Chapter 107: This Fake Painting Is Not Bad
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“I won’t say that I know very well…”
Luo Wanbai forced a smile and tucked her hair behind her ear to hide her embarrassment.
“Why don’t you let everyone have a look? Everyone here is probably much more knowledgeable than me.”
She was quick-witted and threw the question to everyone.
As she spoke, Luo Wanbai opened the box and planned to take out the painting.
Firstly, she did this to divert Nan Qiao’s attention, and secondly, she wanted Old Master Cheng to notice her.
If she could marry Cheng Jie, she would be a glorious Mrs. Cheng from now on.
She had put in a lot of effort for Elder Cheng’s birthday banquet this time. Since she had not attracted anyone’s attention just now, she didn’t mind doing it again.
Cheng Jie frowned deeply. Seeing this stupid woman’s actions, he knew that whatever was about to happen probably wasn’t good, but it was too late to stop her.
Following Luo Wanbai’s instructions, the two servants pulled open the sides of the painting and revealed the contents.
As the name implies, the 87 Immortals Scroll depicted 87 Immortals who traveled in formation. The scene was grand, and the posture was abundant and beautiful.
Looking at the people’s sleeves, clothes, flags, and tassels on them, they seemed to form a harmonious beauty. Everyone exclaimed, and for a moment, no one noticed Elder Cheng’s displeasure.
Everyone’s reaction slightly soothed Luo Wanbai’s awkwardness. She picked up her confidence and looked at Nan Qiao.
Nan Qiao smiled as she watched the painting slowly unfold.
Luo Wanbai was even more stupid than she had imagined.
“This painting does look good.”
Nan Qiao frowned in distress. She wrapped one hand around her waist and supported her chin with the other. She looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t. She seemed to be stunned by Luo Wanbai’s actions. Seeing this, Luo Wanbai thought that the other party was secretly angry that she did not decisively take the painting back then. She immediately raised her eyebrows and said kindly to Nan Qiao.
“The Art Saint’s work is naturally rare. If you have anything to say, why don’t you say it now?”
Seeing Nan Qiao’s defeated expression, Luo Wanbai felt that her 20 million yuan was not in vain. Seeing her current expression, she felt very relieved.
So what if she was the daughter of the Murong family? Didn’t the painting still fall into her hands?
Hearing Luo Wanbai say what she wanted, Nan Qiao immediately asked in confusion.
“Although I can tell that the painting skills here are not bad, why do I feel that… it looks like a fake?”
As soon as she said this, the entire hall fell silent, as if a pin drop could be heard.
Luo Wanbai looked at Nan Qiao in disbelief. She didn’t expect her to say such words. She actually wanted to slander her.
“Fake?!”
“Now that you mention it, it does seem a little…”
“No way. This is Old Master Cheng’s birthday banquet. Who would dare to present him with fake goods?”
“That’s hard to say. 90% of antiques are fake.”
Hearing Nan Qiao’s words, the crowd instantly exploded.
Luo Wanbai’s expression was even more ugly. She looked at Nan Qiao with a burning gaze. Her strange persistence seemed to be able to burn through people.
“You can’t spout nonsense in front of everyone.”
With just a few words, she gritted her teeth and forced it out. The smile on her face disappeared and was replaced by a serious attitude.
“I’m not talking nonsense.”
Nan Qiao was still smiling, as if she didn’t realize how explosive her words were.
She left her seat and walked towards Luo Wanbai’s seat. Finally, she stood in front of the painting.
“Daoist Wu’s painting structure is precise and elegant which this painting achieved.”
“But his paintings’ compositions are so magnificent that it’s difficult for others to imitate.” Nan Qiao pointed at a corner of the painting. “Even if the 87 immortals are imitated well, it’s difficult to portray everyone’s essence. This place clearly destroys the overall harmonious beauty.”
Unintentionally, everyone looked in the direction Nan Qiao was pointing.
Previously, they had only seen a rough outline, so no one had realized this. However, with Nan Qiao’s special reminder, almost everyone saw the flaws of the painting.
“Furthermore, Daoist Wu’s drawing lines are round, strong, and rhythmic. They are bright and full of vitality. However, many of the bends carry a sharp and murderous aura. It’s obvious that they’re not his works.
Furthermore, Daoist Wu’s portrayal of the character’s expression is even more detailed. The solemnity of the Imperial Lord, the might of the Divine General, and the innocence of the golden boy and jade girl are all out of place.
Of the 87 immortals, the six divine generals were supposed to lead the way and there are 24 boys and girls. However, after counting carefully, one girl is missing.
This painting represents the highest level of ink painting in ancient China.
How can there be so many mistakes?”
Nan Qiao pointed out the key point and looked at Luo Wanbai, who was speechless for a moment. She saw the frustration and hatred in the other party’s eyes.
“Looks like Young Miss Luo’s 20 million yuan—I’m afraid she was deceived thoroughly.”
Luo Wanbai’s hand, which was under the table, clenched tightly. Her carefully protected nails dug into her flesh, but she didn’t notice it.
She must be jealous that I’m in the limelight, so she deliberately defamed me in front of the Old Master!
Now that the two of them had become the focus of the banquet, Luo Wanbai knew that she could not make a fool of herself. Even if she hated Nan Qiao to the core, she could not do anything now.
She frowned at Nan Qiao, looking confused.
“This is definitely not a fake.
Young Miss Nan, are you saying this about me because I bought this painting in front of you?”
Luo Wanbai pretended to be in a difficult position. She looked at Nan Qiao, not knowing what to do, as if she had done something wrong and was a little annoyed and sorry.
“At that time, I was eager to buy it and thought that it would be best to use this painting as a birthday gift for Elder Cheng, so I paid for it. I didn’t expect to make Young Miss Nan so unhappy.”
Her words were filled with apology, but in the ears of others, it sounded different.
It sounded like Nan Qiao was making things difficult for her because she didn’t get the painting.
“She’s the daughter of the Murong family. If she takes a fancy to something, why would you get to snatch it?”
Under everyone’s suspicion, Young Master Qin’s arrogant voice was obvious.
He was right. Nan Qiao was the eldest daughter of the Shcngjing Group, while Luo Wanbai was a daughter of the small Luo family. Their statuses were worlds apart. How could it be Luo Wanbai’s turn to get what Nan Qiao wanted first? Luo Wanbai’s smile was a little forced, but she still explained.
“I was just passing by and saw Young Miss Nan bargaining with that person. I really liked it, so I bought it at a high price.”
The daughter of the Murong family was bargaining?
Little did she know that when everyone heard Luo Wanbai’s explanation, they didn’t believe her and immediately sided with Nan Qiao.
With Nan Qiao’s current status, she could do whatever she wanted with just a word.
As Luo Wanbai spoke, she realized that her words had the opposite effect. Even if she regretted it, it was too late.
“At that time, I realized that that person was a liar so I wanted to make him suffer.”
Nan Qiao tilted her head and crossed her arms in front of her chest. She looked at Luo Wanbai with an innocent expression which made Luo Wanbai want to hit her.
“I didn’t expect Young Miss Luo to come out halfway and buy this painting at twice the offered price.
It’s just that I didn’t know that Young Miss Luo was using it as a birthday gift.
If I had known, I would have definitely informed you that it was a fake.”
There was nothing wrong with what she said.
After all, Nan Qiao’s goal at that time was not the painting. At a glance, she knew that most of the stuff in the stalls were fakes, so she had only casually asked about one. Who knew that Luo Wanbai would buy the painting like it was a treasure?
“You…”
Luo Wanbai was furious. Her eyes widened as she looked at Nan Qiao.
If she still couldn’t tell that Nan Qiao had done it on purpose, she would be the number one fool in the world!
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