Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 597 Fall Of The Second Prince

The atmosphere within the Imperial Court grew heavier and heavier.

One piece of evidence after another was presented continuously.

Secret letters.

Payment records.

And the most undeniable part of the evidence was the Memory Crystal showing the Second Prince's subordinates carrying out the assassination.

This final piece of evidence alone was enough to prove who the assassins were.

Although the Second Prince himself had not personally participated, all the assassins were his loyal subordinates.

Under such circumstances, how could he claim he had no involvement at all?

Even if that were true, no one would believe it.

And most devastating of all were the confessions of the Second Prince's own trusted subordinates, all of whom claimed they acted under the Second Prince's orders.

Each confession struck the court like a hammer.

The battered retainers knelt upon the cold floor with pale faces.

Some trembled weakly.

Others lowered their heads in shame.

Yet every single testimony pointed toward only one person.

The Second Prince!

"The assassination orders were personally delivered to us…"

"We were given a reward by the Second Prince…"

One confession after another echoed throughout the hall.

Every word pushed the Second Prince deeper into an abyss.

At this point, even many neutral officials had completely changed expressions.

Because the evidence was simply too complete.

Too airtight!

Even if the Second Prince had not personally carried out the assassinations himself, everything now pointed toward him as the mastermind behind it all.

The officials supporting the Second Prince gradually fell silent one after another.

Some opened their mouths as though wanting to argue, only to close them again moments later.

Because against such overwhelming evidence, what could they even say?

Even several members of the Second Prince's own faction began wavering internally.

Could it be…

Their prince had truly done it?

To eliminate his rivals, had he really sent his loyal retainers to carry out the deed?

But then why not consult them?

Why send people so closely tied to him to assassinate imperial royalty?

After all, the people confessing now were not random prisoners.

They were the Second Prince's most loyal confidants.

People who had followed him for years. People willing to risk their lives for him.

If even they admitted everything personally, then how could others continue denying it?

The atmosphere within the court quietly shifted further.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince himself remained kneeling in the center of the hall.

His eyes were bloodshot.

His gaze swept across the kneeling retainers before landing upon Yu Zidi once more.

Hatred burned within his pupils.

But beneath that hatred, there was also disbelief.

Disbelief toward the very people who had once sworn absolute loyalty to him.

(How…?)

His fists clenched tightly.

(How could they betray me?)

He knew these people well.

Too well.

They had been with him for most of his life.

They were the backbone of his confidence.

The people who had supported him the most.

These men were also not cowards.

Simple torture and beatings alone would never make them betray him.

But no matter what the reason was, it no longer mattered.

The moment these men confessed publicly before the court, everything was already over.

And at that moment, the Second Prince understood clearly.

He had truly been betrayed by them.

By then, even the last traces of fighting spirit within him had begun collapsing.

Because these were not just ordinary subordinates.

They were the people closest to him.

The people who knew his secrets best.

And now those very people had personally become the knives stabbing into his back.

If even they betrayed him, then what exactly could he still use to compete against the First Prince?

The Second Prince suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of coldness spread through his heart.

Not fear.

But helplessness.

Because he realized clearly that no matter what he said now, it was useless.

No one would believe him anymore.

Not before such overwhelming evidence.

Not after the testimonies of his own loyal followers.

At the side, Yu Zidi quietly observed his kneeling brother.

His expression remained calm and solemn.

Yet deep within his eyes, a cold light flickered faintly.

Everything had proceeded exactly according to plan.

(Oh, brother… Did you truly think you could compete with me?)

He looked at the appearance of his foolish younger brother who had already lost all spirit.

Then—

Yu Zidi slowly stepped forward once more.

His gaze overlooked the kneeling Second Prince calmly.

"Brother,"

His voice echoed quietly throughout the hall.

"Do you have anything left to say in your defense?"

Silence!

The Second Prince did not respond.

He did not move.

He merely remained kneeling there silently with his head lowered.

The entire Imperial Court became deathly quiet.

Seeing this, Yu Zidi's eyes narrowed faintly.

"If nothing remains to be said…"

His tone became colder.

"Then naturally, punishment shall be carried out according to imperial law."

The expressions of countless officials changed slightly.

Then Yu Zidi slowly continued.

"The murder of an Imperial Family member, what punishment does the law decree?"

No one answered immediately.

Because everyone already knew the answer.

Even commoners and illiterate peasants knew it clearly.

Execution!

The murder of imperial royalty was among the gravest crimes within the entire empire.

Normally, with the Second Prince's status, there might still have been room for mercy.

But this case involved not one—

But two royal deaths.

The Eleventh Prince.

And the Thirteenth Princess.

Such crimes were simply too severe.

Just then—

"Hahahahaha!!!"

Suddenly, loud laughter erupted throughout the hall.

The Second Prince began laughing like a madman.

The sound was hoarse and filled with madness.

Many officials' expressions changed instantly.

Then slowly, the Second Prince raised his head.

His bloodshot eyes locked directly onto Yu Zidi.

"How…"

His voice sounded almost crazed.

"How did you do this?"

There was unwillingness within his gaze.

Confusion and Hatred.

And also fear toward the terrifying methods of the man standing before him.

Yet Yu Zidi did not answer.

He merely frowned slightly as though disappointed by the question.

Seeing this reaction, the Second Prince suddenly laughed again.

Then his gaze slowly shifted toward the kneeling retainers.

For the first time in his life, he realized that perhaps he had never truly understood these people at all.

Finally, the Second Prince slowly closed his eyes.

Then he spoke weakly.

"You've won…"

The Second Prince's lips slowly curled into a bitter sneer.

"But let's see how long your victory lasts."

His eyes opened once more and stared directly at Yu Zidi.

"Because a puppet king…"

A trace of ridicule appeared on his face.

"…is the most you will ever become."

The moment those words fell, Yu Zidi's brows furrowed instantly.

A cold light flashed across his eyes.

However, he quickly suppressed his expression again.

"Take him away!"

His voice became icy cold.

The imperial guards immediately stepped forward.

The heavy chains rattled loudly as they dragged the laughing Second Prince toward the prison halls beneath the palace.

His laughter mixed with curses continued echoing faintly throughout the Imperial Court for a long time.