Three days later, Casterly Rock was bustling with activity, and the Seven Saints' Temple was packed with people.
All the nobles from the western border have arrived.
The event was unprecedented in scale.
Such lively scenes have occurred in the Westerlands before, during Cersei's wedding and the Grand Tournament at Lannister.
Lord Gavin stood beside Duke Tywin, utterly excited, feeling as if he were floating on air.
Among the hundreds of noble families, large and small, in the Westerlands, all adorned with glory, from the highest to the lowest, apart from Lord Tywin Lannister, there was only the Westerling family.
The high pastor, holding a seven-star Bible, chanted prayers aloud!
Another priest applied holy oil to Jenny Westerling's hair, brow, and the back of her hands in front of the statue of the young girl.
Some nobles chose the Heavenly Father, some chose the Holy Mother, the young nobles chose warriors, the young girls all chose young girls, some nobles chose blacksmiths, the older nobles chose old women, and no one chose the Stranger statue representing Death.
Sir Gregor chose the old woman, whose line already included several nobles. Gregor, without any hesitation and displaying the shameless and reckless spirit of the Mountain, strode forward. None of the priests maintaining order dared to stop him. He stretched out his massive hand, gently pushed the nobles aside, and took the first place in line.
The ever-smiling, sweet-talking Raphthong Clegane, now proudly sporting the three-dog gold badge on his lapel, humbly and shamelessly followed the Mountain in second place. He was barely qualified for such an occasion after being knighted by Gregor.
This humiliated the several counts behind him. They dared not reprimand Gregor, but they were not afraid to reprimand the dogs under Gregor's command.
A mere knight is several ranks below the count.
Just as several nobles were so agitated that they were about to attack Ravd directly, Gregor pulled Ravd in front of him and the high priest poured holy oil down, striking Ravd squarely on the forehead.
Then, the pastor's apprentices began to pray.
The jazz musicians were in an uproar.
But it's too late to turn back.
So they all chose to leave, refusing to anoint themselves with holy oil and receive blessings before the old woman's statue. Some chose God the Father, and some chose the Holy Mother.
In order not to disturb the ceremonies in other places, low curses were constantly heard, just enough for Raft to hear.
But no one dared to criticize Gregor.
He was a madman, a devil, a violent maniac, and a beast.
Several brave knights were not afraid of Gregor, but due to the grand occasion, they had no choice but to swallow their anger and choose other idols for the holy oil ceremony.
Gregor doesn't have the sense of honor of a knight; they do.
Laffer and Gregor remained unperturbed, showing no shame for their despicable behavior.
For shameless people, shamelessness itself is their honor.
*
Jenny completed the holy oiling ceremony, received blessings from two high priests, and a choir sang hymns for her. The harp played sacred and solemn music, and the beautiful sounds of the harp and hymns soared through the church.
After receiving the holy oil, the nobles walked slowly along the winding corridors on thick carpets, lining up to approach Tywin, who sat enthroned in the Lion's Mane Chair. Standing before Tywin was his baptized daughter, Jenny.
The nobles, regardless of age or gender, slowly advanced one by one, carrying congratulatory gifts in their hands. Some were jade sculptures, others silk fabrics, some artistic weapons, others expensive rouge, others pearls and agates, and still others gold, silver, and jade. Rubies and sapphires shone brightly, while emeralds and luminous pearls vied for attention.
To Jenny's right stood her father: her biological father, Earl Gavin.
Duke Tywin Lannister, dressed in fine robes, stood majestically like a god, his face devoid of smiles, cold as ice. Earl Gavin, on the other hand, seemed drunk, his face flushed, his breathing rapid, his expression contorted with rage, and veins bulging on his neck.
Gregor and Raft also stood in the group. Gregor was a head taller than everyone else, and the nobles in front of and behind him all felt the pressure of the ferocious beast pressing down on them.
Jenny was meticulously dressed, adorned with exquisite jewels—head ornaments, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, and belts—each piece exquisite, valuable, and priceless. Combined with her magnificent attire, she was breathtakingly beautiful, almost ethereal.
In both his past and present lives, Gregor had never seen such a noble, elegant, and extraordinary classical beauty before.
He was captivated by what he saw, lost in daydreams.
In front of and behind Jenny, several servants were busy collecting congratulatory gifts. A dozen or so exquisite rattan baskets for holding gifts were lined up in a row. The official in charge of announcing the gifts spoke clearly and accurately, and had to pronounce the name, title, status, and castle of each nobleman, as well as the gifts they gave, without any errors. This was actually a remarkable skill.
Earl Gavin kept expressing his gratitude, while Duke Tywin remained silent. The guests first paid their respects to Duke Tywin before presenting their gifts to Jenny.
Lord Tywin Lannister usually responded with a nod, or a handshake with those of higher status, which was his way of thanking them. Throughout the entire congratulatory ceremony, only the heads of House Marble of Branded City, House Lyford of Goldtooth City, House Farman of Fairy Isle, House Creher of Rockfish Hall, House Lannister of Lannisport, House Sweefer of Corn City, and the heir to House Saloth of Silverhall were given the opportunity to speak a few words with Lord Tywin Lannister.
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When it was Gregor's turn to present the gift on behalf of the Clegane family, he became the focus of everyone's attention.
People noticed that his gift box was almost empty.
Many counts stood by, waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
With the official's booming voice, which sounded like a song, the gift lyrics, which could be heard by everyone present, were themselves a form of on-the-spot competition and vanity.
After paying his respects to Lord Tywin, Gregor unveiled his brocade box. Inside the large gift box was a small brocade box bound with red silk, a palm-sized pouch wrapped in brocade satin containing unknown contents, and a small, unseen silver trinket made of gold and silver thread woven with a fine silk cord. It was small and delicate, and looked like the number 6 or 9.
When the officiant announced the chopsticks, the salt, and the golden whistle, the entire hall gradually quieted down.
The nobles, both high and low, had never heard of chopsticks, snow salt, or golden whistles, nor had they ever seen these things. Everyone was filled with astonishment and uncertainty, exchanging questioning glances and whispering inquiries.
No one dared to mock or deliberately provoke Gregor anymore, lest they reveal their ignorance and foolishness if Gregor's gift was actually very valuable and they were unaware of it.
Jenny and her father, Earl Gavin, were also hearing about chopsticks, snow salt, and gold whistles for the first time. They didn't recognize these things, had never heard of them, and had no idea how to use them or whether they were valuable.
The steward proclaimed in a high-pitched, almost singing voice, "Chopsticks are a noble utensil invented by Ser Gregor Clegane, blessed by the Seven Gods and imbued with wisdom in a moment of inspiration. They are ten times more convenient than knives and forks in certain aspects of eating. Chopsticks have already received high praise from Lord Tywin and Grand Maester Potter. Today, the noble nobles of the Westerlands will have the opportunity to receive chopsticks as a gift from the Duke of Tywin. During the banquet, the Duke of Tywin will personally demonstrate to all the lords how to use chopsticks."
The entire room fell silent as Jenny stared in disbelief at the ferocious beast before her.
Gregor's gaze lingered on Jenny's face. Jenny looked up at him, and Gregor gave a flirtatious wink with his right eye. Jenny quickly looked away, her pretty face flushing red, looking stunningly beautiful.
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