Xiongjing – In what appears to be the Hexi Empress’ consolidation of power as Bai’s new head of state, her elder brother Yu Shengde has reportedly been arrested over corruption charges.

In a joint statement by the Corruption Investigation Bureau and the Royal Police Commission, investigations into Yu’s charges have re-opened following “fresh evidence” of financial irregularities.

Yu, the second child of the late Fengyang Emperor, leads Huijin Electronics, one of the largest business conglomerates in the Bai Empire. Due to his close involvement in economic affairs, he gave up his royal title to minimise interference between his own finances and politics.

Still, he remains under close scrutiny, especially over various charges of corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. He had been cleared of any wrongdoing back in 2018.

Yu’s arrest came after his sister’s coronation on New Year’s Day. Some commentators speculated that the Empress plans to consolidate power and remove any potential contenders to the throne.

“Despite the elder Yu stating numerous times in the past that he has no desire to take the throne, it seems the Empress is taking no chances,” said an analyst from the Huntington Institute of Foreign Policy. “In a patriarchal-dominant society of the Bai Empire, it is of little wonder that the Empress seeks to cement power to prove her worth as her father’s successor.”

Other analysts speculated that arrests of her other brothers – Yu Jinmin and Yu Shihong – might follow. The Empress’ siblings were last seen attending the coronation ceremony on New Year’s Day.

Nevertheless, it seems to be business as usual in the Bai Empire as the Yihuiting (Bai’s legislature) made no mention of the arrest in its opening session today. The Bai Chancellor Huang Cailin had not commented much on the issue, stating it was a “private” matter the Bai government had no control over.