[{"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-666":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},2347681,4587,"Chapter 666: 391. The Quiet Courtyard, the White-Robed Marquis: The Crown Prince of Great Sui","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-666",666,"\u003Cp>You brewed tea for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard didn’t have so many tea sets, so you borrowed more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bedroom’s bed was too small to accommodate everyone, so Hu Yunniang and the others didn’t enter the house but sat on stone chairs in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, a phoenix tree stood tall, and wisps of smoke rose from the roof behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun found it amusing, shaking his head as he murmured, “This is a humble dwelling, but my virtue makes it fragrant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are learned scholars at home; no uneducated guests come and go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan and the others were all courtesans from Xixiang Tower, long accustomed to navigating social circles, and they didn’t let the conversation falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan smiled, “This courtyard is vivid and alive, a world unto itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan stood nearby with his hands behind his back, expression calm. The night before, it had been decided that Xie Guan would become a son-in-law, and the clan would soon issue formal notice. Becoming a son-in-law was always despised!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a pity for this ninth younger brother, Xie Guan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang watched you busily brewing tea and occasionally adding firewood to the stove, and for a moment she felt dazed, unable to connect this “boy who cooks” with the literary genius from last night’s gathering of beauties, whom Old Jinzi had praised as the “White-Robed Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner hurried over to help, bringing tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan, let me handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang hadn’t anticipated that today’s visit to see Xie Guan would unfold like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had assumed the Xie Guan she’d seen yesterday was a proud, haughty talent—but now, everything in this courtyard overturned her perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, rumors from Xixiang Tower said this Xie Guan was born into poverty; when his mother left as a child, he wept until he went blind, and he was never favored in the Xie household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elegant women among the group, seeing Xie Guan for the first time, couldn’t help but express astonishment in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fame doesn’t match reality!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They carefully studied the courtyard, puzzled: even if Xie Guan was a bastard son, he shouldn’t live like this. The Xie family’s conduct was disgraceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang’s gaze fell on the scrolls laid on the stone chair; she picked up the book “Sacred Words,” written by the first disciples of the First Master based on his words and deeds, a text found in nearly every household in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened it and saw dense annotations, neat characters with strong, forceful strokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang read softly: “The gentleman desires to be swift in action, not in speech. The gentleman may be reserved but never weak; when faced with injustice, he rises to speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading, her eyes brightened, and she couldn’t help flipping further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next page read: “Too rigid breaks; too soft curls. The Dao lies between rigidity and flexibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The handwriting was upright, meticulous, as if one could glimpse the writer’s character and bearing through these strokes alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang was deeply moved, raising her eyes to look at the boy still busy at work—unyielding despite his poverty before all these guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bitterness in Chen Xiang’s heart had largely dissipated; recalling her earlier behavior, she realized this boy had always remained unmoved by honor or disgrace, calm and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had spoken too harshly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your primordial spirit stirred slightly, glancing toward the courtyard gate—a hint of helplessness rose. Today’s courtyard was far too crowded; there was barely room to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun and the others noticed another group approaching the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon closer look, it was Xie Yuan, the sixth young master of the main Xie household, Zhang Yunzhi, a guest residing with the Xies, and Xie Qiyue from the second branch of the Xie family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more surprisingly, Li Shuwan, the eldest daughter of the Li family, and the courtesan Gong Sunniang were among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As this group approached, passing servants turned to stare, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, this group was too striking—whether by status or beauty, they commanded attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You walked to the gate to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s eyes lit up upon seeing Li Shuwan—he was clearly delighted to encounter her here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesans rose to greet them, their manners impeccable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan strode forward, tilting his head to peer into the courtyard. “Younger Brother Guan, why so many guests today? Your home is bustling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished, then leaned close to you with a secretive grin. “Wait—I’ve brought you something good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly pulled open his chest and revealed a blue-covered book, its title clearly written: “Candlelight Benevolence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Qiyue, curious, leaned in to peek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xie Yuan’s mischievous expression, you knew this book shouldn’t be displayed before others, and slipped it back into his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Qiyue pouted. “Why hide it? I’m not interested anyway!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan stepped forward, smiling. “Young Master Guan, disturbing you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun stepped forward with a warm smile. “Shuwan, you’re here too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here as well, Yun Young Master. What a coincidence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Zhang Yunzhi, your gaze fell on the woman dressed in red silk as a man, with a high ponytail and exquisite features—impossible to overlook—Gong Sunniang of Zixiao Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sunniang bowed. “Young Master Guan, greetings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people from Yuehuaxuan hadn’t expected Gong Sunniang, the foremost courtesan of Zixiao Pavilion, to come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled and nodded, guiding everyone into the courtyard, which now felt cramped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sunniang looked around the courtyard, her face bright with delight. “My old wish was to have my own courtyard—not to grow flowers or herbs, but to keep a few swift horses and some weapon racks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts were indeed unlike those of ordinary women, radiating a bold spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner replied, “My wish differs from Sister Gong Sun’s. I want a courtyard too, but only to raise children with the man I love—that would be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, her gaze flickered subtly toward you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan teased, “Would you really wash dishes, cook meals, plant vegetables, and buy oil? Dancing the Hu Xuan at home won’t do—you’d be scolded by your mother-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang laughed along. “You could dance while cooking—two benefits at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner walked to Yun Wan’s side, feigning a stern face, pouting. “Sister Wan, look at them! Always picking on me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yun Wan and the others had once had tensions with Chen Xiang and Hu Yunniang, this playful exchange seemed to dissolve their rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women’s feelings and grudges are like this—arising without reason, vanishing just as suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang looked around and suddenly asked, “Where’s Xiangjun? Why isn’t she here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun, Yun Wan, and Feng Yayi usually came together. It was odd she didn’t accompany them today to the Xie household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan explained, “Xiangjun went with Yayi to the main house to get the paperwork for her redemption. She’ll be here soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She added, glancing at you, “Mr. Zhang went with them too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You nodded slightly. Zhang Yuan had come as well. Redemption for courtesans was never easy—it required redemption silver, official documents from the Bureau of Clan Affairs, and guarantee letters from the Nine Great Clans. All three were indispensable. Otherwise, Yuehuaxuan would never release them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan was a guest of the Xie household; his visit likely meant he’d secured a guarantee from Lady Zhuge of the main house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Feng Yayi’s name, Chen Xiang recalled her redemption. After being freed, Feng Yayi planned to follow a poor Licentiate to Longxi Province—a scandal that had stirred uproar in Yuehuaxuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a penniless Licentiate be entrusted with one’s life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many mocked the idea, turning it into idle gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Wan and the other close friends had urged Feng Yayi to reconsider—Longxi was remote, harsh, and uncertain. But Feng Yayi was resolute, even quarreling with her friends over it. Though they felt sorrow, they could do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night at the gathering of beauties, Zhang Yuan became a scholar of the Academy, finally gaining a chance to rise—truly a turn of fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This change not only freed him from his former plight but also spared him from going to Longxi—he could now reside permanently in Bianjing and study in peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scholar of the Academy was certainly worthy of Feng Yayi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women of Yuehuaxuan shifted from mockery to envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong returned, face flushed with anger. “Master, the nearby overseers refused to lend chairs or stools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The western garden of the Xie household was where servants lived; no young ladies or masters had their own courtyards there. The nearby households were mostly overseers from various branches—though not noble, they held themselves in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong didn’t hide her words; though quiet, they were clear enough for everyone to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesans from Yuehuaxuan remained composed, unsurprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan frowned, his face darkening. “These damned servants—how dare they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu Tong, come with me—I’ll back you up. Let’s see who dares refuse. I’ll break his legs today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after speaking did Wu Tong realize she’d spoken out of turn. She hadn’t meant to embarrass the young master—she’d just been furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, overseers hadn’t been so rude. Especially these past years, as Young Master Guan’s talent grew, many had sought to befriend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to borrow chairs. I never imagined this would happen today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You remained calm, signaling Wu Tong not to worry, and stopped the impulsive Xie Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet you were puzzled: shouldn’t Overseer Wu have personally delivered gifts today? He was Yuan Lady’s trusted man, overseeing all servants in the western garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You turned to Xie Xuan. “This matter requires your help, Seventh Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan, standing nearby, nodded slightly. He had brought a personal maid and gave her instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan’s personal maid quickly returned with enough chairs, placing them in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan merely nodded faintly, his gaze sweeping over the courtesans. He expected praise—but noticed Yun Wan and the others kept their eyes fixed on you, their expressions tender, as if they hadn’t noticed him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yunniang spoke up timely. “Tomorrow I’ll send someone to bring you several fine chairs—so you won’t keep lacking essentials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiang nodded in agreement. “I see you’re fond of flowers. I’ve kept a few orchids and bamboo plants for years—they’re elegant and refined, perfect for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A token of apology for my earlier rudeness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this kind of “humiliating neglect”—refusing to lend chairs—they, as courtesans, were long accustomed, yet deeply sensitive to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this young master, whose character and appearance were both excellent, their eyes held not a trace of contempt—only empathy and a touch of tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner took a delicate item from her gift box and said softly, “This is a hairpin I made myself—green jade leaves with velvet flowers—and a Metropolitan Graduate’s cap. I hope you like them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sunniang also spoke. “Then I have something to give Young Master Guan too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her maid stepped forward, cradling an ancient wooden box, slowly opening it to reveal a long sword. Gong Sunniang drew it—its blade etched with dragon patterns, razor-sharp, gleaming with cold light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sword is called Dragon’s Shadow, forged by Master Ouyang of the Academy. By chance, it came into my possession—but I feared it was unworthy of its name. Today, I bestow it upon you, so it may finally fulfill its purpose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, she lifted her beautiful eyes. “A fine sword belongs to a hero—this is the perfect moment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You took the sword and felt its weight was just right—not too light, not too heavy. With a casual flick, the blade sang out, clear and melodious, echoing through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You did not refuse, smiling and nodding. “Then I accept your generous kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others continued chatting, while you stood beneath the parasol tree, rarely interjecting, only occasionally smiling and nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan spoke freely and at length. Though he frequented Yuehua Pavilion with Su Yun, he had never seen so many courtesans gathered together, and he could not help feeling proud, his words tinged with a hint of showmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no matter how eloquently he spoke, everyone’s gaze kept subtly returning to you—as if you were the true center of this gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You rarely spoke, preferring to listen, yet all the courtesans paid close attention to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan felt a pang of disappointment. He finally understood the deeper meaning behind Jinzi Tan’s words: “A charming scholar sits upon the poetic stage—what a white-robed nobleman indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though clad in plain white robes, one holds no less stature in this world of elegance than a duke or general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yunzhi watched as the famed courtesans of Bianjing sat together in this humble courtyard, laughing and chatting merrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she knew your talent would one day make you famous in Bianjing, she never expected it to happen so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who in Bianjing does not know you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already noon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, the parasol tree swayed gently in the wind, sunlight filtering through the leaves to cast dappled shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Su Yun turned to the matter at hand. “I came here to see Lord Guan with an invitation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he pulled a sealed invitation from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An invitation from the Crown Prince of Great Sui!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2227,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","560d57400e16523a8e9173be18b591e1d5cf03b7e1b11f5f329d9eb35bb7e4c8","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-667","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-665",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]