In this chapter, we learn that the "left grand minister" has committed suicide, presumably because he is afraid of punishment for his part in the disaster. The emperor asks the father why he has become so unreasonable. The father tells him that the family members have been sentenced to death, but that they have not done anything wrong. He asks if he has made a deal with the family, and the father replies that he has. He tells the father that he wants to barter the family's donations for a royal pardon. He also tells the emperor that he will strip the father of all titles, and demote him to the status of a commoner.