The content of Cersei Lannister's words, however, made Petyr Baelish's heart skip a beat.
Petyr spread his hands, his tone helpless: "Your Majesty, this… I must say it's very tempting, and I wish the truth were so, but I know I'm not capable enough; I'm just a messenger."
Varys clasped his hands, his tone comforting: "Lord Petyr, your talent is evident to all; there's no need to belittle yourself."
Petyr's eye twitched: "Lord Varys, I only know to do my duty."
Varys immediately replied: "That is precisely the most commendable quality."
Petyr's tone was sarcastic: "Loyalty to duty isn't something to be praised; why do I feel like you're implying something?"
Varys nodded slightly, his eyes gleaming: "I merely wish to inspire my own mediocrity through Lord Petyr, for only your excellence is well-known."
I hate him… Petyr said coldly: "Lord Varys, your pervasive special skill is what is truly evident to all."
Varys's tone was humble: "The Small Council needs someone who can gather information, and I just happened to be here. This cannot compare to your talent for governing; you are, one might say, irreplaceable."
Varys's sweet words sounded full of sarcasm to Petyr.
Petyr's words began to carry a hint of anger: "I'd very much like to know who could replace your position."
Varys's tone remained humble: "Lord Petyr, don't fret; as long as one is literate, anyone can."
Petyr's smile deepened, but the mirth didn't reach his eyes.
Varys seemed completely oblivious to Petyr's anger, his demeanor growing even more humble.
Why did Petyr and Varys suddenly "argue" without reason? They were deliberately diverting attention.
These people, who treat power struggles as their daily bread, tacitly chose not to let Queen Cersei continue speaking.
They all had a feeling that Queen Cersei's next words would surely be shocking, and they were not yet prepared for them.
After a few more sentences, the argument would naturally escalate, and Petyr or Varys would storm out, or perhaps both at the same time, forcibly ending the Small Council meeting.
Queen Cersei could only speak at the next Small Council… Because of the time difference, if they discovered it was something unfavorable to them, Cersei would not have another chance.
How it would ultimately unfold depended on whether there was profit to be made.
The idea was good and conformed to the rules of the game of thrones, but unfortunately, they ran into Cersei.
"Enough! You two, be quiet!"
Cersei's sharp cry directly interrupted Petyr and Varys's rhythm.
Cersei didn't see anything specific; she simply thought these two men… one man and half a man, were too noisy.
How dare they quarrel so brazenly in front of her? Do they have any respect for me?
Cersei ignored the varied expressions of the others and said impatiently: "Jon Arryn, I came today to recommend a successor for King's Hand!"
As Cersei's words fell, the Throne Room seemed to instantly freeze, and everyone present was stunned.
Looking at the reactions on everyone's faces, Queen Cersei raised her smooth chin triumphantly.
Green's move, it suits me perfectly!
The Master of Coin were not so much shocked by Cersei's words as they were surprised by her willfulness.
The Small Council had its own rules of the game, and they couldn't tell if Queen Cersei… didn't understand, or was deliberately ignoring them.
...
Had the Lannister of the Westerlands finally become restless upon seeing him gravely ill? Prime Minister Jon suspected that Tywin Lannister was behind Queen Cersei's sudden intrusion into the Small Council today.
Prime Minister Jon's heart was complex, and his tone was cold: "Queen Cersei, I never forget my duties. I already have arrangements for this matter."
Cersei sneered and said: "Jon Arryn, you don't even dare to ask who I'm recommending. Are you going to leave the King's Hand to…"
At this point, Cersei deliberately paused for a moment, then mocked: "Are you planning to pass it on to your young son, Robert Arryn?"
"You, cough, cough, cough…"
Prime Minister Jon was so enraged by Cersei's nonsensical words that his blood churned, and he couldn't help but cough again.
Renly Baratheon chuckled, his tone teasing: "Your Majesty, little Robert is still young and needs a long time to grow up. Your humor has made me laugh!"
Renly's frivolous tone, unusually, didn't anger Cersei, because his words had some truth to them. Cersei had indeed suspected whether the House Arryn would always hold the position of Prime Minister.
Although Jon's heir was young, Cersei only temporarily suppressed her vigilance, because the House Arryn represented the Riverlands, and the Riverlands was not only the Arryn Family.
Cersei didn't want the Arryn Family or the nobles of the Riverlands to continue lingering in front of her when Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne. At that time, all those who were an eyesore would be expelled by her, and only her Lannister family members would remain in the Red Keep.
...
Jon, having stopped coughing, gazed at Cersei for a moment, then spoke: "It seems that among all present, only Your Majesty has no hidden agenda."
Prime Minister Jon had already concluded that the King's Hand successor Cersei was going to such great lengths to recommend was Duke Tywin.
Cersei's identity was Queen, and Tywin was her father. Recommending her own father, no matter how she argued, could not avoid the accusation of favoritism.
Moreover, he wasn't going to die just yet. Once he resolved the issue of the royal bloodline, at least while King Robert was alive, not even half a Lannister would be allowed in the Red Keep again.
So, I'm giving you the opportunity to formally propose a candidate for King's Hand, and you shouldn't interfere with my city lockdown. We'll have a fair deal!
Petyr's eyes were downcast, his gaze deep… He felt that although some unexpected things had happened today, they had revealed a golden opportunity to him.
Petyr's grey-green eyes shifted slightly, glancing at Prime Minister Jon, whose face was flushed with a sickly pallor.
Through Queen Cersei's previous words, and with Prime Minister Jon gravely ill, the duties of acting as Prime Minister in the capacity of "messenger" should now be proactively concluded.
The great nobles had already noticed him; they would not allow an outsider to hold the Prime Minister's authority for an extended period.
Prime Minister Jon's value to Petyr had already greatly diminished… No, he still had one last, greatest value: to create a ladder for my ascent.
Petyr lowered his eyelids, concealing the coldness in his eyes.
...
Cersei snorted lightly and said: "I am Queen, so naturally I act out of public interest."
Under the sunlight, Cersei's curly golden hair, falling over her collarbone, sparkled.
"I, Cersei Lannister, as Queen, recommend Duke Mace Tyrell of Highgarden as the successor to King's Hand."
Queen Cersei's statement at the Small Council at this moment shocked everyone.
Queen Cersei curled her lips, her tone disdainful: "How about that, Jon Arryn? Are you still going to groundlessly question your Queen?"
Cersei was very satisfied with the effect she had created at the pre-meeting.
None of the incompetent Master of Coin were her match!
Cersei slowly took a long breath, suppressing her warm excitement, and her long, pale, joined legs under her dress shifted.
...
Petyr's eyes trembled. Duke Mace taking over as King's Hand was definitely not good news for him. The powerful Golden Rose Family had the ability to stabilize the kingdom's situation in a short time.
Without a chaotic situation, his ladder of ascent would not appear.
Petyr's thoughts raced. He couldn't directly intervene to stop it.
The Red Keep had no secrets. What happened in the Small Council today would eventually be known by the Golden Rose Family. Petyr didn't want to directly offend the House Tyrell.
Petyr's heart stirred, Direwolf!
Duke Jon moved his lips. What he was most worried about now was whether the House Tyrell and the Lannister had already formed a secret alliance.
If the Lion and the Rose had already allied, then when the issue of the royal bloodline was revealed, it would be the start of a great war. At that time, the royal bloodline issue would instead become the Lannister's best excuse, thoroughly binding the Westerlands and the Riverlands.
When the fundamental interests of families clashed, no one would pay attention to the facts themselves.
If this great war erupted, all Seven Kingdoms would be drawn in. Its scale would be no less than the great war of a decade ago, perhaps even greater.
For the stability of the kingdom, should he actively conceal the ugly truth and personally tarnish his honor?
Prime Minister Jon was indecisive for a moment; his poor health was already making it difficult to cope with complex situations.
Petyr looked at Prime Minister Jon, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, not speaking, and felt secretly anxious.
Petyr had no choice but to speak up and remind him: "Prime Minister, you should respect Queen Cersei's recommendation, and the Small Council cannot ignore Her Majesty's suggestion. You can report the candidates for King's Hand together to King Robert."
Prime Minister Jon opened his eyes, and a flash of light flickered in his cloudy gaze.
King Robert's long-standing neglect of state affairs had made Jon accustomed to handling all problems himself.
Queen Cersei could recommend candidates, but the final choice rested with King Robert.
Who would King Robert appoint as the next King's Hand?
Duke Jon already knew the answer to this.
...
Duke Jon felt emotional about Petyr's timely reminder. He had always thought highly of Petyr's talent, but unfortunately, his background wasn't noble enough, otherwise…
Duke Jon collected his thoughts and said: "Queen Cersei, I will report your recommendation to King Robert."
Duke Jon mustered his spirits. Regardless of whether the Lion and the Rose had formed an alliance, he would find a way to sow discord between them.
Perhaps, Queen Cersei personally recommending Duke Mace as the Prime Minister candidate was itself a good opportunity.
Cersei nodded with a cold expression.
At this moment, Renly suddenly said: "Duke Jon, please also report my name. I nominate myself as the next King's Hand."
Renly's smiling words made it difficult for anyone to tell if he was joking.
Prime Minister Jon looked at Renly: "Renly, are you serious?"
Renly shrugged, and Prime Minister Jon nodded slightly with a complex expression.
Why did Renly suddenly nominate himself?
Prime Minister Jon sighed inwardly. Renly was still too young, always prone to impulsiveness!
Was he feeling betrayed?
Prime Minister Jon knew the deep friendship between Renly and Loras Tyrell, but Loras could not represent the Golden Rose Family.
[Loras Tyrell is the third son of Duke Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, known as the "Knight of Flowers"; when Renly was at Storm's End, he took Loras Tyrell as his squire, and from then on, a strong friendship was established with Loras.]
...
Jaime, standing behind Cersei, clenched his fist as he watched the smiling Renly, coldness lurking in his green eyes.
Jaime would not forget the hatred for Renly, who had secretly harmed Cersei.
Green had already promised Jaime to help him plot against Renly (Chapter 89).
Lannister always pay their debts, but for Cersei's safety, Jaime was willing to exercise enough patience, waiting for Green to return from Essos.
...
Cersei's matter was not yet finished, she said: "Jon Arryn, Highgarden is far to the south, and Duke Mace should be invited here as soon as possible."
Prime Minister Jon frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Queen Cersei, I am still the Kingdom's Prime Minister. Duke Mace has not yet been appointed as the new Prime Minister by King Robert. Duke Mace is currently one of the candidates."
Cersei said disdainfully: "Of course I know Duke Mace is not yet the Kingdom's Prime Minister. Since he is already a candidate for Prime Minister, it is only proper respect to invite him to the Red Keep."
Cersei snorted coldly and continued: "If Duke Mace can be invited in advance, it's certainly more dignified than having a Master of Coin run errands for you."
Petyr: "..."
Prime Minister Jon had already confirmed that the mastermind behind everything today was Duke Tywin, far away in Casterly Rock.
If it weren't for Duke Tywin's machinations, he wouldn't believe Queen Cersei could have come up with all this herself.
Cersei did not possess such political cunning to launch one move after another against him.
Willful and never calm, that was Cersei Lannister, once the light of the Westerlands.
At this moment, Grand Maester Pycelle shakily Rose and said: "Duke Jon, if you can get the support of grain from the Riverlands, you will certainly be able to appease the common folk when you lockdown the city."
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Jon looked at Petyr.
Petyr smiled elegantly, his tone respectful: "Prime Minister, I can already imagine how absurd the grain prices in King's Landing will become. I dare not overestimate the integrity of the grain merchants in King's Landing."
Petyr did not cooperate with Prime Minister Jon this time, deliberately answering with meaningless words that were not meaningless.
Prime Minister Jon frowned slightly… Never mind, I estimate Petyr is also very flustered right now. He has only truly witnessed Cersei's difficult nature today!
His true purpose for the city lockdown, only he knew best.
After Robert ascended the Iron Throne, the Golden Rose Family had been excluded from the Red Keep.
The Red Keep was the center of power in the Seven Kingdoms, and the powerful Golden Rose Family would not easily give up this opportunity. He had to take this matter seriously.
Things had changed, so Prime Minister Jon had no choice but to adjust his original plan.
After a moment of contemplation, Prime Minister Jon reluctantly said: "Let's not rush with the city lockdown for now."
"Queen Cersei, I will personally write a letter to invite Duke Mace."
Upon hearing Duke Jon agree to her request, Cersei finally showed a satisfied expression.
Varys clasped his hands, nodded slightly, and said to Queen Cersei: "Your Majesty, I must remind you that there is currently no suitable position for Duke of Highgarden in the Red Keep."
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