With this statement, many people crowded around, pointing and gesticulating at Lin Feng, including Zheng Youlong and his group.
"Lin, you really dare to say anything? Miss Tang invited you because she considers you a friend!"
"As a friend, you want to trick Miss Tang? Are you even human?"
Zheng Youlong seized the opportunity to stir up trouble.
Tang Wan, however, paid no heed to the reactions of the crowd. Her expression turned serious as she asked, "Mr. Lin, why did you want my grandfather to sell this Night-Glow Cup?"
"Do you think this cup is fake?"
Tang Wan couldn't believe Lin Feng would say something like this without reason and was utterly confused.
"Miss Tang, this cup is genuine. I appraised it with Old Master Tang myself, so it can't be fake!"
"This kid, on the other hand, speaks without regard for the occasion. I seriously doubt his motives for attending this banquet!"
Qiu Yihe harbored an intense dislike for Lin Feng. As an antique expert, he detested people who pretended to know when they didn't; it was an insult to antiques!
"I never said it was fake. Why are you getting so agitated?"
Lin Feng sneered coldly.
His words only served to baffle many more people.
"Mr. Lin, then what exactly did you mean?"
Tang Wan grew increasingly confused.
"Miss Tang, the reason I urged Old Master Tang to sell it quickly is because this cup is about to shatter. Its internal structure has already fractured and it won't last much longer!"
Lin Feng hadn't intended to reveal this publicly as it would affect the sale of the cup, but under the circumstances, he had no choice.
"What!? You're saying this cup is going to shatter?"
Qiu Yihe found it incredible and couldn't help but laugh, "Kid, do you think your eyes are microscopes? Can you see the internal structure?"
"Let me tell you honestly, this Night-Glow Cup is made from the finest Jiuquan Jade. Its sturdiness is comparable to metal. What you're saying is pure nonsense!"
Qiu Yihe's words were met with mockery and sneers from many.
"Lin Feng, if you don't understand, don't embarrass yourself here. Elder Qiu is an expert in the antique world; his word is authority!"
"I see you're so close to Miss Tang. I suspect you've had your eyes on this cup for a long time, haven't you?"
Zheng Youlong taunted him brazenly.
His words instantly enlightened many.
That's right, this kid instigated the Tang family to sell the cup, and then he'd find someone to secretly buy it himself.
This was a premeditated plan!
"Miss Tang, I think it's necessary for you to investigate this kid's background. The antique trade is never short of deceit!"
Qiu Yihe warned with a grave expression.
Although Tang Wan found Lin Feng's words somewhat fantastical, she also felt that Lin Feng wasn't the type to speak carelessly.
Furthermore, even if Lin Feng had ulterior motives regarding the cup, he wouldn't act so obviously.
He refused a check, and he would use such methods to scheme for a wine cup?
Could it be that the cup was really going to shatter?
Just as Tang Wan was lost in thought, the head of the Tang family, Old Master Tang Qingshan, arrived with several younger family members.
"Xiao Wan, what's going on? Who's making all this noise?"
Tang Qingshan, dressed in a red Tang suit, appeared with an imposing presence. Although in his seventies, he was still as vigorous as ever.
"Old Master Tang, this kid is causing trouble, claiming the Coiled Dragon Night-Glow Cup is about to shatter and urging you to sell it quickly. It's utter nonsense!"
Qiu Yihe reported immediately.
"Haha, isn't that ridiculous? A cup shattering for no reason?"
Tang Pinliang, the eldest grandson of the Tang family, couldn't help but laugh.
Tang Qingshan was also angry. His greatest passion in life was collecting, and his devotion was almost obsessive. He detested anyone who disparaged his collection.
At this moment, Tang Qingshan's displeasure was evident. "If this cup is truly going to shatter, then it can only mean I, Tang, am not fortunate enough to possess it. But if you want my Tang family to sell it, we are not lacking for such trivial amounts!"
"Sis, who is this person? Why does he say whatever he wants?"
Tang Pinliang looked Lin Feng up and down and asked curtly.
"Pinliang, you must not disrespect Mr. Lin. He is my honored guest and Dong Dong's savior. He cured Dong Dong's sudden epilepsy."
Tang Wan reprimanded him. Although she still doubted the veracity of Lin Feng's words, she didn't have time to consider it further.
"Hmph, curing Dong Dong was merely a coincidence. If you intend to covet my Tang family's Coiled Dragon Night-Glow Cup with that as a pretext, you'd best abandon that thought early!"
Tang Qingshan snorted. Having lived for most of his life, he could easily perceive potential conspiracies, and his first impression of Lin Feng was extremely poor.
Zheng Youlong, Zheng Dali, and Qin Wenwen, seeing Tang Qingshan's angry demeanor, secretly sneered and rejoiced.
However, to their disappointment, the old master didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, he changed the topic to Tang Yin's paintings.
"Everyone, the private banquet I've organized today is partly to display the treasures I've collected in recent years, and partly to seek your expert opinions!"
Tang Qingshan said solemnly. A man in a suit and tie walked over from not far away.
He was He Jiye, a player of some renown in the circle, and he was the one who had initially purchased the painting by Tang Yin.
"Old Master Tang, I acquired this painting of a lady-in-waiting from the antique street. Since many colleagues are present today, please take a look!"
He Jiye said, slowly unrolling the scroll to reveal a lifelike scene of ladies-in-waiting at play.
Upon seeing this, Tang Qingshan immediately called for a magnifying glass and began to examine it closely.
Qiu Yihe also leaned in to take a careful look.
"Old Master, this is truly a genuine work by Tang Bohu. Not long ago, a Hong Kong auction house sold a lady-in-waiting painting by Tang Bohu for eighty million, but that painting wasn't as rich in content or as robust in brushwork as this one!"
Qiu Yihe exclaimed.
"Indeed, this should be a late work by Tang Bohu. Compared to his earlier pieces, it is more mature and steady, and the signature is also clearer!"
Tang Qingshan's voice trembled with excitement. Tang Bohu was renowned for his paintings of ladies-in-waiting, and this piece was extremely valuable for its collection.
With that thought, Tang Qingshan stood up and said, "Young He, name your price for this painting?"
"Old Master, as you've heard, the lady-in-waiting painting at the Hong Kong auction sold for eighty million, and mine is even better. Therefore, I won't ask for too much. If you give me ninety million, I'll sell it!"
He Jiye quoted a sky-high price that deterred many.
To everyone's surprise, Tang Qingshan agreed without a second thought, "Someone, get Boss He a check! I want this painting!"
This statement caused an uproar in the venue.
Even Lin Feng, who had been watching silently from the side, was deeply shocked by the old master's generous expenditure.
Ninety million, handed out without even batting an eye. Truly rich and foolish!
However, Lin Feng soon sensed something was amiss, as his eyes perceived a different scene.
"Not right, something's not right!"
Lin Feng realized there was something wrong with the painting and was about to warn Tang Wan when he was suddenly interrupted.
"Old Master Tang, you can't buy this painting. It's a fake!"
A frantic shout came from behind him. It was Zheng Dali, rushing over in a hurry.