Wang Yang considered himself quick-witted, but now he truly had no idea what to do.
When Liu Zhao arranged his household registration, he had approached Zong Ce's son, Zong Rui. Zong Rui was the Southern Commandery Assistant, a rank too low to attend today's banquet, and his authority extended only to commandery affairs. He had no say in provincial matters. Thus, the registration had not been reported to the Provincial Government as required.
Failing to report it to the provincial authorities was ordinarily no great matter, a procedural oversight at most. But if it became entangled with impersonation and falsified household registration, it would be a serious affair.
Wang Yang had no original registration in Yixing, so naturally no official letter had ever arrived from there. That made his registration in the commandery a forgery. Once the provincial investigation uncovered the unreported registration and dug deeper, this hidden mine would explode.
Even with Wang Yang's nerves of steel, his heart could not help pounding like a drum.
The Prince of Badong asked Liu Cheng, "Since you say his identity is reliable, why do you want to examine the provincial records?"
Who among those present could not see that Liu Cheng had orchestrated today's accusation?
Although Liu Cheng still maintained a veneer of politeness, what he said was hardly different from openly questioning Wang Yang's identity.
It was plain as day, yet the Prince of Badong insisted on asking that extra question.
Wang Yang kept feeling that this frivolous prince was deliberately stirring up trouble, as though he feared the world was not chaotic enough.
Liu Cheng reacted quickly enough. "My word alone is not enough. With so many people present, we ought to clear Brother Wang's name."
The Prince of Badong looked around at everyone. "Does anyone else think Wang