Chapter 505: Examination Questions
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Old Zhao hesitated, but Old Tao interjected, “Since you’ve taken it out, you must show it to others. Otherwise, you…”
“Alright! Got it!” Old Zhao interrupted Old Tao impatiently.
“I’ll show you, I’ll show you!” Old Zhao said as he opened the box in front of Xia Wan again.
Xia Wan lowered her head to look at the fabric once more. Although it was small, the patterns on its surface were clear and the colors distinct. There were also obvious weaving marks on the fabric.
She frowned and thought for a while, then asked Old Tao and Old Zhao, “Is this silk?”
Xia Wan’s question made the two old men’s eyes widen.
Old Tao looked at Old Zhao excitedly. “What did I tell you?”
Old Zhao, suppressing his excitement, stared at Xia Wan. “What else do you
Imow?”
Xia Wan carefully recalled the information she had read before and slowly said, “An inch of silk is an inch of gold. Since the Song Dynasty, silk has been exclusive to the royal family.
“But I’m not very familiar with silk. I’ve only seen it in some documents. This is the first time I’ve seen it in real life!”
“You’re telling me this is the first time you’ve seen real silk?” Old Zhao couldn’t help but ask.
“This kind of silk is woven in a unique way. It’s not hard to recognize,” Xia Wan answered honestly.
“Good! That’s great!” This time, Old Zhao genuinely laughed with joy.
After a moment, he put away the box and said to Xia Wan, ‘Wait here for a while. I have something else good to show you!”
After speaking, Old Zhao didn’t wait for Xia Wan’s response and ran excitedly behind the screen with the box.
Old Tao chuckled at Old Zhao’s excitement. “Old Zhao gets very excited when he meets someone who appreciates his treasures. Don’t be scared!” Xia Wan pursed her lips and smiled. She was familiar with such scenes.
“Come, let’s sit here first,” Old Tao said as he led Xia Wan and Liu Hua to a set of wooden tables and chairs behind a shelf.
“Please sit,” Old Tao politely gestured to Xia Wan and Liu Hua.
After they sat down, Old Tao picked up the teapot and tea set on the table and poured two cups of tea for Xia Wan and Liu Hua.
“Little girl, what do you think of this set of tables and chairs?” Old Tao couldn’t help but ask as soon as Xia Wan took a sip.
Liu Hua was momentarily stunned, then looked seriously at the table in front of her. Although the carving was exquisite, the wear and tear were obvious. She didn’t understand what was special about it.
“I don’t know much about woodwork,” Xia Wan said as she gently touched the carvings on the table.
“However, these carvings seem to be hand-carved by an old master. Moreover, these wear marks aren’t caused by sudden external forces but show clear signs of use.
“Thinking about it, this table should be considered an old object.
“Though it can’t be called an antique, it’s at least a masterpiece from decades ago.
“At that time, it must have been a valuable treasure.
“However…”
Xia Wan paused deliberately.
Old Tao, initially smiling with satisfaction, couldn’t help but nod repeatedly at Xia Wan’s words.
When he heard Xia Wan say “but,” he immediately frowned. “But what?”
Liu Hua was surprised. “Aren’t these chairs and tables a set?”
She couldn’t help but look again at the color and carvings of the table and chairs.
Xia Wan shook her head. “This chair was made later based on the style of the table, at least ten years later.”
“You can even tell?” Liu Hua was even more surprised.
Xia Wan smiled and remained silent.
Old Tao also looked at Xia Wan in surprise and was silent for a long time.
Xia Wan silently picked up the teacup and drank without further explanation.
The reason she knew this was not because of a deep understanding of wooden furniture but because she had seen this set of tables and chairs appraised at an antique show many years later.
She remembered the expert regretfully stating that although the craftsmanship of this set of tables and chairs was exquisite, it was a pity they were not made from the same set, affecting their value..