Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 113 - 0113 Learn Something 1_1

Chapter 113: Chapter 0113 Learn Something 1_1

Facing the old woman’s desperate plea, Feng Qingxue hesitated for a moment before ultimately agreeing to this trade. She took out twenty pounds of cornflour and ten pounds of flour, exchanging them for the two chicken-blood stones, a box of pine soot ink, a book of calligraphy, and a brush pen holder from the Qing Dynasty that the old woman had offered.

The old woman felt somewhat guilty, given that these items were currently worthless.

Jewelry and fine clothes were seen as the source of capitalist corruption. Only hedonism placed importance on these items. So, the nation’s banks were only collecting gold and silver, not jade, jewelry, or antiques. These items were no longer marketable, and the only option for their owners was to take their chances on the black market. After all, there were still people in the world who appreciated and cherished these items.

Therefore, after the trade was completed, the old woman gave Feng Qingxue a small cloth bag before leaving.

Feng Qingxue waited until the woman had left before opening the bag, only to discover a meticulously crafted jade pendant inside. It was made of high-quality Hetian seed jade, exquisitely lustrous, creamy white with a texture of Sprinkle Gold Skin. Although it hadn’t reached the whiteness of mutton-fat jade, it was almost there. Half a century later, many jade merchants would sell it as mutton-fat jade.

After she had put away everything she got in the trade that day, Feng Qingxue went for a walk at the junkyard, and then visited Old Man Xu and his wife before going home.

Old Man Xu was not at home, but his wife warmly welcomed her, "Qingxue, your timing is perfect. Our old friends have brought us many valuable items. I wanted to ask you to help us exchange them for some food to celebrate the New Year. I hope we’re not bothering you too much."

"It’s not trouble at all, the friends who’ve brought you these things have given me a lot too. It’s just an exchange, everyone gets what they need."

Old Lady Xu led her into the room and gave her four different-sized wooden boxes.

"These are from families we’ve helped out in the past. Our lives have depended on it, so they won’t betray our secrets. Besides, these are all good things; they wouldn’t be able to part with them otherwise. Even though these items may be valuable, they’re not as practical as real commodities."

"What valuable items did they give you?" Feng Qingxue asked with curiosity, opening the boxes and gasping at their contents.

The goodies that Old Lady Xu referred to were indeed precious treasures, and they were all top-quality.

The first item was an old-fashioned ruby headpiece, made with gold filament workmanship. Every ruby reached the standard of pigeon-blood red color, especially the gemstones embedded on the five-tail phoenix hairpin were huge and flawlessly radiant.

The next item was a jadeite bracelet from an old pit, although there was only one, they included a matching pendant, ring, and earrings, all set in platinum from the era of the Republic of China. The jadeite was transparent and full of moisture, which is incredibly rare. The most coveted was its full sun green color, extraordinarily radiant, which was something Feng Qingxue had never seen in her previous or current life. Half a century later, it would undoubtedly be worth billions.

The largest, long box contained a scroll, which, when unfurled, revealed an authentic work by Wu Daozi. It was truly priceless.

The smallest box contained only a ring, a huge fancy blue diamond ring. It was dazzlingly fiery and brilliant. The design was similar to the pink diamond jewelry set she had previously received, but its value far surpassed that set.

Having looked through them all, Feng Qingxue was shocked.

"These things are too precious!" she exclaimed. She felt that no amount of foodstuff could match their value.

Old Lady Xu waved her hand dismissively, "What’s the use of being precious? In chaotic times, people hide away their most valuable things, but these things can’t be eaten or drunk. It’s like those people who, during a flood, climb a tree carrying only gold bullion, and no food. If they had hoarded less of these treasures and more food, they wouldn’t be in their current predicament."