Chapter 199: The Su Garden Jade Duel (Part One)
Chapter 199: The Su Garden Jade Duel (Part One)
Everyone in all of Gusu City knew that Ye Jinlan, the mistress of Su Garden, loved jade most of all.
And she only liked two kinds—Hotan white jade and Burmese jadeite!
This elderly matriarch of the Su family adored jade to the point of being obsessed. Decades ago, she had started collecting Hotan jade and jadeite.
How many top-quality jade pieces she had amassed was known by very few.
Over the years, as Hotan jade and jadeite resources dwindled, the prices of both had skyrocketed.
It was said that the old lady’s collection was worth at least several billion, with its value multiplied many times over.
This had become a story people loved to tell.
Seeking to please her, the five direct branches of the Su family presented gifts for Ye Jinlan’s birthday mostly made of Hotan jade or jadeite.
And the old lady had declared.
That after her passing, all these things would be divided among the direct descendants of the family.
She would not take them to her grave.
According to her meaning, if the Su family ever declined in the future, these descendants could use them as capital to rebuild!
Thus, the five branches racked their brains year after year, searching everywhere for the highest-quality jade pieces and ornaments.
The competition among them was fierce.
All to astonish everyone at the birthday feast and delight the old lady.
This annual practice of the Su family had turned the “Su Garden Jade Duel” into a famous event in the jade world!
Those wanting to see the very best white jade and jadeite were sure not to miss the Su family’s New Year’s Eve birthday feast.
Of course, not just anyone was fortunate enough to attend.
When the time for the jade duel arrived.
The bustling Gathering of Sages Hall fell very quiet.
All eyes focused on Su Jiasheng, the eldest grandson of the main branch!
In the Su family, it was always the younger members of the five branches who presented birthday gifts.
The elders stood by watching.
Regardless of conflicts and frictions among them at other times, everyone was picture-perfectly friendly right now, acting like devoted brothers.
Yet a trace of involuntary nervousness showed in their eyes.
“Great-Grandmother.”
Su Jiasheng respectfully offered a sandalwood box. “This is the main branch’s birthday gift for you.”
This handsome and imposing man, not yet thirty, was already the chairman of a major corporation, wielding billions in family assets. Many saw him as the future leader of the Su family.
He was also deeply favoured by Ye Jinlan, loved only slightly less than Su Yazhen.
In the Su family, the dragon and phoenix—the “phoenix” being Su Yazhen, the “dragon” was certainly Su Jiasheng!
“Mmm.”
Ye Jinlan grinned and nodded. “Open it quickly and let me see.”
For Madam Su, receiving the gifts the five direct branches had strained their wits to prepare for her at each year’s birthday banquet was one of the few remaining joys in her dwindling years.
Because there were often surprises!
“Yes.”
Su Jiasheng placed the gift on the birthday table and carefully opened the box.
A white jade Guanyin statue instantly appeared before everyone’s eyes!
Set up before the left wall of the Gathering of Sages Hall was a massive 100-inch 8K ultra-HD TV screen.
Live video from the on-site photographer was shown on this screen, so even guests in the corners could see the birthday well-wishing scene clearly.
The Guanyin statue was about a foot tall. Its colour was a snowy white, pure, luminous, and smooth.
It was carved entirely from a single piece of top-quality mutton-fat jade!
Guanyin appeared with Amitabha Buddha above her crown, standing on a lotus pedestal. Her hand performed the gesture of fearlessness. Her composure was full and dignified, her expression gentle and refined. Both the material and the exquisite carving were nearly perfect.
So fine, so beautiful!
Many people sucked in their breath.
Among the gathered guests, those who understood and recognized fine jade were everywhere.
This was what people called “authentic at first glance”!
No one expected that the Su Garden Jade Duel had just begun, and already, they were dealt a kingly bomb!
Ye Jinlan was also a little surprised. “Jiasheng,” she asked, “Is this perhaps a work by Shen Huaizhi?”
Su Jiasheng smiled and raised his thumb. “Great-Grandmother, you have such sharp eyes!”
Gasps immediately sounded all around.
Shen Huaizhi was a master jade carver from the previous dynasty, once a royal artisan for the imperial court.
He excelled at carving Buddhist icons, especially jade Guanyin statues, which were peerless.
There were very few surviving works by Shen Huaizhi. Most were held in national museums, while a small number scattered overseas.
That Su Jiasheng could track down a white jade Guanyin statue by Shen Huaizhi must have required immense effort. Something this priceless would never be easily released by a collector.
Because its value could only keep rising.
Ye Jinlan couldn’t help asking, “Where did you get it from?”
Su Jiasheng answered, “Your grandson respectfully received it from a collector in Europe.”
He spoke lightly.
But everyone knew it must have involved twists, hardships, bargaining, and struggle.
Ye Jinlan praised him. “Very good. You worked hard.”
A “very good” from Madam Su was already the highest praise she gave a junior.
Su Jiasheng lowered his head deferentially. “As long as Great-Grandmother likes it.”
Ye Jinlan nodded with satisfaction.
Under various watchful eyes, Su Jiasheng returned to his seat, head high and chest out.
His face was full of pride. He seemed certain of victory.
Next to step forward with a gift was Su Jiachang from the second direct branch.
Facing Shen Huaizhi’s white jade Guanyin statue on the birthday table, this descendant of the Su family showed not the slightest sign of defeat.
The birthday gift he presented for the second branch was a strand of jadeite prayer beads.
The strand had 108 beads. Every bead had a pure and intensely vibrant colour—shockingly, all were the top-tier Imperial Green Jadeite!
Ye Jinlan was pleasantly surprised again. She picked up the strand and gently fingered the beads with delight.
Thoughtfully, she mused, “This looks like an antique from the imperial palace.”
“Great-Grandmother sees true!”
Su Jiachang, looking full of himself, answered, “This prayer bead strand was once an imperial treasure of Empress Dowager Cixuan!”
A fresh wave of astonished murmurs swept the Gathering of Sages Hall.
First, Shen Huaizhi’s legendary white jade Guanyin, and now Empress Dowager Cixuan’s Imperial Green Jadeite prayer beads! Tonight at the Su Garden Jade Duel, the kingly bombs dropped one after another!
Cixuan was the Empress Dowager during the mid-Ming revival period of the previous dynasty. In power for fifty years, presiding over three emperors, she dominated the court and held sway over the realm.
Her life was a legend!
And it just so happened that Ye Jinlan was a fervent admirer of Empress Dowager Cixuan.
“Very thoughtful.”
This gift from the second branch undeniably struck the very heart of what Ye Jinlan loved. Her wrinkles smoothed out with joy.
Su Jiachang smugly shot Su Jiasheng a glance. Bowing, he said, “As long as Great-Grandmother likes it.”
The corner of Su Jiasheng’s eye twitched. The smile on his face nearly slipped away.
He hadn’t expected the usually quiet second branch to present such a gift this year.
They must have plotted long and hard, waiting for a chance to shock everyone!
Su Jiachang withdrew, marching with head held high.
Next was the third branch.
Everyone’s gaze shifted collectively to Su Yazhen.
All knew Su Yazhen was Ye Jinlan’s most beloved grandchild. Today was Madam Su’s eightieth birthday—what kind of birthday gift would Su Yazhen, representing the third branch, present?
After all, the main branch’s white jade Guanyin and the second branch’s Imperial Green jadeite prayer beads were both national treasure-level rarities!
Surely Su Yazhen was under tremendous pressure.
Some felt a pang of anxiety for her, while others secretly delighted in the prospect of seeing her stumble.
Su Yazhen had been too favoured these years. The entire third branch had basked in her shine. In secret, countless people felt envy and resentment, hoping this spoiled darling would take a hard fall!
“Yazhen.”
Ye Jinlan asked cheerfully, “What gift have you prepared for your Great-Grandmother?”
This gift-receiving rule she personally set was actually a way to assess the five direct branches.
It wasn’t about who gave the most expensive or valuable gift.
Thoughtfulness mattered most to her!
In her view, Su Yazhen’s gift likely couldn’t surpass the Guanyin statue or prayer beads from the main and second branches.
But as long as this gift pleased her and made her happy, it would be enough.
“Great-Grandmother.”
Su Yazhen presented a box. “What I’ve prepared for you is a set of custom-made jadeite jewelry. I hope you like it.”
Ye Jinlan smiled. “Let me see quickly.”
Su Yazhen opened the jewelry case.
People nearby immediately craned their necks. Some even rose on tiptoes, trying to get a better look.
The on-site photographer quickly pointed the camera at the jewelry case, ensuring everyone present could see the birthday gift the third branch was presenting through Su Yazhen.
Instantly, the Gathering of Sages Hall was utterly silent. Many exchanged puzzled glances.
Could that be it?
Su Jiasheng from the main branch flashed a faint, knowing smile. Su Jiachang from the second branch let out a derisive snort!
People from the fourth and fifth branches.
Also couldn’t help but show meaningful smiles.
Meanwhile, the members of the third branch found themselves in an extremely awkward position.