Chapter 2.2 - Rotten Radishes Have Great Uses (2/3)

Li Jingnan looked at Hua Qingxue’s red and swollen hands, thinking that he had to go so far as to rely on this woman who washed clothes to support himself. In the end, he felt that it was tough to bear. “Otherwise, take my belt to pawn as well.”

“Your clothes are all made of materials from the palace. We had better not take risks. It’s fine now.”

The reason why she and Li Jingnan pawned that cotton-padded clothing at the beginning was that they were in a moment of desperation and disorder. They didn’t think about it thoroughly, but they were so scared that they were covered in a cold sweat when thinking about it in retrospect. Fortunately, there was no news at present. Presumably, it’s because no one in this small town could recognize things made in the palace. However, they couldn’t take chances just because no one found them.

Li Jingnan pursed his lips and suddenly said, “I’ll help you wash it together.” He who spoke was just about to get down from the bed-stove.

Hua Qingxue was frightened and immediately stepped forward to stop him.

Li Jingnan was very upset. He sat on the edge of the bed-stove and glared at Hua Qingxue, “What? Are you afraid that I’ll cause trouble for you? This Highness’s help is your blessing.”

Hua Qingxue was quite helpless. This boy, every time he started to put on airs of a crown prince, his speech was particularly unpleasant to hear.

These warm clothes were thick and heavy after being soaked in water. How is it possible that a small kid like him could wash them?

However, Li Jingnan wasn’t old, but he had a big temper. After spending months together, Hua Qingxue also gradually figured out his style of behavior. Knowing that he was amenable to coaxing but not coercion, she urged with a good tone, “Since Your Highness wants to help, why don’t you help me twist out those rotten radishes in the yard?” (2)

Li Jingnan looked at Hua Qingxue suspiciously and was very dissatisfied, “Are you playing with this Highness? I can’t eat those rotten radishes. What’s the use of twisting out the rotten ones?”

There were some rotten radishes in the yard, and some leftover restaurant radishes, all picked up by Hua Qingxue.

Hua Qingxue smiled and said, “It’s naturally not for eating. I use them to wash clothes.“

“Washing clothes? With those radishes? ” Li Jingnan wrinkled his little nose, his face full of disbelief.

Hua Qingxue nodded, reached out to find one of the dirty clothes she had just brought in, pointed to the stains on it, and said, “Aunt Yan is a cook. She often has to deal with some chickens, ducks, and live fish by herself. Apart from the oil stains on the clothes, it is inevitable that it will be stained with blood. Those radishes are used to wash the bloodstains.”

Li Jingnan shook his head repeatedly, “How could it be? Forget about using white radishes. If you used carrots, wouldn’t it make the clothes red?”

Hua Qingxue blinked, “What’s so strange about this? The reason why blood is red is that it contains hemoglobin. The iron in hemoglobin exists in the form of ferrous iron, which can be dissolved in water. At this time, wash it directly with water. After a long time, the ferrous iron in the hemoglobin will be oxidized into trivalent iron, which will coagulate together with the protein in the blood, so it’s difficult to clean it. But, just mash the carrots and then add salt to make use of the carotene and oxidase to break down the hemoglobin…”

Li Jingnan had a headache, “Here it is again, here it is again! You’re beginning to talk nonsense again. What sheep, what eggs? I also don’t know where you heard about it.”

Hua Qingxue was also a little unhappy. She explained it to him kindly, yet it was considered nonsense.

As a result, she didn’t say much anymore and hardly threw out one sentence, “Anyway, if I say that it can be washed, it can be washed.”

Seeing Hua Qingxue’s stiff face, Li Jingnan was interested again. “Ai, how do you know so many strange things as a woman? Has anyone taught you anything?”

Hua Qingxue coldly glanced at him and almost reflexively said, “You shouldn’t be so easily impressed, my teacher is the world-famous Ai…”

Her voice broke in the air, stuck in half with a stiff type of accent, and halted.

Li Jingnan was bending down and putting on shoes, and asked with his mouth, “Who is that? Your teacher.”

He didn’t hear Hua Qingxue’s answer for a long time. Looking up, he found that Hua Qingxue’s expression was somewhat amiss.

“Hey! Hua Qingxue?”

Hua Qingxue looked stupefied, she returned to her mind and looked at Li Jingnan. She smiled a little embarrassedly.