Chapter 97: Imperial Green III
Gu Wanrong’s boulder was so heavy that the cutter and several Fu Pearl Treasure employees had to lift it from the cart.
After careful examination, Gu Wanrong drew several lines on it, softly instructing, “Follow these lines, cutter.”
She was certain her lines would avoid damaging the jade.
No one shared her confidence. As time passed, the onlookers, initially skeptical, grew quiet, wondering if Gu Wanrong would concede defeat.
The cutter expertly started the machine. Several pieces were cut off, revealing a chaotic, multicolored mess with numerous cracks, looking like a discarded piece of waste.
Murmurs filled the air, but Gu Wanrong remained calm, using her flashlight to examine the remaining massive piece. She chose the areas to polish.
Everyone was surprised she continued. The cuts had revealed only unusable jade. She had anticipated the blemishes, expecting the damage to be superficial in such a large piece.
Suddenly, a scornful voice cut through the noise: “Overconfident. What’s there to look at in this scrap?”
An Xuliang couldn’t contain his frustration. He had seen He Jingkun’s momentary impatience. He watched Gu Wanrong intently, hoping to find a sign of panic.
Many shared his smugness, their contempt evident. Following the emerald green glass jade, Gu Wanrong’s stone was seemingly nothing but cracks and blemishes.
Gu Wanrong merely glanced at him with an icy stare, silencing him instantly, before resuming her work. That single look stunned him.
A wave of shame washed over him. Losing control, he lunged towards Gu Wanrong.
A strong hand grabbed him before he reached her, forcing him to the ground.
Gu Wanrong’s bodyguards, previously unnoticed, suddenly exuded an overwhelming aura of power and authority.
Tong Shenba effortlessly tossed An Xuliang to his subordinates, who restrained him.
Tong Shenba scanned the crowd, coldly commanding, “Silence. Wait until Miss Gu finishes.”
A hush fell over the scene. The crowd, despite their proximity, hadn’t noticed the bodyguards until this moment. The guards’ ability to control their presence unnerved everyone.
Even He Jingkun and An Jiayan, used to grand occasions, felt immense pressure from Tong Shenba’s gaze.
Everyone waited silently.
Gu Wanrong broke the silence, pointing to the stone: “Polish here.”
The cutter, already sweaty from the previous cuts, felt his hands tremble under the bodyguards’ intimidating presence. A chill ran down his spine.
Gu Wanrong patted Tong Shenba’s shoulder. Tong Shenba relaxed his imposing presence, and the tension eased.
“Don’t worry. Just do your job,” Gu Wanrong reassured the cutter.
She had indicated the center of the jade. This would reveal its size, quality, and color.
An Xuliang, held down by bodyguards, seethed inwardly: A worthless stone, making a futile struggle! I’ll laugh when you fail. I’ll make my father give me Fu Pearl Treasure.
Fu Pearl Treasure’s employees were anxious. The previous cuts had yielded nothing but waste, yet Gu Wanrong remained composed.
The cutter’s hands trembled. Gu Wanrong’s eyes lit up.
Everyone’s gaze followed the cutter’s.
When the cutter removed the final layer of debris, everyone’s eyes widened.
A breathtaking green filled the exposed jade.
After a long moment, someone whispered, “Imperialā¦Imperial Green? Thisā¦this is legendary Imperial Green!”
His voice, though quiet, resonated through the silence like thunder.
The cutter, trembling, asked, “How do you want me to cut next, Miss Gu?”
The crowd, still under the bodyguards’ influence, remained silent. However, their awe for Gu Wanrong was palpable. She had found something no one else could see, and hadn’t given up even after multiple failed cuts. She had revealed a vast area of Imperial Green.
This was not luck, but skill and experience.
When the dazzling green appeared, He family and An family membersā faces fell.
Imperial Green was the most valuable jade, surpassing all others.
They prayed the Imperial Green was superficial, and the next cuts would fail.
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