The door opened quietly, and a palace official stepped inside before bowing.
"The Queen Dowager will receive a summary before noon. His Majesty will be informed afterward."
That reminder shifted the room immediately.
King Heonjong was still young, and though he sat on the throne, decisions of this scale still moved through experienced hands before reaching him. That meant every word spoken now had to be measured carefully.
Once the official left, Jo In-young spoke again, though his tone had become more controlled.
"If this is presented poorly, fear will spread faster than understanding."
Kim Jwa-geun nodded.
"Yes."
Yi Ji-yeon stepped forward slightly.
"Then we must decide what we actually understand."
Kim looked at him.
"Go on."
Yi took a breath.
"If France has forced China to open its ports, then the structure we rely on is already weakening. If Japan has allowed even a limited presence, then the matter is more serious than rumor."
No one interrupted him.
