Today was destined to be a long day for Greene...
Whether he faced it head-on or tried to avoid it, it was inevitable.
After leaving the Prime Minister's Tower, Greene headed directly to Maegor's Holdfast to see Queen Cersei.
Greene entered Maegor's Holdfast, passed through the great hall, and before he could even step onto the stairs, he was blocked by the Queen's handmaidens.
The handmaiden informed Greene that Queen Cersei was resting and had no time today.
Greene raised an eyebrow.
Before coming here, Greene had secretly arranged for his guards to search for Ser Jaime.
Although he couldn't stop the willful Cersei, Ser Jaime could at least help Greene take some of the heat.
Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen... Ser Jaime was not found with them, nor had he left the Red Keep, so Ser Jaime could only be in Maegor's Holdfast... specifically, the Maegor's Garden.
Greene looked up at the sky; it seemed Queen Cersei was destined to learn what happened in the Prime Minister's Tower through other channels.
Most likely, Queen Cersei would hear the news while in bed after her intimate moments with Ser Jaime.
How did Greene know this habit of Queen Cersei?
Greene was a detail-oriented person, and after a long time of contact, coupled with his careful observation, he naturally learned some secrets unknown to ordinary people.
When Cersei and Ser Jaime were intimate, Greene's principle was to keep his distance.
Now that things had come to this, the best situation would naturally be for Queen Cersei to learn what happened in the Prime Minister's Tower from Greene himself.
However, comparatively, Greene was even less willing to approach the intimacy between Cersei and Ser Jaime; this matter was too big, and loyalty was not worth a copper star here.
Now, those familiar with Greene already knew he was a very perceptive person, including Ser Jaime and Cersei.
Didn't he see that the Queen's handmaidens were already guarding the lowest staircase?
If it were before... they truly played very excitingly.
Trampling on worldly pleasures might stimulate physical and mental enjoyment even more, but both of them retained a degree of rationality.
This change was not just to guard against Greene, but against perceptive people like Greene.
If Greene had waited by the stairs to explain to Queen Cersei at the first opportunity, he would have been senselessly speculated upon by sensitive individuals.
Greene preferred to increase the difficulty and chose to leave Maegor's Holdfast... one, two, three.
Greene stood still in a part of the garden, and many handmaidens and attendants belonging to Maegor's Holdfast who passed by noticed Greene, who looked heavy-hearted and full of a story.
Would Queen Cersei mistakenly think that I no longer needed her?
Would Queen Cersei truly doubt Greene's loyalty because of gold dragons and status?
Note: The above was a scenario Greene constructed in his mind to make his facial expression more moving.
Greene was deliberately acting for the passersby nearby, among whom were Queen Cersei's eyes and ears...
Greene, engrossed in his acting, twitched an ear and heard light footsteps.
Greene timely turned his gaze, showing a slight surprise, and saluted with a hand over his chest: "Good day, Princess Myrcella."
Myrcella Baratheon, with golden hair and a red dress, looking like a miniature Cersei, slightly raised her chin and said, "Good day, Earl Greene."
The speed of news transmission within the Red Keep was indeed fast!
Greene nodded in thanks, and seeing Princess Myrcella stop close by, he naturally lowered his posture to bring their eye levels even.
Greene's graceful demeanor unconsciously increased Myrcella's favorable impression.
Myrcella, with a smile in her eyes, spoke to Greene: "I happened to be nearby, and my handmaiden told me you were here, so I came over. Congratulations, Earl Greene."
Myrcella's still-childish voice made Greene smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness, it is a great honor! You are the first lady to congratulate me, and I will remember it!"
Myrcella's bright blue eyes twinkled as she nodded her small head.
Myrcella had limited contact with Greene, but her impression of him was very good.
Myrcella's pure heart made her more easily perceive unusual movements around her.
Limited by her age and kindness, or perhaps a certain talent, Myrcella considered herself a silent observer, never easily revealing anything.
Myrcella's intuition told her that Greene was a reliable knight.
Myrcella's sensitivity meant she had long been aware of the secret "interactions" between Greene and Ser Jaime.
Young Myrcella was surprised that her usually steady Ser Jaime also had an unknown side.
He was such an uncle...
Myrcella secretly chuckled.
The little adult Myrcella also thought both Ser Jaime and Greene were very childish.
With clear blue eyes, Myrcella looked at Greene and said, "Earl Greene, I see you are troubled."
Hearing Myrcella's words, Greene was slightly surprised: "Your Highness, your insight is sharp."
Myrcella put her small hands behind her back: "If you wish, you can tell me; I will be a quiet listener."
Should I use Myrcella? Perhaps it would have an unexpected effect... No, Greene, though he often changed sides, was a man with a bottom line.
Greene first saluted with a hand over his chest: "I have simply been suddenly burdened with a great responsibility, and for a time, I am at a loss, hence my worry."
Myrcella's childish voice encouraged: "Brave knights fear nothing."
At this, Greene was indeed comforted by Myrcella.
At Greene's suggestion, Greene and Myrcella left the Maegor's Garden and continued Myrcella's riding lessons.
The Red Keep was too dark; Greene also needed to cleanse his soul.
Near dusk, Greene finally bid farewell to Princess Myrcella, who was still reluctant to leave, and departed the Red Keep.
Of course, the dutiful Greene, after bidding farewell to Myrcella, still went to Maegor's Holdfast again, only to be stopped once more by the handmaiden at the bottom of the stairs.
More than two hours had passed...
Greene didn't think much of it.
In the evening, as Greene entered his new residence in Hook Alley, he met the young Steward Leyton, who had been waiting for him.
Greene dismounted, tossed the reins to his sworn shield, Matier Baker, and looked at Leyton.
Leyton nodded and said, "My lord, I have important matters to report."
The doorway was not the place to discuss important matters, so Greene nodded slightly, stepped forward, and said, "Leyton, come in with me."
...Kleber's new residence, small hall.
Greene had finished listening to Leyton's report.
Dick Cleboe?
Greene raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and said, "Is Jeffrey in charge of the Survey Corps in King's Landing?"
Leyton nodded and said, "Yes, my lord, he is still in the Queen's Quarter."
Greene tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair and said, "In a few days, the Red Keep will send people to take over the Queen's Quarter; once their identities are confirmed, transfer it as soon as possible.
Follard will return to continue as the captain of my guard, Leyton, you will help me handle affairs here from now on."
Greene's faction was currently in a growth period, and reliable scribes were most lacking.
It seemed Greene had temporarily controlled the situation in the Queen's Quarter with iron-fisted methods, but civil affairs and military affairs were two different things.
Over time, the affairs of the Queen's Quarter would become increasingly complex, and Greene did not have enough manpower and energy to continue controlling the Queen's Quarter in his own hands.
Currently, Greene's focus remained on Klaeb Territory, which was Greene's foundation.
"The Gold Cloaks can be bribed; you will arrange this directly.
Then, have the Survey Corps apprehend the man named Dickon... and imprison him at Klay勃 Manor outside King's Landing."
After a pause, Greene added, "Before I go there, have the Survey Corps take care of that man in their own way, and remember to instruct them not to harm him too much."
Seeing that Greene did not directly order the man to be eliminated, Leyton wondered if he was an illegitimate son left behind by a member of the Kleber Family?
...After Leyton left, Greene got up from the small hall and went to the study.
When Greene entered the study, he saw two small mountains: Samwell Tarly and Monton Wei Shui.
Both stood up to salute at the same time, but Greene merely waved his hand, walked over, sat down nearby, and said, "Sam, have you been to Steel Street?"
Samwell smiled shyly: "Lord Greene, Monton and I went there this morning.
I've seen the blacksmith Tob's finished products; although he reeks of wine, his skill is outstanding."
Greene, with a show of wealth, said, "Sam, I've entrusted this matter to you.
Don't let gold dragons be an obstacle.
I want you to forge Monton into the fiercest warrior."
As his words fell, Samwell nodded solemnly at Greene.
Monton said earnestly, "Lord Greene, I will certainly fight bravely."
Greene smiled and said, "Monton, I believe in you.
Also, remember to pay attention to the weight of the armor; I don't want to see a clumsy bear."
Monton chuckled.
Greene patted Monton, looked up at the bookshelf, and said to Sam, "Sam, I imagine the books here won't satisfy you.
I've already spoken to Rowsell, and he will help you get the books you want."
Knights loved armor, and Samwell loved books most.
Samwell looked excited, then scratched the back of his head, embarrassed: "Lord Greene, I have no way to repay you."
Greene smiled, looking up, and said, "Maester Al of Whispering City will surely like you very much; you'll meet him soon."
After chatting with Samwell for a while longer, Greene glanced out the window and, taking Monton, left the study...
As night fell, Greene, accompanied by Monton and other guards, traversed half of King's Landing to Petyr's Shataya Brothel.
Lights shone from the brothel windows, appearing particularly bright in the gradually dimming twilight, and music and various sounds of laughter spilled out from within.
Greene was led inside, listening to songs with lewd lyrics, watching girls in flimsy silk robes flirt with guests, as he passed through the crowded hall.
Greene ascended the stairs and arrived at a room on the third floor.
Greene looked around and thought to himself: This area doesn't seem to be open to the public.
The door opened, and Greene saw Petyr, smiling broadly.
Petyr spread his arms: "Earl Greene, congratulations again!"
Alright...
Greene smiled, also spreading his arms.
Greene and Petyr embraced very intimately: "Lord Petyr, thank you again for your kindness."
The two separated, and Petyr clapped one hand on Greene's arm, extending the other hand towards the inside of the room: "It's rare for us to meet; please, sit."
After sitting down, Petyr hooked his lips and said, "Earl Greene, I've also prepared a small gift for you."
Greene raised an eyebrow and unbuckled his sword, placing it aside.
Petyr's smile deepened as he said to a nearby handmaiden, "Go, bring the person in."
Soon after, a woman who looked to be under twenty years old was led in.
Brown hair, dark eyes, her appearance was... slightly above average.
Greene glanced at the somewhat disheveled woman, then looked at Petyr in confusion.
Petyr raised his cup, gestured to Greene, and took a sip of summer red.
"Her name is Shani, though that's not her real name.
The interesting thing is that my men found her secretly inquiring about you."
Greene's eyes trembled slightly; he took a sip of summer red, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Let me think.
Lord Petyr's gift surely wouldn't be that simple..."
Greene paused, then spoke to "Shani": "Lady Shani, are you here for Kleber?"
"Pardon me, esteemed lord, who are you?"
Although "Shani" appeared calm on the surface, a momentary tremor did not escape Greene's eyes.
Petyr said with interest, "Shani, he is Earl Greene Kleber, the one you've been inquiring about."
Hearing the answer from Petyr, "Shani's" pupils constricted, and she couldn't help but retreat half a step.
Petyr ignored everything else and said to Greene, "Earl Greene, are you satisfied with this gift?"
Greene nodded and said, "Lord Petyr, thank you very much.
Since this afternoon, I've felt as if I was treading on thin ice; you may have helped me remove no small trouble."
Petyr spread his hands and said, "Don't be so formal; I told you, we are already friends."
Greene put his hand on his chest and said, "I still need to ask you for a small favor, to hand her over to my guards waiting outside."
"Shani," who had recovered her senses, was about to speak, but was interrupted by a sharp gaze.
"Shani" looked at Petyr in terror, shrank back, and allowed the handmaidens to escort her out of the room by her arms.
When the room door closed, Petyr raised his wine glass and said, "Tonight is a night of no return."
Greene also raised his cup and said, "Lord Petyr, thank you for your hospitality; you have soothed my mood."
Petyr took a sip of summer red, his movements very elegant: "Think of happy things.
In three days at most, you will see 150,000 gold dragons, Earl Greene."
Greene paused in his drinking, and asked in surprise, "That fast? That's no small sum.
Truly the Kingdom's treasury."
Petyr scoffed, "What Kingdom's treasury? It's been empty for years; that's no secret, and the Red Keep has no secrets."
Looking at Greene, who showed surprise, Petyr smiled and added, "King Robert loved tourneys and feasts, and although the Targaryens left behind mountains of gold and silver, it couldn't withstand His Majesty's extravagance.
Duke Jon was certainly frugal, but His Majesty wouldn't listen to wise counsel."
Greene suddenly said, "I regret it; I should have asked His Majesty for more."
Petyr was slightly stunned, then immediately burst into laughter: "Perhaps, you are right."
Greene sighed, "Lord Petyr, it seems the Master of Coin is not easy, especially the Master of Coin."
Petyr shrugged: "Ha, the King and the Prime Minister only spend money, the Master of Coin is responsible for finding it.
My main task now is to borrow money.
Lannister, Golden Rose, Iron Bank, and some Tyroshi trading companies... they are all creditors of the Kingdom now."
Saying this, Petyr's smile held a hint of mockery: "Recently, I had to find other sources of income, and finally I approached the Faith.
Archbishop's bargaining skills are so high, they astound me; I think even a Dornish fishmonger couldn't compare to him."
Petyr's witty remarks made Greene laugh repeatedly.