Lord Green had originally planned to use his Clan Soldiers to gently surround the Stark party, reminding them of the dangers in King's Landing, and incidentally showcasing Kleber's military prowess, preparing for his back-and-forth between the Lannister and Stark.
Margaery's appearance informed Lord Green that King Robert was traveling with the Stark, and he did not want to unnecessarily invite trouble, thus he had to change his plan.
Her skirt fluttered in the wind, Margaery Tyrell maintained an elegant posture on horseback, her riding skills were excellent.
She seemed to sense Lord Green's gaze, and her deer-like eyes looked over.
"Little Rose is truly perceptive," Lord Green praised loudly, "Miss Margaery, your riding posture is very charming."
Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop.
All around were the sounds of horse hooves striking the ground, and Margaery, who paid attention to her image, did not speak, merely smiled and nodded in thanks.
After riding for another hour, Lord Green looked up at the sky, then at a tavern by the distant King's Road.
They stopped their horses in front of the tavern, and Lord Green surveyed it; though dilapidated, the tavern was quite spacious.
Seeing many soldiers and horses suddenly appear in front of her tavern, a middle-aged woman with a prominent figure bravely pushed the door open and stepped out.
Before coming out, the middle-aged woman spat inside, and Lord Green smiled; he saw a thin, bald, middle-aged man trembling as he followed her out.
The middle-aged woman quickly glanced at Lord Green and Margaery, who were surrounded by the crowd, and was about to bow when, without time to think, her plump hand skillfully extended automatically and caught a money bag.
The unfastened opening of the money bag revealed a golden color; she weighed it in her hand, and immediately her face was wreathed in smiles.
The money bag was skillfully slipped into her prominent figure, and she respectfully said, "Generous Lord, welcome to The Baelish Inn!"
After speaking, she pulled the man behind her and bowed, saying, "My name is Baelish, and he is my husband."
Lord Green nodded and said, "Madam Baelish, first clean the inside; I need to entertain distinguished guests in your tavern."
This young noble speaks so nicely… Baelish couldn't help but look at Lord Green again, then immediately lowered her head.
Distinguished guests are going to entertain even more distinguished guests here? Baelish felt no honor, but rather became nervous and alert.
Lord Green instructed Follard, who was nearby, "You take people inside, give everyone a silver stag, and have them voluntarily leave The Baelish Inn."
The kind-hearted Lord Green had not considered entrusting the task of expelling guests to the Baelish couple.
Few of the people who frequently travel are good-natured, and it is simplest and most direct for Lord Green's Clan Soldiers to handle it.
Follard chuckled, jumped off his horse, and strode in with a few men.
There was a slight commotion inside, and Follard and his men quickly completed their task.
...
Lord Green jumped down from his saddle and extended his hand beside Margaery's horse.
Margaery had been quietly observing Lord Green's actions; she found Earl Green to be a very contradictory person, seemingly lacking some respect for other noble individuals besides Queen Cersei, yet also seeming to have compassion for commoners?
Which one is the real Lord Green?
...
"Thank you."
Margaery easily dismounted with Lord Green's help.
...
...
Inside the tavern, Margaery, dressed in a new outfit, slowly descended the stairs from upstairs.
Margaery had braided her wavy, curly brown hair into a fluffy braid, which naturally hung down her chest, swaying gently with her movements.
Margaery changed into a light blue long dress with a low-cut neckline; although the style of the dress was simple, it perfectly showcased her graceful figure, and the skirt swayed lightly as she walked, like a blooming flower.
As Margaery strolled in, Lord Green turned his head to look; he raised an eyebrow, this light blue… this is the color of the Winter Rose, Lyanna Stark's favorite fragrance.
Rhaegar Targaryen, the champion of the tourney, rode past his wife (Princess Ilia of the House Martell Family of Dorne) and placed the crown of "Queen of Love and Beauty," woven from Winter Roses, on Lyanna Stark's lap; at that moment, the smiles of all the spectators vanished.
That crown was as blue as frost… truly a mistaken spring.
If Renly and Golden Rose's plan succeeded, it would also be a mistaken spring.
After a moment of silent reflection, Lord Green collected his thoughts.
Lord Green first stood up and invited Margaery to sit, then he reseated himself and said, "Miss Margaery, you always redefine my understanding of beauty."
Lord Green's praise was sincere, with no hidden emotions in his words.
Fifteen-year-old Margaery bore the heavy responsibility of her family; she was both beautiful and brave. This was the game of power, and they were all players in this game of power.
Margaery smiled shyly, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip, then suddenly said, "Earl Green, may I ask you a question?"
Lord Green looked out the window at the sky and said, "We still have plenty of time."
After speaking, he withdrew his gaze and said to Margaery, "Please ask, I am honored to answer your question, Miss Margaery."
Margaery's beautiful eyes held a smile; after a pause, she spoke, "Earl Green, forgive my abruptness, but when you met me, you didn't seem surprised at all?"
After Margaery finished speaking, she noticed that Lord Green's motion of swirling his wine glass paused for a moment.
Little Rose's eyes were bright as stars, sparkling with intelligence and curiosity.
Lord Green stopped his hand movements and said, "Experience…"
He raised his glass and took a sip, then continued, "You are a noble Rose, you wouldn't just happen to run into me."
His eyes crinkled with a smile: "This is what I learned in the Red Keep."
Lord Green's answer was sincere and frank.
Margaery showed no expression on her face, but in her heart, she did not fully believe Lord Green's words, feeling there must be other reasons.
Under the table, Margaery's fingers curled slightly as she said, "Earl Green, weren't you curious?"
Lord Green, with his keen insight, naturally understood the reason for Margaery's persistent questioning; he spread his hands.
"Trust is something difficult to express in words… Miss Margaery, we are our own people; I only trust that you will not harm me, and that is enough."
After hearing the answer, Margaery's beautiful eyes blinked, and she gazed at Lord Green for a moment, then smiled and nodded slightly: "Golden Rose always treats friends with kindness."
Margaery's lips were full; when she smiled, the corners of her mouth turned up, revealing a row of neat, white teeth, her smile like spring sunshine.
Lord Green lowered his eyelids; for some reason, Daenerys's anxious violet eyes suddenly flashed in his mind.
Those eyes flashed and were gone.
Lord Green looked at Margaery, a slight smile on his lips, and said, "This is Kleber's glory."
...
...
King's Road.
Eddard Stark looked at King Robert, who was already drenched in sweat, and said, "Robert, you're too fat."
King Robert panted and said angrily, "Ned, how dare you call me fat?"
He laughed heartily, then continued, "Your eyesight is excellent, leaving one unable to refute!"
Along the way, the two of them chatted and laughed, as if they had returned to their days in the Eyrie.
Duke Eddard joked, "Your Majesty, my first task after entering the Red Keep might be to reduce your food intake."
King Robert laughed loudly, and his large palm patted Duke Eddard, saying, "I like your jokes, this is good, don't always wear a sullen face."
Duke Eddard's lips curved slightly: "Robert, I'll try my best; Stark is not good at joking."
King Robert said dismissively, "Damn you, Ned, you're truly boring!"
After a moment's pause, King Robert continued, "I'm really looking forward to the expressions on my royal councilors' faces when they see you; just thinking about it will be wonderful."
Duke Eddard asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"
"They are all idiots, very good at lying, and very good at feigning ignorance; several times I almost couldn't resist picking up my warhammer and smashing their heads, they almost drove me mad!"
After grumbling, King Robert reached out and grabbed Duke Eddard's shoulder: "You will soon understand why I say this…"
He released Duke Eddard and laughed heartily again: "Ned, you'll have enough headaches later!"
Duke Eddard seemed to shrug helplessly, covering the pain in his shoulder; Robert's strength was still as great as ever!
After they finished laughing, they rode for a while, when Robert suddenly said, "Do you still remember Ser Jorah Mormont?"
Duke Eddard frowned tightly and said in a deep voice, "I will never forget that fellow as long as I live."
The Mormont Family of Bear Island was ancient, proud, and honorable, yet Jorah Mormont, to increase his income, planned to sell captured poachers to Tyroshi slave traders.
Mormont was a vassal of the Stark, and his actions amounted to a defilement of the honor of the entire North. When Duke Eddard traveled thousands of miles west to Bear Island, he found that Jorah Mormont had already boarded a ship and fled Westeros, escaping the legal sanctions of his liege lord.
Five years had passed in a blink of an eye since the incident.
...
"That fellow is anxiously awaiting a pardon to cross the sea and return home. Ser Jorah is currently in Essos; Master of Whisperers Varys used this to have him try to contact and monitor the Targaryen."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "So a human trafficker is now a spy for the kingdom? I'd rather he be a corpse; perhaps that would slightly salvage Mormont's lost honor."
"What a stubborn fellow!"
King Robert cursed, then explained, "My Master of Whisperers believes a spy is far more useful than a corpse, Ned."
Duke Eddard glanced at King Robert, his face grim, and remained silent. In his opinion, Ser Jorah, who had defiled honor, did not deserve a pardon, no matter how strong the reasons.
Seeing Duke Eddard's expression, King Robert angrily unfastened the leather wineskin from his waist. He pulled out the cork, making gurgling sounds, and gulped down the wine.
King Robert threw away the wineskin, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and let out a sound of satisfaction.
Duke Eddard saw King Robert suppressing his anger, and he hesitated to speak.
Duke Eddard recalled his wife's advice, and he did not want to argue with Robert, but there were some things he could not yield on.
Duke Eddard was very conflicted internally.
King Robert said angrily, "Look at you, you're truly unlikeable, you and Old Jon are both stubborn bastards!"
After a moment of silence, he continued, "I swear to the gods I greatly admired that old man Jon, but now I think he's dumber than Moon Boy (the Red Keep's jester)!"
"After losing Lyanna, I originally had no intention of marrying, but Jon said that since I had already taken that Iron Throne, I should have an heir.
He told me that Cersei Lannister was a very good marriage prospect because if the Targaryen remnants wanted to reclaim the Iron Throne, marrying her would ensure Duke Tywin's support for my Iron Throne.
Heh, Cersei is very beautiful, that's true, but she's cold… Look at her, so chaste, as if she has all of Casterly Rock's gold hidden between her legs."
Robert shook his head, then continued, "Ned, let me tell you a secret. More than once, I've dreamed of giving up the throne, taking my warhorse and warhammer, and sailing to the Free Trade Cities, fighting and adventuring all day, visiting brothels—that's the life I should be living. Ha, being a Sellsword King, the bards would love me to death then."
Duke Eddard comforted, "Robert, you have ultimately become a good king."
Robert laughed heartily, saying, "I like that joke!"
After laughing, he patted Duke Eddard and said, "Ned, I know you can't lie, whether for love or for honor. Anyway, I'm still young, and now with your assistance, everything will change. How to deal with the Targaryen offspring, I will respect your opinion, but do not stop Ser Jorah's monitoring. I at least need to know if the evil dragons will attack, and if so… I look forward to that day."
Duke Eddard nodded.
King Robert's mention of the deceased Old Jon reminded him of Old Jon's young son, and he couldn't help but say, "Robert, the new Warden of the East…"
King Robert said angrily, "Damn it, Ned, I know that child is your nephew! I'll say it one last time, I will not let that little Arryn House boy inherit the Warden of the East! Am I crazy to entrust the heavy responsibility of commanding a quarter of the kingdom's army to a sickly little boy?!"
Duke Eddard thought for a moment and said, "Robert, if you think Robert Arryn is too young to be the Warden of the East, you can temporarily hand it over to one of your brothers."
Due to the deep affection between him and Robert, Duke Eddard also greatly trusted Stannis Baratheon and Renly Baratheon.
King Robert frowned for a moment and said, "Ned, to tell you the truth, I have already appointed a new Warden of the East."
Duke Eddard's expression was somewhat surprised, and he guessed, "Jaime Lannister?"
Duke Eddard understood King Robert's temperament. The fact that Robert was only now willing to confess to him made him think only of the Lannister Kingslayer.
Duke Eddard said, "Robert, Duke Tywin is the hereditary West Protector, and Ser Jaime will eventually return to inherit Lannister. The power of the Warden of the East and the West Protector should not fall into the same hands; that is half of the kingdom's army."
Robert said nonchalantly, "It's not wartime now; it's not too late to consider it when war breaks out. Besides, Duke Tywin is currently safe and sound in Casterly Rock. I don't think Jaime will inherit the family business too soon. Don't argue with me about this, Ned!"
King Robert spurred his horse, rode forward, and galloped away.
Duke Eddard watched Robert gallop away, sighed helplessly, and kicked his horse's belly, riding after him.