[{"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-627":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},2347642,4587,"Chapter 627: The Critic Jin Zitan Sighs: So Many Flower Queens!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-627",627,"\u003Cp>Chen Yong knew that Xie Guan had a hard time in the Xie household; even from his clothing, it was clear the fabric was not valuable, and four million taels was likely something he had never seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan’s expression just now had seemed utterly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand taels are not precious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking Xie Guan’s silver and gold, Chen Yong felt a strange sense of loss—had his decision been right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had intended to defend Xie Guan, before Prince Chen Feng and the Prince of Yan, he ultimately chose silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong’s cautious nature, honed over years, convinced him that Xie Guan was not worth angering his two elder brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By saying this, Xie Guan had repaid his debt with four hundred taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are even!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong collected himself, hefting the box holding the silver notes: “Young Master Guan is indeed a remarkable man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such silver is handed over only to be given away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Chen Mu and smiled: “Thirteenth brother, the horse ranch on Yulong Street is yours now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mu’s grim expression finally brightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the ranch, his mansion now had a place to house its prized horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eleventh brother, when I host a horse race at my estate, I’ll surely invite you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong merely smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed a mutually beneficial deal: Chen Mu gained the ranch, and he gained four hundred taels of silver and gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he had still come out ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Su Shi had purchased the poetry and paintings with this timely fortune, the heavy payment had finally silenced all unspoken criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter is settled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mu looked at Xie Guan, his face hardening further, preparing to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he still sneered: “Xie Guan, patrons as generous as Lady Su are rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise, what would your painting be worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A single fine steed in my princely mansion could buy you thousands of such paintings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke paid no heed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse, aged voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Valuable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How isn’t it valuable? It’s worth a fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun smiled faintly, recognizing the speaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yaya and Zhou Yuner exchanged glances and smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short, stooped old man with a wine-red, bulbous nose struggled through the crowd, shoving his way forward while shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make way, let this old man pass!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man wore a Confucian robe, but it was disheveled, his hair wild, as if he had just staggered out of a tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his eyes sparkled with vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paid no heed to the nobles—Prince Chen Feng or the Prince of Yan—but strode forward two steps at a time straight to Xie Guan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move startled everyone around, drawing curious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Feng instantly recognized the elder: a famous figure from Xixiang Tower, and also a scholar of the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man seemed oblivious to the stares around him. He straightened his robe, then bowed respectfully to Xie Guan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be Young Master Guan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man is Jin Zitan, honored to meet Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke heard the name and paused slightly in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This name had appeared repeatedly in his simulations; he strained to recall Xie Guan’s memories and finally remembered the elder’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan, a famed critic in Bianjing, had compiled the “Eighteen Masters of Xixiang Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a regular at Xixiang Tower; countless women would gladly sweep their beds for him, even without silver, just to earn his critique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang, last year’s Flower Queen, rose to fame solely because of Jin Zitan’s critique—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At eight, Yunniang could play the zither; spring wind carried her notes from heaven’s height. One note brought tears to the eyes of Yongmen; two notes made crimson carp reveal their fins and gills; three notes summoned white apes to stretch their arms across their cheeks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, her fame soared, and she won the title of Flower Queen of Yuehua Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan’s father, Xie Ling, had also risen to prominence thanks to Jin Zitan’s critique—“The first storm among the Nine Clans, a hero of peace, a warlord of chaos.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun added at the right moment: \"Young Master Guan, this is Elder Jin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan grinned. “Flattered that both ladies know this old man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many Flower Queens of Xixiang Tower were familiar with this old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though eccentric and unconventional, he never bullied women; instead, he delighted in helping fallen women compose lyrics and songs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, his reputation in Xixiang Tower was excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan cared nothing for wealth or power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once criticized Minister Su Xiang: “He possesses the ability to hold up the sky and the talent to quell chaos, yet when faced with great matters, he overthinks and under-decides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Su Xiang had him imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison and ordered him to rewrite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan refused to change a word, shouting: “If I feared death, why did I grow a mouth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Su Xiang had no choice but to release him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third Master praised him: “He has the heart of a pure child.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan’s critiques carried immense weight—even the Nine Surnames dared not offend him, fearing his disparaging words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he was himself a scholar of the Academy, having studied there in his youth and later topped the imperial examination as a Metropolitan Graduate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ting smiled warmly and greeted: “Elder Jin, what brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held a special “respect” for Jin Zitan, knowing his critiques could stir storms within the scholar class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jin Zitan ignored the Prince of Yan’s overture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who just claimed Young Master Guan’s painting was worthless? This old man refuses to agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I had no intention of interfering, but seeing Young Master Guan give away four million taels as if they were dust, I was deeply moved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know full well that to Young Master Guan, such silver and gold are mere worldly trappings, unworthy of notice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly: brush and ink cannot capture the aging of years; wealth and rank are but mist to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mu’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke also bowed: “Elder Jin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… don’t call me ‘Elder.’ I’m not worthy of that title from Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed: “This old man dares to beg for a painting from Young Master Guan, but alas… my purse is empty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no lie; though he lived freely and had received silver from many Xixiang Tower women, he had never accepted a single coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke, hearing this, paused, then readily agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, helping “Xie Guan” form a bond with Jin Zitan could only bring benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan’s eyes lit up; he glanced at Su Shi and hurriedly added: “Lady Su, don’t blame me—you spent four million taels, and this old man only used his mouth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Shi replied indifferently: “Elder Jin, I sought this painting with sincerity—it’s different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan laughed, giving a thumbs-up: “Lady Su, truly worthy of being the finest among flowers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan had also once critiqued Su Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This woman belongs only in heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mu dared not mock Xie Guan further; with Jin Zitan present, if he were branded “disrespectful to a scholar,” his hard-won reputation in Bianjing would vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan looked at Xie Guan and chuckled: “Since you’ve agreed, I’ll visit your Xie household in a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zitan sensed something unusual in the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd parted automatically, all eyes turning instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The several Flower Queens who had just taken the stage were walking toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Lady Gongsun, dressed in red silk, carried an air of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one with dignified grace was Yun Wan, Flower Queen of Yuehua Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two other women walked together: Hu Yunniang and Chen Xiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Today’s update is 6,000, not 8,000—I got a bit overconfident… Starting tomorrow, at least two updates per day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1320,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","02a2ad5e9704fde9bca088720636e1ef7ea72f8fbc644d3cfb6238a8600ecff0","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-628","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-626",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]