The ancient war between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in a wealthy family

"Suddenly... Miss Mo intercepted us." The assistant's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, as if he was afraid of disturbing something.

My vision went dark, and I almost lost my balance. Stealing? How dare she! We had already signed the agreement!

"What conditions did she put forward?" I forced myself to calm down, but my voice couldn't stop trembling.

The assistant glanced at me cautiously and said, "I heard...it's three times the price."

three times!

Miss Mo really spent a lot of money on this exhibition.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm the anger in my heart.

Zhan Yu gently held my hand and gave me a reassuring look.

"Is there any other way?" I turned to ask my assistant, with a hint of imperceptible despair in my tone.

Time is running out, and even if we go to find the exhibits again now, it will be too late.

The assistant shook his head. "Time is too short, and... there are only a few exhibits that meet the requirements. They are all treasured by major museums and private collectors..."

I slumped back into my chair, feeling like all the strength had been drained from my body.

Zhan Yu put his arm around my shoulders and whispered to comfort me, but I just couldn't feel happy.

Even if some of the exhibits can be found, it is difficult to satisfy the discerning eyes of art critics.

They are all very picky and will magnify any slight flaw infinitely, let alone an exhibition that is lacking in quality?

I rubbed my temples and felt dizzy.

At this moment, there was a commotion at the entrance of the venue.

I looked up and saw several men in suits walking in, surrounded by a well-dressed woman.

The woman was wearing a high-end dress and a sparkling diamond necklace around her neck, exuding an aura of pride.

It’s Miss Mo.

She walked straight up to me with a smug smile on her face. "Ms. Bai, I heard there's a problem with your exhibit?"

I looked at her coldly without saying anything.

"Don't worry," Miss Mo continued, her tone full of sarcasm, "I will make my exhibition the most dazzling focus of the whole venue, and yours... will just be a foil."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left, followed by a group of flatterers.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my flesh.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind me, "Miss Bai, don't be discouraged."

I turned around and saw Artist Su standing behind me with a gentle smile on his face. "Mr. Su?"

"I heard there's a problem with your exhibit," he paused, his eyes fixed on the exhibition area behind me, "perhaps I can help."

Before I could open my mouth, Miss Mo's shrill laughter rang out.

"Artist Su? You're here to join in the fun too? Are you willing to put your treasures on display?" The people around her echoed in agreement, their words full of contempt.

I held Zhan Yu's hand tightly, feeling the strength he passed on to me.

Artist Su's expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Miss Mo indifferently, as if he was looking at a clown.

"I naturally have my own arrangements for my collection." He turned to me and said gently, "Miss Bai, please follow me."

He took me to a hidden room and opened the safe, which contained several exquisite works of art.

My breath stopped. Aren’t these the treasures that I have been searching for but could never get?

!

They perfectly fill the gaps in the exhibition and even enhance the style of the entire exhibition!

I was so excited that I could hardly speak. "Mr. Su, this..."

"No need to say more," Artist Su smiled, "It's my honor to contribute to art."

I held his hand tightly, and a thousand words came together into one sentence: "Thank you!"

With these treasures, my heart finally settled back into my stomach.

However, before I could breathe a sigh of relief, art critic Shen arrived.

Wearing white gloves, he examined each exhibit seriously, shook his head from time to time, and muttered some professional terms that I couldn't understand at all. But from his frown and dissatisfied tone, I had a feeling that something was wrong.

"Miss Bai," Critic Shen finally spoke, his tone sharp, "These exhibits seem to differ from the list you submitted. Moreover..." He pointed at one of the exhibits, his tone even more disdainful, "The glaze color of this porcelain seems..." He paused, his eyes like a knife, "a bit dull."

Zhan Yu put his hand on my shoulder and gave me an encouraging look.

I took a deep breath and met Critic Shen's scrutinizing gaze.

"Mr. Shen, about this porcelain..." "Mr. Shen, about this porcelain," I said calmly, pointing to the glaze that critics called "dull." "This isn't a flaw in the craftsmanship, but the unique azure blue of the Northern Song Dynasty Ru kiln. It's not simply bright, but rather possesses a subtle and restrained beauty. Look," I said, turning the porcelain slightly to illuminate it from different angles. "Under different lighting, its color subtly changes, like the faint blue hue of the sky on a clear morning after rain. This is the very essence of Ru kiln."

Critic Shen pushed his glasses, and his eyes behind the lenses flashed. He looked at the porcelain carefully again, and his originally contemptuous expression gradually became serious.

He said nothing, then turned to another exhibit and pointed at the patterns on it, his tone still questioning: "This pattern is too complicated and looks a bit tacky."

I smiled slightly and explained, "This exhibit does not pursue a simple and bright style, but rather embodies the gorgeous and complex aesthetic style of the late Tang Dynasty. Look at these twined peonies, layered one on top of the other, symbolizing wealth and good fortune, and the gold thread outlines on the peony petals add a touch of royal style. This was an extremely precious craft at the time." As I spoke, I pointed to the details and told my story as if I was narrating a piece of dusty history.

I noticed that the frown on Critic Shen's face gradually relaxed. He began to proactively ask some questions about the exhibits, and his tone became much gentler.

I answered them one by one, clearly explaining the origin, craftsmanship and story behind each exhibit.

Finally, critic Shen looked around the entire exhibition area with an appreciative smile on his face.

"Miss Bai," he said sincerely, "I take back my previous comments. These exhibits are indeed rare treasures, and I admire your understanding of them. I am looking forward to this exhibition."

I breathed a sigh of relief, and Zhan Yu gently squeezed my hand and gave me an encouraging smile.

I turned to look at him, but found that his eyes were looking over my shoulder at the entrance of the exhibition hall...Zhan Yu held my hand with just the right strength, conveying silent comfort and encouragement.

I shook his hand back, feeling the warmth of his palm, and felt a little relieved.

After critic Shen left, I breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

"Finally passed." I whispered, with a hint of fatigue in my tone.

"You did very well." Zhan Yu's voice was low and gentle, with a hint of smile, "I always knew you could do it."

I turned to look at him and was about to say something, but I found that his eyes were looking over my shoulder at the entrance of the exhibition hall.

Following his gaze, I saw a familiar figure - Artist Su, standing at the door with an exquisite wooden box in his hand.

"Mr. Su?" I was a little surprised and quickly walked over to him. "Why are you here?"

Artist Su wore a gentle smile and raised the wooden box in his hand. "I heard you're short of an exhibit. I happen to have a Song Dynasty official kiln porcelain pillow that I've treasured for many years. Perhaps I can help."

I was delighted, this was really a timely help!

The exhibition is more complete with this porcelain pillow.

I quickly thanked him, "Mr. Su, you are so generous! This porcelain pillow means a lot to us. Thank you so much for your help!"

Zhan Yu also stepped forward to express his gratitude. Artist Su handed me the wooden box, which I took carefully, my heart filled with gratitude.

Just as I was about to open the wooden box to see the real appearance of the porcelain pillow, Zhan Yu suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Wait," he said in a low voice, with a hint of caution, "Don't open it yet."

I looked at him in confusion, only to see him scanning the exhibition hall with sharp eyes and a slightly furrowed brow.

An uneasy feeling came over me, and I realized that although the problem with the exhibits had been solved, it didn't mean that everything was fine.

The shadow of Mo’s ex-girlfriend still looms over my heart.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a low voice.

Zhan Yu didn't answer, but just squeezed my hand. His eyes fell on an inconspicuous surveillance camera in the corner of the exhibition hall. Then, he slowly said, "I always feel..." He paused and turned his gaze to me with a barely perceptible coldness in his eyes, "Someone is watching us in secret."