The scene opens with a conversation between General huang and Prince Xiao, in which huang tells the prince that he is very much in favor of the emperor, and that he has come to the southern part of the country in order to save his country from war. . He says that the emperor wants peace, but that peace is not the last thing he wants. He tells huang that it is a good opportunity to assassinate the emperor on the occasion of the funeral of his late parents, and he suggests that the prince plant his men in the area. The prince says that he doesn't understand what huang is saying, but huang says that they will attack the emperor's palace on the day of the ceremony, and the prince should leave immediately. The next day, the prince says, he will return to the temple of heaven. The scene ends with a soliloquy by the prince in which he accuses huang of being nothing but a "plaything for the emperor." .