Chapter 263: A Lucky Find

Besides the pair of bracelets and the Zisha teapot, Yun Jiao’s haul from the Ghost Market also included a small rouge-colored bowl, a squat little vase of the same color, and a pale cyan teacup.

Whether in terms of craftsmanship or aesthetics, these items were a perfect match for Yun Jiao’s sensibilities.

The person who had been bidding against Yun Jiao and her family for the bracelets successfully acquired a vase he’d set his heart on. Ancient said it was a piece from a Song Dynasty official kiln. It had a minor flaw, but it was undoubtedly authentic—a small blemish that couldn’t overshadow its beauty.

In the end, the group returned to Ancient’s shop.

Ancient tapped his finger on the bracelets.

"Little one, take out that small bowl of yours and let me have a look."

Yun Jiao was confused, but she took out the small bowl, which was slightly larger than her palm.

Ancient took it carefully in his hands and examined it with a magnifying glass for a good while.

He smiled and said, "You’re one lucky kid. This piece is authentic."

"It’s a rouge-water glazed bowl from the Yong Zheng Period of the Qing Dynasty."

"What? This is an antique, too?!"

Yun Linhe was stunned. They had bought the bowl for only thirty yuan.

He had even winced at the price before, thinking that for thirty yuan—the cost of one pretty little bowl—he could have bought a whole stack of them.

’I can’t believe this tiny thing is an actual antique.’

"Then what about the others..."

Ancient shook his head. "The others aren’t. They’re all reproductions modeled after porcelain from the Yong Zheng Period."

Yun Linhe and the others couldn’t see any difference at all between the other porcelain pieces and the small bowl.

That’s why they say the world of antiques is a treacherous one. Real and fake pieces are all mixed together, and even seasoned experts can make mistakes.

"You can take this home and keep it in a collection. At current market prices, it’s worth at least fifteen thousand, probably more."

Hearing this, Yun Linhe, who had been about to reach out and touch the bowl, felt his hand tremble. He quietly drew it back.

The way Wang Mei looked at the small bowl changed completely.

Her expression turned serious. "Don’t you worry. When we get home, we’ll be sure to put this bowl up on a pedestal."

Yun Jiao poked the little bowl with her finger and mumbled, "Does that mean I can’t use it to eat my rice?"

’This bowl is so pretty! If I ate out of it, I could eat an extra serving!’

’What kind of rich family are we trying to be?’ Yun Linhe thought. ’Eating out of a bowl worth more than fifteen thousand!’

"Jiaojiao, be a good girl," he said. "This bowl has been around for a very long time. Who knows how many strangers have used it? We’ll buy you a new bowl to eat from. This one is just for looking at."

Yun Jiao thought about it. ’That seems fair.’

"Oh, okay then."

By the time they finished buying everything they wanted, it was already getting late.

After saying goodbye to Ancient and Elder Xu, they hurried home on their motorcycles.

The moment they got home, Yun Linhai and Shen Yunlian asked, "So, how did it go?"

What they really wanted to know was whether they had dealt with the swindler.

Yun Linhe said, "We bought it."

"What?!!"

Yun Linhai stared in disbelief. He wasn’t asking about some random purchase; he couldn’t believe they’d actually gone and bought the bracelets.

Under his older brother’s fierce gaze, Yun Linhe quickly explained what had happened.

Yun Jiao ignored the silent battle of glares between her dad and her uncle, instead gathering her new treasures and running off to find her brothers.

"Big brothers, look at my treasures!"

Yun Jiao’s taste in porcelain was surprisingly similar to that of the Emperor Yong Zheng.

Aside from the small bowl, which was authentic, the other items she picked were all reproductions of porcelain from the Yong Zheng Period.

They were characterized by single colors, which were either brilliantly eye-catching or elegantly serene.

She wasn’t a fan of the gaudy, overly complex pieces.

"They’re beautiful, just beautiful."

Her brothers were happy to play along. Besides, the things she’d chosen really were beautiful, and they all gathered around Yun Jiao, showering her with praise.

Yun Jiao raised her little chin slightly, recounting all the interesting things she had encountered at the Ghost Market.

Yun Xiaowu and the others listened, captivated and longing to go themselves.

Her fourth brother, Yun Chenbei, was particularly eager, his interest piqued when Jiaojiao mentioned seeing some wooden items there.

Since beginning his serious studies with his master, Yun Chenbei had picked up a new hobby.

Collecting wood.

Specifically, rare types of wood suitable for carving and building mechanisms.

After her brothers had finished admiring them, Yun Jiao found a small, clean cloth and carefully wiped down each of her purchases before placing them on the curio shelf in her room.

The pair of bracelets was also carefully tucked away in its wooden box.

With her hands on her little hips, Yun Jiao stood back to admire her handiwork.

’The curio shelf is great, and my treasures are great, but...’

Yun Jiao stroked her little chin, deep in thought.

"The room is too small."

The room was certainly big enough for just her to sleep in, but with the curio shelf filled with her treasures, it suddenly felt a little cramped.

’I’ve decided. When I can, I’m going to build my very own, super-sized treasure room.’

’It’ll be filled with rows and rows of curio shelves, all for my favorite treasures.’

That night, Yun Jiao placed the wooden box with the bracelets beside her pillow. Even in her sleep, one hand rested on top of it.

She had a wonderful dream that night. She dreamt she was lying on a bed of beautiful gems and jadeite, her magnificent tail looking even more splendid and powerful against their sparkle.

Then, she dreamed she was impossibly powerful, seeking out another Merfolk to challenge to a duel. As they fought, she swung her tail with all her might...

THUD...

"Hiss..."

Yun Jiao dazedly picked herself up from the floor, looking from her bed to where she was now lying.

’How did I end up on the floor?’

「It was morning.」

Yun Jiao rubbed the sore spot from her fall. She pouted but didn’t cry.

"The blanket must have tripped me over."

The little fish refused to admit it was her fault, decisively shifting the blame to the blanket.

’It’s not like it can jump up and argue with me, anyway.’

The blanket: ...

She picked the blanket up off the floor and tossed it onto the bed. Then, Yun Jiao climbed up, opened the box, and sat cross-legged with her short little legs. Holding one bracelet in each hand, she snuggled her face against them.

The characteristic coolness of the jadeite felt wonderfully soothing to Yun Jiao.

The refreshing chill spread from her face throughout her entire body.

’I love it, I love it so much...’

The little fish was like a kitten on catnip, rolling around on the bed in delight.

She only snapped out of it when someone knocked on her door.

She reluctantly placed the two bracelets back in their box, hastily smoothed down her messy hair, got out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and ran to open the door.

The next moment, she was swept up into a hug, her feet dangling in the air.

"We’re going out to sea today to find some nice things for your master and Ancient. They helped us so much yesterday, we should give them a gift."

’It’s Mom.’

Yun Jiao snuggled her face against her mother’s.

"Okay, Mom! Jiaojiao will find something!"

Shen Yunlian stroked her head.

"Jiaojiao, why are you so chilly? Are you catching a cold?"

Yun Jiao retorted, "I won’t catch a cold!"

’I’m a Merfolk with a powerful constitution, you know.’

’Er... Well, maybe not right now.’

’But I can’t possibly catch a cold!’

"You don’t feel unwell, do you?"

Yun Jiao shook her head, but Shen Yunlian was still a little worried and told her to have her master check on her later today.

Yun Jiao nodded in agreement.