Chapter 22

When Qi Xiang asked for a million, everyone subconsciously thought he had either eaten a bear's heart or a leopard's gall, or had gone mad, otherwise how could he dare to open his mouth so wide?

At first, when Qi Xiang held up one finger, some people thought he was quoting ten thousand, and secretly praised him for being smart and sensible, knowing how to please...

Who knew, it wasn't ten thousand, but a million. A pair of walnuts, priced at a million, was he really treating Chen Bixue, or the Chen family, as a big fool?

It's true, the Chen family isn't short of money, but that doesn't mean Chen Bixue is a fat sheep for you to exploit at will.

For a moment, the way people looked at Qi Xiang changed, filled with ridicule, contempt, and pity.

They originally thought Qi Xiang was a smart person, with a chance to climb high and a bright future. Who knew, he was actually a big fool, destroying his own future.

"Indeed, people shouldn't be greedy. Once they are, their hearts are clouded by profit and desire, and they are doomed."

"Blinded by profit, it's truly unwise..."

Some people sighed repeatedly, taking the opportunity to teach their juniors with examples.

"Ha!"

At the same time, Yun Zhongwu burst out laughing, turned around, and called out, "Brother Jiang, your secretary... really has character. Is this how you usually teach him?"

Jiang Baiwan's face darkened, his expression uncertain. He couldn't understand why Qi Xiang, who was usually very smart, had acted so foolishly today.

Chen Bixue didn't laugh, his voice calm and steady, "Give me a reason."

Qi Xiang smiled and extended his hand.

Chen Bixue's gaze paused, his hand playing with the walnuts stopped, seeming somewhat reluctant, and slowly returned the walnuts.

Qi Xiang picked up the walnuts and slowly played with them. Unlike Chen Bixue, his walnuts made no sound, silent and quiet, this is called "wen pan" (gentle play).

While playing, Qi Xiang said, "These are wen walnuts, also called palm pearls. Playing with them daily can improve blood circulation, nourish the organs, balance the body, and maintain normal bodily functions."

"Because the walnut shell is thick and hard, after long-term rubbing, sweat immersion, oil penetration, and time polishing, it will eventually become a bright red, transparent, and beautiful natural art piece, better than agate."

Qi Xiang raised his hand and indicated, "My pair of walnuts is like this."

"Nonsense." Yun Zhongwu glanced and called out, "Old Wei, you're an expert. Tell us, how much would the best walnuts cost?"

"Well, it's hard to say..." Wei Ye deliberated, "It depends on the appearance, quality, and type... If it's a famous variety with perfect appearance and quality, the price would naturally be higher."

"Old Wei, don't beat around the bush," Yun Zhongwu said pointedly, "Just tell us if there are any walnuts worth a million on the market."

"I haven't heard of any," Wei Ye admitted frankly, as it was the truth and couldn't be hidden.

Wei Ye was an old hand, and if he hadn't heard of it, then it definitely didn't exist. This confirmed that Qi Xiang was indeed asking for an exorbitant price. This was what it meant to be blinded by profit, not even knowing how to write the word 'death.'

Many people's eyes were filled with ridicule, shaking their heads lightly. Heaven's punishment can be forgiven, but self-inflicted punishment cannot be lived with.

"It's said that nowadays, the best walnuts, some old lion-head walnuts, are priced at most a hundred thousand."

In the crowd, there were also those who understood, saying, "The second young master's offer of a hundred thousand is very fair and reasonable. As for a million... ha ha, that's just a joke."

"Exactly, exactly..." others echoed.

They had money, status, and position. If the item was worth it, they wouldn't mind spending more. But on the other hand, it didn't mean they were fools to be easily deceived.

For a moment, Qi Xiang became the target of everyone's criticism, and many had already sentenced him to death.

"Well, are you going to continue arguing?" Yun Zhongwu said mockingly. Failing to hit Jiang Baiwan, finding a way to save face through Qi Xiang seemed like a good choice.

Who made Jiang Baiwan claim that Qi Xiang was his secretary? Whether it was true or not, he was going to vent his anger. To blame, it was only Qi Xiang's bad luck to follow the wrong person...

Yun Zhongwu's gaze was cold, ready to strike.

Qi Xiang's lips curled, calm and composed, "Other walnuts may not be worth a million, but that doesn't mean mine aren't."

Yun Zhongwu didn't speak, just coldly laughed. He had no interest in纠缠不清 (entangling) with someone who was stubbornly sticking to their guns. Doing so would lower his status.

"Proof!" Chen Bixue said succinctly.

"I have..." Qi Xiang was straightforward, placing the walnuts on a nearby table.

The walnuts stood upright, perfectly symmetrical. The twisted patterns were very delicate and beautiful. Under the light, a bright red luster shone like a gem, clear and transparent, pleasing to the eye.

Even the most biased person, upon seeing this pair of walnuts, would admit that they were truly excellent. However, no matter how good the walnuts, they would still be influenced by inherent factors and could not reach a million-dollar price.

"Pity." Someone murmured softly, unsure whether they were pitying the person or the item.

Qi Xiang ignored the others and pointed at the walnuts, speaking confidently, "These are short-stem lion-head walnuts, with a straight stem, fine patterns, thick edges, smooth and gentle like a gentleman, and thick and honest like a scholar..."

Chen Bixue's face suddenly showed impatience, "Don't beat around the bush, get to the point."

"Alright, what I want to say is, although walnuts are common and easily found, in ancient times, they were treasures of emperors and nobles."

Qi Xiang smiled, "Historical records show that the Ming Dynasty's Emperor Tianqi not only played with walnuts constantly but also personally carved them. Hence, there are wild histories about him playing with walnuts and neglecting state affairs, and carving walnuts on his desk."

"During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong was also a great connoisseur of walnuts and even wrote a poem praising them."

As he spoke, Qi Xiang gently took out a fist-sized magnifying glass from his briefcase and indicated, "Here, this is the poem..."

Chen Bixue's eyes lit up, and he rushed over, bending down to examine.

Under the magnifying glass, the small walnut was immediately enlarged several times. The floral patterns were as thick as chopsticks. Following Qi Xiang's indication, Chen Bixue could see clearly.

On the thick edge of one walnut, a line of small characters was indeed engraved.

The characters were as fine as silk, seemingly carved with a needle. The font was elegant and graceful, like the hand of a calligraphy master, each character a gem, neatly arranged, full of ancient charm.

Chen Bixue's pupils contracted, and he recited softly, "In the palm, the sun and moon revolve, time seems to flow backward. The whole body's blood and qi surge, when will the white hair come?"

"Yes, that's the poem," Qi Xiang moved his hand and then steadied it, "Of course, the most crucial part is this mark. Well, it should be called an inscription, a signature!"

"Signature?" Chen Bixue squinted his eyes, observed for a moment, and then frowned, "Seal script... what heart, what office..."

"Yangxin Hall Office?" Instantly, Wei Ye was alarmed, moving like a rabbit, rushing over.

"What's going on?" Others looked at each other, sensing a possible twist.

Carefully examining the micro-engraved mark, Wei Ye's expression was very excited, "It's really the Yangxin Hall Office..."

Someone couldn't hold back and asked, "So what if it is? What's so special about it?"

"You don't understand," Wei Ye waved his hand, not explaining but staring intently at the walnut, as if trying to see through the mark and determine its authenticity.

At this point, Qi Xiang kindly explained, "If you haven't heard of the Yangxin Hall Office, you should have heard of the Qing Dynasty's Inner Court Office."

"Inner Court Office?" Others were moved, thinking deeply.

Thanks to the popularity of Qing Dynasty dramas, everyone was familiar with some of the Qing court's institutions. For example, the Inner Court Office, many had heard of it and knew it was a very powerful department.

The famous Heshen, for instance, once served as the Minister of the Inner Court Office.

Qi Xiang explained in detail, "During the Qing Dynasty, the Office of Manufacture was established to specifically manufacture various items, daily necessities, and artworks for the court. Later, as the scale of the royal family, nobility, and official groups expanded, the Office of Manufacture faced unprecedented pressure."

"To meet the needs of various parties, the Office of Manufacture was split into two. One was the Yangxin Hall Office of Manufacture, dedicated to the palace, and the other was the Inner Court Office of Manufacture, located on the north side of the Inner Court."

Qi Xiang's lips curved into a smile, "Now that the walnut has the mark of the Yangxin Hall Office, you should have an idea of its origin, right?"

"Imperial tribute!"

"Royal use!"

Everyone was moved, easily drawing such conclusions.

Reaching this conclusion, the group was stunned, looking at each other. If the walnut was indeed a royal item, then a million-dollar price tag didn't seem too excessive.

In a sense, this was a common phenomenon. No matter what, anything associated with the royal family would immediately increase in value and be highly sought after.

This might be a matter of mentality, but it must be acknowledged that royal items in ancient times were always a guarantee of quality. With the power of the entire country, supporting such a small group, the items produced were meticulously crafted, sparing no expense, how could they be inferior?

"Is it real or fake? Don't let it be a forgery."

In shock, some people had such doubts.

No one spoke, because the more influential a person was, the less likely they would make a hasty conclusion in an uncertain situation. If the conclusion was correct, that was fine, but if it was wrong, they would be publicly embarrassed.

Everyone's gaze focused on Wei Ye, occasionally glancing at Qi Xiang, their expressions complex. Perhaps, he wasn't overestimating himself or asking for an exorbitant price, but rather quoting a fair price?

No one noticed that, without realizing it, Qi Xiang, this small figure, had become the focus of public attention.

Of course, some noticed but wouldn't admit it. Yun Zhongwu stood to the side, his eyes dark, his expression cold and icy, somewhat angry...

.....................

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