The Emperor's Reign in the Night

Varys bowed slightly, his voice as soft as silk.

"His Majesty has personally issued a secret edict appointing you as his successor. If you do not become king, the gods will not tolerate it."

He raised his head, his eyes gleaming.

"Your Highness, please allow me to speak boldly."

"Lord Ed is upright to the point of being pedantic, and kind to the point of being foolish. Is such a person fit to be regent?"

"Your Highness need not wait until he is sixteen to return power to the emperor."

"In my humble opinion, it would be best to assume personal rule as soon as possible."

The eunuch's voice became increasingly melodious.

"With its position controlling the Blackwater Bay and the route to Dragonstone Island, it can traverse the north and south from its vantage point."

"The gods bestow their dominion upon Your Highness as they would a raging wind upon a banner, or a scabbard upon a sword."

"If Your Highness doesn't declare yourself king, when will you?"

Joffrey stared at him for a long time.

"spider."

"Listening to you speak is like drinking fine wine; it's intoxicating."

"It's simply a pleasure."

He chuckled.

"Your Highness," Varys bowed deeply, "I suggest that you immediately summon all the courtiers and hold a coronation ceremony."

"At the same time, messengers were sent to inform the lords of various regions that King Robert had gone on the trip voluntarily and that nothing had happened to him."

"So that they wouldn't mistakenly think there was chaos in the palace."

"At that time, Your Highness will take over the government, which will be in accordance with the will of Heaven and the sentiments of the people."

"It's perfectly legitimate!"

Joffrey was silent for a moment.

"Your purpose, Lord Varys," he rarely called the eunuch by name, "what is your purpose in doing this?"

"Peace," Varys replied without hesitation, bowing his head.

"What the nation needs most is peace, Your Majesty." He changed his form of address directly.

"I swear on my lost manhood."

Joffrey coldly stared at the eunuch lying on the ground.

Is this scoundrel also a mix of loyalty and treachery?

An intelligence chief who served two dynasties, and an eight-legged spider who scattered tiny birds across seven kingdoms.

Their words sounded quite grand and dignified.

It's unclear whether they are loyal to the peace under the Lu family's rule or the peace under the Long family's rule.

"I understand, you can go now," Joffrey said calmly.

The twenty-foot-tall oak gate slammed shut.

Only Joffrey and the Hound remained in the hall.

Joffrey glanced at him.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

I don't know what triggered this person again.

Ever since Joffrey touched the white deer, he hasn't said much.

The hound turned its head, presenting the burned side to the throne.

"What, do I have to congratulate you on becoming king?"

"Well, congratulations then." Joffrey leaned back carefully in his chair.

The hound snorted but didn't reply.

Joffrey wasn't annoyed and continued talking about the mess he'd made in the past few days.

Robert secretly left the city last night, taking with him a dozen knights and nobles who wanted to go on an adventure with him.

They were aboard the Royal Navy's flagship, the HMS Robert Hammer.

The sailors on board only knew they were taking people to Pentos, unaware that the passengers were the owners of the ship's name.

He checked the accounts these past two days and found that there were only outflows and no inflows.

The annual tax revenue is also a mess.

And that damn little finger, he's amassed a whole bunch of ledgers through reckless borrowing and lending.

Now that he's dead, no one can figure out who to ask for the money or who to ask for the money back.

"You'd be doing something great by appointing a new finance minister," the Hound suddenly said.

"Didn't your dad just dump everything and go have some fun?"

Joffrey clapped his hands.

Yes.

I am the king!

Why do we have to do everything ourselves?

I used to be so busy trying to impress others.

Right now, all we need to do is set a general direction.

He immediately began to think about his leadership team.

First and foremost is the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Tywin won't do; he only wants to be prime minister.

If I were sitting below Ed, those two would definitely be arguing every day.

Mace Tyrell could be considered; the royal family still owes them a large sum of money.

But the Inflatable Fish is clumsy and old, and although he looks about the same age as Tywin, he is actually only a few years older than Cersei.

No, Joffrey is here to do something, not to be displayed for others to see.

After much deliberation, I still believe in favoritism.

"You want me to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer?"

Tyrion stared intently at his uneven eyes, looking somewhat comical.

"You don't want to? Then I'll go find old man Gales."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

Tyrion grabbed Joffrey's leg.

"My dear nephew, I've always considered you my second closest relative!"

"My letters to my father are full of good things about you."

"Otherwise, when you go to Casterly Rock, I'll have Maester Cleryn find it and show it to you!"

As for the Minister of Justice, Joffrey's third uncle will continue to serve as the Minister.

"Nephew."

Lanli looked at him with a slightly evasive gaze, but his face was full of smiles.

"I've always been on your side, you can tell that from what I've always said, right?"

"My older brother went out to have fun, and he told me to help you out. Don't worry, I'll definitely be on your side!"

Joffrey nodded. "I know."

As for the position of regent...

"you do not know?"

"Xiao Qiao, he's a treacherous villain!"

Cersei looked very unwell.

"You should get rid of those two uncles as soon as possible."

"That little one who loves to dress up, yesterday he gathered a bunch of knights and even went to plot with that old wolf."

"That old man with the stern face has been holed up on the island all this time, I don't know what he's doing."

"The spider reported that he had an affair with a heretic and had recruited a bunch of pirates."

"I think they're plotting a rebellion!"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke.

"If Robert weren't unharmed, they would definitely be hostile to us."

"You should just order me to be regent, and I will definitely protect you."

It took Joffrey an hour to coax his mother away.

It's getting late.

He has to go to find Ed again.

To save time, the two simply stood on the suspension bridge of the Meige Tower and started talking.

A night breeze blew in from between the gates, carrying a slight chill.

"Let's officially announce it tomorrow," Joffrey sighed softly.

Robert only instructed Eddard to read this at the royal council after he left.

Aside from Cersei, Renly, and Varys, who had inside connections, most people learned the truth today, along with Joffrey.

Therefore, news of Robert's departure is currently only circulating within the Red Keep.

"I'm afraid the letters from the various lords will fill the crow's nest to the brim." Ed lowered his head helplessly.

Joffrey gazed into the darkness beneath the bridge.

"The future of the kingdom..."

"I'll be relying on your support from now on."

He looked up, smiled, and called out.

"Father-in-law."

Ed was amused and patted him on the shoulder.

"Xiao Qiao, after you ascend the throne, there are a few things that must be dealt with as soon as possible..."

He began to explain each point one by one.

Joffrey listened, nodding occasionally and interjecting occasionally.

The two stood on the suspension bridge, their shadows shifting and swaying in the torchlight.

"It's a bit cold."

It's still warm summer.

For some reason, the wind tonight felt unusually cold.

Joffrey scratched his slightly itchy neck and casually joked, "Is winter coming?"

But Ed didn't respond this time.

His eyes were somewhat lost in thought.

Then came the shock.

fear.

"No!"

Joffrey suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck.

He closed his eyes.

"I'm so sleepy."

"I'm going to sleep."