"The slave, called only "Ears," begins his story with the return of the Cao family's young prodigal son, Guanghan, from four years of study in France. Bringing with him a French engineer friend and a dream of converting used machinery into a functioning match factory, Guanghan takes little interest in the bride arranged for him in youth. His new wife's beauty and good heart have not gone unnoticed by Ears, however - nor has her growing closeness to the Frenchman.

As Guanghan's Western individualism confronts his mother's devout Buddhism and his brother's grim authority, rumors of clashes between the Qing imperialists and the resistance are quickly becoming bloody reality. Then Guanghan comes under suspicion from the emperor's men, and the outcome will destroy the fragile balance of the Cao household forever."--BOOK JACKET.