[{"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-208":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},2347223,4587,"Chapter 208: Coming to the Capital to Rescue the Throne—Now We Can Talk","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-208",208,"\u003Cp>As your words fell, the entire scene sank into a brief silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Jinyu softly repeated those words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am but a commoner from Huainan—what does the world matter to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart was filled with confusion and shock, for she understood the meaning behind those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only three words—abandon the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Empress of Daqing could not recall her husband Zhou Zhen’s birthday, yet your birth chart was etched into her mind as if branded by fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew even better the life story of this Shaobao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You were born in Huainan County, Beidi, in the spring of Yongxiang Year One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commoner” refers to one who wears cloth robes; later, it came to mean an ordinary civilian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your family was hardly commoners—in your county, you were a powerful clan, but later you squandered your wealth, and your mother betrothed you young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, you became a disciple of the Three Teachings, and at twenty-one, out of pure filial piety, you went to Hulao Pass to rescue your father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, your name shook the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huainan County became famous across the land because of your birth; now, anyone with the surname Lu is unconsciously assumed to be a man of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you resigned from office and returned home to cultivate on Mount Zhongnan, losing your official rank and title—calling yourself a commoner was not untrue, even a form of humility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To rise from a commoner to the throne—that is the highest honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet you will not take the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Jinyu could not believe you would forsake this once-in-a-millennium chance to be remembered in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her eyes, such an opportunity was what countless men dreamed of, yet you seemed indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could not comprehend your state of mind, nor imagine how, in this vortex of power struggles, you could remain so calm and detached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, if you will not sit on the throne, what choice will you make?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nation cannot be without a ruler—then who will be the sovereign of Daqing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhou Jinyu glanced at Prince Zhou Cheng among the Yulin Army, her face filled with revulsion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager also seemed slightly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their minds, they were born into the imperial family, their entire lives devoted to this throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they abandon it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Zhen’s body was still warm—he died willingly for the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Zhou Cheng stood nearby; though he had guessed this outcome, his face remained calm, yet his heart was shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Son of Heaven—just one step away; few in the world would willingly give it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, the Lu family army felt no disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had long understood your heart—you were never one to seek power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen years ago, had you truly desired it, you could have stormed the Yellow Dragon Palace and seized the throne—why wait until now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu, upon hearing this, keenly realized: if you have no intention of claiming the throne, then the remaining contender must be…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze involuntarily swept toward Prince Zhou Cheng, who had come from Jiangbei, and he began to calculate silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lu Lu’s view, if Prince Zhou Cheng could secure the throne with support from Jiangbei, the current “three-way stalemate” would be shattered, and a new power structure would emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu secretly formed a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager, upon hearing your words, knew this was now the critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would be named emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued: “Shaobao, do you intend to interfere in the matter of Daqing’s sovereign?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shaobao, what conditions do you have? I will agree to them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked around—the Lu family army had already surrounded the city; if she did not secure terms now, she might never get another chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of the greater good, she was prepared to sacrifice part of her interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a great upheaval, she could afford to give up certain things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at Prince Zhou Cheng, who stood beside you, and said calmly: “Eighth son, I accept you as emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman turned her gaze back to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman thought you arrogant, and narrowed her eyes slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you, Shaobao, truly believe victory is already yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inside the palace, there are still thirty thousand City Gate Captains. I long ago sent a messenger with my golden arrow to the frontier armies—if they do not see my golden arrow by tomorrow, they will storm the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, if you act thus, with the emperor dead, every corner of Daqing will send troops to rescue the throne tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu was stunned—he had no knowledge of this. When had the Grand Empress Dowager notified the frontier armies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frontier armies totaled over one hundred thousand, jointly commanded by the Grand Empress Dowager and the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager’s words were clearly a move to destroy everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation in the courtyard grew tense again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a negotiation over imperial power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu family army maintained strict discipline—no one dared speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expressions in the eyes of the Lu family soldiers grew increasingly contemptuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Fu, the dark-faced giant of the Lu family army, shook his head, thinking: Are the people of Jiangnan really made of iron? Don’t they fear a single blade?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army is already at the city gates!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Shaobao gives one order, these men would be slaughtered already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How presumptuous—to dare bargain with the Shaobao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Gu, the Lu family army’s strategist, smiled and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I fear you will be disappointed, Grand Empress Dowager—the frontier armies will not arrive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our southern advance went so smoothly—wasn’t that thanks to the frontier armies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager was puzzled. Indeed, the Lu family army’s southern march had been sudden, and they had passed through Jiangnan Circuit—the very region under frontier army control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there a reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Gu smiled: “The frontier armies of Jiangnan Circuit have already been absorbed by the Lu family army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They surrendered at the sight of the Lu banner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager shook her head violently, refusing to believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Gu pulled from his sleeve a golden arrow, gleaming bright: “This is a gift and tribute from General Wu of the frontier armies, sent to the Shaobao—this very golden arrow is among it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the golden arrow was revealed, the Grand Empress Dowager’s gaze sharpened, her body trembled, and she slumped helplessly against the imperial palanquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager snarled: “Without the frontier armies, I still have thirty thousand City Captains—Shaobao, do not overreach.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu suddenly realized—he could wait no longer. The Grand Empress Dowager had already lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was filled with furious regret. He had thought the situation had eased, yet her words had once again pushed the atmosphere to the brink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he feared most was that you, the Shaobao, would remain silent and give the order to eliminate everyone—this would be a disaster they could not survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu did not want to die. He came from a noble family; he still had endless wealth, status, beautiful wives, and concubines to enjoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no reason to die with the Grand Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said respectfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, Lu Lu, pay homage to the Shaobao, and to Prince Zhou Cheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Lu knew well—he must bow to the Shaobao first, then to Prince Zhou Cheng; the latter was likely to become the new master of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager stared, stunned by Lu Lu’s action, her cloudy eyes filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never witnessed such betrayal on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the City Captain soldiers remained motionless, Lu Lu grew desperate. He quickly signaled a trusted officer, who immediately understood and shouted loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay homage to the Shaobao! Pay homage to Prince Zhou Cheng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cry, like an invisible force, instantly stirred the surrounding soldiers—they followed suit, chanting in unison, the scene suddenly becoming grand and overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked at the kneeling masses; even the eunuchs around you, stirred by the soldiers, hesitated, but once someone led, they all followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay homage to the Shaobao, Prince Zhou Cheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, everyone except Zhou Jinyu and the Grand Empress Dowager had knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager’s voice trembled with fury as she shouted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get up! All of you—what are you doing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to Lu Lu, her eyes filled with disbelief and heartbreak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Lu, how could you? Have you forgotten the Lu family’s generations of loyalty, the grace Daqing bestowed upon you? Now you bow so easily to others!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her anger and despair intertwined; her body shook violently with coughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, a thoughtful eunuch would massage her back to ease her breath—but now, all were worried for their own lives, none cared for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! Cough—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman gasped for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Jinyu stood motionless beside her. Normally, she would gently massage the Grand Empress Dowager’s back, fulfilling her duty as a granddaughter-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Empress Dowager’s face turned ashen, yet she could not change the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt like a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I just said “sink or swim” and “don’t go too far!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Now I realize how harsh those words sounded.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To this day!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Grand Empress Dowager looked at the group before her: Lu Lu’s groveling, the young eunuch’s trembling fear, the soldiers’ faces filled with dread.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“You cowards, so afraid of death—do you even honor Daqing?”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Grand Empress Dowager cursed from her phoenix palanquin, now without eunuchs to support her, unable to rise.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No one dared rise to answer you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fortunately!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Grand Empress Dowager noticed Zhou Jinyu—the Empress of Daqing, her daughter-in-law—who also had not knelt to the ground.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A flicker of hope passed through her gaze, as if she had found some support: “Jinyu, help me up!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Zhou Jinyu acted as if she hadn’t heard, staring blankly at you, as though since arriving at Fengtian Hall, you had spoken only that one sentence.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Your face remained as calm as ever, and he was suddenly transported back to the days on Mount Zhongnan.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Back then, you stood on the guest-receiving steps, smiling lightly—completely unlike the man you are today.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Back then, you wore a Daoist robe, a quiet cultivator with hands folded within your sleeves.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Now Zhou Jinyu saw you, standing before all who bowed, while the Lu family army wore expressions of sincere reverence.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Your face was utterly calm—as if this were how it should be.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hold the power of the world, yet show neither wrath nor pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He finally merged the Lu Shaobao of old—the man who had been crushed by the northern winds, broken for fifteen years—with you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Zhou Jinyu slowly exhaled, then knelt slowly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[“Zhou Jinyu, pays homage to Shaobao!”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The Grand Empress Dowager froze, gasping for breath.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Only one person remained standing in the hall.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[At this moment!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You spoke softly: “Now we may speak.”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1825,"2026-06-21T01:33:00.595Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a09e368f0f62f35f365d02915c5aa07693471196e62a44e5a3ed9c489071c46e","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-209","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-207",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]