No one knows for whom the boy smiled slightly in the crowd.
Perhaps many people will never even catch a glimpse of the subtle elegance revealed in that smile.
Because more people are focused on the "Pine and Crane Longevity Painting" sent by the Huo family of Beicheng.
Although it was a gift sent by the head of the Huo family, questioning its authenticity seemed somewhat impolite. However, given that Jiang Xibai had previously spent 30 million to buy a fake painting as a congratulatory gift for Old Madam Jiang, everyone naturally couldn't help but doubt the authenticity of the painting that the Huo family was sending now.
After all, Jiang Xibai and the Huo family head even gave each other the same painting!
As for paintings, it's not that if two identical paintings are placed in front of you, one must be real and the other fake.
There is never just one fake; if the forger can make a copy of one, he can naturally make a second one.
"Could this 'Pine and Crane Longevity' painting also be a fake?"
"That shouldn't be possible... It's impossible. That was a congratulatory gift from the Huo family of Beicheng. Why would they send a fake?"
"Tsk, that old lady Jiang is Jiang Xibai's grandmother, yet she still gave him a fake 'Pine and Crane Longevity Painting'?"
"To be fair, I'm not speaking up for the fake young master, but I don't have a good impression of Jiang Xibai. However, the fact that he bought a fake is only Jiang Xibai's fault for not being skilled enough. He's a painter himself and couldn't tell the difference between a real and a fake painting. But to say that he deliberately spent 30 million to buy a fake painting to give to Old Madam Jiang is unlikely. He's not stupid."
"So, our suspicion isn't that Patriarch Huo deliberately sent a fake painting to humiliate the Jiang family, but rather... that Patriarch Huo might have also accidentally bought a counterfeit?"
"Oh, now that you mention it, it's not impossible!"
…
Hearing the hushed discussions among the surrounding guests, Old Madam Jiang's expression hardened slightly.
The Huo family in the north and the Lu family in the south are both top-tier wealthy families in the capital, with far deeper foundations than rising stars like the Jiang family. The Huo family sending a congratulatory gift today should have been a source of pride for them.
However, if word gets out at today's birthday banquet that the Huo family head gave her a fake painting, what should have been a good occasion might turn into enmity.
Since the entire Jiang family is at stake, Old Madam Jiang is currently unsure whether or not to ask Qu Songbai for help in determining the authenticity of the "Pine and Crane Longevity Painting" sent by the Huo family.
If it's true, everyone will be happy, and it will also stop the rumors.
If it's fake, the relationship between the Huo family and the Jiang family will probably reach a stalemate.
At this moment, Qin Ge nodded to Old Madam Jiang, signaling her to let Qu Songbai examine the painting.
Although the other party was only an eighteen-year-old boy, young and inexperienced, for some reason, at this moment, Old Madam Jiang inexplicably trusted Qin Ge.
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Jiang spoke in a clear, proud, and dignified voice: "Since everyone is curious about the origin of this 'Pine and Crane Longevity' painting, and since a descendant of Master Qu Henian happens to be here, I will shamelessly ask Master Qu to help appraise this painting and answer your questions. Is that alright?"
The banquet hall, which had been somewhat noisy, quickly quieted down when Madam Jiang uttered her first word.
Although Madam Jiang had the aloofness of an artist, she was, after all, the matriarch of a wealthy family. Her words were very well-spoken, and even Qin Ge found them impeccable, without any suspicion of offending the Huo family.
After saying that, Madam Jiang looked at Qu Songbai and said in a gentle tone, "Brother Qu, then I'll have to trouble you."
Hearing that the Huo family had also sent a painting titled "Pine and Crane Longevity," Qu Songbai was no longer as excited as when Jiang Xibai presented the painting. After all, he had experienced a fake painting incident, and the initial enthusiasm had been extinguished. This time, he calmly sat in his original spot.
After Madam Jiang spoke, Qu Songbai cupped his hands and said, "Madam, you are too kind. Since that's the case, I will do my best to help."
Qu Songbai quickly concluded, "This painting is genuine; it was indeed created by our ancestor. Please look here..."
Qu Songbai was a man of integrity and uprightness, and no one thought he would lie and say the painting was real out of fear of the Huo family's power or to save face for Old Madam Jiang.
He explained to everyone how to determine the authenticity of the "Pine and Crane Longevity" painting, and then introduced the habit of his Qu family ancestors that made their paintings impossible for others to copy.
Qu Songbai's excitement was unmistakable, so no one doubted that the painting was fake.
"I knew it! With Patriarch Huo involved, how could it be a fake? Isn't this questioning his wealth and vision? Do they think everyone is Jiang Xibai?"
If both "Pine and Crane Longevity" paintings are fake, Jiang Xibai would at least find some consolation. Didn't he see that the Huo family also sent a counterfeit?
In that case, not only did he become the sucker, but the head of the Huo family also fell. He is young, so it can be forgiven, right?
At that time, all the voices that mocked him tonight will fall silent, and even the fact that Jiang Xi spent 30 million to buy a fake painting will not be widely spread.
Because mocking him is also mocking the Huo family.
Few people would be willing to offend a top-tier wealthy family like the Huo family of Beicheng over such a trivial matter.
As a result, Jiang Xibai was extremely disappointed!
The great hope that had risen in my heart was shattered in the blink of an eye!
Jiang Xibai swayed.
It's over.
Now everyone will say that Jiang Xibai is blind...
He was once cherished and pampered by the entire Jiang family, but now he has been thrown into the mud and trampled to pieces!
Jiang Xibai felt a dull ache in his chest, and almost vomited blood.
But he couldn't.
In this situation, Jiang Xibai forced himself to swallow the metallic taste in his throat, though his face looked much more pale and listless.
Fortunately, after the gift-giving ceremony, it was time for guests to chat freely and laugh. Many business deals and collaborations that influence the landscape of the business world are often reached at this type of banquet, so no one pays too much attention to the younger generation.
Jiang Feng found an excuse to leave his father's sight. He cornered Jiang Xibai and saw that the other's face was slightly pale. The playboy frowned and asked with concern, "Xixi, you don't look well. Are you alright?"
Jiang Xibai knew that this Jiang Feng... had a bit of a thing for him.
With an excellent fiancé like Lu Sinian, he naturally looked down on Jiang Feng. However, Jiang Feng caused trouble for Qin Ge several times because of him.
There are some things that Jiang Xibai might do himself, which could easily get his hands dirty and draw criticism. It would be much better if Jiang Feng did it instead.
Jiang Feng finds this knife quite handy and it's not time for him to throw it away yet.
So, Jiang Xibai suppressed his annoyance and tried to force a smile, but the curve of his lips failed him. Finally, he lowered his eyelashes and said in a bitter voice, "I..."
“Young Master Jiang, you must have seen it at the birthday banquet tonight. I spent all my savings to buy Mr. Qu Henian's painting to please Grandma, but who knew I would buy a fake. I am not a true son of the Jiang family, I don't have the blood of the Jiang family flowing in my veins. Life in the Jiang family is already difficult enough, and now I have made such a big mistake, I'm afraid…”
As he spoke, Jiang Xibai looked up at Jiang Feng, his eyes seemingly brimming with tears, "I am very happy that Young Master Jiang still cares about me."
If Qin Ge is a prickly and cold rose, then Jiang Xibai is a fresh and gentle white lotus. Jiang Feng has been infatuated with Jiang Xibai for many years. If Jiang Xibai hadn't been engaged to Lu Sinian, and if the power of the Lu family in Nancheng were far greater than that of the Jiang family to which Jiang Feng belonged, Jiang Feng would have been willing to use any means, even coercion, bribery, or cunning, to get her.
Of course, there is also a saying that goes like this:
What you can't have is always the best.
After Jiang Xibai and Lu Sinian got engaged, Jiang Feng did not turn his love into hatred. On the contrary, he regarded Jiang Xibai as a sacred deity that he could never have in this life and could only look up to and pursue.
Jiang Feng couldn't stand Jiang Xibai's expression.
Although Qin Ge did indeed impress Jiang Feng today, igniting his excitement and passion, Jiang Xibai's deeply rooted position in his heart remained unshakable.
So, upon hearing Jiang Xibai's ambiguous sobbing, Jiang Feng quickly comforted him, "Xixi, you didn't do it on purpose. Don't blame yourself too much. In my heart, you will always be the kindest and most innocent boy. If the Jiang family treats you badly, it's because they are blind. Did that Qin Ge bully you again?"
"...After all, he is his parents' biological son and his grandmother's favored grandson." Jiang Xibai did not answer directly; it was as if he had said everything, yet it was also as if he had said nothing at all.
A sinister glint flashed in Jiang Feng's eyes as he said, "Xi Xi, I won't let anyone who bullies you get away with it!"
As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Xibai, "Xixi, could you please call Qin Ge to the guest room later?"
In case some guests cannot hold their liquor, or female guests need to touch up their makeup, or someone accidentally gets their clothes dirty and needs a change, several guest rooms are usually set up for guests to use.
Jiang Feng's sinister expression made it clear to anyone with eyes to what wicked scheme he was plotting.
Jiang Xibai, however, seemed oblivious to the question and asked, "Young Master Jiang, what do you want to do?"
He added, "Xiao Ge... he didn't do anything to me, Young Master Jiang, please don't bully him."
Jiang Feng thought to himself, "Xi Xi is really naive. Even at this point, she's still speaking up for Qin Ge. If I don't stand up for her, won't she be bullied to death?"
However, he couldn't let what he did offend Xixi's ears.
Therefore, Jiang Feng suppressed the ruthlessness in his tone and reverted to the tone of a playful young master, saying with a playful tone, "It's nothing, I just wanted to talk to him about his life ideals."
—If he sleeps with Qin Ge, films it to use as a blackmail, and then gets that kid addicted to the same thing, Qin Ge will be ruined, and he... will no longer be a threat to Xi Xi, right?
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