Jiang Beiming cupped his hands toward the Northern Court Envoy. "It's not that Jiang insists on pressing the matter. The facts are simply unclear, and I have no way to account for this to my colleagues at the Household Registration Department. I hope you'll understand, Brother Bei Ming."
What sort of man was Jiang Beiming? How could he fail to read the Northern Court Envoy's mood? He decided to speak frankly.
The Northern Court Envoy thought, Old Jiang really is in a difficult position. Fine, I'll give him an out. "Then, Brother Jiang, have you made things clear? What I said earlier wasn't meant to shield anyone. But if we keep answering conjecture with conjecture, without solid evidence, it'll become nothing but an empty war of words. Besides wasting time, what good will that do?"
Jiang Beiming said, "I understand your good intentions, Brother Bei Ming. I'll leave the earlier questions aside. I have only one last question for Xu. If he can clear this one up as well, I'll have no more doubts, and I'll be able to account for everything to my colleagues at the Household Registration Department."
The Northern Court Envoy said, "Go ahead, Brother Jiang. You don't mind, do you, Xu?"
Xu Yi cupped his hands. "The Northern Court Envoy's words are very much to my liking. If Deputy Director Jiang has solid evidence, I'll naturally tell him everything I know, without holding anything back."
Jiang Beiming gave a cold laugh. "Good. Then I'll present some solid evidence. Xu Yi, you said Zhao Tingfang was the one who invited you to Youyue Lake, that the two of you met in private, and that there was no one else present. Is that right?"
"Exactly!"
Xu Yi's answer was crisp and decisive.
"Brother Bei Ming, what's the punishment