The scene opens in a brothel in the middle of the night. The pimp tells the master of the brothel that he has come to buy a painting for the master. He tells the pimp that the master must go to the brothel and buy the painting, which is worth 5000 taels in silver. The master then tells the prostitutes that if they sell the things he gives them, he will take the same amount away from their monthly payment. The prostitutes tell the master that they are washing the clothes of the old marquis, who is celebrating his birthday today. The clothes are from a doctor who gave the master the medicine when he had an allergy. The women are confused as to why the master is there.