In this short scene, the Governess tells Ming, the head of the Imperial Academy, that she is planning to hold a banquet at the palace for her family. She asks Ming if he has any advice for her, and Ming replies that since he has leg problems, there is no need for him to follow the usual rules of etiquette. Ming tells her that he has heard about her from a lot of people, and he wants to tell her that besides celebrating her family reunion, he also has something to discuss with her at her command. Ming says that he knows that the northern rivers will freeze over the next few winters, and that if the northerners decide to invade the country, he fears that the country will be in danger. Ming asks Ming to take Chingyan home for him, but Ming refuses, saying that Chingyan has done so much for him. Ming then tells him that he must give more money to Chingyan to free him, and Chingyan protests that this is not fair, saying he has done enough for Chingyan.