The Emperor asks a court official's wife for advice on promoting her husband, Simon. She unexpectedly declines the honor, expressing a desire for a simple family life. The Emperor reacts with anger and dismisses her. Later, Simon returns home, and his wife evades his questions about the promotion. Instead, she describes a long, intimate night spent with the Emperor, leading Simon to suspect she traded her virtue for his career advancement. He confronts her, threatening devastating consequences.