Scandals surrounding the Xi family began to surface online. Matters they had previously suppressed with their power were now being exposed, thanks to that same power. It was only fair, wasn't it?
[Xi Family Young Master Caught Soliciting Prostitution, Publicly Declares Authority to Decide Life and Death!] (Chat Logs)
"Tch! What good are they? They're just dogs to our family, told to go east and they wouldn't dare go west. Why bother with them? Even if they die, they deserve to have their corpses desecrated by this young master."
This was followed by footage of him murdering someone in a club. Knowing the Xi family's standing in the Federation, he acted with utter impunity.
[Xi Family Miss Poisons Someone!] [Images]
A lavishly dressed girl, her face contorted with jealousy, poured a packet of powder into a cup. She swirled it gently until not a trace of the powder remained. With a smile, she approached a beautiful young girl and offered her the cup.
The girl, unsuspecting, took a sip and even offered thanks. Moments later, she collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
A military announcement followed: "Reportedly, the victim passed away at the scene. The Xi family miss, having been deceived by others, was granted a reduced sentence of three months' criminal detention."
[Xi Family Patriarch Abuses and Murders Children!] followed by a series of gruesome images.
The children's faces were blurred, but their bodies were covered in bruises and bloodstains, still revealing the immense pain they endured before their deaths.
As condemnation of the Xi family's depravity raged across the Star Net, Yu Xuan'an suddenly brought forth their crimes in court, imploring His Majesty the Emperor to order their punishment. The Emperor stroked his beard, hesitated for a long while, and then slowly decreed:
"Confiscate all assets of the Xi family. Those found guilty will be punished according to the law. The remaining innocent family members will be exiled to Arid Stone Star for labor reform."
Concurrently, unregistered private properties belonging to the Xi family were seized by the military. The official reason was non-compliance with Federation law, with instructions to file appeals if they had any questions.
Not all members of the Xi family were fools. With such drastic changes occurring externally, they naturally understood someone was targeting them. Though they couldn't identify the mastermind, they dared not cause further trouble.
At this point, they still had faith in their family. Their clan had stood for centuries in the Federation and wouldn't fall so easily.
This confidence shattered when they learned the Federation Emperor himself had ordered the confiscation of all their property and their exile. kuAiδugg
In truth, the Xi family had been on a subtle decline for years. Otherwise, Xi Shanhai wouldn't have scouted so many people, groomed them for high positions, nor would he have risked cooperating with the Seventh Prince to fight for their family's interests.
With Xi Shanhai's illness, the Xi family lost their voice in court, failing to secure any fallback for themselves.
The Xi family fell! In the span of a single day.
The Federation's handling of the matter was posted on the Star Net, met with widespread cheers.
The Federation hadn't seen such a significant action in many years. The Emperor was aging, his thinking becoming conservative, yet he refused to abdicate to any prince, instead clinging tightly to all power.
The princes engaged in constant subtle maneuvers, but none dared to openly challenge his authority. Consequently, in recent years, they had focused heavily on military power.
Xing Yuan had been summoned several times. Now, with the Xi family's downfall, even though the princes were unaware she had safely returned, they all sent her messages, probing her feelings towards the Xi family.
Her relationship with Xi Shanhai was not publicly known, but naturally, there were those capable of finding out.
Xing Yuan completely ignored all messages.
It was almost time! Let the situation unfold a little longer. What she wanted was for them all to be utterly ruined.
Yu Xuan'an also sent a message asking if she wanted to spare a particular individual. Perhaps he assumed, given her upbringing, she might have lingering affection for someone.
However, he didn't know that while uncertain which of their investments would succeed, she was confined to a quiet courtyard, practicing martial arts (and not studying).
She excelled at this, so her instructors only taught her this.
It was only later, as her talent gradually emerged, that Xi Shanhai, worried that her lack of formal education would affect her future, forced her to learn to read and memorize a few simple poems.
Thinking of this, the original host's emotions surged, her eyes welling up.
"I want to see the Xi family patriarch. Please arrange it for me!"
Xing Yuan read these words, a complex emotion in her eyes. Did she still care about this person? Even though he had desperately wanted her to yield her position to someone else.
In truth, if he had asked, she felt the version of her in this world might not have refused. Why resort to such extreme measures? Or perhaps, in his heart, "Those not of my kind must have different intentions." He had never trusted her.
Xi Shanhai's crimes were confirmed, the chain of evidence irrefutable. The Federation revoked his access to the medical pod, even though he could no longer afford the fees.
Xing Yuan visited him on the evening of the day after the Xi family's fall.
With the Xi family's sudden ruin, none of their former allies dared to speak up for them, let alone offer aid. Instead, many of their past enemies came to gloat.
Due to the severity of their crimes, the Federation decided on a public execution. With extensive preparatory work, the execution was scheduled for half a month later.
Xing Yuan sat quietly by the bedside, slowly recounting the fate of the Xi family to Xi Shanhai.
Xi Shanhai coughed violently, his eyes filled with sorrow. The family he had sought to save was ultimately destroyed by his own hand. He was a sinner to his clan!
"When did you return?" The moment he saw Xing Yuan, Xi Shanhai understood why he had failed. This person was someone he had raised; she understood him. Although Xi Shanhai found it strange that she could maintain her composure.
"A few months ago!" Xing Yuan said calmly.
"When did you find out?" Xi Shanhai's expression was one of confusion. She rarely visited, and he had always maintained the image of a loving father. Why had she suspected him?
"A long time ago! After you killed those children you raised like me. I had actually met some of them, but I lied to myself then, telling myself you had your reasons, even though I knew in my heart that I was no different from them."
These were memories she had long refused to acknowledge. She believed that if she performed exceptionally well, his attention would remain focused on her, and eventually, he would truly accept her. But she was both naive and ridiculous!
"Has it been that long?" Xi Shanhai's eyes were distant, but he wasn't surprised.
With his abilities, how could he not have noticed someone watching him? He simply hadn't cared. One more or one less, all those children were the same to him.