In this chapter, the young woman, Shu-Li, tries to defend herself against the slander leveled against her by the older woman. She tells Shu-Feng that she is not a blockhead who needs to buy a wife and that she does not want to be a stepmother. She also tells Shu that she has no desire to be his wife. She says that even if she is being sold to him, she stands to gain by marrying someone who is sought after. She then tells the woman to kiss her on the lips if she truly wishes to express her gratitude. She goes on to say that if she wants to express gratitude, she should eat the medicine on her bedside table and sleep early in the night.