In this chapter, we learn that the regent is willing to sacrifice his own life for the life of a young woman. This is a shocking turn of events for the regent, who had thought that he and his mother were the only people in the world who cared about him. Now, however, he thinks that his mother and brother are the only ones who care for him. He asks the regent to use the iron fan in his hand to cut off his own throat. The young woman is horrified at the idea of the regent killing her, and she begs the regent not to do it.