In this short scene, Ren tells the reader that the area affected by the recent drought is much larger than the one caused by the late emperor. He also tells us that the royal library is being used as a meeting place by the Snow King and his consort lingzhi. Ren says that he will not be under their control, even if it is for his own good. He tells Ren that he is just a "nominal consort" who was nearly killed by the royals six years ago. Ren warns the two of them not to interfere with his decision to visit the emperor in the second capital. The Snow King cannot force Ren to go anywhere, he says, because he hates Ren's race.