Dragon Blood Divine Son-in-law
Chapter 99 - 099: Priceless Treasure

Chapter 99: Chapter 099: Priceless Treasure

Although it was only a fleeting moment, that figure resembled Chen Xuan so closely, it left Loh Anni astonished.

However, she immediately shook her head, dismissing the thought.

What was she thinking, this is Hanjiang Pavilion, a place only the elite can access. How could Chen Xuan, that good-for-nothing, possibly be qualified to come to such an upscale place!

It must be because they looked so alike.

Putting these thoughts aside, when the elevator arrived, Loh Anni followed the young wealthy man to the ninth floor.

By then, the entire ninth floor of Hanjiang Pavilion was swarming with people, all of them fashionably dressed members of high society, mingling with drinks in hand.

The reason these people were desperate to get into Hanjiang Pavilion was not only to show off but primarily to enter the circle of the elite and meet more influential and powerful individuals.

However, for the average person to meet someone of higher status here was no easy task.

Because the layout of the venue at Hanjiang Pavilion was very deliberate.

The ninth floor was designed much like a loft, where the ordinary members of high society sat in the main hall.

But the truly distinguished guests were all around the main hall on the second level, with each having their own private boxes. These faced the main hall yet were concealed by curtains, so ordinary people couldn’t see inside, let alone hope to make acquaintances.

This design was conceived by the organizers to protect the privacy of their valued guests and to prevent them from being disturbed.

At this moment, in Box 888 on the second level, Chen Xuan and Zhao Boqian had already taken their seats.

"Brother Chen, I heard there are quite a few treasures today, you must help me keep an eye out!"

Chen Xuan smiled slightly, "Uncle Zhao, you are too modest. With you here, what need is there for me to keep watch? I’m purely here to broaden my horizons today!"

Chen Xuan’s words made Zhao Boqian grin from ear to ear.

As the heir of the Zhao Family, an owner of Ask Gu Xuan, he rarely missed spotting the true value of items.

Soon, as the host took the stage, the auction immediately began.

The first item auctioned was a Qing Dynasty Imperial Diancui Hairpin.

A small item that eventually sold for five million, could only be considered an appetizer.

Zhao Boqian, accustomed to such items, didn’t even place a bid, clearly uninterested.

The auction continued, and several subsequent items were sold for millions, but still failed to pique Zhao Boqian’s interest. In the end, he spent twelve million to buy a pair of Northern Song Dynasty Hundred Shou Jade Vases, a mere consolation.

Auctions are inevitably just a game for the wealthy, and tycoons like Zhao Boqian revel in it, while those in the main hall are mostly there for the excitement.

Not to mention someone like Loh Anni, just making up the numbers.

In fact, since the beginning, Loh Anni had been watching with a mix of excitement and fear.

Simply a hairpin was auctioned for five million, and two jade vases for twelve million!

This completely overturned her understanding; after all, she was just an ordinary person, who likely wouldn’t earn five million in a lifetime.

Yet for those wealthy individuals in the second-level boxes, it was merely a game.

This only reinforced Loh Anni’s resolve to marry a rich man someday, and not just any rich man, but one who could spend money like those on the second level, throwing thousands around without a care. Only then would her life feel truly worthwhile!

An hour had passed in the blink of an eye, and more than a dozen antiques had been auctioned off, with Zhao Boqian claiming only four of them.

Four items, yet costing nearly a hundred million!

Next, the following item was brought to the display stand, a piece of Bronzeware.

The host announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the item on stage is a Bronze Double Fish Vessel, preliminarily identified as a piece from the Shang Dynasty era. The starting bid is fifty million!"

The audience gasped in surprise.

Fifty million, undoubtedly the highest starting price for any item today.

Despite their amazement, the crowd’s interest in the Bronze Double Fish Vessel wasn’t high, not only because of the steep starting price but also due to the Bronzeware market itself.

With rampant forgeries in today’s Bronzeware market, there are very few genuine antique Bronzewares.

Spending fifty million only to end up with a fake would be a major loss.

Therefore, when the host announced the start of bidding, no one made an offer.

"Fifty million? The cost of trial and error is too high!" Zhao Boqian shook his head with a wry smile, clearly not planning to make a bid.

A touch of joy appeared on Chen Xuan’s face as he grinned and said, "That’s not necessarily true!"

Zhao Boqian sensed something, "Brother Chen, could it be that you’ve spotted something special?"

Chen Xuan smiled without speaking, "In my opinion, this item is a rare treasure, Uncle Zhao, you must not miss it."

"Ah? This..." Zhao Boqian was somewhat hesitant.

In his view, it indeed seemed too uneconomical to venture fifty million on a trial and error basis.

After all, he still doubted Chen Xuan’s judgment.

Zhao Luna immediately began to feel unhappy, "Dad, wasn’t it you who said to let Chen Xuan be your eyes? Now that Chen Xuan is saying this item is a treasure, why aren’t you hurrying to make a bid!"

Zhao Boqian was in an awkward spot, if he were to disregard the advice now, he would really be offending someone.

Having no other choice, Zhao Boqian decided to make a bid. He didn’t expect to acquire any treasures; he simply wanted to placate Chen Xuan.

"Fifty-one million!"

As soon as Zhao Boqian spoke up, all eyes in the Hanjiang Pavilion turned towards booth 888.

In fact, from the beginning, booth 888 had already attracted quite a bit of attention. Spending over a hundred million at an auction was not something ordinary folks could achieve.

Now to directly offer over fifty million for an item likely to be fake bronzeware was indeed causing quite a stir.

Even the host had not expected that someone would actually make a bid for this piece of bronzeware.

"Is there anyone willing to offer a higher price?"

"Fifty-one million once, twice, sold!"

Hearing the word "sold," Zhao Boqian was completely resigned.

"Brother Chen, I’m afraid you might have been mistaken this time. Regardless of its authenticity, even if this item was indeed from the Shang Dynasty, at fifty-one million, there’s not much room for its value to increase!"

With no one else even counter-bidding, Zhao Boqian felt he was bound to suffer a huge loss.

Chen Xuan, however, just gave a faint smile and said indifferently, "Uncle Zhao is right, if it really is from the Shang Dynasty, it indeed wouldn’t be too economical. But if it’s from an even earlier period, then it’s a different story."

"An earlier period?" Zhao Boqian was stunned.

In his understanding, bronzeware first appeared no earlier than the Shang and Zhou dynasties, so what could be earlier?

However, immediately after, a startling thought suddenly surged in Zhao Boqian’s mind, making him inwardly alarmed.

"Are you suggesting... Ancient Shu?"

Chen Xuan smiled without saying a word, his meaning was already very clear.

Zhao Boqian was completely dumbfounded.

News about the Ancient Shu sites being heatedly discussed was familiar to Zhao Boqian.

If this item was truly related to the Ancient Shu civilization, then its value was immeasurable, well beyond five hundred million or even five billion.

It would be a priceless treasure!

"Brother Chen, can you... can you really confirm this?" Zhao Boqian dared not believe it.

Chen Xuan nodded, "It’s unmistakable."

Chen Xuan’s knowledge in antiques might not be abundant, but his keen sight was extraordinary. He had recognized at first glance that the aura emanating from this Bronze Double Fish Vessel was from five thousand years ago; according to chronological estimation, it was certain!

Zhao Boqian was overjoyed. If this was really the case, then he had indeed made a fortune this time!

With the auction of the Bronze Double Fish Vessel, the auction was nearing its end.

The final item was then pushed onto the stage.

When Chen Xuan’s gaze fell on that item, his previously undisturbed expression changed dramatically.

"This is..."