The emperor comes to see chen's father. Worried that the emperor will find out about the plan, he hides under the bed. Unsure of what to do, he tells his father that he has just heard that chen has been close to the third lady and that he is very pleased. Believing that his father is innocent, chen says that he only wanted to find a woman who would increase his political influence. He says that his relationship with the woman is nothing more than a rumor, and that she happened to be a woman adept at womanly things. Confused, the emperor asks chen why he hasn't taken action against the Chancellor's mansion and chen replies that he knows the truth. The emperor then decrees that the crown prince and the third woman of the chancellors mansion will get married on an auspicious day