Chapter 53: United in Hatred Against the Enemy

Yue Ming had already set his sights on three antiques, two porcelain pieces and one jade artifact. He placed them on the table for Master Qian to appraise. Both porcelain pieces dated from the Southern Song Dynasty, exquisite and delicate, their beauty compelling at first glance and tempting any onlooker to buy.

Even Zhang Wei, who understood nothing about antiques, was captivated by the refined charm of the two porcelains. He thought to himself that when he had money someday, he too would purchase a piece of Song porcelain to admire at home.

Master Qian took out his magnifying glass and examined the patterns on the porcelain with utmost care and attention, scrutinizing them for half an hour. After finishing, he stood up, sighed, and said, “I never expected to see such flawless porcelain in my lifetime, but it is still a pity.”

“Master Qian, are these two porcelain pieces genuine?” Yue Ming asked nervously, seeing the appraisal was done.

“Yes, Master Qian! You’ve been examining them for so long, so are they both authentic?”

“If both are genuine, Boss Yue has truly struck it rich this time!” Master Qian’s thorough and lengthy appraisal had set everyone’s curiosity ablaze; now they couldn’t help but speak up.

“The craftsmanship of these two porcelain pieces is at a masterful level, but they are newly produced in recent years. So, while their artistic value is high, their monetary worth is not.” Master Qian gestured for calm with both hands before speaking slowly.

“So, Master Qian, you mean these are imitations?” Yue Ming asked in astonishment.

As the old saying goes, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Yue Ming had coveted these two porcelains for a long time, studying them closely each time he visited Chenxiang Pavilion and never noticing any flaws. He had been convinced they were genuine, only to be met with this outcome.

“Master Qian, why not appraise this jade piece for Brother Yue as well?” someone suggested, seeing Yue Ming so dejected and unable to focus on anything else.

“Very well, I’ll take a look,” Master Qian replied calmly.

He had appraised countless antiques, and whenever he pronounced an item a replica, its owner was rarely willing to accept it, with some even questioning his expertise outright. He had long since grown indifferent to the emotional reactions that followed his evaluations.

“This jade piece is also recently unearthed, but the quality of the jade is quite good and still has some collectible value.” Not long after, Master Qian finished appraising the jade, finding it too to be an imitation, which made Yue Ming’s spirits sink even further.

“Hmph, I thought you were something special, but it turns out you’re no better—three antiques, all fakes,” Wu Qian sneered, feeling somewhat appeased to see Yue Ming had also ended up with nothing but forgeries.

Hearing Wu Qian’s words, Yue Ming’s face grew even darker, a nameless fury welling in his chest. In a low voice, he demanded, “Manager Wang, the three of us have bought twelve pieces between us, yet not a single one is genuine. Doesn’t that violate Chenxiang Pavilion’s rule of nine fakes to one genuine article?”

Ashamed and angry, Yue Ming dared not doubt Master Qian’s expertise, nor did he have the face to argue with Wu Qian, so he vented his frustration on Manager Wang instead.

“That’s right, Manager Wang! Isn’t your Chenxiang Pavilion famous for nine fakes and one genuine? All we’ve seen are fakes—where’s the real thing?”

“Manager Wang, business depends on credibility. If you keep selling nothing but fakes, no one will patronize you in the future.”

Hearing Yue Ming’s complaint, the surrounding customers chimed in. Most had bought collectibles from Chenxiang Pavilion, and most had ended up with fakes, so they all wore expressions of shared indignation.

“Gentlemen, please, don’t say that! Our Chenxiang Pavilion absolutely maintains the nine-to-one rule. I ask you all to believe me,” Manager Wang explained with a wry smile.

“Manager Wang, it’s easy to talk about authenticity—why not bring out a genuine piece to show us? Enough with empty promises!”

“That’s right! Words are wind; we trust only our own eyes.”

The antiques bought by Zhou Pangzi, Wu Qian, and Yue Ming just now totaled seven or eight million yuan. No wonder the crowd’s eyes were green with envy, and they all turned their fire on Manager Wang, hoping to force him to make amends.

Under the barrage of questions, Manager Wang began to falter. He stole a glance at Zhang Wei with his small eyes, then slapped his forehead and said to Zhang Wei with a smile, “Mr. Zhang, didn’t you buy a collectible as well? Since Master Qian is here, why not let him appraise it for you?”

With that, the crowd’s attention shifted to Zhang Wei, who gave a helpless smile. He hadn’t expected to be drawn into this affair, but having Master Qian appraise his piece would save him the trouble of seeking out an expert to authenticate his gold-inlaid jade Guanyin.

“It would be an honor to have Master Qian appraise my collection,” Zhang Wei replied with a smile.

“Manager Wang, don’t think you can distract us. If this young man’s antique turns out to be a fake too, that makes it the thirteenth fake of the day. You owe us an explanation,” Yue Ming said coldly.

“Since Mr. Zhang has agreed to have Master Qian authenticate his collection, why don’t we wait for the result before discussing further?” Manager Wang said, forcing a smile. At this moment, he was truly grateful that Zhang Wei had purchased a genuine item; otherwise, he’d have no way to salvage the situation today. If Chenxiang Pavilion’s reputation was ruined, his boss would surely have his hide.

“Well, Wang Pockface, you really treat this old man as one of your shop’s staff, don’t you? I’ve already appraised twelve antiques in a row, and now you’ve gone and volunteered me for another!” Master Qian’s face darkened, and he snorted.

Manager Wang had a few pockmarks on his face, so those who knew him called him Wang Pockface behind his back. He hated the nickname, and would flip out if he heard it, so few dared call him that to his face—except Master Qian, who didn’t care in the least.

“Master Qian, please, help me one more time! Otherwise, our Chenxiang Pavilion’s reputation will be ruined!” Manager Wang, far from being angry at the nickname, took it as a sign of Master Qian’s familiarity and pressed his advantage.

“Wang Pockface, this will be the last piece I appraise today. Whether it turns out real or fake, it’s none of my business after this,” Master Qian replied firmly.

“Rest assured, Master Qian, it will definitely be the last,” Manager Wang said, relieved, then shot a look at Zhang Wei. “Mr. Zhang, please bring out your collectible for Master Qian to examine.”

Manager Wang was now anxious beyond measure, counting on Zhang Wei’s gold-inlaid jade Guanyin to save face. If Zhang Wei refused to have it appraised, and he couldn’t prove that someone had bought a genuine article today, the riled customers would eat him alive.

“Judging by how eager Wang Pockface is, could it be that the young man really bought a genuine piece?”

“I remember the young man surnamed Zhang came in with Zhou Pangzi, but he didn’t give any special impression—certainly doesn’t look like an antiques expert.”

“Yue Ming has been in this business for years and couldn’t buy a genuine article. Will this young man succeed?”

The customers, seeing how desperate Manager Wang was to have Master Qian appraise Zhang Wei’s collection, guessed it might very well be genuine. However, Zhang Wei was young and unfamiliar, likely not an insider in the antiques trade, so they doubted the authenticity of his purchase.

When Liu Yurou heard Zhang Wei had also bought an antique, she rolled her eyes, walked over to him, tugged his arm, and said, “So you bought an antique too? Don’t tell me it’s another fake, just like Zhou Pangzi and Sister Wu’s.”