The Empress Dowager invites the Emperor and the Imperial Consort to come over to greet her. The Imperial Consort complains that the Emperor looks shabby and poor, and that he has no maid to serve him. The Emperor replies that he already has a maid, and he does not need to hire another one. He says that if the Empress truly dislikes the Empress, then she should be sent out of the Palace. The Empress asks the Emperor why he did not greet her before entering the Palace, and the Emperor responds that he came to greet his concubines immediately upon entering the palace, as the Emperor is the most powerful man in the Imperial Palace. He asks the Empress to call for some eunuch and maidservant to come and clean up the sleeping quarters.