...
"Good heavens! This is extraordinary!" Tang Wenjun exclaid, "Even though I don’t know much about antiques, I do know that any artifact used by a Tang Dynasty Duke would be invaluable beyond asure! These Fish Tokens are certainly worth far more than any Tang Sancai pottery!"
"Not just that," Cheng Fengxian said with a smile, "Young Master Tang might not know who this Duke Ju really was."
"Who was he?" Tang Wenjun eagerly asked.
"After Li Shimin defeated Liu Wuzhou, he appointed him as Minister of Rites, granted him the position of Chief of the Heavenly Strategy Admiral Mansion, and conferred upon him the title of Duke Ju, with a special one-ti pardon from death. He passed away in the first year of Xianqing at the age of seventy-eight. He was posthumously promoted to Senior Grand Councilor with Personal Administration and Governor of Bingzhou, and was given the honorary title of ’Xiang,’ and interred at Zhao Ling."
Cheng Fengxian declared proudly, "This man was Duke Ju Tang Jian, one of the Twenty-Four ritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion!"
"Good heavens!" Tang Wenjun sucked in a breath of cold air.
Even those who know little about history have encountered the legendary tales of the Twenty-Four ritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion under Emperor Taizong of Tang in countless novels, TV shows, and films.
The fact that these Fish Tokens symbolize the identity and status of Tang Jian, one of the Twenty-Four ritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion, ans their auction price would certainly be astronomical!
The "School of Fish Playing with Water Plants" painting by Yun Nantian, while undoubtedly valuable, pales in comparison to these Fish Tokens left behind by Tang Jian. The difference is not even close.
"Mr. Yan," Cheng Fengxian said solemnly, looking directly at Yan Xiaobao, "Are you certain... the Fengshui Artifact you’re looking for is indeed these Fish Tokens?"
"Of course, why else would I co here with you?" Yan Xiaobao replied, seemingly indifferent to such priceless antiques.
"These Fish Tokens are, without question, my family’s treasure. No matter how high a price others offer, I won’t part with them." Cheng Fengxian gently stroked the pair of Fish Tokens in his hand, his eyes filled with appreciation and deep attachnt.
"A gentleman doesn’t covet another’s cherished possessions. If that’s the case..."
Cheng Fengxian waved his hand, interrupting Tang Wenjun, and said seriously, "Even though I’ve just t Mr. Yan today, he not only helped complete the Fengshui Array but also exposed Fujino’s true nature, saving from a considerable financial disaster. It’s truly my great fortune in three lifetis to have t Mr. Yan. Since Mr. Yan has taken a liking to them, then I shall gift these Fish Tokens to him as a gesture of goodwill."
"..."
Tang Wenjun was dumbfounded.
Dong Yuqing was also stunned.
These Fish Tokens, the treasured relics of Tang Jian — one of the Twenty-Four ritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion under Emperor Taizong of Tang — were of incalculable value.
Cheng Fengxian himself had just said that he wouldn’t sell them no matter the offered price.
Yet now, he’s giving them away to Yan Xiaobao directly?
Moreover, Cheng Fengxian and Yan Xiaobao had only t earlier today, for no more than an hour. It’s completely unrealistic...
"Young Master Tang," Cheng Fengxian turned to Tang Wenjun, "There’s a good chance that Duke Ju Tang Jian is from your family lineage. Mr. Yan intends to use these Fish Tokens to set up a Fengshui Formation for your Tang family’s estate. Perhaps this is fate working in mysterious ways."
"This... But how can I accept that..." Tang Wenjun mumbled, "Maybe Master Cheng can na a price instead, and I’ll..."
"Talking about money cheapens it." Cheng Fengxian interrupted Tang Wenjun with mock displeasure. "Though I’ve only just t Mr. Yan, he’s already helped with two major matters. If we really talk about money, I might even have gained. Take these Fish Tokens with you, and leave the ’School of Fish Playing with Water Plants’ painting behind. That settles it!"
...
After bidding farewell to Cheng Fengxian and leaving his office, Tang Wenjun was still sighing and marveling, "Truly, the ways of great minds and experts differ from common folk. We re mortals can hardly comprehend them..."
Even Dong Yuqing, as she looked at Yan Xiaobao, had a complex expression in her eyes, filled with mixed emotions.
Having successfully obtained the Fish Tokens, an essential Fengshui Artifact, Tang Wenjun brought Yan Xiaobao and Dong Yuqing back to Antique Street to continue treasure hunting.
Unfortunately, even after browsing until three or four in the afternoon, they didn’t find anything worthwhile again.
Gradually, Dong Yuqing’s steps grew heavier. Although her high heels weren’t overly tall nor sharply pointed, walking all day had left her feeling worn out.
"Wife Qingqing, your feet must be hurting." Yan Xiaobao offered eagerly, "Let massage them for you. I guarantee instant relief; you’ll feel no pain at all."
"No, thank you." Dong Yuqing refused outright.
A girl’s feet aren’t sothing to be casually touched, especially by soone like Yan Xiaobao — such a shaless cad...
Though anxious to help Yan Xiaobao gather the various treasures he needed, Tang Wenjun decided to stop treasure hunting for the sake of Dong Yuqing. He led them into a teahouse for so tea and rest.
After sipping just half a cup of tea, Daoist Xuanzhen called Dong Yuqing and inford her of a Fengshui Artifact auction happening that evening. They could try their luck there; perhaps they’d find suitable artifacts up for sale.
Tang Wenjun imdiately perked up, exclaiming how perfectly tid the coincidence was. Even better, the Fengshui Artifact auction was being held at the Han Tang Pavilion Hotel — his family’s property, no less.
Inspired by this serendipity, they drove straight to Han Tang Pavilion Hotel after finishing their tea and resting briefly.
The Han Tang Pavilion Hotel was one of Binhai’s most prestigious high-end hotels, offering comprehensive anities like dining, accommodation, entertainnt, and leisure — everything under one roof.
"The auction opens at eight tonight, and we still have so ti," Tang Wenjun explained as he led Yan Xiaobao and Dong Yuqing into a private room on the hotel’s second floor, adding with a smile, "Mr. Dong must be worn out today. Let’s eat, get a massage, and soak our feet for relaxation first. Then we can attend the auction refreshed."
Dong Yuqing, indeed exhausted, didn’t refuse the suggestion. A professional foot massage could effectively alleviate physical fatigue.
"I’ll head to the restroom," Dong Yuqing said, placing her handbag down before stepping out.
"Wait for — I need to go too," Yan Xiaobao called out, quickly following her.
Tang Wenjun: "..."
Dong Yuqing quickened her pace, muttering to herself: If you’re so bold, follow into the ladies’ restroom!
Of course, Yan Xiaobao didn’t follow her into the ladies’ restroom. Instead, he suddenly caught the sound of a familiar voice. Turning toward the source, he rounded a corner and arrived at the door of another private room.
"What... What do you want?" A panicked female voice ca from within the room.
The room’s soundproofing was excellent; if not for Yan Xiaobao’s extraordinary hearing, anyone passing by outside wouldn’t have heard a thing.
Then, a male voice with a mischievous edge chuckled as he said, "I don’t want anything. I’m asking you to have a drink with , but you’re playing hard to get. Are you trying to eat the punishnt instead of the toast?"
Nearby, a few rowdy voices echoed in agreent: "Exactly! Not giving even this tiny shred of face — isn’t that making our Young Master Xin look bad?"
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