Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 567 The First Prince's Frustration

Inside the First Prince's residence, the atmosphere within the Desolate Heaven Empire’s Imperial Family was exceptionally strained.

While the Emperor’s unexpected and robust reappearance had momentarily quelled the feuding among the princes and princesses, this peace was merely superficial.

Beneath the tranquil exterior, a tempest was very much still brewing.

Within a lavish hall, Yu Zidi occupied his throne-like seat, his fingers drumming a consistent rhythm on the armrest.

“How did Father recover?”

His voice, though low, was laced with evident annoyance.

A masked individual knelt in deference before him.

This subordinate was one of his most trusted confidantes.

Yu Zidi had already dispatched numerous agents to investigate the Emperor’s sudden recuperation.

Others might be uncertain about the Emperor’s health, but he was not.

He had observed his father numerous times previously.

Each encounter left the Emperor appearing on the precipice of death.

It was precisely due to this grim state that he and his siblings had initiated their power plays for the throne.

Yet now… the Emperor seemed poised to live for another thirty years. It was utterly preposterous.

Yu Zidi had exhausted every avenue to uncover the reason, but had found nothing substantial.

The masked figure lowered his head slightly.

“Your Highness… despite our most diligent efforts, we have ascertained nothing concrete.”

Crack!

The teacup in Yu Zidi’s grasp fractured as he violently slammed it onto the ground, scattering shards across the floor.

“Insolence!”

He stood abruptly, his face contorted with rage.

“Nothing seems to be going my way!”

Not only had the old man refused to perish when Yu Zidi held an advantage over his siblings, but he had also failed to secure the position of Crown Prince from him.

Even more infuriatingly… his siblings had commenced maneuvers that genuinely threatened his position, particularly Yu Feiyan.

Her rapid ascent in power was something he had not foreseen; she was on the verge of becoming a formidable rival.

Mere moments ago, she was insignificant, and now she vied for the throne alongside him.

It was as if a miracle had befallen her.

“Why are those neutral clans lending her their support? What leverage does she possess?”

He bellowed in frustration, especially since many of these very factions had previously rejected his overtures, citing their neutrality, only to align with his sister.

It felt as though everything he had once firmly grasped was now slipping through his fingers.

And then there was his most pressing concern.

The Li Clan!

The Zhao Clan!

Initially, he had perceived them as his most significant asset.

An undisclosed alliance that, once revealed, would compel all his rivals into submission.

However, they had now transformed into a considerable vulnerability.

This was due to the formidable power of the Bai Clan, who stood as the primary adversary of both the Li and Zhao Clans.

Should the Bai Clan discover the secret allegiance between them and Yu Zidi, the entire political landscape could shift drastically.

They would never permit him, who was backed by their rivals, to ascend the throne.

Instead… they would channel their full backing towards another prince or princess.

And if that transpired, such a sibling would gain an indomitable ally.

An ally whose strength, even when combined with the Li and Zhao Clans and their entire coalition, might prove insufficient to overcome.

Yu Zidi’s expression grew even more somber.

This was why he had consistently kept his patrons concealed.

Why he had deliberately avoided relying on them unless absolutely critical.

Because the moment the Bai Clan chose to intervene… the situation would inevitably spiral

out of his control.

“I can only hope they choose not to meddle…”

He murmured under his breath.

That represented the most optimistic outcome he could envision.

Naturally, if the Bai Clan were to lend him their support, that would be the ideal scenario.

But he understood the sheer improbability of such an event.

The Li and Zhao Clans would never permit it.

And the Bai Clan would certainly not countenance a situation where they supported

an individual chosen by their sworn enemies.

That was the underlying reason he had never actively sought their favor, unlike

his other siblings.

Fortunately, all of them had also failed to secure their alliance.

For the time being…

The Bai Clan maintained its disinterest, but for how long?

Yu Zidi’s brow furrowed deeply.

He harbored a strong dislike for this predicament, a situation characterized by his lack of control.

And the intense struggle for the throne was undeniably progressing in that very direction.

Now, with the emergent influence of the Mu Clan, he recognized they needed to be prioritized.

They were undoubtedly among the forces he absolutely had to win over.

However, achieving this was far easier said than done.

As observed previously, the Mu Clan’s stance appeared to mirror that of the Bai Clan.

“Curses…”

His fingers tightened their grip on the armrest.

He was deeply engrossed in contemplation, pondering methods to steer the circumstances back in his favor

once more.

!!!

Suddenly, his eyes illuminated as a novel idea took hold.

“What if…”

A subtle, calculating smile began to surface on his lips.

“…I secure the backing of the Mu Clan’s adversary?”

The masked man instantly stiffened.

He grasped the identity of the First Prince’s intended target almost instantaneously.

“You intend…?”

"The Vermillion Pill Empire!"

Yu Zidi's smile grew a bit wider.

"If I can ensure the Mu Clan's downfall, they will have no choice but to lend me their support."

His gaze sharpened.

With their backing... even the Mu Clan and the Bai Clan would no longer be untouchable.

After all, one was an empire, while the others were merely clans.

No matter how formidable the Bai Clan was, could it truly stand against an entire empire?

Not to mention, the Vermillion Pill Empire itself was not to be underestimated.

If they lent him their strength, perhaps even the so-called "invincible" Bai Clan might find their invincibility challenged.

And with the Li Clan and Zhao Clan also on his side, the Bai Clan would stand no chance of escaping his eventual grasp.

The masked man paused for a moment before voicing his concern.

"Your Highness... involving another empire in our internal conflicts..."

His voice dropped lower.

"...would diminish the standing of the Desolate Heaven Empire itself."

He continued with caution.

"Furthermore, suppressing the Mu Clan is akin to weakening our own empire. If the Vermillion Pill Empire gains too much influence..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but its meaning was perfectly clear.

...he trailed off.

While the Vermillion Pill Empire would undoubtedly be pleased to assist, doing so would ultimately harm their own interests. Disclosure of such actions would lead to the First Prince being accused of selling out the Empire in his pursuit of the throne.

Yu Zidi's expression turned somewhat grim, but then he raised a hand, silencing the masked man.

"Enough!"

His voice was cold, and a hint of madness flickered in his eyes. (What if the Desolate Heaven Empire falls short against the Vermillion Pill Empire in alchemy? As long as the throne is mine, nothing else will matter.)

In his view, power was paramount; all other issues could be addressed later.

Moreover, he doubted the situation would escalate to such a critical point. Even without the Mu Clan, the Desolate Heaven Empire still possessed greater strength than the Vermillion Pill Empire.

Most importantly, if the throne were to fall into the hands of his siblings, then any actions the empire took would be rendered meaningless.

A chilling smile spread across his face.

"If I seize the throne and restore the authority of my Imperial Family..."

He let out a low chuckle.

"...then that would be acting in the best interests of my Yu Clan!"

His laughter faintly reverberated through the hall. "This... it is all for the Imperial Family's sake. Hahaha..."