Laila sat on the ground, crying loudly.
The cry was sharp and harsh, like a rusty saw being pulled repeatedly on a stone slab, penetrating the entire Laundry Alley. Tears seeped out from between her fingers and dripped on her dirty apron.
"It's not fair... it's not fair!"
Laila was crying and shouting intermittently, "I have been working for a whole month, and my son is sick... I can't help it... Why does this woman deduct my money!"
The Dornish woman stood nearby, the expression on her face starting from one filled with indignation to one that gradually became a little complicated.
She looked at Laila, who was sitting on the ground crying heartbrokenly, and then at Sansa Stark, who was expressionless across from her, and frowned.
Although Laila did something wrong in this matter, it is really pitiful for her to cry like this.
Moreover, the girl in charge looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, about the same age as her sister Yi Lia. How could she be so cold-blooded?
This matter must not be ignored.
The Dornish woman took a deep breath and stood up again.
"Hey.
She walked up to Sansa and put her hands on her hips. Her proud height allowed her to look down at Sansa. There was a sense of justice in her voice that said, "I want to do justice for God." She said, "Why are you so unhuman?"
"My son is sick, sick!"
"Do you understand what it means to be sick? It can kill someone! What's wrong with her going back to take care of her son? If it were your mother who was sick, wouldn't you go back?"
As soon as these words came out, Sansa's originally calm blue eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are talking!"
Seeing that Sansa didn't respond, the Dornish woman said aggressively again, "It's not easy for her to be a woman with a child. Can't you be more generous?"
"As for forcing people to do this?"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, and her voice became louder and louder. "Didn't you House of Order talk about helping each other? She needs help now, and you treat her like this? What do you mean by fairness?"
Incited by the Dornish woman, the people around began to whisper, but no one stepped forward to help.
Because everyone knows that getting paid according to your work is a rule set by Lord Corleone, and it cannot be broken.
Whoever breaks the rules will ruin everyone's jobs.
However, Sansa clenched her fists as she listened to these words.
She wanted to retort.
She wanted to say: Do you think I am willing to deduct money from her? Do you think I am willing to be this evil person?
You don't know anything, why are you standing here accusing me?
These words came to my mouth, almost rushing out.
But when she raised her head, she saw Corleone on the edge of the crowd.
Those dark eyes were as calm as the sea in the middle of the night, showing no emotion.
Sansa was stunned.
I couldn't help but start thinking, what would he do if it were him?
She has seen Corleone deal with many things. In House of Order, she knows that Corleone never gets angry and is never swayed by emotions when facing those unreasonable naughty people and those who try to challenge the rules.
And Sansa is also working hard to learn all this in preparation for returning to the North to manage Winterfell in the future.
Although she doesn't know whether she will be able to go home one day, it is always good to learn some management experience early.
"Don't let your emotions lead you away like the fool you were before, Sansa."
She took a deep breath and said to herself.
Then, under the surprised look of the Dornish woman, Sansa walked around her, walked to Laila and knelt down.
Laila also noticed Sansa's movements, paused in her crying, raised her red and swollen eyes and looked at the the North Maiden in front of her who was said to be of noble birth.
"Laila." Sansa spoke.
"You... what else do you want to say! You have deducted all my money...
", but Sansa just held Laila's arm: "Get up."
"The ground is cold. You are old and your knees hurt after kneeling for a long time."
Hearing this, Laila was stunned for a moment, then moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't say anything.
Immediately afterwards, Sansa helped her up with strength, and Laila stood up with her head lowered, not daring to look at her.
"You did something wrong this month."
As soon as Sansa said these words, Laila's face fell again.
"But... it's also me who didn't think carefully."
"Your son is sick. You should tell me. I didn't ask about your family's situation. It was my negligence."
As she said that, she actually took out a few Silver Stag from her arms and put them in Laila's hands.
"These are taken from my own wages to make up for my mistakes. It's not much, but it's enough for you to buy some food to replenish your son's health."
Hearing this, Laila looked down at the few Silver Stag in his palm, his eyes widened, looking very unbelievable.
"You... you really...
"But."
Before Lysa could say her thanks, Sansa's voice became serious. "Remember, Laila."
"Start working hard from today, don't be late and leave early, and don't let others do the work for you."
"How much do you get paid for the work you do? These are the rules set by Master Corleone, and everyone must abide by them."
"Everyone knows very well that the rules are not to embarrass one person, but to allow everyone to have something to eat. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Laila looked down at the Silver Stag that shone dimly in the sun, his expression changing for a while.
But she didn't say another word, turned around and left, staggering, almost running out of the alley.
The back was extremely embarrassed, like a wild cat that had been caught stealing food.
As the matter was resolved perfectly, the crowd gradually dispersed as there was no excitement to be seen.
The alley became quiet again.
The Dornish woman stood there with a complicated expression on her face.
She looked at Sansa, the girl whom she had just pointed at and scolded as "cold-blooded", and suddenly felt a strange feeling in her heart.
This guy... seems to be a really good person?
Did I blame her wrongly?
"Hey!"
Sansa turned her head when she heard the movement beside her.
"You... you are pretty awesome."
The Dornish woman's voice was a little awkward. "I thought you were a bad person just now, but I didn't expect...
", then she paused again: "I didn't expect you to be a good person."
After receiving such "praise," Sansa's blue eyes showed no emotion.
She didn't even say anything, just turned around and left.
"Hey!" The Dornish woman was stunned.
Why is this person like this?
She hurriedly caught up and reached out to pull Sansa's arm. "Wait a minute! I'm talking to you!"
However, Sansa still ignored her. She just quickened her pace and walked to Corleone and Marga Li. Then she stopped and lowered her head slightly.
"Queen Your Majesty."
"Corleone-sama.
Looking at Sansa who was completely different from the past, Marga Li was about to say something, but Corleone had already spoken.
"Sansa."
"You handled the matter just now well."
Hearing this, Sansa was stunned for a moment, and then a smile appeared on her face for the first time.
Even when she received an "apology" from the Dornish woman just now, she never smiled.
But Corleone's praise is different, because Corleone never praises others easily.
This was the first time since she came to Flea Bottom.
"Thank you, sir." There was a rare sincerity in her voice.
"But... there's still something missing."
But before Sansa could be happy for too long, Corleone spoke again.
Hearing this, Sansa's smile froze and her brows furrowed slightly, "My lord, I don't understand...
Corleone did not sell it, but simply told the truth, "Laila's son does not have a fever at all."
As soon as these words came out, Sansa's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Her son is fine." Corleone continued, "She left early those days, not to go back to take care of her son, but to go to the casino to gamble."
"Rorge reported this to me, saying that she owed a huge amount of debt in the underground casino in Flea Bottom. These days, she has been thinking of ways to pay back the money. She was absent-minded while working. She left early just to make money."
"Of course, I lost again later."
As Corleone narrated, Sansa stood there motionless, but her face became paler.
She thought of Laila's tears just now, her heart-rending cry.
Are they all fake? Pretend?
Was she cheated?
Are you stupid enough to use your own wages to subsidize a gambler?
Suddenly, an indescribable emotion surged into my heart.
There was anger and disappointment, but mostly denial of myself.
After this period of training, she thought she was enough to take charge of her own business, but... as expected, I was still too naive.
Sansa shook her head and smiled bitterly.
But at this moment, a voice suddenly sounded.
"How do you know?"
It's the Dornish woman.
She didn't know when she walked over to Sansa, and she was staring at Corleone with an angry look on her face.
"You said her son is not sick because he is not sick? Why do you say that? Do you have any evidence?"
Clerk, Corleone turned his head and looked at her.
The Dornish woman was stunned by this look at first, but then she puffed up her chest and said forcefully, "Laila is not a liar at first glance! How pitiful she cried! You said this about her without any evidence, and you are simply slandering her!"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, and her saliva almost flew to Sansa's face.
"You big guys just know how to bully the poor?"
"It's not easy for her to be a woman raising a child. Not only do you not help her, you are here to speak ill of her. Do you have any conscience?"
Corleone looked at this beautiful and indignant Dornish woman, and couldn't help but frown slightly.
Where did this stupid woman come from?
"This is an internal matter within House of Order. Outsiders have no right to interfere, and I have no obligation to explain it to you."
His voice was calm, but with an undeniable dignity.
Hearing this, the Dornish woman was stunned, but before she could refute, she heard Corleone continue to ask, "What's your name?"
"Listen to me, Corleone!"
As soon as she said these words, her breasts suddenly stood out, showing off her extremely proud talents, and she said loudly.
"Teene!"
But before she could speak, a voice came from across the alley, interrupting her self-introduction.
Several people turned their heads.
I saw a younger girl running towards this side. She also had bronze skin, but her facial features were darker and her eyes were brighter. She had a long braid that swung behind her as she ran.
She ran up to the Dornish woman, grabbed her arm, and said excitedly, "So you are here! The eldest sister has been looking for you! Come with me!"
"But..." Triene was a little unhappy when her spellcasting was interrupted, and she planned to argue with Corleone.
"But what!"
But the girl couldn't help but forcefully pulled her back and said, "Sister said, we are operating in secret this time, so we asked you not to run around. It's better for you, you'll be gone in the blink of an eye!"
Triene was dragged for a few steps, but still unwilling to give in, she turned back and shouted at Corleone, "I will definitely prove you wrong, Vito·Corleone!"
Her voice was clear and loud, echoing in the alley.
"Laila is not that kind of person! Just wait!"
But the girl dragged her further and further away, and Tyene's shouts gradually disappeared at the end of the alley.
The alley became quiet again.
Corleone stood there, looking at the backs of the two retreating figures.
Tyene.
Why do I seem to have heard this name somewhere?
Also, what is the "secret operation" they are talking about?
And... if you say it in front of so many people, does it still count as a "secret operation"?
While he was thinking, there was a rush of footsteps behind him.
"My lord!"
It's Rorge.
He was panting from running, and his noseless face was covered with sweat.
He ran to Corleone and bent down, holding his knees with his hands and gasping for air.
"Sir... I have finally found you!!"
Hearing this, Corleone looked back at him. "What's the matter?"
Rorge raised his head and lowered his voice and said, "There is a man who calls himself Iron Bank, waiting for you at House of Order."
As he said that, he paused and looked a little weird. "That guy...
1
"What's wrong?"
"It feels a bit arrogant."
Rorge straightened up, wiped the sweat from his face, and then curled his lips disdainfully. "You're not even as good-looking as me. As soon as you walked in, you clamored to see you and said you owed him money. You owed him a lot of money!"
"But he didn't make an appointment. I told him to wait. This is House of Order's rule. What did he say about waiting? I'm here to collect money, not to wait for anyone."
"I thought you had just become the finance minister and that guy didn't seem to be easy to mess with, so I invited him in and served good tea, but he turned out that our tea was inferior!"
I have to say that Rorge imitates others very well.
But Corleone has some doubts about his words.
After all, Rorge's appearance is at least comparable to that of a hunting dog. If he wasn't as good-looking as him, how ugly would that person be?
So is he still alive?
But then Corleone frowned slightly again.
Emissary from Iron Bank.
Didn't you say you would come tomorrow? Why did you arrive today?
And... still so arrogant?
"Sir?" Rorge looked at him carefully.
Corleone did not answer, but was silent for a moment, then turned around and looked at Marga Li.
"Queen Your Majesty." He bowed slightly. "Sorry, there is something urgent that needs to be dealt with, so I'm afraid I can't stay with you anymore."
Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed through Marga li's beautiful big brown eyes.
But only for a flash.
"It doesn't matter." She smiled slightly, that smile was decent and elegant, "You are busy with your business. I haven't seen Miss Sansa for many days, and I have a lot to say."
Hearing what she said, Corleone nodded, thinking that this woman had a rough idea.
If it's that crazy bitch Cersei, I'm afraid you can't refute her interest even if you tell her that the dragon is coming to burn King's Landing soon.
"Excuse me."
After that, he turned around and followed Rorge out of the alley, but stopped after walking a few steps.
"Rorge."
"My lord?"
Corleone did not look back, but whispered, "The two Dornish women just now, keep an eye on them."
"Look where they live, who they interact with, and what their purpose is in coming to King's Landing.