Chapter 3: First Encounter初相

However, the more difficult it was for me to enter, the more difficult it was for others as well. Those who made it were generally the social elites or from powerful, wealthy families.

但是我越难进入这里学习，就说明其他的人也越难进，最后能进来的基本都是社会精英，即使不是精英人士，也是家族背景深厚，富可敌国之辈。

This was where I first met Zhang Guoying.

这也是我初次遇到张国英的地方。

Upon our first encounter, I was struck by his handsome face.

At the time, I was disguised as a boy to pursue my studies, and he was a handsome, elegant young man.

初见时，惊鸿一面。

那时的我女扮男装来求学，遇上了那个翩翩公子颜如玉的他。

一面惊鸿，一见倾城。

Growing up immersed in politics, I had a keen mind for the chaos of the times. The extraordinary Zhang Guoying could possibly become the future crown prince.

从小耳濡目染的我有着政治头脑，乱世中，群雄四起。而这个精彩绝伦的他，很可能就是未来太子。

When I met him, his father had already amassed military power and was beginning to make a name for himself.

因为在我认识他的时候，他的父亲已经是集兵权于一身，开始有了崭露头角之势。

So, for the sake of my family and to secure a future for my family and myself, I had to approach him and assume the title of his beloved cunningly.

所以为了自己的家族，为了给家族谋后路，也为给自己谋后路。我只有处心积虑地接近他，并且冠上了自己是他的心上人的头衔。

"Zhang Guoying, I like you!"

“张国英，我喜欢你！”

"Zhang Guoying, I love you!"

“张国英，我爱你！”

"Zhang Guoying, I am destined to marry you!"

“张国英，我嫁定你了！”

"Zhang Guoying, in this lifetime, I will marry no one but you!"

“张国英，我这辈子非你不嫁！”

……

I pursued him, ran after him, shouted to him, declared to him, and swore… I embarked on the long journey of winning his heart.

我向他追着，向他跑着，向他喊着，向他宣告着，向他起誓……开始了漫漫追夫之路。

Back then, he was solely focused on his studies, harboring ambitions for the world, and had no interest in romantic affairs. He disregarded my antics, paid no attention to them, and even ignored me completely.

那时候的他，一心专于学业，心怀天下，无心儿女情长。对于我的胡闹他都置之不理，不问不管，甚至无视。

And so, despite the widespread rumors about us, eve