Chapter 306: Preface to Lanting
Lu Jingyao had never refused Xu Youyou's request, so he just nodded when he heard this: "I'll arrange it."
Xu Youyou was also very confident in handing things over to him.
The guests present had two hours to appreciate and identify these treasures. Many of them brought appraisers with them, and some also came to Xu Youyou.
"Miss Xu, I saw a butterfly bowl that is said to be from the Qianlong period. Can you help me take a look at it?"
The reason why the person who said this was so confident in asking Xu Youyou for help was because he was Xu Youyou's big customer. As an avid admirer of Emperor Qianlong, he spent a lot of money to buy several of Emperor Qianlong's products from Xu Youyou.
Xu Youyou listened to his words and couldn't help but sigh in her heart that this Mr. Wu still loved Emperor Qianlong so much.
Xu Youyou did not refuse and followed the other party to look at the noodle bowl and plate.
Her porcelain identification skills had already reached an advanced level. Although she could confirm at a glance that this was indeed imperial porcelain from the Qianlong period, in order to reassure the other party, Xu Youyou still walked around the exhibit several times before giving the other party a positive answer.
"Ninety-nine percent of it is authentic." Xu Youyou said.
She didn't say it for sure, but seeing that she was so sure, Mr. Wu immediately looked relieved.
Watching Xu Youyou helping him identify porcelain, a middle-aged man on the side said, "Miss Xu, let me test you too. Do you think this Ru kiln piece is authentic?"
Xu Youyou didn't like this man's fatherly attitude, and she didn't want to be taken advantage of by such a stranger, so she said casually: "If you think it's true, then it's true."
The middle-aged man didn't expect Xu Youyou to respond like this. His face suddenly darkened and he said, "People out there are bragging about how Miss Xu has a keen eye for talent, but now it seems that she doesn't live up to her reputation."
Xu Youyou still said: "If you think it is fake, then it is fake."
The middle-aged man just felt like he had punched cotton.
However, Gu Xueying had quietly approached them at some point. She only saw Xu Youyou talking to the man and did not hear clearly what they said.
After going to the next booth with Xu Youyou, Gu Xueying approached the middle-aged man and asked, "Does Xu Youyou like this Ru kiln piece?"
The middle-aged man was puzzled by what he said and said, "She can't even tell whether this porcelain is real or not, how could she like it?"
When Gu Xueying retreated to Gu Fengchuan's side, she immediately said, "Xu Youyou must have taken a fancy to that Ru kiln piece."
"Why do you say that? She looked more like she had an argument with that guy."
Gu Xueying said in a matter-of-fact tone: "Xu Youyou has always been cunning. She must know that we like to snatch things she likes, so she will do the opposite and pretend to have an argument with that person..."
Gu Xueying's words sounded outrageous at first, but upon closer thought, they seemed to make a lot of sense.
Gu Fengchuan looked at the middle-aged man from afar. He glanced at the Ru kiln porcelain in front of him, and then looked up towards Xu Youyou.
Coincidentally, he happened to see Xu Youyou's assistant Liu Xiangyi approach the middle-aged man and say something, which made him more certain that Xu Youyou and the middle-aged man had joined forces.
Liu Xiangyi casually strolled over to the middle-aged man, looked at the Ru kiln celadon washbasin, and said, "It's covered with cracks. Will anyone really spend a lot of money to buy it?"
The middle-aged man didn't know Liu Xiangyi. Hearing this, he felt the blood rushing to his head: "You are ignorant! This is called ice cracks! Even if you have a fortune, it is not as good as a piece of Ru kiln. Have you heard of this?"
Liu Xiangyi's eyes were filled with clear stupidity: "I haven't heard of it."
The middle-aged man was annoyed when he saw her: "Go away, little girl, stop making trouble here!"
Liu Xiangyi was not angry when he was scolded. Instead, he shook his head and muttered quietly: "I really don't understand you rich people. Is it really worth it to spend tens of millions or hundreds of millions on a piece of porcelain?"
It was only because the middle-aged man didn't hear what she said, otherwise he would be angry again.
Xu Youyou did not help her acquaintance to identify anymore, but continued to look at the exhibits as if she was visiting a museum. Because of this exchange meeting, she had a deeper understanding of the Gu family in Gangcheng.
Any piece of the collection here would cost at least tens of millions of yuan, and she saw at least five pieces of Qianlong porcelain, which were not very common.
Only Wang Xizhi's calligraphy can be called the highlight of this exchange meeting.
Xu Youyou and Lu Jingyao also saw this extremely precious collection. It was placed in the central area of the exchange meeting. Not only was it isolated with a bulletproof glass cabinet like other treasures, there were even four security personnel nearby.
"It's actually the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion!" Xu Youyou exclaimed.
Although Lu Jingyao was also very good at calligraphy, he could not tell whether the work in front of him was authentic or not. He only said, "Four major changes have resulted in none of Wang Xizhi's authentic works being passed down to the world. It is rumored that before his death, Emperor Taizong of Tang instructed that the Lanting Preface be buried with him in Zhaoling Mausoleum. However, Wen Tao robbed the tomb and claimed that he did not find the authentic Lanting Preface in Zhaoling Mausoleum. No one knows whether what he said is true or false."
The so-called four incidents, the first was Huan Xuan's suicide by jumping into the river. After he failed to usurp power, he threw a large number of calligraphy works of the Two Wangs into the river.
The second time was when Emperor Yuan of Liang burned a large number of Wang Xizhi's authentic works before surrendering.
The third time was when Emperor Taizong of Tang requested that a large number of Wang Xizhi's authentic works that he had collected be buried with him in Zhaoling Mausoleum.
The fourth time was the Jingkang Incident, when the Jin soldiers took away a large number of Wang Xizhi's authentic works from the Song Dynasty royal family.
After these four incidents, there are almost no authentic works of Wang Xizhi in the world.
Xu Youyou looked at it carefully for a long time and exclaimed: "It combines hardness and softness, and the harmony of yin and yang. He is worthy of being called the Saint of Calligraphy."
"Do you think this is true?" Lu Jingyao asked.
Xu Youyou shook her head: "Not sure, but even if it's not real, it will be a top-notch copy."
Lu Jingyao asked: "Do you like it?"
Of course Xu Youyou understood what he meant. If it were in the past, she would definitely shake her head.
Lu Jingyao added: "Follow your truest thoughts and follow your heart."
But now, they have met their parents and will most likely get married in the future. Even if he takes his treasure worth billions, what does it matter?
"I like it very much." Xu Youyou said.
Lu Jingyao couldn't help but laugh: "I know your strength, I hope you can give me a chance to show your courtesy."
Xu Youyou nodded modestly: "Yes."
After lunch, the auction officially started.
The working style of the Gu family in Gangcheng is truly unique. Xu Youyou only saw a middle-aged woman with elegant manners and beautiful appearance hosting the auction.
Her voice was extremely pleasant: "I am today's auctioneer Gu Jiuyan. I know that most of you are here for the Lanting Preface. Your time is precious, and I dare not delay you. Now, please welcome the first auction item today: the Lanting Preface."
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