They were even more impatient to return to Suyu City.
And so, two days later, all the princes except the Seventh Prince, Nian Xiaoqing, had arrived one after another at the county town nearest the Capital.
As they passed the gates of this county town, the Second Prince, Nian Feiyue, had stopped each of them.
Now they had gathered in this little county town and sat together to discuss matters. Not one of them mentioned receiving an edict of succession.
Each believed he could use the other princes first, then produce his Imperial Edict once the dust had settled. That would make it much easier to ascend the throne.
Though they sat together, each harbored his own dark designs.
Looking at these men sitting together now, no one would have guessed that just a few days earlier, they had been fighting one another tooth and nail.
The first to speak was the Sixth Prince, Nian Tongyi, the most powerful of the princes present:
"Since we've all gathered here, let's hear what everyone thinks."
No one spoke, so Nian Tongyi looked straight at his second brother, Nian Feiyue:
"Second Brother, you're the one who brought us together here. Why don't you tell us your thoughts first?"
Nian Feiyue said, "Then I'll say a few words first.
"I'm sure everyone already knows what happened in Suyu City.
"While we were away from Suyu City, Fifth murdered Father outright, forged a Summons Edict, and ascended the throne.
"If someone who dared to murder even Father takes that position, I fear he'll cut out the weeds by their roots.
"Let's not talk about governing the country or the common people.
"Let's leave those distant matters aside and simply talk about us princes.
"Given Fifth's temperament, he absolutely won't spare us."
The Third Prince, Nian