Greene's words fell, and the hall suddenly became quiet.
Duke Mace Tyrell, who was still processing the content of Greene's words, slowly puffed out his cheeks.
"Inflatable Fish"... Greene sighed inwardly, truly a fitting nickname.
Margaery Tyrell, though surprised by what she heard, maintained her gentle smile.
As a daughter, Margaery understood her father well, knowing he wouldn't recover for a while, so she took the initiative to speak.
"Baron Green, this is no small matter. On behalf of the Golden Rose Family, I thank you very much for your candor, but..."
Margaery's beautiful eyes looked directly at Greene as she continued, "I like to listen to your wise insights. Could you first tell us your reasons?"
Greene first bowed in thanks, then said, "Miss Margaery, no need to be so polite. I am willing to be frank with you."
Margaery smiled beautifully, like a flower, and nodded slightly.
Greene opened his mouth, then paused, before lowering his voice and saying, "Prime Minister Jon's condition is quite serious, it has already affected the kingdom's affairs, more seriously than anyone realizes."
Margaery covered her mouth with her fair hand, her eyes wide.
Greene couldn't help but inwardly praise her; she acted so well... Little Rose was an excellent foil.
...
Duke Mace Tyrell murmured to himself, "If I become King's Hand, House Tyrell's position in the Seven Kingdoms..."
It was very tempting.
Finally regaining his composure, Duke Mace Tyrell cleared his throat, "Greene, tell me your thoughts."
Greene nodded and said, "Your Grace, although Prime Minister Jon's health no longer permits him to work hard, he still worries about the kingdom, and at serious times, he even has to handle state affairs from his bed."
Greene depicted a responsible Prime Minister, disregarding his own health, toiling for the kingdom with all his heart.
Duke Mace and Margaery exchanged an imperceptible glance.
Duke Mace felt that Duke Jon was quite difficult.
Margaery sensed that Greene's words had a hidden meaning; on the surface, it sounded like praise, but she understood another layer of meaning in his words.
Prime Minister Jon's condition had already aroused dissatisfaction and ambition in many interested parties.
...
Greene looked at Duke Mace and respectfully said, "Duke Jon has toiled for more than a decade. For Duke Jon's health, the Red Keep has had to consider a new candidate for Prime Minister."
Duke Mace suppressed the smile that threatened to spill out and asked kindly, "Has a person been decided upon?"
Margaery inwardly sighed at her father's eagerness and added, "Baron Green, is there some difficulty?"
Greene's eyes moved, he glanced at Margaery, and nodded, saying, "After all, this is a major affair for the kingdom, and everyone takes it very seriously. They are all earnestly recommending others, or self-recommending, for the next candidate who can assist King Robert in governing the kingdom."
Duke Mace's face showed a trace of ill-concealed nervousness, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who are they?"
Greene hesitated, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back.
Margaery's gaze lingered on her father for a moment, then she earnestly said to Greene, "Baron Green, I think father has probably guessed your thoughts. What we need now is mutual trust and candor. The Golden Rose Family will not forget anyone's help."
Greene shook his head, his tone equally sincere, "Duke Mace, Miss Margaery, I will naturally be frank. Because of Queen Cersei's trust, as her chief steward, Her Majesty did consult me on this matter, and I boldly recommended Duke Mace to Queen Cersei."
Duke Mace Tyrell stroked his beard, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.
Margaery's brown eyes trembled slightly: "Baron Green, did you persuade Queen Cersei? Or... may I ask how you persuaded Queen Cersei?"
"Of course."
After a pause, Greene said, "To my knowledge, the most highly advocated candidates for the new Prime Minister are Master of Ships Stannis Baratheon and Master of Laws Renly Baratheon."
Margaery's small face flashed with confusion: "Duke Renly and Duke Stannis?"
Duke Mace Tyrell frowned.
Greene placed one hand on his chest and respectfully said, "This is how I analyzed it: Duke Renly, as Master of Laws, has always been absent from the Red Keep, lacking a sense of responsibility and governance ability compared to Duke Mace.
Duke Stannis, who is upright and unyielding, lacks flexibility and benevolence compared to Duke Mace. The King's Hand needs to help King unite the people's hearts.
Now, only you in all of Westeros can fill the void left by Duke Jon and quickly stabilize the kingdom's situation."
"Excellent analysis..." Duke Mace Tyrell smiled as he stroked his beard.
...
Margaery's fingers flexed slightly.
Margaery found that when interacting with Greene, she would unconsciously lower her guard, yet because of the information he revealed, she would inevitably raise it again, repeating this cycle.
Margaery always remembered her grandmother's teachings, and coupled with her father's actions, she never dared to relax her vigilance.
Maintaining such focus made Margaery feel a touch of fatigue.
Life in Highgarden was too comfortable, making Margaery realize she hadn't experienced such mental exhaustion in a long time, which strangely made her feel a sense of familiarity.
Margaery's brown eyes met a bright light; this silent contest filled Margaery with an indescribable excitement.
...
Greene said, "Although Queen Cersei has no interest in the kingdom's affairs, she needs to consider Prince Joffrey, because Prince Joffrey needs more support."
"House Baratheon already occupies two important seats on the Small Council. Any further advancement would be detrimental to the kingdom's stability.
At this moment, Duke Mace, your ability and strength make you Queen Cersei's natural ally. Because of you, I persuaded Queen Cersei to support you in taking over as King's Hand."
Greene finally added, "Everything is for the kingdom; this is my public spirit."
Duke Mace was already beaming with smiles: "Greene, you are a rare talent. I will not forget your contributions."
Duke Mace couldn't help but sigh inwardly, never expecting that the person in the Seven Kingdoms who understood him best was this young man who had always admired him.
...
Margaery suddenly said, "Baron Green, do you already have a plan?"
Greene first glanced at the kind-eyed Duke Mace, then replied, "I do have an immature plan, but I need to get Duke Mace's consent first."
...
...
King's Landing, Street of the Silent Sisters. The light blue sky was as clear as if it had been washed.
Greene's young steward, Leyton, stood in a dark corner of the street, gazing at the figures of several Gold Cloaks in the distance.
Among the Gold Cloaks, Leyton's attention was on the one leading them.
That person had a thin, sharp face, and although he wore the Gold Cloaks uniform, his excessively thin build made one worry that a strong gust of wind would blow him over.
Steward Leyton furrowed his brow.
This Gold Cloaks, bearing the Kleber surname, didn't look like a member of the Kleber Family at all.
A Kleber bloodline lost to the outside world?
Since he used the Kleber surname, it also indicated he was a legitimate child.
Leyton felt this issue needed his attention.
As one of the few scribes in Whispering City, Leyton did not act rashly.
After all, this person's identity was a Gold Cloaks; mishandling the situation could easily escalate it and be counterproductive.
Moreover, the most important thing was that for such matters, if there was no command from his liege, his status was insufficient to make a decision independently.
Since the Survey Corps were also in King's Landing, Leyton decided to have them keep an eye on this person first and collect relevant intelligence.
...
...
Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
Jaime Lannister's dark circles deepened due to recent lack of sleep.
Queen Cersei Lannister glanced sideways at Jaime, who was secretly yawning, and said, "Jaime, you've been in high spirits lately?"
Jaime looked at Cersei in confusion and retorted, "High spirits about what?"
Jaime only heard Cersei's cold snort.
Suddenly, Jaime's drowsiness vanished. After a moment of thought, he tentatively asked, "Are you talking about me going out at night?"
Cersei took a sip of summer red and said, "King's Landing has a hundred brothels, enough to satisfy you for the rest of your time. I suggest you not be so eager."
With another cold snort, she continued, "Don't be like your dear Dwarf brother and treat that place as a bedroom. You are a Lannister."
Jaime smiled, his tone helpless, "Cersei, it's not what you think. You should know I don't like that place. I will always only have you."
As Jaime spoke, he walked behind Cersei and placed his hands on her shoulders.
Cersei tilted her chin slightly, curled her lips, and said, "I don't like you hiding things from me."
Jaime's large hands on Cersei's shoulders stiffened for a moment.
Cersei's green eyes moved, and she said, "It seems you choose to continue hiding."
Having said that, Cersei shrugged her shoulders, moving away from Jaime's hands, and turned to stare at Jaime.
Jaime immediately thought of Greene.
...
Jaime explained, "It's about Greene's matter. He suspects that the events in the Queen's Quarter might hide other masterminds, and he and I have been secretly investigating."
Jaime, understanding Cersei, sensed her anger rising and quickly added, "It wasn't intentional to hide it from you. We were just speculating, so we didn't tell you. It's just a precaution. You know me, I want to ensure your absolute safety and want to find out as soon as possible."
"Jaime, I am not that delicate."
Cersei slowly approached Jaime.
Cersei looked up at Jaime, her fair hand resting on Jaime's chest, her lips curving: "Jaime, only when you enter my body do I feel complete. Since I demand that you not hide things from me, I will not hide things from you either."
Jaime grasped Cersei's hand, met her gaze, and slowly curled his lips: "Cersei, me too."
Jaime was captivated by Cersei's tenderness, but Cersei's next words sent a chill down his spine.
"Jaime, I have already begun to act."
"???"
"I've had enough of that drunkard Robert! Jaime, it has already begun, and you are too late to stop it. You can only choose to help me."
...
...
Dragonstone, heavy clouds hung low.
Dragonstone is an island formed by a volcanic eruption, located at the mouth of Blackwater Bay, and its castle is carved in the shape of a dragon.
During the Targaryen Dynasty, by tradition, Dragonstone was bestowed upon the King's heir.
Therefore, the King's heir was also known as the Prince of Dragonstone.
After the Usurper's War, King Robert Baratheon granted Dragonstone to Stannis Baratheon, but it no longer carried the significance of being the King's heir.
Inside Dragonstone.
Duke Stannis Baratheon, with a taut expression, sat at a long table, meticulously handling state affairs.
Ser Davos Seaworth stood quietly by, waiting.
Swish, swish, swish.
Stannis wielded his quill, signed the order, and with a thud, stamped it.
Stannis looked at Davos and said, "Davos, is it arranged?"
Davos nodded and respectfully said, "Duke Stannis, I have something else to report, regarding Baron Greene Kleber."
Stannis put down his quill and said, "What happened?"
"Our people found out that Duke Jon wants to send Greene across the Narrow Sea to deal with the Targaryen's two young dragons."
Stannis frowned and said, "This matter has always been Varys's responsibility..."
Stannis suddenly said angrily, "It's like this again. They only know how to indulge in dark methods. Jon, the position of King's Hand has made him completely lose his sense of honor."
Having said that, Stannis closed his eyes.
Davos looked up, his gaze worriedly on Stannis, who had his eyes closed, but he did not offer comfort.
Stannis did not need comfort from others.
Soon, Stannis opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.
"Loyal Davos, do you think I still need to continue supporting Prime Minister Jon?"
Davos looked at Stannis with reverence: "Duke Stannis, forgive my frankness, but you need to change your strategy."
Stannis nodded almost imperceptibly: "Hmm, I cannot let him tarnish my honor."
Stannis looked at Davos and asked, "Tell me your suggestions."
Davos took a step forward, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed his head, his voice respectful: "Duke Stannis, when our people were investigating Baron Green, we also inadvertently obtained intelligence on Prime Minister Jon. I must say, the Red Keep truly has no secrets."
Stannis gave a sarcastic cold snort.
Davos continued, "Duke Stannis, according to our intelligence, Prime Minister Jon's health no longer allows him to perform his duties. The kingdom needs a new Prime Minister to regain control of the situation. I sincerely suggest that you contend for the position of the new King's Hand. Only someone as great as you can stabilize the kingdom under King Robert's rule."
"Robert..." Stannis shook his head slightly: "Davos, I feel your loyalty to me, and I am willing to dedicate everything for the kingdom. However, Robert will absolutely not agree."
Davos knelt on one knee before Stannis: "Duke Stannis, I understand your concerns, but King Robert has been indulging in wine and women for many years. He is no longer valiant, and his authority within the Red Keep is no longer what it once was."
Stannis's sharp gaze fixed on Davos for a moment, then he said, "What do you intend to do?"
Davos raised his face and said, "Please allow me to travel and seek allies to support you. If you can become King's Hand, they will also be your future strength."