Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 442: Chapter 438: Bring Out the Evidence!

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone stopped and looked at Huo Sining in surprise.

Only Professor Ma Liwen, with a sneer at the corner of his mouth, clearly thought that Huo Sining was there to cause trouble and mock others.

”Little girl, don’t fool an old man like me. That seal is not stamped by Tang Yin, it’s clearly a forgery mimicking his handwriting. But they gave themselves away with the stamp.”

Elder Wu shook his head, his face etched with disappointment, clearly disbelieving.

Fearing that Elder Wu would try to take the painting, Huo Sining urgently said:

”Elder Wu, if you don’t believe me, that’s okay, but I can produce evidence, can’t I? I can prove it to you! This painting is absolutely genuine! If you don’t believe me, once I provide the evidence, you can test it with professional equipment!”

”You inexperienced youngster, do you even know who Li Duanduan is? At your young age, you should focus and learn more from your master. Didn’t your master ever tell you that in the world of antiques, you can eat anything you like, but you mustn’t speak carelessly?”

When Ma Liwen heard what Huo Sining said, he was immediately displeased.

This painting had been appraised by him, and here was Huo Sining, in front of him, declaring it to be authentic. Wasn’t she challenging him?

Anger rose in Huo Sining’s heart upon hearing Ma Liwen’s words.

How could Ma Liwen, who had lived for most of his life, be so obtuse?

Putting aside whether the painting was genuine or not, Elder Wu’s granddaughter was suffering from a terminal illness, waiting for money to pay for her treatment. Elder Qin and a few others were concerned for Elder Wu; he should not have caused trouble.

Now that he had caused trouble, when someone came to mend the situation he had stirred up, it would have been fine if he hadn’t helped, but he actually wanted to show off and assert his authority in front of these respected elders.

Not only was he uncompassionate, but he was also shameless, truly living up to the title of ”Beast”!

Huo Sining looked at Ma Liwen with a cold smile and said, ”I don’t need to know who Li Duanduan is, and my master did not teach me what should or should not be said, but my master did teach me the principle of ’forgiving when one can forgive,’ as well as the meaning of the four characters ’ritual, righteousness, integrity, and shame’!”

”You!” Ma Liwen, faced with Huo Sining’s frank satire, could not keep his composure, and he looked coldly at Huo Sining, but his eyes flashed with a dark shade.

”You say the painting is fake, that there is a problem with the seal, fine, I respect your perspective, and your evidence is indeed logical and well-founded. I say the painting is genuine, and I too will produce evidence. If you find my evidence unreasonable, you are more than welcome to refute it again!”

Huo Sining didn’t care what Ma Liwen was thinking, or if the following actions would slap Ma Liwen’s face; she couldn’t be concerned with that. Ma Liwen had been too aggressive, and whatever developed next was his own fault.

Upon hearing Huo Sining’s words, Ouyang Jun and Qin Tian exchanged looks, their eyes full of astonishment.

Others might not be aware, but the two of them knew Huo Sining’s background. She had barely been apprenticed to Zhou Shitao for less than half a month. In such a short time, had this girl learned how to evaluate antiques?

Ouyang Jun did not believe Huo Sining had such extraordinary talent, but seeing her confidence, he began to doubt it. Could she really have the evidence?

”Are you also studying appraisal, young lady?” Elder Qin asked, somewhat curious, unable to refrain from inquiring.

Huo Sining had been involved in the appraisal of antiques for less than half a month, a fact she naturally didn’t dare to disclose, as it would certainly invoke laughter, so she skirted the weighty subject and instead continued along the lines of what Ma Liwen had said:

”Professor Ma, didn’t you ask who Li Duanduan was? Li Duanduan was a famous courtesan in the Tang Dynasty’s Yangzhou, known as the ’black courtesan’ because of her slightly dark complexion but surpassing beauty.”

”In Shanhe Fang, Li Duanduan is able, they say, to perform the White Peony, yet who would believe Yangzhou’s streets paved with gold, when carmine is sold so cheaply it’s scorned by paupers. This poem was written by the Tang Dynasty poet Cui Ya, and its intent is clear, he’s actually mocking Li Duanduan for her dark skin through the metaphor of the White Peony.”

As soon as Huo Sining said this, not only Ouyang Jun and Qin Tian, but others in the room also turned to look at Huo Sining with some astonishment, and Elder Qin raised his eyebrows faintly, his eyes brimming with interest as he sized her up.

Laymen might know who Tang Bohu is, yet few know of Li Duanduan. Huo Sining had not mention this, but once she did, she hit the nail on the head, cutting off any retort from Ma Liwen.

Seeing Ma Liwen left speechless by Huo Sining, his face turning beet red, Qin Tian and Ouyang Jun couldn’t help but display a hint of amusement on their faces.

They were unaware that Gu Xu possessed such a skill.

”It’s one thing to be adept at keeping fish or treating illnesses, but to understand antiques too, Xu Zi is truly a dark horse!” Qin Tian couldn’t help but whisper to Ouyang Jun.

Ouyang Jun, however, looked at Huo Sining with a thoughtful gaze, full of suspicion.

”Indeed, that poem was indeed written by Cui Ya, and Tang Yin’s ’Li Duanduan’s Registration Picture’ is based on the widely spread romantic anecdotes concerning Li and Cui, using these as inspiration for the artwork and creatively transforming them; by portraying Li Duanduan’s plea to Cui Ya as a spirited debate, the painting vividly displays Ms. Li’s wit and courage.”

Elder Qin had been quite displeased by Ma Liwen’s meddling earlier, and now with Huo Sining’s intervention, he naturally continued on the same note.

Upon hearing this, Ma Liwen’s expression darkened, realizing that Elder Qin’s response was an implicit acknowledgment of the truth behind Huo Sining’s words.

Ma Liwen’s anger flared within. This young novice didn’t know where she came from or any semblance of propriety, openly declaring the truth of her claim in his presence—a direct slap to his face.

How could Ma Liwen swallow such an affront? He couldn’t resist a sneer, ”This young lady seems to know who Li Duanduan is; she appears to have some foundation.”

”In the world of antiques, we only trust physical evidence. Mere words count for nothing, and since you are so sure of the painting’s authenticity, then as you said, talk is cheap. Please present the evidence,” he demanded.

”As for testing with specialized equipment—forget it. If you cannot provide substantial evidence, this painting, even after further inspection, remains a fake. The money would be better spared for bargain hunting, perhaps to purchase another Li Duanduan or Li Shishi!”

Ma Liwen was convinced that the seal he had seen was the most direct and effective evidence, ensuring the painting was a counterfeit. Even if this girl had some tricks up her sleeve, could she turn a fake into a genuine article?

Huo Sining cursed inwardly, finding Ma Liwen’s persistence to be really obnoxious. His words were so harsh—where was the respect due to a teacher or the proper conduct? Experts, it seemed, were shameless; he was accustomed to spouting nonsense and took it for granted, yet when asking others for evidence, he dismissed the use of instruments!

If it hadn’t been for her ability to see through to the clues within the painting with her Heavenly Eye, wouldn’t she have fallen right into his trap, resulting in the painting’s destruction?