Tyrion's act of weakness was effective, and soon after… the Lioness's rage… Then, he froze in place.
The Lioness cried!
Why was she suddenly crying?!
Even if his amiable father were to invite him to a brothel right now and ask him for advice on the art of pleasure, Tyrion Lannister would not be more surprised than he was at this moment.
When an older sister cries, a younger brother should comfort her… but this was the Lioness!
Tyrion awkwardly approached, then stood on his tiptoes. He hesitated for a moment, then tentatively reached out to pat her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Cersei twisted away as she spoke.
Tyrion's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. He had known since childhood that she detested him, and perhaps his comfort was an insult to her… This was normal; he shouldn't feel bad, but at this moment, he felt very sad, very pained.
Lannister was indeed a "loving" family.
...…
Cersei's face was flushed, sad and angry. She gasped, "Don't look at me, don't… look at me like that… don't you dare!"
Tyrion withdrew his hand, stepped back slightly, and respectfully said, "I was just playing a little joke on you… My apologies, Queen Regent."
Queen Regent Cersei turned her tear-stained face away and said, "Didn't you say you could rescue Jaime? Why haven't I seen him yet?"
Tyrion scratched his cheek and said, "There was a slight accident (Chapter 230), but he's safe for now. I'll think of other ways."
Queen Regent Cersei picked up a towel, wiped her tears, and said, "If only I were a man, then I wouldn't need any of you, and none of this would have happened. What happened to Jaime, to fall into the hands of a Stark brat? And Father, I was foolish to trust him, but where is he now that I need him?!"
Tyrion shrugged and said, "My dear sister, I think you'll see our Old Lion very soon, especially since your Chief Steward managed to secure the House Tyrell army."
Queen Regent Cersei snorted, "In the end, we still need help from outsiders?!"
Tyrion grinned, "My dear sister, the House Tyrell are not outsiders; we will soon be a family embracing each other."
Queen Regent Cersei turned her face towards him, her voice filled with anger: "If Father had defeated the Stark and Tully earlier, would we still need to give up the Queen's position to the Golden Rose?! What is Father waiting for? If I were a man, if it were me, I would never drag out the war for so long, nor would I just stand by and watch Jaime imprisoned in Riverrun."
Tyrion blinked and said, "Queen Regent, fighting isn't a tourney, we need to wait for the right moment."
Queen Regent Cersei scoffed, "Didn't Earl Green break through Seagull Town in one night?"
Tyrion's small shoulders shrugged, "That's because he happened to catch the internal strife in the Vale. That's the right moment for war."
He added, "The Lion is wagging its tail, relaxed and at ease. The prey it has set its sights on will be eaten sooner or later, and it knows that perfectly well."
Queen Regent Cersei said suspiciously, "Are you sure… Tywin is that Lion?"
Tyrion pointed to something hanging on the dining room wall and chuckled, "Doesn't the Lannister banner have a Lion on it?"
After a moment of silence, Queen Regent Cersei's voice softened, "Tyrion, can you guarantee it? Stannis could be at our gates any moment. Can you guarantee Father's army will arrive in King's Landing in time?"
Looking at his sister's reddened eyes, Tyrion's heart softened, and he comforted her softly, "Lord Tywin knows exactly what he's doing. Our Old Lion is still quite reliable."
Queen Regent Cersei turned her face away again, paused, and then whispered with a hint of a sob in her voice, "I'm not afraid to die, I'm just too worried about my children…"
Seeing this, Tyrion first sighed inwardly, then left his seat again.
He felt like a prostitute from Dung Gate; as soon as a customer tossed him a copper star, he would immediately light up with a smile.
Splash! Tyrion picked up the wine jug and poured a glass of wine. As he handed it to his sister Cersei, he said, "King's Landing has tall walls; it won't fall at the first battle. Besides, from Harrenhal to here, it's a straight and swift King's Road. The Old Lion will definitely arrive in time."
Cersei's fair and slender hand took the wine glass, and she said softly, "Thank you…"
After saying that, she first took a sip of wine before slowly turning around.
Cersei's long eyelashes still held a few glistening tears. Her expression at this moment was like that of a frightened young girl… Who could bear to harm such a captivating delicate flower?
This… was his Queen Regent sister? Tyrion couldn't help but blink.
Cersei's moist eyes were as clear as lake water, and Tyrion quickly calmed his pounding heart.
Cersei's slender fingers gently brushed Tyrion's cheek: "Tyrion, I've actually always been afraid…"
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Besides his disobedient heart still pounding uncontrollably, his unfamiliar sister also made Tyrion feel an inexplicable fear, and he couldn't help but retreat slightly.
Cersei's red lips parted, and she seemed to whisper in his ear: "Tyrion, let Green come back. He will be a good helper for you."
As Cersei's words fell, the Little Devil Hand of the King instantly sobered up.
Tyrion used the action of picking up his wine glass to move back a little further. He said with a smile, "Cersei, I admit the Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula is very good at fighting, but he cannot come back at this time, because many people have reported to me that the relationship between Crab Claw Peninsula and Dragonstone is unusual. Stannis's fleet has never harassed the ports of Crab Claw Peninsula, and even allows merchant ships from across the Narrow Sea to dock."
Cersei lowered her face sadly and said, "But… Tyrion, my brother, it was Earl Green who negotiated the alliance between Lannister and Tyrell. He is loyal…"
She looked at Tyrion weakly: "Besides, you're just suspicious, aren't you? Tyrion, Earl Green's loyalty is well-known, and he just performed a great service. This isn't fair to him."
Tyrion sipped his wine… Green was her other sword; that was what everyone knew.
Tyrion grinned… and his sister was doing this to deal with her obedient brother.
"My sister, this is a contest between Lannister and Stannis Baratheon. We can only rely on ourselves."
A hint of anger flashed in Cersei's eyes. She said softly, "Earl Green is the Chief Steward of the Dowager Queen Lannister Queen Regent; he is our man."
Tyrion spread his hands and said, "I regret to say, he is not a true Lannister."
Cersei's voice trembled slightly: "Just don't let him bring his own soldiers, then there's nothing to worry about."
Tyrion tilted his head and said, "Queen Regent, Earl Green still has many supporters among the Gold Cloaks. I wouldn't dare to bet that he wouldn't secretly open the gates for Stannis."
Cersei gritted her teeth and said, "Earl Green is loyal."
Tyrion chuckled, "My Queen Regent, how do you guarantee his loyalty? With your beauty? Will you open your ** for him?"
Slap! Queen Regent Cersei directly slapped Tyrion across the face.
"Bastard!" Cersei's emerald eyes flashed with an uncontrollable rage, like an enraged Lioness.
Tyrion rubbed his stinging cheek, a smile gradually forming on his lips. This was his familiar good sister; her previous act as a delicate woman was too uncharacteristic. He still preferred the Lioness she was now.
He grinned, "My dear sister, do you have any other questions? For Lannister… you and I must continue to be harmonious and friendly with each other."
Queen Regent Cersei said angrily, "Don't think I don't know you want to imprison me in Maegors Holdfast!"
"We are a loving family, I'm just protecting you. Besides, didn't I leave Lancel with you to keep you entertained?" Tyrion smiled wickedly.
Then… Tyrion skillfully dodged Cersei's slap.
Cersei scolded, "You dare to dodge?!"
Tyrion, with a smile on his face, retorted, "Why wouldn't I dodge? I don't have that kind of hobby."
The air in the hall seemed to solidify. After a long while, Cersei's breathing gradually calmed. She slightly raised her chin and said contemptuously, "Tyrion, don't think you've got everything under control. You're just as big a fool as any other man, thinking with that soft worm between your legs half the time."
Tyrion stared at Cersei, bowed slightly, and said, "Yes, at this moment my ** is thinking… perhaps it's time to take my leave."
Tyrion had already decided to avoid contact with his sister as much as possible until the war ended.
"Why the sudden departure? Dinner has just begun." Cersei showed a strange smile.
As Tyrion placed the wine glass on the table, he said, "Your obedient brother is afraid of his charming sister, because you used to show no interest in my **."
Queen Regent Cersei snorted coldly and said, "I have no interest in your dirty things. It's just that someone reported to me that you've done something Father dislikes the most again."
Tyrion's eyes flickered. He said calmly, "Oh, but I'm Father's favorite son… But looking at you, I'm rather curious what it is?"
Queen Regent Cersei leaned forward, her lips curving into a smile, and said, "My dear brother, I heard you've taken another prostitute as a bride? I plan to inform our Father of this good news as soon as possible."
Who told Cersei about Shae?!
"I thought you were only interested in men." Tyrion reached for his wine glass again, buying himself a moment to collect his thoughts.
Cersei smiled triumphantly: "Father had you fulfill the Hand of the King's duties for him, yet you're in love with a prostitute. You're truly a clown."
Seeing Tyrion remain silent, Cersei became even more triumphant: "Given Tywin's character… it seems I need to quickly choose someone to replace you."
Tyrion's eyes shifted slightly. He was now certain that Cersei hadn't tracked Shae's whereabouts… Otherwise, given Cersei's personality, she wouldn't just threaten him with his position as Hand of the King.
According to his good sister's way of doing things, she would have already sent someone to capture Shae as her hostage, because that would be more threatening.
He deliberately put on a fawning expression and said, "Dear sister, we are family, and we have a common enemy—Stannis."
"Lannister always pays its debts."
Cersei snorted coldly, then continued, "From the first day you sat in the Hand of the King's position, you've been opposing me at every turn. Why do you think you're still alive? It's not because I don't want to slit your throat, it's because I know if I do that… Jaime will never forgive me."
His previous feeling was correct; his own sister had indeed thought about killing him. This was a truth that brought no pleasure.
Although he also disliked Cersei Lannister very much, because she was his own sister, he had never thought of truly harming her.
He was truly an incorrigible fool.
...…
Tyrion stared at the triumphant Cersei for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing, "Cersei, your maiden-like innocence fascinates me… I don't know where you got this information, but no matter what this information is, as a Queen Regent, you actually think of threatening a Hand of the King with a prostitute?"
After speaking, he laughed again.
Queen Regent Cersei's brows furrowed, and she eyed Tyrion suspiciously, saying, "You think your little tricks can fool me?"
"I don't even know if I'll survive Stannis. I think our amiable father would be a little more lenient with me at this time, but I also think he's too busy to discipline his son right now."
With a bang, Tyrion put the wine glass back on the table and grinned, "Tonight, I have to thank you for your honesty."
His smile vanished, and he imitated his father's calm and even tone, then continued, "Cersei, you spared me because of Jaime, and I have tolerated you because of Jaime, but this tolerance does not mean I am weak. You have exhausted my patience, Queen Regent who wants to slit my throat."
Queen Regent Cersei said contemptuously, "What can you do? The roar of a Dwarf?"
Tyrion sneered, "I can marry you to a cripple. The Red Keep doesn't really need a troublesome Queen Regent. I think our Old Lion understands that too."
As Tyrion's words fell, Queen Regent Cersei's eyes seemed to burn with raging anger: "What do you mean by that?"
Tyrion bowed slightly and said, "Please allow me to take my leave, Your Majesty."
"Stop! Don't leave!"
Tyrion ignored the Lioness's roar… His father had once taught him: when two armies face each other, as soon as one side shows signs of disintegration and flight, the battle is over. Even if the opponent is still as strong and fully armed as before, they will collapse like a crumbling mountain and no longer pose a threat.
Cersei was exactly like that at this moment.
Tyrion walked with his small hands behind his back, saying, "I suggest you carefully examine the Lannister-Tyrell alliance treaty. One clause in particular suits you very well."
"Ty! Ri! On!"
...…
Outside the door, Tyrion gave a "haughty" glance at the two Kingsguard standing guard, beckoned to his small attendant, and then walked away directly.
Tyrion and his small attendant slowly turned a corner in the corridor, and then… suddenly quickened their pace.
The small attendant Podrick was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed behind him.
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