Elder Li's face grew stern, and he said, "Ruo ng, don't make a fuss. There are rules in this business, and if the host hasn't invited you, you cannot enter. The antique trade is unlike other industries; the rules are very strict."
Qin Ruong was persistent, but Elder Li remained unmoved and even showed a trace of displeasure on his face.
For people of their old-fashioned mindset, rules were paramount. Even if Qin Ruong was the distinguished daughter of the Qin Family and could be the future leader, she could not make exceptions.
Not bowing for re rice, nor bending to power, this was Elder Li's lifelong conduct. In appraising antiques, what was true was true and what was false was false. Even if a beggar brought a shabby bowl, as long as it was authentic, Elder Li would quote a fair price without any bias. But if it was a fake, even if a wealthy and influential business tycoon brought it, Elder Li would not hesitate to announce the result on the spot.
It is precisely because of this that Elder Li has earned the respect of many.
Faced with Qin Ruong's unreasonable demands, Elder Li considered her a junior and had so friendship with Elder Qin, so he chose not to argue with her. Otherwise, with soone else, Elder Li would likely have reprimanded them already.
Seeing the trace of displeasure on Elder Li's face, Qin Ruong didn't dare to say more and just raised her hand to show a jade bangle and said, "Grandpa Li, can you take a look at this bangle for ?"
Since acting coy didn't work, Qin Ruong had to adopt a delaying tactic, hoping for Ye Tianfan to arrive.
"Oh, isn't it the eldest Miss of the Qin Family? How did you end up here?"
At this mont, another elderly man arrived with white hair, a goatee, wearing a blue robe, and a pair of round black sunglasses on his face. If Qin Ruong hadn't known his identity, she might have mistaken him for a fortune teller.
"And you are?" Qin Ruong furrowed her brows slightly, not recognizing the old man before her.
"This is Master Zhang, a veteran in the antique world, most adept in porcelain and jade appraisal, who doesn't appear easily." Elder Li introduced with a smile, then shook hands with Master Zhang.
"Well then, please, Master Zhang, take a look at my bangle?" Qin Ruong quickly smiled, raising her hand again, hoping to buy as much ti as possible.
Master Zhang removed the sunglasses from his face and, with a face full of wrinkles, almost leaned on Qin Ruong's arm to examine it closely for seven or eight seconds, then put the sunglasses back on.
"Miss Qin, your bangle has excellent quality, a piece of naturally green jade, quite valuable."
With these words, Master Zhang smiled back at Elder Li and then said, "However, your bangle is a new item. Though it's very valuable, it doesn't qualify as an antique. From my perspective, this bangle couldn't have been carved more than three years ago, it's quite new."
Master Zhang hit the nail on the head. Qin Ruong was also impressed in her heart. The bangle she had was indeed made of new materials. Although the quality was unquestionably top-notch, it indeed couldn't be considered an antique, just a piece of jewelry.
Just as Master Zhang and Elder Li were about to step away, Qin Ruong quickly called out to them and asked, "Could you two seniors tell what this bangle is worth? I'm afraid of being swindled, thinking I'm ignorant of its worth."
Master Zhang stopped, looked at Qin Ruong with a smile, and said, "Six hundred thousand. If the price is higher than that, you'd be overpaying."
Spot on.
Master Zhang's estimate was perfectly accurate; Qin Ruong had indeed purchased the bangle for that amount, not a penny more or less.
It seems these masters in the antique world truly have real skills; to be called a master, it is absolutely well-deserved.
After giving his evaluation, Master Zhang turned back and was about to enter the Huang Family Antiques Departnt building, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Lao Zhang, what's wrong?" Elder Li asked curiously.
"Look at the jade ring on that young man's hand." Master Zhang took off his sunglasses, his eyes shining, unconsciously taking two or three steps forward.
By this ti, Ye Tianfan approached Qin Ruong with a smile and said, "Went to fetch sothing, arrived a bit late, but it seems I'm still on ti."
Upon Ye Tianfan's arrival, Qin Ruong finally breathed a sigh of relief. If he had been a minute later, the two elders would probably have gone inside.
"Young man, may I ask your na?" Master Zhang took steps back toward them again, his eyes never leaving the jade ring on Ye Tianfan's thumb.
"Oh, this is my husband, Ye Tianfan."
Qin Ruong introduced with a smile.
"What? Ruo ng, you got married? Why didn't you notify anyone?"
Elder Li sized Ye Tianfan up and down, seemingly wanting to offer so complint like they made a perfect couple, but in the end, he didn't voice it, his gaze landing directly on the jade ring on Ye Tianfan's thumb.
"This ring..."
Elder Li seed to have sothing to say but stopped, clearly his thoughts were occupied entirely by the jade ring, while Master Zhang beside him also couldn't tear his gaze away from the jade ring on Ye Tianfan's hand.
Ye Tianfan inwardly smiled; indeed, this ring had captured both of their full attention, apparently, they wanted to see the jade ring themselves.
"It's just a usual item from our ho; I found it amusing and wore it." Speaking, Ye Tianfan removed the jade ring from his thumb and smiled, "If you both like it, take it. I have more at ho."
Ye Tianfan's words were almost enough to drop the jaws of these two master scholars.
This ring is no ordinary piece; it's at least from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Though the jade isn't top notch, it was a rare treasure in that era. Moreover, the most remarkable thing is the pattern on the jade ring, the gluttonous pattern, a symbol of nobility, proving the jade ring is at least from a royal family.
Having a piece of such quality is already extraordinary. Ye Tianfan actually said it was just a common item at ho, and there were more at ho?
How is this possible?
In their astonishnt, seeing Ye Tianfan so nonchalantly offering the jade ring, the two master scholars were even more shocked.
Such a precious ancient item, yet Ye Tianfan handled it so casually.
Either Ye Tianfan didn't recognize its value, or his family indeed had many similar ancient items.
But under the circumstances, the two masters leaned towards the latter. After all, Ye Tianfan is Qin Ruong's husband, his status is evident; how could he not recognize the value?
Moreover, given Elder Qin's vision, if Ye Tianfan didn't have real talent, how could he allow his granddaughter to marry him?
Seeing Ye Tianfan casually handing over the jade ring, the two masters felt they'd learned sothing and quickly said, "We cannot take it for nothing. We just wish to appreciate such a rare ancient item, which we haven't encountered in ages."
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