Chapter 86: Lin Sicheng, You Better Buy It

The Dugang Building was built in the 14th year of the Qianlong reign and later renamed Yuhua Pavilion; it is the only place in the Forbidden City that enshrines the four classes of deities and practices the four classes of Esoteric Buddhist rituals.

It has four floors in total: the first is the Action Hall, the second is the Conduct Hall, the third is the Yoga Hall, and the fourth is the Supreme Yoga Divine Hall.

The so-called "Supreme" symbolizes the highest realm of Esoteric Buddhism; to put it bluntly: it is dedicated solely to the Joyous Buddha.

Adding "scripture hall" after the hall name means only one thing: this remnant scroll originated from the Qing Imperial Treasury and was specifically for the Joyous Buddha hall where Qianlong practiced Esoteric Buddhism.

How precious is it?

If the remnant scroll were merely a copy by Dong Qichang, it would be worth about a million; adding Xiang Mo Lin's "Ren" seal would increase the value by about half.

But this seal alone can directly double the value of the remnant scroll.

Do not doubt it: Qing Imperial Treasury, personally inspected by the Emperor—it is absolutely worth this price, and that is the minimum.

But the high value is secondary; the main thing is that strange, marvelous feeling: in his previous life, the first imperial artifact Lin Sicheng appraised came from the Qianlong period.

It just feels like he has quite a connection with Emperor Qianlong, doesn't it?

While lost in thought, Lin Sicheng raised his head and exchanged a look with Ye Anning, but Cousin Ye was clearly very confused.

But confusion is to be expected: this is Brahmi Script; even if Hao Jun were here, he would be stumped.

Controlling his emotions, Lin Sicheng continued to translate the second square.

It was also a square seal, much larger, with more letters.

Still copying as he translated, Lin Sicheng wrote down the translation for the first compound word in Lantsa Script (Sanskrit specifically for Tibetan Buddhism) on the paper, which roughly meant Heavenly King, Heavenly God.

The second, "Miaode." It can also be translated as "Miaoxiang," or "Miaojixiang," or even more directly: Manjushri.

Then the third compound word: Wheel-Turning Holy King, which can also be translated directly as Emperor...

But when the last letter representing the Holy King was written down, his fingers could not help but tremble.

What is this, Heavenly King Manjushri Wheel-Turning Holy King?

Translating it literally does indeed result in this, but the understanding is not that. It is: Manjushri Emperor!

No exaggeration, even though he had lived two lives and believed he could remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before his eyes, his heart uncontrollably gave a fierce thump when he saw this line of translation.

What did he just say: he has quite a connection with Emperor Qianlong... isn't this proof?

This is Emperor Qianlong's Sutra Collection Seal...

The knuckles holding the pen tightened involuntarily, and Lin Sicheng's Adam's apple could not help but bob.

He could not continue flipping through it.

Because he wasn't invited by that woman, and why flip through it if he isn't getting paid?

He put down his pen, sat up straight, his cheeks puffed out like buns, and he slowly exhaled from his lips.

There was no expression on Lin Sicheng's face, but seeing him suddenly stop his pen, Ye Anning still felt a bit nervous: "Lin Sicheng, how is it?"

Lin Sicheng did not speak, just stared at her.

At first, Ye Anning was completely bewildered, but suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her eyes grew brighter and brighter: the scroll, is it authentic?

Ye Anning moved her lips, her voice trembling slightly: "Lin Sicheng, the indigo silk made by the Dayuan Palace is very rare and also very beautiful, isn't it?"

Lin Sicheng nodded.

"Four-layer backing, Yuan Dynasty mounting style?"

Lin Sicheng nodded again.

"The painting paper is a bit like Dayuan Inner Treasury Paper... but it's too new, it looks like imitation Mingren Hall Paper, but I'm not too sure..."

Lin Sicheng's eyes brightened, and he really wanted to give a thumbs up.

Think about it, how much effort did it take him just now to find that layer of wax film between the Gold Foil and the dragon patterns?

It wasn't him bragging: among those who do calligraphy and painting appraisal, how many have seen what Mingren Hall Paper looks like, or what the process is—whether the wax is applied first or the foil and patterns?

Without enough knowledge, even if one found that wax film sandwiched in the middle, one would just assume the process was meant to be that way.

But Ye Anning could, at least she dared to suspect: this wasn't an imitation of some other Yuan Dynasty paper, but the legendary Mingren Hall Paper. Just this point alone made her better than 99% of calligraphy and painting appraisers.

Secretly amazed, Lin Sicheng nodded again.

Ye Anning's eyes grew even brighter, like rippling water, shining with light.

Her lips trembled slightly, showing how excited she was: "What about the calligraphy, who is it like? Jin Cong, or... Dong Qichang?"

Hearing "Dong Qichang," Lin Sicheng was stunned as if struck.

The Jin Cong that Ye Anning mentioned was a calligrapher from the mid-Ming period. He spent his whole life doing one thing: imitating Zhao Mengfu.

He imitated paintings, he imitated calligraphy, to the point where others would dig out his original signature and add the three characters "Zhao Mengfu" in the Zhao style, and it could be sold as an authentic work.

Xiang Mo Lin had done exactly that; the Jin Cong "Poetry Scroll in Running Script" and "Copy of Zhao Mengfu's Calligraphy Album" currently treasured in the Forbidden City came about this way.

The key lies in the final "Dong Qichang": the existing works of Dong Qichang, whether calligraphy, painting, or rubbings, are all from his middle and later years when his calligraphic style had matured.

Yet this piece of calligraphy was created when he was a young man, before he passed the imperial examinations; there are huge differences in the brushwork, momentum, strength, and intent.

Moreover, this is a copy, so there are even fewer traces related to his personal style.

But Ye Anning could still find traces of Dong Qichang between the lines; how strong must her eye and appraisal foundation be?

Being this strong, Lin Sicheng couldn't help but admire her.

If he had to make a comparison, Lin Sicheng was only stronger in his knowledge base, knowing exactly what Zhao Mengfu's authentic works looked like and understanding a bit of Sanskrit.

Amazing, Cousin Ye!

His expression was very serious: "Cousin Anning, you studied Art Appraisal (Chinese and Foreign Art direction) at the China Academy of Art, right? You only studied for five years?"

Ye Anning was confused, not knowing why he suddenly asked this: "If you don't take the postgraduate entrance exam, you can only study for five years at most!"

Is that what I'm asking?

What Lin Sicheng wanted to say was: no matter how well or how finely one learns, it's only five years.

If the students taught by the China Academy of Art all have this level of appraisal skill, what chance do Peking University or Xida have?

Lin Sicheng finally understood: the impressive one isn't the appraiser from Poly, but Ye Anning...

"Sister Ye Anning, then who appraised this damaged scroll?"

"The initial appraisal and the secondary appraisal were both done by me... so I have always leaned toward this being a copy by Dong Qichang... and also..."

Ye Anning paused slightly, her gaze landing on the painting seal, and she blinked her eyes again.

To be precise, that square-shaped 'Ren' character seal...

Lin Sicheng was startled again: she even recognizes the anti-counterfeiting seal of Xiang Mo Lin?

So she is very clear that this is from the Qing Imperial Treasury...

Lin Sicheng narrowed his eyes, controlling his twitching eyelids, and looked at the two leaders on the side: "But the leaders and Appraiser of your company do not agree?"

"Correct," Ye Anning pursed her lips, "The appraisal teacher said that the brushwork, transitions, and artistic intent in this calligraphy are vastly different from Dong Qichang's style, and even further removed from the characteristics of Zhao Mengfu by a hundred thousand miles..."

Lin Sicheng did not know what to say: this was a copy made by Dong Qichang when he was young, his style had not yet solidified, so it would be strange if it did look like it!

What does this amount to? It amounts to Ye Anning placing the most accurate appraisal result in front of everyone, even emphasizing it countless times, yet no one believes it.

The Appraiser doesn't believe it, the leaders don't believe it, and even the seller doesn't believe it!

Otherwise, Teacher Ma would not have his current expression: a mix of amusement and sarcasm, disdain and mockery.

But then again: just graduated from university, and giving such an outrageous appraisal result, one would have to be out of their mind to believe it...

Seeing Lin Sicheng not speaking, but with eyes full of admiration and appreciation, Ye Anning's face slowly turned red.

It was not shyness, but excitement: Lin Sicheng not speaking was equivalent to tacitly agreeing with the final result: a copy by Dong Qichang, kept in the Qing Imperial Treasury...

When Lin Sicheng nodded imperceptibly, Ye Anning's eyes suddenly widened, her long eyelashes trembling gently with her rapid breathing, and the blush spreading from the tips of her ears to her collarbone was like a blooming rose.

Suddenly, she bit her lower lip again, mist welling up in her eyes, and stared at Lin Sicheng's eyes without blinking.

At first glance, it looked exactly like flirting.

But in an instant, Lin Sicheng understood her meaning: buy it, Lin Sicheng, hurry up and buy it...