"..."
Having heard that this imperial aunt of his had inherited the late emperor's ways and loved money down to her very bones, Chu Wenjing paused.
"Aunt, if those incorruptible senior officials can't afford the silver, wouldn't it be rather inappropriate to seat them at the lowest tables?"
"Oh, that's simple..."
Chu Youning chuckled and shuffled through the invitations.
"For incorruptible officials, it's only a banquet. They won't really care where they sit.
If no one wants to spend any money, won't the final seating arrangements still follow the usual order of official rank?
But if people with low ranks and meager salaries can casually produce large sums of silver, they either have something to hide or ambitions to pursue. Wouldn't it be good to give everyone a chance to sift through them and tell the difference?
Otherwise, why do you think that bargain-bin imperial brother of mine agreed so readily?"
Chu Wenjing froze.
Then he nodded gently.
He hadn't expected his young imperial aunt to conceal such wisdom beneath her seeming foolishness.
"In that case, I'll take one of the most expensive invitations."
It would be downright inappropriate if the reigning Crown Prince wasn't even entitled to sit with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and Empress.
"My dear nephew certainly knows how to be generous."
Chu Youning stood with a smile. Just as she was about to leave, something seemed to occur to her, and she spoke again.
"Oh, right. The little eunuch you sent to look after my sixth nephew is a woman. Her real name is Ruan Yuyan. Remember to investigate her background thoroughly. She seems very fond of Peach Blossom Wine."
*Since this silly puppy of a nephew is a decent person, I'll give him a little information to help him along. If I wait