In the end, it was just youth, acting impulsively. Old Man Yang secretly shook his head, but he felt it was a good thing for Wang Guan to suffer a small loss; after all, having learned a lesson, he wouldn't make the same mistake again.

"Wang Guan, even you can misjudge things now."

Since their relationship was close, Yu Feibai didn't offer comfort. Instead, as if adding salt to Wang Guan's wound, he chuckled, "This is the normal course of things. If I kept seeing you picking up treasures all the time, I'd start suspecting you weren't even from Earth."

Old Man Yang and Yu Feibai chimed in, one after the other, dismissing Wang Guan's judgment, yet he showed no anger. A smile remained on his face as he picked up the Ink Bamboo Scroll and began to examine it carefully.

The two beside him couldn't help but start whispering among themselves, wondering if Wang Guan couldn't handle the blow and was perhaps losing his composure.

"Wang Guan, don't take it too much to heart."

At this point, Yu Feibai reined in his smile and quickly tried to console him, "Look at me, I frequently misjudge things, and I've paid my tuition fees many times over..."

"I'm fine, I don't need your comfort." Wang Guan smiled and shook his head, then suddenly asked, "Feibai, do you still remember that painting, the one Old Man Qian mentioned earlier—the one illustrating 'A single leaf obscures Mount Tai'?"

"'A single leaf obscures Mount Tai, preventing one from seeing the grandeur of the whole mountain.'" Yu Feibai froze, his eyes immediately widening, and he exclaimed in shock, "Wang Guan, don't tell me this is another piece disguised by a visual trick?"

"Hard to say." Wang Guan chuckled lightly, "Don't you think the paper of this painting feels a bit thick?"

"Thick paper?"

Yu Feibai hurriedly touched the Ink Bamboo Scroll, rubbing it carefully, but shook his head in confusion, "It doesn't feel particularly thick. I’ve seen genuine works by Qi Baishi that were layered with seventeen or eighteen sheets of Xuan paper!"

"Good Xuan paper is made in layers. A regular sheet can be split into two or three layers, and top-grade Xuan paper can even be split into a dozen layers. That’s why paper-stripping and mounting techniques were used to steal others’ calligraphy and paintings."

Wang Guan explained with a smile, "However, if I recall correctly, the popularity of using Xuan paper for painting began around the Yuan or Ming dynasties. But during the Song Dynasty, the paper used for calligraphy and painting was generally cotton paper or hemp paper. Of course, there were other varieties. But the thickness difference probably wasn't that significant, right?"

"Not necessarily." Old Man Yang shook his head, "The paper used in ancient times varied quite a bit depending on the region. For instance, during the Northern Song period, the paper most admired by the world was the Chengtang paper from the Southern Tang. After the Northern Song conquered the Southern Tang, this Chengtang paper became exclusive to the imperial court."

"We know that."

Yu Feibai gave a strange smile, "During the Chunhua era of Emperor Taizong of Song, the Chunhua Pavilion Model Calligraphy Collection, which gathered samples from various masters, was reproduced using this Chengtang paper and ink created by Li Tinggui."

"Little Brother is quite correct."

Old Man Yang smiled, "But after the fall of the Southern Tang, the technique for making Chengtang paper seemed to be lost, causing this paper to become increasingly rare. By the mid-Northern Song, Chengtang paper was incredibly precious, unattainable even with great wealth. For example, great figures like Cai Xiang, Ouyang Xiu, and Mei Yaochen would be overjoyed to receive just a few sheets of Chengtang paper, using them to compose poems and practice calligraphy as keepsakes."

"By the time of Su Dongpo, that Chengtang paper had essentially vanished."

Old Man Yang mused, "It seems there was a man named Pan Gu around that time who not only excelled at making ink but also understood papermaking. He imitated the Southern Tang's Li Tinggui ink and Chengtang paper to develop a new ink and new paper, which was highly favored by Su Dongpo. After Pan Gu passed away, Su Dongpo even wrote a poem specifically mourning him."

"So, you see, ancient literati and noble scholars didn't look down upon technology as much as we imagine." Old Man Yang smiled gently, "At least regarding scholarly implements, not only did the officials value them, but even the emperors dearly loved them. It’s just that, due to frequent warfare, most of these techniques were lost. That's why people today think the ancients disdained technology, viewing it as mere trickery!"

As a inheritor of ancient craftsmanship, Old Man Yang certainly had a right to speak on this, but he realized his words had veered off topic, so he quickly pulled back, chuckling sheepishly, "What I meant was, since the techniques varied by region, the paper produced would also differ in thickness."

"Wang Guan, are you suggesting that a thin layer of paper has been applied over this painting, concealing the essential characteristics of Wen Tong's Ink Bamboo Scroll?" At this point, Yu Feibai began to grasp Wang Guan's meaning, hesitating, "This possibility isn't zero. But the probability is extremely low. However, if you want to verify it, you could find an expert to help you strip and remount it."

"If you’re not confident, it’s best not to try."

Old Man Yang clearly didn't believe much in optical illusions and offered a well-meaning caution, "You must know that paper-stripping requires great skill; one careless move and the entire painting could be ruined."

Yu Feibai nodded in agreement, "Old Man Qian once told me that unless a painting is so damaged that butterflies are fluttering around it, you should never attempt to strip and remount it. If you absolutely must, you have to hire a master craftsman with extensive experience. Otherwise, encountering someone with poor skills will turn them into the painting's executioner."

"I understand."

Wang Guan nodded. Seeing that the two were still worried, he simply stated, "I have a hundred percent certainty."

"A hundred percent certainty about what?" Yu Feibai shook his head and sighed, "Don't forget Uncle De’s instructions; he even told you to supervise me and not act recklessly. Who knew you would end up diving even deeper into this obsession?"

"This is different. I want the original masterpiece to see daylight, not destroy this painting." Wang Guan smiled helplessly, "If you don't believe me, I can perform a small verification."

"How can you verify it?"

Yu Feibai and Old Man Yang were both extremely curious.

Wang Guan pointed to the lower left side of the Ink Bamboo Scroll and said with a smile, "According to standard layout conventions, after a painting is completed, the artist's signature or seal is usually placed here."

In truth, Wang Guan had already known the answer through his special ability. While speaking, he dipped his finger in a drop of water and gently pressed it onto a blank spot on the Ink Bamboo Scroll.

Instantly, the water droplet permeated the paper and spread outwards in all directions.

Simultaneously, a faint reddish-brown cinnabar seal emerged. The characters on the seal were blurry, but the characters Wen Tong and Ke Si could be vaguely discerned.

"No way!"

Yu Feibai was astonished, slack-jawed, completely stunned.

Old Man Yang beside him was in a similar state, his cloudy eyes fixed on the seal, filled with disbelief.

After a moment, Yu Feibai was the first to snap back to reality. He looked at Wang Guan with complicated eyes, sighing bitterly while exclaiming, "You brat, you've struck another massive score. I'm numb now; I don't know whether to congratulate you or punch you out of jealousy. Wait, with this layer of thin paper covering it, how can you be so certain that this painting is the authentic work of Wen Tong?"

"Heh heh..." Wang Guan gave a dry laugh, suddenly realizing this question would be hard to explain.

Just as Wang Guan was pondering a plausible excuse, Old Man Yang stood up, grabbed him urgently, "Little Brother, let's go!"

......................... Thanks to book friends "Hengfeng HF, Wuliao de Xianren, Youyou Baidu" for their tips. This book is strongly recommended; please subscribe, vote, and support us. C