[{"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-146":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},2347161,4587,"Chapter 146: The Imperial City Office: Even the Emperor Breaks the Law!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-146",146,"\u003Cp>Imperial City Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An institution independent of the Eastern and Western Depots and the Censorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Established since the founding of the Daqing Dynasty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A special grace granted by the founding Emperor for the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that famous Daqing saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the Son of Heaven is subject to the law like a commoner!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strike the Heavenly Drum, and you may accuse the Emperor himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As imperial power grew ever deeper, the Imperial City Office became a mere shadow of its former self, now merely a symbol of “imperial privilege.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each reigning Emperor maintains his own “secret service” to handle dark matters unfit for public knowledge—“dirty work!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Northern Wind has the “Da She He,” the Qianyuan has the “Heibing Platform.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both are the Emperor’s eyes and ears, trusted pillars of his rule!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Xuanjing Office” established during Emperor Hui’s reign was exactly such a body; after Emperor Hui’s downfall, his successor purged and destroyed the Xuanjing Office, leaving not a single survivor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every new Emperor cultivates his own institution from scratch, never reusing the Imperial City Office—today’s “Eastern Depot” is no exception; the Imperial City Office has gradually been marginalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial City Office has never been abolished—it’s merely a rhetorical fiction to reassure the realm’s subjects!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a symbol!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who serve within are all from powerful clans and imperial kin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a quiet post, a nominal position, yet even its highest commander holds the rank of third grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Heavenly Drum, symbolizing “peace under heaven,” has not been struck in twenty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this silence, it proclaims Daqing’s realm is tranquil, the state free of major affairs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two women arrived at the Imperial City Office compound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A carriage halted at the gate; the two women walked together toward the side entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards at the gate hurriedly bowed to the woman on the left:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Miss Xie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman lifted her head, revealing a clear, dignified face, like a lotus emerging from water, exquisitely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards stared, spellbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they quickly regained composure and respectfully opened the small gate: “Miss Xie, please enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Miss Xie’s younger brother is the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Office; she sometimes visits, and the guards know her well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other woman!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was a red-clad beautiful matron, who also smiled faintly and stepped gracefully inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards immediately turned their heads in unison, staring fixedly at the red-clad woman’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One swallowed hard, his gaze locked on the woman’s full, moonlike curves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop staring!” the other guard hissed. “Anyone who walks with Miss Xie isn’t ordinary. You’re a gatekeeper—what are you gawking at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scolded guard chuckled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, I’m just gawking at a bit of ass!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other replied with a grin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dog of a taste—why not join me tonight at Chunhua Pavilion? Heard a bunch of courtesans came from the Northern Wind—those looks…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nah, nah, brother, my tastes are different—I prefer the women who lean out their windows down the alley!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, I get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two shared a knowing laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women entered the inner courtyard; as they passed, all eyes turned to them in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though nominally an imperial institution, the Imperial City Office had few personnel—only forty or fifty, most of them idle and unoccupied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some rolled dice to gamble, others drank and chatted; some young noblemen even practiced calligraphy and Go here, enjoying a leisurely, refined air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women stopped before the central courtyard. The gatekeeper, recognizing the Xie family woman, bowed respectfully and let them pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main hall, sighs echoed, and footsteps trudged heavily back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two women entered, all eyes turned toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, three people were already present:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold-eyed white-robed woman, a brocade-clad eunuch, and a handsome middle-aged man slumped over a desk, looking utterly exhausted and uncouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Chen were here, he would recognize all three!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Miss Xie was Xie Lingxuan of Mount Zhongnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-clad matron was Zou Shuning from the ruined temple by Yuetangjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed woman was also someone they had met and traveled with on Yuetangjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning caught sight of the white-robed woman and her eyes flickered with surprise—she had not expected to meet an old acquaintance here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed woman smiled faintly at Zou Shuning in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the distinguished middle-aged man noticed Xie Lingxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lazy expression vanished instantly; he rose and bowed respectfully, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Elder Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was Xie Linghao, second son of the Xie family; a year ago, he was demoted for offending the Grand Empress Dowager and is now assigned as Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan gave a slight nod in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie family’s rules were strict; even Xie Linghao, now Deputy Commander, knew the weight of propriety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though married, Elder Sister still consulted with their father on family and court affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao deeply respected her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brocade-clad eunuch smiled warmly and greeted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Xie, long time no see—how have you been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered Xie Chunan’s current importance at court; the eldest daughter of the Xie family certainly deserved such deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan returned the courtesy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Jiao, you are well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All exchanged pleasantries and introductions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning was startled to see this eunuch named Jiao He—he was the Chief of Punishments of the Eastern Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Depot was established by the current Emperor; its head is called “Supervisor of the Eastern Depot,” and its members are known as “Supervisor” or “Eunuch Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below him are one Chief of Punishments, one Chief of Justice, both also called “Deputy Punishers,” personally selected by the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below them are over forty clerks and supervisors, and over a thousand agents stationed across the realm for surveillance and apprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao He, as Chief of Punishments, was a high-ranking official of the Eastern Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of power, he rivaled a first-rank official holding great authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weren’t the Eastern Depot and the Imperial City Office not on good terms?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both had the right to report directly to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eastern Depot’s full title is “Imperial Commissioner, Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, Eunuch Office Seal”; it is granted a sealed ivory stamp, used to seal all confidential memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial City Office has its own small seal; affixing it to a memorial allows direct delivery to the Emperor’s desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though both enjoyed the privilege of direct imperial access, this function had lain dormant for over a decade, and mutual rivalry had long since silenced communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With its power waning, the Imperial City Office posed no real threat to the Eastern Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A high official of the Eastern Depot appeared here—could it be he too had come for that matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed woman was Tao Jiamin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her father was Jiao He’s martial arts master; they were fellow disciples, with deep ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao’s gaze unconsciously lingered a moment longer on Zou Shuning—this red-clad beauty was effortlessly alluring, impossible to ignore; normally he would have weighed his options carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was overwhelmed now—how could he think of such things?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning and Xie Lingxuan were childhood friends; upon arriving in the capital, they had immediately reunited, their deep bond evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sigh rang out clearly in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao slumped back into his chair, voice heavy with despair: “This is truly going to kill me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went on complaining, “Director Jiao, can I just quit and go home? The Commander went straight to the palace and dumped this mess on me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao He smiled and comforted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Xie, I warned you in advance—I’m not unfaithful to you, am I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao let out a bitter laugh: “Eunuch, you’d be better off not telling me—just give me a quick death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others in the room remained silent; they understood the thorny situation they were about to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Protector, come to the Imperial City Office with a blood-written indictment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan had been informed by her father, Xie Chunan, and had come along with her female friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao He had been specially dispatched by the Son of Heaven to prepare Xie Linghao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, this matter was to be handled by the Director of the Imperial City Office, but the Director had already entered the palace and avoided meeting anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A seasoned bureaucrat, well-versed in the ways of officialdom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This troublesome task fell upon Deputy Director Xie Linghao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just been preparing to return home to the Xie Family to avoid trouble when Jiao He caught him off guard and forced him to meet the Young Protector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who dares accept this blood-written indictment from the Young Protector?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao suddenly spotted his elder sister, Xie Lingxuan, and his eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, what does Father advise me to do?” he asked urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan shook her head gently and replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father says you should act as you see fit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xie Linghao immediately felt a headache coming on. He pressed his palm to his forehead and groaned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I supposed to do now? How can the Imperial City Office possibly take this case?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is an indictment against the Son of Heaven!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, you’d just drive them out—but now it’s the Young Protector himself. What are we to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard at the door entered and reported:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Report, Deputy Director Xie: three people outside are striking the Heavenly Drum. Should we drive them away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, commoners never struck the Heavenly Drum—they were simply driven off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao quickly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are the three dressed like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard replied: “Two men and one woman. They wear plain clothes, nothing unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added: “But one middle-aged man has a magnificent hawk perched on his shoulder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard looked puzzled, but the men in the room reacted strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s really them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao leapt to his feet at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan’s heart trembled; she clenched her slender hands. It had been many years since she last saw him—now they would meet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiao He’s expression turned solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed woman, Tao Jiamin, looked on with clear anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning silently gazed toward the main hall, her thoughts drifting once more to the man who had ridden the wind across the Yuetangjiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaowu led the horse, eight thousand laborers pulled the bridge, and before tens of thousands, one man crossed the river—what a magnificent sight! Even now, recalling it left one breathless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard rushed into the room, his face tense: “Report, Deputy Director Xie: Deputy Director Zhang is arguing with the three!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial City Office had one Director and two Deputy Directors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao hurried out of the room, the others following close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: There’s more tonight. Mmp, feels like another cliffhanger. Should have two more chapters tonight—the last one might be late, so don’t wait up; you can read it tomorrow morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve read your feedback. If I can’t add an extra chapter tomorrow, I’ll cut some plotlines and wrap up the Jingcheng arc quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1861,"2026-06-21T01:32:57.622Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bd747cf9ae601e68d093d4728b8f895c3244cec98c5310bb79adea0b81cacb57","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-147","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-145",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]