After admiring the dragon scales for a long time in the drawing room, its windows screened with black cloth, Prince Xin finally ordered the coverings removed.
Prince Xin now held the two dragon scales in his hands, his joy and excitement plain to see. Guan Xinrui merely stood beside him without saying a word.
"Splendid things, magnificent treasures! Do you truly intend to offer these up, Lord Guan?"
Guan Xinrui felt reluctant to part with them, but showed none of it on his face. He calmly cupped his hands in salute.
"The day this humble official heard of the dragon scales, my thoughts were already with our dynasty and its realm. How could such things belong to a commoner, let alone an ordinary official? Sacred treasures of the realm should belong to its sage sovereign!"
At this, Prince Xin studied Guan Xinrui seriously for the first time that day, looking him up and down at length. He had expected the Haiyu County Magistrate to fawn on him more.
Nor did he believe the man could have missed his implied meaning, yet Guan Xinrui still chose to say he wished to offer the dragon scales to the emperor. Had Liu Yanchong taught him this, or was it his own idea?
"Ah, magnificent treasures indeed. Though I am truly fond of them myself, you are right. Sacred treasures of the realm should belong to its sage sovereign."
Upon hearing Prince Xin say this, Guan Xinrui raised his head and spoke earnestly.
"Sacred treasures seek their own sage master, and dragon scales seek their own True Dragon. That these scales emerged in North Sea Commandery is also heaven's mandate!"
A brilliant smile spread across Prince Xin's face.
"Hahahahaha... Heaven's mandate indeed! Heaven's mandate indeed! Hahahaha..."
A trace of delight appeared on Guan Xinrui's