skipped a beat. From Yun Hongsheng's complex expression earlier, he had sensed something was amiss. He hadn't expected this news though.You have to know, as the third-ranked gang in Linhai City, we a...Ye Fan suddenly laughed and said, "The story told by this painting is about a painting competition held during the reign of Emperor Zhao Ji of the Song Dynasty in Bianjing, which is now Kaifeng City, Henan Province."

The female guest in the dim chamber was taken aback. She hadn't expected this fellow claiming to be Fan Ye to actually answer, and not just answer correctly, but with perfect accuracy, as if he had looked up the answers online beforehand.

However, the female guest quickly came to her senses and laughed, saying: "You're very clever, you passed this round. So, what is the subject of this painting"

Ye Fan replied without hesitation, "The fragrance of horse hooves returns after stepping on flowers."

Actually, Ye Fan also racked his brains to come up with this idea. The old man really liked the painting, saying it was very atmospheric. That time's exam on painting required students to depict "Returning Home After Admiring Flowers, Horse's Hoofprint Fragrant," and many painters were stumped. Some painted majestic horses, others drew plenty of flowers and plants, but none captured the essence of the poem.

Later, a painter painted this picture. A traveler sits on horseback, and behind him are several butterflies unwilling to fly away. With just a few strokes, he brought out the mood of the painting, so he passed the exam.

This female guest was truly taken aback. She couldn't sit still any longer and walked out from behind the curtain, her eyes wide with surprise as she stared at Ye Fan. It seemed like she was doubting whether or not he had cheated.

Seeing her like that, Ye Fan found it rather amusing. Thinking about it, his own attire didn't exactly scream "learned scholar," did it

"Brother, you're amazing! I didn't expect you to be so deep. This guy Xiao Ma is impressed." Ma Xiaobing had somehow already stood beside Ye Fan, patting his back with a sheepish smile on his face.

He didn't care about Ye Fan's envy and jealousy, but when he turned his head, he almost jumped in fright. Unknowingly, he was surrounded by a crowd of male companions, all of them looking at him with interest.

To be more precise, he was paying attention to the female guest behind Ye Fan. Those eyes, like tigers and wolves, even made Ye Fan feel uneasy.

The female guest paid no heed to the wolves surrounding them, her star-like eyes fixed on Ye Fan. She seemed to be searching for some clue in him.

Ye Fan coughed lightly, "The next question should be the third one, right"

The female guest withdrew her scrutinizing gaze. She was somewhat disappointed; she hadn't been able to find anything of value in Fan Ye. Could it be that Fan Ye truly answered with his own abilities

The third question is, please identify the authenticity of this painting and state your reasons.

As soon as the woman's voice fell, the crowd erupted, especially Ma Xiaobai. He pounded his chest and stomped his feet, vehemently defending Ye Fan. "Damn it! Could this painting really be the genuine work of that scholar It dates back to the Song Dynasty! If it were real, it would be priceless now. How could it possibly be auctioned off here"

Ma Xiaobing was actually telling the truth. Everyone knew that this piece on display was definitely a fake, but knowing is one thing, and being able to articulate why it's a fake is another. That truly tests one's painting skills.

Even today, world-renowned painters are not 100% accurate at identifying forgeries. Given that this female guest made such a statement, it can only mean that this painting is extremely close to the genuine article.

While wanting to examine paper from aspects like wear and tear is nearly impossible, unless you use specialized equipment, how could the human eye possibly achieve that

Ye Fan was also cursing inwardly, who the hell came up with this question! It's clearly designed to make attendees never see the real face of the female guest. The inability to see just makes them want to buy the paintings more, and the harder the questions, the more paintings they'll buy.

This must be that old Chairman Mo's doing. He sure is a crafty and cunning man.

The female guest didn't mind those things. The reason she took time out of her busy schedule to attend this charity auction was twofold: firstly, she was passionate about charitable causes herself, and secondly, Mr. Mo had assured her that no one could possibly get past his carefully prepared three rounds of challenges. As for anyone trying to take advantage of the female guest, that would be absolutely impossible.

Therefore, the female guest agreed to appear, and as expected, she proved difficult. In her presence, few could even answer her first question, let alone her second or third.

Seeing Ye Fan's expression, she became even more secretly pleased.

Ye Fan was furious. You think I won't be able to answer I'll definitely make you eat your words later.

Ye Fan said, "Of course this is a fake. The reason is simple, even I, someone who's not skilled in painting, could paint something like this."

As soon as these words were uttered, the entire hall was filled with murmurs. No one believed such bold and brazen claims coming from this person.

Ma Xiaobai suddenly hugged Ye Fan's arm and whispered urgently, "Brother, don't struggle anymore. Even your little brother Ma can't answer this, you have even less hope. Let's just leave, it's not like you're disgraced."

Ma Xiaobai had already seen that someone seemed to have started taking off their shoes. If Ye Fan didn't leave, Ma Xiaobai could almost foresee what would happen to him.

Ye Fan was amused by this little Marco. This little Marco seemed to think very highly of himself. He couldn't answer, so he wouldn't let others answer either

The female guest was also stunned by Ye Fan's words, looking at him in astonishment and saying, "Mr. Fan, you wouldn't be joking, would you"

Ye Fan said speechlessly, "Do I look like I'm joking" He then swatted Ma Xiaobai away with his hand.

Ma Xiaobai extended a big thumb in front of Ye Fan and sincerely said, "You are awesome." Then he turned his back, rolled up his sleeves, and glared fiercely at those restless young masters. He looked like he was ready to fight anyone who dared to throw a shoe at him. For a moment, he really managed to suppress those uneasy people.

"What's going on" A low and powerful voice suddenly came, followed by a sixty-year-old man pushing through the crowd to the front.

Mo Zihan has also come. Ye Fan didn't expect that he could still attract the attention of this Elder Mo, it was truly an honor.

When the female guest saw that it was the association's president, she briefly recounted the matter to him. Old Mo listened carefully and when he looked at Ye Fan, his eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

"Prepare the four treasures of the study," Mo Lao loudly said to the person behind him.

The man responded and then hurried away.

To the reader:

Happy New Year, a wave of benefits is coming, there will definitely be surprises waiting for you later.n would come up with something more earth-shattering, but instead, he pulled out this thing, which inevitably disappointed him.Although Che Yuquan didn't speak, one could easily tell from his contempt...