The next morning, Guiyan tells his wife that the emperor has dismissed the harem for its high status. Guiyan says that he has to return home because he does not know what the emperor's plan is. He wonders whether the emperor will get rid of the hareme or eradicate the Ming family. He is certain that Guiyan's mind is made up. He tells her to pack up her things and head back to Ming's house. She says that she has to go back because she does not want to be considered a lowly concubine. She tells Guiyan that the world thinks women are vessels only dependent on their marriages and men. Even if they become concubines, they may not be treated well for their whole lives. She compares the situation to her mother's situation when she was a child. Her mother took part in a rebellion against the prince, and her family would have been killed if it had not been for her. The prince's portrait is of his wife, who brought the prince out of the torture chamber after being tortured. He looks like his mother, but he inherits her beauty. He says that his wife thinks that she is worthy of the title of highness. He also mentions that he is planning to dump his wife.