Under everyone's gaze, Corleone walked in.
His posture is calm, as if this is not the highest palace symbolizing the seven the Seven Kingdoms beliefs, but a flea bottom, his House of Order.
Walking straight through the central aisle of Sept, the men in gold robes on both sides subconsciously pressed the hilts of their swords, but no one stepped forward to stop him.
Their eyes wandered between Corleone and Tywin, and finally chose to remain silent.
He walked to Sansa and stopped.
Corleone glanced at Sansa, nodded slightly, and then turned to the high platform.
The Prime Minister was sitting on a high-backed chair in the middle, with no expression on his face, but his green eyes were staring closely at Corleone.
Seeing this, the corners of Corleone's mouth rose slightly.
Then he put his right hand on his chest and leaned forward.
"Lord Tywin."
His voice was clearly audible in the silent Sept: "I can prove that Lady Sansa Stark has been staying in Flea Bottom during this time."
As he spoke, Corleone straightened up, looked directly at Tywin calmly and said, "Seven days ago, three nautical miles southeast of Blackwater Bay, my merchant ship team encountered a sloop trying to slip out of the port at night. Since I had ordered to prohibit all smuggling, they boarded the ship to inspect."
"The ship carries two Sailor, one Mercenary from the Vale, and a young lady locked in a wooden box in the cargo hold. She is none other than Lady Sansa Stark."
"The Sailors quickly confessed the truth. They picked up the goods at the sewer dock in Junlin. The client paid ten Gold Dragons in advance and asked them to transport the wooden box to Chaotou Island. There was also a balance payment of fifty Gold Dragons upon arrival. As for what was in the box, they did not ask. After all, this is the rule of the smuggling business."
Hearing this, Tywin tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. After thinking for a moment, he continued to ask, "Where is Dontos Hollard? Lady Sansa said she was kidnapped by him during the chaos of the wedding banquet."
"I don't know, sir." Corleone shook his head. "My men thoroughly searched the cargo ship and interrogated everyone. No trace of Dontos Hollard was found. There were only these three people on the ship from receiving the cargo to leaving the port."
This answer made Tywin frown slightly and turned to look at Sansa: "While you were being kidnapped, did you hear Dontos Ser say why he did this, Lady Sansa."
Hearing this, Sansa had a look of confusion on her face and pursed her lips. "I... I don't know, my lord, when the king fell at the wedding banquet, everyone panicked.
"Dontos Ser suddenly grabbed my arm and whispered, "Follow me or you will die." I was too scared at the time, so I followed him...
"He took me through the side door, down the stairs, and into a carriage. There was another person in the carriage. He covered his face and covered my mouth and nose with a cloth soaked in medicine... When I woke up again, I was already in the wooden box and heard the sound of the waves."
"So... you don't understand why he wanted to hurt you," Tywin said.
"I don't understand." Sansa said with a hint of bitterness in her voice, "I really don't understand."
This answer made many nobles present look suspicious.
Because according to common sense, this doesn't make sense.
Many people know the origin of Dontos Hollard. He is the last bloodline of House Hollard, and House Hollard has been loyal to the House Darklyn clan for generations and is a vassal of Dusk Valley Town.
More than twenty years ago, during the rebellion in Duskendale City, Lord Darklyn imprisoned King Iris, and House Hollard raised troops together with his master.
After the rebellion was put down, both families were deprived of their fiefdoms and titles, and almost everyone was executed. Only Dontos, who was young at the time, was pardoned by the Mad King because Barristan Selmy Ser of the Kingsguard interceded for him.
From then on, Dontos stayed in King's Landing as a squire until King Robert came to the throne. One day, Robert, who was drunk, suddenly had a whim and awarded him the title of knight.
But he has no fiefdom and no salary, he is just an empty knight.
"Early last year, Dontos Ser signed up to participate in King Joffrey's Thirteen Name Day Tourney. However, on the eve of the tournament, he drank too much and entered the arena half-naked the next day. His words and deeds were rude. The king regarded it as a blatant insult to the royal family."
Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on her, Sansa turned pale and said softly, "At that time, King Joffrey planned to execute Dontos Ser. It was me who interceded for him. At that time... I was still King Joffrey's fiancée."
"Perhaps the king spared Dontos Ser from the death penalty because of the engagement, but deprived him of his knighthood and ordered him to become a jester."
As she spoke, a mist began to appear in Sansa's eyes, as if she was doubting herself, and she kept muttering, "I saved him... but he did this to me, why? Why?"
Seeing Sansa like this, many nobles around her also gave her sympathetic looks.
At this moment, Corleone on the side suddenly said, "Maybe it's because you saved him."
Hearing this, Sansa turned to look at him, her blue eyes full of confusion.
Corleone, on the other hand, looked around and said loudly, "A knight who prided himself on glory was stripped of his armor in front of everyone, Longsword was taken away, and he was forced to wear a clown's colorful clothes for people's entertainment."
"Then, at his most humiliating moment, it was a fourteen-year-old girl who saved him. Although she was the king's fiancée, the future Queen, but...
As he spoke, Corleone paused and continued, "Maybe he feels this is an unbearable humiliation."
As soon as these words came out, there was silence in Sept.
The nobles exchanged glances, and many nodded slightly in agreement.
They understand this mentality.
In the knight culture of the Seven Kingdoms, honor is supreme.
It is a kind of honor to charge into battle and make meritorious deeds on the battlefield. Even if you are captured, it doesn't matter. At worst, you can just pay a ransom and come back.
But being rescued by a woman in public when you are most helpless may indeed sting some people's fragile self-esteem.
"So, what you mean is..." Tywin spoke slowly from the main seat, "Dontos kidnapped Lady Sansa, not out of some conspiracy, but purely... revenge?"
"Maybe." Corleone did not say anything, but said vaguely, "At present, we have no direct evidence, we can only guess."
"Perhaps he was instigated by someone, but there is also a large possibility that Dontos Hollard wanted to prove that he was not a poor man who needed a woman's protection, even if it was in a criminal way."
This explanation was simple, direct, and in line with human nature, and was immediately approved by most people.
Tywin remained silent, his eyes moving between Corleone and Sansa.
Are there holes in this story?
Of course there is.
However, Tywin now has no intention of pursuing this matter.
Because it has been a week since Joffrey's death, the truth is not important to Tywin at all, what is important is...
If what Corleone said is true, and if Sansa was kidnapped shortly after Joffrey's death and then hid in Flea Bottom, what does that mean?
This means that in the days when Tywin ordered the goldcloaks to take over Flea Bottom, and then riots broke out in Flea Bottom, Sansa herself was at the center of the chaos.
But such an important person is right under his nose, and he, the former Prime Minister and the actual ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, knows nothing about this matter?
Commander of the City Watch Adam Malbrand never reported it, Intelligence Chief Varys never mentioned it, and even the informants he arranged in Flea Bottom never passed on relevant information.
Either Corleone's blockade is so tight that it's terrifying.
Either... there's something wrong with the people around him.
Of course, Corleone had already shown this to him a few days ago, but what made Tywin feel a chill down his spine was that only seven days ago, the news came that Corleone had assassinated Paxter Redwine.
At that time, he should still be wandering at sea, but he was still able to hide Sansa Stark under his nose!
Moreover, the Golden Robe had just evacuated Flea Bottom the evening before yesterday.
According to common sense, Corleone should stay in House of Order now, busy restoring his rule, appeasing the civilians, and reestablishing his authority in Flea Bottom.
This is a prime time to consolidate power.
But here he is.
In Baelor Great Sept, at Tyrion's trial scene, he testified for a the North girl who was not related to him.
Why?
As soon as he thought about this, Tywin's eyes were fixed on Corleone.
The face was still calm, without any trace of calculation, but Tywin knew that every move of this man had a deep intention.
The memory of that night a few days ago came to mind uncontrollably.
In the bedroom on the top floor of the Prime Minister's Tower, the sword in his hand stabbed Corleone's throat with all his strength.
The tip of the sword is pressed against the skin, but it cannot move forward an inch.
The absurdity of that moment still makes Tywin feel uncomfortable.
Because this means that the knight from Farmer in front of him has some kind of power that he cannot understand.
And now, this man with strange powers is standing in his courtroom, calmly testifying for Sansa Stark.
What on earth is he planning?
Tywin's mind was racing.
Save Tyrion?
Because of the relationship between James and Corleone, this is indeed possible.
But... is it really just that?
After thinking about it, Tywin's eyes returned to the Maiden in front of him.
Sansa Stark.
Living the North heir.
If you control her, it will be like planting a nail in the north.
In the future, whether it is used to check and balance Roose Bolton, or as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the remnants of Stark, it will be extremely valuable.
Corleone saved her, hid her, and now publicly testifies for her. Is it because he wants to hold this kindness firmly in his hands?
Has this guy actually started planning the North?
Thinking of this, Tywin's fingers holding the armrest couldn't help but tighten slightly.
Originally, Sansa's sudden appearance rekindled a trace of ambition in Tywin's heart.
Robb Stark is dead, Bran and Rickon are also rumored to be dead, and Ellie ia is missing. Legally speaking, Sansa is the most legitimate heir to Winterfell.
When he forced her to marry Tyrion, Tywin's true purpose was to give Sansa a child with Lannister and Stark blood and take over Winterfell.
But the premise of all this is... Sansa must be under the control of the Lannister.
And now...
Tywin's eyes moved between Corleone and Sansa.
If Sansa is under Corleone's control, then all plans must be re-evaluated!
Corleone is not Bolton.
Although the Skinner was cruel and cunning, he at least followed the rules of the noble game. Power, land, marriage, and betrayal were all areas that Tywin was familiar with.
But Corleone.
He is an unknown quantity.
This guy who went from Farmer to a knight, not only used the underground network to infiltrate King's Landing, but also used the "Black Hand Mafia" rules to establish order. Not even a sword could do anything to him.
Moreover, Corleone did not play according to common sense. Tywin had already seen this from the day when he was threatened one-on-one by the opponent.
He spent sixty years reducing the world to a set of rules that could be understood and manipulated.
Power comes from force and wealth, loyalty can be purchased with gold, and fear is more effective than love.
But the existence of Corleone challenges this set of rules.
The Prime Minister kept thinking like this, and the silence in Sept lasted for too long.
Until the nobles became impatient and the whispers became louder and louder.
Finally, Tywin spoke.
His voice was calm, and no emotion could be heard.
"Since Ser Corleone is your witness."
His eyes moved from Corleone to Sansa, he sat up straight and spread his hands. "Then, please continue your testimony, Lady Sansa."
As soon as these words came out, Sansa was obviously relieved.
She looked at Corleone beside her, her blue eyes filled with gratitude. Then she turned back, faced the high platform, and straightened her back again.
"Yes, sir."
Sansa's voice was firmer than before, her eyes swept over the pale-faced prostitutes in the auditorium, and she said word by word, "The accusations against the ladies just now."
"My husband, Tyrion Lannister, is a lecherous, violent devil who takes pleasure in torturing women.
, "These accusations are completely nonsense."
"Because Tyrion Lannister is anything but a morally corrupt demon!"
After the words fell, there was a commotion in the auditorium.
Several prostitutes began to look pale, and the expressions in their eyes kept changing.
After all, they all knew that what they said was a lie, but after receiving Queen Mother's money and the complete imbalance of power, they had no choice at all.
The tall and round man wanted to stand up and say something, but his shoulders were immediately held down by the golden robe beside him.
"Hold still, bitch."
Balman·Byrch Ser stared straight at her, his sparse beard rising and falling with his breathing. "Your speaking time has passed. If you disrupt the trial process at will, I guarantee you will get a hundred guests tonight!"
Hearing this, the broad-shouldered woman retracted her neck in panic and did not dare to move again.
Tywin in the main seat did not speak, but just watched quietly.
But in the first row of the auditorium, Queen Mother suddenly stood up.
The luxurious red dress swayed violently due to her movements, and her blond hair reflected dazzling light in the sun.
However, her beautiful face became extremely distorted due to anger, and her green eyes were filled with naked hatred, destroying that trace of beauty.
"He is the devil!"
Queen Mother's voice was very sharp, tearing the silence of Sept. She pointed at Tyrion in the audience, her fingers trembled with too much force, and accused. "That damn Tyrion has been stained with sin since he was born!"
"He tore my mother's body apart, crawled out of her womb, and killed her with his misshapen head!"
"My mother died on the day this monster was born!"
As she spoke, her voice became louder and louder, with a crying tone, but extremely vicious.
"Look at his eyes, those ugly eyes of different colors, always staring greedily at every woman's chest!
"You can ask the servants of the Red Castle how many barrels of wine this Tyrion drinks every month. Who among those who have served him has not been insulted and beaten by him!"
Cersei became more and more excited as she spoke, and even stepped down from the auditorium step by step, approaching the trial area.
The golden robes wanted to stop her, but seeing the crazy look in her eyes and considering Queen Mother's identity, they hesitated and did not dare to step forward.
Even Ser Balman just lowered his head, not daring to get into trouble with Cersei at this time.
Balman knows very well how terrifying a woman who is carried away by hatred and madness is, because his wife is like this on weekdays.
"He is a monster!" Queen Mother threw himself on the railing of the trial seat, pointed at Tyrion and hissed, "He is deformed from body to soul. When the gods created him, they put all the sins into his ugly head, making him jealous of all beautiful, sound and complete things!"
"So he poisoned my son! Because he was jealous, jealous that Joffrey would be king, jealous that he would inherit my and his father's appearance, jealous that the Lannister bloodline would continue on the Iron Throne!"
"And he, a Tyrion, a monster, can only hide in the shadows forever, using his deformed brain to plan how to destroy everything good!"
These words are extremely vicious, but extremely effective.
The atmosphere in Sept has changed.
The nobles began to nod and whisper.
"Queen Mother is right...Tyrion was born under a curse.
"It is a sin to kill your mother when you are born..."
,,"I heard that in Battle of the Blackwater Rush, he burned Stannis's fleet with wildfire, including his own people...
Discussions surged like a flood.
Tyrion lowered his head.
The chains rattled around his wrists, but he didn't argue or refute.
He just stood there, his short body looking particularly pitiful surrounded by the golden robe.
Perhaps in the eyes of the world, a Tyrion is born guilty.
His very existence is original sin.
His intelligence is cunning, his humor is frivolity, and his fondness for drinking is depravity.
People only want to believe what they want to believe, but no one thinks that even Tyrion has never forced a woman to serve him.
And an ugly Tyrion poisoned the handsome young king. This story is so logical and in line with people's understanding of "
"Monster" imagination.
For a time, Sept became a one-sided target.
Sansa Stark watched all this.
Crazy Cersei and the nobles who nodded in agreement reminded her of how she had often faced such a situation.
His fists were quietly clenched at his sides.
Then Sansa took a step forward.
"Perhaps in your opinion, Tyrion Lannister is a Tyrion, a monster, a deformity born with sin."
Maiden's voice was extremely clear, immediately overpowering those whispers.
Blue eyes swept across the entire audience, her voice suddenly rose, and she said shockingly, "But in my eyes."
"He is a real knight with noble character, respect for women!"
Boom!!!
As soon as these words came out, Sept immediately exploded.
"What!"
"Knight? Just him???"
"Is it possible that she has fallen in love with that Tyrion?"
"Lady Stark is really crazy, he can eat anything.
People talked a lot, but most of them were ridiculed and confused. After all, no one could associate Tyrion with the word "knight".
Even Tywin raised his eyebrows slightly.
Cersei sneered, shook her head, and her blond hair swayed. "It seems that these few months of hiding have made your mind less clear. Does that Tyrion respect women?"
"The Gold Dragon he spends in the brothel is enough to feed an army! The way he respects him is to let those women kneel on the ground and lick him..
"Does he have proof?" Sansa interrupted suddenly.
Cersei was stunned.
Sansa turned around and faced the room.
Her back is straight and her neck is slender, like a proud swan.
The sunlight shone on her body from the colorful glass windows, coating her with a faint halo.
"You accuse Tyrion Lannister of being lecherous, violent, and taking pleasure in torturing women."
"Then, please provide evidence. It's not the testimony of a prostitute. Everyone knows that those are just lies that can be bought with money. What I want is real evidence."
As she spoke, she looked at Kevan on the high platform. "Lord Kevan, as the Minister of Justice of the Seven Kingdoms, you should know that in the laws of the Seven Kingdoms, conclusive evidence is needed to accuse a person of guilt."
"Then let me ask, apart from these prostitutes who can be bought with a few Gold Dragon, apart from Queen Mother Your Majesty's personal hatred and prejudice"
"Is there any tangible evidence that Tyrion Lannister has abused women?"
As soon as these words came out, there was silence in Sept.
Cersei opened her mouth to say something, but in the end she just gritted her teeth.
Because she really didn't.
It's true that Tyrion spends money in a brothel. It's true that he drinks alcohol. It's true that he has a mean mouth and often offends people.
But abuse of women?
Beating, imprisoning, and taking pleasure in torturing women?
There is no evidence because that never happened, and even the whores who served Tyrion were perfectly happy with him.
After all, no one is more generous than that guy.
The testimony of those whores just now was full of loopholes and could not stand up to any scrutiny. Sansa's questioning undoubtedly exposed these loopholes in front of everyone.
Seeing this, Sansa looked at the silent crowd, with a slight curve on her lips.
That's not the expression a teenage girl should have.
That is the expression of someone who rises from the ashes after experiencing betrayal, imprisonment, and despair.
"You have no evidence."
"But I do."
Sansa looked around, her eyes scanning every face.
Then, she raised her chin and stretched her proud neck. The sun shone on her delicate side face, outlining a graceful arc.
"I have proof that Tyrion Lannister is a man who respects women.
7
Sansa paused, her voice clear and firm, echoing in the silent Sept.
Then, she said the words that made the whole audience completely silent, "Because now...
"Still a virgin!"