[{"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-530":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},2347545,4587,"Chapter 530: Academic Examination: What Is a Virtuous Scholar and Benevolent Man?","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-530",530,"\u003Cp>You steadied your mind and followed the steward’s steps into the solemn main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward walked ahead, recalling past experience: he assumed the household’s junior sons, visiting Xie Hong’s courtyard for the first time, were usually nervous—either silent and stiff, or glancing around with barely concealed excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had also learned this Young Master Guan, being an illegitimate son, seemed to have received no favor from the family—perhaps never even set foot in Da Guan Garden, let alone met the Lady or other high-ranking nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must be terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward had his own calculations… after walking a while, he sensed something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy followed behind, the hem of his robe swaying gently with each step, every swing perfectly uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pace was steady—neither hurried nor sluggish—each step precisely measured, flawless, utterly free of the tension and unease of a first-timer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the steward quietly retracted his earlier disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan, the main hall entrance lies just ahead; I dare not accompany you further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inside are all the family’s nobles. You must be extra cautious in your words and conduct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bowed slightly and murmured, “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants on either side of the door pushed it open, then closed it softly, as if sealing off the world beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You walked slowly into the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady and Young Masters on one side turned their gazes toward you; several others from allied families also looked up, curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Xie sat in the main seat, expression indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy walked calmly into the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yu stood behind his mother, staring in surprise at this elder brother he had never met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan, however, wore a look of clear delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stood tall and elegant in the center, clear-eyed and finely featured, your plain robe radiating quiet distinction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your demeanor was neither timid nor weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy bowed slowly and said, “Xie Guan pays his respects to Grandmother, and to Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian watched the boy enter and could not help smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao frowned, having said nothing during the earlier dispute over Xie Guan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng’s eyes held clear disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan looked surprised—she had not seen Xie Guan in years and for a moment did not recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The son of that woman had grown so well—her heart stirred with complex emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ma Ting watched the boy in the hall, composed even amid such a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled his own teacher, once from a humble alley, now Minister of Rites in the imperial court, a trusted confidant of Prime Minister Su Xiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appointment as Military Governor of Jiannan had been secured through his teacher’s mediation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ma Ting held deep, genuine admiration for that teacher; seeing Xie Guan before him, he felt a momentary flash of insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His teacher, in his youth, when he first entered Bianjing to meet nobles, must have carried himself just so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Xie’s expression remained unchanged, still silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan said, “This is your Second Uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Xie Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Hong merely nodded slightly, his expression detached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Hua regarded Xie Guan with thoughtful silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You then paid respects to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong wiped away her tears, her eyes brimming with emotion—seeing her young master unharmed, her heart finally settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter of accusing Xie Guan had already been dropped, thanks to Zhu Ge Jian and Si Ma Ting’s intercession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The household had also settled matters concerning Xie Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family was preparing to hold a banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan turned her gaze to Old Lady Xie, unwilling to prolong the matter over an illegitimate son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lady Xie fixed her eyes on the boy standing respectfully in the hall, studied him for a moment, then waved her hand impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan understood at once and spoke: “Xie Guan, you may withdraw.” She added, “And…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As this is your first offense for entering Da Guan Garden, I shall overlook it. Do not repeat it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bowed deeply, turning to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out just then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Sister, since our Ninth in the main courtyard is here today, and we’ve just heard Master Jingyue and General Si Ma praise him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan was the ninth in the main courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao smiled: “We haven’t seen him in years. The courtyard says he plays blind chess and never forgets what he hears. Why not seize this chance to test our Young Master Guan’s scholarship?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, all in the hall froze, eyes turning to you; a subtle tension filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Testing an illegitimate son here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng let out a light laugh, his gaze scornful—Xie Guan had only read alone in the small courtyard, never had the fortune of a renowned master’s guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Confucian Dao is vast and profound, with generations of great masters, each generation laboring tirelessly—how could one, shut away and self-taught, possibly grasp any profound learning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan’s eyes sharpened instantly—she recalled: Xie Guan had never even begun his studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this came to light, it would spark a major scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Bianjing, where literary culture flourished and academies thrived, a Lady Mother obstructing a child’s education was no trivial matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when it happened in the Xie family—one of the Nine Great Clans, famed as models for the realm—it would become a sensational disgrace, shattering the Xie family’s honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this matter was supposed to be kept secret, known to few—could Xie Guan have secretly allied with the Second Courtyard? Otherwise, why would Lady Zhao strike now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could that damned brat dare conspire with the Second Courtyard, betraying the Lady Mother?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s household affairs are numerous; let us set this aside for now,” Lady Yuan said slowly. “Old Lady Xie is weary. Let this matter drop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao rose, her smile radiant: “Merely a small matter—it won’t delay anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone from the Zhao family chimed in: “Exactly! How could we pass up the chance to witness the young talent praised by Master Jingyue and General Si Ma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lady Zhao’s natal family, the Zhao clan naturally supported her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian also wished to see Xie Guan’s talent—had his prediction about the demons in Jiannan been mere luck, or true scholarly depth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian nodded slightly: “It’s merely a scholarly test—no harm in it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall’s atmosphere grew subtle and complex, each heart holding hidden thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan turned to Old Lady Xie, her tone urgent: “Old Lady Xie, what do you say…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Xie Hong had returned, Old Lady Xie had unexpectedly offered no opposition, showing face to the Second Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan sighed: “Xie Guan is still a boy, not yet come of age, while all present are renowned masters. He cannot possibly meet your standards—this would be like a child debating the sun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao returned to her seat, turning to Xie Hong with a soft question: “Master, what do you think of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Hong had remained silent since entering the hall; now, after scanning the room and observing Zhu Ge Jian’s expression, he slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao’s face lit with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan’s heart sank, but she could no longer stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only warn: “Xie Guan, answer carefully. If uncertain, better to remain silent than embarrass yourself and bring shame to the Xie household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, you replied: “Mother, rest assured. Xie Guan understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan sat upright, eager, curious what question would be posed to his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian rose: “Lady Yuan, let me pose the question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan caught the smug look on Lady Zhao’s face and grew impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome of today’s main courtyard matter was settled; even if the Second Courtyard stole some glory, it mattered little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hoped Xie Guan would not prove utterly incompetent—if he stammered and dragged her down, she would punish him for “ignorance and idleness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his mother’s death, she had ignored this lingering trouble, fearing the label of “cruel woman”—but today, she might as well play the villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Lady Yuan had no choice but to sit, hand pressed to her forehead, looking weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we are in your hands, Master Jingyue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian stepped into the hall, his gaze fixed on the boy, and said slowly: “I do not mean to burden you—true gold fears no fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have studied for years. The Great Qi governs by Confucianism—surely you’ve gained deep insight into its classics. Today, I wish to test you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan, do you have the confidence to answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong grew tense—though she knew her young master studied diligently, so many great figures were present; she feared his answers might not satisfy them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Jingyue was a living sage of the age—she could not help but hold her breath for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Ma Ting sat back, calm and expectant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy who had declared in the pavilion, “Since heaven and earth opened, the voices of the hundred schools have echoed in my ears for eight thousand years—whether generals, ministers, kings, merchants, or common laborers—Xie Guan, invite them all to sit!”—how would he respond now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Qiyue stood behind her father, Xie Hong, secretly admiring Xie Guan—if she had been called to a public scholarly test, she would have collapsed in fear and fled—this Xie Guan was a true “hard man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng smiled—if Xie Guan failed to answer, the punishment he had barely escaped today would only grow heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept past Xie Yuan to Wu Tong, recalling his former sincere affection for her—now… his lips curled into a cold smile. What he could not have, he would destroy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Jian spoke slowly: “The phrase ‘virtuous scholar and benevolent man’ comes from the *Sacred Sayings: Wei Linggong*: ‘Virtuous scholars and benevolent men do not seek life at the cost of benevolence; they sacrifice their lives to fulfill benevolence.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is your interpretation of ‘virtuous scholar and benevolent man’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan, hearing the question, fell into thought: a virtuous scholar is one with ambition to pacify the realm and bring order to the world; a benevolent man is one with compassion, bearing the world’s suffering before his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the meaning of ‘virtuous scholar and benevolent man’?”—this was not a common exam question, rarely used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master once said, “Sacrifice one’s life to fulfill benevolence; give up one’s life to uphold righteousness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Zhuge Jian asked now clearly demanded deeper and more original insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Ting silently recalled in his mind: this phrase appeared in the Confucian Four Books and Five Classics, specifically in the Shengyu, and generations of Confucian masters had offered numerous translations and annotations. But merely quoting past interpretations would hardly earn praise from Master Jingyue, whose scholarly rigor and high standards were well known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this question tested not only learning, but also one’s inner character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Xie Laotaijun, present among them, was a well-read scholar, and all were unconsciously immersed in the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Hong’s eyes also held an unusual glimmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Hua smiled beneath his white gauze hat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black donkey tied to the central pillar in the main hall let out a loud, resonant snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of eyes rested on the slender youth below, awaiting your reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this situation… you decide:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Remain silent. (Hint: Provokes Lady Yuan’s disdain; invites accusations of defying your stepmother and betraying the clan—may end your studies and endanger your future with Wutong.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Speak carelessly. (Hint: Provokes clan resentment; loses the support of powerful patrons; may end your studies and endanger your future with Wutong; may cost you your life.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Conceal your true thoughts and speak only half. (Hint: Lady Yuan may soften toward you; Wutong may be endangered.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Speak fully from the heart. (Hint: May yield unexpected gains; may lead toward favorable outcomes.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. Participate personally. (0\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great tripod slowly rang; its faint blue characters began to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke stared at the five options above, weighing them silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His original thought was: “A tree that towers above the forest is sure to be struck by the wind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hints suggested that hiding one’s talent would only invite disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the threat of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must admit, Xie Guan’s survival has been extraordinarily difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering this “Grand View Garden” has already come with multiple hints of mortal danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must cultivate—otherwise, his life is no longer his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this Great Qi realm, Confucian rites and rules permeate everywhere; the Master established in the mortal world a “fence drawn by Confucianism”—both chains and profound protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with the world’s “warriors” and “Primordial Spirit cultivators” wielding power far beyond ordinary humans, common folk would long ago have been reduced to pigs and slaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke did not hesitate—he made his choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Speak fully from the heart. (Hint: May yield unexpected gains; may lead toward favorable outcomes.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yu, seeing you lower your head in thought, shook his head slightly—he had already anticipated the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mysterious “elder brother” is still pondering deeply; clearly, he is merely “fine on the outside, rotten within.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao smiled warmly and sipped her tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wutong’s face grew pale with urgency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng looked down with disdain, certain you could not utter any “earth-shattering words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other outsiders sat calmly, watching like spectators to a play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yuan, seeing your prolonged silence, grew dark with anger and prepared to rise and rebuke you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth slowly raised his head, and a clear, resonant voice rang through the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sage judges those whose hearts are anchored, and determines their moral integrity to be complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the opening line of a “benevolent scholar’s” essay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Hong, who had sat at the head with a perpetually gloomy expression, lit up for the first time, fixing his gaze on the youth before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As these words were spoken, all present involuntarily leaned in to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2327,"2026-06-21T01:33:01.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","566a3ec3b0cdd4e08f389a08f6e7c70ed1ff03e4ff738ad4fbed14e3b0a0d2de","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-531","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-529",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",[],{}]