[{"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-498":6,"glossary-terms-4587":23},{"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},2347513,4587,"Chapter 498: A Gentleman Does Not Stand Beneath a Leaning Wall—Concerning the Wutong Tree","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-498",498,"\u003Cp>You furrowed your brow slightly—the Xie Fu’s banquet involved no fewer than a hundred staff from the “Four Departments and Six Bureaus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was merely the setup for the main courtyard; the second courtyard had its own separate team, equally formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the Six Bureaus, the Shanggong Bureau “oversaw the receipt and dispatch of documents for the six bureaus of the Prince’s Mansion, along with affixing seals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shangyi Bureau “managed rituals and daily routines”; the Shangfu Bureau “handled the number and patterns of attire and ornaments”; the Shangshi Bureau “oversaw meals—any food served to the master was first tasted by the Shangshi”; the Shanggong Bureau was the domain of needlework, where embroidery and sewing were all produced; additionally, the Gongzheng Bureau enforced discipline within the inner quarters, meting out reprimands and punishments, with over two hundred female officials and maids, each fulfilling their duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants in each courtyard were as numerous as ants drawn to stench, beyond count; take Xie Yuan alone—he was merely a young master of the household, yet had eight personal attendants, plus a head nurse, guest entertainers, and musicians, totaling dozens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During festivals or the Elder Lady’s birthday, the main courtyard’s Shangshi Bureau alone was sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even today, with distinguished guests filling the halls, how could there be a shortage of staff?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would a senior maid from the second courtyard come to the main courtyard to summon a mere maid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan also fell silent, his gaze shifting to the woman standing outside the small courtyard—she was Zhao Fu’s personal maid, a position so elevated that even the Xie Fu’s stewards feared her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Zhi appeared no older than twenty, clad in a luxurious dark green silk gown that accentuated her tall, graceful figure; a delicate silver hairpin adorned her head, and her hands rested neatly crossed at her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such fabric was unthinkable even for Xie Guan, an illegitimate son with no favor; even the other concubine-born young masters in the courtyard had none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Zhi had followed Zhao Fu since her marriage, and it was said she and Zhao Fu addressed each other as sisters in private.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her features were exquisite, her eyes now mostly cold; behind her, two maids bowed their heads in deference, adding to her authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were a senior maid from the main courtyard or one of Zhuge Fu’s maids, Zhang Yuan would have bowed; but facing Gan Zhi, a senior maid from the second courtyard, he merely stood aside, still clinging to his scholar’s pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If He Xiao were here, he would already be bowing low, utterly subservient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Zhi studied Xie Guan a few more times, clearly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her first time seeing this illegitimate son of the Xie Fu, despised by Yuan Fu of the main courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t expected him to be so striking in appearance and bearing—not inferior to Young Master Renfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she kept this thought to herself, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly: “Young Master Guan, this order comes from Yuan Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Fu, the mistress of the main courtyard—her name in the Xie Fu was like thunder, and no one dared defy her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong stood quietly beside, showing no expression; such favors were common in the courtyard, and some maids even received rewards for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled faintly and said slowly: “It’s rare for a young lady to come here. My humble abode is plain—Wu Tong, brew tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Zhi made no move, merely standing still beneath the wutong tree in the small courtyard, its shifting shadows casting her in cool stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly: “Young Master Guan, there’s no need for trouble. Duty comes first—our mistress’s orders cannot be neglected. Wu Tong, hurry and prepare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wu Tong acted as if she hadn’t heard Gan Zhi at all, instead bringing tea from inside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled lightly and said casually: “Last time, Third Cousin sent Lan Zhi with herbs—I’ve kept them in mind. Please convey my thanks to Third Cousin on my behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of Third Cousin—Xie Renfeng of the second courtyard—Gan Zhi’s calm expression finally showed a faint frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this matter… you decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Agree to let Wu Tong go. (Hint: Wu Tong may be in danger; unfavorable circumstances may arise.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Refuse this request. (Hint: The situation may become uncontrollable.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Go with her. (Hint: The situation grows worse; Wu Tong may be in danger.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Go to the second courtyard and seek help from Xie Yuan. (Hint: Wu Tong is in danger; the situation may turn unfavorable.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. Go to the main courtyard and seek help from the Fourth Young Lady. (Hint: The situation may worsen; Wu Tong is in danger.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6. Go to the second courtyard and find Xie Renfeng. (Hint: Wu Tong is in danger; the situation may spiral out of control.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7. State that Xie Yuan of the second courtyard already summoned Wu Tong. (Hint: This may turn the tide.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>8. Participate personally. (0\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great bronze tripod boomed, as if boundless chaotic energy spread outward; its faint blue inscriptions slowly stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke stared at the seven options, silently analyzing the cause and consequence of this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie Fu was hosting a grand banquet; the Military Governor Sima Ting had arrived personally, here for the Fourth Young Lady’s betrothal; Zhao’s son and Li’s Sixth Young Lady were also among the guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao family, of course, was the clan behind Zhao Fu of the second courtyard—immensely powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter somehow involved Wu Tong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke pondered, focusing more intently on the options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option one: Agree to let Wu Tong go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hint warned Wu Tong would be in danger—did this banquet conceal something that would put her at risk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This option, eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option two: Refuse this request—the hint said the situation would become uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Xie Fu, defying the mistress’s command was a grave sin of filial impiety; punishment could be severe enough to bar one from the imperial examinations and official career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This option, eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option three: Go with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no summons from the mistress; attending the banquet would only invite reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the outcome remained the same—Wu Tong would still be harmed, the situation unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliminate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option four: Seek help from Xie Yuan—but the hint still warned Wu Tong would face danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, seeking Xie Yuan now was likely too late; once Wu Tong stepped out of the small courtyard into the banquet, danger could strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This option, eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option five: Seek help from the Fourth Young Lady—though also a concubine-born daughter with low status, she was today’s banquet’s centerpiece, and her mother’s standing might slightly surpass Xie Guan’s birth mother’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet women held little power in the household; mishandled, this matter could escalate from minor to major, becoming even more complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke refused to take this risk—eliminate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option six: Seek help from Xie Renfeng—but the hint still warned Wu Tong would be in danger, and the situation might spiral further out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Xie Renfeng had once expressed interest in acquiring Wu Tong—this matter might even be tied to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This option, Yu Ke eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this complex situation and limited choices, Yu Ke had to weigh every possibility carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the eight options, only the last—participate personally—remained uneliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the first seven, only option seven remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Option seven: State that Xie Yuan of the second courtyard had already summoned Wu Tong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only this hint offered a possible turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke made no further hesitation—he chose it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7. State that Xie Yuan of the second courtyard had already summoned Wu Tong. (Hint: This may turn the tide.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simulation continues!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Your brow furrowed as if facing a difficult matter, your eyes showing reluctance as you said with a tone of helplessness: “Young Lady, this matter is troublesome. Just now, Sixth Brother specifically sought me out and demanded Wu Tong. I’ve already agreed to Sixth Brother… you know his nature—he never retracts a promise once given.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【As you spoke, your tone seemed genuinely caught between two impossible choices.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wu Tong, hearing this, turned her head slightly, glancing at you in confusion; seeing your expression “calm and composed,” she said nothing in rebuttal.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Zhang Yuan stood to the side, thoughtful and silent.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gan Zhi’s eyebrows tightened further. She knew well of Sixth Young Master Xie Yuan of the main courtyard—he was deeply favored, arrogant, and every young master and lady in the household feared him.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Xie Yuan’s mother, Zhuge Fu, held influence in the main courtyard second only to Yuan Fu, and was backed by the powerful Zhuge clan.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Moreover, Gan Zhi knew that today, a key figure from the Zhuge family was present—making this small matter suddenly complex.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【After a brief pause, Gan Zhi spoke calmly: “I dare not defy my mistress’s command. But if Young Master Yuan has already summoned Wu Tong, I need not trouble others—I shall report this directly to Zhuge Fu myself.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Zhang Yuan had arrived early this morning and had spent much time reading and conversing with Xie Guan; moreover, Young Master Yuan had already left for the banquet with another distinguished guest.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【How could there be any summons from Young Master Yuan? This was clearly false—but why would Young Master Guan say this? He was deeply puzzled.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【He also noticed: Gan Zhi didn’t seek out Young Master Yuan—she intended to speak to Zhuge Fu.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Your face still wore an air of timidity: “This may not be proper—if Sixth Brother comes looking later and cites your prior promise, it would defy your elder brother’s will.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【In the Great Qi, seniority and hierarchy were sacred—elder brother’s word must be obeyed.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Young Lady, why not let Wu Tong go first to inform Sixth Brother, explain the situation, and I’ll have my own explanation ready.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Otherwise, we’ll have to wait until Sixth Brother sends someone to urge us—only then can I explain, and only then can Wu Tong go…”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Before you finished speaking!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Zhang Yuan, observing your cowardly demeanor—so unlike your usual self—grew even more suspicious of this matter.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wu Tong grew more puzzled, yet said nothing in protest.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gan Zhi pondered briefly—if they lingered here, they couldn’t take a maid from a Xie family scion. Xie Guan might be a despised illegitimate son, but the Xie surname forbade servants from challenging him.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【This matter was trivial, and it wouldn’t please Young Master Renfeng—it was only about Wu Tong!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gan Zhi gave a slight nod: “Then as Young Master Guan says.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You smiled and instructed Wu Tong: “Wu Tong, take the tea leaves from the courtyard—Sixth Brother said he liked them last time, but forgot to take them when he left.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wu Tong had no memory of Xie Yuan ever showing interest in the courtyard’s inferior tea.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wu Tong entered the room and carefully packed the tea leaves.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Oh, by the way, Wu Tong—don’t forget, Sixth Brother left behind a chess piece—the ‘General’—take it too.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wu Tong picked up a wooden yellow chess piece—the “General”—and slipped it into her sleeve.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Gan Zhi remained composed, and once Wu Tong was ready, she led her away.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【As you watched them leave, you added one last reminder: “Wu Tong, don’t forget.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You spoke solemnly: “Wu Tong, remember to thank Sixth Brother for me.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Don’t worry, Young Master, Wu Tong remembers.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuanlai watched Wu Tong depart, puzzled by your actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan?” he called out, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gan Zhi and her group had vanished from sight, you stood beneath the tung tree, your expression returning to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, Master Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You paused in quiet thought, already grasping the crux of the matter, yet remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, urgent voices came from outside the small courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan, something’s wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuanlai turned at the sound and saw an old man hurrying over—it was Hua An, the Xie Family’s official physician, his face flushed and breath ragged from running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he even entered, he scanned the courtyard anxiously and asked, “Where is Miss Wu Tong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan, something’s wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stepped forward and soothed him: “Doctor Hua, speak slowly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An’s face was grim as he said, “While on duty, I overheard the steward and maids in the main hall discussing how Lord Zhao’s fourth son came to the Xie Mansion seeking a maid—Young Master Renfeng recommended Wu Tong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Zhao Young Master  has a tiger-and-wolf’s nature—he’s ruined countless good girls,” Hua An said, deeply troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu Tong’s journey may be fatal; with her temperament, she won’t endure such humiliation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has Wu Tong already been summoned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your expression didn’t change; you gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are we to do?” Hua An cried in desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed: “Madam Yuan seems to have tacitly approved this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuanlai’s face darkened: “The fourth son of the Li family! He’s infamous in Bianjing—last year he dared to flirt with a princess and drugged her; when the palace eunuchs discovered it, the Zhao family confined him. Yet today he’s come to the Xie Mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now understood your earlier actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You gazed calmly at the tung tree in the courtyard, where a few scattered leaves lay on the ground, heralding early autumn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your eyes held resolve as you stepped into the courtyard; on the stone table lay several books and a calligraphy copybook, with the “Sacred Words” open to reveal these lines:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall; a wise man does not enter a nest destined to collapse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuanlai racked his brain for a solution, but he was merely a lowly guest in the mansion—his voice carried no weight; he sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single word from a noble could crush them to dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An asked anxiously: “Young Master Guan, what can I do for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past month, Hua An had grown fond of you and your servant—especially you, Young Master Guan, and Miss Wu Tong, a good girl who shouldn’t suffer such a fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked up at the sky and said: “No rush—the banquet hasn’t begun yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuanlai had guessed your intent—you planned to attend the banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You took out a calligraphy copybook and began calmly tracing the characters, your hand steady as stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When facing great matters, one must remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2380,"2026-06-21T01:33:01.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","db28272385d8763153b08a79b567265d9d998c08a50ad45f5959f3281cece961","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-499","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-497",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg",{"terms":24},[25,29,33,37,41,45,49,53,57,61,65,69,73,77,81,85,89,93,97,101,105],{"id":26,"raw_term":27,"original_term":28},1799945,"Lu Chen","陸沉",{"id":30,"raw_term":31,"original_term":32},1799946,"Wu Ying","武纓",{"id":34,"raw_term":35,"original_term":36},1799947,"Gongsun Pingxi","公孫平溪",{"id":38,"raw_term":39,"original_term":40},1799948,"Yu Ke","俞客",{"id":42,"raw_term":43,"original_term":44},1799949,"Dou Gu","竇固",{"id":46,"raw_term":47,"original_term":48},1799950,"Huang Yu","黃鈺",{"id":50,"raw_term":51,"original_term":52},1799951,"Yu Xu","虞許",{"id":54,"raw_term":55,"original_term":56},1799952,"Zhou Cheng","周成",{"id":58,"raw_term":59,"original_term":60},1799953,"Liu Wen","劉溫",{"id":62,"raw_term":63,"original_term":64},1799954,"Zhou Jinyu","周錦瑜",{"id":66,"raw_term":67,"original_term":68},1799955,"Feng Haiping","封海平",{"id":70,"raw_term":71,"original_term":72},1799956,"Tuoba Hongyan","拓拔宏宴",{"id":74,"raw_term":75,"original_term":76},1799957,"Zhou Xuan","周玄",{"id":78,"raw_term":79,"original_term":80},1799958,"Gu Yi","顧議",{"id":82,"raw_term":83,"original_term":84},1799959,"Tuoba Shuyi","拓拔術遺",{"id":86,"raw_term":87,"original_term":88},1799960,"Lu Jiaxuan","陸佳軒",{"id":90,"raw_term":91,"original_term":92},1799961,"You'an","幼安",{"id":94,"raw_term":95,"original_term":96},1799962,"Lu Yu","陸羽",{"id":98,"raw_term":99,"original_term":100},1799963,"Yuwen Liqian","宇文璃淺",{"id":102,"raw_term":103,"original_term":104},1799964,"Su Beihai","蘇北海",{"id":106,"raw_term":107,"original_term":108},1799965,"Old Li","老李頭"]