As they spoke, the two hurriedly put on their white gloves and carefully took the jade ring from Ye Tianfan's hand to admire it closely.
"Hmm, not bad. Elder Li, take a look, these patterns, this quality, judging by the age, this should be an artifact from the Warring States period, there's no mistake,"
Master Zhang examined the jade ring in his hand carefully, his voice full of admiration.
The wrinkles on Elder Li's face twitched incessantly as well. It was already rare for artifacts from the Warring States to have survived, and a jade ring preserved so well was even more extraordinary. Having appraised countless treasures in his life, Elder Li had seldom seen such high-grade artifacts.
"Ruo ng, what is your husband's na again?" Elder Li lifted his head to look at Ye Tianfan, having been too focused on the ring in his hand to rember his na, now asking sowhat apologetically.
"Respected elder, I am Ye Tianfan."
"Oh, Ye Tianfan, yes, a good na, an extraordinary destiny indeed, truly a talented person, it seems that old Qin Wujue has landed himself a fine son-in-law."
Unable to resist, Elder Li sized up the jade ring again and smacked his lips: "Rare, truly rare."
Qin Ruong suddenly burst into laughter, her eyes arched like crescent moons, she looked at Elder Li and said: "Grandpa Li, are you saying Ye Tianfan is rare, or the jade ring is rare?"
"Both are rare, both are rare,"
Feeling a bit awkward, Elder Li chuckled and bantered, then returned the jade ring to Ye Tianfan, saying: "This ring, in ancient tis, was actually an archery tool, worn on the thumb."
As Elder Li spoke, he raised his hand and pointed at the jade ring: "See, there's a groove at the lower part of the jade ring to hold the bowstring for drawing the arrow, ant to prevent hand injury by the rapidly retracting bowstring when releasing the arrow. In ancient tis, the ring was regarded as a military item, but with the passing of eras, when cold weapons beca obsolete, it transitioned to a plaything for scholars and literati in the Qing dynasty."
As Elder Li's words fell, Master Zhang spoke: "Indeed, the age of these jade rings varies greatly, with those before the Han dynasty being the most precious. By the Qing dynasty, both n and won from the Banner people liked to wear them, and the jade rings had beco more decorative than functional, although the craftsmanship improved significantly and materials were varied, their practical significance was lost."
Seeing how these two antique experts praised the jade ring so highly, Ye Tianfan raised his hand and offered it back to Elder Li, smiling: "Since both esteed elders like it, then I shall gift it to you."
Elder Li and Master Zhang exchanged a hearty laugh, looking at Ye Tianfan and said: "You young lad, gifting us a jade ring, aren't you just making us two old fellows argue?"
"Elder Li, you jest," Ye Tianfan quickly waved his hand.
Elder Li stepped forward, patted Ye Tianfan on the shoulder and said: "Alright, it was Master Zhang playing a joke with you, we can't accept this. We rely wished to admire this rare gem, now that we've had our fill, you two should head back, the Antique Departnt's tenth anniversary celebration is about to begin, and we should go in."
Elder Li turned with a smile,
Deserving the title of an antique pioneer.
Ye Tianfan, willingly parting with such a rare antique treasure, yet the two didn't waver at all, even laughing and chatting casually, such refined composure, how many can boast such?
Gazing at Elder Li's retreating figure, Ye Tianfan couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Before arriving, Ye Tianfan thought these antique experts were rely ones seeking fa, if not lovers of money, certainly lovers of antiques, presenting a couple of rare collectibles, earning a favor, surely there'd be so courtesy.
But now Ye Tianfan's perspective had entirely changed.
These two indeed lived up to the title of 'old masters.'
Such composure and elegance were beyond reach.
"Honored elders, please wait a mont,"
Ye Tianfan quickly waved his hand to stop them.
Elder Li and Master Zhang glanced at each other, turned to look at Ye Tianfan and asked: "Is there anything else?"
Ye Tianfan respectfully stood upright, bowed and cupped his hands towards the elders, saying: "Not to conceal from you, respected elders, I have co here with sothing very important that needs appraisal." As he spoke, Ye Tianfan revealed the Yosoul Sword.
"This... this is..." The two elders' eyes imdiately lit up; if the jade ring shocked them, the Yosoul Sword truly astounded them.
"Could this be the Yosoul Sword unearthed in 1968 by archaeologists from the tomb of Liu Sheng of Zhongshan?" Elder Li, well-inford, rely glimpsed it and was already filled with astonishnt.
"I heard after the sword was unearthed, it was robbed en route to the museum under military escort, and its whereabouts remained unknown for decades. How is it in your possession?"
Master Zhang was equally shocked, looking at the sword in Ye Tianfan's hands, even his goatee began to tremble slightly.
"I acquired it at a charity gala auction," Ye Tianfan said with a smile: "I find it hard to distinguish its authenticity, but coinciding with the Huang Group's Antique Departnt's tenth anniversary celebration, with antique experts here gathered, it's a rare chance, I'd like to request the esteed elders to have a look."
Elder Li and Master Zhang hurriedly stepped forward, examining for over ten minutes, their expressions grew solemn.
Elder Li slowly exhaled, saying: "Mr. Ye, the antique appraisal profession is classified into types. Master Zhang specializes in ceramics and jade artifacts, I in calligraphy and paintings, but this sword belongs to bronze artifacts, and I'm not completely confident to say it definitively is the Yosoul Sword."
At this mont Master Zhang couldn't hold himself, said: "Ah, Lao Li, just take them in. Identifying bronze artifacts is Old Yang's specialty, he's right inside the Antique Departnt right now, let him take a look and find out."
Elder Li looked a bit troubled: "But... the host's invitation..."
Master Zhang's complexion changed, saying: "I'll talk to Huang Shengtian! It's just a few people going in, what's the big deal, unless all the stuff in Huang Family's Antique Departnt cannot see the light of day? If that's the case, I see no need to attend the Huang Family Antique Departnt's tenth anniversary celebration!"
Huang Family Antique Departnt has operated in Jiangzhou City for decades, naturally, its antiques aren't shady goods. But indeed, this ti Huang Shengtian's actions seed suspicious, being a tenth anniversary celebration, naturally, it should open its doors wide and make nurous acquaintances.
Yet Huang Shengtian invited not a single figure from Jiangzhou's business world, it was indeed questionable.
Finally, Elder Li sighed, looked at Ye Tianfan and Qin Ruong, saying: "You two wait here, I'll talk to the host and see if we can let you in."
"I'll go with you!" Master Zhang chid in.
But before Master Zhang could turn and take a step, a hearty voice sounded: "It was my oversight, causing the esteed masters difficulty. Since it's a celebration, all who co are guests, let them in."
Ye Tianfan suddenly raised his head, eyes gleaming, it was Huang Shengtian!
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