CHAPTER 756: CHAPTER 462: THE DAGGER AND IVORY!_2

The white was a lustrous rice white, resembling the gentle translucence of Chinese white jade, while the red blazed like cinnabar, radiant and gorgeous, like chicken blood mingled with milk – the resulting streaks and threads of color evoked the water-like realm of landscape ink paintings, extremely pleasing to the eye. Everyone was somewhat mesmerized.

Included Cao Qijun...

"Wow~ Mommy, it looks so pretty~"

At this moment, Chark too couldn’t contain himself, admiring in his childlike voice, which snapped everyone back to reality.

The shop owner’s first reaction was to shout, "Quick, set off the firecrackers! It’s a big increase, a big increase!"

All right, that’s just the custom in jade cutting, alright? This isn’t the Public Trading Platform, try setting off firecrackers here?

His employees were momentarily dumbfounded, but fortunately, the old man quickly came to his senses and said with an awkward smile, "Sorry, sorry, it’s just habit... I almost thought I was back in my old line of work."

However, his shout indeed attracted the attention of other customers looking at different goods nearby. Gambling Stones weren’t anything new, and hearing the shop owner’s shout, most guessed that someone had cut open something good—a jackpot!

Being curious is human nature, so they all made their way over...

By now, Madam Marton and others were already eyeing the Chicken Blood Stone, inquiring about the value of this melon-sized piece.

The Myanmar shop owner only smiled and said, "You should ask Boss Qu Long about that; I’m just a raw gem trader, but roughly... it’s no less than two million pounds. The quality of this chicken blood is very high, and it’s paired with a white base, the color match is just too good..."

What he didn’t mention was that if the stone were taken to auction, its price could double, and with good carving, it could even triple or quadruple...

It’s just a pity that it’s a bit too small in size; otherwise, its value would truly be insane.

Nonetheless, his words had already elicited many exclamations from those present.

Sui Yi, however, was the most composed, while Fatty Gao knew his boss had cut jade worth several hundred million before, so this was just a trifle for him~.

But Wo Er was genuinely feeling the pain, his heart slashed with knives. Previously indifferent to Sui Yi, he now directed all his hatred towards Cao Qijun onto Sui Yi. After catching his mother’s gaze, his eyes shifted, and he said, "Oh~ Such a beautiful color, I really like it. I was wondering if you’d be willing to sell it to me, Sui Yi. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a fair price."

A fair price? Qu Long snorted disdainfully. Planning to push the price down by two million pounds and then flip it for a profit of another two million?

Everyone thought Sui Yi wouldn’t bother with him...

But...

"How much?"

Ha, as expected of someone a bit desperate for cash, surely unaware of its true value, Wo Er and Madam Marton relaxed a bit, the former smiling, "Let’s do this, two million pounds. You know, if you were to auction it off, the commission fees are very steep..."

Cao Qijun really wanted to laugh, but she didn’t say a word, just watched the show...

Sure enough, Sui Yi didn’t let her down.

"But I’m not selling."

Damn it, if you’re not selling then why the hell did you ask "How much"?!!

Wo Er’s face darkened, and he felt the urge to lash out...

But at that moment...

...the crowd up front suddenly became rowdy.

Upon closer inspection, it was surprising.

"It’s Pei Si of the Ron Family and Mo Ao of the Foss Family. Are they fighting?"

The people present usually didn’t meddle in others’ affairs, but they couldn’t help themselves when a group of young nobles approached them.

"Duchess, you happen to be here, and you’re an expert in the field. Please settle this dispute – this Roman Warrior Dagger is real, right? It belonged to the famous Roman, Grace! His name is even inscribed on it!" Pei Si was a handsome yet somewhat youthful-looking man with a few freckles on his face, looking to be in his twenties. He was holding a dagger and wanted to come closer but was blocked by an old butler. However, he didn’t care; instead, he shook the jewel-encrusted warrior dagger in his hand towards Cao Qijun and asked loudly for her verdict.

Mo Ao did not back down, holding up a snow-white ivory carving: "And I’ve got the Eight-sided Buddha Tooth, personally sculpted and named by the Elephant King of Thailand himself. It also has his signature, and it’s at least three hundred years old."

"Mine has nearly eight hundred years of history!"

Hearing that, Mo Ao scoffed, "Pei Si, perhaps you should think carefully before you speak. Your Ron Family has been selling fakes; it would be a shame if you bought a counterfeit and brought it home... otherwise, your daddy might scold you."

That was a rather sly remark; Mo Ao’s cronies immediately snickered.

Flustered and infuriated, Pei Si turned and asked Cao Qijun, "Duchess, please, settle this for us..."

Cao Qijun really felt absurd; were these two families not ashamed enough? Were they bent on competing to bring more shame to their family names?

And also trying to drag her into their mess?

Nevertheless, she couldn’t say that to their faces, and this thankless task was not something she wanted to take on, so...

"I’ve always dealt in women’s business; I don’t understand these swords and knives, and promoting ivory products is not something commendable. However, you two were once friends, and there’s no need to ruin that friendship over a couple of questionable items here..."

She tried to calm things down, but they were not having it.

"The Duchess indeed favors the Ron Family just like your husband, fully aware that his items are fake, yet you still defend him..."

Heh, that comment was impolite enough, just short of accusing the Duke and Duchess of Junshi of complicity in evil deeds...

Cao Qijun turned her face, looking at Mo Ao impassively, initially remaining silent, just observing him...

Her aura unfurled.

Many people caught on to the Duchess’s displeasure; everyone fell silent, and Madam Marton considered intervening but eventually decided against it.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)