Chapter 8 The Test Of Authenticity
The large, ornate doors of the Empress Dowager's palace creaked open, and Ye Xiwu stepped inside, carrying a medium-sized box with delicate care.
"Young Miss, where should I place it?" Ye Xiwu asked, her voice steady but respectful.
"Bring it here," Huang Nian instructed, extending her hand as she took the box.
With a quiet but anticipatory breath, Huang Nian opened the box, revealing an exquisite tea set alongside a finely crafted Caldas pottery piece. The tea set glimmered with a deep vermilion hue, intricately decorated with motifs of the Vermillion Bird, while the pottery displayed an imposing dragon design.
"Your Highness, please, take a look," Huang Nian offered with a graceful bow.
The Empress Dowager's eyes widened in surprise, her breath catching. "Is this… the Vermillion Bird tea set and the Dragon Caldas pottery?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Your Highness," Huang Nian confirmed with a modest smile.
"Am I dreaming? Is this real?" The Empress Dowager's voice wavered, still astonished.
"Your Highness, you're not hallucinating. It's as real as it gets," her personal maid reassured her, a smile tugging at her lips.
The Empress Dowager's eyes softened as she turned to Huang Nian. "Thank you so much, Nian Nian. I regret having doubted you. Huang Ning, apologize to your elder sister immediately," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for disobedience.
Huang Ning's face twisted in anger, her nails digging deep into her palm as she bit down on her lower lip. She was on the verge of retorting when the palace doors swung open once more.
"Royal Grandmother, good morning," Crown Prince Di Chen greeted warmly as he strode into the room.
"Good morning, my precious grandson," the Empress Dowager replied with affection.
But Di Chen's pleasant expression darkened as he turned toward his grandmother. "Your Highness, are you truly going to make Huang Ning apologize to that… trash?" Di Chen's tone was laced with disdain.
"Di Chen! How dare you take Huang Ning's side without even knowing the full story? I'm deeply disappointed in you," the Empress Dowager rebuked, her voice stern.
"My apologies, Your Highness," Di Chen quickly bowed, swallowing his pride.
"Huang Ning has shown nothing but disrespect toward her elder sister," the Empress Dowager continued, turning back to Huang Nian with a gracious smile. "Once again, thank you for these wonderful gifts."
"Your Highness, what gift could be so impressive?" Di Chen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Can you believe that Huang Nian brought me the Vermillion Bird tea set and Dragon Caldas pottery?" the Empress Dowager said with pride.
"Your Highness, everyone knows these objects are rare treasures," Huang Ning interrupted with a sneer. "And my sister doesn't have a spiritual beast at her disposal. Could it be that these are mere replicas?"
"Ning Ning is right," Huang Tian chimed in, supporting his sister.
Di Chen nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Highness. What Huang Ning said makes sense."
"Crown Prince, are you questioning my judgment?" The Empress Dowager's tone was icy. "I know how to distinguish real treasures from counterfeits, and these objects are as authentic as they come."
"Your Highness," Di Chen responded cautiously, "the very rarity of these items has led many to create convincing imitations."
The Empress Dowager's expression hardened as doubt flickered across her face. "I've heard that the Emperor's Head Eunuch has a reputation for identifying genuine artifacts. Is that true?" she asked, turning toward her personal maid.
"Yes, Your Highness. Head Eunuch Lu has unmatched expertise in such matters," the maid replied.
"Summon Lu Feng at once," the Empress Dowager ordered.
"Right away, Your Highness," two maids responded in unison as they hurried out of the palace.
Ten Minutes Later
"Your Highness, Head Eunuch Lu has arrived," the maid outside announced.
"Let him in," the Empress Dowager commanded.
The door creaked open, and Head Eunuch Lu entered with a bow, his presence calm and assured.
"Your Highness, it is an honor to be summoned," Eunuch Lu said, his voice smooth and respectful.
"Lu Feng, I hear that you are skilled at discerning genuine objects from counterfeits. Is that true?" the Empress Dowager inquired.
"Yes, Your Highness," Eunuch Lu answered, his gaze steady.
"Then tell me—are these two items real or fake?" The Empress Dowager gestured toward the Vermillion Bird tea set and the Dragon Caldas pottery, her expression keen as she awaited his expert verdict.