Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (2) Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Appraisal Event Slap in the Face (2) “No problem, everyone has this interest, so let’s go,” Jiang Zhe decided, too lazy to change his plans because of who the others were.

Qin He communicated with Ding Xuexue, and they settled it between them.

Xiao Meng and Xia Enci, encouraged by Qin Jingchen’s support for Jiang Zhe, were also unafraid to go.

All were eagerly looking forward to attending the event.

Ding Xuexue alone nursed a wounded world.

On one hand, she was happy that Qin He could bring friends along, but on the other hand, what did this mean on Jiang Zhe’s part?

She was well aware of her own accomplishments and research in ancient paintings and calligraphy, and even enjoyed a modest fame in Beijing, but this was the result of over a decade of diligent study and practice under her teacher.

With this expertise, she had built many social connections for her parents and opened up some difficult social relations.

Was Jiang Zhe blatantly trying to encroach on her territory and compete with her?

And then she would have to personally lead her by the hand, allowing her to reap the reputation, while she played the part of a bride’s maid?

The more Ding Xuexue thought about it, the more her heart ached.

In the end, she thought of a compromise.

…

Hearing that Jiang Zhe was going to participate in the event, Jiang Xiruo said with a smile, “Do you want Grandpa to teach you a thing or two? When he was young, he loved this field very much.”

Jiang Zhe thought of the authentic works and various genuine porcelains at the Wangjia Alley home. His grandfather’s eye for quality was indeed considerable.

“Sure. Is Grandpa going to the event?” Jiang Zhe asked.

“I’m old, you young people have fun,” Jiang Yaowang, knowing that the participants were all younger people, excused himself.

Xia Enci pulled his arm and whined, “Grandpa, give me some pointers too, so at the event, I won’t just gaze at good things like a cow chewing on peonies, completely ignorant.”

“Alright, alright, all of you come here.” Jiang Yaowang shared with them some key points to discerning authenticity.

“Understanding is one thing, actual practice is another,” Xia Enci said, spreading her hands after listening for a while.

Xiao Meng spoke with a smile, “We’ve seen too few items, with no comparison, it’s hard to discern. But taking part in more of these events and cultivating our aesthetic sense is quite good. Understanding Grandpa Jiang’s points from an aesthetic perspective is also helpful.”

Jiang Yaowang smiled amiably, “That’s the idea.”

As Jiang Zhe pondered, he felt some of his grandfather’s ideas made quite a bit of sense.

…

On the afternoon of the event, which was supposed to start at two o’clock,

Ding Xuexue didn’t rush, even at two. She left the house leisurely, took a car, and stopped at a coffee shop, where she slowly sipped her coffee.

She had already found out that Jiang Yaowang wouldn’t accompany Jiang Zhe to the event. Without Jiang Yaowang’s presence, his network wouldn’t show up either.

For Jiang Zhe to recreate the glory of the birthday banquet was not going to be easy.

Since Jiang Zhe wanted to use her to make an impression and show off herself, Ding Xuexue decided to deliberately arrive late and go halfway through.

Her teacher was also only going to show up in the latter half of the event.

By then, the only one left to evaluate items on the spot would be Jiang Zhe alone. Whether she accepted or rejected items, she would seem all show and no substance just sitting there.

If she accepted a fake, all the better. If Ding Xuexue stepped in then and pointed out her mistakes, it wouldn’t be too much.

Jiang Zhe came from a modest family; what did she know about antique and art appraisal?

Wanting to steal the limelight, she also had to know her place.

After settling on this plan, Ding Xuexue drank her coffee with a serene conscience.

Jiang Zhe had indeed left the house early.

Since there was a scheduled time, there was no need to be late.

However, she was a bit sleepy due to the lack of an afternoon nap.

It was only after eating a few sweet and juicy fruits that she managed to shake off the drowsiness a little bit.

By the time she arrived at the event venue, there were already quite a few people there.

There were many staff members busy maintaining order at the venue, so the absence of Ding Xuexue didn’t seem out of place.

The staff had already memorized Jiang Zhe’s name, and as soon as Qin He reported it, they immediately said, “Today there are three appraisal spots here, one for Jiang Zhe, one for Ding Xuexue, and one for the master appraiser Deng Hui. However, Master Deng has specifically requested to give students a chance to demonstrate their skills and will only come to help with the re-examination in the latter half, so it’ll be just the two of you for the first part.”

“Alright, thank you.” Jiang Zhe sat down at the spot with her name.

The staff didn’t recognize Qin Jingchen and the others, but seeing their distinguished air, they mistook them for guests attending the event and offered them drinks and snacks, asking them to sit down.

The guests who came to participate were often people of significant standing, so the staff had grown accustomed to seeing all sorts of distinguished individuals.

Having sat down, Jiang Zhe saw that Fen Ye and the others had also arrived and came over to greet her.

The atmosphere on the scene was still quite formal, so there was no loud laughter.

The staff introduced, “Inside, there are some antique and calligraphy exhibits, which you are welcome to admire.”

It wouldn’t do for everyone to crowd around Jiang Zhe, so Fen Ye led a large group of people bustling inside.

Seeing that Xiao Meng and Xia Enci were also staying put, Jiang Zhe said, “You guys go in and have a look.”

“Then we’ll go in first.” Xia Enci was indeed eager to go inside and verify the knowledge points she had just learned at her grandfather’s.

Jiang Zhe only stopped one person, Song Xingming, “Young Master Song.”

“Please speak,” Song Xingming stood still in front of Jiang Zhe.

“What exactly did your father intend to purchase?”

“Anything with a bit of age will do, calligraphy or painting preferably,” Song Xingming trusted her judgment, “If you see something suitable, just help me inspect it.”

“What price range would be appropriate?”

After thinking for a moment, Song Xingming said, “As long as the item is good, the price doesn’t matter.”

“Okay,” Jiang Zhe nodded, placed her backpack on her spot, and then noticed that Qin Jingchen had sat down beside her.

Qin Jingchen saw that she was still dressed in her school uniform, “I wonder if anyone will come to you for appraisals.”

“They can come if they want, if not, then forget it,”

Her carefree attitude was typical of Jiang Zhe’s style.

“If no one comes, won’t I lose the chance to treat you to a meal?”

“I’ll try to give you that chance,” Jiang Zhe replied, and just then, someone brought over a porcelain vase that was said to be a family heirloom for Jiang Zhe to inspect.

Initially, they had heard that the young and talented appraiser Ding Xuexue was present, but upon arrival, they didn’t see her.

With nothing else to do, they decided to let Jiang Zhe have a look.

Opening the box carefully, the person said, “This really is passed down from my ancestors.”

“Alright, sell it to me for fifty thousand,” Jiang Zhe offered.

The man was startled but immediately agreed, “Do I get the money now?”

“Yes,” Jiang Zhe took his vase that was obviously a forgery.

Jiang Zhe raised her eyebrows slightly, signaling Qin Jingchen to pay.