Chapter 191 - 190: This Is a Long-standing Sinclair Family Rule

Chapter 191: Chapter 190: This Is a Long-standing Sinclair Family Rule

(Ian: Let me just say, the antiques mentioned later were found online. Some are already kept in private or national collections, so I’m just borrowing them for the story! This is fiction! Don’t compare it to reality! Please read rationally! The following is some background information on a few items, so don’t say I’m just trying to pad the word count! Pitiful.jpg)

Noel Sutton had been scolded so thoroughly that he had lost all his confidence. However, under Old Mr. Sinclair’s lectures, his knowledge in this field was gradually accumulating. Theory combined with practice allowed him to learn much more.

Noel spent a long time browsing before picking out a painting and a bronze artifact.

Old Master Sinclair looked up, asking casually, "Have you made your choices?" Seeing Noel nod, he then said, "Tell me about these two items you’ve selected."

Noel picked up the painting and studied it carefully for a moment before speaking slowly. "This should be the *Inspection Formation*, the third scroll of the *Grand Inspection Map* painted by Kinkin, Sean Langley, and other court painters."

After saying this, Noel cast a guilty look at Elder Sinclair, as he had been genuinely frightened by the earlier scolding. The old man’s rebukes were even more relentless than his own grandfather’s.

Elder Sinclair frowned and glanced at him. "Lost your confidence now? Keep going."

Receiving Elder Sinclair’s response, Noel steadied his nerves and slowly continued. Hearing what followed, Old Master Sinclair straightened his expression, though he still maintained a casual demeanor.

Ignoring the gazes and movements of those around him, Noel was now completely immersed in his element. He went on, "It is a handscroll with ink, colors, and gold on silk, measuring 68 centimeters in height and 15.50 meters in length.

"This scroll is one of the two surviving scrolls from the four-volume *Grand Inspection Map*. From this painting, we can see it depicts the grand occasion of Emperor Valerius personally inspecting the military camp.

"From right to left, arranged in the order of The Plain Blue Banner, The Bordered White Banner, The Plain White Banner, The Bordered Yellow Banner, The Plain Yellow Banner, The Plain Red Banner, The Bordered Red Banner, and The Bordered Blue Banner, forming eight square formations and two flank formations.

"The *Grand Inspection Map* features all the elite troops of the Manchu and Han Eight Banner guards, including The Vanguard Battalion, Escort Guard Corps, The Valiant Cavalry Battalion, Firearms Division, and The Imperial Guard.

"Based on troop types, they can be divided into: the valiant cavalrymen (elite cavalry), artillerymen (cavalry equipped with horse-mounted cannons), escort cavalrymen (cavalry wielding matchlocks), abatis infantry, matchlock infantry, artillery units, and more."

Wearing white gloves, Noel pointed at a figure on the painting. "This depicts Emperor Valerius inspecting the Eight Banner guards. The one riding the white horse in the circular crescent formation is Emperor Valerius himself."

Old Master Sinclair nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad at all. It seems that old geezer in your family actually put in some effort. You picked the right item, but your knowledge is still too shallow. Go back and study more."

As soon as Old Master Sinclair finished speaking, he waved his hand at the attendants nearby. The other items on the table were immediately cleared away, leaving only the two pieces Noel had selected.

Rian Sinclair watched the items being taken away. Her eyes turned serious for a brief moment, but the look vanished in a flash.

Old Master Sinclair flattened his hand and gestured toward a nearby bronze artifact. "Tell me about this one."

Noel put down the scroll and picked up the bronze artifact. He examined it carefully before speaking slowly, "The bottom bears a four-character regular script hallmark reading ’Made for the Hall of Awe and Reverence’.

"The craftsmanship and materials indicate it was made during the Valorian Zenith Period. During the Mid-Valorian era, a large number of bronze and porcelain items were modeled after ancient bronze artifacts. The materials used were exquisite, and the craftsmanship was beautiful, giving them high collectible value.

"Therefore, this artifact should be an imitation bronze-colored, gold-traced deer-eared vase, which is typically part of a pair."

As Noel’s voice fell, he placed the item steadily back on the table. His eyes were filled with admiration for the piece.

Sitting to the side, Rian Sinclair listened to Noel’s introduction while observing the object in his hands.

Old Master Sinclair didn’t speak immediately. He sized Noel up for a moment, then turned to Rian Sinclair. "Do you have any thoughts, little girl?"

Rian Sinclair didn’t know why Old Master Sinclair suddenly directed the question at her. After all, she had only managed to come and take a look by riding the coattails of the Sutton Family. But she replied at once, "What thoughts could a junior like me have? I’m just here with Noel to broaden my horizons."

Old Master Sinclair stared at Rian Sinclair. For a moment, the entire room fell completely silent. Not long after, Old Master Sinclair withdrew his gaze and turned back to Noel. "You do have a bit of skill, you brat, but not much.

"I procured such a massive haul with your grandfather, yet instead of coming himself, he sent a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you." Old Master Sinclair shook his head, unable to hide the disdain in his eyes as he looked at Noel. "You picked the right item, but you let a truly good piece slip right by.

"You’re going to suffer a huge loss acting like this. Shallow knowledge and a poor eye."

Rian Sinclair sat quietly to the side. Noel didn’t feel regretful; to him, as long as he identified the right item, things like the price were secondary.

Old Master Sinclair said no more. He waved his hand, and the man in the Mao suit standing nearby stepped away.

A moment later, the man in the Mao suit returned, followed by a middle-aged woman. The woman carried in a tea set, placed it on the table in front of Old Master Sinclair, bowed, and retreated.

Noel was confused, and Rian Sinclair was equally clueless. Looking at the tea set, she had originally thought Old Master Sinclair was about to see his guests out. She hadn’t expected him to leisurely start brewing tea.

Old Master Sinclair sat up straight and looked at the tea set before him. "I have a rule here. As long as someone doesn’t pick a fake, this old man will brew a pot of tea. This is a rule the Sinclair family has maintained for years."

Even as Old Master Sinclair spoke, his hands never stopped moving. He cleaned the tea set, and Rian Sinclair noticed that the tea he brought out was Darjeeling First Flush.

Darjeeling First Flush was one of the "Four Great Bushes" of black tea. Produced on the cliffs below Gezhai Peak in the Niulankeng area of the Wuyi Mountains, it earned its name because its dense, glistening leaves resembled a golden turtle.

As a semi-fermented tea, Darjeeling First Flush possessed the mellowness of Tieguanyin and the fresh scent of green tea. With its vibrant, sweet, elegant, and fragrant characteristics, it was a true treasure among teas. Plucked in mid-May every year and consisting mostly of two or three leaves, its color was green with a hint of red. It had a sweet taste and a soaring aroma. Even when brewed strong, it showed no bitterness, and its color was a glossy greenish-brown, displaying a radiant precious glow.

Old Master Sinclair’s movements were as smooth as flowing water. Preparing the tools, warming the cups, portioning the tea, brewing, and rinsing the pot—the entire process was a feast for the eyes.

Pouring the liquor, serving the tea, and appreciating the aroma. Finally, Old Master Sinclair pushed the freshly brewed tea toward them.

"You two youngsters, have a taste of the craftsmanship of our older generation."

Noel’s movements were straightforward. He picked up his teacup and slowly sipped the tea. Rian Sinclair stared at the brewed tea, her expression unreadable. After all, Old Master Sinclair’s tea-brewing motions were far too familiar to her.

Rian Sinclair picked up her teacup, brought it close to her nose to smell the fragrance, and took a light sip. The words spilled from her mouth naturally. "The heat is one degree too high. It should have been kept at a level six. Only then would the tea’s aroma be completely preserved."

As soon as Rian Sinclair finished speaking, the entire pavilion fell dead silent. Noel stared at her in sheer shock, while Old Master Sinclair looked at Rian Sinclair, his eyes full of heavy scrutiny.

Rian Sinclair noticed the atmosphere and furrowed her brows.

She had simply gotten too used to it back when she followed the old man. After all, during the time she was learning the art of tea, that little old man had scolded her mercilessly.