Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 379: Dominant Dad

Li Niang’s tofu skin buns received the Emperor’s handwritten calligraphy, and the bakery, which was already somewhat famous, became well-known throughout the Capital City, attracting even more customers.

The shop expanded, hired workers, and started training apprentices, with Li Hua being one such apprentice.

The Emperor didn’t just inscribe calligraphy; he also sent people to acquire Li Niang’s bun shop along with the neighboring shop, gifting them both to her in gratitude for taking in Biyue and handling her burial.

Though Biyue was unfortunate not to survive, having someone care for her body after death, and carry her for miles, is a kindness worthy of praise and reward.

Don’t underestimate these rewards; anything bestowed by the Emperor is different.

Originally, it seemed these were the only rewards, but a few days later, the Emperor also bestowed on Li Niang a title: Virtuous Lady.

One could say that for the rest of Li Niang’s life, she could live gloriously and with dignity, thanks to this honor.

Those who used to look down on her, who wanted to marry her but despised her, are now sending matchmakers back to her door.

But as the saying goes: The me you neglected yesterday is now beyond your reach.

Now it’s Li Niang who has the right to choose others, not the other way around.

Li Niang didn’t look down on others due to the change in her status; she continued living as she always did.

However, regarding her life’s major events, she has been considering, not anyone else, just that Shi Yi.

Throughout this time, he never gave up, always helping out whenever he had leave, never leaving even when asked.

Li Niang’s heart, too, is made of flesh; with such a person steadfast by her side, she couldn’t remain unmoved, though she once believed herself too humble to deserve him. Now, she has confidence.

Even if she loses another gamble, she has a fallback.

The matter between Shi Yi and Li Niang was resolved.

What can one say? Those who once mocked Shi Yi now think he had good taste; the person he chose proved to be extraordinary, even receiving such accolades from the Emperor.

"Looks like it was Shi Yi who reached high," someone said.

"Li Niang truly is charming; not just Shi Yi, I’ve heard many like her, but only Shi Yi had the courage to pursue."

"We underestimated him before; he has quite an eye."

"Not just anyone can be the Emperor’s benefactor; this lad is lucky."

Shi Yi’s success gave Lao Qi and others the feeling of being slapped in the face; now they had nothing to say.

After all, the more they mocked before, the more they were embarrassed now.

Li Niang was granted the title of Virtuous Lady by the Emperor; if they dared to gossip, it would mean they’ve grown tired of living.

Because of this, Lao Qi and the others avoided Shi Yi and his companions to avoid being ridiculed.

Shi San and Shi Si could finally hold their heads high, patting Shi Yi on the shoulder, "You’ve done us proud, when you get married, we’ll be your bartenders, drink everyone under the table!"

Shi Yi scratched his head, his face flushed red.

Li Hua encouraged the relationship between Li Niang and Shi Yi, and it was also her persuasion that gave Li Niang the courage to try again.

"Now that my situation is settled, between you and Prince Xiao, are you..." Li Niang chose her words carefully.

Li Hua looked puzzled, "What do you mean, Li Niang? There’s nothing between me and Prince Xiao."

Li Niang said, "Don’t you know? He comes to see you every day, just sitting in that teahouse not far away, staying all day."

Li Hua: "...Isn’t he not looking at me?" Aside from the conversation about the pouch last time, they’ve had no interaction. How could Prince Xiao be watching her?

"Why wouldn’t he be? I’ve seen several times, his eyes following you, wherever you go, he watches. If not you, then who?"

Li Hua: Is he crazy?

Seeing Li Hua genuinely unaware, Li Niang smiled, "Maybe he likes you and is secretly watching you."

Li Hua: "No need, I wouldn’t dare pursue someone from the Xiao Family. Maybe there’s a misunderstanding, things aren’t as they seem."

Li Niang shook her head, saying no more. Whether true or not, she couldn’t be sure, but it seemed that Prince Xiao had a lot on his mind. If not for such reasons, then what else?

Indeed, Li Niang was not mistaken; Xiao Shiqing was indeed troubled.

The more he watched, the less he understood, for some actions of Li Hua were similar to her, yet some were not. What was going on?

Regardless, Li Hua had some similarities found here, but the other side had none, leaving him baffled.

There must be some mystery unknown to him, making things so perplexing.

But how to figure it out? Xiao Shiqing couldn’t come up with anything immediately.

If the exorcism technique that once almost cost Li Jirou her life worked, Xiao Shiqing might have tried again, but now he dared not. Should it fail, the consequences would be dire.

He could only proceed step-by-step, slowly observing, hoping to someday understand what he wishes to know.

How long Xiao Shiqing’s surveillance would take before yielding results was unknown, while on the other hand, the Emperor’s scrutiny of Heir Pei had just begun.

For Heir Pei, every day now was very subtle, comparing past monarch-subject relationships to now being a son-in-law, it was... difficult to describe.

It was completely like the difference between heaven and earth.

As a courtier, occasionally showing temper, the Emperor would soothe him; now, he couldn’t relax for a moment. Otherwise, if his father-in-law got upset, being a son-in-law wouldn’t be pleasant.

For instance, when the Emperor wanted to make up for Princess Mingzhu’s birthday gift, yet wasn’t quite sure what she liked, nor could he ask directly, the son-in-law came in handy.

"She’s not picky; she’ll like whatever is given." Pei Ji’an said.

And indeed, that’s the case, what she truly cares about is business, money being the most important, but surely he couldn’t tell the Emperor that she likes money?

Upon hearing this, the Emperor would certainly think his daughter had suffered in the past, hence valuing money so much, evoking sad memories once more, wouldn’t it?

"How can gift-giving be casual? Did you use to deal with her carelessly?" The Emperor frowned.

The Heir quickly responded, "No, Your Majesty, I once presented her with a hand-carved jade hairpin, which she liked very much." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The Emperor still found it unsatisfactory; even though handcrafted items are good, it still seemed insufficient.

"Think again, if I’m giving, it’s got to be the best, something she’ll love at first sight."

In trying to think of a unique gift for his daughter, the Emperor racked his brains for two days to no avail, slightly blaming his son-in-law for being inattentive.

"It’s understandable I don’t know, but you as a husband don’t know either? Evidently not attentive usually."

Pei Ji’an had no choice but to speak of her favorite.

"Last time, when Your Majesty gifted a shop to Li Niang, Fulan was very envious."

"A shop? What’s worth envying in that?"

"Your Majesty may not know, Fulan’s preferences differ; she is naturally fond of business. Her talents in this area have been evident to Your Majesty. Giving such a gift might please her most."

"Really?"

"Truly."

The Emperor squinted his eyes, slapping the table, "Just a shop made her envious? Then let’s give her an entire street! Let everyone in the Capital City envy her!"