"You have three days. We'll choose another girl from the next village and come back in 3 days. Meanwhile, please pack and say your goodbyes. It is an honour, Miss Wang, to be chosen."

As soon as the Chancellor guy leaves, I sit down on the floor, miserable. I can almost hear Grandmother.

No evil sins are forgiven in this world, Wang Min.

Was what I did evil? Disobeying my parents?

Yes. It was. In Chinese custom, it's a major crime. Lying. Cheating your parents. 

Mother stares at her pot. I don't think she expected me to be chosen, either. 

On our table is a yellow dress the Chancellor left behind. For me.

"Mother..."I say softly in the village dialect.

She answers in Chinese (Mandarin). "We will need to prepare you."

I sigh deeply. No way. I don't want this!

"You don't have much to take, luckily."

"Mother, can I go out for a while?" I ask. 

She nods, muttering to herself. I slip out of our hut and walk to Liang Wen's backyard. At least, where the chicken coop is. 

He's shoveling some soil into the ground. I hesitate, then walk up to him and tap him on his shoulder. "Hey."

He jumps, then sees me. "Oh." Liang Wen straightens, wiping his sweat. He grins at me as usual.

I can't help it, I start to cry. "Liang Wen, they- I-"

He understands immediately, of course. Dirty as he is, I hug him and he hugs me back. "I'm sorry," I whisper, over and over again. "I'm sorry."

----

Last night in the village. I look at my sleeping mother. Her face. So wrinkled and tired, tanned as well. The Chinese like fair skin for beauty, but we villagers have no choice. Working in the fields ruins our chances at beauty. Except I spent alot of time housekeeping, in the hut. 

My father- he isn't here. Probably in the village pub, drinking with the women. Older brother Wang Kai is in the city for the moment, with his wife and also my other two older brothers. How my mother raised us all,I have no idea. She is an extraordinary woman. I hate to leave her to my abusive father. 

I slip out again through the back door. Mother put a stick across the front door entrance so whoever came in would wake us up. Since Li Tai destroyed our last door.

Liang Wen is waiting. I take his hand, bravely now. The moon is shining and the paths are dark. We curl up next to the chicken coop area and I lean on his shoulder. We don't say anything. Our last night together. What could we say? What could we do? We are powerless. The only thing we are free to do is to spend out last night together, enjoying each other for the last time.

Liang Wen breaks the silence after a long time. "Be careful in the palace."

I exhale softly. "I know."

His voice cracks a little. "I just want you to know that I'll miss you. I know- people who enter the palace don't come back out- but I lov..."

A howl interupts him.

Wild dogs.

We barely have time to hug a last time before Liang Wen disappears in the darkness.