The Qing Dynasty: Exposition

Chapter One
“Goodbye,” Sun whispered in Ayan’s ear, lightly brushing her fingertips against his cheek. He did not look at her; he only frowned. She stood up, also frowning, and turned to walk out of the door. It was dark outside, clouds covering the moon so that no light came from the sky. The pattern on Sun’s red dress was barely visible, but you could see the frays at the bottom and at the ends of the sleeves. She walked briskly, taking long strides as she passed building after building. Lanterns hung from the roofs, their light shining on the cobblestones below. Sun could hear doors shutting and men packing up their shops for the night. A familiar lullaby drifted down from a house above the market. It reminded her of the day she first met Ayan—a day exactly the opposite of this one. It had been a great day. It might have been the best day of her life. The sun was shining, and people had been crowding the streets, preparing for the market to open up. People lined up for food, clothing, and other items. You could find anything in this market. Sun had been walking with her sister, Wen, holding a basket full of vegetables they were going to sell. Wen had wandered from Sun’s side to line up at the fruit market, and Sun was left alone. A man had then walked up to her. He was tall, handsome, and dressed in military gear. He looked about a year older than she. She looked up and had seen him smiling at her. There was a small badge on the left side of his chest, indicating his status. He was a Manchu. She quickly looked away, and the smile had faded.
“Hello,” he had said. She did not want to respond. The Chinese were not supposed to speak to Manchu. Their contact was forbidden. “Hello,” he said again. He paused, a little smile crossing his face. “Do you speak?”
“Yes,” Sun had replied before she could catch herself.
“Okay,” he said. “My name is Ayan. What is yours?”
“Sun,” she said.
Sun shook her head, snapping out of the memory. It was once again the starless night, and a handsome man was no longer standing over her. It had been almost two years since that day, and a lot had happened. She had fallen in love with that handsome man. Their only problem was that their relationship was forbidden. He was born a Manchu, and she was born a Chinese. The rulers of China, the Manchu, wanted to keep their people separate from the people they ruled, and they would do anything to keep it that way.

Chapter Two
Sun awoke the next morning with a scowl on her face. She sat up on her mat, yawning and stretching her arms. Her sister walked in, holding a basket of clothing.
“Good morning Sun,” Wen said, placing the basket on the floor. “How did you sleep?”
“Not very well. I had nightmares,” Sun replied. She stood up and yawned again.
“Again?” Wen said. “How long has this been happening?”
“Ever since Ayan and I began fighting,” Sun said. Wen was the only one who knew about Sun and Ayan. She was the only one Sun knew she could trust with her secrets. “He doesn’t want to end this.”
“But you’re afraid you might have to,” Wen finished. She began to unfold the laundry in the basket and put it into the closet. “It is dangerous, Sun. I have told you this before. Manchu and Chinese are not supposed to mix.”
“And they could kill me if they find out. I know. But don’t you think love is worth it?”
“Not when it’s between love and your life, Sun,” Wen said, glancing up from her folding. She gave Sun a stern look.
“But what if it’s the love of your life?” There was a long silence, and Wen seemed to have nothing to say to that. She folded the last of the laundry and left the room. Sun dressed and made her bed solemnly; she was thinking about the past few months. So much had happened. She was lying to her family, her friends, even her own country—only for a man. Was he worth losing everything? Was he worth losing her family? Was this love worth betraying everything she knew and leaving it behind? She did not know. Her sister said that love was everything. But Wen had given up love for her family. She was in love with a man, but she was already arranged to marry another. She had chosen Sun. Should she, Sun, choose Wen?
Suns thoughts were interrupted by Wen, ran into the room, looking flustered. “Sun, two military official officials are here, and they want to see you,” she said, trying to be calm. The sisters walked out of the room together, hand in hand. They reached the entrance room, where two men in uniforms were waiting by the front door. Sun’s mother stood across from them, her face blank.
“Sun Li Zou,” the shorter man said, looking at Sun.
“Yes,” Sun answered, staring back at the man.
He broke their gaze. “You need to come with us.”