Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 877: Chapter 873: Governor’s Mansion

Hearing this, Li Quan and Qiao Zhenhuan’s eyes immediately lit up.

There are more things! For those who deal with antiques, there could be no better news than this.

Especially for Qiao Zhenhuan, who had just come to the Imperial Capital and had consistently been at a disadvantage in front of Huo Sining, he always felt like hitting cotton with his fists, with nowhere to exert his strength.

After all, he had studied abroad for many years and had some knowledge and experience in antique appraisals. Since he came to Huo Sining, it would not be good to be a freeloader without contributing.

Now the Old Granny said there were things to see, and he immediately realized that this was an opportunity to show his capabilities.

To regain his dignity, he had to showcase his true skills. He needed to let Huo Sining know that although he didn’t possess her talent for instantly distinguishing genuine from fake, he wasn’t much worse than her.

Li Quan also saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. The Old Granny’s grandson clearly didn’t understand antiques. If they could visit her house, they might uncover some unexpected treasures.

So as soon as the Old Granny spoke, he immediately felt eager, almost wanting to agree right away.

However, he remained rational and didn’t respond immediately; instead, he glanced at Huo Sining to seek her opinion.

Huo Sining had already said that she wouldn’t interfere with the store’s affairs. Now, Li Quan wanted her decision, so she naturally remained silent and shrugged, indicating she didn’t mind.

Li Quan, being prudent in this regard, pondered briefly before slowly saying, ”Old Granny, morally speaking, I certainly support you and understand your difficulties. However, I must say, you seem to come from a noble family, and your husband must have experienced many significant events. But your grandsons appear unreliable in handling matters.”

”Now you’re saying you want to sell things, but I’m worried you might be acting out of anger. If you regret it after selling them, it will be too late. So, consider this matter carefully before making a decision.”

The Old Granny nodded, looking kindly at Li Quan, smiling, ”Young man, though you’re young, I can tell you’re different from the usual businessmen. You have a pure and kind heart and are a good person. Though the shop hasn’t opened, I can see you have an unlimited future.”

Li Quan’s face immediately turned red. Being praised by a stranger like this, he felt a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

”Well, rest assured. Once I’ve made a decision, I won’t regret it. Each generation has its fortune. My grandsons are unworthy, and I’m half-buried already, without the energy to manage them. My husband didn’t leave them a penny. The remaining items are used up. These past few days, they’ve plundered almost everything. What’s left will be stolen and sold by them, so it’s better to sell them to you.”

Hearing this, Li Quan felt a bit sad. Since the Old Granny had spoken this way, he had no reason to refuse. Nodding, he said:

”Madam, I agree to your request. The ninety thousand is unnecessary; the tortoiseshell folding fan isn’t worth much. You can take it back. I’ll go to your house with you. Rest assured, if your husband’s items are truly antiques, we won’t let you suffer a loss in price!”

Li Quan made this decision impulsively, regretting it immediately after. He subconsciously looked in Huo Sining’s direction.

Due to his unilateral decision, they would lose ninety thousand in revenue. Li Quan feared Huo Sining would blame him, but to his surprise, she raised her thumb in approval, smiling satisfactorily at him.

This encouraged Li Quan, making him feel excited as if injected with adrenaline: ”Old Granny, do you have time now? If so, I can go with you now. Our appraiser is in the shop, so it won’t take much time. What do you think?”

The Old Granny had no objections, nodding, ”Alright, I have nothing to do. Let’s go now.”

Li Quan retrieved the tortoiseshell folding fan they had received the previous day from the safe. As soon as he took it out, the Old Granny’s eyes welled up with tears, clutching the fan tightly to her chest, reluctant to let go.

The others in the room remained silent, not urging the Old Granny. Until the tears in her eyes faded, and she hoarsely said, ”Let’s go,” everyone escorted her out of the shop.

Since the shop wasn’t open, there was no need for anyone to stay. Huo Sining and Jiang Xiaoqin locked the shop doors, and the four of them followed the Old Granny to her house.

The car journey took them to the Old Granny’s house. Huo Sining realized the place wasn’t far from the Huang Family’s residence in Xicheng District, located in the city’s old commercial area.

In the Qing Dynasty, this area likely was the most prosperous part of the Imperial Capital, with many noble residences concentrated here. However, due to demolitions, many old houses had been removed.

The Old Granny led the group through a street into an alley, walking several hundred meters before arriving at a courtyard.

The courtyard resembled the Huang Family’s siheyuan but had a style reminiscent of the old Republic era, with a doorway leading in. There were two floors, and the house had entrances on both sides with staircases.

After entering the gateway, Huo Sining noticed a stone tablet near the wall, which seemed newer than the rest of the courtyard’s materials. It embedded a two-square-foot marble piece with an engraving of a number and two lines of simplified Chinese characters:

Beijing Cultural Relics Registration and Protection Unit, The Former Residence of Xicheng District Military Governor Yan Tielin.

Seeing this stone base, Huo Sining was stunned.

She wasn’t very familiar with the history of the Republic of China, but she had heard a bit about it. She hadn’t heard of Yan Tielin, but even with the warlord period long over, the Yan Family still resided here and hadn’t let the property be seized, even making it a protected cultural site. This suggested the Yan Family wasn’t an insignificant entity.

Li Quan also noticed the words on the stone tablet and felt shocked, unable to resist asking: ”Madam, is this entire compound your family’s property?”