Reborn As Super Heiress

Capítulo 1603: Chapter 1587: Do You Have a Weakness?

“Afterwards, our Cultural Investigation Bureau investigated back and forth and traced it to the Yan family. When Madam Yan saw the simplified characters of ‘Zhong’ on that porcelain zun, her expression changed.”

“She told me that it wasn’t her brother’s work because the magpies shouldn’t be drawn like that.”

As she spoke, Huo Sining took out a picture, showing a photograph to Old Mr. Zhong.

The photo was exactly the one Huo Sining took at Madam Yan’s house, depicting three scroll paintings she had brought out, including “Magpie Perching on a Branch” and “Purple Air Coming from the East.” These paintings were early works by Old Mr. Zhong, with magpies that looked much like crows.

As soon as Huo Sining took out the photo, Old Mr. Zhong’s pupils immediately contracted, and his expression turned serious, his gaze fixed on the painting displayed on the phone, without uttering a word for a long time.

However, when Huo Sining was flipping through the photos and reached a brush washer, Old Mr. Zhong suddenly said, “Stop!”

Huo Sining paused, looked down, and saw that the brush washer was exactly the one she photographed in Zhou Shitao’s study. It was the counterfeit Zhong Fang in Zhou Shitao’s possession, the Northern Song Dynasty Ru Kiln Celadon Glazed Lotus Flower Brush Washer.

“May I ask you a few questions?” Old Mr. Zhong looked at Huo Sining and asked.

Huo Sining nodded.

Old Mr. Zhong said, “Alright then, before you answer my questions, I can tell you first, the colorful porcelain zun you mentioned earlier, and that Yue Kiln Secret-Color Porcelain Bowl, were not made by me.”

However, Old Mr. Zhong raised his hand to point at the Sky-blue Glazed Brush Washer on the phone, “But this one is my work.”

“This Sky-blue Glazed Brush Washer was the first counterfeit I made that year, and the secret marking on it was my first successful application.”

When Old Mr. Zhong spoke of his counterfeiting from years ago, an involuntary expression of excitement rose on his face, evidently feeling quite proud of his ancient counterfeiting skills.

“I saw this item at the Forbidden City Museum back then, fell in love with it at first sight, and wanted to replicate it from the one in the museum.”

“It took me years to create this brush washer, and eventually, I succeeded. When I showed it to several experts, they all said it was genuine, and no one detected the traces of forgery.”

Huo Sining was somewhat curious, “Then why did you make a secret mark?”

Old Mr. Zhong lifted his head, his eyes glinting, “Whenever I made a high-quality imitation, I always left a mark. In the early days, I would leave clear engravings inside the object to distinguish it was a Zhong family product.”

“But this Sky-blue Glazed brush washer wasn’t like the usual articles. I couldn’t make internal engravings, so marking it became quite a headache.”

“It was for this reason that the idea of using different chemicals to create a secret mark before glazing came to me. Because of this sudden idea, I made a few cuts on the stamp of the brush washer beforehand, and unexpectedly, the porcelain fired actually revealed the secret mark under cobalt glass!”

Hearing this, Huo Sining couldn’t help but sigh, “This can be considered a pioneering creation in the history of ceramics, indeed, a remarkably clever idea of yours!”

Old Mr. Zhong was indifferent to Huo Sining’s praise:

“But I never anticipated that this brush washer would eventually be circulated. When my family fell into decline, disheartened, I joined the Dao Men and no longer concerned myself with worldly matters, but I’ve also taught my family that all imitations should not be used for wrongful gain. I believe my family adheres to my promise. So I am unsure how this brush washer ended up with you.”

Upon hearing this, Huo Sining realized Old Mr. Zhong misunderstood:

“This brush washer wasn’t purchased by me. It was bought by my master over twenty years ago, spending most of his life’s savings in Porcelain Town, only to find that it was counterfeit. The lesson was too painful, so my master kept this porcelain piece until now.”

Old Mr. Zhong’s face appeared calm, but his tone still contained some undulations:

“This is what the ancients often said, blessings lean on calamity, and everything has two sides. A knife can kill, also it can save; high-quality imitations are the same. This is why I insisted back then on marking all counterfeits. No matter how exquisite the imitation, it’s a fake and shouldn’t be confused with the genuine.”

On hearing this, Gu Xu almost reflexively blurted out, “If so, why not make the marks openly visible?”

Old Mr. Zhong couldn’t help but glance at Gu Xu, “It’s clear you don’t understand antiques. The essence of antiques lies in the word ‘intact.’ If a mark were made on the object’s surface, the entire aesthetic of the antique would be ruined. Even if the mark were on the base, psychologically, the owner would always feel it’s incomplete, seeing the mark as a major flaw.”

Huo Sining agreed, even when purchasing forged replicas, no one would want a prominent counterfeit mark engraved on their objects. That mark would bring down the status of something originally meant to show an affinity for the art.

“You said you made this brush washer, but not the colorful porcelain zun and the Secret-Color Porcelain Bowl. Why then do those items also carry the same Zhong Fang internal mark? Logically, your method should be unique, or did you teach it to someone else who utilized it?”

Huo Sining still found it strange. Old Mr. Zhong sounded so certain that his words should be true, and there was no need for him to lie. Since he was willing to lay it all out, he shouldn’t have any secret.

Old Mr. Zhong, upon hearing Huo Sining’s question, subconsciously glanced at the girl by the pool, smiled wryly, “Can’t say it was used; even if you say it was, it was willingly done.”

Huo Sining couldn’t help but ask, “Willingly? Why? I remember Madam Yan mentioned your story, and I also feel sorry for your experiences, but given your character, you were able back then to not violate principles, not bend to powerful influences. How come, now, after so many years, you seem unclear? I don’t think you are such a person, right?”

Old Mr. Zhong couldn’t help but chuckle, giving Huo Sining an interested look, and asked, “Young lady, there shouldn’t be any supposed should or shouldn’t in this world; I just ask you, do you have a weakness?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Sining was stunned, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards Gu Xu.

Old Mr. Zhong gave Gu Xu a knowing glance, “You see, everyone in this world has weaknesses, if not, then that person truly is one without desires, detached from emotional ties.”