The Asian palm civet lives in Southeast Asia. Usually, it feeds on insects and fruits. It is quite intelligent, so it's no wonder the Concubine Li kept it as a pet.
The eldest princess looked at Li Ying's fond expression and was greatly puzzled.
"I think this civet named Songzi is not even one - tenth as spiritual as Maomao. Why do you bother to keep it by your side? Be careful it might bite you back."
Li Ying just gave a confident smile.
Lu Xunguang's specialty coffee shop had opened in the capital city several months ago. Its unique refreshing effect was highly praised by scholars and officials. However, people in the capital preferred sweet food. The bitterness and sourness of coffee still made many people hesitant.
Li Ying was just worried about this when, coincidentally, the Concubine Li sent the Asian palm civet over!
Others might not know, but she was aware that the Southeast Asian Asian palm civet liked to eat the fullest and ripest coffee beans. After digesting the pulp, the indigestible seeds fermented in the gastrointestinal tract and were finally excreted.
As long as the feces of the Asian palm civet were washed and processed repeatedly, it would become the precious "kopi luwak", known as the "diamond among coffees".
Compared with ordinary coffee, kopi luwak had a hint of wine aroma, less sourness and bitterness, and a more mellow taste. It was as thick as syrup. When tasted, it would leave a cool feeling like mint in the mouth, and the smooth and pure after - taste was simply irresistible.
Naturally, she couldn't tell the eldest princess all these thoughts. Li Ying casually covered it up with a few words.
Not long after the eldest princess left, Su Buchi also rushed over after hearing the news. Coincidentally, Li Ying was just ordering the servants to bring some fresh coffee fruits.
Sure enough, the Asian palm civet carefully observed for a while. Seeing that the people around it seemed not to harm it, and although Maomao stared at it with wide cat eyes, it was just keeping a vigilant eye on the side. Then it finally felt relieved, stepped forward, and chose the reddest fruits to feast on.
Before long, under everyone's gaze, the Asian palm civet finally excreted two black feces, which contained many undigested coffee beans.
Even Su Buchi and Lu Xunguang, who were usually calm, couldn't help but frown involuntarily at this moment.
Li Ying's expression remained unchanged. She calmly washed away the filth, peeled off the remaining film on the coffee beans, and then slowly dried and roasted them.
If one wanted to enjoy the most authentic taste of kopi luwak, the brewing method also had its own nuances.
One should not add sugar or milk to the coffee. Just brew it with boiling water for two minutes, then quickly remove it from the heat source. Wipe the glass cup repeatedly with a wet cold cloth to cool it down rapidly, making the brewed coffee settle quickly and produce a large amount of golden and dense foam.
Only then could the most extreme flavor be achieved.
Li Ying was confident, but Su Buchi still looked full of doubt.
"Is this... is this kopi luwak?"
He looked at the white porcelain cup in Li Ying's hand. Although the thing in the cup emitted a strong coffee aroma and it did sound quite strange, after all, it came from the Asian palm civet's... It was really not very decent.
To swallow this thing into one's stomach...
Li Ying noticed Su Buchi's concerns. Before she could say anything, Lu Xunguang calmly took the white porcelain cup from Li Ying's hand, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
Li Ying stared intently at the movement of his throat. He looked like a newly - hatched chick, and there was indeed a somewhat captivating charm. She couldn't help but swallow silently.
However, combined with the barely perceptible righteousness and determination in his eyes, it was really a bit subtle.
Su Buchi was convinced. He carefully asked, "A Xun... How is it?"
Lu Xunguang wiped the coffee stain from his lips and then calmly said, "I didn't taste anything strange."
Li Ying couldn't help but burst out laughing.
It was really hard for him. Having witnessed the whole process of kopi luwak from collection to brewing, he could still be so calm.
"Even if the taste is good, ordinary people may not be able to accept this thing easily," Su Buchi said carefully. Li Ying just smiled.
"The salt therapy club had a successful trial operation today. I think it won't be long before we can welcome the emperor."
"Hasn't the emperor been suffering from a headache for days? Kopi luwak can relieve migraines."
As soon as she said this, Su Buchi was even more stunned.
"Miss Li, do you actually want to promote kopi luwak through the emperor's mouth?"
The emperor was of noble status. How could he drink such... indescribable stuff!
Lu Xunguang's expression remained calm.
"Don't worry, A Ying. I'll report to the emperor tomorrow. You just need to welcome him at the salt therapy club."
Su Buchi was speechless. He thought that perhaps only Li Ying and Lu Xunguang in the world were so bold!
He knew he couldn't persuade them, so he just nervously told Li Ying to be careful in everything. He secretly made up his mind that he must accompany the emperor at that time. If something unexpected really happened, with him around, he could act according to the situation and mediate for them.
After Su Buchi left, only Li Ying and Lu Xunguang were left. She looked at his expressionless handsome face with amusement and finally couldn't help but pour him a cup of hot tea.
"Master Lu, there are no outsiders here. You don't have to endure so hard."
Lu Xunguang didn't say a word but still honestly took the tea and drank it all. The pale color on his face finally faded a bit.
"Why do you do this? I could have tasted the kopi luwak myself to see if the taste is authentic."
Li Ying gently patted his back. Lu Xunguang just stared at her fixedly and said in a low voice, "It's just a cup of coffee. Even if it's poison, as long as it's from A Ying, I will drink it without hesitation."
His eyes were like a calm underground river, showing no emotion. He lowered his voice as if he wanted to engrave her in his eyes.
Li Ying blushed under his passionate gaze and couldn't help but turn her head away. Then she laughed and said, "If the emperor knew that we had calculated to make him drink such an unsightly thing, he would probably charge you with the crime of disrespect."
Lu Xunguang didn't care. He just calmly said, "So what? Speaking a heretical word, A Ying, I, Lu Xunguang, am by no means a loyal subject to the emperor. I have only ever served you."
He picked up her little hand and placed it on his neck. Maybe because he noticed her staring at him intently just now, he deliberately let her gently stroke his Adam's apple.
"When the emperor wants a subject to die, the subject has to die..."
"A Ying, I, as a subject, would rather die under the beauty's charm."
Li Ying's coquettish complaint was blocked by Lu Xunguang's passionate kiss.
It was a long time before she finally gasped and struggled out of his arms.
"Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. We really can't afford to be careless about welcoming him. We still have to make full preparations."