The Ministry of Justice took over the case, and Xie Ming'an was personally in charge of the thorough investigation. The Emperor, in his fury, declared that if he found out who tried to assassinate Princess Funing, he would execute their entire clan!
All the court officials watched the case closely, and the results came out quickly.
It turned out to be an assassination arranged by a minor fifth-rank official in the court. He took his own life at home to escape punishment, leaving behind a suicide note pleading with the Emperor to spare his family.
However, the Emperor could tell with a single glance that the man must have been taking the blame for someone else. Unfortunately, the captured assassins all testified that he was the one who had given the orders.
With no further leads to investigate, the Emperor could only order the execution of his entire clan to serve as a warning to the entire court.
