Old Harden, can you handle having your vision-shifting abilities on all the time?

This silk fabric has an extremely fine texture and a very high warp and weft density. Under X-ray vision, the fine texture left during weaving can be clearly seen.

The surface of the silk fabric is embroidered with a phoenix spreading its wings as if about to take flight.

The phoenix feathers are embroidered with gold thread, shimmering softly under the light. The tail feathers are spread out gracefully, and the texture of each feather is clearly visible.

In the lower left corner of the phoenix, there is a line of small text.

It is Manchu.

Xu Xing had no knowledge of Manchu script and couldn't recognize the meaning of the characters, but judging from the craftsmanship and patterns of the silk fabric, this thing was definitely not simple.

This exquisite weaving technique, this lifelike phoenix pattern, this gold thread embroidery method…

It is clearly an imperial item made by the Jiangnan Textile Bureau during the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty!

Phoenix patterns were subject to strict hierarchical regulations in the Qing Dynasty court.

Only the empress was entitled to use the phoenix motif.

Xu Xing took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and continued walking forward without showing any emotion.

"Mr. Zhao has quite a rich collection of gold and silver artifacts."

He casually praised it.

"Haha, they're just little trinkets, nothing to mention."

Zhao Yongchang waved his hand, but there was still a hint of smugness in his tone.

Xu Xing nodded, but his mind was racing.

This silver candlestick itself isn't very valuable, probably less than 100,000, and with repair marks, its value is even lower.

But the piece of silk hidden in the repaired crack is of entirely different value.

A royal textile produced by the Jiangnan Textile Bureau during the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty, featuring a phoenix pattern exclusively for the Empress.

If his judgment is correct, this piece of silk is worth at least tens of millions!

"Mr. Zhao, your collection is truly an eye-opener."

Zhao Yongchang waved his hand: "If there's anything Xu Gong likes, just say the word, no questions asked."

Xu Xing nodded. "After looking at them for so long, I am indeed a little itchy to get my hands on them. However, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. Forget about the bronzes, I will choose two pieces of calligraphy and miscellaneous items instead."

Zhao Yongchang waved his hand dismissively: "Mr. Xu, you're being too polite. As long as you don't touch my few bronze artifacts that I keep as talismans, it's no problem!"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Xu Xing smiled, turned and walked back to the calligraphy and painting section, pointing to Wang Hui's antique-style landscape album, "Mr. Zhao, I really like this painting. I wonder if you could part with it?"

Zhao Yongchang readily agreed, "No problem. The market price you mentioned is 1.5 million, so 20% off is 1.2 million!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao."

Xu Xing then walked to the porcelain display case and pointed to a Kangxi blue-and-white porcelain brush pot with figure design. "I also really like this brush pot. Mr. Zhao, would you be willing to part with it as well?"

"no problem!"

Zhao Yongchang was even more delighted. "I bought this pen holder for 600,000 yuan back then. Now, in perfect condition, its market value should be at least 800,000 yuan. Even at 20% of that, it's 640,000 yuan!"

Xu Xing nodded, then casually walked to the gold and silver display case, his gaze falling on the silver candlestick.

"Mr. Zhao, to be honest, I happen to be missing a silver ornament at home."

He pointed to the candlestick and smiled, "This candlestick is quite large. I wonder if Mr. Zhao could part with it and let me have it too?"

Zhao Yongchang glanced at the candlestick and frowned: "Engineer Xu, this candlestick is of average condition and has signs of repair, so it's not very valuable. Why don't you exchange it for another one? Bronze is fine too."

Xu Xing shook his head and smiled, "A gentleman does not take what others cherish. Besides, this piece is big enough to make a nice decorative piece."

Seeing his insistence, Zhao Yongchang stopped trying to persuade him and laughed, "Alright! Since Xu Gong likes it, then take it. I bought this candlestick for 80,000 yuan, so let's round it down to 60,000 yuan with an 80% discount!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao."

Xu Xing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The three items totaled 1.9 million.

This is just a drop in the ocean compared to his current net worth.

But the piece of silk hidden inside the candlestick is worth at least tens of millions.

This deal was incredibly profitable.

Zhao Yongchang had the housekeeper prepare the transfer agreement, and the three of them signed the document on the spot.

Xu Xing transferred the money, and the three items officially became his property.

"XCMG, come on, let's go have another cup of tea!"

Zhao Yongchang was in a great mood and pulled Xu Xing back to the living room.

Zhou Xiuying had already brewed the tea; it was a pot of the finest Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao.

Xu Xing picked up the teacup and took a sip; the tea was fragrant and had a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

"Good tea."

He gave a sincere compliment.

"As long as XCMG likes it, that's fine."

Zhao Yongchang also picked up his teacup, took a sip, then put it down. Changing the subject, he said, "Engineer Xu, speaking of that matter I mentioned to you last time, how did you feel after meeting Xinyi?"

Xu Xing was already prepared. He put down his teacup and smiled, "Mr. Zhao, to be honest, I met with Miss Chen and we got along quite well."

We've been in touch privately these past few days, and things have been going well.

"real?"

Zhao Yongchang's eyes lit up, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. "That's great! Xinyi has always had high standards since she was little. Over the years, we've introduced her to many potential partners, but she hasn't liked any of them."

I thought she'd be a bachelor for life, but I never expected she'd hit it off with you, Mr. Xu!

"Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. Perhaps it's fate."

Xu Xing smiled but didn't say anything more.

Zhao Yongchang was increasingly pleased with Xu Xing, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good! If Engineer Xu and Xinyi really can get together, I, as your uncle, will definitely give you a big red envelope!"

"Thank you in advance, Mr. Zhao."

Xu Xing raised his teacup and toasted Zhao Yongchang with tea instead of wine.

The two chatted for a while longer, then Xu Xing checked the time and, seeing it was almost nine o'clock, got up to say goodbye.

"Mr. Zhao, I'm sorry to have bothered you today. I'll come to thank you another day."

"XCMG, you're too kind. Please come visit us often!"

Zhao Yongchang personally escorted him to the door.

Back home, Xu Xing closed the door and carefully placed the three items on the desk.

He first picked up the album of antique-style landscape paintings by Wang Hui, and gently touched the painting with his fingertips.

A warm current flowed from his fingertips into his body, circulating through his limbs and bones before converging at his dantian.

The dantian space vibrated slightly, and the weight-bearing capacity increased from 20 kilograms to about 21 kilograms.

As with previous experience, a million-dollar collection can provide about one kilogram of additional space.

Xu Xing put down the painting and picked up the Kangxi blue and white porcelain brush holder with figure design.

The same warm current flowed in, and the dantian space expanded again, reaching about 21.8 kilograms.

Finally, his gaze fell on the silver candlestick.

He didn't rush to take the silk fabric, but instead touched the surface of the candlestick with his hand first.

A faint warm current flowed into his body, and the dantian space increased to about 21.9 kilograms.

This matches his estimate of around 100,000.

Moreover, the warm current not only increased the space in his dantian, but also continued to slowly nourish his body.

It's not much, but it's better than nothing.

Xu Xing ignored the changes in his body, took a deep breath, and took out a set of fine metal repair tools from the toolbox.

He put on his goggles, turned on the shadowless lamp, fixed the candlestick on the worktable, and then turned on his phone's video recording function, aiming it at the candlestick.

The repaired silver piece was glued on, and the repair technique looked like it was done sixty or seventy years ago. It must have been done by the owner himself.

Furthermore, Xu Xing activated his X-ray vision and observed carefully, discovering that in addition to the adhesive technique, there was also a mortise and tenon technique.

However, none of them were complicated, so he didn't have to put in much effort to remove the silver piece.