Reborn As Super Heiress

Liu Pengcheng is already in his thirties, but how old is Boss Huo? Such young age to have such insight, it really astonishes Zhu Qingming.

Huo Sining smiled. If Zhu Qingming had asked this question when the painting of Shen Zhou first arrived, she might not have been able to answer, possibly making up something on the spot. But in the past few days, she has researched a lot about Shen Zhou because of the issue with the seal. Although she can’t explain everything in detail, she’s certainly able to give a general account.

”Shen Zhou is the leader of the Wu School. His landscape paintings are characterized by a steady and controlled brushwork, embodying strength within simplicity. The brush and ink are bold and free-spirited, yet carry a substantial momentum. Especially his light and elegant tones are unique, possessing a serene and peaceful demeanor, with a vivid and robust quality, delivering strokes with precision and purpose.”

”On the surface, this painting seems to resemble Shen Zhou’s style, but it’s lacking in maturity, with insufficient grandeur, weaker presence, and slightly dragging brushwork.”

This critique is quite incisive. Zhu Qingming nodded slightly. Even authoritative experts might not offer such professional and unique insights like Huo Sining’s. However, he was still puzzled: ”Then how did you determine that the seal was genuine?”

At this point, Huo Sining couldn’t help but laugh. She glanced at Liu Pengcheng and said, ”It’s a coincidence. Some time ago, my master and I went to the Forbidden City Museum, where we luckily had the chance to see the museum’s treasured authentic work by Shen Zhou, the ’Imitation Ancient Giant Landscape Painting.’ It was because I had seen this painting that I remembered Shen Zhou’s personal seal. When I saw this imitation, I was immediately able to see through the trickery with the seal. Speaking of which, Master Su, Mister Liu’s mentor, was also there at the museum that day.”

Liu Pengcheng was slightly taken aback. The exquisite ancient paintings treasured by the museum are usually not displayed for public viewing and are generally sealed in the storeroom. For this young lady to view Shen Zhou’s authentic work with her master, her master must either have an extraordinary status or a special connection with the museum.

This naturally made Liu Pengcheng glance more at Huo Sining, quickly searching his mind. With the surname Huo and such a connection, if her master could go with his own mentor to the Forbidden City Museum, it suddenly hit Liu Pengcheng — he thought of someone.

This person was someone his mentor had mentioned many times, but he had only heard of her name and her deeds, never having met her in person.

Not only Liu Pengcheng, even Zhu Qingming was a bit curious, so he couldn’t help but ask, ”May I know who trained Boss Huo?”

Huo Sining smiled and said, ”My master is Zhou Shitao. Although not a person of the calligraphy and painting circles, he has deep connections with the field. Early in his career, he made some achievements in the field, but has since retired from it many years ago.”

Upon hearing the name Zhou Shitao, Zhu Qingming’s eyes widened in surprise, while Liu Pengcheng knowingly smiled, with understanding flashing in his eyes. He asked with a laugh, ”You must be Huo Sining, the closed-door disciple Mr. Zhou accepted over a year ago?”

Huo Sining nodded, surprised. ”Brother Liu has heard of me too?”

Liu Pengcheng nodded. ”I often hear my mentor mention you, but though I’ve long admired your reputation, I’ve never had the chance to meet you. Seeing you today, it truly lives up to the stories I’ve heard.”

There was a smile in Liu Pengcheng’s eyes. His words, however, were not meant to mock Huo Sining but were a show of genuine admiration. Su Zhongqing had often spoken of this young girl recently, deeply envious of Zhou Shitao’s ability to take on such a bright student in his later years, frequently praising Huo Sining, mentioning it so many times that Liu Pengcheng felt he could develop calluses on his ears.

However, Liu Pengcheng was well aware of his mentor’s discerning eye. For someone to make his mentor so happy and receive such high praise, it piqued Liu Pengcheng’s curiosity greatly. He had long wanted to meet this young girl named Huo Sining but had never had the chance until they unexpectedly met in this setting.

In that recent confrontation, Huo Sining’s tactics against Boss Kong were calm and skilled, earning Liu Pengcheng’s admiration. Moreover, her ability to immediately see through the trickery in the fake Shen Zhou painting left a very deep impression on Liu Pengcheng. He had to admit, the praise given by his mentor to this girl, Huo, was indeed well-deserved.

”Hahaha, birds of a feather flock together. The way you handled that swindler earlier was swift and decisive. I thought your demeanor looked familiar, and now I see it’s because you’re Elder Zhou’s disciple. No wonder!”

Zhu Qingming couldn’t help but laugh too. Although his connection with Zhou Shitao wasn’t as profound as Su Zhongqing’s, he had interacted with him. So hearing that Huo Sining was Zhou Shitao’s closed-door disciple, he immediately held Huo Sining in higher regard.

Zhu Qingming was a bit curious as to when Zhou Shitao took on another disciple. However, from his recent test of this young girl, he could tell that she was indeed smart and quick-witted, with unique talent. It was no wonder she earned Zhou Shitao’s favor.

These senior figures achieved what they did not only because of their abilities but also due to their noble virtues. They all cherished talents, always willing to lend a hand to promising individuals. Even Zhu Qingming had the thought of taking on a disciple after witnessing such talent in Huo Sining.

If Huo Sining hadn’t just claimed to be Zhou Shitao’s disciple, Zhu Qingming might really have suggested taking her as his disciple. But now that he knew she had already sworn allegiance to a master, he had to curb this thought in its infancy.

Zhu Qingming was indeed an authority in ancient calligraphy and painting. After hearing Huo Sining’s assessment, he was satisfied with her answers but still couldn’t resist adding a few words.

”What you said, Huo girl, is not wrong. However, regarding this ’Bamboo Mountain Evening Rain Painting,’ I have a few things to add.”

Knowing her limitations in ancient painting appraisal, Huo Sining saw Zhu Qingming’s guidance as a rare opportunity not easily found. Naturally, she didn’t refuse, immediately smiling and saying, ”Director Zhu, please share your insights. I am all ears!”

”Shen Zhou’s ink painting has always been an important subject in antique appraisal. You mentioned Shen Zhou’s bold and robust brushwork, which is characteristic of his style between the ages of forty and sixty. In his later years, his character became much more open, and his painting style also became more eclectic. This ’Bamboo Mountain Evening Rain Painting’ imitates Shen Zhou’s late style.”

”However, the artist could emulate Shen Zhou’s techniques but not his mindset. He captured Shen Zhou’s powerful brushwork but missed the open, free-spirited mind of Shen Zhou’s later years. As you carefully examine the painting, you’ll see that the artist is still constrained by their mindset; the skill is adequate, but some brushstrokes are excessive, lacking a sense of carefree spontaneity.”