Reborn As Super Heiress
Chapter 1026 - 1022 Perfect Return to Zhao

Upon hearing that Huo Sining was back in the country, Zhou Shitao was extremely excited: "Did you come back alone?"

Huo Sining caught on to the underlying meaning in Zhou Shitao’s words and laughed: "I came back alone, but I brought you two things."

Zhou Shitao became anxious: "What things?"

Huo Sining feigned mystery: "I’ll keep it a secret for now. I’ll tell you when I arrive."

Gu Xu drove Huo Sining to the Zhou Family. As soon as she entered the house and looked up, she nearly strained her neck.

In Zhou Shitao’s study, several elderly gentlemen, either sitting or standing, seemed to be waiting for her.

Huo Sining recognized all of these elders, the most familiar being Huang Zhenlong, the director of the Forbidden City Museum, and another was Professor Shi Qingyun, an old expert who had once appeared with Huo Sining on the TV program "Folk Treasure Hunt".

The person sitting at the innermost position looked familiar at first glance. After a few more glances, Huo Sining’s eyes widened.

This elder was none other than Huo Sining’s long-admired senior, a towering figure in Huaxia Country’s painting and calligraphy circles, Su Zhongqing.

In fact, this was not the first time Huo Sining had seen Su Zhongqing. In a past life, Huo Sining accidentally attended a charity auction where he was present.

At the time, as the auction was filled with fake philanthropists, the elder lost his temper, berating those businesspeople for exploiting the guise of charity for profit. He then took out a Da Hong Pao seal he had on him and donated it on the spot without a second thought.

This incident caused a significant stir back then. To this day, it’s unknown who finally acquired Su’s seal or how much it fetched, but Huo Sining has never forgotten this incorruptible master of Chinese painting.

Seeing Su Zhongqing here was a huge surprise for Huo Sining.

However, upon reconsideration, it wasn’t too surprising, as Zhou Shitao had also once been involved in the painting and calligraphy world and naturally had ties to Su Zhongqing.

Huo Sining recalled how, half a year ago while in Changhua, she had met Su Zhongqing’s disciple, Liu Pengcheng, who had mentioned that due to health reasons, the elder rarely went out anymore. Instinctively, Huo Sining raised her head and looked at Su Zhongqing, noticing traces of the toll time had taken on his face. This man was indeed getting old.

Though aged, the dignified bearing of these men revealed their significant stature, ranking them among the notables in the Imperial Capital.

At this moment, distinctions of seniority were set aside. As Huo Sining entered, all eyes fixated intensely on her, as if they were ready to snatch her backpack.

"Hello, esteemed elders." Feeling a bit awkward, Huo Sining hadn’t been informed by Zhou Shitao that there would be so many people present. Thus, she rushed in unawares, not expecting to find others inside.

These elders, known not to bother with rigid formalities, bore no displeasure at Huo Sining’s sheepishness or tardy realization. Instead, they observed her warmly, especially when she retrieved a wooden box from her backpack, brightening at the sight.

"Little Huo, don’t keep us old folks in suspense. Quickly show us the goods. These elders have been visiting me often since word got out. Upon hearing of your return, they all hurried over. If you don’t show them, they won’t leave tonight!"

Zhou Shitao jokingly remarked, with his eyes nearly bulging in curiosity over what Huo Sining had brought.

Sharing this information with these individuals and having them rush over at such a late hour indicated they were trustworthy. Zhou Shitao’s words reassured Huo Sining, confirming she needn’t worry about any leaks.

With Zhou Shitao’s assurance, Huo Sining felt confident. Her eyebrows curved into a smile as she placed the wooden box on the table, opening it. The elders, donning their reading glasses, gathered around the table, intently watching as the box was slowly revealed.

Huo Sining opened the box, taking out an item tightly wrapped in newspaper. Swiftly, she unwrapped it, unveiling a thin porcelain teacup about the size of a palm.

Seeing the teacup, Zhou Shitao’s expression froze. Having seen both the genuine Secret-Color Porcelain Teabowl and the Zhong Fang replica, the significance of Huo Sining’s careful unveiling was clear.

The bowl’s glaze was pure white, the porcelain fine and flawless, and most importantly, its blue glaze mirrored the sky, reflecting like a mirror and thin as paper—hallmarks of the Yue Kiln Secret-Color Porcelain.

The elders’ breaths became shallow, as they stared dumbfounded at the Yue Kiln Secret-Color Porcelain Teacup, none daring to reach out and touch it.

The bowl’s preservation was remarkable, appearing so pristine it could be mistaken for a modern piece. Yet, at first glance, the glaze clearly distinguished it from contemporary ceramics.

Zhou Shitao was the first to regain composure. Familiar with Zhong Fang and having firsthand experience with the Taicheng Museum’s swapped replica, he remembered not to let excitement overshadow caution. Using cobalt glass, he carefully examined the bowl inside and out in detail.

Not stopping there, he then used a magnifying glass to scrutinize each groove, taking a good ten minutes before finally exhaling in relief, suddenly looking up and exclaiming with laughter:

"Good! Haha, marvelous! It truly is the Yue Kiln Secret-Color Porcelain. There’s no mistake; it’s indeed the one! Sending this back to the Taicheng Museum will finally let Bai Changlin sleep soundly tonight!"