In this chapter, we are introduced to the shop owner, a man who works as a guard at the palace of the Ming Emperor. The shop owner tells us that he has just bought a gold flute for himself and a jade pendant for his "male lead" . This is the first gift he has ever given himself, and he is very happy about it. He asks if he can have the pendant back some day, but the owner tells him that it is not necessary. The guard tells the owner that he is a member of the royal guard, and that he recognizes him as the usurper of the throne of China. The man asks the emperor to allow him to return to his duties, and the emperor grants him permission. He tells the guard to bring some medicine to the emperor's palace.