Tower of the Hand.
Lord Eddard handed over the matter of the attendant Hugh to Gryn, and he was responsible for investigating the kitchen girl, groom and waiter young man mentioned by Varys.
Lord Eddard was waiting in the study for the investigation results of guard captain Jory Kelso. He casually picked up the books sent by Pycelle's waiter.
<Seven Kingdoms Genealogy and History of the Main Nobles' Families> was written by Bachelor Maester Malleon. Lord Eddard sat upright and began to read slowly.
This book has a history of more than a hundred years. He felt that Pycelle was a rare honesty. This book was really boring.
Lord Eddard read on patiently, thinking that since Jon·Arryn came to read this book, I believe there must be a reason... there must be important clues buried among these yellowed and fragile pages. The only question is whether he can discover it as soon as possible.
So what exactly is it? Lord Eddard frowned unconsciously.
He turned to the House Lannister section.
House Lannister has a long history, which can be traced back to the trickster "Lann the Clever" from Age of Heroes. He is as legendary as Stark's "Brandon the Builder", but he is even more loved by singers and storytellers.
Lann in the ballad did not rely on swords. He drove out the Casterly family Casterly Rock with his wit alone. He also stole gold from the sun to add luster to his curly hair. The blond House Lannister was born.
According to legend, Lann lived for 312 years and gave birth to 100 brave sons and 100 agile daughters. The men were handsome and the women were beautiful. Their skills were strong and their golden hair was like the rays of the sun.
Later, there were too many descendants of Lannister, and Casterly Rock could no longer accommodate everyone. Members of the small branch of the Casterly Rock family moved to nearby villages, and finally the village turned into a town and then a city, becoming Lannisport.
Lord Eddard really hopes that Lann is by his side right now to help him find out the damn secret in the book.
Boom, boom, boom.
Hearing the knock on the door Lord Eddard closed the book that gave him a headache. He knew that his guard captain had brought news.
"Come in."
After Lord Eddard finished speaking, Jory opened the door and strode in. He said politely, "Sir."
Lord Eddard slightly tapped his chin and said, "What's the result?"
"I met everyone, and I talked to everyone individually. The first person was the groom who became Gold Cloaks. He said that he knew Duke Arryn very well, and said that the two hit it off..."
Qiao Li snorted coldly and continued, "It is said that every time the boys have their name day, Duke Arryn always rewards them with a few small coins. He also said that Duke Arryn is familiar with the nature of horses and never overworks his mounts. He also always brings carrots and apples to the horses, so they all like him very much."
"Carrots and apples?"
Lord Eddard It sounds like the groom has limited knowledge and cannot provide useful information.
"Tell me about the others."
"The second person is the kitchen girl. She said that Lord Arryn always read late at night during that time. She also said that Lord Arryn was always worried about her youngest son's frail body and was very rude to Lady Lysa."
Lord Eddard's gray eyes moved slightly, and he glanced at the book he had just read, with a doubtful tone in his tone. "She said Jon was rude to Lysa?"
Jory nodded. "I'm sure, sir!"
After a moment of silence, Lord Eddard said, "Jory, please continue."
"The third person is a young waiter. He now makes a living by pulling carts. He has never spoken to Duke Arryn, but he has heard a lot of gossip, such as... Duke Arryn has often quarreled with the king recently, Duke Arryn thinks the food is not good, and Duke Arryn plans to send his youngest son to Dragonstone was an adopted son, and Duke Arryn suddenly became interested in raising hounds. Duke Arryn went to Street of Steel to find a wise old man the Smith, and commissioned him to make a brand new armor. The whole piece was plated with silver, and a falcon carved from blue jade and a moon made of mother-of-pearl were placed on the chest."
After a pause, Jory added, "He also said that there was a time when Duke Arryn often went out on horseback."
Lord Eddard's heart moved and asked, "Did you tell me where you went?"
"That guy said that Duke Arryn went to the Women's Branch."
Lord Eddard frowned and said, "Women's Branch Hospital??"
He heard too many words about the women's branch today.
"He swore that what he said was true. He also said that he heard it from the personal guards of Duke Arryn. When he was helping them lead the horses, he heard the guards joking about it."
Lord Eddard still couldn't believe it. He knew his adoptive father and he would never do anything to tarnish his honor unless... there was a reason why he had to go.
Also, the Jon·Arryn that Lord Eddard knew would not wear silver armor inlaid with jewels. Their adoptive father once taught him and Robert that armor is armor, and it is for self-defense, not decoration.
Jon has been in Red Keep for more than ten years, and he may change his mind. No matter what, it will never be exactly the same as before. However, this change is too big, and Lord Eddard noticed something abnormal.
Jon's personal bodyguards can definitely provide more useful clues, but they were all taken to Vale by Lady Lysa, damn it!
Lord Eddard planned to go to Street of Steel to investigate in person. As for the women's branch... he looked at his guard captain.
"Jory, I leave the investigation of the Women's Branch to you."
Jory said with a smile, "Sir, this is a hard job!"
When Lord Eddard left the study and walked to the stairs, he saw Petyr·Baelish standing in front of the corridor window with his back to him.
Petyr noticed the movement. He turned around and bowed slightly towards Lord Eddard. The whole process was elegant and calm.
Petyr raised the corners of his lips, and his voice was hoarse and magnetic. "Eddard Hand of the King, it seems you are going out?"
Direwolf didn't like the cleverness and cunning exuded by Petyr, so he said to the guards, "You go down first and prepare the horses."
After everyone left, only Lord Eddard and Lord Petyr were left. He asked directly, "Petyr, why are you looking for me?"
Petyr was dressed neatly. He stood with his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "Eddard Hand of the King, it seems that the topic of women's support on Small Council still makes you still angry."
Lord Eddard said coldly, "That's Small Council, not a tavern."
Petyr shrugged, his smile was a little helpless, "Small Council you are in charge of is too serious, everyone always needs time to adapt. I am just a jester who voluntarily serves."
Lord Eddard stared at Petyr with a sincere face for a while, then said, "Petyr, you have no reason to do this. You should know very well that I don't like you."
Petyr's smile turned bitter, "Because I am a sentimental idiot, I am worried that Mrs. Catelyn... will hate me because she did not help her husband. Please help me keep my affairs a secret. Over the years, I have worked hard in Red Keep to make others think that I am an evil and cruel person. I really don't want others to see the truth in me."
Petyr didn't believe a word Lord Eddard said, but he didn't show it. Lord Gryn's detailed analysis convinced him that anyone could be the murderer of Jon. Direwolf was very patient when hunting.
Lord Eddard said calmly, "Petyr, maybe you have good intentions, but I don't like this method, and I don't trust you either."
Petyr's eyes flickered, and he didn't show any abnormality because of Lord Eddard's words.
"Eddard Hand of the King, you adapted very quickly here. You are right not to trust me. You can't trust anyone in Red Keep, including your own eyes."
Lord Eddard frowned, he was disgusted by their specious words, Red Keep seemed to be a fox's den.
Petyr turned his body slightly, pointed to the place where he was standing before, and said, "Eddard Hand of the King, please come here."
Seeing Lord Eddard's puzzled look, Petyr chuckled lightly and said, "Come here, I'll show you something interesting."
Lord Eddard frowned and walked over.
Petyr stood beside Lord Eddard as if nothing had happened, and his eyes moved toward the window.
"There, past the square, at the door of Armory, can you see a young man squatting on the stairs sharpening a knife?"
Lord Eddard followed Petyr's gaze and asked, "What's wrong with him?"
"He is Varys's eyeliner. Spider is very interested in your every move."
Lord Eddard said contemptuously, "It is a well-known fact that eunuchs have lackeys all over the world."
Petyr moved by the window and said, "Now look at the city wall, the farthest west side, above the stables. Do you see the guard leaning against the wall?"
"Is this man also the eunuch's lackey?"
Petyr shook his head slightly. "No, this guy is from Cersei Queen. Please note that his sight falls on the door of this tower. It is clear who enters and who exits. They are far from all, many of them are unknown to me. Everyone knows that Red Keep has no secrets."
Lord Eddard was furious. "Is everyone in this damn Red Keep someone else's spy?"
Petyr nodded and clapped his fingers while saying, "Well, let me do the math, they have to monitor you, your children, your guards, your waiters... including anyone who comes in contact with you."
Finally, he joked, "Making eyeliner is also very hard."
Lord Eddard said angrily, "I will clean up this place sooner or later!"
Petyr turned to Lord Eddard, he smiled and said, "I admire your determination and decisiveness, but I have to tell you that Red Keep will never be clean. It would be easier to let White Walker dance for you."
Lord Eddard said solemnly, "Petyr, not everyone is willing to be someone else's lackey."
Petyr met Lord Eddard's sharp gaze and said, "Everyone has a price, it's just that the number of Gold Dragon that impresses him is different."
He spread his hands and continued leisurely, "A strange young man came to me this morning. He took a few Gold Dragon from my pocket, and I know that our Lord Hand and Queen's Chief Steward visited Pycelle and Varys last night. Well... your whereabouts are very valuable now, second only to King Robert."
"Damn it!"
Lord Eddard couldn't help but curse, is this the Red Keep of Robert? Hand of the King's whereabouts have become something for dirty people to earn Gold Dragon.
Petyr restored his elegant smile, "There are no secrets in Red Keep. These are the rules of the game here. I hope you can adapt to it as soon as possible, my Lord Hand."
Lord Eddard took a breath, paused, and said in a deep voice, "Petyr, thank you for your special reminder, but I will never follow the bad game rules in Red Keep."
Petyr shrugged his shoulders and said, "Eddard Hand of the King, you Stark people are as stubborn as the rumors. I dare say you will fall down one day, and I believe it won't take too long to hear the sound of cracking."
He shook his head and sighed, "I guess you are planning to let your men visit the women's branch hospital? Do you know how many women's branch hospitals there are in King's Landing? And you should be very clear by now how eye-catching your whereabouts are..."
Before Petyr finished speaking, Lord Eddard's big hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, and then his back hit the wall.
Lord Eddard pulled out the dagger and pointed it at Petyr's pointed chin with a beard, and said coldly, "Littlefinger, it seems that you have also targeted me, and you are still standing in front of me so upright. You should know what the crime is."
Petyr lowered his eyes and glanced at the dagger with a cold light, and mocked. "Stark, you are not the only one who is investigating the cause of Hand Jon Arryn's death. Don't forget that I was Hand of the King's political officer, and it was Hand Jon Arryn who promoted me to the imperial minister... hiss..."
Lord Eddard grabbed Petyr's shoulder with more strength, and he couldn't help but scream in pain.
"How did you know I wanted to investigate the Women's Branch?"
"Haha~ Your men are acting with great fanfare. Do you think that others are blind and deaf? Besides, I have been investigating this matter secretly. It is not difficult to guess, right?"
Lord Eddard put down the dagger. "Do you have any other clues?"
Petyr straightened his clothes first, and then said, "Eddard Hand of the King, impulsiveness cannot solve the problem. Because of Cat, I want to help you as much as possible... Only a fool would do this, and I regret coming to you!"
Lord Eddard put away the dagger, paused, and said, "Sorry."
"Haha~ You are so insincere."
Petyr shook his head slightly with a look of helplessness, and then said, "The people I arranged will guide your men to the women's branch hospital that Lord Jon visited."
He straightened his hair again and said, "Stark, don't ask me why I didn't report my suspicions about the cause of Hand Jon Arryn's death to King Robert. I'm just a little nobleman from the Fingers. I'm a man of low words. Besides, I have no evidence at all. I can only investigate and collect evidence secretly."
Lord Eddard still had a serious face. "I am very grateful for your help. Maybe I should believe you."
"No, never trust anyone. You can't trust anyone in Red Keep, including your own eyes."
Petyr smiled elegantly and said, "I can't wait too long. I happened to pass by today and I was going to attend the dinner arranged by Lady Tanda. She intends to marry her youngest daughter to me, so the food on the table is always rich... To be honest, I would rather marry a pig. Well... don't tell her about this, I really like her Lamprey Pie."
After saying that, Petyr nodded slightly, then turned and left.