After hearing the whole story, everyone felt there had to be something fishy about it. Otherwise, if this vase were genuine, even if the stall had been in a relatively secluded spot, there had been so many people at the ghost market—and it had already been nearing the end of the market. How could no one have seen it?
Therefore, both Yuan Hongjian and Du Yile felt that this Yuhuchun vase must have had a major flaw, which was why it had remained there until Zhuang Shengjing discovered it. Besides, it had cost less than twenty thousand yuan in total. Could someone really have gone to all that trouble just to dupe Zhuang Shengjing? How deep would the grudge have to be for someone to set up a trap specifically for him?
Of course, no one could declare that there was a problem with the Yuhuchun vase without evidence. Thus, everyone turned their eyes toward Chu Chen, who had already finished examining it, wanting to hear his answer.
Chu Chen chuckled. "Judging by its appearance, this Yuhuchun vase is indeed exceptionally 'fine.' But whether the maker was trying to gild the lily or what, he actually added flint red to the bottom of the vase. It looks rather incongruous and has left behind a fatal flaw."
Hearing this, Zhuang Shengjing had a different opinion. "Teacher Chu, if I remember correctly, flint red appears because the clay contains it. If the clay has been refined thoroughly, flint red is rarely seen. For example, the small objects made during the High Qing period used finely refined clay. But porcelain-making technology declined during the Xianfeng reign, and the clay wasn't refined as thoroughly as during the High Qing period. Wouldn't it be normal for flint red to appear?"
"You're right!" Chu Chen nodded.