[{"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-665":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},2347680,4587,"Chapter 665","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-665",665,"\u003Cp>The next day, the sky cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of yesterday’s snowstorm, the sun’s warmth now lifted the cold air, making it feel especially chilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, birds chirped incessantly; when Wu Tong stirred awake, the sun was already high overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rubbed her head—it still felt dizzy—and could not recall what had happened last night, only remembering that she, Miss Ying, and Lu Ya had gone to the Qunfang Banquet, then drifted off into a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last thing she vaguely remembered was the Young Master carrying her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks flushed slightly; she thought to herself: “How could a master carry his servant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once dressed and stepping out of her chamber, she saw wisps of smoke rising from the courtyard’s hearth; the aroma of food from the stove made her stomach rumble and her mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Young Master must be up already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, the Young Master had been responsible and capable, skilled in all household chores—from cooking to laundry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, as she entered the parlor, she felt a wave of warmth wash over her; the stove had already been lit, filling her with a cozy warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, by the window, a young boy sat reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noon sunlight fell upon his face, lending him an air of profound calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You heard Wu Tong’s footsteps and lowered your book to look up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong, slightly embarrassed, said: “Young Master, I overslept.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled gently: “There’s rice in the pot—I kept it warm for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong’s heart warmed; she and you had long been close, bound by mutual dependence, with no need for formalities between you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted the lid—the steam rose thickly—and there sat a bowl of rice and steamed perch, making her swallow hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong lifted the pot, the vessel still hot; she wrapped the bottom in a steaming cloth and placed it on the small table beside the sitting mat. “Young Master, won’t you eat too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already ate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong blinked, curious: “Young Master, where did you get the perch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You replied slowly: “This morning, Manager Wu sent it, along with a lotus leaf chicken. He also offered fifty taels of silver—I declined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong gasped: “Fifty taels? Manager Wu is always stingy—a true iron rooster who won’t shed a single feather, even picking up a stray thread from the ground. Fifty taels? Has the sun risen in the west?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You pointed toward the main hall. Wu Tong turned and saw a towering pile of gifts, over two feet high, nearly filling one entire wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them: fine wine, writing brushes and inkstones, tonic herbs, even property deeds—everything imaginable, dazzling and varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong’s eyes widened in shock: “Young Master, what is all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gifts delivered this morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong’s eyes gleamed; among the gifts, she spotted many valuable items—gold, silver, jewels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face lit up; she picked up the gifts, touching and examining them. Several of the houses had prime locations, and the more she looked, the brighter her eyes grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, we’re rich!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You picked up your book again, smiling—you’d already anticipated this greedy little expression on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong hugged the gifts, grinning from ear to ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You pointed to the fish soup on the table: “Aren’t you going to drink the broth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she picked up a property deed: “Young Master, look—this three-compound house on Fish Dragon Street—how much is it worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this shop on Changning Street… Young Master, am I dreaming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sighed: “With this sun shining? Even dreams are daytime fantasies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong pinched herself and laughed: “Young Master, it hurts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly remembering, she asked: “Young Master, who sent all this? That Su family’s young master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled: “They’re prominent figures from Bianjing, envious of your young master’s talent, coming by to greet the new year or ask for poems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong suspected: “What kind of poetry could be worth so much money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression turned strange as she lowered her voice: “Young Master, you didn’t sell yourself, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your looks, you could easily fetch this price.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sighed in exasperation: “What are you thinking, you silly girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last night at the Qunfang Banquet, your Young Master became famous throughout Bianjing—what do you think happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong had been dizzy and overwhelmed upon entering the Qunfang Banquet last night, falling into a deep sleep, and now deeply regretted missing the chance to see the courtesan queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You felt a subtle stir in your mind: “Wu Tong, we have visitors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong turned toward the door but saw no one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she stepped out of the courtyard, making sure to cover the gifts with a red cloth before leaving the room in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doctor Hua, what brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An held a bottle of warmed wine, its fragrance rich and clearly expensive, in one hand, and a large white goose in the other, with a bundle slung over his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked into the small courtyard with a beaming smile: “Miss Wu Tong, happy New Year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong welcomed Hua An inside and called out: “Young Master, Doctor Hua has come to pay his New Year’s respects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You rose to greet him with a smile: “Doctor Hua, may the New Year bring you prosperity and may your hands restore health to all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An entered, initially uneasy, but relaxed upon seeing your continued warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set down his gifts and smiled: “Young Master Guan, happy New Year! I’ve brought a few humble gifts—please accept them with kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Hua An’s inner worries, you put his concerns to rest with a few light-hearted jokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few sips of warm wine, Hua An’s face flushed with color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few sips of warm wine, Hua An’s tongue loosened: “To be honest, this morning I saw your courtyard bustling with nobles—I felt both joy and anxiety. Joy, because your talent shines far and wide; anxiety, because my humble appearance makes me fear I no longer deserve to step into your home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now I see you still recognize this old man—I’m overjoyed, and I must drink another full cup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to your casual chat with Hua An, Wu Tong finally learned that you had gained fame last night at the Qunfang Banquet through your poetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt even more regretful—she never slept so early before; why had she slept so soundly last night and missed seeing her Young Master in his glory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled as you refilled Hua An’s cup: “Doctor Hua, there’s no need for such formalities between us. Besides, had it not been for your careful care in the past, I might never have regained my sight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua An raised his cup and drained it in one gulp: “All in the wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An looked ashamed: “I owe you an apology, Young Master Guan—those Spring Festival couplets you wrote for me last year were bought by the Xue family of the Nine Great Clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was terrified of their power, and they offered such a high price—I was torn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The couplets you wrote for me sold for a thousand taels—I dared not keep a single coin, so I’ve brought them back to you as they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An unwrapped the bundle to reveal a pile of gleaming silver—exactly one thousand taels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong, standing nearby,’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You covered the bundle again and pushed it back: “Let’s say no more of this. Once the couplets were given, whether sold or gifted, it’s entirely your decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you mention it again, don’t bother coming back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An froze, realizing you weren’t joking, and quietly tucked the silver away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled: “Wu Tong, bring ink and brush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll write another couplet for Doctor Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An no longer refused and bowed deeply: “Thank you, Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong quickly fetched ink, paper, and brush; you dipped the brush in ink and wrote with swift, elegant strokes—a new couplet completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You then painted an image of Zhong Kui devouring a demon and smiled: “This wards off evil spirits—hang it above your door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An gazed at the painting: Zhong Kui’s black face glared with piercing eyes, radiating terrifying power that made even the thought of evil vanish—he felt a chill of awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took the painting with gratitude: “Young Master Guan, your genius overwhelms me—I am deeply thankful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An didn’t stay long and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You saw him to the courtyard gate when he suddenly mentioned something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday on Changning Street, the body of Master Dong disappeared. The cook hired for the night found the coffin lid moved when preparing breakfast—he was terrified.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When officials came to investigate today, they couldn’t explain it. Neighbors are whispering that a wild beast carried it off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Dong’s only adopted son suddenly went mad today, injuring several officers. They say he went to Xianglou, sought out his old lover, and strangled her to death—he’s now a fugitive with a murder on his hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An sighed: “Heaven truly has no mercy—Master Dong was such a good man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, you frowned slightly, sensing something deeper was at play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Dong was Dong Shao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the adopted son of a respected scholar be ordinary? Why would he suddenly go mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What hidden truth lies beneath all this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this mystery, you decide:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Ignore this matter. (Hint: Unfavorable for the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Have Hua An take the silver to properly bury the woman from Xianglou. (Hint: Favorable for the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Get involved personally. (1\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great tripod rang, spilling forth a thousand rays of radiant light, its inscriptions slowly settling into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke, seeing this, narrowed his eyes in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the master has died—but not truly gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he made his choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Have Hua An take the silver to properly bury the woman from Xianglou. (Hint: Favorable for the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You turned to Wu Tong: “Go get fifty taels of silver for Doctor Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An looked puzzled, and you explained your plan clearly—that the silver was meant to give the Xianglou woman a proper burial, as a final gesture of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua An listened, quickly waving his hands in refusal, his tone filled with respect: “Young Master Guan, you are truly benevolent. Master Dong is truly blessed to have you as a student.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then solemnly added: “Rest assured, I will handle this matter thoroughly, without the slightest mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no matter how you urged him, Hua An refused to accept the silver, and eventually took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong stood aside, watching Hua An’s figure recede into the distance, disbelief in her eyes: “Young Master, do you really think a pair of couplets is worth a thousand taels of silver?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A thousand taels? That’s far too cheap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, your painting was valued at over four million taels by the Second Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wu Tong turned to go inside, you said: “Wu Tong, brew some tea. Someone’s coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At your current realm, even without deploying your Primordial Spirit, you can effortlessly perceive every movement within the Xie Family’s West Courtyard—even the rustle of wind or stir of grass escapes your awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong looked up, gazing toward the bamboo grove along the path, but saw no one there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, puzzled: “Young Master, I don’t see anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she asked no further, and turned to brew the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon enough, a group arrived—mostly women, fluttering like orioles and swallows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader was Su Yun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong’s expression turned startled, mainly because these women were extraordinarily beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recognized them: the two leading figures were Su Yun and Xie Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them were Hu Yunniang, Yun Wan, Chen Xiang, Zhou Yuner, and others from Yuehua Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two other strikingly beautiful women accompanied them, whom you did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their arrival immediately drew the attention of the servants in the West Courtyard. Especially the courtesans’ grace, which left many servants spellbound, forgetting their tasks, necks craned to stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner followed behind Su Yun, her expression growing increasingly strange. She muttered under her breath: “Is this really where Young Master Guan lives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was deeply confused—the West Courtyard of the Xie Family was where servants lived. How could the esteemed young master of the Xie household reside in such a place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this courtyard looked painfully humble, utterly out of place beside the Xie family’s grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang, stepping onto this ground for the first time, glanced around, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. She silently mused: This younger son of the Xie family’s circumstances, as the gossip went, were indeed true—he was neither favored by the matriarch nor the lady of the house, but instead neglected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had this been any other Xie son, with the astonishing talent Young Master Guan displayed at the Gathering of Beauties yesterday, the entire household would have been abuzz with celebration and publicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here stood this quiet, desolate little courtyard, so cold and empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s face lit up: “Young Master Guan, I’ve come uninvited, bringing these friends—hope I’m not intruding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled faintly: “Honored guests gracing my humble abode bring it glory—how could I consider it an intrusion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my courtyard is modest, and we have few chairs—I fear I cannot seat everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried no trace of embarrassment, only openness and composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong said: “Young Master, I’ll go borrow some chairs from the other courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You nodded, and Wu Tong hurried off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner felt a pang of pity—this celebrated talent of Bianjing, this noble young master of the Xie family, couldn’t even afford enough chairs to receive guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You led them into the courtyard, where stone slabs paved the ground and greenery adorned the space—simple, yet possessing a quiet, refined elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun beamed; yesterday’s poetry gathering at the Thatched Hall had already gained fame, entirely thanks to Young Master Guan’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instructed: “Handle them gently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants behind him carried heavy gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun smiled: “Young Master Guan, I come to offer my New Year greetings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan stepped forward, curtsied gracefully, and softly said: “Yun Wan, greetings to Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Yunniang, greetings to Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang hesitated slightly, then finally said: “Chen Xiang, greetings to Young Master Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You regarded them all with gentle eyes and said calmly: “No need for such formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside you, Xie Xuan’s expression was complex—these courtesans had never shown him such deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the world had changed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2423,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","256f2ec0f29e7cd361fb2356dc5f77c2667cd8bbaaee9906f45ac2476922178a","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-666","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-664",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]