Chapter Thirty-Five: Impotence

Su Lilu immediately waved her hand and said, “How would I dare? If Your Highness does not trust me, then no matter what I say, Your Highness will only view it with suspicion. It would be better for me to disappear from your sight, just as before.” As soon as the words left her lips, Su Lilu regretted them, clutching her hands tightly. If the man before her truly acted as she had suggested, what then would she do?

Yun Yan Yi regarded her with a look of half-belief and half-doubt. “Very well, today I shall trust you this once. But if I discover you have deceived me, Miss Su, you had best prepare yourself—I will not let you off lightly.”

Hearing this, Su Lilu calmed herself and offered a composed curtsy. “Your Highness worries too much. How would I dare deceive you? This prescription is indeed effective—you will know by trying it.” She placed particular emphasis on those last four words. Yun Yan Yi merely snorted, opened the door, and left.

Su Lilu hurried to close the door, leaning against it, exhaling deeply. Patting her chest, she quietly hummed, “Luckily, I’m clever. Prince Yi, with the prescription I gave you, I guarantee you’ll recover in no time.” Unable to contain her laughter, Su Lilu burst out, but quickly covered her mouth for fear of alerting the maids—her trembling body betraying her excitement.

Unnoticed by anyone, Yun Yan Yi returned quietly to his own quarters and changed into a long robe the color of pale moonlight. “Leng Feng, summon Doctor Peng.”

“At once, Your Highness.” Within the time it takes for incense to burn, Doctor Peng arrived, following Leng Feng to the prince’s door. Leng Feng knocked softly. “Your Highness, Doctor Peng has arrived.”

“Enter,” came Yun Yan Yi’s cool, clear voice from within.

Doctor Peng, a man of unremarkable features, carried a dark red medicine chest on his back, wore plain blue robes, and soft, gray-black cloth shoes. Unless familiar with him, none would suspect this ordinary-looking man to be the famed physician known throughout the capital.

“Doctor Peng, please—my lord awaits inside.” Leng Feng pushed open the door, and Doctor Peng entered as indicated.

He saw Prince Yi leaning over the desk, writing. When Yun Yan Yi noticed Doctor Peng, he handed him the paper he’d just written. “Doctor Peng, examine this prescription carefully. Is it of any use?”

Doctor Peng set down his medicine chest and received the prescription with care. After but a moment’s scrutiny, his eyes lit up with delight. “This prescription has been lost for many years; I never imagined I’d see it today, all thanks to Your Highness. May I ask where you obtained this formula?”

A faint smile touched Yun Yan Yi’s lips. “It is enough to know that you deem the prescription excellent. I came upon it by chance. Tell me, what ailment does it treat?”

Yun Yan Yi had not anticipated that Su Lilu harbored no ulterior motives at all. The icy mask he had worn earlier began to thaw. Had Doctor Peng looked up, he would have seen the warmth in the prince’s smile.

Doctor Peng hesitated, but seeing Yun Yan Yi’s gaze, he had no choice but to answer, “Your Highness, this prescription is specifically for the treatment of male impotence. May I ask why Your Highness requires such a remedy?” Doctor Peng glanced at the prince’s lower garments, then quickly averted his eyes, inwardly speculating—could it be that Prince Yi suffers from such an affliction? No wonder he has not taken a princess all these years.

Sensing the suspicion in Doctor Peng’s eyes, Yun Yan Yi’s expression grew cold, his fists clenching, and he spoke through gritted teeth, “You may go for now, Doctor Peng. Leave the prescription with me, and remember—do not breathe a word of this to anyone.”

Doctor Peng respectfully placed the prescription on the table, picked up his medicine chest, and bowed repeatedly. “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will not utter a single word.” He hurried out, fearing for his life, bitterness in his gaze—now that he knew such a secret, he would have to tread carefully from now on.

A loud crash sounded from within the room. Fearing something had happened, Leng Feng peeked inside, only to see a celadon cup flying toward him. He dodged lightly to the side.

“Leng Feng, if you listen in or watch any longer, I won’t hesitate to separate your eyes and ears from your body.” Leng Feng shuddered—what had angered the prince so? Not daring to linger, he hurriedly withdrew from the courtyard.

When everyone had left, Yun Yan Yi gritted his teeth and muttered, “Su Lilu, well done—you’ve made a fool of me.”

“Achoo!” Su Lilu rubbed her nose, quickly wrapping her clothes tighter around herself, afraid of catching a chill.

Yun Yan Yi’s earlier anger having subsided, he recalled his conversation with Su Lilu and felt only regret. This woman had merely taken advantage of an opportunity, her eyes catching sight of the prescription on the table. In truth, she had not deceived him—it really was an excellent formula. Only, its intended use…

“Leng Feng.” Leng Feng hadn’t dared go far. Hearing Yun Yan Yi’s summons, he stood at the door, eyes downcast, bowing. “At your service, Your Highness.”

“Never mind, I’ll go myself. You may go.” Confused, Leng Feng was dismissed. This time, Yun Yan Yi didn’t bother to change his clothes and went straight to Su Lilu’s room.

Noticing an extra person in her room, Su Lilu pinched her thigh hard, forcing a bitter smile. “Prince Yi, what brings you back?”

“Oh? Have you done something to feel guilty about, that you fear me so?” Yun Yan Yi narrowed his eyes, the chill in them making Su Lilu’s small frame tremble. She knew he had uncovered everything she’d done, though she hadn’t expected him to return so swiftly.

She grinned. “Why should I? I’m merely surprised, that’s all. To what do I owe Your Highness’s visit?”

Yun Yan Yi stared at her, his steady expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. After a long silence, Su Lilu shifted uncomfortably, inwardly grumbling, “Is he here to settle accounts? Who knows what he’s thinking, not saying a word for so long?”

“Is Miss Su feeling guilty?” Yun Yan Yi suddenly asked. Su Lilu nearly toppled over, a hint of confusion on her face. “I don’t understand Your Highness’s meaning.”

He refused to mention that particular subject again, giving her a frosty look. “Regarding your request for medicinal herbs, I agree. When will you give me the medical text?”

Su Lilu stood motionless, stunned. Had she heard correctly? She pinched herself hard. “Ow, that hurts.” Then she broke into a broad smile. “Rest assured, Your Highness, I would never dare deceive you. I can only provide one prescription at a time—this is just to prevent…”

The distrust in Su Lilu’s eyes pricked Yun Yan Yi deeply. He sneered, “You, a woman, talking to me about trust? Fine, I agree. But if you play any more tricks, I’ll have no choice but to invite you for a stay at Prince Yi’s residence.”

Su Lilu nodded at once, her eyes earnest as she watched him, waiting until he’d left before collapsing onto the couch. She gulped down a cup of cold water. “Phew, that Prince Yi is truly terrifying. He must have found out what that prescription is for. I nearly didn’t live to see tomorrow’s sun.”