In this chapter, we learn that Aunt Wen's butler, Lu, has been bullying his way into the inner sanctum of the palace, where he is forbidden to go. He is also forbidden to visit the wives of the court ladies, who are often bribed to allow their husbands to see their wives. Lu tells the Queen that he is loyal to the Princess, and that he has visited her many times. He also tells her that he knows that the Queen is busy, but that he should not anger the Princess again. He says that he can smell alcohol in Lu's drink, and he suggests that they can deal with the greedy people in the palace. He tells dai-yi that wang-yue is very influential in the court, and even if he had a solution to the palace's problems, he would use it to his own advantage. .