A schemer will not like another schemer.
Green did not want to take the bait.
Duke Jon's will to make Green leave King's Landing was very firm.
It was mid-September in 297 AC, and according to the plot, there were still about six months until Duke Jon's departure.
If he delayed reasonably, could Green stall until that time?
It could be said that Green's well-laid plans were ruined by Littlefinger Petyr.
Green kept Petyr for two important reasons.
The first reason was that Green needed Petyr to team up with Lady Lysa Arryn to finish off Duke Jon.
The second reason was that Petyr's small actions forced Green to confront Duke Jon prematurely; Green suppressed his killing intent to let Petyr resolve the trouble he caused, as this was the least costly option, and it was precisely the motive for Green to "visit" Petyr that very night.
With Petyr's shrewdness, he knew what to do next that would be most beneficial to him.
Afterward, would Petyr secretly plot revenge against Green again? Green would not be a passive person, passively waiting for you to make a move, then countering and striking back, back and forth like that.
This was not Green's personality; whether Petyr was unintentional or deliberate, by hitting Green, this "iron plate," he was already on Green's must-eliminate list.
After Duke Jon's departure, if there were no major changes, Green would not foolishly keep Petyr around for the New Year.
The reason for this precondition was that Green already had one foot in the game of thrones; in the game of thrones, there are no eternal enemies, and players of power must always be flexible.
To be granted the title of Peninsula Guardian would naturally be excellent, but Green and Duke Jon were not of equal status, and there would be no fairness in a transaction between unequal parties.
Green didn't even want to hear the details of Duke Jon's offer.
Green shook his head and said sincerely, "I am very grateful for His Grace's regard, but to gain the position, one must first bear its weight. My abilities are not yet worthy of the title of Guardian."
Duke Jon suddenly recalled a very slippery, hard-to-catch fish in the Stormlands that Robert Baratheon had told him about when he was young, what was its name…
Duke Jon recovered his thoughts from his memories and said, "Perhaps once you complete my task, you will be worthy of the title of Guardian."
The feeling of powerlessness caused by Duke Jon's coercion made Green uncomfortable.
Green forcibly suppressed the killing intent that arose in his heart for a moment.
Green felt that compared to the outwardly kind Duke Jon, the outwardly strong Queen Cersei was actually quite adorable.
At this moment, Green especially missed his boss, Cersei.
Green deliberately showed a conflicted expression and said weakly, "Your Grace, if it does not violate Kleber's honor, I will listen first."
Duke Jon did not like Green, and the task he was going to assign Green was certainly not something everyone would be happy about, so Green left himself some leeway in his reply.
You still have the nerve to talk to me about noble honor? In Duke Jon's view, Green, who did not admit his crimes, was not honorable.
After a moment's pause, Duke Jon spoke, "You know that two young Targaryen dragons survived, don't you?"
After speaking, Duke Jon stared at Green without blinking.
Green first instinctively shook his head, then his pupils expanded and contracted.
After a moment of silence, Green sighed, "Duke Jon, the war ended long ago, and the victor has been decided."
Duke Jon, with the stubbornness of an old man, said, "As long as the Dragon's bloodline…"
The keen Green suddenly sensed a third party's gaze.
Green suddenly rose from his chair, "Excuse me, Your Grace, is there a third person in the study?"
Duke Jon, who was about to scold Green for his interruption, also realized Green's unusual movement, narrowed his eyes slightly, and shook his head.
Green nodded, moved a few steps to a corner of the study's back wall, and raised his hand to tap it a few times with the back of his hand.
Although no unusual sound could be heard, Green affirmed, "It's probably around this position, I suddenly felt the presence of a third party."
Green had no need to joke with him like this, Duke Jon tremblingly got up and called out, "Guards!"
As Duke Jon's voice fell, the study door burst open with a bang, and four Gold Cloaks rushed in one by one.
After entering, the Gold Cloaks successively drew their swords, preparing to approach Green.
Duke Jon waved his hand, "Go check the wall near the young baron, check it carefully."
Green moved aside, letting the four Gold Cloaks tap and knock on the wall.
After checking for a while, just as Duke Jon was about to lose patience, a quick-witted Gold Cloak pointed to a very inconspicuous spot and said, "Your Grace, the crack here is not right."
Duke Jon glanced at Green, who had a calm expression, and decisively gave the order, "Go get hammers, and smash it open for me to see."
A Gold Cloak left the study and brought back two large hammers.
After getting the hammers, the Gold Cloaks swung them at the wall.
Bang bang bang, swinging the hammers kicked up a large amount of dust.
With a thud, a large section of the wall collapsed to the other side.
The dust dispersed, revealing a narrow space.
After coughing for a while, Duke Jon's expression was very cold, "No wonder there are no secrets in the Red Keep."
Green felt he should leave and said to Duke Jon, "Your Grace, I will take my leave first."
Duke Jon's gaze did not leave the smashed-out hidden compartment; he simply nodded.
As Green was about to reach the study door, Duke Jon's voice came, "Young Baron, I will give you the reward you deserve for today's matter."
Green had no choice but to stop and turn to bow.
"Also, with your intelligence, you should have understood my meaning. I will give you one month's time, and by then, I want your precise answer."
Outside the Prime Minister's Tower gate.
As Green walked out of the Prime Minister's Tower, the first person he noticed was Tyrion, looking sleepy.
Behind Tyrion were a group of fully armed Lannister red cloaks, numbering about 20.
Mondon and Angai approached Green immediately.
Angai whispered, "My Lord, they arrived just after you went in."
Upon hearing this, Green nodded slightly and stepped closer to Tyrion, "Good day, Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion, with dazed eyes, first gestured to the Lannister red cloaks to leave, then said, "You came out too early, what a pity. A little later, you would have been able to admire the ferocity of Ser Tyrion and the roar of the Lion."
Green chuckled, gently patting Tyrion's arm to express his gratitude.
Tyrion smiled wryly and said, "You should thank Jaime more. I can't command the red cloaks; this was Jaime's arrangement."
Green smiled and said, "Everyone should be thanked. If I had known the Lion was outside, I should have given the Old Duke two punches."
Tyrion laughed heartily and said, "I like your metaphor. So, today's meeting went fairly smoothly?"
Green spread his hands, "There's still some time."
Tyrion reached out and patted Green's thigh, "That's good news. We'll figure it out slowly. The two smartest minds in King's Landing are both here, relax."
Tyrion then chuckled, "My dear sister actually invited us to lunch together. I'm flattered; this is all your doing. Your skill is excellent, you made her very comfortable, hehe."
Green, unsure how to respond: "… … … …"