Sophia truthfully said, "I'm from Yang'an City, G Province."
Hearing this, Expert Shuxun's face showed a flicker of disappointment but quickly returned to a smile. "G Province is good, people there live well, and the climate is pleasant all year round."
Then Expert Shuxun and Professor Zhou started talking again about the batch of antiques Sophia sold her.
"They look like they're from the Yuan Qing period, even older than the Yuan Zhao period."
Professor Zhou tilted his head and looked at Sophia, confirming again, "Sophia, do you really not know the origin of these antiques?"
Sophia hesitated and shook her head.
Everyone gave up on pressing further.
Knowing that Amelia was close with Sophia, Professor Zhou took over the luggage himself, letting Amelia and Sophia go and explore.
The two immediately felt free.
After walking a little, Amelia spoke about the auction, "I heard that your items alone took up half of the catalog at this auction."
Half might not be an exaggeration. Sophia's furniture and jewelry were given to Deron's people in large amounts.
Before leaving home, Sophia received a letter from General Yves.
She still hadn't decided what to do with its contents.
According to history, the era General Yves described did suffer from droughts and serious disasters in many places. There were tragic events like people eating "Guanyin soil" and dying from bloating, and even fathers eating their sons. It was extremely grim.
At least on this point, General Yves was not lying.
Historically, the Western Continent was fragmented into several states and full of war. Even without General Yves, it wasn't something Sophia could control.
But Sophia didn't know if she should help General Yves or not.
Sophia and Amelia entered a mall, eating while chatting.
"The antiques Professor Zhou got from you should be from the Yuan Zhao or Yuan Qing period, right?" Amelia asked, already quite certain.
Sophia's situation was known to Professor Zhou before, who had researched it thoroughly before coming.
Buying antiques required not only experience and knowledge but also a keen eye.
Amelia's admiration for Professor Zhou grew even stronger because he had bought over fifty pieces of jewelry from Sophia at a high price without hesitation, even before fully knowing their background.
Sophia agreed with this.
"Senior sister, you're lucky to have found the right person," Sophia smiled.
Amelia felt grateful too.
"My goal isn't high; I'd be happy to reach one-third of what my teacher has in the future."
They came to the auction mainly for business, with the goal related to the newly confirmed existence of the Zhao Kingdom.
From eating to finishing the meal, Sophia wanted to learn more about the Zhao Kingdom from Amelia.
Nearby was a large bookstore with six floors.
"Most of what is passed down about the Zhao Kingdom is unofficial history. I've heard some things: the Zhao Kingdom had five emperors. The first four were unknown, without remarkable achievements. The fifth emperor was the second prince of the previous generation. According to unofficial history, if it weren't for this second prince, the Zhao Kingdom might have fallen even faster and been swallowed by neighboring states."
"Thanks to this second prince, General Yves, who turned things around and fought back, the emperor's power gradually weakened and shifted to the prince. Under General Yves's leadership, the Zhao Kingdom's territory expanded. At one point, it almost unified the Western Continent, preventing centuries of constant warfare between countries."
Sophia and Amelia continued their conversation quietly in the bookstore.
"But unfortunately, General Yves died young after years of fighting. Some say he caught a sudden illness during a battle he personally led. Others say years ago before he rose to power, his brothers poisoned him during a power struggle, which made his health poor and caused hidden injuries that finally took him down."
Amelia had been studying this history with her teacher, so she knew more about it.
From all perspectives, General Yves was still seen as a positive figure.
Sophia listened thoughtfully.
They found several history books on the fifth floor, most about the Yuan Zhao and Yuan Qing periods.
Amelia saw Sophia buying books and said, "If you want to learn more, you can come to Mountain City sometime."
Mountain City was where the first ruins of Zhao State were discovered.
"The burial items have been displayed in the museum."
"I'll send you some materials I have later when I get back."
Amelia was already planning to organize Yuan Zhao period info for her teachers, so sending Sophia a copy was easy.
Sophia had helped her earn several million already.
They finished shopping late, around nine or ten, and had to get up early the next day for the auction.
The auction would last five days. The first two days were for jewelry, the third day started furniture and fine crafts, with the best jewelry saved for last as the grand finale.
Sophia and Amelia checked out the first two days. Attendees ranged from casually dressed to men in suits and ties, or women in professional attire.
On the third day, Expert Shuxun and Professor Zhou arrived.
At the venue, Sophia saw many political and business elites usually only seen on TV or news.
Expert Shuxun and Professor Zhou came with Sophia and Amelia but soon joined the conversations of those important guests.
Amelia didn't have a task but couldn't leave in case Professor Zhou needed something.
Sophia and Amelia stayed quietly talking in a corner.
Auctioneer Zhena came over at that moment.
Tonight was her auction to host, so she should be very busy.
"Sophia, I need your help with something!"
Sophia and Amelia exchanged a glance. "What is it?"
The auction was important, and Auctioneer Zhena was worried but kept a calm face.
When Sophia didn't refuse immediately, Zhena invited her backstage.
Amelia told Assistant Hanra, who agreed and quickly followed.
"There's a lot that was broken by a woman who accidentally got backstage. Do you still have other items in stock?"
Backstage, Zhena explained honestly.
Sophia looked and saw a set of jade cups from the Yuan Qing period, twelve pieces, each carved with different delicate patterns.
Sophia's breath caught. Deron had told her before that the starting price was fifteen million.
Zhena and Deron and other responsible people looked at Sophia anxiously, hoping for help.
Amelia said nearby, "How could something so important be broken?"