Chapter 30: The New Carver Astonishes the City

“Qinglan, that’s a good name.”

Xiao Nanyan nodded with a smile.

“Let’s go.

I’ve already arranged for a carriage.

It should be about time to head over now.”

“Okay.”

Wei Lan nodded and followed behind Xiao Nanyan.

 

When the two reached the entrance, Wei Lan saw the carriage parked there and hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Are we taking the same carriage?”

 

Wei Lan didn’t mind herself, but she remembered that Xiao Nanyan was a Kunzen (Omega).

In ancient times, Kunzen should be quite particular about sharing a carriage with a Qiankun (Alpha), right?

After all, they were out in public, not inside Yuyaxuan.

 

Xiao Nanyan, however, didn’t seem to care much.

She laughed. “Are you worried about that?

I’m not that particular.”

“That’s good then.”

Wei Lan responded and followed Xiao Nanyan into the carriage.

 

Guards outside would escort them, and a second carriage followed behind, specifically used to transport the items Xiao Nanyan would be selling later.

Among these were the jade carvings Wei Lan had sold her last time.

 

In just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wei Lan and the others arrived at Bright Moon Tower.

This was the largest tavern in Panyang City.

Usually, if there were poetry gatherings or wine parties in the city, they were basically held here.

 

Wei Lan stayed close to Xiao Nanyan.

The moment they stepped out of the carriage, many people at the entrance of Bright Moon Tower cast appraising glances their way.

The reason was simple: Wei Lan’s attire was too strange.

Most of her face was hidden behind a silver mask.

She wore a large, wide cloak, and the hood covered most of her head.

Not only could they not see her figure clearly, they couldn’t even make out her appearance.

“Hey, who’s that person in the black cloak over there?”

“No idea.

Never heard of anyone like that.

And they’re with Xiao Nanyan.”

“Maybe one of Xiao Nanyan’s guards?

With that mysterious look, they don’t seem like a carver.”

“I don’t think so either.

But this year’s Jade Appreciation Competition is going to be exciting!

Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng are both here.

I wonder which one will get the top spot this time?”

“Ah, that’s really hard to say.

Come on, let’s go in and grab seats first, otherwise we won’t get good spots.”

 

The crowd filed into Bright Moon Tower in a bustling, noisy stream.

Bright Moon Tower, naturally, wasn’t a charity.

For anyone wanting to enter the tavern to watch the Jade Appreciation Competition, private rooms cost fifty taels of silver each.

A table on the second floor cost ten taels in seating fees.

The first floor was cheaper, with a seating fee of five taels per table.

As for individual customers sharing a table, the charge was two hundred coins per person.

Standing-room tickets were one hundred coins per person.

 

Bright Moon Tower essentially made money any way they could.

But there was nothing to be done about it; jade carving was this popular in the Great Zhou.

Even with such high prices, these spots were booked well in advance, and in the end, even the standing-room tickets sold out completely.

 

Some common folks would spend four or five days’ wages just to stand and catch a glimpse of the top carvers of Panyang City.

After all, the things these people carved were sold for thousands or tens of thousands of taels of silver.

 

Wei Lan followed Xiao Nanyan through another entrance reserved for VIPs.

Xiao Nanyan, naturally wealthy and powerful, had long ago reserved the best private room on the second floor.

She took Wei Lan to the room.

 

Once inside the private room, Xiao Nanyan ordered someone to prepare drinks and had the three jade items they had brought placed on wooden trays, covered with red cloth, ready for the upcoming auction segment.

 

Wei Lan took off her hood and took a sip of tea.

When she looked up, she noticed that Xiao Nanyan was wearing the little fox pendant she had carved around her neck.

 

Wei Lan pointed at the little fox on Xiao Nanyan’s neck.

“Why are you wearing this?”

“Mm, it matches my dress today quite well.

What’s wrong?”

Xiao Nanyan asked with a smile.

“Oh, nothing.

It’s just that the quality of that green jade material wasn’t the best.

If you like foxes, once I carve something with better jade, I’ll give you one.”

Xiao Nanyan was the first person in this world willing to buy jade from her, and she was also considered a friend.

Giving a friend a small gift was nothing.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting then.”

Xiao Nanyan didn’t refuse.

Since she had already established a long-term partnership with Wei Lan, refusing would have created distance instead.

 

Xiao Nanyan had her maidservants fan them both and also ordered Bright Moon Tower’s famous cold dessert, iced milk fruit soup.

It was milk with crushed ice and various seasonal fruits.

On a hot day like this, eating a bowl of this was cool and refreshing.

 

Soon, the people in the several private rooms upstairs had all arrived.

A servant boy came to ask if Yuyaxuan had any carver participating in the upcoming carving competition this year.

 

Xiao Nanyan left this matter to Qi Ji.

Qi Ji told the servant boy Wei Lan’s name, and it was written down on paper with a brush.

 

Of course, not just anyone could participate in the upcoming competition.

Carvers had to be backed by a jade shop or a powerful figure in the city.

Ordinary street carvers were not qualified to compete here.

 

***

 

Before long, another guest was welcomed in by the servant boys on the first floor.

This guest was accompanied by government soldiers and went directly upstairs to sit in the very center seat.

 

Wei Lan looked over and asked, “Who is that?”

“That is Lu Feng, the City Lord of Panyang.

He is also the one who will make the final decision at this year’s Jade Appreciation Competition.

After all, every faction wants their own carver to win the top spot.

No one is willing to accept the other’s judgment, so in the end, they have to invite the City Lord to be the judge.

He is an upright man and loves jade as if his life depended on it.

He won’t favor any side.

You can rest assured on that point.”

Xiao Nanyan explained.

 

Wei Lan nodded. “That’s good.”

 

Since it was a competition, absolute fairness was necessary.

If everyone just fawned over those already famous, then the rest of the participants would have no point in competing.

 

Soon, a brass gong on the stage downstairs was struck.

A round-faced manager, looking very amiable, bowed in all directions and announced in a loud voice, “Thank you all for coming and supporting this year’s Jade Appreciation Competition.

This competition not only features new carvers but also our long-established famous carvers from Panyang City, Liu Bingkun and Huo Feng.

In short, I guarantee everyone will feast their eyes today.”

“Without further ado, let’s begin the first segment.

Each jade shop will bring three of their own carvings.

They have all set a minimum price.

Once we start, you may call out your bids.”

 

The manager, still beaming, had the servant boy behind him strike the gong again.

“Let the bidding begin now!

The first shop to participate in the bidding is Feiyu Pavilion.

Feiyu Pavilion’s first auction item is a landscape jade ornament by Zhou Fangdu.”

 

A robust servant boy carrying a wooden tray first made a circle on the first floor, then went up to the second floor, basically showing it to those who could afford tables and private rooms.

 

When he reached Wei Lan and the others’ location, Wei Lan even went out specially to take a look.

 

Zhou Fangdu’s landscape carving was made of white jade.

The outer shape was quite complete, but the carving technique was too rigid.

The landscapes, flowers, and birds were carved in a very mechanical way.

Wei Lan didn’t really like this kind of conventional, by-the-book carving.

 

When she returned to the private room, Xiao Nanyan asked with a smile, “What do you think?”

“The raw jade material wasn’t bad, but this carver’s skill is a bit lacking.

The carved lines lack an overall sense of smoothness.

Also, overall, it’s very rigid and too stiff.”

 

These were just flaws Wei Lan spotted with a casual glance.

If she had brought it closer for a detailed look, she could probably find even more defects.

“Not bad.

Many carvers have such flaws.

But just wait and hear the bidding price for this landscape ornament.”

 

Xiao Nanyan dealt with these jade items every day, so she naturally knew what kind of jade looked good.

However, good carvers were too rare these days.

That’s why, when she saw Wei Lan that day, she was especially eager to win her over.

And coincidentally, Wei Lan hadn’t yet found a shop to cooperate with at that time.

 

The servant boy carefully carried the wooden tray back to the first floor.

That round-faced manager again amiably bowed to everyone.

“Everyone, the minimum price for this landscape ornament is five hundred taels of silver.”

 

Wei Lan’s eyes widened. “And that’s worth five hundred taels?”

 

That was equivalent to about five hundred thousand yuan in modern money.

Wei Lan thought that aside from the decent raw material, the ornament just now had no obvious merits whatsoever.

This quoted price was way too high.

 

Xiao Nanyan was amused by her.

“That’s because you are more skilled than him, so you think this carving isn’t good.

But for him to be able to carve like that, he’s already better than many carvers.

Just keep watching.”

 

Sure enough, people in the private rooms on the first floor had already started bidding.

“Five hundred and fifty taels.”

“Young Master Cao bids five hundred and fifty taels.

Anyone else?” the manager asked with a smile.

“Seven hundred taels.”

“Elder Li bids seven hundred taels.

Anyone higher than seven hundred?”

“One thousand taels!”

The bid came from the private room next to Wei Lan and the others on the second floor.

 

The manager downstairs, still cheerful, announced, “Young Master Zhou bids one thousand taels.

Any higher?”

 

Listening to the bids coming from outside, Wei Lan expressed incomprehension.

With skill at that level, it could sell for this much?

It probably had something to do with the jade carver’s reputation.

His name was far bigger than his actual skill.

“One thousand five hundred taels.”

A bid also came from the private room on the other side of the second floor.

“Young Master Feng bids one thousand five hundred taels.

Any higher?”

The round-faced manager repeated a few times before continuing, “Congratulations to Young Master Feng for winning this landscape jade ornament.”

 

Sounds of congratulations and applause filled the building.

Soon, it was time for the second auction item.

This was a ‘Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate’ jade plaque made of feicui jadeite.

The manager again had the servant boy carry the wooden tray and make a circle on the first and second floors, making it convenient for everyone to see the plaque’s appearance.

 

Wei Lan was still curious, so when the servant boy came over, she went out to look again.

 

This piece of feicui jadeite was very translucent.

The seed quality of the feicui rough stone was exceptionally good, belonging to that kind of white-based glass type.

Wei Lan then looked at the carving on it.

It was very ordinary, unremarkable carving.

The main value was still the good raw stone of this plaque.

Wei Lan only felt a sense of pity; such a good piece of feicui had only been carved with these few strokes.

The problem was, it wasn’t even good-looking!

 

If it were given to her to carve, with such beautiful feicui rough stone, she would definitely carve it to perfection, making it exquisite beyond compare.

 

Wei Lan sighed, shook her head, and then returned to the private room.

 

Xiao Nanyan saw her sighing and asked, “What’s wrong?

How is this one?”

 

Wei Lan said, “The feicui raw stone is very good, but that carving work, to be honest, doesn’t do justice to the raw stone.”

“Heh, if you compare your skill to theirs, you probably wouldn’t think much of Liu Bingkun or Huo Feng either.

In the entire Great Zhou, there are probably very few who could meet your standards.”

Xiao Nanyan said with a smile.

 

She wasn’t teasing Wei Lan, but stating a fact.

Right now, Wei Lan had no reputation.

Once her name got out, the carvers of the Great Zhou would be no match for her.

 

Soon, the feicui jade plaque was carried back to the stage on the first floor by the servant boy.

 

That smiling manager spoke again.

“This is also a carving by Zhou Fangdu of Feiyu Pavilion.

The minimum price is five thousand taels of silver.

Bidding begins now!”

 

Murmurs of discussion arose from the crowd.

“Wow, five thousand?”

“Of course.

Zhou Fangdu is considered one of the best among the young carvers in Panyang City these past few years.

Plus, with the quality of that feicui material just now, setting a high price makes sense.”

“Exactly, exactly.

I wonder who will win this jade plaque?”

 

Just as everyone was curious, people downstairs had already started bidding.

“Five thousand five hundred taels.”

“Young Master Feng on the second floor bids five thousand five hundred taels.

Any higher?”

“Seven thousand taels.”

This time, the bid came from the private room next to Wei Lan and the others.

“Young Master Zhou bids seven thousand taels.

Any higher?” the round-faced manager asked with a smile.

“Seven thousand five hundred taels.”

…

 

After several rounds of bidding, the final price for this jade plaque was ten thousand taels, bought by that Young Master Zhou next to Wei Lan and the others.

 

Wei Lan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

There really were so many rich people.

Ten thousand taels of silver was equivalent to ten million yuan in modern society.

“There really are a lot of wealthy people in Panyang City.”

Wei Lan couldn’t help but remark, which made Xiao Nanyan laugh.

“If we’re talking about the wealthiest, it would still be Miss Lu.”

Xiao Nanyan’s gaze fell on Wei Lan.

 

Wei Lan nodded.

That was true.

Every single thing about the Lu residence’s food, clothing, and daily expenses was top-notch.

Lu Zijin really was a rich heiress.

 

***

 

After this transaction was completed and payment and goods were settled, the plump manager downstairs, all smiles, began the next transaction.

Each of the famous jade shops in the city was qualified to bring three auction items for sale.

 

The next jade items up for auction were from Zhuyu Pavilion.

The carver cooperating with Zhuyu Pavilion was the very famous carver of Panyang City, Huo Feng.

 

Huo Feng’s carvings were renowned for their smooth lines and lifelike landscapes and figures.

His carvings were now hard to come by in Panyang City.

After all, Huo Feng was quite famous in the south, and his carvings were bought not just by people in Panyang City.

 

The plump manager had the servant boy bring up the wooden tray.

This time, it was a green jade Pixiu hand-piece.

The color of the hand-piece was delicate, with seven or eight pixiu carved around a green jade pillar.

“Everyone, take a good look.

This Pixiu hand-piece was carved by Huo Feng of Zhuyu Pavilion.

The starting bid is five thousand taels of silver.”

 

As soon as the manager finished speaking, people immediately started bidding.

“Six thousand taels!”

“I bid seven thousand!”

“Ten thousand taels!”

 

Wei Lan noticed that Young Master Zhou in the private room next to them bid ten thousand again, but he was quickly outbid by others.

“Eleven thousand taels!”

…

 

In the end, this Pixiu hand-piece was bought by an out-of-town wealthy merchant for twenty thousand taels.

It was said that this out-of-town merchant had come specifically to Panyang to attend this auction.

 

Twenty thousand taels of silver was equivalent to twenty million yuan in modern money.

This was no small sum.

And Wei Lan had just gone out to look at it; the raw stone of this carving was indeed good.

The material was very fine, the kind that seemed like it would produce oil when rubbed.

But even so, the raw stone was worth at most a few dozen taels.

Selling for this price now was truly astonishing, and it also fully demonstrated the fanatical level of love the people of the Great Zhou had for jade.

“This Huo Feng and Liu Bingkun are very famous in the south.

Selling for this price is not surprising.”

Xiao Nanyan calmly took a sip of tea.

She didn’t plan to buy jade on this kind of occasion.

In such settings, emotions ran high, and it was easy to get carried away when bidding, leading to spending a lot of silver on jade carvings at inflated prices.

 

After that, both of Huo Feng’s carvings were sold at high prices.

 

***

 

Soon, the manager downstairs had the servant boy bring up a new tray.

The items brought up this time were precisely Wei Lan’s green jade landscape ornaments.

“Next up are the carvings from our Yuyaxuan.

This carving comes from the hand of a new carver.

The carver’s name is Qinglan.

Everyone, please look at this carving.”

 

The attendant servant boy cooperated with the manager, lifting the red cloth covering the green jade landscape ornament, revealing the green jade piece inside.

 

Instantly, the crowd buzzed with discussion.

“Why did Yuyaxuan bring a newcomer?

How boring.”

“Exactly.

And green jade isn’t valuable anyway.

Why bring a green jade ornament?

Isn’t this just damaging their own reputation?”

“Yeah, other shops try their hardest to invite the top carvers, but Yuyaxuan brings in a newcomer to make up the numbers.”

 

The round-faced manager ignored the murmurs below.

Still smiling, he continued his introduction.

“This green jade carving was made by Carver Qinglan using openwork carving techniques.

There is not a single black spot on the green jade.”

 

As he spoke, he directed the servant boy carrying the tray.

“You, make a circle around the venue.

Let everyone have a good look.”

“Yes.”

The servant boy respectfully carried the tray and began walking through the crowd on the first floor.

Murmurs arose from the crowd once more.

“Oh my god, it’s carved so beautifully!

Is this really green jade?”

“Right?

The black spots are all gone!

Is this even humanly possible?

Who has the patience and skill to remove all the black spots from green jade?”

“And look, the landscape ornament is carved with layered mountains, it looks just like the real thing!”

“Yeah, Yuyaxuan has struck gold this time!”

 

Those nobles in the private rooms who had initially had no interest in the newcomer ‘Qinglan‘ heard the discussions of these people.

Not wanting to miss out on a beautiful carving, they all came out to have a look.

 

Elder Li examined the openwork carving in detail and couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it.

However, he was stopped by a nearby servant boy.

“Apologies, guest.

Jade carvings can only be viewed, not touched.

Please forgive us.”

“This is just too beautiful.

I want it.”

Elder Li was practically drooling.

If this landscape piece were placed on the bookshelf in his study, it would bring him tremendous face.

 

The servant boys smiled and continued carrying the tray for everyone to admire.

They soon went up to the second floor.

There were even more high-ranking officials and nobles on the second floor.

Many people were initially not very interested in Qinglan, having never heard of them.

But after those sitting at the tea tables outside saw it, every single one exclaimed in amazement.

“Oh my god, did a human really carve this?

It’s so beautiful!”

“Yeah, look at the carved landscape lines, they’re exceptionally smooth, as if carved in one stroke.

And the intricately arranged carving on top, without decades of hand skill, it would be impossible to carve something like this.”

“I told you, Yuyaxuan wouldn’t just push a carver with no skill for no reason.

Turns out the new carver they found is also amazing.

No wonder they’re the best jade shop in Panyang City.”

 

With these individual spectators hyping it up, the jade-loving nobles in the private rooms couldn’t sit still any longer.

Since they were here anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to go out and have a look.

 

For example, that nouveau riche Young Master Zhou in the private room next to Wei Lan and the others who had been bidding just now was now curiously coming out.

Just in time, the servant boy with the jade ornament was approaching his area.

 

Young Master Zhou’s eyes fell upon the carving, and he was stunned for a moment.

Could there be a carving carved this realistically?

The birds and flowers on the carving were lifelike, the landscape openwork gave a sense of layered mountains.

Compared to the carvings just now, they simply weren’t in the same league.

 

Young Master Zhou’s eyes lit up.

“I must have this one.

It’s just too beautiful.”

 

Then he asked the servant boy beside him, “Is Qinglan here?

I want to meet them.”

“Young Master, we don’t know yet.

The owner of Yuyaxuan brought a strange person with a mask covering their face.

Not sure if that’s Qinglan.”

The servant boy by his side said.

“This is incredible.

I absolutely have to get to know a carver like this.”

Young Master Zhou was so excited he wanted to pay on the spot, but unfortunately, the servant boys had already taken the tray away for other guests to appreciate.

 

***

 

Huo Feng and Boss Wu of Zhuyu Pavilion naturally heard the commotion outside as well.

Huo Feng smiled disdainfully and said, “A newcomer?

How could they possibly carve an exceptional piece?

Let’s go out and have a look.”

“Alright, let’s go out and see.

But this time, I think the top spot in the Jade Appreciation Competition is yours for the taking.”

Boss Wu said with a smile.

“Not necessarily, Liu Bingkun is still there.

He’s truly skilled.

But I’ve practiced hard for months this time.

I definitely won’t be outshone by Liu Bingkun.

As for the others, I’m not too concerned.”

Huo Feng said with a smile.

 

Carvers of his level only cooperated with Zhuyu Pavilion; it wasn’t that Zhuyu Pavilion could casually command them.

 

The two walked out of the private room chatting and laughing, and then they saw the landscape ornament on the wooden tray carried by the servant boys.

 

The smile instantly froze on Huo Feng’s face.

“How is this possible?

How is this possible?

How did they do it?”

 

Boss Wu, who had also dealt with jade for decades, recognized the uniqueness of this carving at a glance.

This carver was just too skilled.

Not only were the lines smooth, the composition was also perfect.

Combined with the dense, intricate openwork carving, he found it hard to believe a human could carve this.

“This… how is this possible?”

Boss Wu exclaimed in amazement.

“Impossible, this is impossible.

Such technique requires at least decades of skill.

But I have never heard of this Qinglan.

If they had this kind of skill, they should have become famous in the Great Zhou long ago.

I don’t believe it.

This carving might not have been completed by a single person.”

Huo Feng refused to believe that one person could carve something so perfect.

That was too terrifying.

“I think so too.

Maybe one person carved the lines, specializing in line carving, while another carver did the openwork.

Each carver has different areas of expertise.

Yuyaxuan must be playing tricks, using different carvers to create one perfect landscape ornament.”

 

Boss Wu also refused to believe this was the work of a single person.

If it were true, this person’s skill would probably be on par with the greatest carver in the Great Zhou, Gong Jinsheng.

He certainly didn’t want Yuyaxuan to be able to hire such a carver.

If that happened, all the other shops would be crushed in the future.

 

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