As soon as Greene arrived in King's Landing, he learned from Joffrey that all the important figures in the city had gathered at the Baelor's Sept.
Greene's heart stirred, and he immediately rode his horse towards the Red Keep.
Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
As he approached Maegor's Holdfast, the astute Greene sensed the heavy atmosphere.
Greene frowned, flung his blue cloak, and quickened his pace.
Tap, tap, tap… Only Greene's hurried footsteps echoed within the empty Maegor's Holdfast.
When Greene neared the Queen's chambers, he quickly spotted Jaime Lannister guarding the door.
Jaime's face was dark, and he stood there looking somewhat disheveled.
Greene glanced at the slightly ajar door and greeted him, "Good day, Ser Jaime, where is Her Grace, the Queen?"
Jaime smiled bitterly, patting Greene's arm, "Good day. Cersei… the Queen, is not feeling well today…"
Before Jaime could finish, Cersei Lannister's voice came from inside the room.
"Both of you, come in!"
Greene and Jaime exchanged glances.
Greene: How is she not feeling well?
Jaime: Go see for yourself!
Greene pursed his lips, withdrew his gaze, pushed open the door, and entered the Queen's chambers with Jaime.
Queen Cersei, dressed in a wine-red, off-the-shoulder gown, sat by the bed.
The red mark on her left cheek was prominent, yet she showed no intention of concealing it.
Cersei held herself upright, her smooth chin slightly raised.
Before Greene and Jaime could bow, Cersei's emerald eyes shifted slightly, and she spoke, "Earl Greene, come here."
Greene's body paused for a moment, then he continued walking, lowering himself before Cersei.
Greene glanced at Cersei's swollen cheek, his voice tinged with suppressed anger, "Was this… the King's doing?!"
Cersei did not speak, but Greene saw a thin film of moisture appear in her beautiful eyes.
She's playing me… Cersei is not a weak woman!
Greene inwardly marveled at Cersei's talent; she understood certain male characteristics perfectly.
The atmosphere had already been set, and to maintain his usual persona, Lord Green could not back down.
At this moment, Jaime gave Greene a strong sense of security.
Greene's eyes gleamed coldly, and he gritted his teeth, "Queen Cersei, please give the order, and I will go kill him immediately!"
Cersei leaned forward and pulled Greene's head into her embrace.
The corner of her lips curved imperceptibly.
So soft… Greene thought, wondering if he should wear a helmet next time.
"Greene, this is a badge of honor."
Cersei stroked the hair at the back of Greene's head and added, "What truly angers me is that Robert dared to threaten me with Joffrey! He wants to send Joffrey to Storm's End, to forcibly separate us, mother and son."
Greene's voice was a little muffled as he spoke, "Your Grace, what do you wish to do?"
Cersei felt the warmth and curved her lips.
She slowly lowered her head, leaving a gentle kiss on Greene's head before releasing the somewhat stiff Greene.
Boss Cersei's skill at manipulating men was superb… Greene stood up after a moment of stunned silence, then walked to stand beside the nonchalant Jaime.
Well, men in Westeros only focus on one thing, ahem!
Greene collected his thoughts and looked at Cersei.
… … … …
"Jaime, Greene! That drunkard dared to threaten me with my son; I cannot swallow this insult."
Remembering Robert's threat, Cersei's anger was reignited.
Jaime spoke, "Queen Cersei, we will find a way."
After speaking, Jaime nodded almost imperceptibly.
Cersei's eyes trembled slightly, her anger immediately dissipated, and the corners of her lips curved in pleasure.
Greene seemed oblivious to Cersei and Jaime's subtle interaction.
Greene lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then spoke, "Your Grace, I've heard that Duke Renly greatly resembles King Robert in his youth?"
Cersei snorted coldly, initially not wanting to answer, but thinking that Greene, her favored minister, had never disappointed her, she nodded slightly.
Seeing Cersei nod, Greene said, "King Robert has angered you. He is the King after all, so we can tolerate it for now. However… Ser Jaime and I can go teach Duke Renly, who resembles him, a lesson, to first avenge you, Your Grace. That should be acceptable, right?"
Jaime had been holding his breath, and he was somewhat tempted, but after a moment's thought, he still said, "Earl Greene, Renly is the Duke of Storm's End. He is not only the King's brother, but also the Master of Laws on the Small Council. Even a small matter can easily escalate into a major one."
Although Jaime rationally tried to dissuade Greene, he also remembered that Renly had once plotted to harm Cersei… To be honest, he was actually very tempted by Greene's suggestion.
Cersei, however, was quite interested: "Earl Greene, what do you intend to do?"
Greene glanced at Jaime, who was secretly listening intently, then pursed his lips and said, "Your Grace, my method is not clever. Ser Jaime and I are swordsmen, and swordsmen have their own ways.
I heard that the important figures in King's Landing are currently gathered at the Great Sept of Baelor for Prime Minister Jon's funeral, so it should be very lively there now.
Doesn't Duke Renly often boast about how formidable his guards are? Ser Jaime and I can deliberately provoke Duke Renly… This matter can be left to me to handle; Ser Jaime is a Lannister after all, and some matters are more sensitive for him."
Greene did not intend to let these so-called important figures maintain a friendly atmosphere.
Since they were gathered to pursue their own interests, they naturally deserved an appropriate atmosphere.
The devil is often in the details; it starts by stirring up small conflicts.
… … … …
Jaime raised an eyebrow and interjected, "You're not worried about yourself, then."
Jaime was being kind, subtly reminding Greene that Renly was not to be trifled with.
Greene shrugged and said, "So, I need your support, Ser Jaime."
Greene was a Crownlands noble, and Renly was not his liege lord, so as long as the scale was managed, it shouldn't be a big problem.
Thinking of this, Jaime tacitly agreed to Greene's suggestion.
He was still seething with anger, and this idea seemed quite good.
Such minor skirmishes did not pique Cersei's interest; if Greene were to directly kill Renly, she would be greatly interested.
Now, however, the planned scheme was only one step away from completion, and Cersei had a little patience.
Today, Jaime had made his stance clear, and Greene's performance also pleased Cersei.
In her pleasant mood, Cersei reluctantly agreed to encourage the two men's childish behavior.
Cersei's tone was uncharacteristically gentle: "Two swordsmen, I await your victorious return."
… … … …
… … … …
Greene and Jaime weren't going to war, and bringing too many people would easily make others mistakenly believe they were deliberately provoking them.
Although they were indeed deliberately provoking, they couldn't leave too obvious an excuse.
Everything had to appear natural.
Greene discreetly brought only four Cleber's Blue Cloaks.
Jaime chose twelve Lannister Red Cloaks, which was his minimum standard for travel.
Under Cersei's encouragement, Jaime's morale was a bit too high.
On the way, Greene, feeling uneasy, instructed, "Ser Jaime, your main task is to watch the show."
Jaime, riding his horse, looked very dashing with his golden hair flowing and white cloak fluttering.
Jaime's face darkened slightly, and he glanced sideways at Greene, saying, "Wildling Earl, aren't you the one who likes to make a big fuss?"
Ser Jaime's eloquence has improved?
Greene spread his hands, "Ser Jaime, I will not break my word!"
Jaime understood that Greene was referring to their previous agreement to plot against Renly.
Jaime's lips curved slightly, "Lannisters always pay their debts!"
… … … …
Great Sept of Baelor, White Marble Plaza.
Jaime pulled on the reins and gestured with his chin in one direction.
Greene looked in the direction Jaime indicated and spotted a green figure beneath a fluttering crowned stag banner.
The green figure was surrounded by people, and Greene could hear laughter occasionally.
Renly was indeed very high-profile!
And the atmosphere was so joyful? It seemed Duke Jon's funeral wasn't over yet.
Is this the Westerosi version of 'the tea gets cold after the person leaves'?
Greene dismounted and handed the reins directly to his guard.
Greene spoke to Jaime beside him, "Ser Jaime, looking at Duke Renly now, does your affection for Tyrion deepen a bit more?"
Jaime shrugged, "He only has a few minor flaws; otherwise, he's always been excellent."
Greene sighed softly, "I heard that shortly after Duke Renly came of age, Duke Jon summoned him from Storm's End to the Small Council, appointing him Master of Laws. He can be said to have cultivated him diligently…"
Jaime looked strangely at Greene, who was full of emotion.
Jaime's memory was always good; he clearly remembered that Greene used to wish he could personally execute Prime Minister Jon.
And there was the hatred between Crab Claw Point and the Vale Nobles led by Duke Jon.
Jaime said perfunctorily, "Perhaps he's recovered."
As Greene and Jaime spoke, they began to walk towards where Renly and the others were.
… … … …
"Ser Jaime, the atmosphere here is so cheerful. Is someone holding a wedding? Didn't you say Duke Jon's funeral wasn't over yet?"
Greene's words suddenly reached them, and Renly and the others' laughter abruptly ceased.
Before Jaime could answer, Greene pointed at the banner again, "Isn't that House Baratheon's crowned stag banner? Is Duke Stannis here too?"
This was very different from the scene he had imagined… Jaime's face was calm, but he felt very awkward inside.
Jaime still remembered their purpose: "It's very possible. Duke Stannis and Duke Jon have always been close!"
"Jaime, do you not see me?"
Duke Renly, wearing a mischievous smile, walked towards them.
Renly, around twenty years old, was dressed in green robes, tall and well-built, with shoulder-length, jet-black hair that framed his neatly trimmed face.
His features were very handsome, and with a pair of smiling blue eyes, he immediately made a good impression.
Jaime shrugged, "Now I do."
Duke Renly seemed not to mind Jaime's coldness at all and let out a hearty laugh.
Greene, the expert performer, inwardly assessed that Renly's boisterousness lacked a certain innate naturalness.
Robert's boisterousness was a natural outflow from within; was this a younger brother who loved to imitate his older brother?
… … … …
Greene leaned close to Jaime and asked, "Who is he?"
[Greene had not yet met Renly]
Greene seemed to lower his voice, but everyone around heard him clearly.
Renly's smile froze for a moment.
Jaime's lips curved slightly, and he answered seriously, "This is Renly Baratheon, Duke of Storm's End, Master of Laws on the Small Council."
After hearing this, Greene's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he bowed, "Good day, Duke Renly, I am the Earl of Whispers, Greene Kleber."
Renly maintained his smile and nodded slightly.
Greene's right hand rested on his sword hilt, and he glanced around, saying, "I heard the laughter from here a long way off… I've just returned to King's Landing. Has Prime Minister Jon's funeral already ended?"
As Greene's words fell, the air around them seemed to suddenly solidify.
Whispering Fort? Whispering Fort of Crab Claw Point?
Some Crownlands nobles had intended to admonish this half-wildling noble from Crab Claw Point, but seeing Jaime beside Greene… these two were clearly in league. After some thought, they did not act rashly, deciding to wait and see.
They could all tell that the Earl of Whispers's words just now carried a hint of deliberate provocation.
They felt that things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.
"Master of Laws, please forgive my impertinence, my question may not be related to law."
Greene raised an eyebrow and continued, "Duke Renly, please believe my sincerity, I am just a little curious."
Jaime's green eyes moved, and he glanced at Greene, who stood tall.
This wasn't just a provocation? Was he preparing to openly question a Duke's character?
I knew it would be like this; on the way here, he had the nerve to worry that I would make a big fuss!
I… well done!
… … … …
Renly's smile faded, and his blue eyes gazed unblinkingly at Greene.
Greene said gently, "Duke Renly?"
The atmosphere visibly grew heavier, and those around them silently watched the scene unfold.
Soon after, a young man in golden armor suddenly strode out from behind Renly.
He loudly exclaimed, "This is a deliberate offense against Duke Renly!!"
The young man was slender, with long, flowing brown hair and a pair of beautiful golden eyes.
His facial features were soft and elegant, and he was exceedingly handsome.
Hiss, Greene had to admit he felt a slight… pressure regarding his appearance.
… … … …
Greene recognized this person as Loras Tyrell, known as the Knight of Flowers, Renly's "personal" guard.
Greene seemed not to notice the prominent Golden Rose emblem on his body and asked Jaime, "Ser, who is he?"
It's all for Cersei… sigh.
Jaime glanced at Greene and replied, "The Golden Rose of Highgarden, Ser Loras Tyrell."
Greene nodded somewhat perfunctorily and asked, "Ser Tyrell, how have I offended Duke Renly? Please tell me directly."
The handsome Loras moved his lips, momentarily unsure how to speak.
After a pause, Greene raised an eyebrow and said, "Ser, were you just slandering a Queen's Chief Steward out of thin air?"
Greene brought up the position of the Queen's Chief Steward, a position that was neither high nor low, neither light nor heavy.
But it was also very special, because when the Queen's Chief Steward was out, he could, to some extent, represent the Queen.