Inside the chamber, Lee Yeong heard enough of the conversation to realise that remaining in bed would not make the visitors disappear. He opened his eyes and found Yeon Joo still sleeping beside him with one arm resting across his waist, her hair spread across the pillow and partly over his shoulder. He carefully lifted her arm, placed it beneath the blanket and pulled the covering higher around her before slipping from the bed and tying his robe in the outer room.
Eunuch Jang met him before he reached the door and kept his voice low. "Jeonha, the Queen Mama is waiting outside with the three concubines. This servant suggested tea elsewhere, but they appear determined to greet Your Majesty before travelling on."
Lee Yeong glanced back toward the room where Yeon Joo remained asleep before looking at Eunuch Jang with obvious irritation. "Why are four women waiting outside my chamber before I have even eaten?"
