The next morning, Gu Xiaoling tells Du Xiaoling that he has reported to the minister that his uncle has been in charge of the disaster. Du says that he never thought a righteous person would bend the law for his own personal gain. Du chimes in that the minister is a kind man who did not mean to harm anyone, and that he should be forgiven for his words. Du tries to calm him down, saying that he is sorry for getting involved in the matter. He says that if the flooding does not stop, the entire clan of Guizheng could be executed