Chapter 1423 Hairpin
“So that’s how it was, I seem to recall hearing about it in ancient books, but I could never verify it.”
“It seems we’ve discovered another major historical event!”
After listening to Chen Xuan’s explanation, some believed him, while others remained skeptical. Regardless, Chen Xuan’s words added a legend to the painting, significantly increasing its value.
Tian Shijie and others twitched their lips upon hearing this.
Chen Xuan was clearly making things up without any preparation. Even Wei Linlin, who usually admired Chen Xuan, blushed and looked somewhat embarrassed.
As for Qin Xuelan, she frowned, but she could tell it was Chen Xuan’s good intentions, so she didn’t say much.
Ma Erdao, however, didn’t care whether Chen Xuan was telling the truth or not and directly slandered him, “Kid, you’re quite the storyteller. Who knows if what you’re saying is true or not.”
“The truth or falsehood will be judged by the esteemed judges. What concern is it of yours?”
Chen Xuan grinned and retorted directly at Ma Erdao.
He was right. It didn’t matter if Ma Erdao or anyone else believed him; what mattered was whether the judges believed him.
Chen Xuan’s story partially aligned with historical records, with the other part drawing from unofficial histories, which are folk records and could be true or false.
It had to be said that a portion of the audience did believe Chen Xuan.
Ma Erdao took a breath and said in a deep voice, “Kid, even if you’re silver-tongued, so what? Your painting by Tang Bohu is merely a Yuan Dynasty painting. How can it compare to my painting from the Eastern Jin Dynasty!”
While there was a threat, from every perspective, Ma Erdao’s painting by Gu Kaizhi was more precious.
The Qin family also thought so, their expressions extremely solemn.
Would this treasure appraisal competition begin with the ignominy of losing three consecutive rounds and then conclude?
This was something the Qin family could not accept. If they lost three consecutive rounds, what right would the Qin family have to establish themselves in the capital in the future?
Chen Xuan also realized this. He looked at the painting of Gu Kaizhi’s “Nü Shi Zhen Tu” (Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies) from the Eastern Jin Dynasty brought by the Ma family, and his brow furrowed. He couldn’t help but step forward a few paces.
Tian Shijie frowned, “Brother Chen Xuan, have you discovered something?”
Chen Xuan said, “I think this painting is a high-quality replica, not an original. But it’s too far, I’m not too sure.”
“What? Fake?”
“How is that possible? My grandfather and the others are all expert masters with discerning eyes. If this painting were fake, how could they not see it?”
“Hey, hey, Tian Shijie, your grandfather is an expert master, but Chen Xuan isn’t bad either.”
Wei Linlin’s remark choked Tian Shijie.
“Then what should we do?”
Chen Xuan said in a deep voice, “Let’s go closer and take a good look at this painting.”
“That’s fine too.”
Thus, the group moved closer to the stage.
Chen Xuan finally got a clear view of Gu Kaizhi’s “Nü Shi Zhen Tu” from the Eastern Jin Dynasty and said, “It really is a high-quality replica. It’s just that the technique of this replica is too superb; ordinary people would definitely not be able to tell.”
“What? Fake? Do you have any proof?”
Tian Shijie asked seriously.
Every expert master was a person with great dignity and would not easily change their opinions.
They had already judged the “Nü Shi Zhen Tu” to be real, and now someone was saying it was fake. Without irrefutable evidence, they would not change their minds.
“The evidence is simple…”
Chen Xuan grinned.
Just as Chen Xuan was about to explain, several expert masters had already discussed and decided the result of the third round of the painting competition.
“Although Qin family’s painting by Tang Bohu is indeed precious and has many legendary stories, it is still slightly inferior to Gu Kaizhi’s ‘Nü Shi Zhen Tu.’ Therefore, all masters unanimously agree that the Ma family is the winner!”
The host scanned the crowd and spoke in a deep voice.
The Qin family’s expressions immediately dimmed. Qin Ling was so angry that he slammed the table. However, the Qin family had tried their best. If the Qin family’s painting hadn’t been lost, perhaps there would have been a glimmer of hope. Although Tang Bohu’s painting was precious, it could not be compared to Gu Kaizhi’s painting overall.
The Ma family, on the other hand, was jubilant!
“By winning this round, we have won three rounds. The Qin family has lost to us in this treasure appraisal competition!”
“Long live the Ma family!”
Ma Erdao stood tall and proud, brimming with confidence.
As for the surrounding audience, they were also discussing animatedly.
“The Ma family’s foundation is far stronger than the Qin family’s. For purchasing antiques in the future, one should go to the Ma family.”
“With the Qin family losing this time, they will likely be stepped on by the Ma family for the next three years.”
“Who’s to say otherwise!”
“The Qin family’s business was already not good, and now it’s undoubtedly adding insult to injury!”
But just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out, “I disagree with the opinions of the expert masters!”
The surroundings instantly fell silent, and everyone looked towards Chen Xuan in unison!
Their eyes showed confusion.
What was he doing?
Trying to cause trouble?
Master Tian smiled and said, “Young friend Chen Xuan, what are your insights?”
Chen Xuan glanced at Gu Kaizhi’s “Nü Shi Zhen Tu” and said, “If I’m not mistaken, this painting should be fake.”
Fake?
Master Tian’s pupils contracted.
Others also exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion.
This painting had even been appraised by master experts, so how could it be fake?
Even the Qin family didn’t quite believe it.
“I can’t help it if you don’t believe me, but this painting is indeed fake.”
Chen Xuan smiled faintly.
“In what way is this painting fake?” Ma Erdao’s face darkened.
This painting was indeed a fake, but the aging technique used by the forger was too skillful, making it impossible for even masters to judge.
However, he didn’t expect Chen Xuan to see the clue.
Chen Xuan jumped onto the stage and looked straight at the beautiful woman from the Ma family, “Miss, can you tell why this painting is fake?”
“How could it be fake? Don’t talk nonsense!”
“It seems you can’t tell, so let me explain it to you properly.”
Chen Xuan smiled slightly and gestured towards the painting, “Everyone, please look!”
Everyone looked in the direction Chen Xuan was pointing, which was the hair of a woman in the painting. There was a hairpin in the woman’s hair.
Everyone was confused. What was the problem with that?
“Kid, don’t play tricks. What’s wrong with there being a hairpin in the woman’s hair?”
“Then let me ask you, did the hairpin exist in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?”
Ma Erdao was speechless upon hearing this.
The Eastern Jin Dynasty was over a thousand years ago. Where would there be a hairpin?
“Right, where did the hairpin come from in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?”
“Could it be that this painting is really a replica? But it looks so real, and everyone failed to notice anything amiss.”
The people around them murmured.
Qin Ling and the others also slapped their thighs, their faces filled with excitement.
If the Ma family’s painting was fake, then the victory would belong to the Qin family.
This statement undoubtedly caused a stir among the so-called expert masters. They had looked for a long time but hadn’t found any reason why a hairpin shouldn’t be in the woman’s hair!
“Masters, am I correct?”
Chen Xuan grinned.