[{"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-520":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},2347535,4587,"Chapter 520: The Young Heirs of the Nine Great Surnames, the Grass Hall Poetry Society!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-520",520,"\u003Cp>You lifted your gaze slightly, letting it linger on Li’s sixth daughter for a few breaths—her face like a blooming flower beneath the moon—then recalled Xie Yuan’s expression when he spoke of her, as if she were a venomous serpent, and couldn’t help smiling and shaking your head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss,” whispered Xiao Die beside you, lowering her voice, “I heard Lady Zhu mention that Xie Yuan is an excellent student, brilliant beyond measure, even said he’ll surely enter the famed academy and become a pillar of the Great Qi. But I, Xiao Die, don’t believe a single word! It’s just the old woman selling melons—praising her own goods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, the saying goes, good wine needs no alley to be known, but what we’ve heard lately isn’t good at all. This Xie Yuan used to be a full-fledged playboy—regular at Xifeng Pavilion, with a whole harem of courtesans. Oh, I truly pity you, Miss, with your moon-bright beauty, how could you be tied to such a man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ancient words say, a prodigal’s return is worth more than gold—but there’s another saying: a dog can’t change its nature...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You watched the maid passionately defending her mistress, chattering nonstop—her nature not unlike that of Wu Tong when unobserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this also revealed that the sixth Li daughter was a kind and tolerant mistress, treating her servants well; no other noble lady would allow such boldness from her attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li’s sixth daughter finally set down her scroll, a faint look of helplessness crossing her jade features as she smiled: “Xiao Die, your little mouth is growing more and more like those old nannies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die didn’t take offense—her eyes lit up instead: “Miss, are you serious? I want to become a nanny in the household one day, to teach those unruly maids!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li’s sixth daughter could only laugh and sigh—having grown up together, they were as close as sisters, like a younger sibling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to you: “My lord, forgive me—my maid lacks restraint and speaks without thought, disturbing your peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally forced a stern face: “Xiao Die, apologize to my lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Xiao Die remember the stranger in the pavilion—her heart jolted. If this man were from the Xie household, trouble loomed; if Lady Xie heard these idle words, and they reached the Li household, she’d surely be punished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, she stuck out her tongue and hurriedly said: “Let me pour tea for my lord—oh, my mouth! May your grace overlook this lowly servant’s blunder, don’t take it to heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You waved your hand, signaling it was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die beamed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied your bearing, unusual for a commoner, and asked: “My lord, are you from the Xie household?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unexpected answer made Xiao Die pout inwardly—how could one answer like that? What did “in a way” even mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, how should I address you?” she pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die pulled a small notebook from the bamboo chest beside her and flipped through it carefully. Her mistress might marry into the Xie household—she’d long been gathering information on them. She blinked, thinking: “Xie Guan? I don’t recall that name in the Xie genealogy.” She flipped a few more pages—then found it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bastard son of the main Xie household; his mother’s name unrecorded in the clan register.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan? That was the one—the scandal that shook the whole city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die blurted out: “The Xie household’s illegitimate son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan frowned, cutting her off: “Don’t be disrespectful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die realized her mistake and sincerely apologized—exposing someone’s wounds was always wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You showed no anger, your expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Shuwan closed her scroll, cast a reproachful glance at Xiao Die, and rose to bow: “So you are Master Guan—my apologies for the rudeness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Li Shuwan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recalled—so she was indeed the sixth Li daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, laughter and chatter rose outside the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan lifted her eyes toward the entrance, seeing several figures approaching. Recognizing them, she sighed softly—her rare quiet spot for reading was surely lost again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delighted voice cried out: “Shuwan, what a coincidence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just telling Yunniang that the view here is unmatched—perfect for admiring the scenery—and I never imagined we’d both thought of the same place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Die muttered under her breath: “Here comes that annoying pest.” But her face showed no hint of insolence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Su Yun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just call me Su Yun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two men and a woman hurried forward—the speaker, eager to outpace the others, strode straight into the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared barely past his coming-of-age, wearing a purple-gold hairpin crown, a gold filigree headband etched with twin dragons vying for a pearl, a crimson arrow-sleeve robe embroidered with golden butterflies among flowers, and black satin boots with white soles—every detail radiating wealth and status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his features were merely pleasant—his ears stood out, his earlobes large, his eyes now fixed entirely on Li Shuwan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You heard Li Shuwan subtly hint: the surname Su!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scion of the Su family—the foremost of the Nine Great Surnames, immensely powerful, known to all in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them followed a man and a woman, each accompanied by four or five servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked about fifteen, dressed in fine robes, handsome, holding a green jade flute, his eyes brimming with arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from your father or that long-ago Xie ancestor, legend says their rise began when a noble lady took a fancy to his striking looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over generations, the Xie men have all been handsome, elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recognized this one—the seventh young master of the main household: Xie Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’d only seen him at banquets, never spoken with him; his mother, though not from the Nine Great Surnames, was a wealthy merchant’s daughter and held some favor in the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You rose: “Greetings, Seventh Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan froze, sizing you up—he’d forgotten who you were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman behind him drew even more attention: she wore a peach-colored satin jacket over a crimson fur-lined robe, beneath it a yellow embroidered long skirt, her figure slender as willow in the wind, narrow shoulders, tiny waist, an oval face, eyes soft as flowing water yet brimming with allure—utterly unlike other noble ladies, possessing a unique charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan spoke: “This is Xie Guan, Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan raised an eyebrow—he recalled this bastard brother, who’d recently gained some notice within the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a slight nod, then dismissed you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun, however, stared curiously at the boy seated calmly beside Li Shuwan. Seeing no familiarity between them, he relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the three newcomers, Su Yun was clearly the center—he introduced them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shuwan, this is Xie Xuan, son of Uncle Xie Ling—you may not have met him, but he’s quite talented.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan bowed politely: “Greetings, Miss Wan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Su Yun shifted tone, his voice tinged with pride and solemnity: “Now, this one—I must introduce properly! Shuwan, you’ve surely heard her name? She’s one of the Eighteen Families of Bianjing, personally praised by Master Jin Zitan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then recited:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunniang, at eight, could play the zither,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spring wind blew down celestial tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One note brought tears to the eyes of Yongmen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two notes made crimson carp reveal their fins,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three notes made white apes stretch their cheeks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Yunniang—the unrivaled zither master of Xifeng Pavilion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan—the academy’s famed critic, the most renowned commentator in the Great Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every month, he held a literary appraisal, ranking figures across the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago, Xie Ling rose to fame overnight after Jin Zitan declared: “The Xie family’s tiger cub shall lead the martial path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan’s critiques weren’t limited to court officials—he especially loved reviewing Bianjing’s courtesans and actors. A single word from him could skyrocket their value, turning them into objects of public adoration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in Bianjing’s pleasure quarters, this hundred-year-old man was often besieged by women vying to be his bed companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Eighteen Families of Bianjing” was Jin Zitan’s highest honor for courtesans and actresses—women of exceptional talent, beauty, literary grace, and dignified demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang was one of these Eighteen, the top courtesan of Xifeng Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the dream of countless men in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fame was so great she rarely appeared in public, associating only with the city’s true elite. Without Su Yun’s influence within the Su family, he could never have persuaded her to visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang bowed gracefully, smiling warmly: “Greetings, Miss Wan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan was surprised: “So you’re Master Hu—what an honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d long heard of Hu Yunniang’s name—frequently mentioned among the Nine Great Surnames’ youths. Rumor said she not only played the zither superbly but also composed poetry and verse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang’s voice was soft, her beautiful eyes glancing with captivating grace—as if they could pluck at the heartstrings. She whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble servant greets Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied the unfamiliar young man in the pavilion—dressed in plain blue-and-white robes, neither exquisite nor luxurious, yet his bearing and features stood out uncommonly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women of her kind, navigating the world of patrons, were expertly polished. Though she saw you were neglected, she never omitted proper etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, a neglected bastard son, given even a sliver of attention or a gentle word, would rush toward it like a moth to a flame—more desperately than any favored legitimate son from a great family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Hu Yunniang’s skirts, countless bastard sons of the Nine Great Surnames had willingly thrown themselves into fire and water for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her every smile, every glance, seemed to fall, intentionally or not, upon you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You returned her bow calmly, speaking softly: “Greetings, Miss Hu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Hu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The title was unexpected—normally, people called her Yunniang, or respectfully, Master Hu or Miss Hu; few ever used “Miss Hu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one paid it much mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When all had seated themselves around the pavilion’s warm brazier, you and Li Shuwan sat on one side, the three newcomers on the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you deliberately kept distance from them, appearing distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun beamed: “Shuwan, I have good news! You know Yunniang has agreed to join our Grass Hall Poetry Society!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wore out my tongue, exhausted myself—finally got her to say yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, with you and Yunniang as our literary pillars, our poetry society finally has some prestige!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan’s face also lit with pride—having one of the Eighteen Families join the Grass Hall Poetry Society would make other noble youths envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Bianjing’s elite circles, they weren’t the only ones who’d founded poetry societies; several rival noble youths had formed their own, often hostile to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, proximity grants advantage—whoever became Hu Yunniang’s favored guest would be famed across Bianjing the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such women only attached themselves to truly outstanding men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not necessarily to the imperial court—but to the highest aristocratic lineages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grass Hall Poetry Society was founded by Su Yun himself, who, as its first president, invited renowned young talents from Bianjing—Xie Xuan among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother often urged him to cultivate ties with Su Yun, who was greatly favored in the Su household, though he disliked studying for officialdom and preferred composing poetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun showed little interest in the Confucian Four Books and Five Classics, but he adored the Book of Songs, memorizing poems from every dynasty as if reciting family heirlooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan nodded in agreement: “After Madam Hu joined the poetry society, many talented scholars came seeking her fame—this reputation is truly priceless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xie Xuan held himself in high regard, his words still carried clear overtures of flattery toward Su Yun; otherwise, he would not have personally accompanied her all the way today, showing such deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This act not only demonstrated his regard for Su Yun but also served to display his connections and abilities before the other Xie family sons and daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people Xie Xuan associates with are no ordinary folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang let out a light laugh and said, “What merit do I have to be mentioned alongside Lord Yun and Miss Wan? They are the true pillars of the poetry society.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xie is also a backbone of the society; I can at most play a tune while you compose poetry—merely adding a touch of refined elegance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s face glowed with delight—he had never expected to encounter Li Shuwan here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had fallen for Li Shuwan at first sight years ago; her poetic talent ran deep, and he considered them a perfect match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t we today abandon strict rhyme schemes? Let’s pick a single theme and each compose a few poems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan readily agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Su Yun’s enthusiasm, Hu Yunniang also nodded in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Shuwan showed hesitation, she ultimately nodded in assent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun beamed with joy: “If these poems spread today, tomorrow they will shake the entire Bianjing capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always had my servants prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—but I still lack someone skilled in calligraphy to write them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan suddenly remembered something and turned to you:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recall Brother Guan has considerable skill in calligraphy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2180,"2026-06-21T01:33:01.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","eca23192a0c035ff7f15e4186612418e27e9a64b84a9f31647efcf5395c69159","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-521","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-519",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg",{"terms":24,"userReplacements":130},[25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80,85,90,95,100,105,110,115,120,125],{"id":26,"raw_term":27,"original_term":28,"translations":29},1799945,"Lu Chen","陸沉",[],{"id":31,"raw_term":32,"original_term":33,"translations":34},1799946,"Wu Ying","武纓",[],{"id":36,"raw_term":37,"original_term":38,"translations":39},1799947,"Gongsun Pingxi","公孫平溪",[],{"id":41,"raw_term":42,"original_term":43,"translations":44},1799948,"Yu Ke","俞客",[],{"id":46,"raw_term":47,"original_term":48,"translations":49},1799949,"Dou Gu","竇固",[],{"id":51,"raw_term":52,"original_term":53,"translations":54},1799950,"Huang Yu","黃鈺",[],{"id":56,"raw_term":57,"original_term":58,"translations":59},1799951,"Yu Xu","虞許",[],{"id":61,"raw_term":62,"original_term":63,"translations":64},1799952,"Zhou Cheng","周成",[],{"id":66,"raw_term":67,"original_term":68,"translations":69},1799953,"Liu Wen","劉溫",[],{"id":71,"raw_term":72,"original_term":73,"translations":74},1799954,"Zhou Jinyu","周錦瑜",[],{"id":76,"raw_term":77,"original_term":78,"translations":79},1799955,"Feng Haiping","封海平",[],{"id":81,"raw_term":82,"original_term":83,"translations":84},1799956,"Tuoba Hongyan","拓拔宏宴",[],{"id":86,"raw_term":87,"original_term":88,"translations":89},1799957,"Zhou Xuan","周玄",[],{"id":91,"raw_term":92,"original_term":93,"translations":94},1799958,"Gu Yi","顧議",[],{"id":96,"raw_term":97,"original_term":98,"translations":99},1799959,"Tuoba Shuyi","拓拔術遺",[],{"id":101,"raw_term":102,"original_term":103,"translations":104},1799960,"Lu Jiaxuan","陸佳軒",[],{"id":106,"raw_term":107,"original_term":108,"translations":109},1799961,"You'an","幼安",[],{"id":111,"raw_term":112,"original_term":113,"translations":114},1799962,"Lu Yu","陸羽",[],{"id":116,"raw_term":117,"original_term":118,"translations":119},1799963,"Yuwen Liqian","宇文璃淺",[],{"id":121,"raw_term":122,"original_term":123,"translations":124},1799964,"Su Beihai","蘇北海",[],{"id":126,"raw_term":127,"original_term":128,"translations":129},1799965,"Old Li","老李頭",[],{}]