Chapter 7, the simple little bean sprout

"Isn't it just a bar of soap? If you like it, I'll give it to you. Anyway, I can make it myself. If necessary, I can always make more in the future!" Zhao Yan said generously. Although he studied painting, he still knew about saponification reactions from his high school days. As long as there are fats and alkali, he could make as much as he wanted.

Little Bean Sprout suddenly spoke, which startled Zhao Yan. She turned her head in surprise and glanced at her, hurriedly rinsing her mouth and saying: "Little Bean Sprout, how dare you speak to me today?"

The so-called bath bean is actually the precursor to the pancreas, which was invented during the Wei and Jin dynasties. The method of making it is recorded in Sun Simiao's "Qianjin Fang". It primarily involves grinding pig pancreas and mixing it with various materials, ultimately forming it into a spherical shape, referred to as bath bean. However, the formulation for making this bath bean is inferior to that of the pancreas, and its ability to remove dirt is limited. After use, it leaves a rough feeling on the skin, which is quite uncomfortable. Nevertheless, even with these drawbacks, the production of bath beans is extremely limited, and their price is exceedingly high. Apart from the nobility, even ordinary officials cannot afford them.

After brushing her teeth, Zhao Yan took out a bar of soap to wash her face and hands. This time, without the need for Little Douya to ask, Zhao Yan took the initiative to explain: "This is called soap. Its function is the same as the bath bean you brought out for me to use before; both are used for cleaning the body. However, this soap not only has a strong ability to remove dirt, but it also has a very pleasant fragrance, much better than that bath bean!"

Ah, what? Little Douya opened her eyes wide, her face filled with an expression of disbelief

After putting on his clothes, Zhao Yan opened the window to take a look outside, only to find that it was still drizzling. Fortunately, he had no plans to go out. After closing the window, he moved his body a bit and then practiced Tai Chi a few times indoors. This was something he had learned from several elderly people in the park, and it was quite a good form of exercise. Moreover, after a month of rest and training, Zhao Yan felt that his body was recovering remarkably fast; he could even run a marathon without any issues now. He practiced Tai Chi a few more times indoors, which he had learned from the elderly in the park, and it was indeed a very good way to exercise. After a month of rest and training, Zhao Yan felt that his body was recovering extremely quickly; he could even run a marathon without any problems now.

After washing up, Zhao Yan dawdled his way to the dining hall. The daily servings of vegetables and tofu had already left him with a psychological shadow, but he had no choice but to eat. Moreover, he did not want to be looked down upon by Cao Ying, so he could only force himself to go for meals every day. The little bean sprout next to him understood Zhao Yan's thoughts very well. Seeing his pained expression, she couldn't help but chuckle as she walked, occasionally taking out the soap hidden in her sleeve to smell it.

The servant... The servant was merely curious, which is why I wanted to ask! Little Douya timidly replied, feeling quite shy.

The cup was already filled with clear water. Zhao Yan took out his toothbrush and toothpaste, squeezed the toothpaste onto the toothbrush, and then quickly began to brush his teeth. The refreshing mint-flavored toothpaste not only made Zhao Yan feel that his breath was fresh, but also cleared his mind. As for the little bean sprout serving beside him, he was not worried at all, because for the past month, this little girl had not taken the initiative to speak a single word to him. Even when she saw Zhao Yan using the toothbrush and other novel items, although curiosity appeared in her eyes, she still did not dare to ask. It was likely that Cao Ying had already instructed her about something.

Upon hearing that it was a gift from the prince, Xiao Douya did not dare to decline. She accepted the soap with both hands and held it under her little nose to take a sniff, then revealed a beaming smile, reminiscent of the smiles of Zhao Yan's students in later years when they received first place in exams or won prizes for books. This made Zhao Yan sigh once more in his heart, realizing that he would probably never see those lovely students again in this lifetime

On a clear morning in early summer, Zhao Yan was once again awakened by the sound of fine rain outside the window. He had now been in the Northern Song Dynasty for a month and had gradually adapted to a life without television, mobile phones, or the internet. However, he could not understand why it had been raining continuously in Kaifeng since the day he arrived. Although the rain was not heavy, the persistent drizzle had lasted for more than half a month. Even on the rare occasions when it did not rain, the sky remained overcast, leaving the surroundings damp and making Zhao Yan feel as if he were about to mold.

"Prince, what do you use to brush your teeth every day, especially that substance that comes out of the tube? It smells so good; is it delicious?"

After Zhao Yan left the restaurant, he did not return to his bedroom. He had been staying there for a month, and he was already extremely bored. Although it was still raining today, the rain was not heavy, and he did not see Cao Ying during breakfast, which improved his mood. Therefore, he casually wandered around the Wangfu.

"No, no, Fourth Sister has already instructed me that I absolutely must not touch anything belonging to the Prince, and even speaking is not allowed, lest I be caught by the Prince and punished for it," Little Douya said, shaking her head repeatedly in fear. She even revealed what Cao Ying had previously told her, indicating that she is truly a naive little girl

Oh! Little Douya nodded. In fact, over the past month, she had often seen Zhao Yan brush her teeth twice a day and understood the purpose of these two items. Now, she was merely making conversation out of a lack of topics.

Because ... ... because ... ... this question posed by Zhao and *Tu* Shuyan seems quite difficult for Xiaodouya. One can see the troubled expression in her big eyes. After a long while, she finally responded with a look of realization, saying, "Because I feel that the prince is not as bad as the legends say, and ... ... and the dishes you made yesterday were very delicious!"

Oh? Zhao Yan also looked at the little bean sprout with great interest for a while, then raised the toothbrush in his hand and said, "This thing is called a toothbrush, and the substance squeezed out of the tube is called toothpaste. However, although toothpaste smells very nice, it cannot be eaten. After brushing your teeth, you must spit it out; otherwise, it is not good for your health."

"Hehe, did you dare to secretly use Cao Ying's things before? Have you also used my things in private?" Zhao Yan joked, feeling good as he had been isolated by Cao Ying and the entire Wang residence during this time, with no one to talk to. Now that he had finally found a way to connect with Xiao Douya, it greatly improved Zhao Yan's mood.

Initially, Zhao Yan felt quite touched upon hearing the first reason from Little Douya, as it was an evaluation made by a pure-hearted little girl based on her intuition. However, when he heard the second reason, he nearly burst out laughing. He had not expected that the sweet and sour pork he made yesterday had actually been eaten by Little Douya, and it had become her standard for judging a person's character. It seemed that the reason Little Douya took the initiative to talk to him today was undoubtedly due to that plate of sweet and sour pork.

Zhao Yan was washing his face while talking, and when he finished and took the towel from Xiao Douya's hand to wipe his face, he noticed that the little girl was looking at his soap with a very envious gaze. This made Zhao Yan feel somewhat amused, and he then asked, "Xiao Douya, what do you usually use to wash your face?"

Zhao Yan sat up from the bed and turned to look at the pillow he had made with his own hands. The original porcelain pillow had caused him a headache, so Zhao Yan had fashioned a temporary pillow out of several thick garments. However, this pillow was now damp in one spot. Although he had dreamt all night about sweet and sour pork, Zhao Yan preferred to believe that this was the tears shed from missing his relatives and friends from a past life, rather than admitting it was saliva from his dreaming.

"Little Douya, would you like to try some soap?" Zhao Yan suddenly held out the soap in her hand towards Little Douya, thinking that this innocent and adorable little girl was indeed endearing. Looking at her, Zhao Yan was reminded of the students she had taught in her previous life, wondering how they were doing now and if they had a new teacher to continue their education.

After throwing down the bowl of porridge, Zhao Yan hurriedly walked out of the restaurant as if he were fleeing. However, he was unaware that after his departure, Xiao Douya looked at the remaining vegetables and tofu left by Zhao Yan, displaying a look of regret on her face, and ultimately sat down to finish all the food.

When Zhao Yan arrived at the northeast corner of the inner courtyard, he noticed a rather large yard, and it seemed that there were some voices coming from within, along with the roars of some animals. This piqued Zhao Yan's curiosity, prompting him to walk towards the yard.

We?'' Little Douya was taken aback, withdrew her gaze and replied, ``We maids usually just wash our faces casually with hot water. If our faces are too dirty, we use the laundry soap to wash them. Only Fourth Sister has bath beans, and I secretly used them twice. After washing, my face was so clean... ah!''

Zhao Yan stretched lazily and sat up from the bed. Thinking about the sweet and sour pork tenderloin he had made himself last night, he felt quite regretful. Had he known that Cao Ying would discover it, he should have taken the opportunity to sneak a few pieces while she was not in the room. He couldn't help but wonder which guy benefited after he left the kitchen

"Then why did you suddenly start talking to me today?" Zhao Yan asked with great interest.

To Zhao Yan's surprise, when he arrived at the restaurant, he found that Cao Ying was not there. This relieved him, and he picked up his bowl to finish the millet porridge. As for the remaining vegetables and tofu, he didn't even want to glance at them. After all, as long as Cao Ying was not present, no one in the Wang residence dared to manage him.

After Zhao Yan finished exercising, Xiao Douya also brought in all of Zhao Yan's toiletries. It is worth mentioning that Zhao Yan brought his entire set of toiletries with him, which has made his life during this period relatively easier. After all, he truly cannot adapt to a life without a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap

No, no... this... this is not acceptable, this gift is too precious, I cannot accept it!" Little Douya hurriedly declined upon hearing this. The cost of the bath beans is considerable, and only Zhao Yan and Cao Ying in the entire royal residence are qualified to use them. Moreover, this milky white soap is far superior to the dark bath beans, so Little Douya naturally dared not accept it

When Xiao Douya mentioned that she had secretly used Cao Ying's belongings, she realized that she had said something she shouldn't have. She hurriedly covered her mouth and then shyly glanced at Zhao Yan, saying in a very bashful manner: "Your Highness, please don't tell Fourth Sister, or else the wet nurse will scold me to death"

"Take this as a gift from me, the prince!" Zhao Yan said as he stuffed the soap into Little Douya's hands. Although his status had changed to that of a prince, he still retained the mindset of the teaching volunteer from his previous life. Seeing how Little Douya had diligently attended to him for a month, it was only right to give her something in return, especially since soap was not a valuable item.