Chapter 159 The Strangler

Petyr hurried up the stairs and came to a luxuriously decorated room.

Cersei and Jaime were waiting here with solemn expressions.

Cersei held her head high, her eyes full of arrogance and majesty, but there was also a trace of uneasiness in her heart. She knew that if her plan was exposed, the consequences would be disastrous, but her hatred for Robert for many years and the temptation of power made her unable to stop.

As soon as Cersei saw Petyr, she asked, "Littlefinger, how are things prepared?"

As she asked, she secretly observed Littlefinger's expression, trying to judge his loyalty from his subtle reactions.

Petyr bowed slightly, respectful but with a hint of subtle cunning. He secretly calculated in his heart that Robert's death was a great opportunity for him.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready. The things have arrived, and I have bribed the commander of the capital guard, Janos Slynt. We can start anytime now."

As he said, he took out a small medicine bottle, "This is the strangler. It is different from the slow-acting medicine that killed Jon Arryn. As long as you drink it, you will die on the spot. With Maester Pycelle here, everyone will only think that the king drank too much."

Cersei took the medicine bottle, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. Her fingers tightly grasped the medicine bottle, as if holding her own destiny.

She had been longing for this day for a long time, and then ordered: "Then hurry up, it will be too late. Someone just told me that Ned Stark is already investigating the cause of Jon's death. If you don't do it now, I'm afraid Ned will find out before Gavin reports to Robert."

Jaime frowned and asked: "Poisoning? Who is the specific person who did it?" His heart was also full of worry and helplessness. Once this conspiracy was discovered, their Lannister family would face a huge crisis, but in order to protect Cersei and their children, he could only support it.

Littlefinger raised his lips slightly, and said calmly: "Sir Jaime, I'm afraid that the queen and you can only figure it out. The king's cupbearer Lancel is your cousin."

Cersei narrowed her eyes slightly, thought for a moment and said: "I will arrange it, but you'd better make sure those gold cloaks are safe, Littlefinger, if something goes wrong, you will never get the position of Guardian of the East."

Petyr bowed again: "Please rest assured, I promise that His Majesty Joffrey can inherit the Iron Throne smoothly."

"The City Guard has two thousand gold cloaks, which is enough to control King's Landing. As long as the news is not leaked, Ned has no reason to oppose His Majesty Joffrey's succession."

His eyes revealed a kind of confidence, as if everything was in his plan.

Jaime frowned slightly, and the disdain in his eyes became more and more obvious. He looked at Littlefinger coldly, and his words pierced out like an ice blade: "Golden cloaks? They are just a bunch of rabble? Since Janos Slynt can be bought with money, he is not trustworthy."

His eyes were full of doubts, as if he was full of contempt for the so-called capital guard force.

Continued: "Lanni is fine, he is not in King's Landing now, what about Stannis? Most of the royal fleet is stationed in King's Landing Harbor now, and he can enter King's Landing at any time." Jaime's tone was full of deep worry.

After hearing this, Cersei on the side raised her chin slightly, revealing arrogance and determination in her eyes. "Father will arrive in King's Landing with the fleet in three days. We just need to kill Stannis in advance, and when father arrives, we can control the royal fleet." Her words were full of confidence, as if everything was under her control.

But Jaime shook his head and frowned even tighter. "How to kill? Will we use poison? First Jon, then Robert, and then Stannis. All the nobles are not fools."

There was a hint of self-mockery in his voice, as if he was disgusted by this method.

After hearing this, Petyr's mouth slightly raised, revealing a cunning smile. "Sir Jaime, we don't have to use poison. As long as His Majesty Joffrey succeeds to the throne, we can arrange a treason for Stannis. Then everyone will think that Stannis coveted his nephew's throne and launched a rebellion." His words were full of calculations, as if everything was already in his plan.

After hearing this, Jaime sneered: "Do you think Ned Stark will believe these nonsense?" His eyes were full of doubts, and he was obviously not optimistic about this plan.

Cersei said coldly: "He only brought a few guards, and he had no choice but to cooperate. It's decided. Three days later, when my father arrives, we will start." Her voice was cold and resolute, as if she had made up her mind to achieve her goal at all costs.

The atmosphere in the room was tense and depressing. Jaime looked at Cersei and stopped talking. He sighed and agreed with her decision.

Littlefinger looked at the two of them, his mouth slightly raised, revealing a sly smile.

Red Keep - Prime Minister's Tower

The morning sun shone into the room through the cracks in the window, but failed to wake up Ned from his sleep.

Last night, he worked late into the night, carefully studying the "Genealogy and History of the Major Noble Families of the Seven Kingdoms" in his hand, trying to solve the mysteries, but to no avail.

Finally, when the midday sun became scorching, Ned woke up slowly.

He slowly got up and rubbed his swollen temples, feeling frustrated.

After a simple wash, he dragged his heavy steps downstairs, hoping to temporarily forget his troubles while getting along with his daughters.

In the restaurant, the voices of the two daughters came from afar, and they were quarreling.

Sansa blushed and said something fiercely, while Arya put her hands on her hips and refuted without giving in.

Ned looked at the scene in front of him and sighed helplessly. He coughed lightly, and the two daughters noticed his arrival and quieted down instantly.

Ned walked to the dining table and sat down, looking at the two daughters, forcing a smile. "Okay, you two, stop arguing, what happened again?" His voice was gentle and a little tired.

When Sansa heard this, she immediately complained to her father: "Prince Joffrey asked us to go out this afternoon, but Arya refused to go and said bad things about Prince Joffrey."

Arya curled her lips and said with disdain: "I don't like Joffrey! He is a rude guy, arrogant and stupid."

Ned frowned slightly after hearing this, and said to Arya seriously: "Okay, Arya, if you don't like it, you don't have to go, but don't talk about the prince behind his back."

He looked at Sansa and said: "I agree that you can go out, but you have to pay attention to safety. I will arrange guards for you."

Sansa nodded happily, and Arya on the side couldn't help but sneered: "Only you will be fascinated by him."