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Reflections of the Mirror
墨書 Inktalez
"This can't possibly be genuine." Lin Xueqing adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and focused intently on the patterns under the microscope.
The harsh white light of the Palace Museum Conservation Institute made her already pale complexion appear even more exhausted. After working for twelve consecutive hours, she aimed to provide an accurate conclusion before tomorrow's appraisal meeting.
"The patterns are too new, and the craftsmanship doesn't match the characteristics of the Qing Dynasty," she murmured to herself while quickly jotting down notes. "Moreover, this Dark Compartment mechanism..."
"Expert Lin, the representative from Shen Group has arrived," her assistant, Xiao Wang, softly reminded her from the doorway.
Lin Xueqing glanced at the wall clock; it was three in the morning. She tugged at her stiff lips. "They come to see me at this hour?"
"President Shen said that tomorrow's appraisal meeting is crucial and wanted to understand the situation in advance."
"Tell them to wait." Lin Xueqing lowered her head again. "I need to verify the data once more."
Ten minutes later, she pushed open the door to the meeting room.
A man in a tailored dark gray suit stood with his back to her, gazing out of the window, his smooth bald head unmoving. Hearing the door open, he turned around, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"President Shen visits late at night; I wonder what brings you here?" Lin Xueqing walked straight to the conference table.
"Expert Lin," Shen Mo Ting's voice was deep, "I've heard you've reached a preliminary conclusion?"
"Yes."
"So?"
"It's a forgery." Lin Xueqing stared directly into his eyes. "I suggest your company cancel tomorrow's auction."
A glint of cold light flashed in Shen Mo Ting's eyes. "Expert Lin, do you know what this means?"
"I do. But the truth is the truth."
"Interesting." Shen Mo Ting stepped closer. "Three international experts have confirmed it as an authentic piece, yet you insist it's fake?"
The air suddenly thickened. Lin Xueqing could feel the pressure from him, but she remained unmoved. "I only trust scientific data."
"Data can be wrong."
"But I won't be."
Shen Mo Ting suddenly laughed, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Expert Lin, I admire your confidence. But this time, you're mistaken."
He took a document from his suit pocket and gently placed it on the table. "This is a testimony from Lang Shining's descendants. If you insist on claiming it's a forgery at tomorrow's appraisal meeting, you'll have to bear the consequences."
Lin Xueqing glanced at the document and raised her head with even more determination. "Threats won't work on me, President Shen. If you believe my judgment is flawed, feel free to argue your case at the meeting tomorrow."
"Very well." Shen Mo Ting adjusted his suit. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. Lin Xueqing leaned heavily against the back of her chair and let out a long sigh.
"Please turn to page three," Lin Xueqing said, standing in front of the projection screen. She pointed with a laser pen at several microscopic photographs. "The grain patterns here and the cutting marks here do not match the characteristics of Qing Dynasty craftsmanship."
The conference room at the Palace Museum was filled with people, the air thick enough to almost drip with tension.
"The most critical point is," she pulled up the next image, "the growth rings indicate that this piece of wood is at most eighty years old."
A murmur of whispers arose from the audience. In the center, Shen Mo Ting's expression was dark, his fingers silently tapping on the table.
"Expert Lin," a deep voice interrupted her presentation. "I am James, an expert consultant from the British Museum. I believe your conclusion is overly hasty."
James stood up and pointed at the screen. "Growth ring analysis can be influenced by various factors. Moreover, the craftsmanship of this comb is strikingly similar to that of court works from the Qianlong period."
"Similarity does not equal identity." Lin Xueqing brought up a new image. "Please look at this comparative data."
"Enough." Shen Mo Ting suddenly spoke up. "Expert Lin, I respect your expertise, but have you considered the consequences of drawing conclusions too hastily?"
The conference room fell silent in an instant.
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