Hearing Elder Lei's words, Jiang Zhong and the others also looked carefully and indeed saw the character "Dong" at the break.
Instantly, several people nodded: "This is indeed not an item belonging to the Empress Dowager Cixi, but an object of the Empress Dowager Ci'an. Therefore, this is not a funerary object, and no one has the right to confiscate it."
With the words of these few people, the night-shining pearl was classified.
Feng Xiao sat down indignantly, feeling as disgusted as if he had eaten a fly.
He had thought he could use this to severely打击 Ye Fan, but unexpectedly, he was so easily defused by the other party, and instead, he became a laughingstock.
Elder Zheng also had a somber expression. He had not expected the outcome to be like this.
However, he had experienced great storms, and such a small setback was not enough to defeat him.
"Hmph, consider yourself lucky. But next, it's your turn to appraise. Let's see what skills you actually possess."
As he spoke, Elder Zheng pushed the box towards Ye Fan.
Seeing Elder Zheng's expression, although grim, there was no anger. Ye Fan couldn't help but sigh that he was indeed an elder, and his calm demeanor was truly admirable.
Compared to Elder Zheng, Feng Xiao was simply a child.
However, according to normal logic, the box should have been opened by Elder Zheng himself, who would then step aside to let Ye Fan appraise it.
But Elder Zheng did not do so; instead, he let Ye Fan open the box himself. This was a bit strange.
The others did not notice, but Ye Fan saw it and frowned slightly.
It seemed that this box was not simple, and perhaps there was a mechanism on it.
After all, this was a treasured collection of the Feng family. It was reasonable to set up mechanisms and hidden weapons on the box containing the treasure.
And once he was caught, they could completely shirk responsibility, blaming him for his carelessness.
With a cold expression, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
This Elder Zheng was truly insidious, using such despicable means.
But did he really think he was a fool?
Ye Fan slowly walked over and pushed the box.
At this moment, Elder Lei, Jiang Zhong, and the others were all looking at Ye Fan, waiting for the box to be opened.
They were also curious about the item prepared by Feng Xiao. The Feng family had existed for so long and was not to be underestimated, so the item prepared must be extremely precious.
As they watched attentively, Ye Fan suddenly overturned the box, pointing its opening towards Elder Zheng, and then forcefully turned the lock that was attached to it.
"Click."
With a crisp sound, the lock instantly broke, and then with a bang, a steel needle shot out from the box.
The moment Elder Zheng saw Ye Fan tip the box, he knew something was wrong. He wanted to stop Ye Fan, but Ye Fan had already unlocked it, and he had no opportunity.
"Ah."
A scream rang out, and a silver needle was seen piercing Elder Zheng's shoulder.
Blood flowed down from the silver needle, reaching the tip and then dripping onto the ground.
Drop by drop, they fell to the ground, splashing blood.
Elder Zheng grimaced in pain, clutching his shoulder with one hand, his body trembling.
The silver needle was very thin, about half a palm long. Fortunately, it had pierced Elder Zheng's shoulder, and the bone had blocked it. If it had been elsewhere, Elder Zheng might have been shot through.
Feng Xiao suddenly stood up and pointed at Ye Fan, cursing loudly.
"Ye Fan, you damn bastard, how dare you play dirty tricks and ambush Elder Zheng! This is attempted murder, and I'm calling the police to arrest you!"
Feng Xiao shouted, his face full of anger.
But Ye Fan looked at him coldly.
"Who is attempting murder? I think everyone present can see clearly. Only you, Feng Xiao, are blind and barking here."
Ye Fan showed no mercy to Feng Xiao, as he had already fallen out with this guy.
Anger flared on Feng Xiao's face at Ye Fan's insult.
But Elder Zheng was in the wrong in this matter. If Elder Zheng had not had malicious intentions, such a thing would not have happened.
Behind Ye Fan, Liu Piaoxu also sneered.
When a young master like Feng Xiao was blinded by anger, his IQ would drop to zero, making him no different from a fool.
And with Ye Fan's insults, Liu Piaoxu was naturally pleased.
Elder Lei also snorted coldly, "Elder Zheng, you are a senior of the Jiangnan Antique Association. How could you be so insidious and intend to frame Ye Fan? Aren't you afraid of losing face for the Antique Association?"
Elder Lei was also angry at Elder Zheng's actions.
If Elder Zheng had competed with Ye Fan fairly, even if he had lost, Elder Lei would not have had any opinion of him. After all, there were always people better than you, and no one dared to say they were invincible in the antique world.
But now, Elder Zheng's actions had truly disgraced the Antique Association.
Elder Zheng's face was grim. He raised his hand, pulled out the silver needle, and tossed it aside.
He had indeed intended to scheme against Ye Fan, but unexpectedly, he was instead schemed against by Ye Fan. Now, he had become the target of public criticism.
If he did not explain, his reputation would likely plummet.
With a turn of his eyes, Elder Zheng quickly explained, "I didn't know there was a mechanism hidden in this box. I was just feeling displeased after the appraisal, so I didn't open the box for Ye Fan. Who knew there would be a silver needle inside?"
Although Elder Zheng's excuse was somewhat grand, it was also plausible.
Those who supported him and Feng Xiao all shouted in agreement.
"Elder Zheng is also a victim. With his status and position, how could he possibly ambush a junior?"
"It's Elder Zheng who is injured now. Since Ye Fan knew there was a hidden weapon inside, why did he still fire it at Elder Zheng? This person has malicious intentions."
"Elder Zheng has always been upright and honorable, how could he be as despicable as Ye Fan?"
These people all spoke up for Elder Zheng, and for a while, the scene became chaotic.
Looking at the chattering crowd below, Ye Fan's expression grew colder.
These people had long since stopped distinguishing right from wrong. In their eyes, interests were paramount. Whoever could bring them benefits was right. Ye Fan saw no need to be polite to such people.
"I originally thought that the Jiangnan antique world should strictly follow the rules, and antique collectors should understand right from wrong and good from evil. But now, I was wrong. You are all a bunch of idiots who can't even distinguish basic right from wrong and are unworthy of being called humans."
Ye Fan's voice was not loud, but everyone below heard it clearly.
At this point, all the arrows were pointed at Ye Fan.
"Kid, what the hell are you saying? Believe it or not, I'll chop you up right now."
"How dare you slander the Jiangnan antique world, you're looking for death."
"Elder Zheng, you must teach this scoundrel a harsh lesson and make him wish he were dead."
These people cursed, wishing they could tear Ye Fan apart and devour him alive.
Seeing the crowd's agitated state, Feng Xiao's lips finally curved into a cold smile.