The Hidden Heiress Is a Secret Big Shot

Chapter 217: Chapter 217 Ancient Zither Identification, Caught in Partnership Chapter 217: Chapter 217 Ancient Zither Identification, Caught in Partnership Tan Qin’s expression was starting to crumble.

Tan Hua had been sent in by Qingwu because of those sly maneuvers at the gallery. It was said that now his meals were very regular…

“President Shen, what do you mean by this? I don’t understand…”

“Didn’t you go to see him just a few days ago? Seems like his days inside are looking quite good.”

Tan Qin and Tan Hua were genuinely family, and after Tan Hua was sent in, Tan Qin often visited him in jail.

“President Shen, I went to see him because we used to work together, that’s all. I don’t understand what you’re saying. Is there something wrong with these Ancient Zithers?”

Qingwu raised an eyebrow, looking at Tan Qin in front of her with a calm gaze.

“Where did you get these zithers?”

“Well… President Shen, these zithers were in our piano store originally! Last time you came in a hurry and probably didn’t see them, which is understandable.”

“The zither head is semi-circular, the neck is slightly short, the waist is concave, and the sound is rich and deep. It’s not the kind of Fu Xi Zither that Master Shi Yujiang made.”

Most of the zithers made by Master Shi Yujiang were Falling Sunset Zithers and Shennong Zithers.

It’s said that he only made it once. He wasn’t satisfied with the warm jade used for the zither markers, and the zither was destroyed. He never made another Fu Xi Zither after that.

Raising the zither’s waist, Qingwu flipped the Ancient Zither over to look at the inscription on the bottom.

There was indeed a seal on the inscription, showing it was Master Shi Yujiang’s personal seal!

“President Shen, there is indeed a seal, and we’ve checked it multiple times. It is definitely authentic.”

Tan Qin was determined. Even if Qingwu knew something about the structure of Ancient Zithers, it would be impossible for her to discern the true origin of this zither…

In the Dragon Pool’s position, there was another elaborate signature, marked as Yu Lan.

Qingwu gently raised an eyebrow.

How could she not know she had once crafted this Fu Xi Zither and even left her name on it?

Just by looking at that signature, she wondered who could have signed it with their foot.

“If you insist on being stubborn, then invite the appraisal institution.”

Antique zithers and those handcrafted by masters were high-priced, and within the industry were professional appraisal agencies.

Tan Qin wasn’t flustered, “Alright, I’ll call the appraisal agency right away.”

After all, he knew the people at the agency and had long since cooperated with them.

To ensure the subsequent auction went smoothly, Tan Qin had already contacted the appraisal agency.

Tan Qin took his phone and went outside to make the call.

“Old Li, bring your tools over to the piano store. That little girl insists on having those zithers appraised. She has no idea how high the sky is, thinking she’s some kind of expert at her age. Laughable. I’ve been in the Ancient Zither scene for so many years; does she think she can intimidate me?”

It’s just that Tan Hua was too foolish to let evidence fall into Qingwu’s hands.

If he had been just a bit more cautious, that girl definitely wouldn’t have found out!

Those zithers were things they had spent a significant amount of money finding in the antique market. Although they were quite damaged when acquired, a bit of restoration brought no difference.

With just a little modification, they can be sold at a great price.

Old Li picked up his toolkit, “On my way, the price remains as we discussed before. She’s just a yellow-haired girl; a half-hearted job will do.”

“Isn’t she just the Shen Family’s Lady Shen? How dare she step into the Ancient Zither circle at not even twenty years old? Without giving her a lesson, she might not know who her granddaddy is!”

Just after Old Li finished speaking, the door before him was suddenly kicked open heavily from the outside!

He looked at the unexpected guests in shock, “Who are you?!”

Tian Yue chuckled, giving way for Master Shi Yujiang and the identification center’s owner behind her.

The owner went up and gave a slap, “Old Li, you’ve been part of the identification center for so many years, and you’ve done so many illegal things! Do you dare provoke the cherished student of Master Shi?”

Earlier, when Old Li answered the phone using the speaker, everyone at the door heard his and Tan Qin’s insulting remarks towards Qingwu!

The owner’s face burned with embarrassment.

Not to mention that Lady Shen was the beloved daughter reclaimed with fanfare by the Shen Family—it was also the fact that she was personally recognized as a disciple by Master Shi Yujiang. The Ancient Zither World couldn’t mess with her!

Old Li covered his face, still a bit at a loss!

On the other end of the phone, Tan Qin still awaited Old Li’s response.

The owner bowed in front of Master Shi Yujiang, “I apologize. Master Shi, this is a failure on our identification center’s part. I will personally oversee this identification, free of charge!”

Master Shi Yujiang let out a few cold laughs, “I thought your identification center didn’t want to continue operations. Take him in, the routine inside seems suitable for him.”

“Yes, I will call the police right away!”

Old Li’s eyes widened as he looked at the identification center owner, “Mr. Bian, I’ve worked at the center for thirty years. Even if there’s no merit, there’s been hard work. Can you give me a chance?”

“Old Li, you’ll have to explain this to the police yourself. As a professional identification worker, you took money from your customers and deceived them—you’re a disgrace to the industry!”

“What you’re doing is fraud, and the identification center will also hold you accountable.”

Master Shi Yujiang watched Old Li as he was taken into custody, and he waved his hand, “I have other matters to attend to, so I can’t stay here long. You go to the piano store.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll go right away!”

The identification center owner, seeing that Master Shi Yujiang was satisfied with the way things were handled, breathed a sigh of relief and led a large group of appraisers towards Qingwu’s piano store.

Master Shi Yujiang had discovered that Tian Yue was following him on the way over, and after bringing her out, he naturally took a detour to the Ancient Zither appraisal center, resulting in this perfect timing.

“Young Yue, since you’re tagging along, go get the car. Surely, you don’t expect this old man to be your chauffeur?”

“Hehe, sure thing, Master!”

…

Tan Qin listened to the busy tone on the other end of the phone, feeling somewhat puzzled.

That Old Li, likely got caught up again midway through his call. At any rate, the man had promised to come; he just had to wait here.

“President Shen, the people from the appraisal center are on their way.”

“Okay.”

Qingwu gently touched the warm jade used on the thirteenth marker of those Ancient Zithers.

The moment she touched it, she knew these were subpar warm jade pieces. If not for the small amount used on the Ancient Zither and the hidden inlay, those pieces of warm jade were worth at most two thousand.

Tan Qin, however, managed to turn these inferior warm-jade-adorned zithers into a soaring investment.

The store’s deputy manager brought up the appraisers, “President Shen, Mr. Bian from the appraisal center is here.”

When Tan Qin saw the man before him, he suddenly panicked!

Why did the owner come personally? Where’s Old Li?

“Well, didn’t I contact Old Li? How did it become Mr. Bian coming personally?”

Bian Dang put on his gloves and full appraisal gear, explaining to Qingwu.

“President Shen, I’m Bian Dang, owner of the Beijing Ancient Zither Appraisal Center. Today I’m at your service, free of charge!”

Qingwu gently raised her brow.

Bian Dang? Lunch box?

What a peculiar name.

“Old Li, having committed industry errors, has already been taken away for investigation and awaits imprisonment!”