This sort of thing happens everywhere, didn't the Lu Family also suffer looting and forced taking when they were raided?

However, Feng Qingxue, even when buying artifacts through official channels, felt the money was insufficient. Where would she have the extra money and energy to seek out servants of wealthy families from the past to acquire old objects? No matter how careful ordinary people are, they might not preserve them as well as artifact stores do, and it could easily attract trouble. Surely, anyone who can take a large number of old objects from their former employers isn't simple.

Even if Zhou Mingyu didn't say, Feng Qingxue could guess that this couple might be her servants and the items in their hands were likely once her family's possessions.

"I don't have the time." Feng Qingxue replied bluntly, unmoved, "As an outsider brazenly coming to acquire old items, I'll definitely raise others' suspicions, leading to a series of troubles. Besides, there's no guarantee they'd sell to me. What do I gain from it? I'd rather go directly to an artifact store."

Zhou Mingyu sighed, "You're really sharp, so cautious. I don't have any money. If I did, I'd have found a way to get those things back from them long ago."

Feng Qingxue smiled without speaking, showing she was half-skeptical of her words.

Yes, many capitalists, landlords, and wealthy families were raided to the point of bankruptcy, but most of them were shrewd old foxes who survived through chaotic times. Surely they had places to hide things; it's impossible that they were left with nothing.

In the past, the jewels and items Feng Qingxue exchanged for food in the black market were enough proof.

Maybe Zhou Mingyu said she had no money because it was inconvenient for her to exchange the items for cash.

Zhou Mingyu saw Feng Qingxue's expression and didn't mind her thoughts, "Those old objects are truly great items. If you're interested, don't miss out. They have no idea. A Qianlong Era enameled dish sold for one dollar at the Friendship Store, and they thought they made a profit, while the store turned around and sold it to foreigners for three hundred dollars."

Feng Qingxue exclaimed slightly, could it really be that coincidental? The porcelain plate she bought with Adrian's help was from the Zhou Family? She remembered seeing in an interview in later years that the plate was acquired for a dollar.

However, the acquisition took place in the sixties, and there was still a spit paper stuck to the bottom of the plate, with "1966" written on it.

"Comrade Zhou, if you really want to buy it back, I can lend you some money. Wouldn't it be better if you found someone to buy it yourself? Estimate a number, about how much it would take to buy it back. I need to head back soon; my child is still waiting for me at the restaurant!"

Zhou Mingyu's eyes lit up, "You're willing to lend me money?"

"I can, but not much. I'm borrowing money to buy things too." This 10,000 yuan was clearly stated in the IOU to be repaid within three years, and it was under a lot of pressure.

"Wait a moment." Zhou Mingyu turned and ducked into an alley.

After about a quarter of an hour, Zhou Mingyu handed a jewelry box slightly larger than a palm to Feng Qingxue, "I give this to you, lend me 500 yuan, and I promise to pay you back tomorrow."

The place where the gold was hidden was inaccessible, and it was impossible to sell it on the black market for cash.

Originally, she thought that instead of letting it fall into the hands of the cunning Zhou Ping couple, it would be better for Feng Qingxue to buy it. She could tell Feng Qingxue valued these items and was kind and gentle, so at least her family's old possessions would have a good home. Now having the chance to take it back herself, she got excited and decided to accept Feng Qingxue's suggestion. It's always better to have it back herself than in someone else's hands.

Feng Qingxue opened the jewelry box for a look and immediately closed the lid, her face unable to hide her astonishment.