That remark seemed to have struck the perfect chord, pleasing Elder Yang greatly, causing him to beam with delight.

"Stop with the flattery now, hurry over and look at this painting."

Meanwhile, Elder Huang spoke with a hint of impatience, yet tinged with excitement: "This is truly an authentic work by Wéntóng. The brushwork for the bamboo is exquisite, and with the three seals as proof, there is absolutely no doubt."

The group quickly hurried over to the mounting table. On the smooth, flat surface lay two ink bamboo scrolls that appeared identical but possessed significant differences.

Both paintings had been stripped of their outer mounting, leaving only the painted surface paper. Furthermore, the paper was thoroughly saturated with a layer of transparent **.

However, what astonished Wang Guan was that this transparent ** not only failed to harm the painted pattern but seemed to protect it, like a glassy film. In fact, when struck by sunlight, this ** shimmered translucently, allowing one to see the painting’s details with greater clarity.

"It really is real."

Unlike Wang Guan, who stood aside to admire it, Elder Yang, Yu Feibai, and Zhao Qian had already gathered close to the table, each taking out a magnifying glass for a close, detailed inspection of the two scrolls.

The scene suggested they wished they could press their eyeballs right against the paintings to see straight through to the core of the artwork.

As the saying goes, comparing goods reveals the difference.

Now, with the two paintings laid side-by-side, a mere comparison was enough to distinguish the genuine from the fake.

The content of both paintings seemed similar—bamboo rendered in ink. However, the brushwork and details allowed for an immediate discernment of the differences. In one painting, the bamboo leaves were depicted stiffly, lacking variation in ink tone.

In the other scroll, the bamboo stalks and leaves were vividly lifelike. Deep ink and light ink were masterfully balanced, creating texture and flow, rendering the bamboo leaves exceedingly vivid and natural—one might even call it soulful. Moreover, on this latter painting, in the blank space in the lower left, three bright red seals—Zhúwù, Mòjūn Táng, and Wéntóng Yǔkě—declared everything.

"In historical and literary records, Wéntóng was extremely fond of bamboo. Every time he was appointed an official somewhere, he would order bamboo transplanted around his residence. He would name the residence Zhúwù, the main hall Mòjūn Táng, and his study Jìngxián Shūwū."

Elder Huang exclaimed joyfully, "These incidental seal marks are verifiable, recognized by everyone as genuine notations. Coupled with Wéntóng's own name seal, it confirms this painting is undoubtedly an authentic ink bamboo scroll by Wéntóng."

The others nodded in agreement, simultaneously noticing that in addition to Wéntóng’s own three seals, several other bright red mud seals were stamped on the blank areas of the ink bamboo scroll.

Wang Guan knew nothing about the names on these seals, but Elder Huang pointed them out one by one like treasured possessions, identifying them as minor literati from the Southern Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. This lineage suggested an orderly history of ownership.

It was only when the scroll passed into the hands of the last owner that, perhaps fearing covetous eyes upon the Wéntóng original, they simply applied a layer of a counterfeit painting over the genuine work to obscure it. Then, for some unknown reason, the painting was lost while in the hands of someone who knew its secret, passed down through generations as an ordinary piece.

Only now, in Wang Guan's possession, with its disguise stripped away, could the authentic Wéntóng ink bamboo scroll finally see the light of day.

At this point, Elder Yang couldn't help but shake his head, marveling, "Young brother, never mind your luck, but your discernment far surpasses that of ordinary people. The concealment on the genuine article was seamless, yet you saw through it at a glance."

"Exactly."

Yu Feibai deeply agreed, "I suspect his eyes might be fitted with X-ray vision, capable of seeing through the surface layer of the painting to the contents within."

Wang Guan felt a slight tremor internally, sighing at Yu Feibai’s astonishing intuition, but outwardly he smiled warmly, "It was purely coincidence. Some time ago, an elder specifically lectured on the subject of a painting within a painting, and the memory is still fresh. Especially when I noticed this scroll felt somewhat thick, I naturally made the connection. I never imagined it would actually be true."

"If you have prior experience in that area, you would naturally think that way."

Recalling the matter of the Zitan incense wood bead, Yu Feibai felt reassured. His eyes then darted, and he burst out laughing, "Wang Guan, you’ve just slapped Uncle De’s face again."

"What do you mean?" Wang Guan asked, genuinely confused.

"You really don't understand?" Yu Feibai chuckled, "How can you not? Just a few days ago, he swore emphatically that encountering a trick of visual deception once in a lifetime was already heaven-defying luck, and it couldn't happen again. Now you’ve found another one. I wonder what expression Uncle De will have when he hears about this."

"Then don't tell him," Wang Guan replied with a wry smile.

"What? Young brother has encountered such a thing before?"

At this, Elder Huang, Elder Yang, and Zhao Qian, who were nearby, wore expressions of shock and utter disbelief.

"Yes, just very recently, within the last week."

Yu Feibai sighed, "Originally, I came to Shudu this time hoping to catch some of his luck and pick up a small bargain. But instead, I ended up facilitating him to snag a huge one. And my small bargain remains perpetually out of reach."

For a moment, the three elders fell silent. To find two bargains in the span of a week—such luck was almost too much for others to bear with dignity. After all, many collectors go through their entire lives without ever finding a single hidden gem.

Fortunately, Elder Yang and the other two were not as outspoken as the young Yu Feibai, and they understood well which words to ask and which matters to remain silent about. They merely continued to marvel at Wang Guan's good fortune without inquiring what the previous bargain had been.

"The fortune teller said my luck this year is good, and it seems quite accurate," Wang Guan quipped, then changed the subject: "Elder Huang, the painting has been revealed. Since one favor deserves another, the re-mounting will have to trouble you again, Elder. Please name whatever materials cost is necessary."

"Don't worry, young friend. I won't ruin my own reputation. Besides, being able to witness an authentic Wéntóng piece is a blessing in itself," Elder Huang said cheerfully. "As for money, we can discuss that after the mounting is complete."

"Indeed," Elder Yang chimed in with a smile. "If Young Brother is willing to lend the ink bamboo scroll to Elder Huang for a few days after it’s mounted, forget about material costs; he’d even pay out of his own pocket."

Though Elder Yang was joking, Elder Huang nodded seriously. "Brother Yang truly knows my heart and understands my thoughts. I am an old man; money will eventually become an external object. It is better to do meaningful things while my hands and feet are still nimble, and appreciate the classic art passed down by the ancients."

"That is certainly no problem," Wang Guan stated generously. "As long as I am in Shudu, the ink bamboo scroll will remain here with Elder Huang."

..................... Regarding the Golden Keyboard Competition, although I don't expect to win an award, I hope fellow readers can cast a few votes for me. It doesn't cost much; every user has two free votes. Please satisfy a little of the author's vanity and vote for the Annual Work. Thank you. Finally, I ask for collections and recommendation votes. C