Moments later, several people finished their introductions and gleefully accepted their red envelopes.
It was Cao Zhi's turn to step onto the stage.
With an air of triumph, he introduced exhibit number eight: "Chinese Zisha pottery culture has a long and rich history."
"This Lotus Seed pot originated from the lotus seed jars of the late Ming Dynasty. It features a straight mouth, sloped shoulders, a rounded foot, and a bulging belly. The lid is adorned with six movable lotus seeds, each lifelike."
"It is the masterpiece of the Qing Dynasty Zisha master Chen Mingyuan, also known as the Lotus Heart pot or the Qingde pot."
"Due to its extreme realism, it was even rumored to be a pot demon."
"During the Kangxi period, a poet named Jin Zhang even wrote a poem for this pot."
"With a bow, he reached into his robes and produced a delicate bloom. The lotus petals were evenly spaced, and the lotus seeds dangled with life. Imitating ancient methods, the craftsmanship was utterly transformed, brimming with unique artistic charm. To understand the ingenuity of the carving, a guest once denounced it as a pot demon."
"This illustrates the exquisite skill involved."
"Unfortunately, this pot later fell into the hands of an outsider who knew nothing of Zisha, leading to its surface being covered in dirt and grime, making it almost impossible to discern its material or inscriptions."
"Coincidentally, I once saw an identical pot at the Suzhou Zisha Museum, which allowed me to recognize its true nature at a glance. It was indeed a stroke of luck."
"Its value should not be less than ten million!"
Cao Zhi feigned humility, but his smugness was evident.
After speaking, he asked a hostess for a rough towel.
He reached out, held the pot's handle, and gently wiped off the aged black lacquer at the bottom with the towel. Sure enough, Chen Mingyuan's unique inscription was revealed.
It was clearly displayed on the large screen through the camera's lens.
Instantly, applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
"Congratulations, Young Master Tang, on acquiring such a treasure. Director Cao truly has connections everywhere."
"Teacher Cao's reputation is well-deserved. Now that Elder Qin has retired, the position of Vice President will likely fall to him!"
"I am enlightened and willingly concede defeat. How laughable that some ignorant bumpkins dared to challenge Director Zeng, how utterly ridiculous."
"A pretty boy living off women, what real skill can he possess? How laughable that Lü Yunxu is being fooled by him..."
...
A few of Tang Xiuzhu's associates, whom he had arranged beforehand, skillfully steered the conversation, their focus once again shifting to Li Chonglou.
Cao Zhi had identified a treasure worth tens of millions with a single glance.
In contrast, Li Chonglou, clutching a box, appeared to be nothing more than a jumping clown.
Lü Yunxu's face showed anxiety. She was more anxious than these people.
Eager to see Li Chonglou reveal the truth.
How he would turn the tables and save face for both of them.
"This is truly quite a show," Li Chonglou said calmly, unhurriedly, even displaying a hint of amusement.
The grime on the Lotus Seed pot was clearly applied artificially to conceal its true nature, how could he not see that?
Yet Cao Zhi, without even revealing the grime, spoke so clearly about its origins and provenance.
It was evident he already knew the truth.
Otherwise, he would need X-ray vision.
At this moment, he was certain this play was specifically staged for him by Tang Xiuzhu.
The reason behind it no longer mattered.
What mattered was that Tang Xiuzhu was using the antique collecting circle to declare war on him.
Having lived two lives, the arrogance from Lin Zhendong had already seeped into his very bones.
He did not provoke trouble, but if trouble found him, he would never tolerate it!
"Master Li, I initially didn't believe that Elder Qin's affair was a setup, but now I am forced to believe it."
After the applause subsided, Tang Xiuzhu mockingly said without restraint: "You've held that box long enough. If you can't make any sense of it, then get down on your knees and apologize obediently."
"Perhaps then, I might respect you as a man."
This title of "Master Li" was an unadulterated insult.
He intended to humiliate Li Chonglou in front of everyone.
To trample him underfoot, to utterly disgrace Lü Yunxu along with him, and to turn them against each other.
He had been patient enough, waiting for this moment.
"Preparing such a lengthy story, are you trying to treat us all like fools and just make things up?" Cao Zhi sneered, his expression condescending and filled with a sense of superiority.
With the pre-arranged Lotus Seed pot, he was now the most dazzling presence in the room.
Li Chonglou was destined only to kneel.
"Brother Li..." Lü Yunxu's pretty face turned pale, unable to bear it any longer.
Before she could finish speaking, Li Chonglou's lips curved upwards, and he announced loudly, "Cao Zhi, a peerless treasure is placed before you, yet you are blind to it, your eyes only fixed on that mere ten-million-dollar Lotus Seed pot."
"Calling you blind would be an understatement; you are clearly utterly blind!"
"And you, Tang Xiuzhu, have dug your own grave, treating a true treasure like garbage and giving it to Lü Yunxu."
"I must thank you on her behalf."
A gasp!
At these words, the entire room erupted in cold laughter.
Had this小子 gone mad?
After holding back for so long, he was actually starting to spin a tale, just as Cao Zhi had said.
He was treating everyone like fools.
"Still so stubborn."
Cao Zhi's face darkened at the insult, and he bellowed, "Are you going to kneel or not!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Chonglou, under the indignant gaze of the crowd, slowly rose.
He asked loudly, "You may be blind, but your hearing isn't, so you must have some knowledge of history."
"The Ming imperial family's pattern of patricide and fratricide was almost a fixed curse."
"But there was one pair of brothers who broke this curse."
"They were the renowned Carpenter Emperor, Ming Xizong Zhu Youxiao, and Ming Sizong Zhu Youjian."
"Zhu Youxiao was indifferent to politics, obsessed with carpentry, and proficient in Lu Ban's techniques. Countless works from his lifetime were dismissed as mere ingenious crafts, leading to his downfall. He died of drowning, and before his death, he personally handed the Imperial Seal to his brother, Zhu Youjian, passing on the throne, with the reign title Chongzhen."
"This box is the container for that Imperial Seal!"
Silence!
At this declaration, everyone was stunned.
This小子 truly dared to fabricate.
He had even brought the Ming imperial family and the Imperial Seal into it.
Even Lü Yunxu looked shocked.
Tang Xiuzhu's eyes turned sinister, a bad premonition dawning on him.
"Nonsense, it's just an ordinary wooden box. Even if it held the Imperial Seal, it's merely a container. You're making up stories, at least make them believable."
Cao Zhi sneered, questioning, "Moreover, just because you say it held the Imperial Seal, does that make it so?"
"Where's the evidence?"
"As I said, you are blind," Li Chonglou replied with a cold smile. "This box is made of ironwood, a specialty from Northeast China."
"Its extreme hardness has allowed it to survive to this day, but the inscriptions on it have worn considerably."
"After Zhu Youxiao's death, Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian personally inscribed the interpretative text of the 'Dabaoji Sutra' to mourn his brother."
"This passage is not part of the main text of the sutra, which is why you fools cannot verify it."
"Seventeen years later, the rebel king Li Zicheng captured Beijing. Zhu Youjian refused to surrender and ordered his concubines to commit suicide."
"He himself, accompanied by the eunuch Wang Chengen, Grand Scholar Fan Jingwen, Censor-in-Chief Li Banghua, Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu, and others, went to Coal Hill to meet his death."
"Before hanging himself, he wrote a confession, urging the rebel king not to harm a single commoner."
"It was only after the rebel king abandoned the box and left the Seal that it fell into the hands of the Tang Xiuzhu."
"You can claim these two points are fabrications, but for the next part, you had better open your damn eyes and look carefully!"
With that, Li Chonglou lifted the lid of the box and tapped a finger on the side of the bottom.