased by a guest from the third floor for forty-nine million seven hundred thousand.
Listening to the explanations, Xia Qingtian felt a bit of a craving.
If this was the case, then the subsequent treasures likely also had room for appreciation. If possible, she could acquire one for ten million and then wait for it to appreciate, potentially making a profit by reselling it.
That wouldn't be bad either, and it wouldn't be a wasted trip.
With this decision made, Xia Qingtian perked up, looking for something she could afford.
Soon, she spotted a jade artifact, specifically a small, exquisite white jade die.
The starting bid was 1.2 million.
As Xia Qingtian listened to the appraisal explanation in her mind, others were already bidding.
"Appraised as: Genuine white jade, valued at 2.7 million."
"What about the potential for appreciation?" Xia Qingtian asked mentally in her mind.
"Appreciation potential is unknown."
Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow slightly. This involved an element of gambling, didn't it?
At this moment, the host was calling out bids: "2.7 million once! 2.7 million twice!"
"I'll gamble!" Xia Qingtian immediately raised her hand, taking a chance, perhaps a bicycle could turn into a motorcycle.
Then, with the host's final call, Xia Qingtian acquired the white jade die for 2.8 million.
Uncle Shao, in the same private room, nodded at her and smiled.
Grandpa Fang also glanced at Xia Qingtian, his expression unreadable.
Afterward, Xia Qingtian raised her hand twice more, purchasing two small items with clear appreciation potential. Her father's 10 million auction fund was completely spent.
Bai Yuqi next door couldn't help but mutter, "Miss Xia, she's truly wealthy. She even snatches up things you fancy."
Gu Yaoyang didn't reply, merely curving his lips.
"But it's good. It wouldn't look good for you, a grown man, to have a white jade die anyway, and for over two million," Bai Yuqi said, resting his chin on his hand.
"That's not just a white jade die," Gu Yaoyang murmured, "Forget it, let her have it if she wants it."
Perhaps this would be another interesting development.
Gu Yaoyang felt that the world was becoming increasingly fascinating.
At this moment, the host announced, "That concludes all the items on our list. Next, we have the hidden items for this auction, a total of two pieces."
Upon hearing the host's words, Bai Yuqi immediately became energetic, his eyes widening. "Here they come, the rivals!"
Separated by a screen, Xia Qingtian on this side also noticed Uncle Shao change his posture, and Grandpa Fang's expression grew more solemn.
Both seemed to have come for these two treasures.
At this moment, a voice appeared in Xia Qingtian's mind: "Treasure appraisal ability has reached a duration of 30 minutes. Do you wish to extend the use of the treasure appraisal ability from your item inventory?"
Xia Qingtian had no intention of buying anything else, and she had no greater use for this appraisal ability.
However, seeing the nervous expressions of Uncle Shao and Grandpa Fang, and considering that "hidden" sounded very impressive, like a hidden variant in a blind box, it was enticing.
Xia Qingtian mentally agreed, "Use it."
Immediately, the treasure appraisal ability began to provide explanations for Xia Qingtian again.
The first exhibit was a Buddha statue painting. At a glance, it was impossible to count the number of deities depicted. The entire painting was one and a half meters long and nearly a meter wide, grand and majestic, with ancient coloring.
Xia Qingtian distinctly felt that after this painting was officially unfurled, Grandpa Fang was trembling. Tears welled up in his eyes, his lips pressed tightly together, and he leaned forward slightly.
Listening to the explanation, Xia Qingtian increasingly felt that this painting must be very expensive. As the appraisal ability in her mind began to quote prices, the host also announced the starting bid: 90 million.
The crowd began bidding, and amidst the rising and falling bids, Xia Qingtian stood stunned.
She wasn't stunned by the price, but by what was in her mind.
If the voice hadn't been so real, she would have worried she had misheard.
"Appraised as: Fake, valued at two million, with potential for appreciation."