Ling Yue took Liu Yan around the antique street for a full two hours. Both of their hands were holding several small artifacts.
"Shall we head back?" Liu Yan looked at the blue and white porcelain bowl and thread-bound book in his hands, sighing helplessly in his heart.
"No rush, let's go to one more place first." Ling Yue smiled at Liu Yan and walked towards the antique shop where she had previously sold her black jade starry cup.
The same old man was still in the shop, currently wiping a blue and white porcelain vase. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Ling Yue, his eyes immediately lighting up, "Young lady is here again. What good stuff have you brought this time?" Last time, he had bought that black jade starry cup from Ling Yue and made a huge profit.
"I've brought several items for you to take a look at this time." Ling Yue walked to the counter and placed the few small artifacts she was holding onto it.
Seeing how familiar Ling Yue was with the antique shop owner, Liu Yan felt somewhat surprised.
"Alright, let me take a look." The old man carefully placed the blue and white porcelain vase he was wiping back into the cabinet behind him. He took out a magnifying glass from the side and started scrutinizing the items Ling Yue had brought.
After a long while, he shook his head. "These are all fakes, not worth much money." The young lady was probably just lucky last time. There were not that many treasures that could be picked up on this antique street.
Ling Yue was not in a hurry. She picked up one of the paintings and pointed to a spot at the bottom, "Take a closer look here."
The old man looked intently at where Ling Yue was pointing with the magnifying glass. After a long while, he shouted in disbelief, "A painting within a painting?" He had heard before of people hiding their treasured paintings within another painting to prevent damage, but he had never seen one himself.
Ling Yue raised her eyebrows, nodding approvingly.
"Then I'll get someone to lift the painting now." The old man was extremely excited. He really wanted to see the landscape masterpiece hidden inside as soon as possible.
"Go ahead." Ling Yue nodded.
The old man immediately went to make a phone call. "Old Xu, I have a painting within a painting in my shop. Bring your tools and get over here now. Good, I'll wait for you."
After hanging up, the old man hurried back to Ling Yue. He picked up the magnifying glass again. "Let me take another close look at these items." Since Ling Yue could identify something like a painting within a painting, perhaps these other things were real too.
"Feel free." Ling Yue turned to Liu Yan, "Let's go sit over there and wait." Although she did not know the history behind these items, she could discern from the spiritual energy they contained that they were from different eras. The less spiritual energy they had, the more recent they were.
"You didn't buy all these little things as antiques, did you?" Liu Yan asked softly.
A hint of an unfathomable smile appeared in Ling Yue's phoenix eyes. "You'll find out soon."
Liu Yan's gaze turned to the old man using the magnifying glass to examine the items. A glimmer of hope welled up in his heart. If these things were real, perhaps he really could make it through this crisis.
The old man inspected each item meticulously, his eyes shining brighter and brighter. If not for Ling Yue pointing out the painting earlier, he would not have noticed the details on these items either. After examining the details, he realized they were all genuine. It was just that their historical background was not prominent, making them easily overlooked.
"Young lady, I'm done looking. Apart from the painting, all these total up to 15 million yuan." The old man excitedly told Ling Yue. He could earn big again this time.
Liu Yan's eyes widened in shock. 15 million yuan!
Ling Yue lightly nodded her head. "Alright."
Seeing Ling Yue's composure, the old man admired and wondered about her even more. After all, this was 15 million yuan. Even the lesser families of Beijing might not stay this calm when hearing such an amount.
Just then, an old man in Tang costume rushed in anxiously. "Where's the painting? Let me see!" After receiving the call, he knew Old Zhang had a painting within a painting here. He had immediately rushed over with his tools, extremely eager to see the true face of that painting.
"Right here." Old Master Zhang smiled and took out the painting, unfolding it.
Old Master Xu quickly stepped forward to take the painting and examine it closely. "It really is a painting within a painting. Let's begin right away." He just couldn't wait any longer.
Old Master Zhang smiled and nodded, looking towards Ling Yue and Liu Yan. "Let's go to the backyard."
The few of them went to the backyard. Old Master Xu immediately took out his tools and started lifting the painting.
Time slowly passed. After a full two hours, the painting hidden inside was finally revealed in all its glory.
The scroll depicted majestic mountains and peaks, showcasing layers upon layers of undulating hillscapes. Winding pathways threaded through low trees and thickets. Further beyond floated ethereal clouds and mist, dotted with towering pavilions, courtyards, bridges, and boats. Graceful figures boated and strolled, enjoying the scenery. Blossoming peach trees and verdant grass met rippling waters, all bathed in the warmth of spring.
"It's the Touring Spring Painting!"
"I heard it was destroyed long ago. To think it was actually hidden inside another painting all this while. My horizons have truly expanded today!" Old Masters Xu and Zhang stared at the painting in front of them, faces filled with shock and disbelief.
After a long time, the two finally regained their senses.
Old Master Zhang looked towards Ling Yue. His voice shook slightly with agitation. "Young lady, let me check with my boss first about this painting. Don't worry, we will definitely give you a suitable price." He could make decisions regarding ordinary antiques, but this painting was too valuable. He did not know how much to offer Ling Yue.
"The price is fine, but there is no need to meet." Ling Yue gently rejected the idea of meeting the boss. She probably would not come to the antique street again in the future. Although antiques contained spiritual energy, there were barely any real ones here.
Old Master Zhang was somewhat embarrassed. "But my boss is already on his way here."
A flash of displeasure appeared in Ling Yue's eyes. Her brows furrowed slightly. "Your boss just wants to meet me?"
Old Master Zhang nodded. "My boss is very nice. He probably wants to invite you to our next month's auction when he meets you."
