Blood coral?!
Fu Wan and Qin Fu exchanged a glance, and they both suddenly realized what was going on.
No wonder the auction was so lively today; it turns out there was blood coral from the South China Sea!
Qin Fu frowned slightly, then smiled and teased, "Blood coral is a valuable item. Second Uncle, do you want to buy it back and keep it as a treasure?"
"What are you talking about? Do you think your second uncle is that rich?"
Sun Fugui rolled his eyes at Qin Fu, "I'm just looking, I'm not buying."
After saying that, he said excitedly, "I heard that the blood coral from the South China Sea is half a person tall and of excellent quality. I wonder where this kid Wan Jinlai got his hands on it!"
"This blood coral is so big, I reckon it'll cost at least several hundred thousand at the start of the auction. I don't even have that much in my entire savings. If I buy this thing, I'll be starving!"
Fu Wan and Qin Fu couldn't help but laugh at the exaggerated tone. "Second Uncle is too modest. Putting everything else aside, your nephews can't possibly leave you starving!"
"That's true. My family has several brothers, Jin and Cai, who are quite good among the younger generation."
Sun Fugui was somewhat smug. His family had been wealthy for generations, but apart from those overseas, most of their assets had been reduced to almost nothing after the persecution and struggle sessions a few years ago.
Their generation is too old to work anymore, but fortunately the younger generation is ambitious. They didn't stay in the capital and live off their savings, but chose to go out and make a name for themselves.
Putting everything else aside, as long as they don't smoke opium or gamble, their descendants for three generations can live comfortably.
Before we knew it, the auction had already begun!
Although an item was added at the last minute, the order of the auction did not change much.
The first item up for auction was a gourd-shaped vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It must be said that Sun Fugui chose a very good spot with a wide view.
Fu Wan only needed to lower her head slightly to see the specific shape of the gourd-shaped bottle.
Upon seeing it clearly, Fu Wan couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful it was.
The Qing Dynasty emperors had pretty good taste, and the decorative items displayed during their reigns reflect the preferences of those ancestors.
Clearly, Emperor Qianlong preferred things that were magnificent and incorporated many elements.
To put it simply, it's flashy and overly ornate.
The gourd-shaped bottle in front of me is probably only about 20 centimeters tall. The bottle is decorated with a lifelike, languid Western woman, and the edge of the bottle has intricate yet elegant light pink patterns. It looks very exquisite.
A gourd-shaped vase from the Qianlong period (image from the internet, please contact us for removal if copyrighted).
"For the first item up for auction, we want to make it a great start."
The starting bid is 66,666, with a minimum increment of 1,000. Ladies and gentlemen, let's begin!
Wan Jinlai's clear voice resounded throughout the venue, and then people who liked this item began to raise their paddles and bid.
Fu Wan wasn't particularly interested in these antique vases. To her, they were just pretty to display, and she had to be careful with them at home, otherwise she would be heartbroken for days if they broke.
Everyone was quite fast; the auction process for the first item was completed in about five minutes.
Hearing the sound of the small wooden hammer falling, Fu Wan took a special look and saw that the person who patted the gourd-shaped bottle was a middle-aged man wearing a black hat, who looked to be Chinese.
Next up is the second item in the collection: a pair of porcelain cups from the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty.
Actually, auctions can be a bit boring if you don't participate in the bidding.
With nothing else to do, Fu Wan glanced around at her surroundings.
Just then, the curtain opposite was lifted, and Fu Wan inadvertently caught a glimpse of the person's appearance, causing her pupils to dilate in shock.
I almost dropped the teacup in my hand.
Feng Ji!
Perhaps because Fu Wan's gaze was too intense, Feng Ji noticed it and subconsciously looked over as well.
"What, Comrade Xiao Fu, you know Feng Yiyan too?"
Sun Fugui noticed Fu Wan's expression and couldn't help but ask.
Fu Wan was puzzled, but then realized that Feng Yiyan must be Feng Ji's nickname in the capital.
"You mean Uncle Feng? Yes, we met in Longhai City before."
"Longhai City, oh, that explains it."
Sun Fugui nodded thoughtfully. Fu Wan thought for a moment and stood up. "Second Uncle Sun, Brother Qin, I'll go say hello to Uncle Feng."
If she doesn't go over and say hello when she sees him, Feng Ji will probably give her a dirty look later.
Upon hearing this, Qin Fu also stood up. "I'll go with you. Uncle Feng and Third Master are old friends. He even came to visit Third Master at home a while ago."
It was supposed to be a visit, but it turned into two elderly people in their sixties and seventies verbally attacking each other.
Ning Sanye immediately started with sarcastic remarks, implying that Feng Ji hadn't actually died. He hadn't returned to the capital for so many years, and he thought he would have to send someone to Longhai City to deal with him.
Feng Ji was no pushover either, and bluntly said, "You blind man, all you do is burn ambergris all day long. Be careful, you might get suffocated by the incense one day."
Those who know them are friends, but those who don't might think they are long-lost enemies.
However, Qin Fu was already used to it. He would make tea and wash fruit while the two of them were arguing. When they got tired and thirsty, they could stop and drink some tea before continuing their argument.
Just as Fu Wan turned to leave, Feng Ji emerged from behind the screen with a sour face.
"Hmph, you little brat, you still recognize me? I thought you'd long forgotten who I was!"
Here it comes again, that familiar sarcastic tone!
Having dealt with Feng Ji so many times, how could Fu Wan not know that he wasn't really angry?
If he were really angry, he wouldn't have come all the way from across the street to here.
"How could I, Uncle Feng? I was just saying I was going to visit you. I could forget anyone but you! Come, please sit here."
Fu Wan hurriedly pulled out an empty chair next to her, and Feng Ji's sullen face eased slightly.
"When did you arrive in the capital?"
"I just arrived yesterday. I was planning to buy something here today and visit you tomorrow."
"Heh, so you want me to give you my opinion later, huh?"
Feng Ji nodded to Sun Fugui, but his words remained scathing.
Fu Wan chuckled, "It has to be you, you recognized it at a glance."
As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Wan suddenly realized that Sun Fugui called Feng Ji "Feng Yiyan" (冯一眼). Could this title simply mean the straightforward and crude meaning?
Could it be that he can recognize something good at a glance?
Feng Ji had no idea what Fu Wan was thinking. He glanced at Fu Wan and saw that she looked well, so he could guess that she had been doing well lately.
Tell me, what is it that you've got your eye on?
Feng Ji tapped the table lightly with his fingers. There was no one else around except Sun Fugui, so Fu Wan spoke directly.
"Nine Mysterious Golden Needles"
Feng Ji was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. "The item is good, but what do you need it for?"
Fu Wan blushed slightly and said shyly, "It's a gift."
The person who gave away the gold needles must have been a doctor.
Feng Ji didn't ask any more questions and turned to look at Qin Fu.
"You're here too, kid. Could it be that the guy who's obsessed with fragrances all the time is also interested in blood coral?"
Qin Fu shook his head in denial upon hearing this.
"My third uncle doesn't know about this yet. I brought Comrade Xiao Fu here today specifically."
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