3 Chapter 2: Aunt

Chapter 2: Aunt

And so, my fate was forever changed. From then on, I studied military strategy and discussed world affairs. I didn't learn needlework or dancing but the art of ruling, scheming, and strategizing.

而就這樣，改變了我一生的命運。從此我學習的是兵法謀略，論的是天下大勢。不學針線女紅，不學歌舞升平，學的是帝王術，謀心和謀事。

The strategy was the primary knowledge I needed to learn, followed by martial arts. The so-called dance and music were merely a form of relaxation and entertainment in life, not real learning.

謀略才是我真正要學習的知識，是首要的，其次是武術，那些所謂的舞蹈，所謂的音樂不過是一種放松，一種生活的娛樂，算不得真正的學習。

My aunt never allowed me to touch needlework. I knew she didn't have a daughter because she was still unmarried. How could she have a daughter So, she treated me like her own child.

針線女紅姑姑從來都不讓我碰，我知道姑姑沒有女兒，因為她還是一個黃花大閨女，又哪裏會有女兒，所以她把我當成了自己的孩子。

My aunt taught me all her knowledge since I was young. I was naturally intelligent and gifted, which was one of the main reasons she chose me. Under her guidance, I flourished and became even more accomplished than her.

姑姑對我從小就傾囊相授，我本就天資聰穎，天賦極高，這也是姑姑挑中我最大的原因之一。

所以在姑姑手把手地教導下，大有青出于藍而勝于藍之勢頭。

My aunt said, "We were born to protect this family, both her and me. In these turbulent times, we must find ways to ensure that our Cui family, a century-old noble household, stands firm and prospers."

姑姑說：“我們生來就是要守護這個家，她是，我也是。亂世中，要想盡辦法讓我們這個百年世家的崔家不倒不垮，才能盛世繁榮。”

I took this as my duty from a young age, just like Aunt. Protecting the Cui family was my life's mission.

我從小也以這為己任，我生來也和姑姑一樣就是要護住崔家的，這是我此生的使命。

When I was fourteen, my Aunt tried to disguise me as a boy and made me enroll in the best school in the capital – the Imperial Academy. I was one of the few female students there.

我在十四歲時，姑姑想盡千方百計讓我女扮男裝去了京城最好的學堂---京師學堂讀書，我是這個京師學堂為數不多的女學生之一。

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Before entering the academy, Aunt told me, "Now our dynasty is riddled with corruption and is on the verge of collapse. A change of power is imminent. In these times of constant war, it's only a matter of time before the capital falls. To protect the Cui family and ensure our continued success through the transition of power, we must exhaust every means to plan and create opportunities. The most important reason for attending the Imperial Academy is not to study but to form connections with useful people. Recognizing and utilizing such connections comes first, and studying comes second."

入學堂前，姑姑就告訴我：“如今我們王朝的弊端蛀蟲非常嚴重，已經身處于風雨飄搖之中了，搖搖欲墜，随時随地都有可能改朝換代。現如今群雄四起，戰火不斷，攻破京城是遲早的事情，想要保護崔家在新舊王朝中屹立不倒，風華依舊，我們就要想盡辦法，用盡手段去謀劃，去創造機會和機遇，我來這京師學堂第一重要的事情不是為了學習，而是為了結交一些對自己有用的人，識人而謀之是首位，其次才是學習。”

Aunt was never wrong. As soon as I entered the academy, I found it was indeed a gathering place for the best and brightest.

姑姑說得從來都沒有錯，一入學堂後，我就發現這裏真的是聚集了龍子鳳孫，天下英傑。

The Cui family, one of the four prominent families with a century of prosperity, pooled all its resources and racked its brains to get me into the Imperial Academy. Of course, being a girl made it even more challenging to gain admission than it would have been for a boy.

百年繁華的四大家族之中的崔家傾全家之力，合族之能，想破了腦袋，用盡了計謀才能把我送來這京師學堂，當然也因為我是女兒身，所以比一般男兒更難進。