Reborn As Super Heiress

This set of Qing Dynasty nail guards is about seven to eight centimeters long each. The surface of the long nail covers is made of cloisonné, inlaid with numerous fine pearls, and adorned with flowers and other decorations carved from tortoiseshell. It appears both pink and three-dimensional. At the base of the sleeve is a green leaf carved from Jadeite, with clear veins that harmoniously complement the colors, making it look lifelike.

Even this inconspicuous set of nail guards employs various craftsmanship techniques such as hollowing, carving, inlay, pasting, and chiseling. Each process is meticulously conducted, with the pattern size naturally tapering from the base to the tip, resulting in a remarkably seamless design.

This is precisely why, upon the appearance of this set of nail guards, the ladies at the event were immediately restless, raising their paddles and bidding, including even Huo Sining, who couldn’t resist, as the nail guards were simply too beautiful.

Any woman would likely be filled with the desire and impulse to possess such a set of nail guards.

However, this set of nail guards, in terms of style, workmanship, and craftsmanship, represents a top-quality piece among Qing Dynasty luxury nail guards. Even at a regular antique shop, its price would not be low, let alone at today’s charity auction, which is why Xu Shilong used this set as the finale of the charity auction segment today.

The spending power of women is utterly astonishing, which is evident from this set of nail guards. Huo Sining is not someone who cares about money, but after several rounds of bidding, she was forced to withdraw.

It’s mainly because a few tables of ladies were fiercely competitive; the base price of eighty thousand was pushed up to fifty hundred thousand. This was not the end, as the bidding continued. Though Huo Sining liked the nail guards, she realized that they could only be collected and had no practical value, so she reluctantly took a few more glances at them before giving up.

Ultimately, the set of nail guards was sold for seven hundred eighty thousand. Huo Sining genuinely admired the lady who dared to bid this price.

After the charity auction concluded and a brief summary, the main event began: the antique exchange within the circle, also known as the treasure contest that Zhou Shitao previously mentioned.

The so-called charity auction exchange was just an appetizer; the real focus was on the subsequent exchange. It was a grand gathering within the circle, and whether one could stand out depended on their individual abilities.

However, once the exchange began, no one stepped up immediately. Xu Shilong looked at everyone below the stage and smiled, ”Since everyone is so modest, I’ll start the ball rolling. But my item is just a pair of jade cups, probably not that impressive, so please bear with me.”

As he spoke, Xu Shilong gestured for the staff on the side to bring up his brocade box.

Huo Sining, below the stage, was momentarily stunned. She was reminded of the pair of Tang Dynasty grape wine Luminescent Cups she had bought from Zhao Yuliang. She had considered bringing that pair of jade cups, but since this was Xu Shilong’s domain, she refrained to prevent overshadowing him.

Hearing Xu Shilong say that his item was a pair of jade cups, Huo Sining couldn’t help but feel secretly fortunate. Luckily, she had chosen to bring the Tianhuang Stone paperweight instead. Otherwise, if she took out her Tang Dynasty jade cups, Xu Shilong might think she was trying to upstage him.

The brocade box was brought onto the stage, and Xu Shilong, with a smile on his face, opened it and took out a pair of Qingbai jade cups, placing them on the display table.

In the center of the display table was a rotating sturdy tray. When the jade cups were placed on it, the tray slowly started turning, and the jade cups rotated along with it, fully revealing their complete appearance to everyone present.

These two jade cups were about seven to eight centimeters high and roughly twelve to thirteen centimeters wide. The main design consisted of two cylindrical cups joined together, with the base having six animal faces as feet. One side of the cup featured a phoenix-shaped handle in openwork carving, and the other side had a relief sculpture of two chilong dragons in a serpentine position.

The top and bottom of the cup body were each adorned with a circle of rope-pattern, designed to look like tying. At the knot, there was a square stamp with the characters ”Wanshou” (Longevity) engraved in clerical script.

On either side of the cup body, there were inscriptions in clerical script. On one side: ”Moisture from Chu jade, carved and polished. Jade liquors and delicate wine, echo the grand music.” At the end of the verse, the three characters ”Zhu Yunming” were inscribed, and at the top of the poem, the words ”Hejin Cup.” On the other side: ”Blessings of smoke unite across the nine avenues, auspicious sun and moon over a thousand miles. Wishing you eternal life, forever drunk in Phoenix City.” The top of the poem bore the three characters ”Zi Gang’s creation.”

Upon seeing the full appearance of the jade cups, many people in the audience changed their expressions. Even Zhou Shitao instinctively put on his reading glasses, staring intently at the cups as if trying to see them more clearly.

Next to him, Shi Qingyun glanced at them a few times before exclaiming in astonishment, ”This is... a Qingyu Hejin Cup!”

Upon hearing this term, Huo Sining couldn’t help but be surprised. She didn’t recognize this strangely shaped jade cup, and she was racking her brain for information about it when Shi Qingyun’s shout suddenly enlightened her. Her gaze towards the jade cup became fervent.

The so-called Hejin Cup is naturally an ancient vessel used by emperors and empresses during their wedding to drink Hejin wine. As a royal tribute, the jade used is, of course, of the highest quality.

However, to be worthy of the name Qingyu Hejin Cup, there is only one such set. It is a specific term referring to the jade cups sculpted by Lu Zigang, a jade carving artisan during the Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty.

This set of jade cups not only features the craftsmanship of Lu Zigang, an illustrious jade carving master of the Ming Dynasty, but also includes poems personally inscribed by the famous poet and calligrapher Zhu Zhishan, who, alongside Tang Bohu, Wen Zhengming, and Xu Zhenqing, was known as one of ”The Four Masters of Wu.” Moreover, it is a commemorative artifact from the emperor’s wedding, making it an exceptionally rare treasure.

In fact, there are many so-called Qingyu Hejin Cups circulating among the public, but these jade cups are, in reality, fabricated using modern techniques to reproduce historical accounts and are not genuine. They are merely meant to deceive the inexperienced.

However, this pair of jade cups before them indeed bears the three seal characters ”Zi Gang’s creation,” and its relief patterns, openwork carving, and intaglio lines are all executed masterfully, appearing extraordinarily exquisite. Despite the intricate patterns, the lines are smooth and vivid, giving a sense of ethereal elegance and an ingeniously crafted wonder.

Upon seeing the jade cups, not only Shi Qingyun but everyone present showed expressions of astonishment. Some, driven by excitement, almost instinctively stood up from their seats, seemingly wishing to rush onto the stage for a closer look at the jade cups.