Chapter 2179: Chapter 2030: Snow Lotus 5
"Iâve brought you a good gift!" Chen Lin picked up the box in his hand and personally handed it to Old Master Chu.
"You came, why bring something?" Old Master Chu scolded Chen Lin.
"It would be a pity not to bring this to you." Chen Lin replied with a smile.
"What is it?" Old Master Chuâs hands trembled, unable to open the box.
Chen Lin opened the box, revealing an antique inkstone inside.
Chen Lin really has a knack for giving gifts.
Old Master Chuâs father was a local official during the Qing Dynasty, and he had been exposed to these things since childhood, developing a strong fondness for antiques. As Chen Lin opened the box, Old Master Chuâs eyes lit up.
"Duanyan! What a good thing!" Old Master Chu extended his thumb in approval and said to Chen Lin with a smile.
The three sons stood timidly on the side.
None of the gifts from the three sons brought this level of joy to Old Master Chu.
Old Master Chu picked up the inkstone, his hands trembling, and carefully observed and played with it for a while before commenting, "Aged stone material! Something from the end of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Good eye, Old Master!" Chen Lin also gave a thumbs up to Old Master Chu.
Old Master Chu felt proud and addressed everyone, "Do you know the history of this Duanyan?"
"No."
All the sons and daughters shook their heads.
"Duanyan first emerged early in the Tang Dynasty as a simple practical tool. Later, during the peak of the Tang Dynasty, an old ink craftsman passed by Duanxi, saw a pair of cranes fall into the water, and went in to retrieve them, bringing up a stone that split into two. He made two inkstones from it, each with a crane design. From then on, Duanyan became a craft piece. Later, in the Song Dynasty, Duanyan even became a tribute piece. Even Bao Gong served as an official in Duanzhou."
The Old Master explained the origins of Duanyan to everyone.
"How did you find this piece?" Old Master Chu asked Chen Lin with a sideways glance, not naive.
"Itâs simple really; just had someone stationed at Panjiayuan every day. Youâre bound to find something good." Chen Lin replied.
"Hahaha," Old Master Chu laughed heartily.
"Quick, prepare an extra set of tableware," Old Master Chu said to Chen Lin.
Getting into the Chu familyâs feast was no small feat; even the Chu familyâs own family guard and juniors couldnât make it, so it was a sign of respect from the Chu family to the Chen family.
Outside, Zhang Yanran triumphantly opened her gift box to Song Xiaodong.
"Sorry, this treasure slipped through your fingers and I bought it for two hundred thousand." Zhang Yanran said triumphantly to Song Xiaodong.
"You plan to use this as a birthday gift?" Song Xiaodong asked with a smile.
"Of course, such a precious Snow Lotus is perfect for Old Master Chu." Zhang Yanran replied.
"Arenât you afraid the Chu family will kick you out for giving this?" Song Xiaodong mocked Zhang Yanran.
"Hmph, youâre just jealous! Itâs your fault for being so arrogant and betting against me. Youâre just an inexperienced outsider who couldnât judge the ginseng correctly." Zhang Yanran accused Song Xiaodong.
"Donât blame me for not warning you; there is a problem with your Snow Lotus." Song Xiaodong said, glancing at the withered Snow Lotus in Zhang Yanranâs gift box.
"Donât try to fool me; you yourself said itâs a rare treasure. Mr Fang, Mr Li Guofu, and other experts here have appraised it as an exceptionally rare Tianshan Snow Lotus, which I intend to present to Old Master Chu as a birthday gift!" Zhang Yanran shot a glare at Song Xiaodong.
"Thatâs not a Snow Lotus; you believed me when I said it? Tianshan Snow Lotus, itâs just a dried Chinese rose, and you paid two hundred thousand for it?" Song Xiaodong said.
"You wretched person! You claim the ginseng, Lingzhi, agarwood, and Snow Lotus are all fake. What exactly are your intentions? Why would I listen to the nonsense of a small-timer like you?" Zhang Yanran retorted.
"I just wanted to swindle some money from you and didnât intend for you to make a fool of yourself in front of Old Master Chu. If you wonât listen, thereâs nothing I can do." Song Xiaodong shrugged.
"Hmph!" Zhang Yanran closed the gift box again, ignored Song Xiaodong, and walked directly into the house to pay respects to Old Master Chu.
Old Master Chu, Chu Jingming, Chen Susu, Chu Jingsheng, Li Fangâai, Chu Jingyang, and Fang Shu did not recognize Zhang Yanran.
"Eldest Uncle, Iâm Xiao Zhang, the Deputy General Manager of Huaiping Company, here to wish Old Master Chu a happy birthday!" Zhang Yanran introduced herself directly, knowing they didnât recognize her.
"Please come in, please come in," the family politely invited Zhang Yanran inside.
Zhang Yanran greeted Old Master Chu, who lightly nodded in acknowledgment.
"I brought Grandpa Chu a Tianshan Snow Lotus," Zhang Yanran announced to Old Master Chu.
Upon hearing Tianshan Snow Lotus, Old Master Chuâs face suddenly showed an expression of surprise.
Zhang Yanran noticed the look on the old manâs face and quickly opened the gift box to show Old Master Chu.
Old Master Chuâs father was a high official in the previous Qing era; he lived a life of privilege from a young age, often enjoying Snow Lotus porridge brought in tribute from the palace. So naturally, he knew what Snow Lotus looked like.
Old Master Chu glanced at the dried flower inside Zhang Yanranâs gift box, his expression suddenly turned sullen as he stared at the box for a long time without speaking.
"Whatâs wrong?" Chu Jingming noticed his fatherâs change in expression and stepped forward to ask.
"Alas..." Old Master Chu shook his head.
Chapter 2034: The Young People Nowadays
"Young people nowadays, really, doing things so clumsily." Old Master Chu remarked.
"Whatâs wrong?" Chu Jingming asked again.
"This is a Chinese rose; donât I recognize it? Snow Lotus indeed!" Old Master Chu pointed at the flower in the box.
"This..." Zhang Yanran was stunned.
How could this be a Chinese rose?
Li Guofu said it was a Snow Lotus, and the experts present also said it was a Snow Lotus!