Tang Zhao examined the wooden box in his hand with the care one would give a treasure, growing more pleased with every glance.
After a long while, he chuckled and said to Hong Xuan on the side, "Young Master Xuan Ming is truly thoughtful. This lacquered wooden box is also an antique over four hundred years old. Not only is its craftsmanship exquisite, but it's truly rare to find one preserved so perfectly! Its value is easily in the seven figures!"
Hong Xuan Ming felt a surge of delight at Tang Zhao's praise. He cast a provocative glance at Ling Feng and declared, "Haha, Uncle Tang, you truly have a discerning eye! I did put some effort into acquiring this box. I managed to buy it from a collector, costing around three million."
Three million?
Tang Ru's eyes widened. Three million for such a plain box?
In her opinion, Hong Xuan Ming was simply an idiot!
"Haha, Young Master Hong is indeed generous. Spending three million on just a box! I truly can't imagine the value of the treasure inside!"
Tang Yun continued to play the sycophant, speaking with extreme exaggeration.
"Generally, the value of the treasure inside is at least ten times, even a hundred times, that of the outer packaging. Could it be that the treasure inside is worth three hundred million?"
The more effusive his flattery, the happier Hong Xuan Ming became.
Upon hearing that the contents might be worth three hundred million, Tang Zhao's heart pounded.
Three hundred million was by no means a small sum.
If Hong Xuan Ming was presenting such a gift, it truly showed his sincerity!
Tang Zhao wouldn't bat an eye at three million; he merely liked the box. However, a gift worth three hundred million or more was an entirely different matter.
No matter how wealthy Ling Feng was, it was irrelevant to him.
Hong Xuan Ming, on the other hand, was the wealthy son-in-law he had his eye on, and most importantly, he was willing to spend money on him.
This was more important than anything!
Thus, the more he looked at Hong Xuan Ming, the more he liked him.
Where else could he find such a son-in-law?
At this moment, even Tang Ru felt a flutter of anxiety.
A gift worth three hundred million?
She had only seen such items at the Jiang family's birthday banquet, but unfortunately, those were all fakes.
Tang Ru truly hadn't expected Hong Xuan Ming to present such a valuable gift to her father.
She also noticed the way Tang Zhao looked at Hong Xuan Ming and began to panic, looking pleadingly at Ling Feng.
Ling Feng glanced at Tang Ru, shook his head slightly, and signaled her not to worry, to just watch and see.
Despite her anxiety, Tang Ru had no choice but to patiently wait for events to unfold.
Finally, after much anticipation, Tang Zhao opened the antique wooden box.
Instantly, a radiance of pearls and precious gems flashed out.
Against the backdrop of yellow silk, a magnificent jade pillow appeared before everyone's eyes.
The jade pillow was intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, and depicted cranes soaring through the sky – it was exquisitely detailed!
"This, this is a jade pillow?"
Tang Zhao exclaimed in surprise.
Those beside him, stunned by the treasure, also snapped back to reality.
Hong Xuan Ming smiled and said, "Uncle Tang, you truly have a good eye. This item is called the Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Jade Pillow, crafted from supreme quality nephrite. It was made by a court physician seven hundred years ago. Legend has it that when body heat is transmitted to it, a fragrance will emanate, inducing peaceful sleep and pleasant dreams!"
Tang Zhao marveled at his words.
"This Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Jade Pillow had already made its way out of Great China. I heard last time that you weren't sleeping well, Uncle Tang, so after many turns, I finally managed to get my hands on it!" Hong Xuan Ming said with a proud air.
"Heh, Young Nephew, you are truly thoughtful, truly thoughtful!" Tang Zhao nodded repeatedly with satisfaction, his admiration for the jade pillow growing.
"This item is quite magical. Uncle Tang, try placing your hand on it. Soon, the fragrance of an elixir will emanate!"
Hong Xuan Ming's explanation was detailed, and everyone listened intently.
Prompted, Tang Zhao came back to his senses and immediately placed his hand on it.
As his hand's warmth transferred to the jade pillow, within three seconds, a faint fragrance indeed began to emanate, seemingly carrying a hint of medicinal herbs.
"Hey, it really has a fragrance! I can smell it, it's so fragrant! Oh, I feel so relaxed now, just one whiff makes me want to sleep!"
Tang Yun, who was closest, caught a faint scent and exclaimed dramatically.
Tang Xiao also nodded repeatedly, "This is truly a treasure, it's so magical!"
Tang Zhao could clearly smell the scent as well and genuinely felt refreshed, desiring a good night's sleep.
"Heh, Uncle Tang, how do you feel? Are you satisfied?" Hong Xuan Ming asked with a smug smile, but his eyes were fixed on Tang Ru, sending her flirtatious glances.
Tang Ru's gaze met Hong Xuan Ming's for just a moment before she flusteredly averted her eyes.
The value of this item was undoubtedly immense. Tang Ru instinctively thought of two words – betrothal gift!
After a long pause, Tang Zhao finally recovered and said with a smile, "Young Nephew Xuan Ming, you are truly thoughtful. I've also heard of the peculiar properties of such jade pillows. Even by weight, this ancient jade would be priceless, let alone such a large piece with such efficacy. You must have spent a considerable fortune, haven't you?"
"Heh, it's nothing. As long as Uncle Tang is satisfied, that's all that matters." Hong Xuan Ming appeared magnanimous.
Tang Zhao politely demurred, "No, this gift is too precious. Uncle cannot simply accept it like this. Name your price, and Uncle will buy it from you."
Hong Xuan Ming waved his hands repeatedly, "Ah, Uncle Tang, you make it sound like we're strangers. You know my feelings for Ru Ru. We'll be family soon anyway. A mere five hundred million! It's nothing to mention!"
Five hundred million?
Hearing this figure, Tang Zhao was also astonished.
Tang Xiao exclaimed even louder, "What? This item is worth five hundred million?"
Tang Yun clapped his hands repeatedly in exaggeration, "Young Master Hong, you are truly a magnate! Five hundred million, that's enough to buy four or five villas in Blue Bay Garden!"
Tang Yun's flattery was clearly laced with hidden meaning.
Hong Xuan Ming had been staring at Ling Feng and sneered inwardly. So what if your house is valuable? Would you be willing to give it away as a gift?
Tang Ru, hearing this, bit her lower lip, looking somewhat lost.
Just then, Ling Feng spoke calmly, "The Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Jade Pillow. Only three are known to exist, all national treasures. Two are housed in museums, and the third was purchased by a mysterious buyer at an auction in the capital a year ago."
"I haven't heard of a fourth one that made its way out of Great China?"