Zisha teapots have evolved to the point where utility and aesthetic appeal are equally indispensable. A superior Zisha teapot not only maintains the color of the steeped tea but, after prolonged use, even plain water steeped in it will carry a tea aroma. Furthermore, as these pots are handled over time, they develop a patina, a glaze resembling jade, which is inherently highly ornamental.

Contemplate this: sipping fragrant, soul-cleansing tea while admiring a lustrous, perfectly formed Zisha pot—what a truly captivating prospect. This is life, this is refinement. But to state the blunt truth, Zisha teapots, from antiquity to the present, have never been things affordable by the common populace. The moniker 'Soil of the Wealthy' says it all.

In ancient times, refining Zisha clay was arduous, so its output was naturally scarce. In modern times, even with increased production, the master pieces crafted from the finest clays remain beyond the reach of ordinary people, cementing their status as playthings for the rich.

How could the quality or appearance of a rich person's plaything be subpar? Indeed, would the wealthy even sell something lacking in fine appearance? Therefore, the shape itself isn't the deciding factor; the crucial element is the quality of the finish.

Thus, upon seeing this Peach Cup, Wang Guan's first reaction was to frown. Upon learning it was a work by Xiang Shengsi, he scrutinized it further, his brow only knitting tighter.

After another look, Wang Guan couldn't help but speak, "Master Pei, Xiang Shengsi's Peach Cup shouldn't look like this, should it? There's not even an inscription, and the craftsmanship is poor. The genuine article is in the Nanjing Museum; though I haven't seen it in person, I have seen counterfeits that look far superior to this cup. Moreover, I know the connection between that Xiang Shengsi Peach Cup and Master Pei Shimin—you couldn't possibly be unaware of its provenance."

This incident dates back to the Republic of China era. A collector chanced upon a Xiang Shengsi Peach Cup, though the base was slightly damaged. Pei Shimin, at that time a renowned expert in antique restoration, was naturally called upon by the collector for repairs.

After studying it, Pei Shimin crafted a corresponding pedestal for the cup's base. The cup and the base complemented each other perfectly, a seamless union lauded by epigrapher Pan Zhiliang as the 'Two Beauties of Ceramic History.' After the founding of the People's Republic, the collector donated that Peach Cup to the state, where it remains a cherished treasure in the Nanjing Museum.

In the 1960s, the Nanjing Museum commissioned a Zisha master to replicate the Peach Cup. As a master, he not only succeeded in copying the cup but went beyond mere imitation seeking superficial resemblance; he achieved a perfect re-creation, imbued with its own spirit.

After the replication was complete, one was housed in the Purple Light Pavilion of Zhongnanhai, while the other appeared in a spring auction last year, instantly causing a sensation before being acquired by a major collector from the capital. The counterfeit Wang Guan mentioned seeing refers to this very piece.

As Pei Shimin’s grandson, Pei Hongquan was naturally aware of this history and had even visited the Nanjing Museum to view the genuine Peach Cup. Compared to the authentic piece’s reddish-ochre hue and its warm, refined clay texture, the cup before him was sheer trash.

Hearing Wang Guan's skepticism, Pei Hongquan felt a touch of embarrassment: "It's just a suspicion, but I believe it's a fake. After all, Xiang Shengsi was quite famous back then; it wouldn't be strange for potters to imitate his work."

"Is that so?"

Wang Guan mused thoughtfully, then smiled, "I wonder what Master Pei’s evaluation was back then?"

The 'Master Pei' Wang Guan referred to was, of course, Pei Shimin, a fact Pei Hongquan immediately recognized. After a moment of thought, his expression turned slightly peculiar: "My ancestor said this piece might be genuine, perhaps... perhaps..."

"Perhaps what?" Wang Guan pressed curiously.

"Perhaps there's some hidden mystery to it."

As he spoke, Pei Hongquan shook his head and chuckled, "But I’ve handled and examined it closely for some time, and I haven't found anything unusual."

Wang Guan's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this, and he eagerly asked, "May I handle it for closer inspection?"

"Certainly," Pei Hongquan replied with a smile. "To be honest, almost everyone reacts to my statement just as you are now. But alas, from beginning to end, no one has uncovered any clue."

"Then let me see..." Wang Guan smiled and carefully picked up the Peach Cup. The moment it settled in his hands, he noticed the clay body was indeed quite coarse.

Yet, it was precisely this roughness that allowed Wang Guan to vaguely understand why Pei Hongquan kept the cup. After all, even if this cup wasn't by Xiang Shengsi, it was likely an object dating back to the late Ming or early Qing dynasty.

Different eras used clay with distinct textures and coloring properties. Zisha clay used during the Ming dynasty contained granular coarse sand, giving it a rough feel—a result of the relatively backward clay refining techniques of the time.

By the Qing dynasty, the refinement process had generally improved, leading to the emergence of fine Zisha clay. Especially after the mid-Qing period, Zisha ware produced exhibited firm bodies, warm colors, and superior tactile qualities. Modern times require no mention; with the aid of contemporary machinery, the clay is even finer, and the appearance more perfect.

Therefore, the coarse feel of the Peach Cup suggested a considerable age; it was, at any rate, an antiquity and wouldn't be discarded lightly.

Of course, Wang Guan was more intrigued by the 'hidden mystery' Pei Hongquan mentioned. He didn't necessarily believe Pei Hongquan, but he reasoned that if a master like Pei Shimin claimed there was a mystery, there might truly be some hidden mechanism.

However, after repeated examination, Wang Guan had to admit that no matter how he looked at it, it appeared to be a crudely made object. Apart from its somewhat distinctive shape, which was noteworthy, it was otherwise utterly unremarkable.

But as a discerning individual, Wang Guan knew one shouldn't judge solely by appearances but must also look for inherent depth. For example, he once heard a story about a Zisha master who, out of gratitude, specially crafted a superior teapot for his benefactor. Fearing turmoil and envy, however, he deliberately made the pot look hideous.

The recipient, understanding the master's intent, accepted the gift gladly. But his family found the pot bizarre and unsightly, so they paid it no mind. A few days after receiving the gift, they carelessly broke it, causing the benefactor immense grief.

It turned out that despite its ugly exterior, the pot possessed internal quality beyond compare. Tea steeped in it remained fresh overnight, tasting exactly the same the next morning.

Such a teapot was considered extraordinary and immensely precious.

Wang Guan now suspected that this Peach Cup might operate under a similar principle. Granted, since the mouth was open, he couldn't expect overnight insulation, but might the taste of the steeped tea be superior?

Simultaneously, seeming to read Wang Guan’s mind, Pei Hongquan shook his head and chuckled, "The cup has nothing special about it; steeping tea in it won't make it fresher or tastier—it’s just an ordinary cup. If I had to point out anything unique, perhaps there is just a little..."

"What is it?" Wang Guan asked, very curious.

Pei Hongquan hesitated slightly before confessing, "My ancestor speculated that the body of this Peach Cup might have been mixed with Tianqing clay."

"Really? Is that true?"

Wang Guan was astonished. Wasn't Tianqing clay renowned for being exquisitely fine? How could it result in such coarseness?

"I don't know, it was just a guess," Pei Hongquan said uncertainly. "Looking closely, the cup does possess a slight bluish-black texture, but it leans more toward dark black. My ancestor suspected that this was due to impure clay refinement coupled with poor control over the firing temperature, which effectively ruined this piece."

Wang Guan glanced at the object and was inclined to agree. He understood why Pei Hongquan kept the piece despite its flaws: given that Tianqing clay had been lost, possessing an object potentially made from it was a form of commemoration.

At the same time, Wang Guan smiled, "Master Pei Shimin’s hidden mystery must refer to this, correct?"

"More or less," Pei Hongquan chuckled. "Let's stop discussing this cup. You've finished looking at everything in the room now; have you made up your mind about which piece to choose?"

"This is truly a difficult decision," Wang Guan sighed, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of Zisha pots, looking indecisive. Putting aside a few pieces Pei Hongquan was clearly reluctant to part with, every other item possessed its own unique excellence, making the choice genuinely hard.

"Let me see, just one more look..." Wang Guan murmured to himself, though he knew he couldn't keep Pei Hongquan waiting indefinitely. Gritting his teeth, he decided to use his special ability to scan the room.

Instantly, faint flickers of pale white precious light entered his vision. Wang Guan wasn't surprised; after all, most of the pots in the room were recently made pieces. Even those twenty or thirty years old barely qualified as antiques. If not for their excellent quality, which made them valuable, they likely wouldn't even emit a precious glow.

Moreover, even items made by the same person exhibit minute differences in quality. These distinctions are so subtle that even the creator might not perceive them.

But Wang Guan could differentiate based on the intensity of the precious light—the superior pieces stood out immediately. Whether an object was genuinely fine or merely attractive on the surface but flawed within was instantly clear to him.

At first glance, Wang Guan easily dismissed many items. He also knew that the famous pots personally made by Pei Shimin were not for him to choose, so he wisely skipped those. After extensive comparison, he finally pinpointed the Lion Ball Pot replicated by Pei Hongquan as the best choice.

The Pei family held the esteemed reputation of the 'Lion Ball Kings,' and Pei Hongquan, inheriting the family's deep knowledge, naturally possessed the requisite skill. Therefore, the quality of his Lion Ball Pot was certainly guaranteed.

With this conclusion reached, Wang Guan was about to make his decision, but as his gaze swung back, a dazzling golden light—a radiance that seemed to fill the entire room—suddenly burst forth, leaving him stunned and momentarily frozen.

Fortunately, Wang Guan had experienced such phenomena before, allowing him to maintain a semblance of composure. Focusing his sight, he realized the golden light was emanating from the Peach Cup nearby, its dazzling brilliance shining as intensely as the sun...