[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten":3,"chapter-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-144":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Simulated to Reality: I Once Looked Down Upon Ten Thousand Ages?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2347159,4587,"Chapter 144: Kneel and Apologize to the Young Protector, to Calm the People","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-144",144,"\u003Cp>You stood quietly, ignoring the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your gaze fell upon Wei Yue, and you spoke softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember Yue’er—you once wrote a blood letter accusing the Imperial City Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yue blinked slightly, then recalled her earlier decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, filled with grief and fury, she had decided to write this blood letter in her own blood to clear her father’s wrongful accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What she never expected was that before the blood letter could reach the Imperial City Office’s heavenly drum, she was arrested by the Western Factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing you mention it,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>her heart churned with mixed emotions—regret for her impulsive act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled the blood letter from her bosom: a white silk, stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You took the letter and unfolded it gently; the characters, though faded, were still legible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It detailed all your uncle’s past achievements in the northern lands, and evidence proving he had no ties to Prince Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heart of pure loyalty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deeper pang of guilt stirred within you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yue lowered her head, consumed by self-reproach, and whispered with a trace of apology: “I was wrong. I brought trouble to the family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You comforted her softly: “Yue’er, you did nothing wrong. The fault lies in this unjust world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, help me file the charge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was only seventeen, her mother dead, her father imprisoned—such a heavy burden rested on her frail shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she possibly do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she felt was injustice: her father had lived a spotless life, devoted himself utterly to Daqing, yet ended up like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She summoned every ounce of courage, risked everything, just to seek justice—a fair trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She refused to let her father die without the truth being known!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this world would not allow it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this world was cold and cruel, offering her not a single shred of comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wei Yue’s eyes welled up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You turned to Dong Jie and said calmly: “I won’t accept the edict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie’s face darkened instantly—he clearly hadn’t anticipated your direct refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew full well that if Lu Chen and the Grand Empress Dowager united, the consequences would be catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu, standing nearby, looked pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down—he knew he must show sincerity now to salvage the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced himself to say: “Young Protector, you cannot reject His Majesty’s edict because of Dong Jie’s momentary rashness. His Majesty acted with sincere intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing his words carried insufficient weight, he took another deep breath and gritted his teeth: “I, Dong Jie, will kneel before you now and beg your forgiveness—is that acceptable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he knelt without hesitation and performed a full prostration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding Jinwu Guards stared in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, they had seen Dong Jie standing there with unshakable confidence—now he knelt before Lu Chen. The sudden shift left them stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Jinwu Guards were Dong Jie’s personal men; they knew full well that if this spread, the Jinwu Guard’s reputation would be shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They urgently pleaded: “Commander Dong, think carefully!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie roared: “All of you—kneel! Apologize to the Young Protector!” His voice rang with authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every Jinwu Guard wore expressions of fury—they were the Emperor’s direct guard, always holding themselves above all others, yet today they were forced to kneel before Lu Chen, a man with no official rank—this was a grave insult to their dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Dong Jie added coldly: “Those who refuse will be charged with mutiny on the battlefield!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mutiny on the battlefield carried the same penalty as desertion: immediate execution. They dared not hesitate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knelt in unison!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heads bowed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Young Protector, forgive us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jinwu Guards’ faces showed only resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yu let out a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Yue stood to the side, utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many twists in one day—just moments ago, the Jinwu Guard commander had been arrogant and commanding; now he knelt before them. It felt unreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to her cousin Lu Chen, who had remained calm and composed since entering the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help but admire him deeply!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked at Dong Jie and continued: “Go back and tell your master: if the Son of Heaven commits an error, is he not accountable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie clenched his fists—he longed to order Lu Chen and the others killed on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You turned to Lu Lu: “Take back the golden arrow too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu froze—he hadn’t expected you to so bluntly reject the Grand Empress Dowager’s gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Protector, please reconsider!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie immediately lifted his head, eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chen had now refused the edicts of both the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had offended both sides!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he seeking death in the capital?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he truly believe a Grand Master’s younger brother could protect him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Jie didn’t linger—the situation hadn’t yet reached its worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurriedly led his men back to report: the Western Factory was gone, a hand severed from the Grand Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he left, Dong Jie shot Lu Lu a venomous glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two held equal status in their respective camps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see who will laugh last!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu sighed and departed in haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You, Lu Yu, and the others walked out of the Western Factory toward the Imperial City Office—no one dared to stop you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial City Office!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only place that could reach the heavens, bypassing the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strike the heavenly drum—and your plea reaches the Emperor’s ears directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jinwu Guard mobilized over ten thousand troops—their presence sent shockwaves through the capital’s streets and alleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds gathered, whispering, their faces filled with astonishment and curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elderly residents of the capital shook their heads, sighing with worry: “The capital is about to change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They recalled the past fifteen years of peace—and a nameless dread rose within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In taverns and teahouses, people gathered to speak of the Young Protector’s crossing of the Yuetangjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yuetangjiang incident had spread through the capital; rumors of the fish-belly letter and the heavenly stone tablet were vivid and widespread!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Chen has treasonous intentions!” someone whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The topic of the Young Protector’s arrival in the capital became the talk of the town—everyone speculated about his motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the old northern affairs resurfaced; long-forgotten names returned to the lips of men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many citizens who had lived here fifteen years ago still remembered that night when the capital blazed as bright as day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poor of the capital said Lu Jiaxuan’s Lord Lu and Lady Lu were good people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their voices were weak—no one listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the capital’s elite youth, who saw themselves as “talents,” opinions of Lu Chen were sharply divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They mocked him as a “rebel traitor”; accusations of treason grew louder among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three men make a tiger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hostility and resentment likely stemmed from family interests, political differences, or personal grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern aristocratic families were numerous, most favoring peace and conciliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two northern states had coexisted peacefully for fifteen years; countless scholars praised this as “a wise strategy for securing the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family army, however, was vilified as an obstacle to this friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, some spent vast sums spreading rumors in the streets: that Lu Chen intended rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Censorate’s memorials grew increasingly numerous, with more and more officials submitting petitions demanding Lu Chen’s severe punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the incitement of certain factions, this had become a popular public demand among the capital’s people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Execute Lu Chen—to pacify the hearts of the realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital arc is complete—the ten-year simulation ends in acceleration!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1296,"2026-06-21T01:32:57.622Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","410a308cb0272c754c05fbd4563c37eec58ad2a3ac174455065766544535e5e3","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-145","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-143",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]