The Red Keep, Prime Minister's Tower, 2nd floor study.
Jon Arryn held a multitude of titles: Duke of Eyrie, Warden of the Vale, Warden of the East, and King's Hand to Robert Baratheon I.
In his youth, Jon Arryn had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and an aquiline nose, making him quite handsome.
Now 52 years old (297 AC), Jon Arryn had long lost his youthful handsomeness; his once bright and thick golden hair had turned gray and sparse.
Jon Arryn's face was covered in wrinkles, more than half of his teeth were gone, and his body was hunched, making him appear even more decrepit due to the torment of illness.
The occasional glint in Jon Arryn's cloudy eyes still indicated his firm grip on power within the Red Keep.
Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin, seemingly casually picked up a letter with a broken seal: "Duke Jon, this appears to be a letter from the Arryn family, from Seagull Town."
Petyr Baelish, originally from the Vale, was highly regarded and trusted by Jon Arryn, the King's Hand.
Initially, it was Duchess Lysa Tully, who secretly loved Petyr Baelish, who persuaded her husband, Jon Arryn, to promote Petyr to tax collector of Seagull Town.
Petyr had an innate talent for money and trade; after he became tax collector, Seagull Town's tax revenue increased tenfold, and from then on, Duke Jon repeatedly promoted Petyr until he finally became the Master of Coin for King Robert Baratheon's Dynasty.
Jon Arryn looked up from his pile of documents: "Hmm, is that the letter? I haven't had a chance to read it yet."
"It's said that quite a few people died in Seagull Town."
Petyr deliberately spoke ambiguously, only emphasizing the deaths in Seagull Town.
Hearing about the deaths, Duke Jon's attention was indeed piqued, and Jon Arryn put down the documents in his hand.
Petyr respectfully handed the letter to Duke Jon.
Duke Jon narrowed his eyes as he finished reading the letter: "Kleber...? A noble family from Crabclaw Point?"
Duke Jon pondered for a moment, then placed the letter on the desk: "Young and impetuous, it's highly likely that Baron Green of House Clebber is the mastermind. More than twenty people in one night, this half-savage noble truly disregards human life."
"But, my esteemed Duke, as stated in the letter, we have no direct evidence. Relying on a song from Crabclaw Point, it would be impossible to secure a conviction from Lord Renly Baratheon, the Master of Laws."
[Renly Baratheon is King Robert Baratheon's youngest brother, Duke of Storm's End, and Master of Laws.]
Duke Jon's aged face showed a hint of anger: "Anyone with eyes can see he's imitating the Old Lion of Lannister! Arrange it immediately, send a raven to Crabclaw Point, tell him not to delay, and to set out at once to the Red Keep to see me. If he still has a noble's honor, he wouldn't dare deny it!"
Petyr, with his head slightly bowed, a faint smile on his lips, said respectfully: "My Duke, Baron Green of the Kleber Family is already in King's Landing."
Duke Jon's eyes flickered: "Oh? Such a coincidence?"
"He came through Her Majesty the Queen's route, and is now the Queen's steward... It is said Queen Cersei is very fond of him, Jon."
Duke Jon frowned: "Fond?"
Petyr had achieved his goal; through his rhetoric, with ambiguous words, he had successfully aroused Duke Jon's displeasure.
Regardless of the circumstances, based on his understanding of Jon Arryn, he already disliked Baron Green even before meeting him.
Petyr shook his head slightly: "One could also say she values him highly. It's not easy to earn the appreciation of Her Majesty Cersei."
With Baron Green as a sharp dagger in the hands of the willful Queen Cersei, Petyr somewhat anticipated the coming conflict between the Queen and the King's Hand.
Duke Jon looked out the window; night was falling.
"Arrange it then, tomorrow morning. I want to meet this young guest who has traveled so far."
"As you command, my noble Lord, I will arrange it myself."
...
King's Landing, Hook Port, Baron Green's residence, night.
Green, who had just returned home from his busy day, found eight bulging bags embroidered with the golden Lion of Lannister.
In total, there were 800 gold dragons, which, according to his attendant, had just been delivered as a reward from the Queen's attendant.
Was Queen Cersei pleased?
As the impoverished Lord Green, receiving a reward naturally lifted his spirits.
At the same time, a strange thought arose in Green's mind; Green suddenly didn't want to work hard anymore.
He imagined life after marrying a rich woman, then shook his head to himself and smiled wryly.
At least it's not for me. I'll just keep working hard!
...
Green tidied up, changed his clothes, and went to the backyard of the residence.
In the backyard, Tyrion and Lancel were drinking merrily.
Tyrion nodded to Green as he approached and said to Lancel: "So, you have to support me. When I inherit Casterly Rock, my first decree will be to restore the lord's right to the first night, hehe!"
Lancel was already tipsy: "Oh, great Cousin Tyrion, although I like you very much, I can only support you privately, because you will definitely be driven out of Casterly Rock by the common folk, and I don't want to be implicated by you."
Green sat down, poured himself a drink, and said with a smile: "You will always miss him, Lord Tyrion sacrificed himself for everyone's well-being."
Tyrion laughed loudly: "Ah ha, that's human nature, well, a man's nature. I'm just brave enough to say it."
Lancel raised his cup and said: "Baron Green, you're finally here. I had such bad luck today. You have to let me finish, I really, truly had such bad luck today."
Hmm, a drunk Lancel was a chatterbox.
Although Lancel's words were all over the place and messy, Green still understood what had happened.
Green raised his cup and gestured to Tyrion: "A toast to you, mighty Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion grinned, took a big gulp, shook off Lancel's hand that had been gripping his shoulder, and dragged his chair closer to Green: "You're not worried about me at all?"
Green took a sip of his wine, raising an eyebrow: "You're a Lannister, and besides, no prince who hasn't inherited the throne can do anything to you."
Tyrion grinned, then sighed: "Actually, I truly wish I could teach Joffrey well. Although the boy is unlikable, I've never considered him an outsider."
Tyrion lowered his voice: "Once when Joffrey was little, he killed a pregnant cat. Can you guess why? Just because he was curious what the kittens inside the pregnant cat's belly looked like, he used a dagger to cut open the poor pregnant cat. Joffrey lacks reverence for life and disregards the lives of others. If he isn't corrected in time, he'll become another Mad King in the future."
Is it really okay to tell me such royal secrets?
Green glanced at Lancel, who was still muttering to himself, and said: "You'd best advise Lancel to find a way to become the King's attendant earlier."
Tyrion agreed: "Lancel has left Joffrey with an impression of weakness. Joffrey's personality... the weaker someone is, the more he likes to torment them. If he thinks you're not to be trifled with, Joffrey wouldn't dare provoke you. Ha ha, that's my dear nephew, the heir to the Iron Throne."
Thanks to Apologies for the tip!