Chapter 1990: Chapter 1950: Mounted and Framed

Ye Qiu also created a third painting. On the surface, it depicts someone gifting a coffin at Cao Family’s Third Grandfather’s birthday, but in reality, the content suggests the Cao Family’s rise in fortune and rank.

Looking at this Chinese painting, Liu Lingxiu was very surprised; it was the first time she had seen such a piece.

In traditional Chinese painting, there are often various supernatural elements, but Liu Lingxiu had truly never seen anything like this piece before.

Now that the painting was complete, Ye Qiu stopped.

Once the ink dries on these three paintings, they can be mounted, making them indistinguishable from famous artworks.

The value of these three paintings is likely worth more than any of the other gifts the guests have brought.

At around three o’clock in the afternoon, after Lin Xiang and the two women, as well as Cao Ling, got up, Ye Qiu grabbed the three paintings, which had been rolled up.

Cao Ling and Lin Xiang, the two women, were puzzled as to how Ye Qiu came to have three paintings in his hand.

"Ye Qiu, what are you holding?" asked Cao Ling.

"Three paintings, a gift for your Third Grandfather."

"Where did they come from?"

"I bought them."

Bought them?

Cao Ling found it hard to believe.

Lin Xiang and Xiaomai were also skeptical, but Xiaomai knew Ye Qiu was very skilled in painting; she had seen the oil painting Ye Qiu had given to Liu Lingxiu.

While getting into the car, Ye Qiu drove to a bookstore.

Undoubtedly, properly mounting a good painting is very important.

Now, Ye Qiu arrived at the bookstore, took down the three paintings, and asked the professional staff inside to mount them.

Mounting is a specialized craft in decorating paintings, scrolls, and similar items. In ancient times, this craft was referred to as "mounting the back and surface," also known as "decoration" or "dressing."

According to "Tongya·Qiyong" by Fang Yizhi from the Ming Dynasty, "decoration" resembles a pool, with external borders framing the internal pool; folding books to complete the mounting.

The technique involves using paper to reinforce the back of the artwork, followed by bordering with silk or paper, and then covering with another paper backing. Once it dries, it can be framed.

If it’s a hanging scroll, it requires assembly of the poles.

Finished products take the form of hanging scrolls, hand scrolls, albums, etc. After mounting, paintings and scrolls are not only more beautiful but also easier to appreciate and preserve; even damaged ones can be repaired.

Capital City mounting, known as "Capital Mounting," is one of the main schools of Chinese painting mounting, popular around the northern area centered on Capital City.

Its style leans towards luxury and grandeur, with heavy textures, silk borders, and colorful decorations, known for its rich adornment.

This bookstore belongs to this particular school.

However, upon opening Ye Qiu’s first painting, the Longevity Picture, featuring blessings as vast as sea, the two staff members were astounded.

The style immediately suggested it was the work of a famous artist.

Undoubtedly, the most renowned in this category are Master Zhang and Master Qi, whose authentic works are valued at millions or even tens of millions of Huaxia Yuan.

Currently, their works command such prices at auctions domestically and internationally.

Like these staff members who are surely art lovers, the famous style piqued their curiosity. But, there was no signature on the painting, only a date, not even a seal.

"Sir, do you know who the artist is?"

"Bought it from a roadside stall, it’s not worth much."

A roadside stall?

Liu Lingxiu couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

This was obviously painted by Ye Qiu himself.

But Cao Ling and the three women didn’t know, still believing Ye Qiu bought it at a roadside stall. But how could something from a stall casually be given as a gift to Third Grandfather?

Cao Ling thought the painting looked pretty good!

"Please mount these for me, I need to give them as gifts soon."

Ye Qiu said.

The two staff members quickly prepared to mount the three paintings. The choice of materials affected the price, and this line of mounting in Capital City used very luxurious materials, so the price was not cheap.

Mounting all three paintings cost nearly a thousand yuan, but compared to the painting’s value, it’s trivial.

If the first two paintings were Longevity Pictures, the two thought it was odd, suspecting they were gifts for a birthday.

But the third painting left them puzzled.

However, Ye Qiu didn’t give them much time to inspect it. Once the painting was mounted, it indeed looked much more appealing.

It’s just like how people rely on clothes, and Buddha relies on gold; paintings rely on mounting.

After Liu Lingxiu paid, Ye Qiu put the paintings in a gift bag.

Upon leaving the bookstore and getting back in the car, if Cao Ling and the three women truly believed Ye Qiu bought the paintings from a roadside stall just moments ago, they no longer did now.

The small ghosts carrying a coffin depicted in the painting clearly mirrored the morning incident of someone causing trouble at the Cao Family by sending a coffin.

Only they knew that content, who else could?

"Ye Qiu, did you say these paintings were bought outside?"

"Of course."

"You’re lying to us," a frustrated Cao Ling said.

Ye Qiu smiled but said nothing more.

Now, back at the Cao Family’s siheyuan, many cars were parked outside as well. After parking the car, Ye Qiu took the gift bag and disembarked with the four women.

Approaching the gate, there were still people registering guest gifts.

Now, as Ye Qiu delivered the gifts, the two Cao Family members at the gate found it odd. Didn’t Dr. Ye already deliver gifts in the morning with the young ladies?

"Dr. Ye, your gift?"

"A small token, humble though it may be, it’s for Third Grandfather. Please accept it."

Hearing Ye Qiu say this, the two quickly took the gifts, discovering they were three paintings.

In the morning, many people also gifted paintings, but determining the actual price wasn’t easy; they could only estimate based on the general market value of artworks.

Among the thick guest gift list, indeed, some had gifted paintings.

Now Ye Qiu was also gifting paintings.

As the other party took the gifts, Ye Qiu didn’t linger, heading in with Cao Ling and the four women; Cao Long and the rest were waiting, thinking Ye Qiu might not come.

Just after Ye Qiu and Cao Ling, the four women left, the two elder Cao Family members registering the gifts opened Ye Qiu’s three paintings.

The first was a Longevity Picture.

The two recognized it as a masterpiece at first glance!

However, which master it was by, they couldn’t discern. But they felt it must be of significant value.

The second was also a Longevity Picture, specifically a Pine-Crane Picture.

When they unveiled the third, they were shocked.

What kind of painting was this?

They couldn’t understand, but they knew Dr. Ye wouldn’t gift something randomly!

Unsure of the three paintings’ worth, it seemed necessary to summon experts for a thorough evaluation.

The experts they knew were notable connoisseurs and painters in national painting, and arrangements were made for them to assess the paintings.