Chapter 194: [194] So you’re saying, you give up?_1
 

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As the blue and white porcelain vase hit the ground, everyone present changed color.

Some felt a tingling scalp, others stood up directly.

Although their mental states varied, each and every one expressed their astonishment.

This was, after all, a piece that Xue Yingjie had spent 800,000 to acquire.

Moreover, if it really was a Ming Qinghua, its value could increase by dozens of times, potentially reaching tens of millions.

Tang Feng actually had the audacity to smash it on the spot?

If his judgment was mistaken, he might well face financial ruin.

“Mad, truly mad!”

“Why did he smash it? If he’s wrong, not even selling him off would cover the loss.”

“If that blue and white porcelain vase is real, I estimate it to be worth at least 20 million.”

“20 million might not even be a barrier, I think it could be even higher…”

People trembled as they spoke, clearly frightened.

Even Zhang Jicheng’s face turned ashen, inwardly blaming his disciple for being too impetuous.

But with things as they were, he could only hope that his judgment was correct.

In case of a misjudgment, they would face a huge compensation.

This was a problem out of nowhere, wasn’t it?

Ya Garden’s staff were all terrified, as still as cicadas in winter, daring not even breathe too loudly.

Xue Yingjie glared at Tang Feng with a gloomy expression, “Do you understand the consequences of what you’ve done?”

Tang Feng nodded, “Of course, if that porcelain vase of yours is real, I might well face financial ruin.”

“Knowing this, you still dared to smash it?” Xue Yingjie gritted his teeth, looking as if he might rush over and fight at any moment.

But Tang Feng remained unaffected, still seated calmly on the Taishi Chair, “If I dared to smash it, it’s because I’m certain; your blue and white porcelain vase is fake.”

“Evidence?” Xue Yingjie’s gaze was piercing, fixed on him.

Tang Feng pointed at the pile of shards, “Everyone can come over and have a look. This vase, the body and mouth are genuine, but the foot was added later. The body material has an obvious difference.”

Upon hearing his explanation, everyone hurried over to pick up the shards and examined them closely.

“It seems… the body material really does have a subtle difference.”

“Right, old porcelain has both a powdery quality and fine granules, whereas new porcelain does not.”

“This forgery is remarkably skillful; there is nearly no flaw to detect.”

“Indeed, without breaking the vase, it’s impossible to tell the two apart.”

“But how did Tang Feng know? Could he really make a judgment just by tapping it?”

“This… is a bit unbelievable, isn’t it?”

Everyone was a shop owner or chief appraiser from major antique stores, and they all had the eye for detail.

They immediately noticed the difference between the body and the foot, a clear indication that this piece was a counterfeit.

But this was what truly astounded them.

Because such forgery could not be recognized by the naked eye alone, unless with the help of special equipment.

Yet Tang Feng had made an accurate judgment just by tapping it once, daring to smash it publicly.

Clearly, he was absolutely sure.

Where did he get such confidence from?

Everyone was bewildered at heart.

Especially Xue Yingjie, whose heart was already in a state of turmoil.

When he acquired the blue and white porcelain vase, he truly thought he had stumbled upon a great deal.

But after more than a year of continuous research, he finally noticed a hint of anomaly and confirmed it to be a fake.

Only then did he realize his mistake.

Yet Tang Feng had made the correct judgment with just a slight tap.

Wasn’t this disparity too vast?

“Did you… really judge that the vase was fake by tapping it?”

“What else?”

Tang Feng immediately retorted.

Xue Yingjie also felt he had asked a rather foolish question.

Tang Feng did indeed perform only a tapping action under everyone’s gaze.

Nothing more.

As unbelievable as it might be, he had no choice but to believe it.

“Your appraisal capabilities have indeed surpassed mine; I am truly inferior.”

In that moment, all of Xue Yingjie’s arrogance was crushed by Tang Feng’s action.

He had previously thought of himself as a rare genius among his peers.

It was only now that he realized how ludicrous his conceit had been.

“So you’re admitting defeat?” Tang Feng stood up and stretched, preparing to end the competition.

“Wait a second.”

Xue Yingjie suddenly raised a hand to stop him, “As per the agreement, if you pass the first two challenges, you win.”

“But I have prepared a third challenge. Are you interested in trying? Of course, even if you get the third question wrong, it won’t affect the outcome.”

Everyone looked curiously at Tang Feng.

His performance today had been too outstanding; they hadn’t had enough.

Tang Feng frowned slightly, “Since the outcome has already been decided, is it necessary?”

“I’ve already said, the third problem won’t affect the outcome. Of course, if you refuse, I have nothing more to say,” Xue Yingjie replied, no longer showing any pride, but rather a request for guidance.

Tang Feng pondered with a frown for a moment, then finally nodded, “Alright, what’s the topic of the third challenge?”

Xue Yingjie and the crowd were delighted.

Watching Tang Feng appraise was a pleasure for them, always offering some enlightenment.

Seeing another appraisal was a gain for them.

Without any hesitation, Xue Yingjie quickly pulled out a scroll from his bag.

He untied the strap, unfolding it bit by bit.

It was a Lady Picture. In the painting, a lady held a fan in her right hand and a branch of peony in her left, her posture graceful and charming, full of allure.

In the upper-right corner were lines of poetry: “In the peony courtyard spring deepens again, an inch of time is worth a thousand tales of gold. Rising at dawn yet no one understands, for the reluctance to let go of the cherished peony lies within.”

Signed by Tang Yin.

Everyone present, being experts, didn’t need to be told who Tang Yin was.

Tang Yin, also known as Bohu, was a painter from the Ming dynasty, who called himself the first unrivaled scholar of Jiangnan.

His various anecdotes and romantic exploits are known to almost everyone in Dragon Country.

And his works are highly sought after in the antique market.

If this work were genuine, it would be priceless.

Eagerly, the crowd gathered around, examining carefully, not overlooking any detail.