Cersei Lannister swirled the wine glass in her hand, not answering Tyrion Lannister's question. She lowered her gaze slightly, seemingly contemplating the answer.
Tyrion then said, "Cersei, do you think they are reliable? Or rather, do you trust them?"
Her hand stilled. Queen Regent Cersei elegantly took a sip of summer red from her wine glass and leisurely said, "Why do you ask?"
As she spoke, her emerald eyes moved, and she continued, "Does Father have other arrangements?"
Tyrion pointed to the crumpled letter on the table that his sister had balled up and said, "You probably didn't pay attention. Our amiable Father doesn't like vague expressions…"
Tyrion thought to himself that his older sister was probably so engrossed in the news of his appointment as Prime Minister that she hadn't paid attention to anything else.
Queen Regent Cersei first looked at her sincere Dwarf brother, then put down her wine glass and picked up the letter.
The crumpled letter was unfolded by Queen Regent Cersei, and she read it with a frown.
…
Tyrion gently swirled his wine glass… Kleber wasn't as simple as his sister; it would be hard to sway his heart with just words. If House Clebber's traditions were unfavorable to him… he dared to guarantee to the Seven Gods that Kleber would immediately offer a much more pleasant new explanation.
Tyrion took a sip of wine, his eyes shifting… Stark might be a breakthrough. If Kleber still held onto his knightly heart, he should be in a lot of pain right now… He would choose to talk to Kleber at the Shataya Brothel, and perhaps comfort the little fellow while he was at it.
A lewd smile unconsciously appeared on Tyrion's face, but he quickly realized it and immediately covered it up by drinking.
"These are all Old Lion's own conjectures!"
Queen Regent Cersei's voice interrupted Tyrion's thoughts.
"How dare he assume that everyone around me harbors ill intentions? Does he take me for a fool?"
Tyrion's eyes flashed, and he softly said, "Sister, would you like to hear my analysis?"
Queen Regent Cersei leaned back in her chair, glancing at the humble Dwarf, and nodded slightly.
"He knows that even though your son hasn't been king for long, he's already caused countless troubles. Old Lion inferred from this that someone has led our Joffrey astray."
His nephew, the King, sat upon the lofty Iron Throne, judging cases with self-proclaimed righteousness. If he found it boring, he would hand the cases over to the Small Council, but if he was interested… no one could stop his outrageous judgments, including his capricious sister Cersei.
For example… a thief was dragged up, and Joffrey ordered the executioner to chop off his hands right there in the Throne Room; two knights had a dispute over a piece of land and petitioned the King for a ruling, but Joffrey ordered them to settle it with a duel to the death; a woman knelt, begging for the head of a man beheaded for a crime, hoping to bury him whole, but Joffrey said that those who loved criminals were also criminals, and the poor woman was dragged into the dungeon by the Gold Cloaks; a fat tavern singer was accused of composing a song mocking the late King Robert I, and Joffrey found the song amusing after hearing it, thus showing leniency, announcing that the fat singer could choose to keep his fingers or his tongue, and so on.
Tyrion blinked. The majestic Throne Room had become Joffrey's playground.
After a moment of silence, Queen Regent Cersei spoke, "Tyrion, Joffrey does not lack loyal advice from his important ministers, but you should also be very clear about his character; he is inherently somewhat stubborn… Now that Joffrey is King, he feels even more that he should do as he pleases, and he believes a King should not be manipulated."
"The Iron Throne truly is a fine chair."
Tyrion first sighed with emotion, then said, "Anyone who wears the crown will lose their mind, let alone Joffrey, who isn't even an adult yet."
Tyrion pointed to the crumpled letter and added, "Our amiable Father is anticipating your performance… My dear sister, you are Joffrey's Queen Regent."
Queen Regent Cersei stared suspiciously at her Dwarf brother for a moment, then said, "Pycelle and Varys are both foolish and cowardly, but they are still obedient."
Tyrion nodded slightly. He had more or less figured out Pycelle and Varys's standing in Queen Regent Cersei's heart. He felt he could win over one of them for his own use… One for the sister and one for the brother, very fair and friendly.
Tyrion mused, "What happened with Eddard Stark? I think you should be very clear… Letting him take the black would reduce many enemies, but Joffrey insisted on killing him. If not for this change, it's highly probable that the riot wouldn't have happened."
Queen Regent Cersei's eyes shifted, and she frowned, "I carefully instructed Joffrey that, according to the plan, we should have shown leniency, had Stark take the black, and sent him to The Wall.
This way, not only would future troubles be eliminated, but peace with Winterfell would not be impossible… But Joffrey thought he had a responsibility to give the audience a good show. What could I do?
Ser Ilyn was even more impatient and happy to comply, without even consulting me! Gods be praised, at least the riot of the commoners didn't result in Stark dying on our chopping block."
Tyrion smiled and nodded… "Yes! It's all someone else's fault, my dear sister!"
"Have you still not found Eddard Stark's… whereabouts?"
Queen Regent Cersei shook her head.
Tyrion sighed, "Winterfell will still blame all of this on us…"
Queen Regent Cersei interrupted angrily, "Why? We didn't do it! The murderers are those hateful commoners!"
Tyrion shrugged and helplessly changed the subject.
"Then I ask…"
Tyrion's words were again interrupted by Queen Regent Cersei: "Sansa is also gone."
Tyrion paused, as if confirming whether he had heard correctly: "The Stark lady?"
Queen Regent Cersei nodded slightly, frowning.
"Ha!"
Tyrion picked up his wine glass and drained it, grinning, "Only one can survive between the Lion and the Wolf… My dear sister, we are good children of our Father. We must pray to the Seven Gods every day for our good Father's health… My request isn't high, just that he lasts long enough to resolve the troubles."
He paused, then added, "I'm serious, Old Father is still more reliable. He can shield his troublesome children from wind and rain. I really want to devoutly kiss his shoes right now… if he doesn't mind."
Cersei glanced disdainfully at Tyrion and said, "I can also shield Lannister from wind and rain. The Lioness will eliminate all her enemies."
Tyrion actually wanted to ask Cersei: "My charming sister, by what right, pray tell? By capriciousness and arrogance?"
Tyrion nodded in agreement, displaying an expression of admiration… He really couldn't fake it!
He gave a faint smile, choosing to change the subject.
"Dismissing Ser Barristan Selmy from the Kingsguard, that must also have been Joffrey's own idea?"
Cersei's emerald eyes trembled slightly. After a pause, she sighed, "Joffrey wanted to find someone to blame for Robert's death, and Varys suggested making an example of Ser Barristan. There's nothing wrong with that. On one hand… Jaime can take over as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and gain a seat on the Small Council. On the other hand, Joffrey is very fond of Sandor Clegane, and he also got a bone to feed his dog. We originally planned to reward Ser Barristan with a castle, but that useless old man was discontent, so he was directly expelled."
Tyrion showed no emotion on his face, but he felt a little sympathy for Tywin in his heart, just a tiny bit of sympathy.
Tyrion said seriously, "Ser Barristan Selmy was Robert I's Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Of Aerys II's seven Kingsguard, only he and Jaime survived.
When people speak of him, it's as if Ser Savon the Mirror Shield and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight have returned… If they saw Barristan the Bold fighting alongside Stannis Baratheon or Renly Baratheon, what do you think their reactions would be?"
Queen Regent Cersei's expression stiffened. She turned her head away, looking at a beautiful vase placed on the other side. She seemed to be very fond of it.
After a pause, she casually said, "I hadn't thought of that."
Tyrion's tone was very serious: "Duke Tywin, however, did think of it, which is why he ordered me to take over his position as Hand of the King, to put an end to these ridiculous farces, and to make your son obey."
Queen Regent Cersei turned her face back. She looked at her calm Dwarf brother, her tone tinged with sarcasm: "Joffrey doesn't even like to listen to me; he certainly won't listen to you."
Tyrion shrugged: "That remains to be seen, my sister."
Queen Regent Cersei saw that Tyrion didn't seem to be joking, and added, "Why should Joffrey listen to you? He doesn't like you."
Tyrion smiled: "To be precise, he hates me, doesn't he? Ever since I was little, I haven't indulged Joffrey's mischief like others."
He continued, "Why does he dare not listen to you? Because he knows his mother would never harm him."
Cersei warned, "Tyrion, if you think I will let you bully my son, then you are hopelessly ill."
Tyrion couldn't help but sigh. Cersei always missed the point.
"I am Joffrey's uncle. Joffrey is as safe with me as he is with you."
With that, Tyrion clumsily climbed down from his chair and reached out to take one of Cersei's hands.
"My point is that if he feels threatened, he will be easier to control, not that I actually want to harm him. After all, we are siblings, and the current situation is a mess. Whether you admit it or not, you truly need me… Your son wants to keep that ugly iron chair, and he needs me too."
Queen Regent Cersei lowered her gaze to her hand and said, "I told you I would give you a chance. I trust Jaime's judgment; he said you are always very clever."
He grinned and said, "It's just a little cleverness, that's all. The most important thing is that we Lannister are a loving family, and quite reliable."
Queen Regent Cersei thought for a moment and said, "In that case… it's worth a try. My condition is that you must not harm my son."
Tyrion smiled: "Of course. Although my way of loving him differs somewhat from yours, my love for Joffrey is no less."
"And…"
Queen Regent Cersei gazed at the Dwarf Prime Minister, her voice cold: "Tyrion, remember this: although I have accepted you, you are only the Hand of the King in name; in actuality, you are my Hand. Before taking any action, you must discuss your plans and intentions with me beforehand. You are not to act without my consent, understood?"
Tyrion nodded slightly: "Empress Cersei, perfectly clear."
Queen Regent Cersei saw the Dwarf Prime Minister agree without hesitation, which made her somewhat doubt his sincerity. She asked, "My brother, do you agree?"
Tyrion bowed with his hand on his chest: "My dear sister, Prime Minister Tyrion is at your command."
He silently added in his mind: But only when I need it.
Tyrion's smile was very sincere… To maintain brotherly and sisterly affection, sometimes a little white lie is necessary.
Queen Regent Cersei withdrew her hand, which had been held by the Dwarf Prime Minister. She finally showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Alright, now that we share the same goal, we should no longer have secrets from each other. The Queen Regent's Hand cannot be blind."
Queen Regent Cersei was somewhat impatient: "What do you want to know?"
Tyrion's eyes flashed: "You said Joffrey wanted to chop off Duke Eddard's head, and Varys's slanders drove away Barristan. So… was Hand of the King Jon Arryn truly poisoned by his wife Lysa Tully and Littlefinger working together?"
Queen Regent Cersei frowned: "That was the result of Stark's investigation."
"I've been investigating some things recently, such as one of the rumors about the riot in King's Landing."
Queen Regent Cersei's gaze turned cold: "You would actually be interested in the nonsense of those commoners? I'm starting to be a little disappointed in you, my Prime Minister."
Tyrion moved closer to Queen Regent Cersei. Their gazes met.
"Of course I'd be interested… My dear sister, not hearing something doesn't mean it doesn't exist, for example, your loving relationship with Jaime…"
Slap!
Before Tyrion could finish speaking, Queen Regent Cersei slapped him directly.
Tyrion rubbed his cheek, grinning, "Sister Cersei, who you sleep with is none of my business, but you only open your legs for one brother and don't give the other brother the same treatment. That doesn't seem quite fair, does it…"
Slap! Tyrion received another slap from Cersei.
"Hiss… Gently, Cersei, I was just joking. Honestly, I'd rather find a pretty prostitute to play with. I truly don't understand what Jaime sees in you, besides being able to admire his own reflection."
Slap! Queen Regent Cersei slapped Tyrion again.
Tyrion's cheeks were red and burning, but he still maintained a smile.
"Cersei, if you keep hitting me, I might get angry."
"What can you do?"
Tyrion said playfully, "Of course, I'll go complain to Old Father."
Tyrion's threat worked. Queen Regent Cersei didn't slap him again, which made him secretly sigh in relief. At the same time, he thought of many things, and he felt some sympathy for his brother Jaime.
"My dear sister, I am your Prime Minister, I am your man. Even for Jaime's sake, I wouldn't want to speak too much. Besides… our aged Father is busy enough. As a good son, I certainly must consider him more."
Tyrion very sincerely soothed Queen Regent Cersei's restless heart. He was very worried that if the Lioness was pushed too far, she would kill him on the spot.