"Who else shares the same view as the Yankees?" Robert asked angrily.
Ser Barristan Selmy, captain of the Kingsguard, stared directly at the king with his pale blue eyes. He was the only one among all the Kingsguard who could offer any opinion without being punished: "Your Majesty, murdering an unborn child and charging into battle are two different things. Please forgive me, but I stand with Lord Eddard."
Grand Secretary Paisell coughed repeatedly, then cleared his throat, making everyone feel nauseous. Even the king forgot to be angry and instead frowned.
"The Maesters of Oldtown are dedicated to the good of all the people, not just His Majesty the King. I served King Aerys faithfully, and I serve King Robert faithfully. As a neutral and impartial Maester, I have no ill will toward Daenerys, Viserys, or anyone else. But I ask you, Ser Barristan—if Daenerys and her son were to attack Westeros with an army, how many soldiers, knights, generals, women, children, and the elderly would perish? If the death of Daenerys alone could save countless lives on Westeros, which would be wiser and more merciful?"
Varys said, "Oh, Grand Master, that's very well said, absolutely right. If killing one person can save the kingdom from bloodshed, then even the most foolish person will know what to do."
King Robert said, "Stop with the fuss. Ned is gone, Barristan's dissenting vote is invalid. So, who else is dissenting?"
Earl Petyr Littlefinger was about to yawn when he saw the king glaring at him. He immediately declared, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, if you come to my brothel and pay money, only to find that the woman you sleep with isn't the beauty you desire, but a disgusting ugly woman, what's the best course of action? Will you close your eyes and do as you please, or wait for the ugly woman to magically become beautiful, or will you rush out, draw your sword, and demand a replacement? I think the answer is obvious: draw your swords, gentlemen, that's how you'll get the beauty you desire to serve you!"
Robert suppressed his disgust at Littlefinger's glib tongue: "The murder of Daenerys and Viserys is approved by Lord Renly, Lord Petyr, Lord Varys, Grand Master Paisell, the King himself, and Ser Barristan with one dissenting vote. So, gentlemen, the murder plan is approved and officially in effect. Now it is time for us to discuss how to carry out the killings."
"I've heard that there's an organization called the 'Faceless Ones' in Braavos across the Narrow Sea, and they never miss a kill," said Grand Master Paisell.
"The Faceless One?" Littlefinger cried out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Grand Master, do you know how much it would cost to hire a Faceless One to kill an ordinary merchant? That amount of money could assemble a mercenary force of two thousand. And how much would it cost to kill a princess? Right now, if we pooled all the money in our entire treasury together, it wouldn't even be half the cost of hiring a Faceless One."
"No need for the Faceless Men, just a courageous man and a sharp blade. Jorah Mormont is fine. Give him my pardon, on the condition that he kills Daenerys and Viserys," the King announced.
"One knife and one person? My esteemed King, that won't do now." Varys gradually calmed down. What Julie said to him last night had a huge impact on him. However, after today's royal meeting, it was clear that Julie had not told the other dignitaries what she knew. Otherwise, the King would not have had the patience to sit here and listen to his sweet talk.
"Daenerys has arrived in Vis Dothraki, the holy city of the Dothraki. No one is allowed to carry swords in the holy city, let alone draw their weapons. Anyone who dares to violate the rules will be the enemy of all the Dothraki. If any fool dares to lay a hand on Khaleesi in the holy city, I dare not even say what will happen to them…" He gently stroked his powdered cheek. "In the holy city of the Dothraki, even the bravest person dares not carry weapons, let alone kill with a sword. But using poison is not a problem… How about using the Tears of Rhys? That way, Daenerys's death will look natural and won't arouse any suspicion from Khal Drogo."
"Tears of Ries? A colorless and odorless high-grade poison from Ries City, but it's still quite valuable!" Littlefinger said, his lips trembling. It was as if the national treasury's expenditures were his own private funds.
"Then let's use the Tears of Rhys, it's decided," King Robert heard his own voice say. Damn it, had he really stooped so low as to use poison on a fourteen-year-old girl? This was insane. But she was a Targaryen, there was nothing to feel guilty about; all Targaryens deserved to die!
"Very well, Your Majesty, please leave this matter to me." Varys's plump face broke into a smile. "Your Majesty, may I speak of something lighthearted and of great benefit to the nation?"
"Speak!" The king was losing his patience. He was a man with no patience for state meetings, and he would never have attended one if it weren't for the fact that they were going to discuss that pregnant slut across the Narrow Sea.
"All ears!" Littlefinger's lips curled into a mocking smile. This guy came last night to take Varys's blood, and then immediately relayed Varys's words to the Mountain. But thinking about it, it's rather pathetic. Last night, Littlefinger was ordered by the Mountain to take his blood, and today, he's speaking on the Mountain's orders. The two brothers seem equally incompetent; neither is any better than the other!
Duke Renly's charming smile appeared on his face as he looked at Varys with great interest.
Grand Master Paisir, however, lost interest and looked drowsy. That old lecher had spent the entire night at Littlefinger's brothel, even the girls couldn't take it anymore.
Sir Barristan Selmy, however, had a serious expression on his face.
Varys said, "I have received news that Lady Jenny has received the wisdom of the old woman. Of course, I know that none of you here believe the old woman, and I am one of you. It's just a ruse used by the monks to deceive people. She has found a way to turn diseased milk into healthy milk."
The King, Duke Renly, Grand Master Barristan, and others all changed their expectant expressions to disdainful boredom. They absolutely did not believe Varys's news, as could be seen from their expressions. Only Littlefinger showed great interest.
Varys suddenly realized that even if he didn't bring it up at the meeting of senior ministers today, Littlefinger would have.
Lord Mountain has brought a double insurance policy!
What will happen if he doesn't tell?
Could the Mountain send a thug or a drunkard to stab him in the dark of night? It's entirely possible.
Varys broke out in a cold sweat.
What exactly is the relationship between Littlefinger and the Mountain? And what is the relationship between Littlefinger and the Lannisters?
"I've heard about it too," Littlefinger chimed in. "I heard that yesterday Mrs. Jenny bought up a lot of milk that was about to be dumped on the street, and then she sent it to the flea den orphanage."
"Oh! Mrs. Jenny is so kind," Lanley laughed heartily. "So, how many children died after drinking the milk, and how many children needed to see a doctor for milk poisoning?"
"Not a single one is poisoned or sick!" Littlefinger said seriously.
Everyone burst into laughter, thinking Littlefinger's humor wasn't funny at all. But gradually, the smiles of the King, the Grand Master, the Kingsguard Captain, and Duke Renly froze. They realized that what Littlefinger said wasn't a joke, but the truth.
"I've heard it too; what Lord Petyr said is true," Varys said.
"Seven layers of hell! The Mountain actually married such a remarkable noblewoman. What makes the Mountain worthy of Lady Jenny's beauty and wisdom?" the king said indignantly.
Grand Master Paisell became excited: "Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, if Lady Jenny has truly found a solution to the disease-causing milk, this is a sign of great prosperity for our kingdom! Just think, this year, all the milk in the country won't have to be poured down the drain. What a huge loss this will save for the people! And we can drink fresh milk on our tables again. This is a great thing that benefits the entire nation, and it is also a blessing for our King! I bet this is a sign of national revival."
"Lord Varys, do you know where Lady Jenny is? If what you say is true, I think the kingdom needs her to share her methods for the benefit of the people," the king said.
"Oh, if I'm not mistaken, Lady Jenny should be at the orphanage in Flea Nest today." Littlefinger glanced at Varys casually. "Lady Jenny is also a very supportive person of the orphanage. Yesterday she donated a large amount of food, clothes, cloth, milk and several hundred gold dragon coins to the children at the orphanage."
"Lord Petyr, you seem to know so much, were you with Lady Jenny yesterday?" Varys asked with a smile.
"I also make regular small donations to the orphanage, so I'm familiar with the people there," Littlefinger said.
The King said, "You should forget it, Littlefinger. You're only focused on running your brothels. Varys, invite Lady Jenny to the palace. We've heard so much about milk causing illness that we're afraid to drink any more milk in the palace and are about to throw it away. If you invite her to the palace, the Queen and I will thank her."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll take care of it right away!" Varys grumbled. He realized he had unknowingly been working for the Mountain. Given the king's extravagant spending habits, the Mountain would surely gain more than just empty fame from this!