The journey of film and television world is endless

#254 - Chapter 28 Red Wedding (End)

Roose Bolton's face was ashen, his expression grim as he stood atop the city wall, gazing at the chaotic scene across the river. A profound sense of despair enveloped him. He couldn't fathom how things had spiraled so out of control…

Just then, Aemon Frey appeared before him, his face etched with confusion and bewilderment. "We've failed," he said, "What do we do now?" As the second son of old Walder, he had long served Casterly Rock due to his marriage to Tywin Lannister's sister, Genna Lannister. He had undoubtedly played a crucial role in the Frey family's allegiance to King's Landing.

Roose Bolton replied helplessly, "What else can we do but retreat? To remain here is to court death. Once Robb Stark fully controls the West Keep, it will be our turn to face him."

Aemon Frey's face clouded with worry. "But where can we go after we leave this place?"

A sardonic smile touched Roose Bolton's lips. "There are only two paths available to us. The first is to go south to King's Landing and throw ourselves at Tywin's mercy. We are in this predicament because we trusted him. If he refuses to help us now, no one will ever trust or support him again."

Aemon Frey pressed, "And what is the second path?"

Roose Bolton sighed. "I shall return to the North. Robb's main force has suffered heavy losses, and the western territories have been devastated by the ironborn. Robb shouldn't have enough troops to attack the Dreadfort. I still have an army in the North, and the means to contend with Robb."

Aemon Frey hesitated for a long moment before finally deciding, "I will lead a portion of our family south by ship to seek refuge with Hand Tywin. Edwyn will lead the remaining majority with you, hoping that Lord Bolton will take them in, provided you can give the Frey family a place to live and prosper. In return, I will give you half of the wealth we have here." He was not one to waver, and he understood the wisdom of not putting all his eggs in one basket. Edwyn was Stevron Frey's grandson, and after the death of Lyman Frey, he was the family's first in line to inherit.

A flicker of surprise crossed Roose Bolton's eyes. He had not expected Aemon to be so decisive. "That the Frey family is still willing to trust me is a great boon. I solemnly swear to stand with the Frey family, sharing both fortune and misfortune, and ensuring that they hold a significant position in the North." At that moment, Roose Bolton's heart quickened – after all, the wealth possessed by the Frey family was truly substantial.

Having reached an agreement, the two sides quickly took action. The troops stationed at the East Keep, along with those who had retreated into the city, numbered over two thousand three hundred. The distribution of personnel and property also proceeded swiftly. Aemon led three hundred guards to escort most of the elderly, women, and children, boarding ships to sail south, heading straight for King's Landing along the coast.

The rest packed up everything from the castle that could be carried, and then followed Roose Bolton as they quietly withdrew from the Twins...

Outside the West Keep of the Twins, the fires of war gradually subsided. Amidst the lingering smoke, Liu Yuan led the cavalry in an orderly retreat from the congested castle. Meanwhile, another detachment relentlessly pursued the scattered remnants of the defeated army across the wilderness outside the city.

The surviving Northern soldiers successfully seized control of the West Keep of the Twins, and they were ecstatic, their cheers echoing: "The King in the North, long live!" These passionate shouts, like war drums, stirred the hearts of everyone present, filling the Northern nobles with excitement, and they eagerly clamored to press the attack and take the East Keep in one fell swoop.

Not only these nobles, but even Robb felt a surge of impulse. However, just as everyone's emotions were running high, an angry shout crashed down like a bucket of ice water: "Attack my ass! What are you going to attack with, your heads against the wall? Don't you look at how many soldiers you have left?" This sudden rebuke instantly pulled everyone back from their frenzy.

Robb said with a serious expression, "Teacher Galon, we have already achieved victory, and with the cavalry you lead, we still have nearly five thousand soldiers."

However, Liu Yuan retorted without any politeness, "No! Those are my soldiers, not yours. And I am not your subordinate. You actually want me to use cavalry to attack a castle, how did you even come up with such a terrible idea?" He didn't even give Robb a shred of face, rejecting him outright.

Faced with such a blunt refusal, Robb couldn't help but feel somewhat humiliated. After all, the truth was before his eyes, he really couldn't command Liu Yuan and his cavalry. If Liu Yuan hadn't stepped in to launch a rescue operation in time, they would probably have lost their lives long ago. After an extremely fierce battle, the Northern army suffered heavy losses, with more than half of the soldiers killed or wounded. Now, there were less than a thousand soldiers who could stand up again.

Realizing this, Robb sincerely asked Liu Yuan for advice, "Then, Teacher Galon, based on your assessment of the current situation, what suggestions do you have?"

Liu Yuan drew a circle in the spacious hall with his finger, and then replied calmly, "What did you all gather here for today? Wasn't it to hold a wedding? The wedding ceremony has been completed, the banquet has ended successfully, and even the celebratory performances have been performed. So what should you do next? Do I really need to teach you this? Of course, it's time to consummate the marriage!"

Robb seemed to hesitate, but Edmure was already eager to take this step. The Northern nobles and knights echoed the sentiment:

"Consummate the marriage! Consummate the marriage!"

"Consummate the marriage! Consummate the marriage!"

"Consummate the marriage! Consummate the marriage!"

They clamored, crowding around the two couples as they headed towards the room. The bride's gorgeous gauze skirt trailed across the blood-soaked hall floor, leaving streaks of scarlet.

Liu Yuan subconsciously stroked his chin, musing to himself: This Red Wedding truly lives up to its name!

Just then, a hand as warm and smooth as jade gently took his arm. Catelyn leaned close to his ear and whispered softly, "Thank you, my hero. Tonight, I belong to you..." Her voice seemed to carry a hint of temptation.

King's Landing, the Red Keep, the Throne Room. Lord Tywin walked towards the Iron Throne, his back straight. He waved away the Kingsguard.

Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne, looking down at his grandfather. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer and said, "Grandfather!"

Tywin nodded. "Your Grace, do you have something to say to me?"

Joffrey: "Yes, I want to hear a report on the contents of the Small Council meeting."