Chapter 92: Longevity Bamboo, Orchid Fragrance, and a Few Taoist Talismans [3]

Ren Yuheng clapped his hands, and a servant stepped forward with both hands extended, presenting an exquisite brocade box. Ren Yuheng went up, opened it, and took out a scroll painting.

When he unrolled it before everyone, they saw an ink landscape: several stalks of dark bamboo, light and shadow answering one another, their silhouettes swaying softly. Behind the bamboo stood a rugged rock, firm and steady, and upon the stone were painted orchids, subtle and uncommon in their grace.

Most of those present were merchants and had little understanding of what was so remarkable about an ink painting, but the old master Su Wu, seated in the place of honor, suddenly brightened. "Zheng Banqiao of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics? Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance?"

"Indeed, Grandpa Su is worthy of his reputation. One glance was enough to recognize it," Ren Yuheng said with a smile. "This is precisely Mr. Zheng Banqiao's Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance!"

Su Wentao laughed. "Brother Yuheng, there are plenty of plain folk among us. Why don't you explain just what makes Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance so remarkable?"

Ren Yuheng nodded and said slowly, "Since ancient times, men of letters have been reserved, preferring to pour their feelings into scenery and paint scenery upon the page. Zheng Banqiao's Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance embodies his integrity and spirit. He uses the upright and unyielding rock to symbolize the noble conduct of the gentleman, and the bamboo to symbolize a man of integrity, straight and incorruptible, with a lofty character. In the painting, the rock represents a human figure, containing the qualities of firmness, righteousness, and noble bearing."

"As the saying goes: orchids that never wither through the four seasons, bamboo that stays green through a hundred joints, rock that stands unbroken through ten thousand ages, and a man unchanged across a thousand autumns—these are the four beauties. I also believe Grandpa Su's character is very much like Mr. Zheng Banqiao's, so giving Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance is the perfect choice."

"Excellent, excellent!" Even Su Wu could not help but praise him after that introduction.

Partly because the young man was skilled at flattery, but more because Su Wu truly liked the painting.

Seeing even the old master Su applaud, the guests hurried to join in. When Ren Yuheng saw the moment was right, he continued, "I have just spoken of the meaning behind the painting. Now let us speak of its value. As early as 2011, this painting fetched an astronomical price of 15.525 million. Compared with seven years ago, I think everyone can imagine what it is worth now."

An ink painting selling for more than fifteen million, and that seven years ago at that. The merchants present instantly understood its true value, and all at once they turned toward Ren Yuheng with respectful looks.

As expected of the Ren family of Shanghai—truly wealthy beyond measure.

Ren Yuheng greatly enjoyed the atmosphere. Smiling, he presented the gift with both hands and said to Su Wu, "The Ren family, Ren Yuheng, wishes Grandpa Su a long life like pine and crane, eternal spring, blessings as vast as the eastern sea, and brilliance that shines with the sun and moon!"

"Well said!" Su Wentao applauded eagerly.

A faint smile appeared on Su Wu's face as well. He showed Ren Yuheng enough respect, accepting the gift before handing it to Butler Mo beside him.

After giving his present, Ren Yuheng straightened up and said lightly, "Today is Grandpa Su's birthday celebration, and guests from every side have brought fine gifts. I wonder what Brother Yan Yu has prepared for Grandpa Su. You are, after all, the boyfriend of Grandpa Su's most beloved granddaughter, so I imagine your gift must also be inventive and extraordinary in value, mustn't it?"

Yan Yu raised an eyebrow.

So this man had been waiting for him here.

Ren Yuheng had designs on Su Han. Now that he saw Yan Yu enjoying Su Wu's favor, he naturally wanted to put him in his place.

Su Han grew anxious. She had returned in haste this time and brought nothing with her. She had never intended for Yan Yu to prepare any gift at all.

Now that Ren Yuheng had suddenly set his sights on Yan Yu, they had no way to respond.

Su Hanxue also disliked Yan Yu and chimed in, "Yan Yu, did you prepare anything?"

Su Han looked troubled. Seeing this, old master Su waved a hand and said, "Yan Yu is not an outsider. There is no need for a gift."

"A gift may be only a formality, but it still reflects one's heart. If Yan Yu truly likes Su Han, surely he could not have failed to prepare even a single gift, could he?" Ren Yuheng pressed relentlessly.

The atmosphere at the birthday banquet turned somewhat awkward. Even Su Wu could not help frowning, already somewhat displeased with Ren Yuheng's meddling.

But Ren Yuheng was, after all, from the Ren family of Shanghai. Even Su Wu could not openly scold him.

So all that remained was to see whether this Yan Yu from Mount Emei had any real ability.

"Yan Yu, what should we do?" Su Han was somewhat flustered.

Yan Yu pinched Su Han's cheek and smiled. "Don't worry. Leave it to me."

Su Han froze.

Yan Yu had just pinched her face?

Did this guy really think she was some little girl?

And yet, when Su Han saw the gentle smile on his face, she did not even feel angry for a moment. In fact... she even felt a little shy.

Yan Yu stood up and said calmly, "Since I'm here to celebrate Grandpa Su's birthday, of course I have prepared something. Brother Yuheng has already said that the value of a gift is not what matters, but the sincerity behind it. When a person has lived to Grandpa Su's age, there is little left he lacks. What he wants most is a healthy body and a peaceful old age. I happen to have a few talismans drawn by an expert. They can ward off evil, avert misfortune, and bring blessings. Though they may not be as valuable as Longevity Bamboo and Orchid Fragrance, they are still a token of my regard. I hope Grandpa Su will not despise them."

As he spoke, Yan Yu really did take several talismans from his pocket and present them to Su Wu with both hands.

"Tch, I thought it was something special. So it was just a few broken talismans. Who is this kid trying to fool?" Su Wentao sneered.

Who would have thought that Su Wu, however, would appear solemn and grave, accepting Yan Yu's talismans with great seriousness. He folded them a few times and placed them into the inner pocket of his jacket!

That scene made Ren Yuheng's eye twitch.

That priceless antique painting you took, glanced at once, and handed straight to the butler, yet these worthless talismans Yan Yu somehow produced, you place with such solemn care in your inner pocket?

Ren Yuheng even began to suspect that old master Su had developed dementia and no longer knew the difference in value between the two gifts.

Ignoring the surprised looks around him, Su Wu said earnestly, "Yan Yu, thank you for your gift."

"So long as Grandpa Su likes it, that's enough." Yan Yu smiled and returned to Su Han's side.

The guests murmured among themselves, while only Shangguan Xin understood Yan Yu's true depth. She could not help casting Su Wu an envious glance; how she wished she could receive Yan Yu's talismans too.

"Yan Yu, are the talismans you gave my grandfather real?" Su Han knew Yan Yu had genuine skill, so she asked him this.

"Of course they're real. These talismans were all made by my own hand. Not a single word I said just now was false."

Seeing that he could no longer find any weakness in Yan Yu, Ren Yuheng returned dejectedly to his seat. He truly could not understand why Su Wu admired Yan Yu so much, or those few worthless talismans of his.

At the side, Tong Kunkun gently tugged at Ren Yuheng's sleeve and said with a somewhat pale face, "Yuheng, that kid Yan Yu's talismans... I'm afraid they're the real thing. When he took them out just now, my little ghost was so frightened it nearly went berserk!"