A scroll was brought up by the staff. As the scroll slowly unfurled, it revealed a well-preserved painting, adorned with various antique seals.
These were likely the marks left by its previous owners, along with elegantly or grandly written words detailing their impressions.
As the painting was officially displayed, everyone present gasped.
Xia Qingtian looked around, unsure what everyone was so excited about.
The host then softly said, "I believe for this piece, even without an introduction, you all know its origin and value."
[I don't know!]
Xia Qingtian desperately wanted to say this, but it was not the right moment for her to speak. The screen only displayed details of "Prince Yu's Ning Mountain Seclusion Diagram."
With a turn of her beautiful eyes, Xia Qingtian recalled her previous lucky draw and the possibility of using something useful.
Accessing the system interface within her mind, Xia Qingtian clicked on [Treasure Appraisal] in her inventory.
Immediately, the introduction and historical stories of this painting began to synchronize within Xia Qingtian's mind.
Considering the entire narrative, this painting encompassed the twists and turns, hardships, and eventual broad-mindedness and composure of a quasi-crown prince over sixteen years.
Due to war, the painting had also been displaced, vanishing for a full sixteen years. It was eventually discovered by a businessman from City A in a rundown second-hand shop on a British street corner, who then purchased it.
Later, a fire broke out at the businessman's home, and thieves took the opportunity to break in and steal. The painting disappeared once more.
Its reappearance this time had already caused quite a stir.
[Appraisal: Genuine, estimated value twenty million, with potential for appreciation.]
As the voice in her mind synchronized the introduction, Xia Qingtian truly understood the painting's value. However, seeing the auction price soaring towards twenty million, Xia Qingtian still found it somewhat unbelievable.
Looking at it this way, the bags she had bought were not expensive at all!
Finally, "Prince Yu's Ning Mountain Seclusion Diagram" was sold to a wealthy businessman from the capital for a high price of twenty-three million.
However, from this moment on, Xia Qingtian gradually developed an interest in antiques.
The next exhibit was a brush washer from fourteen hundred years ago, during the flourishing Tang Dynasty. The smelting technology at that time had reached a certain level. The brush washer had an exquisite design, shaped like a lotus leaf and made of jade.
Under the light, its jade green color, imbued with the sedimentation of history, was breathtakingly beautiful.
The starting bid was 12 million.
Although Xia Qingtian found it beautiful, she couldn't help but gasp at the price.
It seemed the 10 million given by her father wasn't enough to play with.
Xia Qingtian observed the expressions of Uncle Shao and Grandpa Fang beside her, only to find them calm and composed, as if it were all expected.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingtian's mind was synchronizing the explanation for this Tang Dynasty brush washer.
It was evident that the item was indeed good, and it was truly expensive.
[Appraisal: Genuine, estimated value 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 explanation, Xia Qingtian felt a pang of yearning.
Going by this, the treasures to come likely all had appreciation potential. If possible, she could acquire one with her ten million, wait for it to appreciate, and then sell it, possibly making a profit.
This wasn't a bad idea either; it would mean the trip wasn't in vain.
With this decision made, Xia Qingtian perked up, looking for something she could afford.
Soon, she spotted a jade item, specifically a small, exquisite white jade dice.
The starting bid was 1.2 million.
As Xia Qingtian listened to the appraisal introduction in her mind, others had already begun bidding.
[Appraisal: Genuine white jade, estimated value 2.7 million.]
[What about its appreciation potential?] Xia Qingtian asked mentally.
[Appreciation potential unknown.]
Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow slightly; wasn't this a gamble?
At this moment, the host was already calling out bids, "2.7 million for the first time! 2.7 million for the second time!"
[I'm gambling!] Xia Qingtian immediately raised her hand, taking a chance, perhaps a bicycle could turn into a motorcycle.
Then, with the host's final gavel, Xia Qingtian purchased the white jade dice for 2.8 million.
Uncle Shao from the adjacent 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 ten million auction fund was completely spent.
Bai Yuqi in the next room couldn't help but mutter, "Miss Xia is truly wealthy, snatching up even the items you fancy."
Gu Yaoyang didn't reply, merely curling the corners of his mouth.
"But it's good. You, a grown man, wouldn't look good with a white jade dice anyway, and it cost over 2 million," Bai Yuqi said, resting his chin on his hand.
"That's not just a white jade dice," Gu Yaoyang murmured, then added, "Never mind, if she wants it, let her have it."
Perhaps, this would be another interesting twist.
Gu Yaoyang felt that the world was becoming increasingly fascinating.
At this moment, the host announced, "That concludes our listed exhibits. Next, we have two hidden items for this auction."
Upon hearing the host's words, Bai Yuqi immediately perked up, his eyes widening like saucers: "Here they come, the real deal!"
Separated by a screen, Xia Qingtian on this side noticed Uncle Shao shift his posture, and Grandpa Fang's expression grew more solemn.
Both seemed to be here for these two treasures.
At this moment, a voice appeared in Xia Qingtian's mind: [Treasure appraisal ability has reached 30 minutes. Do you wish to extend the treasure appraisal ability from your inventory?]
Xia Qingtian had no intention of buying anything further; the appraisal ability didn't seem to have much use for her.
However, seeing the tense looks on Uncle Shao and Grandpa Fang, and considering that the word "hidden" sounded so grand, like a hidden variant in a blind box, it was quite enticing.
Xia Qingtian mentally responded, [Use it.]
Subsequently, the appraisal ability once again synchronized to provide Xia Qingtian with an explanation.
The first exhibit was a painting of Buddha statues. At first 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 magnificent, with ancient colors.
Xia Qingtian clearly felt Grandpa Fang trembling as the painting was officially unfurled. Tears welled up in his eyes, his lips were tightly pressed together, and his body leaned slightly forward.
Listening to the explanation, Xia Qingtian increasingly felt that this painting must be incredibly expensive. As the appraisal ability in her mind began to quote a price, the host also announced the starting bid: ninety million.
The crowd began to bid. Amidst the rising and falling bids, Xia Qingtian stood frozen.
She wasn't stunned by the price, but by what the voice in her mind had said.
If the voice hadn't been so clear, she would have worried she had misheard.
[Appraisal: Counterfeit, valued at two million, with potential for appreciation.]