"Please follow me."
In the Prime Ministers Tower hall, under Ser Kevan's instruction, a short, stout young attendant prepared to lead Greene Crabb's "Bloodmen" guards to clean up.
"I only need a bucket of water."
Seeing the others' gazes shift to her, Brienne moved her lips and explained, "I am Lord Greene Crabb's personal guard, and my duty does not allow me to be far from him."
Monton, holding his cylindrical helmet, first surveyed the spiral staircase, then looked around, and finally walked towards a spot… where there was a maid holding a broom.
The maid looked up and saw a "small mountain," so startled she almost screamed "Help!"
At this moment, Monton's hand moved, and a silver stag, stained with specks of blood, flipped in the air and slid neatly into the maid's neckline.
She smiled, it worked well… Monton secretly nodded. He was imitating his lord; he had seen it many times in Maegors Holdfast.
"Excuse me, please help that…"
Monton pointed to Brienne and said, "Send a bucket of water to that lady, and… a towel."
That tallest man… was actually a woman?!
Under Duke Tywin's "rule" in the Prime Ministers Tower, the maids and attendants were well-trained; no matter what they thought, no one stared.
Anguy was the only guard who didn't need to clean up. He spoke to Brienne, "I'll go first."
...
On the stairs, Ser Kevan couldn't help but glance downwards.
Greene Crabb's brown eyes flickered, and he said, "She is a warrior from Tarth, Lord Kevan."
Ser Kevan nodded slightly and said, "I have heard her name. She is the heir to Mulin Hall and the Earl of Tarth. She was one of Renly Baratheon's Rainbow Guards."
"Renly Baratheon…" Greene Crabb murmured.
Ser Kevan smiled and said, "Renly Baratheon is dead, Stannis has fled, and the source of the Seven Kingdoms' turmoil is now only the Young Wolf holed up in Riverrun."
Greene Crabb nodded and said, "I hope the war can end as soon as possible, so that the chaotic Seven Kingdoms can usher in peace. May the Gods bless us."
Ser Kevan said with a slight surprise, "Earl Greene Crabb, you are indeed different from others. The young knights of the Westerlands long for war all day, knowing that honor can be gained on the battlefield, but not understanding the preciousness of peace."
Greene Crabb's lips curved slightly, and he said, "Lord Mace told me that true renowned generals do not like war, because they understand its cruelty better. He told me that true renowned generals are unwilling to enjoy battle achievements that are spoken of throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I think… this is Lord Mace's art of war, his greatness."
He sighed, then continued, "Although the Battle of the Vale ended quickly, it was still a bloodbath. To restore its former prosperity will take at least ten, or even twenty or thirty years."
His expression was somewhat sorrowful: "The Arryn Family's rebellion, however, brought suffering to the people of the Vale. War… they are the biggest victims."
... Ser Kevan's movement up the stairs imperceptibly paused.
After a short silence, Ser Kevan also sighed and said, "The Seven Kingdoms need time to recover, and… King's Landing, it cannot be chaotic."
Greene Crabb nodded slightly, saying, "Lord Kevan, you have keen insight. King's Landing is the center of the Seven Kingdoms; it represents the majesty of the Iron Throne. The King's City indeed cannot experience turmoil. This is the responsibility and duty of every person loyal to the royal family."
As they turned a corner, Ser Kevan reached out and gripped the stair railing, saying, "I think Hand of the King Tywin shares the same view."
Greene Crabb, with his hands behind his back, climbed the stairs and said, "Lord Kevan, truthfully, I actually greatly admire Hand of the King Tywin. After Aerys II ascended the throne, he disbanded the old Small Council left by Jaehaerys II and appointed Hand of the King Tywin, then only twenty years old, as his King's Hand. He was the youngest Hand of the King in history and served for twenty years.
As far as I know, under Hand of the King Tywin's governance, the entire kingdom remained stable and prosperous. At that time, from the Wall to Oldtown… people said he was truly ruling the kingdom, and some even said that the Gods in heaven created Tyrion Lannister to rule the Seven Kingdoms on earth."
He turned his head to Ser Kevan, smiled, and said, "King Joffrey is a fortunate king because he has Hand of the King Tywin as his King's Hand."
Ser Kevan's deep green eyes looked at Greene Crabb and said, "When my grandson comes of age, his grandfather will be able to return to Casterly Rock with peace of mind. And…"
His expression was gentle: "Hand of the King Tywin has always been observing you. At first, it was out of normal vigilance, and later, out of pure admiration. I understand my brother very well. Perhaps… he wants to see a younger, more outstanding Hand of the King to continue governing this kingdom."
Greene Crabb's brown eyes flickered, and he said, "I think no one can be more outstanding than Hand of the King Tywin. The weakened Seven Kingdoms cannot do without his care."
He smiled, then added, "Lord Kevan, perhaps you might not believe it, but compared to the complexities of King's Landing, I prefer the simple…"
He didn't finish, instead shaking his head as if helpless.
After a pause, Ser Kevan said gently, "When Lancel gets married, I plan to go with him to Darry to help my son govern his fief. Actually… I really look forward to that day."
Greene Crabb and Ser Kevan looked at each other, both smiling faintly.
Arriving at the Prime Ministers study on the third floor, two red-robed guards, standing on either side of the door and wearing Lion helmets, pulled open the oak door carved with the King's Hand sigil.
Jon Arryn… Eddard Stark… Tyrion Lannister… Greene Crabb couldn't help but sigh. Including Hand of the King Tywin, whom he was about to meet, this study had welcomed its fourth Hand of the King in less than two years. He could only say… how marvelous.
"Welcome, Earl Greene Crabb."
Entering the study, Greene Crabb saw Hand of the King Tywin standing by the table, hands behind his back.
Greene Crabb showed a slight smile, placed his hand on his chest, and said, "It is an honor to meet you, Lord Hand."
The bald Hand of the King Tywin had thick golden sideburns, a tall stature, broad shoulders, a flat stomach, and long legs. At over fifty years old, he was as strong as a twenty-year-old.
He wore a glittering Lord Hand's chain and a deep purple velvet coat. He offered Greene Crabb a friendly expression.
Hand of the King Tywin's eyes were bright and piercing, like two deep emeralds. He spoke, "If not for some unexpected circumstances, we should have met at the Small Council this morning. Earl Greene Crabb, please be seated."
He looked at his brother and added, "Ser Kevan, please do not let anyone disturb us during our conversation."
Ser Kevan bowed respectfully to Hand of the King Tywin and then turned to leave.
After sitting down, Greene Crabb subtly observed the father of Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion, this Old Lion once hailed as the "Eternal Lord Hand."
During Hand of the King Tywin's tenure as Hand of the King under Aerys II: he resolved the financial disputes between the Iron Throne and Braavos, abolished many of Aegon V's laws that constrained nobles, reduced taxes in large cities and built roads, promoted tournaments… strengthened trade and severely punished opportunists… and also quelled the Duskendale rebellion.
These achievements earned Hand of the King Tywin prestige and support, but not affection. Because he was too strong, too unsympathetic… even cruel.
...
Greene Crabb leaned back in his chair and said, "I also regret that I heard Lord Mace was unwell and unable to attend the Small Council meeting you convened (Chapter 320). This morning, I visited the monks and nuns of the Great Sept, asking them to pray for Lord Mace's swift recovery."
He spread his hands: "And I, on my way back, was ambushed by remnants from the Vale. It was very dangerous; I almost lost the opportunity to meet you."
As Greene Crabb spoke, Hand of the King Tywin stared at his eyes without moving, listening intently.
After listening, he was silent for a while, then spoke, "Jon Arryn was Hand of the King for fifteen years. There are many supporters hidden in King's Landing, but they are now rats in the gutter, nothing to fear."
He paused, then added, "King Joffrey, I, the Duke of Highgarden, and you, we share a common, true enemy."
Greene Crabb nodded and said, "The Trout and Direwolf of the Riverlands, the Direwolf of the North, and perhaps… the Squids of the Iron Islands are also enemies of the Iron Throne. And the Stag licking its wounds on Dragonstone."
Hand of the King Tywin gazed at Greene Crabb for a moment, then said directly, "Earl Greene Crabb, if we join forces, at least the enemies closest to the Iron Throne can be easily dealt with. I want to know, or rather, what are your conditions?"
Greene Crabb shook his head slightly, extending two fingers, and said, "Respected Hand of the King Tywin, please forgive my presumption, but I must remind you that you are treating two matters as one."
Hand of the King Tywin's green eyes moved slightly, and he said, "Tell me."
"Our sitting down to discuss how to quell the rebellion has a precondition."
Greene Crabb held up one finger, looking directly at Hand of the King Tywin, and said, "That is… I am willing to sit down and talk with you. This is the first condition."
Hand of the King Tywin's expression was calm: "Please continue."
Greene Crabb withdrew his hand and said, "Only after the first condition is met can we discuss the topic you mentioned earlier. For example, how we can work together to hunt the Young Wolf causing trouble in the Riverlands."
Hand of the King Tywin's finger tapped the armrest of the Lord Hand's chair, and he said, "Then, let's first discuss your first condition."
Greene Crabb first placed his hand on his chest and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Hand of the King Tywin."
Then, he slowly said, "My condition is simple: as long as you allow Queen Mother Cersei to choose her own marriage, the Vale and Crab Claw Peninsula will be very willing to follow you, Lord Hand."
As his words fell, Greene Crabb saw a vein in Hand of the King Tywin's neck bulge.
The atmosphere became heavy.
After a pause, Hand of the King Tywin said, "Then, what are your conditions for deploying troops?"
Greene Crabb reminded him, "Hand of the King Tywin, the premise for discussing this matter is that we have already settled the first matter."
Hand of the King Tywin stared at Greene Crabb silently.
Greene Crabb, in turn, looked at Hand of the King Tywin candidly.
After a long while, Hand of the King Tywin said calmly, "Earl Greene Crabb, I want to remind you that a qualified ruler does not easily waste rare opportunities."
Greene Crabb showed a hint of hesitation, but it quickly turned into determination.
"Thank you for your reminder."
He sighed slightly and said, "It's hard for me to refuse her. If not for her invitation, I would actually prefer to be by my fiancée's side."
Because of Greene Crabb's emotional words, a hint of suspicion flashed in Hand of the King Tywin's eyes.
He wasn't doubting his daughter's charm, but rather he didn't believe Greene Crabb's "excuse." He knew very well… or rather, could sense… that the young ruler before him could not be someone swayed by beauty.
Hand of the King Tywin's voice was slightly cold: "Earl Greene Crabb, she is my daughter. You should be well aware that this is a Lannister family matter."
Greene Crabb nodded slightly, saying, "Respected Hand of the King Tywin, I came for Queen Mother Cersei. I had no choice but to make a presumptuous move."
Without much thought, Hand of the King Tywin made a decision: "Earl Greene Crabb, since you insist, I can stop insisting. However, I hope… this is the last time you involve yourself in Lannister family matters."
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