The sky was still dimly lit, but Jinluan Palace was already packed with the civil and military officials. The dragon throne sat empty, and the officials were gathered together, whispering in hushed tones. Outside the palace, the stone floor was being scrubbed clean of bloodstains by palace attendants, while the Forbidden Army and Kyoto Capital Guard handled the bodies left behind from the slaughter.
The fifty-thousand-strong army brought by General Gao remained in a standoff with the Forbidden Army outside the city gates, yet dared not launch a reckless assault. The throne succession had thrown Jinluan Palace into a stalemate.
Prince Duan and Feng Wan, originally at the Feng Family estate, had now been summoned to Jinluan Palace.
