Did She Help Her Junior Sister?

At first, Zhao Ruxi thought Xiao Lingyan's method of relaying messages was too outdated and slow. But now she discovered it had an advantage: because of the time difference, anyone bidding had to offer a significantly higher price than the servant's current offer to make their bid worthwhile; otherwise, it would be meaningless before they even announced their bid. Therefore, as the bidding progressed, everyone jumped up their bids, offering at least several hundred taels of silver more than the current price, as if the silver were nothing.

However, once the price reached 7,000, the speed of quoting prices slowed down, and there were fewer waiters running around downstairs, while the errand runners in the private rooms upstairs were still running around quite enthusiastically.

Zhao Ruxi observed that basically, the right side would call out a number, and after a while, the left side would call out a number. It seemed that the two arenas were finally going to clash.

Apparently annoyed, one of the nobles finally quoted a high price. "Eight thousand five hundred taels of silver." The price jumped by a thousand taels of silver, and the messengers who were running around all stopped. It was clear that the guests had quoted them lower prices.

Then the entire room fell silent.

Guan Wentao waited a moment, and seeing that the errand boy didn't come back with any more messages, he lightly tapped the drum and asked, "Eight thousand five hundred taels of silver, anyone else want to go for it?"

The entire room fell silent.

"Eight thousand five hundred taels at a time." Guan Wentao struck the drum and shouted, "Those who want to bid, hurry up! I'll announce it three times. If no new bid is made, it will be sold for eight thousand five hundred taels."

Seeing that no one spoke, he said, "Eight thousand five hundred taels twice." His eyes scanned the entire room, and whenever he saw someone moving, he would stop and wait for someone to announce a new price.

It's unclear whether it was because the price was too high and no one was willing to bid, or because letting a errand boy in and out of his private room at this point would expose his identity, so no one bid anymore.

In the end, this revolving vase was sold for eight thousand five hundred taels of silver.

"Congratulations to guest number 32 for winning a famille rose openwork 'Four Seasons Landscape' revolving vase from the previous dynasty. Guest number 32, please bring your silver notes to the auction house before noon tomorrow morning to complete the transaction."

Guan Wentao paused for a moment, then said, "I imagine everyone has already read the auction rules attached to the invitation before attending the auction. I'd like to reiterate them here. For items auctioned tonight, the winning bidders must bring their silver notes to the auction house to complete the transaction before noon tomorrow morning. Those who fail to come to complete the transaction by this time will be permanently barred from the auction house. Please pay attention to the time if you have won any bids tonight."

After explaining all that, he said, "Next, let's bring out the second item we've photographed today."

The first item was so valuable that it changed everyone's initial attitude, making them eagerly anticipate the second item.

It was Eunuch Qin came out again, accompanied by another servant in addition to the one who had carried the vase earlier. Both servants wore light-colored gloves, and one of them was holding a scroll, clearly indicating that this time they were bidding on a piece of calligraphy or painting.

Wu Zong became excited and asked Kang Shilin, "Master, is this my junior sister's painting?"

Kang Shilin recalled Xiao Lingyan saying he would place Zhao Ruxi's painting second to last, but not knowing how many items were up for auction that night, he hesitated and said, "Probably not?"

Eunuch Qin and his two servants did not linger on stage. After leaving backstage, they went straight upstairs to the private room, clearly to save time.

Guan Wentao then introduced the items on stage, "As you can see, the servant was just holding a painting. I won't reveal whose painting it is or which dynasty it's from. Those with discerning eyes will naturally recognize the owner, assess the quality, and price the painting according to their own standards. However, I can assure you that all items in our auction house have been authenticated by renowned experts. Unless the expert's expertise is lacking, we will never sell a fake."

After he finished speaking, people on and off the stage started discussing it.

If you're selling paintings but don't tell people who painted them, how can they possibly bid? After all, whether a painting is by a famous artist or an ordinary painter, whether the artist is alive or dead, makes a world of difference in price.

Wu Zong's mind worked the fastest. As soon as Guan Wentao finished speaking, he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Ah, this way of selling couldn't be more advantageous for Junior Sister!"

Zhao Ruxi was a fourteen-year-old girl of low social status. Even though she became Kang Shilin's apprentice and created a completely different system of drawing techniques, sketching, she still failed to attract people's attention.

Even if her landscape paintings are magnificent and breathtaking, once people know who the artist is, they will not only subconsciously look down on them, but also label the paintings as worthless.

The painter is only fourteen years old. Who knows how many paintings she will create in her lifetime? A fourteen-year-old's paintings are bound to be immature and naive, completely incomparable to her paintings when she is in her thirties or forties. Such paintings are naturally worthless.

Furthermore, bidding on a young girl's painting implies an acknowledgment that they admire her artistic talent. Isn't that shameful? Are all these grown men present less important than a little girl, daring to fawn over her? Does she have that much nerve? Who gave her that right?

At that point, not only might the painting fail to fetch a bid, but it might also go unsold or even fail to sell at all.

Thus, instead of becoming famous, the junior sister became a laughing stock.

But the situation changed completely after the Fifth Prince established this rule.

Wu Zong himself is a painter, and his figure paintings are exceptional. He usually sells his paintings for high prices, and he is an extremely proud person. However, he sincerely admits that he is not as good as his junior sister.

The moment you unroll her painting, it is absolutely breathtaking, with an overwhelming and powerful aura. Anyone with eyes who can feel this aura will be captivated and willing to pay a high price for it.

Judging solely by the painting itself, without considering the artist's identity, would be a significant advantage for the junior sister.

As they were talking, Eunuch Qin led two servants into their private room.

Without saying a word, the servant unfurled the scroll, and the painting was slowly revealed to everyone.

Upon realizing it wasn't his junior sister, Wu Zong was somewhat disappointed. However, he was immediately drawn to the painting.

The horses on the map are so lifelike, they seem to be galloping towards them.

"This is..." His eyes widened, "This is a painting by Zuo Qiusheng?"

Kang Shilin stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Exactly."

Zuo Qiusheng was most skilled at painting horses. In order to paint horses, he once lived and ate in the stable, just to observe the horses' movements and postures. In the end, he finally painted the most spirited horses.

Although Zuo Qiusheng produced many paintings throughout his life, he rarely sold them. If he was even slightly dissatisfied with one, he would burn it all. Therefore, very few of his paintings have survived to this day. Furthermore, due to war, even fewer paintings remain. To date, only two of his paintings have been discovered and collected by the people of the Great Jin, and another one was purchased by the late emperor and added to the palace.

Now, another painting of Zuo Qiusheng has appeared on the world stage—how can this not excite everyone?

"Take a picture of it, you absolutely must take a picture of it," Kang Shilin said.

But many people share his thoughts.

The painting was eventually sold for 16,700 taels of silver. The identity of the buyer remains unknown.