Chapter 112: Who Is Genuine, Who Is False?

The crowd buzzed with excited chatter, voices overlapping in lively discussion. Every word was tinged with admiration and praise for Pei Qinghu.

Yet Ye Wushang furrowed his brow, his expression calm but his heart shaken.

The "Pine and Crane with Birds" painting—still the work of Yuan Chongming.

Wasn’t it the same as the gift he had brought today?

This painting had been given to him by Huang Yaoshi.

As the master of the Medicine King Valley and a reclusive expert, Huang’s gift to him surely couldn’t be a forgery.

After all, Huang entrusted him with managing the Medicine King Valley and required him to supply ten rare Langya herbs every month.

To deceive him with a fake would be a slap in his own face!

Therefore, if that’s the case, the painting in his possession must be the authentic one, and the gift Pei Qinghu presented was the counterfeit!

“With the Pei family’s influence, casually giving a gift worth a hundred million isn’t surprising in itself.”

“But Pei Qinghu is cunning and uneducated; it wouldn’t be impossible for him to pass off a fake as genuine.”

“This visit to celebrate the birthday is probably just a ploy to oppose me. And his close ties with Lan Ruoxue are likely just for show.”

Ye Wushang muttered softly, carefully analyzing the situation.

To outsiders, however, it appeared as if he too was marveling, his face serious and bowed, clearly showing shame.

After all, as the ex-husband, since he came to the birthday banquet, he should also bring a gift.

Moreover, Old Master Lan treated him well, seating him in the main chair beside him.

Having enjoyed such hospitality, one ought to demonstrate accordingly.

“Young Master Hu really went to great lengths.”

“To produce a gift worth a hundred million right off the bat—the ‘Pine and Crane with Birds’ painting.”

Zhao Xiuer beamed, barely able to close her mouth.

She had planned and hosted today’s banquet, a costly affair, but she had already discussed it with Old Master Lan in advance.

She took on all the expenses herself.

But all the gifts received were hers, so she was essentially self-sufficient.

Now, seeing Pei Qinghu’s generosity, this banquet was simply a windfall!

“You’re just a friend of Ruoxue, yet so generous—unlike some who come to celebrate but only bring their mouths, good for nothing but eating and drinking.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Wushang frowned.

Lan Ruoshuang took up the taunt, mocking, “All you do is eat, you useless fool.”

“Ever since the banquet began, you haven’t stopped.”

“Look at everyone else, busy sending gifts to congratulate grandpa.”

“And you? Just bringing your mouth to the table?”

“Shameless! If I were you, I’d have smashed my head against a block of tofu long ago!”

Lan Ruoxue was embarrassed and quickly pulled her sister aside, whispering, “Stop it, Ruoshuang, don’t make things worse.”

“I told grandpa about the birthday.”

“It was just yesterday, the time was tight, so no gift was prepared—normal enough, you...”

“But I only got the news this morning!”

Before she could finish, Pei Qinghu suddenly interrupted, hands clasped behind his back, casting a cold glance at Ye Wushang as he taunted, “I think it’s a matter of mindset.”

“Though the Lan family is third-rate, in my heart, they hold the same status as my Pei family.”

“Because Lan Ruoxue is my classmate and friend, and perhaps more in the future.”

“So, her grandfather is my grandfather. When it’s a family elder’s birthday, no matter how tight the schedule, one always finds time to prepare a gift.”

With that, he stepped away from his seat and approached Ye Wushang, teasing, “From my point of view, there are only two reasons for coming empty-handed.”

“Either you don’t have the money to buy a good present...”

“Or you lack sincerity and don’t truly care.”

“Ye Wushang, tell everyone—are you penniless, or just insincere?”

Cornered, Pei Qinghu’s words thrust Ye Wushang into the spotlight, grilling him mercilessly.

Admitting either reason would be self-defeating.

“I did bring a gift.”

Ye Wushang stood, but Old Master Lan stopped him, shaking his head, “It’s alright, Wushang. Just your presence is enough. Whether or not you brought a gift doesn’t matter.”

“Grandpa doesn’t care about those things. Don’t stoop to their level.”

He understood Ye Wushang’s predicament.

At the time of their divorce, he had left empty-handed.

Others’ gifts were worth at least hundreds of thousands—how could he possibly compete?

He knew these people only wanted to humiliate him publicly.

So he tried hard to preserve Ye Wushang’s dignity.

But Ye Wushang waved him off, soothingly, “It’s fine, Grandpa. I truly brought a gift.”

“As they say, celebrating your birthday is no small matter.”

“Even if I lack money or time, I won’t forget your present...”

“Pfft!”

Pei Qinghu, drinking tea, immediately spat it out, teasing, “You really brought a gift?”

“Let me guess what it is.”

“Is it just your mouth, here to freeload? Or your legs, ready to run away at any moment?”

“Ha ha.”

His words prompted uproarious laughter.

This loser had embarrassed the Lan family many times before; the guests were used to it.

Zhao Xiuer and Lan Ruoshuang, mother and daughter, had both been humiliated by this fool.

Now that they had this chance, they were determined to avenge themselves thoroughly!

Lan Ruoxue, however, had invited him mainly to test for infidelity during their marriage, not just to celebrate.

She knew Ye Wushang well—he clung desperately to pride and suffered for it.

Cornered like this, he might act recklessly.

She rose quickly, came up to him, and whispered, “Wushang, don’t try to tough it out.”

“Leave this to me. Otherwise...”

“You should have expected Pei Qinghu to cause trouble before you brought him here.”

“You wanted to see me confront him?”

“Fine, I’ll give you that.”

Throwing her off, he met Pei Qinghu’s gaze directly.

Lan Ruoxue’s face darkened—he really had misunderstood her.

Even if he was angry, there was no need to escalate things.

Pei Qinghu had produced a masterwork painting worth over a hundred million, while whatever he called his gift, bringing it out would only invite ridicule.

Was it worth it for such a laughable pride?

With a swift motion, Ye Wushang unfurled his right hand, revealing another “Pine and Crane with Birds” painting with a crisp sound.

The image was identical to Pei Qinghu’s scroll.

Only this one was made from more rustic materials, lifelike and vivid.

It seemed to leap from the paper, drawing you in helplessly.

“What’s going on?”

The crowd was dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the painting.

“Isn’t that the same ‘Pine and Crane with Birds’ painting Young Master Hu just showed?”

“How did this loser pull out the exact same one?”

“Is he crazy, bringing a fake to disgust everyone? Is he really trying to challenge Young Master Hu to a duel?”

“One is a high-ranking noble son, the other a disgraced loser thrown out—this duel would be suicide!”

The guests debated heatedly.

Suspicious and confused, they turned their accusations on Ye Wushang.

They could accept no gift, but not a shameless provocation with a fake.

“Grandpa, this is the gift I bring you.”

Ye Wushang respectfully looked at Old Master Lan. “The ‘Pine and Crane with Birds’ painting, a genuine work by Tang Dynasty master Yuan Chongming...”

“Silence!”

Pei Qinghu exploded in fury, stepping forward, glaring fiercely. “How dare you speak nonsense?”

“This painting was lost for ages. I went through endless hardships to buy it.”

“I spent over a hundred million, and you bring a fake to deceive everyone? Are you deliberately trying to disgust me?”

Ye Wushang’s expression was cold and indifferent. “Which one is authentic and which is fake—you know better than anyone.”

He didn’t understand paintings.

He didn’t know which was genuine or counterfeit.

But he trusted Huang Yaoshi, or rather Huang Pianruo.

The painting given to him was certainly authentic.

“That’s enough, loser!”

Zhao Xiuer, having finally caught on, stepped forward and snapped, “The genuine painting is obviously Young Master Hu’s. Only he could afford a painting worth over a hundred million. You, poor pathetic loser, how could you buy one?”

“I now order you to apologize to Young Master Hu and restore his reputation.”

“Or I’ll sue you for defamation!”

“Don’t think you’ll enjoy this meal today—you might end up eating prison food instead!”

...