"Yes, the poem is good, the calligraphy is also good, and the spirit is first-class, it's just a pity."

"What's a pity?" Chen Yuan asked, somewhat displeased.

Chu Xiao calmly stepped forward and pointed to the painting in his hand, "Unfortunately, this border battle map is fake."

"Fake?"

Not only Chen Yuan, but even Chen Jiu'er was stunned.

"Chu Xiao, don't talk nonsense. This is Grandpa's favorite painting."

Chen Yuan frowned, his disdain evident in his eyes.

"This painting has been hanging here since my father moved into Chenglong Pavilion, and Chenglong Pavilion has never produced counterfeit goods. How dare you say it's fake? Do you know that this is slander against Chenglong Pavilion!"

Just then, Huo Zishan helped Old Man Chen out of the inner room.

Upon hearing the conversation between the three, Old Master Chen burst into hearty laughter.

"Haha, Mr. Chu, you certainly have a discerning eye. This painting is indeed fake."

Everyone present was stunned by these words.

Chen Yuan, in particular, stared with eyes that were bigger than a cow's.

"Dad, I searched all over the country and finally found this painting. How could it be fake?"

Old Master Chen didn't look at him, but asked Chu Xiao instead, "Young Master Chu, no one who has come to my Chenglong Pavilion has been able to tell that it's fake. How did you figure it out?"

Chu Xiao said with a hint of smugness, "Because the real one is with me."

Chen Yuan was furious.

"Do you know that this painting was personally painted by Princess Qin Yue Zhao before the Great Gan Kingdom was destroyed? It's the only one of its kind in the world! You dare to say that mine is fake, and yours is the real one?"

Chu Xiao replied without hesitation, "It is indeed with me. Moreover, I have not only this painting, but also several similar ones. I think it should be a set. If you don't believe me, I will bring it next time."

As luck would have it, this painting was in the treasure chest that Qin Yue Zhao sent last time, but Chu Xiao thought it wasn't as valuable as gold and silver items, so he put it in a safe.

Chen Yuan took two steps back, his head buzzing.

Old Master Chen asked impatiently, "Mr. Chu, are you telling the truth?"

Chu Xiao nodded again.

Upon seeing this, Old Man Chen immediately berated Chen Yuan: "Chen Yuan, the reason I displayed this painting here was simply to serve as a warning to everyone who comes to Chenglong Pavilion. How did it become a treasure to guard the house? Who spread this word first?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan's expression changed.

As the second young master of the Chen family, he spent a lot of money to buy this painting and then gave it away as a gift at Old Master Chen's birthday banquet. Who would dare to question his taste?

Ultimately, the phrase "treasure to ward off evil spirits" was spread by those who wanted to curry favor with Chen Yuan.

Chu Xiao wanted to laugh when he saw him get the short end of the stick.

But he said, "Grandpa Chen, don't blame Mr. Chen Yuan for being blind. After all, calligraphy and paintings from Daqian are extremely rare. It's not surprising that he was fooled."

Grass!

"Chu Xiao, what do you mean by being blind? I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, how dare you say that to me..."

"Why does Mr. Chen eat so much salt? It's bad for his health."

"You, you good-for-nothing spoiled brat!"

"Shut up!" Old Master Chen immediately yelled at Chen Yuan, "Wrong is wrong. When others point out your mistakes, you not only don't correct them, but you also get angry and embarrassed. Is this how I've always taught you?"

Chen Yuan was startled and could only shut his mouth, looking aggrieved.

Old Master Chen couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose. His son had already shown prejudice against Chu Xiao at their first meeting.

He probably thought that Chu Xiao was interested in the Chen family's daughter and wanted to climb the social ladder, which is why he looked down on Chu Xiao.

But he never imagined that Chu Xiao possessed a priceless treasure that the Chen family could only dream of.