novelraw Chapter 612: The Crown! (Fifth Update)
Chapter 612: The Crown! (Fifth Update)
"This painting and calligraphy piece was acquired recently in Huaxia by Mr. Li Dingxin. It’s the work of the modern master, Mr. Gu Fengnian. This ink landscape painting embodies a profound artistic conception and the skill level of the painting reaches that of a master. This piece is also one of Mr. Gu’s representative works and possesses considerable collection value in Huaxia. The bidding shall start now, with an opening bid of $100,000 USD and increments of $10,000 USD. Let the bidding commence."
The auctioneer briefly introduced the landscape painting on the large screen behind before formally starting the auction.
"$100,000!"
"$150,000!"
"$200,000!"
"$250,000!"
...
"$500,000 once, $500,000 twice, $500,000 three times, sold!"
The bidding in the venue was fierce, and the landscape painting was eventually resecured by Li Dingxin, showing his particular fondness for the piece. Then he stood up to thank the surrounding attendees.
"The second item is an oil painting, donated by the renowned H Country painter, Park Sinhee. This piece is one of his early masterpieces, and Master Park is acclaimed as a grand master of the oil painting sphere in H Country, enjoying immense prestige. His work is also of significant collectible value."
"$200,000!"
"$250,000!"
...
"$600,000 once, $600,000 twice, $600,000 three times, sold!"
"The third item is..."
"The fourth item is..."
...
The atmosphere in the venue was incredibly enthusiastic, with all the collectibles being highly valuable and fetching high amounts in the auction. Everyone seated seemed very happy, having witnessed truly valuable art pieces, and they began discussing animatedly about the auctioned items. Even many of them, spellbound by the items, successfully bid for two of the pieces.
However, Ding Wan’er and Lin Feng were quietly chatting away, not taking these proceedings seriously. They were here just to make an appearance and hadn’t planned on bidding on anything. As for Huang Shi, he followed Lin Feng’s instructions to the letter. Whenever he saw Cui Jinhao trying to speak to Ding Wan’er, he would immediately interject, much to Cui’s frustration. Cui had hoped to have a conversation with Wan’er, but Huang Shi didn’t give him the chance, leaving Cui immensely vexed. He even harbored murderous thoughts towards Huang Shi but in the end, he could only helplessly ignore him.
Time flew by swiftly, and almost two hours had passed unnoticed, with over a dozen items sold for several millions of US dollars in total. Not a single item was passed over unsold, and then it was time for the grand finale.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down. Having encountered so many precious collectibles tonight, I believe everyone has had an eye-opening experience. The next item will be the last one for tonight’s auction. It is a queen’s crown, contributed by the CEO of the renowned Six Stars Group, Mr. Cui Jinhao. Let’s give our warmest applause to appreciate this rare treasure!"
With the auctioneer’s impassioned words, the atmosphere of the entire venue peaked. Everyone in attendance applauded fervently, knowing well that the last item of any auction is always a truly exceptional treasure. They all eagerly waited to see what this crown would look like.
Fanned by the building excitement, the auctioneer moved next to an usherette and unveiled the red cloth covering the item, revealing the true face of the crown. Under the spotlight’s glare, the crown appeared exceptionally brilliant, reflecting dazzling light that even blinded the onlookers’ eyes...
Wow! So beautiful!
It’s really a crown!
How many diamonds does this crown have?
...
The moment the auctioneer unveiled the crown under the red cloth, everyone at the venue was stunned. The dazzling starlight captured everyone’s eyes—it was just too beautiful. No one had expected to encounter such a rare treasure at an auction like this. It was simply too exaggerated; this kind of precious item would fetch a sky-high price if auctioned elsewhere. The fact that Cui Jinhao would auction off such an item was truly incredible.
Just as the audience was struggling to believe what they saw, the spotlights suddenly focused on Cui Jinhao. It was then that he stood up, his face beaming with a smile as he waved to the crowd. Bathed in the spotlight, the already charming Cui Jinhao looked even more handsome, winning the favor of everyone there.
So handsome!
If only I could marry him!
Cui Jinhao, the real diamond bachelor, Old Five! How great it would be to be him!
...
Watching Cui Jinhao stand up in front of the venue, countless eyes were fixed on him. The men were extremely envious of his appearance at that moment, wishing they could be Cui Jinhao and become the focus of attention that night. Many young women who had come with their parents were already gazing at him with shining eyes, as if they couldn’t wait to devour him. The sight of Cui Jinhao’s charming demeanor made many women in the audience feel a stirring of spring emotions...
Cui Jinhao was very satisfied with the reaction of the crowd; this was the effect he had anticipated. All previous moments were just a buildup for tonight’s auction. He had brought out the crown he had bid on in Europe in the previous years. At such a moment, if he won the crown and then gave it to Ding Wan’er under the watchful eyes of everyone, it would definitely cause a sensation. By then, it would naturally make Lin Feng seem incredibly insignificant, and he was sure Ding Wan’er would not remain unmoved by such a scene!
With this thought, Cui Jinhao’s smile grew even brighter, his heart secretly thrilled. Glancing at Ding Wan’er, who was also looking intently at the crown, he began to fantasize about her reaction. Perhaps seeing his sincerity would directly touch Ding Wan’er’s heart, and she might even throw herself into his arms. If that happened, haha...
Ding Wan’er, upon seeing the crown, had only taken a few extra glances out of admiration. The crown was indeed very beautiful, and the materials used were also very precious. The combination of gold and diamonds showcased the crown’s inestimable value, and it was definitely something that should only belong in a royal collection; such extravagant jewelry would never appear on the open market.
Lin Feng merely exchanged a glance with Huang Shi, and then did nothing more. Of course, Huang Shi understood Lin Feng’s intentions, and a smile crept across his lips. Just thinking about their plan to severely fleece Cui Jinhao later made Huang Shi feel particularly great. That Cui Jinhao dared to pursue Boss’s woman was just foolish. Huang Shi pitied the ignorant Cui Jinhao, as tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this crown was bid on by Mr. Cui Jinhao at an auction in Europe several years ago. The crown itself has a significant history; it belonged to the beloved wife of Louis XIV of Country F, Princess Maria of Spain. It was a wedding gift from Louis XIV to Queen Maria. After the French Revolution, the crown had completely disappeared until it surfaced at an auction in Europe a few years ago. Thus, considering its historical value alone, the worth of this crown is truly incalculable."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please observe the intricate details. The entire crown is a model of ancient simplicity and elegance, with its carvings adding a luxurious touch. Comprising a total of 133 diamonds and 1660 grams of gold, it also features an abundance of openwork techniques that were emblematic of that era’s societal characteristics. It is a masterpiece designed and crafted by the renowned jewelry master Picaire and is hailed as the pinnacle of craftsmanship in the jewelry industry of Country F..."
"For all the distinguished guests present, this is truly a rare treasure. While it may not compare to the crown of the Queen of Country Y, this piece epitomizes the finest workmanship in jewelry, truly deserving of the reputation as a rare gem of this era!"
The auctioneer, pointing at the enlarged image of the crown on the big screen, meticulously explained its provenance and enthusiastically detailed many of its features, igniting the hearts of all present. None in the audience had expected to witness, with their own eyes, a crown with such a significant history.
"Wow! It really is a crown!"
"The wife of Louis XIV!"
"No wonder it’s so beautiful!"
...
Upon hearing the auctioneer’s introduction, the crowd suddenly realized that the crown before their eyes was a genuine royal artifact. With 133 diamonds and 1660 grams of gold, its value was already incalculable. Moreover, it was once owned by the famed wife of the Great Emperor Louis XIV. This was simply too unbelievable. How could Cui Jinhao have allowed such a precious item to be auctioned? Was this really happening? It was far too valuable to be brought out for just an auction!
Ding Wan’er was also astounded upon hearing the auctioneer’s description. The value of such a crown was clear without even thinking, and she was deeply moved by it. Everyone has a love for beauty, and Wan’er was certainly no exception, but she merely entertained the idea casually.
Lin Feng, observing the details of the crown on the giant screen, revealed a faint smile. He had recognized that Princess Maria’s crown was a fake. Although it looked identical to the real thing, it wasn’t the actual crown of Princess Maria but a custom piece commissioned in envy by her sister Sandrant. Although both items were from the same era, without knowledge of that period of history, it would be impossible to discern the truth.
Once, he had killed a notorious Spanish super thief and accidentally obtained the authentic crown, which he left on an island because it was too heavy to carry. Later on, he conducted research into the provenance of this item. Understanding the secret histories of the royal families of France and Spain, he made an unexpected discovery of a contemporaneous forgery. Naturally, he could instantly identify the true origins of this crown—information not commonly known to appraisers, so it was normal for them to make a mistake in its evaluation.
Seeing Lin Feng’s knowing gaze, Huang Shi sensed an implicit understanding. The Boss must have full control of the situation. With that in mind, he eagerly awaited the opportunity to fiercely overcharge Cui Jinhao, to the point of infuriating him. Contemplating this, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing. It turned out just as the Boss had predicted in the afternoon; Cui Jinhao arranged this auction merely for show. Thinking this far, there was no need for further words—just proceed as the Boss had instructed.