Li Zhensheng told the Marquis about his experiences on the journey from Xindu to Quanzhou.

The Jiangnan region is much more prosperous than the north, and except for Xindu, which is further north, where there is only one harvest a year, the rest of the region has two harvests a year.

However, with all the people of Tianwu gathered in Jiangnan, the burden was still extremely heavy.

With increased taxes levied in various regions, people's lives became difficult, leading to an increase in theft and robbery.

The Li family's fleet was small but well-manned and cautious enough, yet they still encountered pirates three times along the way.

On one occasion, bandits nearly injured Jiaxi and Jia'an, but fortunately Jiayi was skilled and willing to risk his life to save them, thus averting a dangerous situation.

Of course, I dared not tell my family about this, nor could I let the old lady hear a single word.

Li Zhen was afraid that if the external threat from the barbarians in Jiangbei was not eliminated, internal troubles would also arise, so he spoke a few more words to the Marquis and gave him a brief reminder.

The Marquis's face was grave. He had originally gone to the palace to discuss military training with the Emperor, but now he had to add a few more words to the conversation.

To prevent problems before they arise, we should make early plans against parasites like river bandits and mountain thieves...

Jiayin doesn't understand these important matters and doesn't have the energy to pay attention to them for the time being.

Because she was just too busy.

Speaking of which, today when I go to Xindu, I need to hurry and check out the pastry shops.

She had already taken out the glass from the space.

The glass display cases for the pastry shop are being built at a rapid pace, while Uncle Er is also keeping a close eye on the construction of the greenhouse at the Hundred Flowers Garden.

She estimated that after finishing all this, there would still be some glass left, and she planned to build a small greenhouse in the Ye family's backyard to provide some privacy.

She planned to plant the fruit seedlings her brothers brought back in front of everyone, so that when they ate the new fruit, they would have a reason to plant them.

As for whether these fruits actually grew in greenhouses, no one would think to investigate further.

Just imagining sitting on a warm kang (heated brick bed) in winter, surrounded by various fruits, eating and chatting with family, makes Jiayin feel extremely happy.

Of course, the fruits here in Tianwu are quite different from those in the previous life; they don't look good and taste bad.

But with the space nursery at hand, none of this is a problem. At worst, we can stay up a few nights, guard the nursery, and evolve the plants a few more times!

Li Zhensheng talked with the Marquis for a long time. He was still feeling a bit heavy-hearted, but when he looked down, he saw that the fat girl had actually fallen asleep.

I don't know what he was dreaming about, but he had a smile on his face, and his lips kept smacking...

Both of them couldn't help but laugh.

The Marquis took off his outer robe and covered the fat girl's belly with it, while Li Zhensheng offered one of his legs as a pillow.

Life is tough, but there is always hope ahead.

For example, this carefree and cheerful chubby girl is someone they are willing to fight for and protect...

The once unremarkable dim sum shop in Xinduli has undergone a dramatic transformation after recent renovations.

Jiayin walked around inside and out, feeling quite satisfied. She then called Peng Chuan over and asked, "Manager Peng, please preheat the oven tomorrow morning. My mother and I will be coming over to try baking some new pastries."

"Yes, Master, this servant will arrange it personally." Peng Chuan had been talking with Li Zhensheng for a while, and now that he heard his master's instructions, he quickly agreed.

Jiayin was about to speak when she noticed something odd about a pile of wood shavings in the corner of the room. She went over to take a look and asked in surprise, "Manager Peng, does anyone in our shop know how to carve or paint?"

Upon closer inspection, Peng Chuan realized that the wood shavings left over from making the cabinet had been arranged into flower patterns by someone, which looked quite beautiful and lifelike.

He quickly replied, "Your Highness, this must have been left haphazardly by a kitchen helper. I had previously assigned him the task of tidying up the wood shavings and told him to clean it up, but perhaps the head chef called him back to the backyard to do something and he forgot about it."

Jiayin's eyes lit up as she asked, "Is this young waiter in the kitchen? Can he make pastries too?"

"It's just a simple assistant job, doing odd jobs." Peng Chuan responded cautiously, and smiled, "Our shop's rule is that an apprenticeship lasts five years, and this kid has only been doing it for three years, but he is usually very diligent and conscientious."

After saying that, he went to the back to call someone and soon brought over a young man who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old.

The young man was very thin, and his clothes were worn but faded from washing. His hair was neatly combed, and his hands and face were clean.

What's rare is that his eyes are very bright, and he has two dimples when he smiles, which makes him look very cheerful.

Perhaps unsure why he had been called out, the young man was a little uneasy, but he didn't ask any questions. He simply bowed and stood respectfully to the side.

This not only won Jia Yin's favor, but Li Zhensheng also nodded and took the lead in asking, "Young man, what's your name, where do you live, and what's your background?"

The young shop assistant quickly replied, "Replying to your question, sir, my name is Chen Xi, a native of Xindu. My family were farmers, and my parents passed away when I was thirteen. I was fortunate enough to become an apprentice in this shop three years ago, and I am now sixteen years old."

Li Zhensheng nodded and asked again, "Judging from your voice, can you read?"

A hint of sadness flashed in Chen Xi's eyes as he said, "When I was a child, I studied under an old scholar in the village for three years. After my parents passed away, survival became difficult..."

Jiayin, unwilling to dwell on his painful past, interrupted, "Can you draw? If you could create patterns on desserts like those wood shavings, could you do it?"

Chen Xi paused for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, "Yes, boss! I've loved figuring these things out since I was little. I can draw on sand, tree bark, and mud, but I've never formally studied..."

“That’s enough,” Jiayin said with satisfaction. She instructed, “Tomorrow, I will come over to work on new pastries. I will need to draw or arrange patterns on the pastries. You will come with me and assist me. Once you have learned how to do it, or even do it better, you will be in charge of the new pastries from now on.”

Chen Xi seemed unable to believe that he had suddenly received such a good opportunity. He was stunned for a long time before he kowtowed to express his gratitude after being reminded by the shopkeeper.

The shop was renovated and remodeled in this way so that it could sell new dim sum.

If he truly performs well and gains the princess's trust, wouldn't he become the head chef in the future?!

This is like rising to the top in one step!

After exchanging a few more casual words, it was getting late, so Jiayin went home with her uncle in a car.

After seeing his master off, Peng Chuan turned around and entered the pastry shop, where he saw the other employees and kitchen helpers surrounding Chen Xi to congratulate him.

He was happy, but still advised, "Xizi, the master has taken a liking to you, your time has come, but don't be arrogant, you must work hard and do your best."

"Don't worry, boss, I will definitely work hard and not let you down!" Chen Xi said excitedly, his face flushed.

Peng Chuan glanced at the two master chefs standing behind him, their expressions not too good. After thinking for a moment, he gave them a few more words of advice, "Although the boss wants to add some new pastries to our shop, he won't abandon the original traditional pastries, so everyone, don't overthink it, just follow the boss's instructions!"

"I think the employer is very kind. As long as we work hard, we're sure we won't be left without a job!"