In this chapter, the young Ming-liang tries to escape from his master's clutches. He tells him that he is homesick, and that he should just go outside and have a little walk with him in the garden. He is afraid that the emperor's garden knows about his feelings for him, and so he tells him to go there. He asks the emperor to wipe his clothes, but the emperor refuses to do so. He then asks the young man if he would like to try some of the snacks the emperor has made for him. The young man thanks the emperor for treating him like a servant, and then he tells the emperor that he wants to bring a snack for his younger sister, who loves sweets. He says that he can't leave the palace because his sister is getting married, and he wants her to be able to rely on him for food. He also says that the leaves he used to eat when he was a kid are poisonous, and the emperor should pick some for him so he can taste them.