"Take this!" Gu Mingzhi proudly took out a scroll from his sleeve.
"What is this?" Niu San glanced at the scroll and didn't think that this thing could be worth much silver.
"This thing is amazing, it's Wu Daozi's 'The Heavenly King Delivering a Child'." Gu Mingzhi said proudly.
"Go away, go away. What's the use of this thing for me, a man who can't read or write?" Niu San waved his hand. He had no interest in this damn picture of the Heavenly King who Delivers Children.
"You don't understand this, right? This thing is not worth much money to you. Do you know how much money this flower and bird painting by Master Wu Daozi was sold for at Xuanbaozhai last year?" Gu Mingzhi waved proudly at Niu San and said.
"How much silver?" Niu San asked curiously.
"Ten thousand taels of gold, this is the Picture of Heavenly King Delivering a Child, which is more famous than the Picture of Flowers and Birds. It is the original work. How many people are flocking to it? I am just lucky to have got this painting." Gu Mingzhi said proudly.
The reason why he knew that this painting was worth ten thousand taels of gold was that he heard his eldest brother talking about this with his mother one time. His mother even specifically told his eldest brother to keep the painting well in case of emergency.
"Is it true?" Niu San crossed his arms over his chest, with one hand tapping his chin continuously, wondering in his heart whether what Gu Mingzhi said was true.
"Oh, can I still brag about this? You can just ask someone to go to Xuanbaozhai to ask around, and you'll know." Gu Mingzhi knew very well that this matter could not be false.
...
...
"Send someone down. If the painting is real, find a way to buy it." Wei Xiuran frowned and said to Mingli who was standing beside him.
If he remembered correctly, this painting should be in the hands of Shangshu Tai. Perhaps Shangshu Tai put this painting in his daughter's dowry. After all, the name of "Heavenly King Delivering a Child" has a good meaning.
If this is true, then this painting is most likely the one that Gu Mingzhi stole from Tai Jingwan's dowry.
Thinking of this, Wei Xiuran was a little annoyed with Tai Jingwan again. He seemed like a smart person in the past, but how come he failed like this at the critical moment?
Looking at Gu Mingzhi's fearless look, it was obvious that this was not the first time he had done such a thing.
"Master, are you interested in this painting?" Mingli scratched his head. He didn't know when his master, a rough man, actually liked this kind of calligraphy and painting?
"Go do something!" Wei Xiuran glared at Mingli, not understanding why this man was talking more and more?
"I'll go right away." Upon hearing this, Mingli quickly asked someone to find Gu Mingzhi.
After all, he must get what his master wants.
"Sir, I know a little about calligraphy and painting. May I borrow this painting so I can take a look at it?" An old man quickly stood up and asked with a smile.
"That won't work. What if you damage the painting? Who should I ask for it back?" Gu Mingzhi shook his head and said unhappily.
After all, this painting is very important to their Xuanping Marquis Mansion.
"Don't worry, sir. I will never damage your painting." Cui Jiu was not angry after hearing what Gu Mingzhi said.
After all, he also wanted to find out the truth about this picture of the King of Heaven delivering a child.
Besides, this is something the master wants, so he has to keep a close eye on it.
That’s right, Cui Jiu is the appraiser of Zhuangyuanfang. You know, Zhuangyuanfang is a casino, and many people bring their home treasures out to try their luck.
In Zhuangyuanfang, any rare treasure can be exchanged for silver.
"Hey, Master Jiu, you can't snatch it from me." When Niu San saw that even Cui Jiu came out, he thought to himself, could it be that this painting of Gu Mingzhi is real?
"I won't steal it. However, Mr. Gu, you are also a frequent visitor of our Zhuangyuanfang. If this painting is really an authentic work of Wu Daozi, we in Zhuangyuanfang are willing to pay ten thousand taels of gold to buy your painting. I wonder if you can let me take a look at this painting?" Cui Jiu said with a smile again.
"In that case, let me show you what the original is." Gu Mingzhi said proudly.
Cui Jiu took Gu Mingzhi's painting, opened it carefully, and then looked at it in a mirror.
"Hey, Master Jiu, do you understand? Is this painting real? Master Gu San, didn't we agree at the beginning that you would bet with me with this painting?" Niu San rolled his eyes and said impatiently.
"Oh, don't be anxious. This painting looks real to me, but I'm not too sure." Cui Jiu said with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Of course this painting of mine is authentic. You know, it was personally authenticated by my...eldest brother." Gu Mingzhi almost said that this was his eldest sister-in-law's dowry, but he suddenly realized it and quickly changed his words.
Cui Jiu made a gesture to Mingli who was standing beside him, and Mingli quickly realized that the painting was fake.
"Oh, no, this painting was agreed to be mine." When Niu San heard that the painting was indeed worth ten thousand taels of gold, he also wanted to take it.
"Mr. Gu San, don't you want to gamble with me a few more times? Give me your painting, and I will give you all the belongings I won today." Niu San said anxiously. You know, today, he won at least 50,000 taels of silver.
Sure enough, Gu Mingzhi was somewhat moved after hearing this, but he thought that he had just talked to his Uncle Jiu and he couldn't decide for the moment who to give the painting to.
"Buying and selling are free. If Mr. Gu is willing to sell the painting to our Zhuangyuanfang, we will naturally welcome it. If Mr. Gu wants to use the painting to continue to be with this young man, then it is your freedom." Cui Jiu said quickly with a smile.
"Mr. Gu San, come on, let's continue." Niu San quickly pulled Gu Mingzhi back to the gambling table.
For this purpose, Mr. Gu San also made a special agreement with Gu Mingzhi that Gu Mingzhi could place three bets on the painting.
Gu Mingzhi thought that this was exactly what he wanted. Anyway, Uncle Jiu didn't say that he had to sell it to Zhuangyuanfang. He might as well make three bets with Niu San. Maybe he could win back what he had lost these days.
"Let's bet, Niu San. Don't cry if you lose." Gu Mingzhi felt that he was ready again, so he spoke to Niu San.
"Master, Cui Jiu has seen the painting and it's fake." Mingli quickly said to Wei Xiuyuan.
"Well, let's just watch the show." Wei Xiu Ran thought, since it is fake, it should not be the one belonging to the Tai family.
After all, Minister Tai was too disdainful to collect a fake painting to fool people.
"Master, do you think Miss Tai deliberately replaced the painting with a fake one?" Mingli asked carefully.
However, Mingli was just guessing in his mind and never thought that the truth of the matter was just as he thought.
"Niu San, you lose!"
Gu Mingzhi's triumphant voice came from downstairs.
"Master, this kid has lost a lot of money with us recently. Do you think he will really win today?" Mingli said curiously, looking at the proud Gu Mingzhi downstairs.
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