Red Keep, Throne Room.
Pycelle Grand Maester stood up tremblingly, his bachelor's necklace ringing softly.
He whispered, "Queen Regent, the kingdom's finances are in very bad shape. Representatives of the church and Iron Bank have expressed concerns. We need to find a capable Master of Coin as soon as possible."
Jaime·Lannister left only a letter and left suddenly. This made Cersei·Lannister feel very bad, so he easily became angry. Others were cautious when dealing with it.
She frowned and said, "When will Garth Hightower·Tyrell of Golden Rose arrive?"
Varys held hands and said, "Queen Regent Cersei, my Little Bird told me that there has been no movement since that person arrived at Bitterbridge."
Pycelle glanced at Varys and said, "Queen Regent, I think... that person's behavior represents Highgarden's attitude. Golden Rose should be waiting and watching."
"Cowardly Golden Rose."
After saying that, Queen Regent Cersei snorted coldly and said, "Varys, is there any news about Petyr?"
Varys shook his head slightly. "Littlefinger is good at buying people. None of us can know who he bought. It might be a groom, or a small jailer... In short, anyone may have been bought by him... a little person, or a big shot... let him disappear like a ghost in the heavily guarded Dungeons..."
Grand Maester Pycelle interjected. "Queen Regent, are you going to..."
"Pour me some wine."
Hearing this, Lancel·Lannister, who was standing behind Queen Regent Cersei, immediately picked up the jug and poured wine for her.
Queen Regent Cersei swung the glass, took a sip of Summer Wine, and said, "You can let him resume his role as Master of Coin."
Varys said in surprise, "Your Majesty, most people now know that Littlefinger helped Lady Lysa poison Jon·Arryn..."
Pycelle rarely agreed with Varys and advised, "Queen Regent, this is a crime of murdering Hand of the King. Littlefinger cannot be forgiven even if he is an accomplice, let alone let him serve as the imperial minister."
Queen Regent Cersei interrupted their suggestion, "That's enough. Please recommend the candidate for Master of Coin as soon as possible. I don't want to hear nonsense."
After a moment of silence, Pycelle suddenly said, "Queen Regent, maybe we can ask Tywin Lord Hand."
With a bang, Queen Regent Cersei placed the wine glass in his hand on the table.
"Pycelle, my father is in Casterly Rock, and I am sitting here now, are you an old fool?"
Pycelle shook his body and nodded quickly.
"Next time Small Council you can recommend me suitable candidates for the next topic."
Cersei's voice was filled with anger. "What are Gryn doing?!"
Varys sighed, "Queen Regent Cersei, my Little Bird told me that as soon as the rumors surfaced, Gold Cloaks arrested those who spread the rumors, but the effect was not good..."
Grand Maester Pycelle's eyes moved slightly, and he glanced at Queen Regent Cersei with an angry look on his face, and said, "Queen Regent, King's Landing has hundreds of thousands of people, while Gold Cloaks only has a few thousand people. Arresting alone cannot eliminate the intentional actions of people with ulterior motives. I even heard..."
Queen Regent Cersei said coldly, "What did you hear?"
Grand Maester Pycelle hesitated and said, "It was the Queen Mother who poisoned Robert I..."
Varys's eyes flashed. "Oh, are my Little Birds lazy? Such strange rumors, these people are so vicious..."
As he spoke, he looked at Grand Maester Pycelle, and then said, "Grand Maester, where did you hear the news?"
Grand Maester Pycelle looked back at Varys and said, "Sir Varys, you can ask your men to investigate around Mud Gate. It is said that the rumors came from there."
Varys smiled and nodded in thanks.
Grand Maester Pycelle said slowly, "Queen Regent, this kind of rumor that doubts Royal Bloodline will be encountered by almost every new king. The arrest of Lord Gryn is also very timely, and the baseless slander will soon dissipate."
After listening to Grand Maester Pycelle's analysis, Queen Regent Cersei's eyes trembled.
Queen Regent Cersei stood up from the chair and said, "I want the rumor makers who slandered Joffrey to cry and sing to the Stranger, praying for the kiss of death!"
After saying that, Queen Regent Cersei left Throne Room with a sulky look on his face.
After Queen Regent Cersei disappeared, Varys looked at the old Grand Maester Pycelle with a smile.
"Grand Maester Pycelle, I was scared to death just now. Lioness's roar was really terrifying...Lord Crabb really wants to thank you. If it weren't for you... he would definitely be angry today."
Pycelle paused for a moment while sorting the files.
While rolling up the parchment, he said, "It would be great if Janos·Slynt had not died, Lord Varys."
Varys asked in confusion, "Grand Maester, what do you mean?"
Grand Maester Pycelle sighed, "There is only one person who can stabilize Gold Cloaks now, so we have no choice."
Varys's eyes moved slightly and he said with a smile, "Grand Maester Pycelle, are you worried that Queen Regent will remove Gryn·Crabb from his position in a fit of anger?"
Pycelle glanced at Spider with sleepy eyes, and he shook his head slightly.
"Sir Varys, I am worried that the mob will break into Red Keep. Some problems need to be slowed down, at least until our new Hand of the King arrives at King's Landing."
Varys showed admiration. "Grand Maester Pycelle, you are worthy of being the emperor Grand Maester. You are indeed far-sighted."
Pycelle's sleepy eyes widened slightly. "Sir Varys, I'm just an old fool. I just want to spend the remaining few years peacefully..."
As he said that, he paused and suddenly said, "Why do those rumormongers use Royal Bloodline to spread rumors? Master Varys, no one can really believe this kind of baseless speculation. The people will at most regard this as entertainment."
Varys approached Grand Maester Pycelle, the smile on his fat face was somewhat meaningful, "What if there is some basis?"
The rolled parchment fell from Pycelle's hand and fell on the table.
His hands covered with age spots were trembling. "Varys, what do you want to say?"
Varys held hands together, he nodded slightly towards Pycelle, did not answer, and left with a smile on his face.
Outside Throne Room.
"Queen Regent, please leave this matter to me!"
Queen Regent Cersei paused and looked at Lancel beside him with a pair of blue eyes.
With the departure of Jaime, the status of Lancel can be said to have risen. He is now not only the Captain of the Red Keep Guard of Gold Cloaks, but also the Lannister of Red Keep. Red Cloaks is also under his command. It can be said that he alone holds all the defense of Red Keep.
"Can you do it?"
Lancel puffed up his chest and said, "Your Majesty, they are just common people who like to gossip. I will pluck out all their tongues until no one dares to spread rumors anymore."
Lancel's method made Queen Regent Cersei very satisfied, but she was still a little hesitant because she did not trust Lancel's ability to do things.
Seeing that Queen Regent Cersei was still hesitating, he hurriedly said, "Queen Regent, Gryn also only has two hands and two feet. We are all the same. I just need a chance to prove myself. Please."
Queen Regent Cersei saw a layer of mist in Lancel's eyes, and she frowned slightly without realizing it.
Cersei doesn't like weak men, but... Lancel really needs a chance to let others see his abilities.
Snap!
Lancel covered her cheeks in horror, why did the Queen Mother hit me?!
Queen Regent Cersei's white fingers clamped Lancel's chin. She raised her lips and said, "Lancel, don't let me see you like this again. Remember... you are wearing armor, not a skirt."
Lancel replied with a vibrato, "As you command, Queen Regent."
Queen Regent Cersei's voice was cold. "My Lancel, I can give you a chance, but don't let me down."
After speaking, she gently stroked one of Lancel's red cheeks.
The North, Winterfell.
In a short period of time, House Stark vassals of the North came to Winterfell with their leading troops to gather. Due to the frequent entry and exit of people, Winterfell's successor Robb·Stark ordered that all the gates of the inner and outer city walls be raised.
Winterfell is full of clashes of swords and axes, carriages rolling and the Hound barking.
A long column of heavily armored lancers was crossing the moat. They wore black half-iron helmets and black woolen cloaks with white sunburst patterns.
They are the army of the Karstark Family, led by Lord Rickard himself, and his sons Harrion, Eddard and Torren ride alongside them.
Karstark Family is a branch of House Stark. They are all tall and strong-looking, with thick beards on their faces, hair longer than their shoulders, and their cloaks are made of bear, seal, and wolf skins.
Other lords have led their troops to Winterfell one after another, and they are the last batch of troops.
Robb is fifteen years old this year. He has a strong build and his appearance inherits the blue eyes and auburn hair from his mother's family.
Robb has heard various messages from different people, and each one is scarier than the last. No one can be sure of the truth.
For example, Lord Eddard killed King Robert and became a wanted criminal on the run; the heads of his father's guards were inserted into the tips of spears and hung on Red Keep The city walls are rotting; Baratheon's army is besieging King's Landing; Lord Eddard and the king's brother Lord Renly are marching to Fleeing to the south; Arya and Sansa were both killed by the Hound; Tywin·Lannister The Duke leads his troops towards Eyrie; Rhaegar·Targaryen has risen from the dead and is preparing to recapture Iron Throne, etc.
Before Robb had finished digesting the disturbing news, a letter crow brought a letter handwritten by Sansa and stamped with his father's seal... The cruel facts no longer seemed to surprise him.
Maester Luwin read, "..., Robert King is dead, mother and brother should go to Red Keep as soon as possible to swear allegiance to King Joffrey... We must promise never to betray... I will ask Joffrey to forgive my father..."
Catelyn·Tully said angrily, "This is a letter written by Cersei, not Sansa. She must have been coerced by Lannister!"
Lady Catelyn grabbed the eldest son's hand, and his son summoned his father's vassals. He calmly and politely won over the vassals' hearts.
She can no longer treat him as a child who has not yet grown up, Catelyn is both distressed and relieved.
"Robb, the real meaning of this letter is exactly what Sansa didn't write... How much care and preferential treatment Lannister's family gave her... This is actually a threat. They held Sansa as their hostage and bargaining chip."
Robb couldn't help showing a sad look. "Mother, Arya was not mentioned in the letter."
Catelyn desperately held back her tears. She didn't dare to think deeply about what this meant.
"Mother, I have written three letters to Aunt Lysa of Eyrie, asking for the assistance of the Vale knight, but I have still not received a reply."
Catelyn felt Robb's uneasiness and tension.
Catelyn comforted, "Don't worry, my child, I will go there personally Vale and I will bring reinforcements to you."
"Thank you, my mother, I was just worried..."
The calm and powerful heir Winterfell suddenly disappeared, and Robb turned back into a fifteen-year-old boy. He hoped that his mother could provide answers.
Catelyn noticed tears shining in Robb's eyes. She knew her son needed encouragement... The commander-in-chief must not shake his confidence.
She said softly, "Robb, can you tell me what you are afraid of?"
"I...", he opened his mouth.
Robb, like his father, was used to keeping everything in his heart and taking responsibility for it alone, but Sansa's handwritten letter made him unable to hold back any longer.
Robb took a deep breath and continued, "If I lead the troops south... even if we win, my father and Sansa are still in Lannister's hands, and they will be killed, right? Should I..."
"Robb, look at me."
Robb looked up at his mother.
Catelyn said firmly, "Lannister wants us to think so."
"You mean..."
"Robb, I only know that you have no choice! If you swear allegiance to King's Landing, it will be difficult to leave from there... If you escape back to Winterfell with your tail between your legs, the respect that Stark's vassals have for you will be gone, and some will even switch sides and join Lannister.
At that time, Lannister will have no worries and can dispose of the hostages at will... Our greatest hope, or our only hope, is that you can defeat Lannister on the battlefield... If you can capture Lord Tywin or Kingslayer alive, then you can exchange them for our families.
In fact, exchanging hostages is not the most important thing. The most important thing is... as long as you use your strength to make Lannister dare not act rashly, Ned and your sister will be safe...Cersei is not stupid. She knows that if the war is not good for her, she will take the initiative to trade them for peace."
Robb said, "What if the war is not detrimental to her, but to us?"
Catelyn held his son's hand tightly and said, "Robb, I am not going to hide the fact. If you lose, then we will have no hope at all. Lannister never shows mercy to the loser. You must keep in mind what will happen to Rhaegar's child."
Young Wolf said in a deep voice, "Mother, I will defeat Lannister."