musicians of old

Chapter 812 "Scandalous News"

Fanning offered this reminder because there had been precedents in the Empire's news reports over the years.

Yes, the editor-in-chief of the Vienna Art Review exposed the inside story in public—if something like this happened, with millions of eyes watching, public opinion would definitely force the higher authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and demand an explanation.

However, the fact that the person involved was able to expose the matter on the spot was mainly due to the element of surprise. After they "said a few words" and "said enough," it's hard to say whether they will have another chance to speak.

From the second half onwards, the situation will inevitably become passive.

Perhaps all they can do is stay in a nice, but de facto, place of house arrest, where they can eat and drink well while they wait for the investigation results. And what the investigation will reveal depends entirely on the moral standards of the authorities. If it turns out that "there are problems, but they are not as serious as friends think," then the person in question will be the one with the serious problem.

The key to improving the situation later on lies in how long the initial "speaking out" can last and how much of the truth can be uncovered.

“If there’s even a 30-50% chance, it’s worth a try,” Miss McAdam said frankly. “That’s the conscience of a journalist, and that’s where the most power is unleashed. There’s no ‘better solution.’”

So, could we create as many opportunities as possible for everyone to "say their piece"? Fanning stared at the control panel in front of him, lost in thought for a long time.

Inside one of its glass compartments is the last piece of Fanning's collection to be restored and preserved not long ago—a mysteriously sourced orchestral manuscript titled "Scherzo," with no known date of composition or composer. The collector and consignor to the auction house is a young man from an earl family named "Adair," who himself is not entirely clear about the detailed provenance of the collection.

What is both puzzling and intriguing is that the music of this "Scherzo" manuscript is dramatic and somber, with advanced and controversial compositional techniques, yet none of the living composers have claimed it.

The consignor had high expectations for the auction, even reaching a collaboration with a conductor who shared the interest, planning to present a segment live in the second half of the event. This was clearly considering a longer investment horizon; it was bid a hefty 30000 florins from the outset, indicating that they didn't expect it to sell in this single auction.

During the live performance, Fanning's thoughts lingered on the "Scherzo" manuscript for a moment before she finally looked up: "Well, Miss Reporter, there's a more pressing issue at hand: we can't stay here forever! Once we get out, I need a reason to face everyone else, whether in the open or in the shadows—not necessarily to anyone in particular, but a self-consistent justification for my own actions!"

“Sometimes a complicated scheme is no match for a simple, absurd event.” Miss McAdam smiled apologetically. “It might require you to sacrifice some more ‘professional reputation’.”

Five minutes later, the two walked out of the restoration room one after the other.

After locking the security door with her head down, Fanning stood at the door and exchanged a few more words with Miss McAdam, seemingly questioning or arguing about something.

Suddenly, a crisp slap rang out!
"You fickle bastard!"

"Okay, fine, wait! I'll call Nancy over and we'll get to the bottom of this!"

The faint noise in the corridor suddenly fell silent, and all the gentlemen and ladies in the distance turned to look.

This even included several of Fanning's colleagues.

Isn't that the young and beautiful editor-in-chief of the Vienna Art Review? Uh, and this male person involved seems to be a senior technician at the museum? He's also young and good-looking.

Why did Miss Nancy come up again during the argument?
It seems like some kind of sex scandal has happened.
The two were clearly still somewhat disheveled. After slapping her, the female editor ran away, leaving Fan Ning standing there, bewildered, covering half of her cheek.

After standing there for more than ten minutes, Fan Ning slowly walked towards the front of the corridor, still receiving many strange looks along the way.

Fan Ning wasn't quite sure who to look at now. After this farce and the temporary separation, who was the potential guards' attention and suspicion now focused on? Himself? The reporter? Or were they all assigned to someone? And had it lessened at all?

Back in the salon where Vincent's "Swing" series was exhibited, the density of guests returned to its peak. Fanning wandered around aimlessly, still looking somewhat "awkward" and "disappointed," but in reality, he glanced at the wall clock every few minutes.

"Looking for someone? Master Fan Ning."

Suddenly, a voice came from behind. "Master? I do not hold that title, sir."

Fanning frowned as he looked at the chief appraiser, Nikolayevich Squiaben, who was sitting in a wheelchair in front of him.

“You are going through a conflict.” Nikolayevich’s mustache twitched under his top hat as he smiled wryly.

“Right, maybe it’s an ‘emotional’ dispute, haha.” Fan Ning didn’t quite understand what the appraiser, who appeared like a ghost, was talking about.

"It's not easy. It's not easy to maintain such strong faith and enthusiasm, especially when you're in a period of decline." Nikolayevich's assessment seemed to carry a hint of praise.

"Are you describing the current state of affairs? Your choice of words is rather strange and unique." Fan Ning glanced at the other person, feeling utterly puzzled by his description of "withered history," but he didn't want to delve too deeply into the meaning of the words. "Then I hope that your words and actions and professional ethics will be worthy of such praise."

"Of course, Master Fanning, you will thank me soon."

Nikolayevich chuckled meaningfully twice.

"The hammer-wielder must make a wise choice, avoiding the curse, staying away from coercion, and truly ending the conflict. Heh, the time is almost here."

For some inexplicable reason, Fan Ning frowned and watched the man's back as he swayed the armrest of his wheelchair and rolled away.

In the opposite direction of Fanning's departure, a large group of gentlemen and ladies in suits walked towards her.

"Excuse me, thank you." "I'm so sorry, please let me through."

These people were carrying all sorts of instrument cases, and some had already strode past Fanning.

For some reason, Fan Ning stood still, completely still.

Although he recognized almost none of the musicians' faces, he still felt a strange sense of familiarity about the scene.

Is the time almost up?
And for some reason, he felt that even more inexplicably familiar scenes would soon appear.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Mr. Fanning?"

A polite and humble male voice rang out. Fan Ning did not respond the first time, so she tentatively greeted him a second time.

Fanning finally turned to the side and saw a gentleman in a suit and bow tie with black-rimmed glasses standing beside her.

This person was dressed in expensive clothes, but his smile looked a little haggard, and his hairline was receding. A gleaming gold pen was sticking out halfway from his breast pocket.

"Hello, I am Gilbert Caplan. There will be a band performance scheduled for the second half of the auction later."

"Oh! He's the contact person for our client, young master Adair. He's already given me instructions. Your Excellency, this way, this way."

Fanning finally came to his senses and reached out to guide Caplan ahead.

"I need to take you to the security department to fill out a form and issue passes to the musicians. Young Master Adair specifically requested that the entire venue should be able to hear the 'Scherzo' performance. In a moment, I will turn on all the switches on the pneumatic sound transmission control console. The sound recording effect will be best when the performance is played on the third-floor attic platform."