Facing Sun Yilang's aggressive questioning, Zheng Zhilong and the old man's expressions darkened.
"Old Chen, if you ask me, let's just drop this. Since they can provide a purchase agreement, it proves they are clean. If you belittle it like this, it might not be good for your reputation," Elder Lei said as he picked up his teacup and took a sip, speaking with a smile.
Since he and Elder Wang were both from the Jiangnan Antique Association, it would be awkward if they insisted on pursuing the matter.
Upon hearing Elder Lei's words, Elder Chen's gloomy expression gradually faded, turning calm. He nodded, "Since there's a purchase agreement, there's naturally no problem. However, this镂空金盖金托盘玉碗 (hollow gold lid gold-handled jade bowl) is precious, but it's too clean. An old item of so many years has no signs of rust, clearly indicating post-processing. Therefore, it can only be classified as a second-class antique."
Elder Chen was clearly looking for trouble. With a casual remark, he downgraded the item to second-class antique.
It's important to note that among those participating in the antique appraisal convention, only the top ten would be selected. A second-class antique would have a hard time making it into the top ten.
"Old Chen, you're calling such a precious treasure a second-class antique? Are you kidding me? Look at this gold-threaded Xiuhe gown, an item from the early Republic of China, which you've appraised as a first-class antique. Comparing these two, there's a world of difference. Why wear biased glasses?" Elder Lei could no longer tolerate it and questioned Elder Chen furiously.
Unexpectedly, Elder Chen chuckled, "Elder Lei, it's not that I'm wearing biased glasses, but there's a rule in our antique circles: the older an item is, the less valuable it is if it's preserved too well. Even if this were something used by the Emperor himself, its value wouldn't increase."
This Elder Chen spoke logically, clearly having made up his mind not to give Boguzhai a high ranking, no matter who spoke up.
"Heh, Elder Chen's words make sense. If that's the case, do all the items previously appraised by Elder Chen also have to follow this rule?"
At some unknown time, Ye Fan had descended from downstairs. His expression was calm, with a faint smile on his face, making him inscrutable.
Elder Lei, who had been about to argue, swallowed the words back into his throat upon seeing Ye Fan arrive.
As long as this young man was here, Elder Chen wouldn't gain any advantage.
Indeed, after hearing Ye Fan's words, Elder Chen became furious and slammed the table, "What do you think you are? Do you have the right to speak here?"
"Oh, using your status to pressure me?"
Ye Fan scoffed disdainfully, "I acquired this item, so naturally, I have the right to speak. Does Elder Chen have any objections? Moreover, this is an antique appraisal convention, not Elder Chen's personal exhibition. Your word alone cannot determine the quality of an item. Therefore, if I am dissatisfied with your appraisal, I can naturally question it. Does this mean Elder Chen is timid?"
With things having reached this point, Ye Fan naturally would no longer give Elder Chen any face.
The situation had become increasingly clear; this Elder Chen was in league with Chairman Zheng.
Faced with Ye Fan's sharp and pointed words, Elder Chen trembled slightly, his face like frozen water.
He abruptly raised his head and turned to look at Zheng Zhilong.
"Chairman Zheng, is this how your Jiangcheng Antique Association operates? Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry come here and be so presumptuous? You are truly disgracing your Jiangcheng Antique Association."
He couldn't do anything to Ye Fan, but he had full confidence in Zheng Zhilong, without any reservations.
Being reprimanded like this by Elder Chen, Zheng Zhilong didn't even dare to look up, with even a hint of terror in his eyes.
He grew even more resentful of Ye Fan, feeling like he had been experiencing bad luck ever since he first met him.
"If you don't give me an explanation for this matter, I will shut down your Jiangcheng Antique Association."
Seeing Chairman Zheng bowing his head in silence, Elder Chen's anger intensified. He roared loudly.
Upon hearing Elder Chen's words, Zheng Zhilong suddenly looked up, his face turning extremely unsightly.
"Elder Chen, I..."
He truly did not dare to provoke Ye Fan again.
Ye Fan had the backing of the Ghost Market. If anything went wrong, not only would his position as chairman of the Antique Association be lost, but his life would also be in jeopardy.
However, he also dared not offend Elder Chen. The higher-ranking official always has the advantage. If he dared to refuse, the consequences would be dire.
Just as Zheng Zhilong was caught in a dilemma, Ye Fan let out a cold snort.
"Is Elder Chen here to show off in my Jiangcheng?"
Although he also had no good feelings towards Zheng Zhilong, they were all Jiangcheng people after all. Seeing Elder Chen acting so arrogantly, Ye Fan naturally could not stand by and do nothing.
"So what? This is a matter for our Antique Association. Do you, an outsider, want to interfere?"
Looking at Ye Fan dismissively, Elder Chen finally found an opportunity.
Ye Fan shook his head, "I naturally have no interest in your Antique Association's dirty dealings. However, since Elder Chen is so confident, why don't we have a competition? Let's compete in antique appraisal. If you win, it will prove you indeed have real skill, and everything you've said today will be correct. Boguzhai will immediately withdraw from this appraisal convention, and Boguzhai will close down. But if you lose, then go back to Jiangnan and don't embarrass yourself here. As a fellow in the antique trade, I can't stand to see such embarrassing people around."
Ye Fan's words struck Elder Chen's Achilles' heel.
If he agreed to Ye Fan's challenge, he didn't know Ye Fan's strength. If he lost, his reputation for his entire life would be ruined.
However, if he refused, it would be seen as cowardice, and he would also be ridiculed by his peers, possibly even ruining his reputation in his later years.
For a moment, Elder Chen was caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.
He had initially thought that coming to Jiangcheng would be like being treated as an ancestor, and he could easily deal with an insignificant little figure with a few words, and even make a fortune.
Unfortunately, he had guessed the beginning but not the end. He never expected Ye Fan to be so overbearing.
"What? Elder Chen, are you afraid? If you're afraid, it's fine. I can also pretend nothing happened if my item's rank is raised. After all, we Jiangcheng people are magnanimous."
Ye Fan's lips curled into a cold smile, and Sun Yilang beside him covered his mouth.
Daring to mock people from the Jiangnan Antique Association so sarcastically, and even pushing him to a dead end, perhaps only Ye Fan in this world could do it.
Moreover, Ye Fan seemed to always act beyond his expectations.
"You..."
Elder Chen was so angered that he gritted his teeth, his fingers trembling, and his face turning ashen.
"Fine, you scoundrel. Today, this old man will humor you and let you know how you met your end."
Elder Chen was completely enraged, his rationality consumed by anger.
Seeing Elder Chen agree, Ye Fan's smile grew wider. This old fossil would surely be taught a lesson later.
Flaunting age and being disrespectful, the antique trade is not a sanatorium for these people to squander their time.