Prologue:

Their first encounter was a fleeting glimpse of beauty.

初见时，惊鸿一面。

At the time, she had disguised herself as a man to further her education and crossed paths with him, a refined gentleman with a jade-like countenance.

那时的她女扮男装来求学，遇上了那个翩翩公子颜如玉的他。

A breathtaking sight. It was love at first sight.

一面惊鸿，一见倾城。

Brought up in a world of politics, she had a sharp mind. In an age of conflict, heroes arose from all corners. And he, exceptional as he was, seemed destined to become the future crown prince.

从小耳濡目染的她有着政治头脑，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。

For the sake of her family and their future, she carefully approached him, assuming the role of his beloved.

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

Back then, he was entirely focused on his studies, indifferent to romantic affairs. He paid no attention to her antics, never questioning or intervening, even looking the other way.

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

The cunning young woman knew her status as his beloved was merely a facade, just as her love for him was feigned. It was simply a way to secure a potential escape route for herself while marking her place in his life, ensuring he would never forget her.

天资聪颖的她清楚自己这个心上人是假的，可是自己爱上他也是假的。

不过是为自己谋取一条很可能会用到的后路而已，同时也是想在他面前刷存在感，让他这辈子记住她，并且永远也无法忘记她。

If she couldn''t leave a positive impression, a negative one would do as long as he remembered her. Only then could their story possibly develop into something more advantageous for her.

如果自己不能在他心目中留下好的印象，那么坏的印象也可以呀，只有对方能记住她，只有记住了未来才有可能会发展成为其他的故事，才有可能为自己所用。

When they met again, he had already become the crown prince, but the kingdom his father established teetered on the brink of downfall. Corruption had infiltrated the court''s core, and he volunteered to fight against the corrupt officials.

再次见到他时，他已经是名副其实的太子身份，但是他父亲打下来的王国现在已经摇摇欲坠。因为贪官污吏，朝廷已经腐败到了骨子里。他自告奋勇，毛遂自荐地要办贪污，反腐贪官。

Upon their reunion, his once gentle, jade-like scholarly demeanor had vanished. His eyes were sharp, and his expression determined and cold, embodying the resolute nature of a true ruler.

再见时他已经褪去了那层温润如玉的书生气质，眼神凌厉，面色刚毅，神情冷然，宛如一个杀伐果决的王者。

Separated from her family, she wandered with her maidservant. Deprived of her powerful family''s protection, the beautiful young lady became vulnerable to exploitation. A warlord, as ferocious as a bandit, took a liking to her and forced her to become his concubine.

而她和亲人走散，一个人带着婢女流落。

貌美如花的小姐，没了庞大家族的庇护，就是人为刀俎，我为鱼肉。