Shen Chang's lips twitched slightly, and he forced a smile: "Son-in-law, are you joking with me?"
Chi Yan knew he wouldn't believe him, so he said earnestly, "Father-in-law, I never joke with my elders."
Shen Chang still didn't believe it, and even found it somewhat ridiculous. He said the same thing: he simply didn't believe that a playboy like Chi Yan could appreciate calligraphy and painting!
Although it is rumored that Chi Yan is fond of rare and exotic items and never hesitates to spend a fortune in this regard, everyone agrees that he is a sucker and is often cheated.
Shen Chang stroked his beard and shook his head, smiling meaningfully: "My dear son-in-law, being young means you lack experience. You should know that I also came this far step by step. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice."
Chi Yan looked up at him as if suddenly realizing something: "Father-in-law, you have rather unusual tastes!"
He said, "Why are you so picky? Turns out it's because it's salty!"
"..."
Stop arguing with him and decide to show him his true skills. He simply picks up a painting in front of him, a calligraphy work by a master.
Chi Yan examined the paper closely against the light. It was rather thick and appeared golden in the light: "There's nothing wrong with this paper."
Seeing his serious demeanor, Shen Chang chuckled inwardly. He thought he looked quite convincing, but he didn't believe he could actually see anything special.
"The ink stain is grayish-black, which shows that it was made with aged ink." Chi Yan said, while rubbing the ink with his fingertip, but no mark was left.
Then, pointing to the words above, he chuckled ambiguously, "But these words are rather poorly imitated."
Shen Chang remained calm, still watching with a spectator's mindset, wanting to see how he would perform: "How is it so bad?"
Chi Yan lowered his eyelids and glanced at the calligraphy and painting: "Every great calligrapher has his own unique skills and style, which are difficult for others to imitate. This Mr. Yan is known for his vigorous and powerful characters, with strong and powerful strokes."
Shen Chang paused slightly, listening to him continue, "And look at this character, it's similar in form but not in spirit. More importantly, this gentleman has a habit when writing, he often makes the downward stroke look like a 'silkworm head and swallow tail'. And look at this character, if I hadn't mentioned it, could you have noticed it?"
Shen Chang leaned closer and examined it several times, his expression growing somewhat grave. He forced himself to remain calm: "Even if this painting is fake, what about the others?"
Chi Yan pointed to one of the flower and bird paintings: "Why am I so sure this painting is fake? Because the original hangs in my study."
Shen Chang's face flushed red: "...Why are you so sure that your painting is real and mine is fake?"
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow: "May I ask how much silver my father-in-law spent to acquire this painting?"
Shen Chang looked slightly uncomfortable: "It was a gift from someone else, I don't know anything about it."
Chi Yan smiled knowingly and curved his lips into a smile: "I spent five thousand taels."
"..." Shen Chang took a deep breath, "What about this one?"
Chi Yan shrugged: "That makes it even simpler. I've heard that the original is in the hands of the Grand Secretary."
Shen Chang fell completely silent.
He couldn't very well bury his head in the sand and say that the painting in the Prime Minister's hand was fake.
His expression shifted rapidly, and he gritted his teeth inwardly.
No wonder that when he once invited some colleagues over to taste his work, their expressions showed a hint of wanting to say something but holding back!
He thought people were envious of him, but now he realizes they were probably laughing at him behind his back for not knowing the value of things and collecting a bunch of fakes!
Of course, some of these are genuine, but they may have flaws or have been repaired, and they're not worth much.
Chi Yan then asked, in a rather pointed way, "May I ask where you bought all these things, Father-in-law?"
Meeting Shen Chang's gaze, he smiled shyly, "I'll make sure I don't go to that shop again."
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