Chapter 662 Clues about the Hairpin
Inside the room, Kong Wange and Murong Ting were unaware of the commotion outside.
After listening to his question, she pondered for a moment and said, "I can actually think of someone who knows a lot about jewelry."
"Oh? Who is it?"
"Far away, yet right before my eyes."
"Xu Ruoyun?" Murong Ting understood her thoughts.
“That’s right. Didn’t I tell you? Ruoyun is very knowledgeable about jewelry. We went to a jewelry store together a few days ago, and she knew the quality and origin of some of the jewelry like the back of her hand. In addition, the Tang family is in the jade business. She has been by Tang Zhi’s side for so many years, and she must know more about these things than the average person.”
Kong Wange tentatively asked, "I think we should ask her?"
“Well, in that case, it wouldn’t hurt to ask, but we should be careful with our words. The fewer people who know about our affairs, the better,” Murong Ting replied after a moment’s thought.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
When Kong Wange came out of the backyard reception room and entered the lobby, Wen Luoyun had just hung up her phone.
Seeing this, she went over and asked, "Are you busy with something?"
"No," Wen Luoyun smiled and said, "It was the Tang family's butler who called to ask where Mr. Tang usually keeps his tea. Wan Ge, have you finished talking with Young Master Ting?"
"Not yet, Ruoyun, I have something I'd like to ask you," Kong Wange said.
"Oh? Why are you being so polite with me? If there's anything you need my help with, just say so." Wen Luoyun put away her phone, looking like she was duty-bound to help.
Kong Wange smiled and said, "It's nothing serious. I just thought you usually know a lot about jewelry, so I wanted you to help me look at a hairpin. Have you ever seen one before?"
"hairpin?"
“Yes.” Kong Wange opened her phone and showed her the photo.
When Wen Luoyun saw the hairpin in the picture, her pupils contracted slightly—this hairpin was the very one she had sent to Anya.
It seems her phone call wasn't in vain.
The arrangements were made one second ago, and the other party delivered this thing to me the next.
She took the phone, examining it closely, and after a while said, "Such ancient craftsmanship. In my opinion, this hairpin should be a pair, not just one, right?"
Kong Wange had only asked tentatively, never expecting to actually find something. She immediately said, "This is indeed a pair of hairpins. Have you seen them before?"
Wen Luoyun looked up and smiled: "Judging from the craftsmanship and style of this hairpin, it's quite old. I've only seen it in some old books. What, have you been collecting old jewelry lately?"
"It wasn't me. This was meant to be a gift. You've probably heard the rumors, right? I had a little misunderstanding when I went to the An family last time. Well, I heard that A-Ting's aunt likes antique jade, so I spent a lot of money to buy one. I'm going to apologize to her, since I'm the younger generation."
“But when I got it back, I found out that there were words engraved on the hairpin. How can I give something like this as a gift? You know a lot about jewelry, so I was thinking of seeing if you know any skilled craftsmen who could help me change the engraving to the character ‘雅’ (elegant).
After saying that, Kong Wange pretended to be helpless and said, "Sigh, I've been to so many shops, and they all said there's nothing I can do. If you don't know either, I really don't know who to turn to."
Look at how vividly he's describing it, it sounds so real!
No wonder he's a liar.
Wen Luoyun inwardly scoffed, but outwardly said kindly, "Wange, why didn't you say so sooner? You've come to the right person. The end of this hairpin is made of soft gold, which is very difficult to carve. If you're not careful, you might ruin the hairpin. Of course, ordinary jewelry store craftsmen don't have this skill. But I actually know a few retired master craftsmen. If you need, I can introduce you to them."
Kong Wange was overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief, saying with a smile, "That's wonderful."
Wen Luoyun smiled and said, "It's nothing, you're too kind. You've helped me so much, it's only right that I help you with this little thing. However, these masters are all quite old and don't see outsiders much anymore. I only got to know them because I was helping Master Tang with some things outside. If you go there on your own, you might be turned away. It would be better if I took you there directly, it would be more convenient."
Kong Wange was slightly taken aback, and asked with some hesitation, "Is that so?"
Wen Luoyun's smile remained unchanged: "Don't worry, I'm only responsible for taking you to the place and introducing you to each other. As for whether your master will take your order or the details of the carving, you can discuss it yourselves. I won't interfere, lest you blame me if something goes wrong." She joked.
Wen Luoyun's words touched Kong Wange's heart. She could naturally sense the other person's thoughtfulness, and she said sincerely, "Ruoyun, thank you."
"Alright, sisters, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you and Young Master Ting have time today? There's no time like the present, why don't I take you there this afternoon?"
Kong Wange replied, "Okay, let me settle things at the clinic first, then we'll set off."
Seeing Kong Wange leave with her phone in her pocket, Wen Luoyun's eyes darkened slightly, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
Rather than waiting for them to investigate and potentially uncover something uncontrollable, she decided to personally deliver this generous gift to them.
In this way, she loses nothing and gains more trust from them, so why not?
However, it seems that trying to sow discord between the two is a poor strategy.
She shouldn't be soft-hearted; in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken.
...
That afternoon, Kong Wange and Murong Ting, along with Wen Luoyun, visited several master craftsmen, but all of them said they had never seen the hairpin before. They also said the inscription on the hairpin wasn't carved by them.
After several attempts, Kong Wange became somewhat discouraged.
Wen Luoyun, who led the way for the two, remained silent throughout.
Kong Wange felt a little guilty and stepped forward to take her hand, saying, "Ruoyun, I'm sorry. This hairpin is very important to me. I was thinking of comparing several different craftsmen before deciding which one to have carve it."
Wen Luoyun said considerately, "Wange, don't be shy. Jade carving is something that can't be rushed. You have to compare prices from different vendors. When I was reworking a pair of my earrings, I met with far more people than you. I compared six or seven craftsmen before finally deciding on this one."
"Next, I'll take you to Tantai Road. There's a used jewelry recycling shop there. It doesn't have a storefront, but the craftsman there is very experienced. You might like it."
Kong Wange regained some of her spirits: "Thank you, Ruoyun."
A group of people drove, and an hour later, three of them arrived at an inconspicuous shop on Tantai Road.
If Wen Luoyun hadn't led the two of them here, no one would have guessed that this dilapidated little shop was actually a jewelry store.
Standing at the shop entrance, Wen Luoyun said, "This shop only has one master carver and his apprentice. The master carver is old and doesn't come out often, while the apprentice is in the shop more often."
Kong Wange nodded to indicate that she understood.
The three of them then went into the shop together.
The interior and exterior of the shop are almost identical, with simple decor and all-wood construction. The two display cases in front show various jewelry items, including rings, bracelets, bangles, pendants, and hairpins.
None of them are new, but they are stylish and well-made, and do not feel cheap.
Behind the display case, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties was sitting on the floor, intently working on something, and didn't even look up when someone came in.
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