True Is False, and False Is True (Part Two)

Uncle Wu grew more and more excited as he examined it. From time to time, he let out sounds of admiration, and by the end, he praised it enthusiastically. "Beautiful calligraphy! Beautiful calligraphy! No wonder Zhao Mengfu was called the second Wang Xizhi. He truly lived up to his reputation!"

However, after his admiration faded, he could not help feeling puzzled. He simply could not see what was wrong with this Ode to the Luo River Goddess. The calligraphy, seals, the silk, and everything else showed no problems at all. This was clearly an authentic work, so how could anyone have mistaken it for a forgery?

Of course, Uncle Wu knew that his skill in appraising calligraphy and paintings was weak. He raised his head and asked Chu Chen, "Xiao Chen, I'm not very knowledgeable about calligraphy and paintings. Aside from there being fewer collector's seals, I really can't see anything wrong with it!"

Chu Chen smiled faintly. "There's nothing wrong with any other aspect of this work, but the inscription appended by Zhu Zhishan is a forgery!"

"Ah!" Uncle Wu was extremely surprised. He hurriedly examined the appended inscription again, only then noticing that it did indeed seem somewhat problematic. As for exactly what was wrong, he could not explain it.

Seeing the sudden understanding mixed with confusion on Uncle Wu's face, Chu Chen once again went into detail about the characteristics of Zhu Zhishan's brushwork that he had mentioned earlier at Ma Laocai's place.

After hearing this, Uncle Wu said incredulously, "Xiao Chen, are you saying that this work was treated as an imitation by the seller simply because of the forged inscription by Zhu Zhishan?"

"That's exactly what happened!" Chu Chen said with a smile.

Lin Guangxin, who was standing nearby, said speechlessly, "That person must be