Chapter 98: Painting Appraisal
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Early the next day, Zhou Chao was awakened by an urgent knocking at the door.
“Who is it?”
Hearing the somewhat impatient tone from inside, Lin Wu swallowed and said, “Boss, Mr. Yu Qian and his friends have arrived!”
The door opened with a creak, revealing Zhou Chao standing there with disheveled hair and a hint of irritation on his face.
“When did they arrive? It’s still early. Why did they come so soon?”
“I don’t know either. I just got back from my morning run and saw them standing at the door!”
“Go make them some tea first. I’ll take a shower and come down.” With that, Zhou Chao turned around and closed the door.
Lin Wu couldn’t help but touch his nonexistent sweat on his forehead, heaved a sigh of relief, and turned to go downstairs.
“Qian, will the young man be upset that we’re here so early?” the person sitting next to Yu Qian said.
“Lao Ma, who was the one who called me before dawn, insisting I wake up? Now you’re saying these things again. You want me to take the blame, you’re quite optimistic!”
“Qian, can you blame me for this? Who was the one who sent me a set of photos last night, keeping me awake all night?” The person sitting next to Yu Qian was none other than Ma Wei, who had been victimized by Yu Qian last night.
“Talking about it, it’s still that mischievous fellow causing trouble. If he hadn’t sent me those pictures, I wouldn’t have rushed over!” Yu Qian was truly a skilled comic speaker, spinning his tales.
“Master Yu, it’s not right to speak ill of someone behind their back.” The one speaking was Zhou Chao, who had just finished showering and come downstairs.
“Lao Ma, look, this is the troublemaker himself. He’s the one who sent those pictures, so go talk to him.”
“Hahaha, Master Yu, I’m not taking that blame.” Zhou Chao had already recognized that the person standing next to Yu Qian was Old Master Ma himself.
“Old Master Ma, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time!” Zhou Chao walked over quickly and warmly shook hands with him.
“Why don’t you two chat, then I’ll leave!” Watching the enthusiastic exchange between the two, Yu Qian couldn’t help but make a joke.
For a while, everyone burst into laughter.
“Young man, was that thing you sent last night for real?” Yu Qian was still thinking about alcohol matters.
“Definitely, without a doubt. If it wasn’t, would I go find fakes to deceive you? I’ll arrange it for you around noon, that should work, right?”
“Me too, I was looking forward to it all night.” Old Master Ma also had a strong craving for alcohol. As the saying goes, “Not part of the family, not invited inside.” Otherwise, Yu Qian and Ma Wei wouldn’t have become such close friends.
“Don’t worry, both of you. I’ll make sure you get to taste it!” Zhou Chao looked at the two alcohol enthusiasts and felt somewhat helpless.
“Young man, I’ve delivered what you asked me to do. I’ve brought the person to you. If you have any questions, ask him.” Yu Qian immediately got to the point.
“Two esteemed old masters, 1 won’t hide the truth. I bought a painting in Panjiayuan earlier, spent tens of thousands on it. It looks like a fake on the surface, but my gut feeling tells me this painting is extraordinary.” Zhou Chao paused for a moment.
“Interestingly, my girlfriend’s grandfather is about to celebrate his birthday. That’s why I thought about inviting Old Master Ma to assess the painting. If it’s not genuine, I’ll request Master Ma’s assistance in finding an appropriate replacement as a gift.”
“This is a minor issue. Should we settle the important matter first?” Ma Wei said, showing immediate interest.
“Lin Wu, go to my bedroom and bring down the painting on the table.”
“Sure thing, Boss.” Lin Wu, at the side, headed upstairs. After a while, he came back down with the painting.
“Boss, here’s your painting.” Zhou Chao took the painting from Lin Wu’s hands.
“Old Master Ma, Master Yu, let’s go to the backyard. It’s brighter there.” Saying this, Zhou Chao stood up and walked towards the backyard, with Yu Qian and Ma Wei following closely.
“Old Master Ma, please take a look!” Zhou Chao handed the painting to Ma Wei.
Ma Wei directly unfolded the painting, and next to him, Yu Qian’s brows furrowed instantly.
Several people gathered around the table, looking at the painting of a fierce tiger descending a mountain. Ma Wei took out a pair of gloves from his pocket and put them on before examining the painting.
After a while, Ma Wei looked up, shaking his head gently.
“Young Zhou, this painting seems to be from the late Qing dynasty, specifically imitating Tang Bohu’s style. This painting has reached a level akin to Tang Bohu’s seventh layer of skill, making it quite a masterpiece. As for the artist, it’s hard to say for now.”
“Old Master Ma, I also know this painting isn’t authentic, but it gives me an odd feeling.”
“Logically speaking, someone with such proficient imitation skills shouldn’t be an unknown figure! Moreover, the painting isn’t signed, and during the late Qing dynasty, only a few individuals excelled at painting tigers.”
“It somewhat resembles the style of Hu Chi’s work, though I’m not certain.” Ma Wei pondered for a moment before saying.
“Hey, young man, you’ve been saying something’s not right with this painting. What exactly are you referring to?”
“I’m not entirely sure if I’m right, but I feel the texture of this painting is a bit off.” Zhou Chao said with some uncertainty.
“Texture?” An idea flashed in Ma Wei’s mind.
“Young Zhou, your painting contains more than meets the eye!” Ma Wei exclaimed.
“Old Master Ma, what do you mean?” Zhou Chao and Yu Qian both looked curious.
“Just give me a moment.” Ma Wei went back inside directly. After a while, he returned with a cup of tea in his hand.
He dipped his fingers in the tea and flicked a few drops onto the blank space of the painting. Then, he wiped it dry with a tissue. Soon, faintly appearing characters emerged in the dampened area.
“A hidden painting within the painting!” Yu Qian exclaimed.
“Master Yu, are you saying there’s another painting beneath this painting?” Zhou Chao looked at Yu Qian with uncertainty.
“Mhm, most likely.” Yu Qian also couldn’t guarantee, as these things were merely hearsay.
“Young Zhou, do you want to uncover this painting and take a look?” Ma Wei became intrigued as well, curious about the content beneath.
“Well then, I’ll have to trouble you.” Ma Wei waved his hand upon hearing this.
“No problem, I need a few things!”
“Lin Wu, go with Old Master Ma and make sure to arrange whatever he needs.”
In less than half an hour, Ma Wei and Lin Wu emerged. Lin Wu was holding a tray with something on it.
“This is a special solution I prepared for removing paintings. It’s for the purpose of uncovering the painting,” iVLa Wei explained upon seeing Zhou Chao’s confusion.
Ma Wei began the procedure, dipping a brush into a specially prepared solution and moistening the edges little by little. In no time, the outline of the painting on the surface began to emerge.
Carefully, Ma Wei used tweezers to peel off the painting of the fierce tiger descending the mountain. One wrong move could easily damage the painting underneath.
After about an hour and a half, the complete painting of the fierce tiger descending the mountain was revealed, and the hidden text below also became visible.
“This… this is… Tang Yin’s… authentic ‘Peach Blossom Spring’!” Yu Qian looked shocked as he gazed at the painting on the table.
“Hasn’t this calligraphy and painting disappeared into history? How could it have been preserved!” Ma Wei also displayed a face of astonishment.
“Young Zhou, your luck is really something.” After all, Ma Wei and Yu Qian had experienced many storms, so they quickly regained their composure.
“All, the people before us must have gone through great lengths to protect this painting.” Zhou Chao sighed with emotion as he looked at the Peach Blossom Spring painting on the table.
“Hey, young man, put it away quickly, or I’ll turn green with envy.” Yu Qian issued a warning of envy from the side.
“Haha, I’ll put it away right away.” Saying this, Zhou Chao stored the painting and had Lin Wu take it to the study.
“Young Zhou, this painting of the fierce tiger descending the mountain is also a rare gem. You can have it mounted and use it as decoration.”
“Old Master Ma, I’ll still need your help when the time comes.”
“Hahaha, as long as there’s wine to drink at noon.” Zhou Chao laughed upon hearing this.
“As long as there’s enough wine!”