In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

"My grandfather's surname was Wu, and Yunqiu's surname was also Wu. My grandfather's Wu family Xuanhe mounting originated from the Song Dynasty. However, our Wu family added a specific mark, which is that during the process of covering the gold swallow ribbon, we would embed the Wu family mark on the top silk."

"But if the framed item is a fake, we will cover it with a fake mark."

Song Xiaoyi didn't understand what "Jingyan Ribbon," "Tiantou Silk," or "Xuanhe Mounting" meant. After thinking for a moment, she pulled Song Yunqiu up to the attic bedroom and pointed to the still-open computer screen, saying, "Sister, take a look. Just look at the picture. What mounting method was used for this 'Six Dynasties Gold Powder Ode'? Are there any flaws? Most importantly, can you tell whether the bottom part is by Wu or a fake?"

Song Xiaoyi clicked on an image and slowly zoomed in, then clicked on another image and zoomed in again, until the fourth image. Finally, Song Yunqiu spoke, "This celestial artifact is truly amazing! It's so clear! Can you show me this one, and make it even clearer?"

"Do you want to zoom in again? Of course!"

"Yes, that's it, this is our Wu family Xuanhe mounting! Look here, it's slightly raised, two in a row. Only someone who is not a Wu family member and knows the secrets can tell that the words 'fake' are inlaid here."

"Why is this the fake? It's not from the Wu family? How did you tell?"

"The Wu family's item is a small piece of silk, while the counterfeit items number two."

"Great! My dear sister!" Song Xiaoyi couldn't contain her joy and hugged Song Yunqiu tightly.

Song Yunqiu's ears turned red, she lowered her eyes and looked away, her fingertips trembling slightly; Song Xiaoyi, however, held her hand tightly, his eyes shining brightly, "Sister, take another look at the rest, I'll teach you, this is magnification, you can see it more clearly, see if you can still tell who framed it, and if there are any other markings."

Now we at least have a safety net, but relying solely on this, the odds of winning are at best 50/50. It's not enough to deliver a decisive blow; it only ensures we won't lose too badly.

Whether Zhu Zhishan can pull off a slap in the face depends on how well he performs.

Song Xiaoyi thought that at least he could reassure Old Wu, so he made a phone call from the second floor. Old Wu answered but didn't say anything.

Song Xiaoyi understood that it was not appropriate for the other party to speak at the scene. "Mr. Wu, you just need to listen and don't need to say anything. Now we have found the first point: the fake of that painting is made using Wu's Xuanhe mounting method. There is a very inconspicuous protrusion under the 'Jingyan' ribbon at the top of the painting. The words 'fake' are hidden under there. That is Wu's secret mark for aging fakes."

Song Xiaoyi hung up the phone after speaking.

Upon hearing this, Old Wu's spirits lifted! Wu's Xuanhe mounting! Imperial silk, startled swallow belt!

But how can we get them to agree to remove the silk covering? If we do, the entire piece will practically need to be remounted! It would cost tens of millions!

In Song Xiaoyi's bedroom in the attic of the Taoye Ferry restaurant, Song Yunqiu finished looking at all the photos displayed online and finally confirmed that this "Ode to the Golden Powder of the Six Dynasties" should logically be her own unique mounting technique, but why did she have no recollection of it at all? Could it be that the Wu family had other successors besides herself?

"Is this your technique? Are you sure?"

"Yes. I confirm, many of the details are the same, but I really don't remember ever framing this calligraphy."

"It's okay if I don't remember, I understand!"

Great! Our chances of winning have increased by another 10%, and we're now in an invincible position.

But this is a bit strange. If it weren't for my appearance, this would be the original. So why would Wu's mounter leave a mark indicating it's a fake?

……

With a blush on her face, Song Yunqiu returned to the Song Mansion of the Ming Dynasty and waited for Zhu Zhishan and Tang Bohu.

Song Xiaoyi turned on the live stream and continued browsing the online flame war between the two sides.

The live broadcast was held in the main hall of the National Museum of China, where a stalemate ensued over whether to evacuate the audience.

Xiao Rizi naturally disagreed with evacuating the audience; although the Chinese side received a hint from Elder Wu, they lacked confidence and, while proposing to evacuate the audience, they were not very firm in their stance, resulting in a long stalemate between the two sides.

Yamamoto believed the other side was guilty! Guilty? Hmph! Guilty is to be expected!

"I disagree with evacuating the audience! Let the whole world see which side actually owns a fake!"

"Mr. Yamamoto, don't push your luck. Everyone knows how you obtained that calligraphy. We'll settle this score with your family sooner or later!"

"That's right! Well said! They stole a fake and then tried to scam us!" Someone in the crowd shouted, drawing applause.

"Who said I'm trying to extort money? I'm helping you correct your mistakes. It's a legitimate academic exchange; let's not drag history into it."

"Pah! Shameless!"

"How about we make a bet? If my painting is a fake, I'll apologize and go straight home. If yours is a fake, you tear it up, apologize to me, and put a 'my skill is inferior to Yamamoto' on your official website for three days! Do you Chinese dare to do that?!"

"This is outrageous!"

"Fight him!"

"Don't clear the area! We're not leaving!"

"If you pull me again, I'll smash my head against this pillar and die!"

"Would the museums of China disperse their visitors out of fear of losing and being embarrassed?"

"We'll just watch, we won't cause trouble!"

......

"Tashi, what should we do?"

"We're in a bind. Where's Old Wu?"

"Old Wu just received another phone call and went to find Little Wu to prepare some things. He's being all mysterious."

-------------

The Ma Mansion, Yingtian Prefecture, Ming Dynasty.

Slightly tipsy, Zhu Zhishan and Tang Bohu had already gotten Ma Qianli half-drunk, and Zhu Zhishan continued to urge him to drink.

In fact, even without Zhu Zhishan's persuasion, this kind of fine wine was like nectar to Ma Qianli, who loved drinking. He would drink it even if you didn't urge him.

The framed copy of "Ode to the Golden Powder of the Six Dynasties No. 1" was laid out on the long table in the hall.

Ma Qianli, his cheeks flushed and his steps unsteady, waved away his servants and dragged Zhu Zhishan and Tang Bohu to the painting. "Bohu, this work can... hiccup... be passed down through generations!"

"Your Excellency, the mounting is quite skillful! Which renowned artist did you consult?"

"Hehe...hiccup...Brother Zhishan, you have a good...hiccup...eyesight. This is...hiccup...originating from Emperor Huizong of Song's...hiccup...Xuanhe...hiccup...mounting method. Its...hiccup...successor was recently...hiccup...in Yingtian...hiccup..."

Zhu Zhishan and Tang Bohu exchanged a glance. How many "burps" had they heard in that sentence? It seemed like they just needed to put in a little more effort!

"Come on, congratulations to the Provincial Governor on acquiring this family heirloom, cheers..."

"Dry... burp..."

"Lord Ma? Lord Ma??"

"Finally drunk!" Zhu Zhishan winked, and Tang Bohu understood. He pretended to support Tang Bohu's arm, but actually blocked the view of others.

"Quickly, write it down, just write it on the back of the inscription."

"His name is Tang Yin from Wu County. Don't forget it!"

"Okay, I'll do it. You block the way... , the branch finger stays, haha, done!"

"Keep this safe!"

"Butler! Butler Ma!"

"Master Zhu, Master Tang..."

"Steward Ma, your master is drunk. Please help him back to his room to rest. Bo Hu and I will be leaving now!"

Zhu Zhishan pulled Tang Bohu out the door, found a carriage, and headed straight for the Song residence at Taoye Ferry.