"Because the original is with me."
A short sentence, spoken in a neither too loud nor too soft tone, was casually tossed out without warning, silencing a group of old men who wanted to question it. It felt like swallowing a pigeon egg whole.
It felt uncomfortable and stuck in my throat, but I had no choice but to swallow it.
Xun Yong asked in a trembling voice, "Really?"
"Of course." Duanmu Ci didn't quite understand why the old man was reacting so strongly. After all, this should be an uncertain matter for him, so why was he so excited?
Xun Yong seemed to notice Duanmu Ci's doubts, so he explained gently, "Actually, I also have some doubts about the authenticity of this calligraphy, after all, there are too many doubts! But I don't want to rashly overturn the appreciation of our predecessors, and I really have no confidence, so I invited many friends in the calligraphy world to verify it together. Otherwise, I would have made the news of the appearance of Xianzhi's calligraphy public long ago, instead of hiding it in Banbi Studio!"
"I've considered all of what you just said, even earlier and more than you did! But I've been hesitant because I lack more convincing evidence. Now that you say you have the real document, things are simple. Just compare them! Show everyone who has it, and they'll know for sure!"
It turns out that Xun Yong was not easily fooled; after all, the nickname "Xun the Half-Brush" wasn't given lightly! Duanmu Ci was able to come up with an excuse or a loophole in an instant. Didn't Xun Yong know that? His decades of connoisseurship hadn't been for nothing! Although this calligraphy had been verified by many ancient collectors, including an emperor, Xun Yong still keenly sensed something was amiss and remained skeptical of the piece.
So he suppressed the news of the "Shanyin Post" appearing in the world, and secretly invited several friends in the calligraphy world to examine it together, hoping to solve the mystery. However, he did not expect that before he could speak, Duanmu Ci would jump out and question him, which made him slightly startled. So he asked him calmly, and found that this kid was actually right about what he thought!
This is really strange!
At this point, he already had a slight idea of what was going on. After all, one person's suspicion might not prove anything, but what about two? Three? Or even more?
That's different.
However, he still cautiously denied Duanmu Ci's claim, stating that there was no concrete evidence.
However, at this moment a miracle or rather a surprise occurred, and this kid actually said that he wanted the original copy of Wang Xianzhi's "Shanyin Post"!
Holy crap!
Then why did you talk so much nonsense just now?
Why not just say this one sentence?!
Young people are just inefficient!
Xun Yong shook his graying head and sighed inwardly at the unreliability of today's "young people".
The elderly gentlemen on the side were also excited. They had come today specifically to see the "handwritten calligraphy" by Xianzhi! Some of them had even flown overnight from other provinces and cities, arriving without even catching their breath at the hotel, just to witness the style of the Jin people.
Before they could even appreciate it, they heard a long discourse on "forgery." After careful consideration, they realized something was amiss, because they found it quite reasonable. After all, they were also experts in this field; otherwise, Xun Yong wouldn't have invited them.
Just when they were filled with doubts, they unexpectedly heard such explosive news! It made them realize that their trip was definitely worthwhile!
Tang Rui looked shocked.
That's cheating!
Wei Yue quietly finished her tea, revealing a profound expression that said, "Just as I expected."
Xun Yong grabbed Duanmu Ci's hand and asked, "I wonder if this old man is lucky enough to have such a sight?"
"I think so?" Duanmu Ci hesitated.
"Does it exist or not?" Xun Yong was dissatisfied with his procrastination. If it exists, it exists; if it doesn't, it doesn't. How can a young person be so indecisive?
Duanmu Ci wasn't reluctant to part with it; she wasn't that stingy or petty. The main problem was that her family had more than just the "Shanyin Tie" deity!
The calligraphy works hanging on the wall as decoration, even the lowest grade ones, are from the hand of Huang Tingjian, one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Northern Song Dynasty. What would happen if these old men saw this? They would definitely tear it to shreds!
You've framed and hung this priceless calligraphy masterpiece on the wall!
What a waste of precious resources!
Duanmu Ci could even hear the old men's roars in his ears beforehand...
This is really troublesome...
Duanmu Ci really wanted to call his personal housekeeper and ask her to tidy up all the "decorations" scattered around the house, so that the elderly guests wouldn't find them and get upset...
It's a pity that Bu Tongxun is probably out running around taking care of his business at this time, and she probably won't be home to do housework for him. And he doesn't have any other servants, which is a real headache.
In general, Duanmu Ci doesn't need to tidy up his house so much for visiting guests, because those guests usually don't have the discerning eye to appreciate fine art. Even if they lean against the wall and see the magnificent names of ancient and modern times on those exquisitely framed paintings and calligraphy, they would only think that they are imitations and would never think that they are actually genuine.
But these people are different!
These elderly gentlemen, though appearing frail and no different from the old men sunbathing in the corner of the pavilion downstairs, actually hold a position in the Chinese calligraphy world comparable to that of the scientists who built the atomic bomb in the scientific community.
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