After gaining favor, he remained humble and composed, maintaining a proper sense of propriety. Yuan Li held Wen Hu in even higher regard.

"You can draft a list to fill the remaining vacancies."

Yuan Li stood up and walked to Wen Hu, saying softly, "Lord of Sha County, come with me for a walk outside."

Watching Wen Hu's departing figure, Chen Changyun felt a little nervous. He knew that Yuan Li wanted to talk to Wen Hu alone to test the waters regarding Wen Tai.

Cui Wuming clearly sent them himself, so why did it suddenly become Wen Tai's doing?

Moreover, Wen Tai also admitted it during the confrontation at Tianze Palace.

Could it be that Cui Wuming is taking orders from both sides?

Yuan Li and Chen Changyun had both pondered this in private and felt it was highly likely. After all, Cui Wuming hated the emperor, so naturally he also hated the court. For him, the more chaotic the court was, the better, as it would help him achieve his goal of revenge.

However, Cui Wuming left Changsui after killing Chen Ke, so there was no way to find him and ask him the truth.

Yuan Li walked ahead, while Wen Hu followed at a distance of half a step behind, as the two admired the scenery in the Imperial New Palace Garden.

"Lord of Sha County, you have put righteousness before family and rendered meritorious service in protecting the country. Although His Majesty has given you the reward you deserve, you still have to endure countless criticisms. You have truly suffered."

Wen Hu said, "Your Highness is too kind. As long as what I do is right, I am not afraid of any criticism."

Yuan Li said, "I've heard that this Cui Wuming is a famous swordsman in the martial arts world. Have you seen him in person?"

Wen Hu said, "That's natural. Cui Wuming's arm was cut off by Xu Qingshan. He came to Changsui this time to seek revenge on Xu Qingshan, but the two fought to a draw. After I learned of this, I was worried that he would seek revenge on my uncle, so I went to find him first."

Yuan Li asked, "I know that Marquis Sha is also a master, why don't you kill him?"

Wen Hu said calmly, "He's a talented person. Rather than engaging in endless cycles of revenge, it's more meaningful to take him in and use him for our own purposes."

Yuan Li smiled and said, "The Marquis of Sha County is quite direct."

Wen Hu said, "I dare not hide anything when speaking to the Prince."

“These days, the central government is busy filling vacancies with officials, so Wen Tai’s matter has been temporarily put on hold.”

At this point, Yuan Li paused, looked at the fish in the pond, and asked, "What are your thoughts on how to deal with Wen Tai?"

Wen Hu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Wen Tai is my uncle, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to say anything. However..."

Yuan Li smiled and said, "Speak frankly."

Wen Hu continued, "I suggest that Your Highness and the Central Secretariat not get involved in the matter of dealing with my uncle."

"Why?" Yuan Li asked doubtfully.

“My uncle was once the Left Chancellor of the Great Jing Dynasty and a favorite minister of His Majesty. How to deal with him is entirely up to His Majesty.”

Wen Hu leaned closer to Yuan Li and said, "I know the Central Secretariat wants him dead, but what if His Majesty doesn't think so? Or what if His Majesty is angry now but thinks so later? If you act first and report later, someone will have to take the blame when His Majesty holds you accountable."

"Of course... His Majesty and the Prince have a deep brotherly bond, so he naturally won't blame the Prince. However, the excellent situation that the Central Secretariat has just established will definitely be affected."

"Moreover, my uncle has considerable connections in the army. If we push too hard, these people, in order to protect themselves, will use the pretext of seeking justice for my uncle to cause trouble, and then the Great Jing will be in chaos."

"It's not worth taking such a big risk for someone who has already lost power."

Yuan Li narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then smiled at Wen Hu, saying, "Lord Shaxian, I have learned a lot."

"I wouldn't dare," Wen Hu said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Yuan Li nodded and said, "You're right. Whether Wen Tai lives or dies is up to His Majesty to decide."

Wen Hu said, "I promised His Majesty that I would appease those relationships within the army. Therefore, I also ask Your Highness to keep a close watch on the central government and not act rashly, so that we can have a smooth transition."

Yuan Li patted Wen Hu on the shoulder and said, "I am very grateful that you can tell me these things."

Wen Hu said, "Your Highness is His Majesty's own brother, and I am a subject of the Yuan family, so naturally I should share Your Highness's burdens."

Yuan Li smiled slightly; Wen Hu's words were quite insightful.

This is a gesture of goodwill.

As long as Wen Hu has no ill intentions towards him, then everything is negotiable.

Yuan Li was very satisfied with this situation, and her doubts gradually dissipated.

Wen Hu was an ambitious person who wanted to rise to power.

Such a person would try to please both the emperor and Prince Xin.

But people like that are easier to exploit.

Yuan Li considered it for a moment and became even more friendly towards Wen Hu, saying with a smile, "The Marquis of Sha County is older than me, just like an elder brother. You can talk to me about anything in the future. Although the Left Prime Minister's mansion is gone, I still have a few houses in Changsui. You can choose one yourself later. I will give you a marquis's mansion."

Wen Hu said, "I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but His Majesty would be unhappy if I took this house. I have saved up some money over the years, and it wouldn't be difficult for me to buy a satisfactory house."

Yuan Li said, "In that case, I won't make things difficult for you."

"If Your Highness truly wishes to give me something, I do have a request."

"Just say it, I'll give you whatever I can."

Wen Hu knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, “My uncle’s advisor, Yu Changsi, is a commoner. No one from the Imperial Prison or the Ministry of Justice has arrested him yet, but as the investigation goes on, it’s inevitable that the fire will spread to him. Besides my uncle, I grew up with Uncle Zhong and Mr. Yu. Now that Uncle Zhong is implicated, I beg Your Highness to spare Mr. Yu. I will take care of him and make him the head steward of my Marquis’s mansion.”

Yuan Li thought about it carefully for a moment and said, "I heard this person is very capable. Can you guarantee that he won't have any ulterior motives in the future?"

Wen Hu said, "No matter how powerful he is, it still depends on the strength of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion. Now that the Left Prime Minister's Mansion is gone, he, as a mere advisor, can't cause any trouble. Besides, with me here, I will guide him to forget about his uncle's matter."

Yuan Li said, "Since we've come this far, I certainly won't be stingy. I will protect him, and some evidence related to his crimes will be destroyed."

Wen Hu clasped his hands tightly and said, "I, Wen Hu, will never forget Your Highness's kindness!"

Yuan Li nodded in satisfaction, and Wen Hu became even more respectful towards him, bringing the two closer together.

"Get up quickly." Yuan Li helped Wen Hu up.

Wen Hu stood tall and appeared very robust next to Yuan Li, a head taller than Yuan Li.

He regained his serious expression and said, "Your Highness, there is another matter that I believe the court should address as soon as possible."

"What is it?"

"According to reports from the Jinghai front, the Zhenhai Battalion has wiped out the pirates in Jingdong County and Jiangyang County. The local people are in high spirits to fight the pirates and are eager to join the army. The Zhenhai Battalion has not yet entered Yunjing County, but its numbers are already increasing. Meanwhile, the news that his father, Du Yuhe, has been imprisoned in Changsui is about to reach him."

Wen Hu lowered his voice and said, "The court should appease Du Yu and Chengdu as soon as possible, otherwise the trouble on the coast will not only be the pirates."