Chapter 179 Grandma, isn't this you and Grandpa?
They directly wove her and her old man's youthful story into a beautiful tale, even painting it on the wall!
This story was touching, and it instantly elevated the style of the rice noodle shop.
But it… was fake!
This wasn't just adding a touch of gold to one's face; it was plastering a whole layer on it!
Madam Hu was panicking; if her old man, who was so obsessed with saving face, found out, wouldn't he flip the table in anger on the spot?
However, on second thought, this story was about their youth; who would have known them back then?
The story was seamlessly crafted; as long as they, the couple, adamantly denied it was fake, no one would find any flaws.
Thinking of this, Madam Hu's heart settled a little.
However, she still underestimated Shen Yulou's ruthlessness.
He wasn't just ordinarily ruthless.
Just as she was trying to adjust her expression and thinking of leaving discreetly...
Her precious grandson, Li Wenhao...
Suddenly stood up from his seat, excitedly pointing at the painting on the wall and shouting with enthusiasm.
"Grandma, look!"
Then he pointed at her, using all his strength, and loudly, childishly yelled,
"Isn't that you and Grandpa!"
Whoosh—!
The entire place instantly fell silent.
Dozens of gazes, all at once, focused on Madam Hu.
Madam Hu felt her scalp tingle; her mind buzzed and went blank.
A sharp-eyed diner recognized her on the spot and exclaimed,
"It really is!"
"Isn't that Junior Grand Tutor Li's wife?!"
Madam Hu felt as if her skull had been struck by a bolt of lightning, and her whole body went numb.
Dozens of gazes, with a whoosh, all focused on her.
In that instant, she felt as if she were naked, standing in the marketplace, being gawked at.
It's over!
It's Barbie Q'd!
This Shen Yulou, he's truly a ruthless one!
He's used up all the ruthlessness!
It's like a panda ordering takeout—ruthlessness delivered right to the door!
Not only did he portray her and her old man as an immortal couple, but he also specially arranged for her grandson to be a shill, pointing them out on the spot!
Now it's over; even if she had a hundred mouths, she couldn't explain it.
A Successful Candidate closest to her, whose face had turned pig-liver red with excitement, stood up trembling and bowed deeply to Madam Hu.
"This student greets Teacher's Wife! So Teacher's Wife is the person in the painting; this student... this student was disrespectful!"
This address of "Teacher's Wife" was like flipping a switch.
Half of the scholars in the shop all stood up, respectfully saluting Madam Hu, and shouted in unison,
"We, greet Teacher's Wife!"
Madam Hu's mouth twitched uncontrollably, her expression more dramatic than if she had eaten bitter melon.
She could only force out a stiff smile, uglier than a cry, and nodded slightly, acknowledging their greeting.
"May I ask, Teacher's Wife,"
a bolder diner asked loudly, "Is the story told in this painting true?
Was Junior Grand Tutor Li truly so diligent and studious back then, and did he really pass the Successful Candidate examination because of a bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles?"
Good question!
It was practically stabbing a knife into her heart!
What could Madam Hu say?
Say it's fake?
Wouldn't that be publicly slapping her grandson's face, Shen Yulou's face, and even Li Deguang's face?
Once this matter was acknowledged, what wasn't true would become true.
She took a deep breath, forcing a dignified and virtuous smile onto her face.
She slowly said,
"Old stories, not worth mentioning... I've made you all laugh."
Although her words were vague...
To everyone present, this was an admission!
Holy cow! It's true!
The entire place erupted again!
"I knew it! No wonder Junior Grand Tutor Li could achieve success so young; it turns out he ate this bowl of Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles imbued with good fortune!"
"Ten taels of silver for a bowl?
Cheap! Too cheap!
Compared to Junior Grand Tutor Li's success, this amount of silver is nothing!
Boss! Give me three more bowls! I'll take them back for my son and grandson to eat!"
In an instant, those scholars who were still hesitant about the price had their eyes turn red.
This was no longer just a bowl of rice noodles; it was a ticket to fame and fortune!
Forget ten taels, even a hundred taels, they'd sell everything they owned to get a bowl!
Outside, those scholars who were originally just watching the commotion could no longer hold back when they heard the activity inside, and they squeezed in like madmen.
"Move aside! Everyone move aside! Don't block my path to becoming the top scholar!"
...At the street corner, Shen Yulou and Seventh Princess Zhao Qi stood side by side, watching the packed rice noodle shop and the long queue at the entrance.
Zhao Qi's usually cool face showed two words—dumbfounded.
She still couldn't understand how a plain bowl of rice noodles, with Shen Yulou's packaging, was directly sold as a luxury item.
This... this was too fantastical, wasn't it?
"Mr. Shen, you... how exactly did you do it?"
Her Royal Highness felt her worldview being challenged like never before.
Boss Wang was now so overjoyed he didn't know what to do; he squeezed out of the shop and ran to Shen Yulou.
He gesticulated wildly with excitement.
"Lord Shen! You are truly divine; I never thought a rice noodle shop could become so popular!"
"Ten taels of silver a bowl!"
"They actually dare to buy it!"
When setting the price earlier, Boss Wang was very conflicted.
But Shen Yulou insisted on selling it at a high price, telling him not to worry.
Boss Wang had been drumming in his heart, thinking that Shen Yulou and Seventh Princess were purely wasting rent.
But now, he saw that Lord Shen truly had a brilliant plan!
Shen Yulou pulled him aside, scolding him with a smile.
"Alright, alright, you're an old man, what kind of behavior is that? Hurry inside and attend to the guests; today's turnover will probably equal your past year's."
The two arrived at the private room on the top floor, and upon pushing the door open, they saw Emperor Ren and the Empress sitting inside, watching the bustling scene downstairs with great interest.
Shen Yulou and Zhao Qi were startled and quickly stepped forward to prepare to bow.
"Dispensed."
Emperor Ren raised his hand, signaling them not to make a fuss, "I am on a private visit today, no need for formalities."
His gaze fell on the two of them, with a hint of curiosity: "Why are you two also joining in on this excitement?"
Shen Yulou smiled slightly, stepped aside, and pointed to Zhao Qi.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject is accompanying the Princess to inspect work. This restaurant is actually opened by Her Royal Highness, the Seventh Princess."
"What?!"
Emperor Ren stood up directly from his chair.
He was stunned.
"Nonsense! Old Seven, you, a dignified Princess, how can you engage in such a public merchant business?
If this gets out, how will the common people of the world view the face of our royal family?!"
Royalty engaging in business has always been a great taboo.
Zhao Qi, startled by her Imperial Father's roar, her small face turned pale, and she instinctively wanted to hide behind Shen Yulou.
Just then, Shen Yulou gave her a look.
Zhao Qi instantly understood, took a deep breath, and instead of retreating, she stepped forward and calmly said,
"Imperial Father, please calm your anger. Your daughter opened this shop not to make money."
"Oh?" Emperor Ren's expression softened slightly, but he still looked at her suspiciously, "Then what is it for?"
The Seventh Princess, following the lines Shen Yulou had already taught her, spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Your daughter is here to share Imperial Father's worries!