CHAPTER 747: CHAPTER 747: TAKE A RISK, TURN A THATCHED COTTAGE INTO A RICH MANSION!

Master Wang immediately pushed the stone back into Lian Wanzhen’s hands and started shooing them away, as he wanted to continue polishing jade and couldn’t be bothered with them any longer.

With no hopes left, Lin Yuejuan actually felt relieved. Hearing Master Wang’s tirade was like an enlightenment, and she completely agreed. Seeing Lian Wanzhen offend the old master with just a few words, she quickly pulled him aside, "Nephew, I know you’re not willing to give up, but let your Clan Aunt explain, the guy selling the raw stone didn’t look trustworthy at all..."

She began to ramble on about how shady the vendor was and how he bewitched people. After summarizing everything, she concluded that no one patronized his stall, which indirectly proved that the vendor was a big fraud. She even added that only a fool would believe him, but then she realized her words might sound wrong and quickly apologized, worried about hurting the feelings of Su Ran and Lian Wanzhen.

Listening to Lin Yuejuan’s prattle, Master Wang’s expression softened a bit, thinking they were just some pitiable folks who had spent forty taels on merchandise that no one would even pick up if discarded.

Lian Wanzhen made an "Oh" sound, looking towards his mother, "Mother, what do you think?"

Su Ran had long lost the competitive spirit of her youth, and she was jolted back to reality by Lian Wanzhen’s words.

She smiled and didn’t deny the old master’s words, but instead looked to the side and asked, "Master, may I borrow something to use? We’d like to cut open the raw stone."

Master Wang snorted coldly and said grumpily, "Take it, but don’t disturb my peace."

Cutting open the stone was highly demanding, and it couldn’t be done quickly. These people really were amateurs, not giving up until they reached the bitter end, so he couldn’t be bothered with them.

Su Ran was not offended, first expressing her gratitude, then she handed the cutting tools to Lian Wanzhen and carefully explained how to cut into the raw stone, starting from the exterior without damaging the interior, first peeling off the stone skin and making an initial incision.

Master Wang kept an eye on them, and upon hearing her words, he gave Su Ran another look.

Lian Wanzhen was very obedient. He tried it and seemed to have made a great discovery, saying excitedly, "Mother, this stone is really hard, much harder than a millstone, but that’s not a problem, just requires more effort. You and Clan Aunt sit down; it’ll be ready in a moment."

Master Wang scoffed, this young man was strong indeed, but unreliable, boasting continuously. The most taxing part of dealing with jade was the craftsman’s effort. What could possibly be accomplished in a short while? He couldn’t even scratch the surface of the stone skin.

Ignoring them, Master Wang immersed himself in polishing jade, but it wasn’t long before Lian Wanzhen spoke up, "Mother, it’s cut, do you see? Is this it? It’s still a stone, right?"

Master Wang felt even more contempt, how could cutting it so quickly yield anything, obviously there was nothing.

Su Ran stood up and went over, giving more instructions on how to proceed with the cutting. Lian Wanzhen again immersed himself in the process.

Lin Yuejuan, having no expectations, sat to the side to rest her legs, bored and thinking that if even the seasoned master said the stone was hopeless, what could possibly emerge? But letting her sister-in-law and nephew give it up for good was probably for the best.

Lian Wanzhen worked a while longer, then called Su Ran again, this time his voice much more excited, "Mother, it’s open, it’s open, the green is showing, come and see!"

Master Wang frowned, this young man was making such a fuss, distracting him from focusing on his jade polishing. How could that worthless stone yield any green jade? Nonsensical boasts.

Su Ran walked over to look, then had Lian Wanzhen hold it up to the sunlight for a better look. After observing for a while, her face broke into a heartily gentle smile, and she nodded in satisfaction.

Lin Yuejuan was curious and followed to take a look as well. The sight completely shocked her, "Sister-in-law, this, this... Is this really jade? My heavens, what kind of quality is this? How can I, how can I not discern it..."

Her speech was jumbled and stuttered. She had only seen medium-quality jade before, but had never seen anything like this. With her expertise, she couldn’t even tell what quality of jade it was, only feeling that the freshly cut surface emitted an exceptionally vivid and pure color.

Su Ran said with a smile, "We can’t be sure yet. At least it’s of medium quality for now. If it’s completely unpicked, without any significant cracks or impurities, it should be fine-quality Emperor Green Jade."

This way, her little girl’s dowry wouldn’t be inferior to others in the Imperial Palace.

In jade, green is most esteemed, and Emperor Green ranks as the king of green jades.

Lin Yuejuan’s breathing quickened, letting out exclamations: "Heavens, oh heavens, my heavens..." Her mind was spinning, as if in a dream.

Although she ran a general store and didn’t know much about jade, she had heard a bit and could understand a few things. Emperor Green Jade was rare to find, and a piece the size of a fingertip, just big enough for a ring face, would cost hundreds of taels of silver. Considering the size of this piece, how many taels would that be? Heavens!

At that moment, one thought dominated her mind: "Strike it big, turn your thatch into a mansion!" It was really happening...

Lin Yuejuan’s voice alerted the entire back courtyard of Zhenbao Square.

The craftsmen who initially came to watch all looked up and saw the stone held high by Lian Wanzhen, and each was astounded, surging forward.

Master Wang was utterly dumbfounded, his mouth agape, and he didn’t even notice his tools dropping as he hurriedly put down the jade stone he was handling. Compared to the Emperor Green Jade, the jade in his hand was worth nothing!

He was the first to rush ahead, stepping quickly to Lian Wanzhen, his earlier disdain gone, replaced by fervent eyes, and stuttering, "Young man, let me see, let me have a look."

It wasn’t long before a group of jewelry craftsmen circled around the three, each of them staring intensely at the jade stone with eager eyes.

Loving the craft as they did, these craftsmen had seen plenty of ordinary jade, but fine jade was a rare encounter. Seeing it once could enhance their experience and knowledge significantly. If they were fortunate enough to carve this precious jade, their own worth would increase. Even when they left, they could mention the high-grade jade materials they had worked on.

This piece of Jade Raw Stone had drawn almost all the craftsmen from Zhenbao Square, each of them evaluating it in turn, confirming it was predominantly superb-quality — Emperor Green Jade.

Master Wang no longer held his initial disdain, and after a long look, he kept admiring it, reluctant to let go. This was a one-in-a-million Emperor Green Jade, a size he had seldom seen in his entire life.

All the craftsmen from Zhenbao Square had envious eyes, forming a circle, carefully guarding that Raw Stone, fearful that Master Wang might drop it due to a tremor in his hands.

Somebody couldn’t hold back their curiosity and asked Lian Wanzhen how the stone was carved so quickly and if there were any techniques or tricks. On hearing this question, all the craftsmen perked up their ears; they were struggling with hard stones, which were too laborious to work on.

Lian Wanzhen chuckled and said that it was a matter of internal skills that needed to be learned. After saying this, he went to pick up a stone and demonstrated by cleaving it in two with a single strike.