CIXI overrides the dissenting opinions and is determined to preserve DE-HAI’s life , so TONGZHI merely deprives DE-HAI of his position and inflicts flagellation as punishment. DE-HAI, LIAN-YING, SAM-SHUN and SHEUNG-HEI run into CHAN FOOK, who persuades SAM-SHUN to come over and pledge allegiance to them, but is rejected by SAM-SHUN, who intends to act in concert with the others. Having managed to escape from the capital offence, DE-HAI throws himself on the floor, expressing his thankfulness to CIXI, during which he even bursts into tears. The whole scene is caught up by TONGZHI. CIAN goes to meet SHEUNG-HEI in private, suggesting that he should elope with HESHUO. Emperor TONGZHI notices that everything he has done is restricted by CIXI, so he has a dreadful row with her, leading to a break-up in discord……