Chapter 59
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Shen You took the folded fire-proof cloth from her canvas bag.
Initially, when the other three people saw that it was just a piece of fabric, they were somewhat puzzled.
What could be noteworthy about fabric? Those luxurious ancient silk textiles that were cultural artifacts could now be replicated.
But that changed when Shen You used her lighter.
Professor Li excitedly picked up the fabric and examined it bit by bit with a magnifying glass.
Such exquisite weaving techniques were definitely not ordinary!
“Although we all know that fire-proof cloth cannot be made from silk or materials obtained from natural plants – only mineral fibers would work – many of our techniques and specific manufacturing methods have been lost. When that thousand-year-old uncorrupted ancient corpse was excavated, we still haven’t solved the mystery of the coffin liquid to this day. If this really represents an unknown fire-proof cloth weaving technique, then this piece of fabric would be of tremendous significance!”
Professor Li’s voice grew increasingly excited as he spoke, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
Old Master Xu could naturally see that this item was extraordinary, but neither he nor Professor Li specialized in ancient weaving techniques, so they couldn’t make a definitive conclusion.
For the first time, a major collector and a cultural relic restoration expert sat at the same table, and both looked at each other uncertainly, neither able to make an accurate assessment.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
“How about contacting Master Jiang Guannan?” Xu Jiayan suggested.
Master Jiang Guannan was in the neighboring city and had collaborated with the Imperial Capital Museum on programs about ancient textiles. He was also a leader in his professional field, and Jiang City had specifically invited him to restore excavated clothing.
“That could work, but I don’t know if Master Jiang has the time.” Professor Li sighed.
In Master Jiang’s workshop, they had professional teams for cloud brocade, kesi silk tapestry, and other ancestral luxury items. They could even replicate dragon robes. Many people wanted to commission him, so his schedule might not accommodate them.
“I’ll call and ask.” Old Master Xu offered.
This call needed to come from him personally, because even if Xu Jiayan himself made it, it wouldn’t carry the same weight. Perhaps he could convince the master to come.
He dialed Master Jiang’s private number. After a few rings, the call connected.
“Old Master Xu, what made you think to call me?” A cheerful male voice came from the other end.
“Are you in the neighboring city lately?”
“No, I just arrived in the capital yesterday. Is there something you need, Old Master Xu?” Master Jiang asked.
Old Master Xu set down his teacup. “Nothing major, just something I’d like you to help examine.”
Since Old Master Xu was calling personally, Master Jiang became somewhat interested.
However, thinking about his current commitments, he said, “I can’t spare the time right now. How about this, I’ll have my disciple fly over tomorrow?”
The implication was that if the disciple couldn’t make an accurate assessment, he would then make time to come personally.
This was already giving face to Old Master Xu by readily sending his prized student.
Anyone else would have had to visit the workshop in person.
Old Master Xu had expected Master Jiang to respond this way and simply smiled. “No problem. Let me send you a video first.”
After hanging up, Shen You and Xu Jiayan worked together to film the fire-proof cloth. The camera footage wasn’t as impressive as seeing it with one’s own eyes, but since they were all in this field, they knew how to capture the details properly.
After checking it once, Old Master Xu sent the video via his phone and then calmly continued drinking tea, listening to the sound of traditional instruments from downstairs.
Just a few minutes later, Master Jiang hurriedly called back. And from his speaking pace alone, they could tell he was very anxious.
“Old Master Xu, where did you get this cloth?!”
Old Master Xu chuckled. “It’s not mine. I was also invited today to help with the appraisal.”
“I can arrive in Jiang City tonight. Could you arrange a time with the cloth’s owner?”
“Tomorrow morning then. It’s too dark at night for proper lighting, and you won’t be able to see clearly. This fabric looks even better under natural light. The way the light plays across it is truly beautiful.”
This description made Master Jiang wish he could teleport there immediately.
He hung up and immediately spoke to Assistant Lin.
“Book me the fastest flight to Jiang City!”
Assistant Lin looked completely bewildered. So sudden?
“Master Jiang, don’t you still have arrangements…” He reminded quietly.
“Have Xiao Fu handle them. Book the ticket first!”
Xiao Fu was one of Master Jiang’s prized disciples. Hearing that his master was rushing off to Jiang City after just one phone call, he went to inquire curiously. After seeing the video, he understood everything.
“Teacher, how about you take me along? We can have senior brother and junior sister cover things in the capital for a few days. They can handle it!”
Fu Xicheng sidled up to him sneakily. “You see, Jiayan is my high school junior, and I’m familiar with Jiang City. Taking me along would help you make arrangements.”
This could very well be a lost fire-proof cloth technique. Nothing could stop him from going to see it!
Master Jiang considered this and felt that his reasoning made sense. “Alright, you’ll come with me.”
Assistant Lin booked the tickets, and after Master Jiang delegated the remaining tasks to him, he immediately grabbed his things. And with Fu Xicheng driving, they headed straight to the airport.
Several hours later, his senior brother and junior sister arrived at Master Jiang’s Beijing workshop. And looking at the empty courtyard and Assistant Lin’s smile, they stood bewildered.
“Wait, where is everyone?”
After Assistant Lin explained the situation, following a brief moment of stunned silence, the two gritted their teeth.
The junior sister looked at the WeChat group for their close-knit fellow disciples and exhaled heavily.
Fu Xicheng had gone to Jiang City with their master to see treasures, leaving them behind to weave fabric!
“Fu Xicheng, you’re playing games! Come back here! I’m the one who restores brocade, I should be the one going!”
“That’s not even brocade. What are you talking about? I’m boarding now, it’s too noisy here. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.”
Fu Xicheng immediately hung up the call.
After receiving the flight schedule from Master Jiang’s side, Old Master Xu confirmed the meeting location and time with Shen You for the next morning.
They would meet at the hotel where they had previously organized their gathering. Master Jiang would also stay there that night, with an expected arrival time of ten o’clock.
It was already evening, so Shen You and the others went to have dinner nearby. When she got up to pay for the tea, Xu Jiayan was also reaching for his payment code.
“Let me handle this one.”
“If we were just casually sitting together, that would be fine, but I asked you all to help examine something. How would it look if I let you pay?”
Shen You firmly shook her head, stopped Xu Jiayan, and paid the bill. Dinner was the same – she went and settled the account first.
Seeing how clearly she drew these boundaries, Xu Jiayan felt helpless and somewhat disappointed. If she considered him one of her own people, she would not maintain such clear distinctions.
Old Master Xu, who observed everything, shook his head. His grandson had not yet won over the young lady and didn’t know to be more proactive.
During dinner, Professor Li still asked the question: “Where did you acquire this cloth?”
The cloth didn’t look like something woven in modern times. It appeared quite new, which was probably due to the fabric’s special properties.
Shen You replied, “From Mr. Wen, the owner of the garden from the last auction. I traded something with him for it.”
Old Master Xu listened thoughtfully. He knew about that garden.
The owner seemed to be someone who had returned to the country to inherit ancestral property. He was usually very low-key, didn’t participate in social functions, and had quite a collection in his possession. Even the small portion of ancient buildings and modern Western-style houses around South Lake belonged to his estate.
Moreover, that person was quite young. His grandson might have encountered a competitor.