The old shopkeeper let out another helpless bitter laugh.
If it weren't for the circumstances, how would he be willing to leave this blessed land of the capital?
But now, there was no longer a place for him in the capital. Apart from slinking back to his hometown, there was no other way out for him.
Li Ying saw the old shopkeeper's predicament, but she just smiled.
"I'm new here in the capital. I'm unfamiliar with the place and know nothing about the customers' preferences. Old shopkeeper, you've been running this dim sum shop for many years and are very experienced. After much thought, I think it would be perfect if you could come back and manage this shop for me."
The old shopkeeper never expected Li Ying to say such a thing. His heart was pounding in his chest.
He trembled as he finally asked after a long while, "Boss... Boss Li... Are you... Are you serious?"
Li Ying smiled gently. "Of course."
The incident of Mao Mao "running away from home" had actually given her a wake-up call.
It wasn't just the kitten that didn't like the capital. Granny Sun, A Man, and Shi Hu also had many discomforts. They just didn't want to distract her, so they endured it and never mentioned it.
To be fair, if she had to choose, she would also prefer to live in the fishing village.
It was the first place she set foot in when she came to this world. There were her friends there. She had already regarded the fishing village as the land where she took root and grew.
One day, she would surely go back.
The branch of Li Ji Restaurant was being managed well by Ru Yi. Given time, she would surely be able to handle everything on her own. After much thought, it was still the most worry - free and labor - saving way to hand the dim sum shop back to the old shopkeeper.
The old shopkeeper's face first showed ecstasy, but then the light in his eyes faded.
"Boss Li, I'm really flattered that you think so highly of me. But... I've offended a noble in the capital. That noble said that if he saw me showing my face in the capital again, he would break my hands and feet! I appreciate your kindness, but to avoid causing trouble for the shop and for you, I'd better go back to my hometown and farm..."
Li Ying narrowed her eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Oh? What kind of noble is so all - powerful that he can set up a private court and blatantly play with human lives?"
The old shopkeeper carefully glanced around. Seeing that there was no one else, he swallowed his saliva. As if making up his mind, he lowered his voice and replied, "Boss Li, since that's the case, I won't hide it from you. This noble is the wife of the Tea Tax Inspector. Before she got married, she was the only daughter of the Salt Tax Inspector. She was extremely doted on at home and has a very spoiled personality."
The salt and tea industries were highly valued by the current emperor. With the marriage of the two families and the support of Inspector Lin, their power was overwhelming.
As the old shopkeeper was speaking, he carefully observed Li Ying's expression, as if he was afraid that she would be intimidated.
Li Ying just snorted disdainfully.
The Tea Tax Inspector?
She actually wanted to have a chat with this official!
"Old shopkeeper, I, Li Ying, have always been protective of my own people. Since I've recognized your ability to manage this dim sum shop, I will never let others bully my own people for no reason!"
"What exactly did you do to offend that lady? You might as well be honest with me. Maybe I can help?"
She said it firmly. Lu Xunguang also returned after seeing off the guests and stood silently beside her.
Although he didn't say a word, the imposing manner in his expression clearly conveyed a message to the old shopkeeper.
As long as he was truly innocent and as long as he accepted Li Ying's outstretched hand, the entire Ping An Bank and even the entire Lu family would be his backup.
The old shopkeeper swallowed his saliva again. Remembering the glorious days of the Ping An Bank when the old boss and Mrs. Lu were still in the capital, he finally gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and told the truth.
"I'm a timid and cautious person. I've always been very careful in doing business in the capital for many years. Who would have thought that I would suddenly encounter such a disaster for no reason!"
Once he opened his mouth, the grievances that had been pent - up in his heart for days could no longer be suppressed.
"Master Lu, Boss Li, you've just arrived in the capital. You may not know this."
It turned out that the Great General Who Calms the North had returned in triumph and led the envoys back to the capital to negotiate peace. Moreover, the New Year's Day was approaching. Such a happy event coincided with a festival. The emperor was overjoyed and held a palace banquet to entertain the battle - hardened general and all the court officials. He also wanted to show the envoys from the northern regions the grandeur of the Celestial Empire.
There were already established rules for the dishes in the palace.
The emperor intended to announce this happy event to the world and celebrate with the common people. So, he posted an imperial edict, intending to select a special dim sum from the common people to be served at the palace banquet, as a token of the people's goodwill.
This news had spread far and wide long before Li Ying entered the capital.
If one's dim sum could be selected, it would be a great blessing. If it could even be praised by the emperor as "delicious", one's dim sum would catch the emperor's eye and be recognized as a delicacy by his golden words. It would surely be the best for a long time and no one could compete with it.
For this reason, all the dim sum shops wracked their brains, trying to come up with something special to win.
The old shopkeeper had been making dim sum for half his life. Although he was timid, he was very meticulous and used high - quality ingredients. He had mastered the art of making the lotus - shaped pastry, a family recipe. Each colored crispy pastry petal was as thin as a cicada's wing and looked like it would break at a touch. The frying was also just right. The appearance and taste were very elegant. It had a good chance of being selected for the imperial kitchen.
The Tea Tax Inspector also had his own dim sum shop. They made the jujube - paste ruyi rolls in the style of the palace. Although the taste was also exquisite, it was a common style in the palace and lacked novelty.
The Tea Tax Inspector was not as good as the old shopkeeper, but he was not willing to watch such a chance to gain fame slip away to a commoner. So, he went to the old shopkeeper's place, stole the recipe for the lotus - shaped pastry, and even resorted to threats and bribes. He smashed the shop and ordered the old shopkeeper to leave the capital overnight to eliminate any future trouble.
After listening to the old shopkeeper's detailed account, Li Ying felt a throbbing pain in her temples from anger.
These corrupt officials had become so lawless?
Was there really no justice in this world?
Seeing that Li Ying was silent, the old shopkeeper sighed helplessly.
"Boss Li, I appreciate your kindness, but this matter is really difficult. The common people can't fight against the officials. How can we be a match for the Tea Tax Inspector?"
"I used to think about preparing some different dim sums to participate in the selection. But the Tea Tax Inspector has searched for famous pastry chefs all over the world, and even has the guidance of imperial chefs. Even if I come up with a new style, it will probably be copied..."
His expression turned gloomy, but Li Ying raised her eyebrows, and a glint of determination flashed in her eyes.
"Fine. Since they like to copy so much, let them copy!"
"Old shopkeeper, don't worry. I'm really going to take care of this matter!"