"All right, regarding the character Liu Hai, if you are interested, you can research him separately later." At this point, Gao Dequan waved his hand and picked up the three-legged golden toad ornament. "Now, let's look at this toad holding a pearl."

"It's made of pottery."

As expected of an experienced appraiser, Gao Dequan judged it immediately upon handling it. He felt around the base of the ornament, shook his head, and said, "It was half-dried by low-temperature baking, then slowly air-dried after carving."

"Wang Guan, your eyesight is indeed sharp," Yu Feibai exclaimed. "It's exactly the same as what Uncle De appraised."

"You saw it too?" Gao Dequan was momentarily stunned, then smiled happily. "Although this thing isn't particularly valuable, the craftsmanship is rather unique. To be able to spot the trick shows you’ve at least gotten your foot in the door."

"I was just guessing, and happened to be right," Wang Guan said with a modest smile, reverting to his habitual humility.

"You can't guess that accurately," Gao Dequan chuckled, shaking his head. "Let Feibai try guessing something."

"Uncle De," Yu Feibai felt blindsided and naturally protested, "By what you're saying, after studying for several years, I haven't even made it to the doorway?"

"When you no longer need to look things up online, that's when you've officially entered," Gao Dequan remarked dismissively.

"Uh..." Yu Feibai was left speechless and could only keep quiet obediently.

At this moment, Wang Guan tried to smooth things over, lightly asking, "Uncle De, looking at this piece, what era would you estimate it's from?"

"The firing technique doesn't reveal much, but the carving skill, and the form of the three-legged golden toad, should place it around the mid-Ming Dynasty," Gao Dequan examined it for a few more moments, then set the toad down, saying with a smile, "It's quite a unique trinket. It was probably made by a poor scholar who had someone craft it for him to bring good luck. It's not worth much; keep it if you like it. If not, sell it—it's been around for some time, so it might fetch a few thousand to ten thousand yuan."

"Heh heh, buying it for two hundred and flipping it for ten thousand means a fiftyfold profit," Yu Feibai joked. "By that measure, Wang Guan, you've struck gold again."

Wang Guan chuckled softly and said nothing. However, in his heart, he knew that Gao Dequan had misjudged this time.

But Wang Guan didn't expose the truth, as it would be difficult to explain clearly if he did. So, he carefully placed the toad ornament aside, intending to study it slowly later.

After looking at the three-legged golden toad, Gao Dequan's attention shifted to the jade belt from the Ming Dynasty. He picked up a square jade plaque and examined it closely, then sighed with regret, "What a shame, after several hundred years, all the leather attaching the jade plaques has turned to dust."

Shaking his head, Gao Dequan suggested, "Feibai, why don't you find someone to make you a leather belt and inlay these jade plaques into it, forming a complete jade belt. That way, it will be easier to preserve, and you can appreciate the grandeur of a full jade belt."

"That's a great idea."

Yu Feibai was keenly interested. If Gao Dequan hadn't stopped him in time, he probably would have rushed out immediately to find someone to make the leather belt.

"Don't be in such a hurry," Gao Dequan said with a helpless smile. "This kind of belt isn't something just anyone knows how to make. It requires specific specifications and shapes to properly inlay the jade plaques."

Yu Feibai smiled sheepishly and sincerely asked for advice, "Then, Uncle De, who do you suggest we find to do the work?"

"Have you forgotten the purpose of our visit?" Wang Guan said with a smile. "At the Treasure Exchange Fair, there will surely be experts and masters in this field. We can ask Uncle De to introduce us then."

"Wang Guan is quick on the uptake," Gao Dequan nodded and smiled. "However, the person I'm going to introduce isn't an expert or a master, but rather a university professor. He has devoted his life to studying the evolution of ethnic clothing through successive dynasties. All my knowledge about ancient belts comes from him. Sometimes, when I encounter something I don't understand, I still have to ask him for guidance."

"That impressive?"

Wang Guan and Yu Feibai were both quite astonished.

"You two," Gao Dequan said solemnly, "don't assume all professors in the world are the same. That old gentleman is a pure scholar; his entire life's energy has been focused on academics. He never gets involved in that messy stuff and is highly admired and respected by everyone. When you meet him, don't be rude in any way, or you'll face universal condemnation."

"Understood," Wang Guan quickly nodded. Meanwhile, Yu Feibai was thoughtful. "Uncle De, are you perhaps referring to Elder Zhou, a good friend of Elder Qian?"

"You know?" Gao Dequan was startled, then suddenly realized, "That's right. The couplet displayed in Elder Qian's main hall was personally inscribed by Elder Zhou. You must have heard about him from Elder Qian."

Gao Dequan smiled and continued, "Although Elder Zhou is not a professional collector, his academic foundation is incredibly deep. He can authenticate even niche and obscure items. That's why he was specifically invited to be one of the judges at this Treasure Exchange Fair."

"Furthermore, Elder Zhou has done some research on study ornaments used by ancient literati," Gao Dequan paused, then added, "Therefore, whether Wang Guan's Li Tinggui inkstone is genuine will largely depend on Elder Zhou's judgment."

"Really?" Yu Feibai's eyes twinkled, and he suddenly put on a charming smile. "Uncle De, has Elder Zhou arrived? Can we go pay our respects to him right now?"

"Nonsense."

Gao Dequan knew immediately what Yu Feibai was thinking and immediately chided him with a laugh. "Although Elder Zhou has a kind nature, he is always fair and impartial, just like Elder Qian. That's why he was invited to be a judge. He wouldn't participate in any trickery."

"Besides, if something is real, it’s real; counterfeits can absolutely never be passed off as genuine. Otherwise, what difference would we be from those black-hearted merchants who manufacture and sell fakes?" Gao Dequan’s expression turned serious and earnest. "If you harbor such thoughts, you shouldn't bother learning antiques from me anymore."

"Uncle De, I was just joking," Yu Feibai quickly said. "You know I'm impatient; I just want to know sooner rather than later whether the Li Tinggui inkstone Wang Guan has is real or fake."

"I know you're joking, that's why I'm warning you," Gao Dequan replied. "If not, I would have sent you away long ago. Furthermore, Wang Guan isn't anxious, so why are you so worried?"

Wang Guan smiled; he wasn't anxious because he was confident. Even if that ancient inkstone turned out not to be the genuine Li Tinggui ink, its imitation was so successful, and the purple divine luster shining on the ink made it clear it was still a treasure. In any case, it was something he obtained unexpectedly, and even if it didn't meet his expected value, Wang Guan was quite content.

Moreover, his mind was no longer on the Li Tinggui inkstone. His thoughts were constantly wrestling with what profound mystery the three-legged golden toad might hold that even Gao Dequan had misjudged it.

...................... I sincerely hope that as you read, you will take a moment to save this book and give a recommendation vote. I beg you.