Chapter 85

Update time: April 7, 2013

Zhang Yang's first stop was the Calligraphy and Painting Hall, because there were many exhibits here, and almost every dynasty from the Jin Dynasty onwards was represented. This gave Zhang Yang a very standard answer, allowing him to easily understand the exhibits.

Pan Hui followed Zhang Yang with a puzzled look, not knowing what he was doing or why he found these calligraphy and paintings interesting.

After entering the hall, Zhang Yang looked at the first exhibit, "The Emperor's Procession" by Yan Liben from the Tang Dynasty. Using his ability, he saw a huge purple aura on the scroll, and the spiritual energy surged into his mind like a tsunami.

Zhang Yang's body involuntarily trembled, and Pan Hui quickly grabbed his arm, asking anxiously, "Boss, are you okay?"

Zhang Yang managed to say, "I'm fine. Note down the time of this scroll and the purple color behind it."

Pan Hui looked at Zhang Yang in confusion, "Why do you need to note this down?"

"Stop asking questions, just do it," Zhang Yang said with a grim expression.

While Pan Hui was taking notes, Zhang Yang was secretly calculating the time. According to the introduction, this painting was created around 640 AD, which was about 1,370 years ago, and the color was purple.

As for the effect of absorbing the spiritual energy, Zhang Yang didn't have time to think about it now. He just wanted to record each item.

Next, he saw "The Recluse" by Dong Qichang from the Ming Dynasty, created in 1616, which was nearly 400 years ago, and the color was dark yellow. Zhang Yang continued to examine each painting one by one.

Soon, Zhang Yang could confirm that the color changed with the age of the antique. Antiques from the same era had almost the same color, such as dark yellow for the Ming Dynasty, yellow for the Qing Dynasty, light yellow for the Republic of China, and ordinary white for modern items. Zhang Yang didn't have time to summarize, so he could only mechanically examine each painting, absorbing the spiritual energy and having Pan Hui record the time and color.

Pan Hui was completely puzzled, and their unusual behavior caught the attention of many people. A young, fashionable, and beautiful woman was following a man like a servant, taking notes and occasionally supporting him. They didn't look like ordinary tourists at all.

Their behavior also caught the attention of the security personnel. After observing them for a long time and finding no other suspicious behavior, they gave up. As long as the two didn't steal or damage the exhibits, they could do whatever they wanted. This was an era where everyone swept the snow in front of their own door, and no one cared about others' affairs as long as they didn't harm themselves.

Zhang Yang understood this, which is why he brought Pan Hui to see the exhibits so openly. No one would understand what he was doing, and if anyone asked, he could say he was taking notes and conducting a survey.

Later, all the exhibits were from the Qing Dynasty. Zhang Yang examined several of them, but no special colors appeared, so he stopped. As for the spiritual energy, he didn't dare to absorb any more, fearing his head would burst like a balloon.

"Did you note everything down?" Zhang Yang rubbed his temples.

"Yes, boss. Are you okay? Your face looks terrible!" Pan Hui said.

"I'm fine. Let's go now that we're done," Zhang Yang said.

Originally, Zhang Yang planned to visit all the designated halls, but now he didn't dare. The absorption of spiritual energy was uncontrollable. As soon as he used his ability, the spiritual energy would surge like bees attracted to honey. He could endure it once or twice, but after many times, he couldn't handle it anymore.

"Boss, where are we going?" Pan Hui asked, puzzled as she saw Zhang Yang heading towards the main gate.

"Home!" Zhang Yang said.

"But we haven't seen anything yet. There are so many palaces we haven't visited," Pan Hui said.

"Why bother? I came here to see the antiques. I've seen enough for now. We can come back another day," Zhang Yang said. He was eager to get home and review the notes he had taken to summarize the findings.

Pan Hui, unwilling to give up, said, "Boss, isn't that a waste of money? We can finish our visit and then go back!"

"Give me the notebook and pen," Zhang Yang stopped and said.

Pan Hui, thinking Zhang Yang had agreed, happily handed over the notebook and pen.

Zhang Yang took them and said, "Alright, you can go and look around. I'm going home first. When you're done, take a bus or subway back."

Saying that, Zhang Yang continued towards the main gate.

Pan Hui stomped her foot in anger, looking longingly at the depths of the Forbidden City, such a charming place. Then she turned around and ran to catch up with Zhang Yang.

"Aren't you going to look around? Why are you back?" Zhang Yang asked as they walked.

Pan Hui hung her head, unwilling to speak. She didn't dare to stay alone. Based on her understanding of Zhang Yang, if she stayed to continue visiting the Forbidden City, he might call her to come back and cook as soon as he got home. Why take the bus and subway when a car was available? She wasn't that foolish.

Seeing Pan Hui's silence, Zhang Yang ignored her. After leaving the Forbidden City, he drove home without stopping. Once inside, he went straight to the bedroom and started studying the notes Pan Hui had taken. Comparing the times and colors, Zhang Yang recorded everything on his computer and gradually found a pattern.

Antiques less than 100 years old were light yellow, 100 to 300 years old were yellow, 300 to 500 years old were dark yellow, 500 to 700 years old were light red, 700 to 900 years old were red, 900 to 1,100 years old were dark red, 1,100 to 1,300 years old were light purple, 1,300 to 1,500 years old were purple, 1,500 to 1,700 years old were dark purple, and those over 1,700 years old were green.

After reviewing his findings, Zhang Yang couldn't help but laugh out loud. It was just as he had guessed: the color emitted by antiques represented their age, though not precisely to the year, it was enough.

Pan Hui had been sitting in the living room watching TV since they returned. Today's events had thoroughly angered her. Entering the Forbidden City but being dragged out without seeing anything was like entering a mall and being forced to leave before looking at any clothes. Filled with anger, Pan Hui didn't even cook dinner.

Zhang Yang, immersed in his joy, was woken from a dream by the phone ringing. Seeing the familiar number, he hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to answer. The persistent ringing made him feel it would continue indefinitely if he didn't pick up.

After a long wait, Zhang Yang finally answered the phone. His joy had subsided, and his voice was back to normal.

"Zhang Yang, why didn't you answer the phone? Are you still angry?" Hong Yaqin's voice came from the other end.

"Miss Hong, what do you want?" Zhang Yang said coldly.

Hong Yaqin paused, then said, "Have you eaten? I made a few of my signature dishes. Can we talk while we eat?"

"We have nothing to talk about," Zhang Yang continued to be cold.

Hong Yaqin laughed bitterly, "Alright, I apologize for what I said yesterday. Can you come over so we can talk in person? Or should I come to you?"

"No need, I'll come over," Zhang Yang said.

Hong Yaqin laughed happily, "Great, I'll wait for you at the restaurant."

Zhang Yang thought for a moment, then walked out of the bedroom, ignoring Pan Hui's sullen expression, and said, "Come with me to eat."

Pan Hui stood up and walked towards the bedroom.

"Where are you going?" Zhang Yang asked.

"I'm changing clothes!" Pan Hui said angrily.

"No need, this outfit is fine. Hurry up," Zhang Yang's voice grew louder, and Pan Hui softened, obediently following him.

In the elevator, Pan Hui muttered, "There's no one who treats people like this."

"What are you muttering about? We're going to Miss Hong's for dinner. Watch how she cooks and compare it to yourself. How can there be such a big difference between women?" Zhang Yang said.

Pan Hui was a bit不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat). Without mentioning other things, her cooking skills were specially trained, and no one had ever said her food was bad.

Soon, Pan Hui would realize just how terrible Zhang Yang's character was.

Entering the private restaurant, Pan Hui immediately saw Hong Yaqin's top chef certificate on the wall.

Comparing the food made by a nanny to that of a top chef, could there be anything more unfair?