The scene opens with a search for the "token" of mercy for the chief bandit. It is obvious that the emperor is displeased with the behavior of the bandits. He orders the execution of the chief and the capture of all the other bandits. The emperor's words are interrupted by the sound of a bugle call. The bugle is signaling the arrival of reinforcements, and the emperor orders the chief to surrender immediately. The chief refuses to surrender, but the emperor tells him to stay and watch the situation carefully. He is sorry that the fire has occurred at the headquarters, and he hopes that the two will be able to forget the past. He tells the chief not to drink the poison that the bandits have prepared for him. He also tells him that the liquor he drank contained poison, prepared just for him by the emperor. He asks the chief if he has ever suspected himself to be next in the line of succession to the throne. He says that he does not know his true identity, but that he knows that he will cause trouble if he is not eliminated. He reminds the chief that although he is a woman, she cares for her people, and has empathy. She cares for the country, but he did not defend it when the country was in trouble.