CHAPTER 403: CHAPTER 137 LOTUS SEED SOUP (PART 2)

"Then why remove the core of the lotus seeds? Can’t the lotus seed core be eaten?" 2569 nodded, deftly using its mechanical fingers to peel open a small slit under the ivory lotus seed flesh, extracting the core within.

Although unsure why it needed to remove the core while peeling the lotus seed’s outer layer, 2569 was not one to delay Du Xixi’s instructions.

"The lotus seed core is considered a kind of herb, it can clear heat and calm the mind, and can be used to brew tea or make porridge." Du Xixi didn’t look up, focusing on peeling the seeds, but spared some attention to answer 2569’s question, "But the core has a bitter taste, which affects the flavor of the Lotus Seed Soup."

"Then let’s keep all the cores and use them to make porridge or tea for His Majesty later," 2569 said, confident in its respect for His Majesty Chen Yin and carefully separating the cores from the outer layers, "His Majesty Chen Yin seems to enjoy everything, so he’s bound to like porridge made with lotus seed cores too!"

In 2569’s program, there was nothing that His Majesty didn’t like if it was made by the lady of the house, and every time he would finish it clean and want more. Chen Yin never had dietary restrictions nor was he picky, making him a perfect "diner".

Does Chen Yin really love everything? Du Xixi thought of something, first shaking her head with amusement, then gently tapped 2569’s electronic screen and nostalgically said, "Brother’s stomach is indeed easy to please. If it’s edible, he likes it, even those uniquely flavored dishes, he can consume them all with an even more unique taste."

"But unfortunately, among many ingredients, his least favorite is the lotus seed core. Just adding a bit would make him unable to eat." Du Xixi shook her head, sighing exaggeratedly, "It’s my fault, I once tricked him with lotus seed cores, making him so bitter that he cried, leaving a shadow in his heart ever since."

That year when Du Xixi tricked Chen Yin with lotus seed cores, she herself was only just over ten, tightly watched by family elders with not much freedom. Out of twenty-four hours, fourteen were spent in the kitchen, eight sleeping, and the remaining two used either for eating or amusing herself with Chen Yin.

Back then, Du Xixi didn’t know Chen Yin was His Majesty from millennia later, only seeing him as silly, studying this, researching that. And since new sacks of lotus seeds had just arrived in the kitchen, she mischievously peeled a few cores to deceive Chen Yin, claiming the cores were sweet young sprouts that would leave a sweetness in one’s mouth for a day.

Chen Yin was quite enticed by the Du Family cuisine at that time, not doubting the words of the young mistress of the Du Family, he consumed the handful of lotus seed cores, even earnestly chewing them, eager to taste their "sweetness".

The lotus seed core is indeed quite bitter. Even if Chen Yin frowned, he could have tolerated it, but expecting sweetness, the sudden burst of bitterness caught him off guard, bringing tears to his eyes.

The dramatic transition from expected sweetness to bitterness made the lotus seed core the bitterest thing in his mind—bitterer even than raw bitter gourd!

Hearing Du Xixi’s story, 2569 paused in its actions, looking somewhat helplessly at the small pile of lotus seed cores on the plate—it had meticulously peeled them to honor His Majesty Chen Yin.

"Madam..."

Du Xixi smiled. Before she could speak, Ke Xing, observing from the side, couldn’t hold back anymore, feeling perhaps 2569’s program needed a little upgrade: "2569, His Majesty doesn’t eat the lotus seed cores, but we can try them! Just keep them."

slapped the table, its cute appearance barely concealing its earnestness, the entire robot exuding a silly charm. It exclaimed naively, "Right!"

All four of them burst out laughing, even the reserved little Lian Miaomiao was laughing heartily, and Ke Xing was the most exaggerated, nearly losing grip of the lotus seed in his hand, collapsing in his chair, clutching his stomach in laughter.

Little Yiyi and Er Er, not knowing how to peel lotus seeds, sat in their baby seats playing with a few small seeds. Seeing the elders laugh, they too laughed along, not knowing why, clapping their small hands, sending the lotus seeds flying.