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#159 - Chapter 5 The Storm Is Rising

In the year 298 of Aegon's Conquest, the bright spring sun did not bring Jon Arryn a trace of warmth, but instead made him feel a chill all over his body. He couldn't stop coughing, and the handkerchief he held to his mouth was stained with specks of red.

Not long ago, his wife was praising their son, Robin, and casually mentioned bloodlines and hair color, saying she still preferred the Lannister's golden hair. Prime Minister Jon felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him, and many thoughts flashed through his mind. He went to his old residence at the Citadel to look for books on noble lineages. The archmaester there directly recommended him 'The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms,' a thick tome written a century ago by Grand Maester Merion. This book contained many descriptions of the great nobles, their wives, and their children. Subsequent archmaesters would add new content to the back of the book.

But after he returned to the Tower of the Hand, he suddenly fell ill, and his body weakened day by day. To verify the terrible thought in his mind, he dragged his ailing body around King's Landing, visiting various people.

Jon had seen many people during this time, all of them women. They had one thing in common: they had all been involved with Robert and had borne him bastards. His actions over the past few days had already attracted the attention of the Lannister family.

Inside the cellar of the Tower of the Hand, after a bout of illicit lovemaking subsided, two figures hidden in the shadows spoke quietly. A deep male voice asked, "How are things going?"

A female voice replied, "The old man has sensed the truth. Today, I saw him pick up a pen and write on paper, then tear it up, over and over again. He must still be hesitating. Maester Qyburn believes he has a stomach ailment and is preparing a potion to detoxify him."

The male voice said, "It's time. Increase the dosage tonight. Cersei has taken action; any further delay and they might catch on."

The female voice said, "Excellent. For over a decade, I've endured that disgusting old man. We'll live together lovingly from now on."

The male voice said, "Don't be impatient; we still need to plan carefully."

........................

Inside the Tower of the Hand, everyone was busy. Just after nightfall, Prime Minister Jon suddenly vomited blood and fell unconscious. Court physicians and archmaester students rushed over, but they were helpless. They could only use poppy milk to alleviate the prime minister's pain.

King Robert rushed over in a panic and asked anxiously, "How is the prime minister? You must heal him."

Archmaester Pycelle said, "I am sorry, Your Majesty, but the Prime Minister's health has not been good, and he is old. You should ask if he has any unfulfilled wishes!"

Robert's affection for Jon was quite deep, and he stayed by his bedside. He held his hand tightly. Seeing the King like this, the others were too embarrassed to leave and waited outside the door.

Queen Cersei gave her brother Jaime a very subtle wink: Did you do it?

Jaime shook his head imperceptibly: Not me, don't talk nonsense.

Around dawn, Jon slowly opened his eyes. Looking at Robert in front of him, he made a hoarse sound: "Rob... Robert..."

Robert and the others quickly gathered around him. He said, "I'm here! I'm here. What are your orders, Father? I will do as you say."

Jon glanced at Cersei beside Robert, hesitated, and pointed to the side: "Rob... Robert... the seed is strong... bloodline... the seed is strong... Rob... Robert..." He repeated it several times. People followed the direction of his finger. There was Lysa and Robin, whom she was holding. Everyone thought he was worried about his young son. In the Westerosi language, 'Robert' and 'Robin' sound similar. No one noticed the open 'The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms' on the desk behind Robin.

Robert squeezed his hand tightly and said, "Father, rest assured! I will fulfill your wishes, and Robin will receive a good education."

Jon could no longer make any more sounds and could only make a "gurgle, gurgle" sound in his throat. His eyes slowly closed. Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, head of House Arryn, Duke of the Eyrie, Lord of the Vale, and Warden of the East, died in King's Landing at the age of sixty-eight.

After dawn, more than a dozen ravens flew from the Red Keep to various places to report the news.

In Winterfell in the North, Duke Eddard smiled as he watched his children playing below. The reason was that Arya had teased Bran again, and Bran was chasing her in embarrassment. Robb and the others stood by, laughing, and Rickon was riding on Jon's shoulders, clapping his hands and cheering.

"Lord Stark!" Ser Rodrik Cassel walked over and bowed to Catelyn. Then he said, "A patrol reported that the cavalry found a deserter from the Night's Watch in the northern hills."

Eddard was silent for a moment, then said to Theon, "Go arrange for a mount and bring me Ice."

Catelyn: "Ned, is this necessary?"

Eddard: "Catelyn, he has broken his oath and must be executed according to the law! Rodrik, go and tell the children to prepare. Bring Bran this time as well." Rodrik nodded and retreated. Catelyn couldn't help but say, "Ned, such scenes are not suitable for a child under ten years old."

Eddard: "He won't be a child forever. Besides, Winter is Coming, and the children of House Stark cannot escape."

Arya looked at her father and brothers who were about to leave and said with great dissatisfaction, "Father, why can Bran go, but you won't take me?"

Eddard said helplessly, "Arya, today's occasion is not suitable for you. Rickon needs your care too. Take good care of him, okay?" The group left the King's Gate escorted by several cavalrymen.

Watching their departing figures, Arya hugged little Rickon, feeling unhappy. She turned to look at the quiet keep and said, "Hmph, if Instructor Garon were here, he would definitely take me. When will he come back?"

Far away in Pentos, Liu Yuan felt his nose itch and almost sneezed. He muttered to himself, "Someone must be thinking of me, with deep resentment!"

Governor Illyrio Mopatis next to him asked with concern, "Commander-in-Chief Garon, are you feeling unwell? I have excellent physicians in my mansion who can come and see you."

Liu Yuan politely declined, "It's okay, I was just irritated by the spices. Governor Illyrio had someone send me a message, inviting me to Pentos in person, saying there was something important to discuss. Now that I'm here, what is this important matter you're talking about?"

"It is a very important matter, perhaps related to the lives and deaths of countless people," Illyrio revealed a mysterious smile.