Chapter 340: Could He Be Impotent?

Chapter 340: Could He Be Impotent?

Li Bihan successfully lured Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo to her room today.

She had dressed up meticulously tonight.

Ever since she noticed her aging appearance, she had started an urgent beauty regimen.

She sold off the silver she had saved over the years from Cheng Yunshuo's rewards and bought a large amount of exotic ingredients to create her own beauty treatments, which included a significant amount of mercury, cinnabar, and lead.

Having spent many years in the palace, she hadn't learned much else, but she had learned all these unconventional methods.

Of course, she was aware that many of these palace remedies had side effects.

For instance, in her previous attempts to bear a son, she had two children in two years, continuously taking fertility drugs, which had already left her with many chronic ailments.

Her lower abdomen would hurt terribly during her menstrual periods, a condition she didn't have before, but now she genuinely suffered from chronic uterine pain, and she feared she might never conceive again.

As for the skincare products containing large amounts of mercury, Li Bihan had heard that mercury was toxic and shouldn't be overused, but the results were undeniable.

After preparing and using them for just two days, she could already feel her skin becoming whiter and finer, with the obvious signs of aging and wrinkles being concealed.

Indeed, her hard work paid off, as Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo's eyes brightened more than usual when he saw her that evening.

"Crown Prince," Li Bihan greeted him coyly, taking Cheng Lanying from his arms.

Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo looked at her, "Have you been well these past few days?"

"Yes," Li Bihan nodded with downcast eyes, surreptitiously pinching her daughter.

Cheng Lanying quickly caught on and said, "Dad, if you don't come, how could Auntie be well! She misses you every day, fearing you might abandon her."

"What nonsense!" Li Bihan gently scolded, setting Cheng Lanying down and reprimanding, "Your father is tied up with official duties and can't come! You should be more considerate of your father!"

Hearing this, Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo felt a twinge of guilt due to Li Bihan's thoughtful words.

He wasn't really busy with official duties; his job as an Imperial Guard patrol officer required him to be on duty every day, but there was hardly any demanding work involved.

Now that he had become a small commander, he only needed to stay in the barracks, not even having to patrol the palace gates or pathways.

His career had entered a phase of complete standstill, neither hard nor promising.

Li Bihan's thoughtful words made him feel extremely embarrassed.

Especially since he simply didn't want to see her...

"I will come more often," Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo found himself saying.

Hearing this, Li Bihan's eyes instantly brimmed with affection, "Crown Prince, Bihan doesn't ask for much, as long as you have me in your heart."

Her gaze was intense, not at all like an act, and Crown Prince Cheng Yunshuo quickly looked away after a brief glance, "Alright, let's eat."

"Alright."

The table was filled with dishes all prepared by Li Bihan herself.

To win him over through his stomach, there was no other way.

The dishes were a feast for the senses, and with Cheng Lanying present, Bishui Courtyard seemed to return to its former glory.

The three of them enjoyed a warm family moment, chatting and laughing together.

After the meal, Cheng Yunshuo lingered to play with Cheng Lanying. As evening fell, Li Bihan hinted, and Cheng Lanying reluctantly left.

"Dad, I remember you’re off tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you please fly kites with me again tomorrow?" Cheng Lanying cooed, leaning on Cheng Yunshuo's lap.

"Sure," Cheng Yunshuo said with a smile.

At that moment, Li Bihan discreetly scooped up Cheng Lanying, "You’re always bothering your father, little one!"

"It’s because Dad loves me," Cheng Lanying said, though her tone wasn’t as confident as before.

"Alright, off to bed now."

"Alright," Cheng Lanying looked at Cheng Yunshuo, "Dad, I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Go on," Cheng Yunshuo smiled at her.

Once Cheng Lanying was gone, Li Bihan stepped forward to help Cheng Yunshuo undress.

"Your Highness, I’ve already asked the maids to prepare the water."

"You’ve had a long day—would you like to soak your feet or take a bath?"

Behind the screen, steam rose, and Li Bihan’s gaze turned alluring, like a delicate flower waiting to be plucked.

Cheng Yunshuo noticed her restored beauty—her complexion fairer than years ago, almost matching his memory.

But then, "I’m tired today. I’ll rest first. You should rest early too."

Cheng Yunshuo brushed past Li Bihan, returned to bed, and lay facing the wall in his robe.

Not a hint of interest.

Li Bihan, who had prepared so carefully, turned pale at the sight.

She gritted her teeth, holding back anger as she stared at the unresponsive man on the bed. She wondered if the medicine she’d been giving him had somehow emasculated him!

What on earth is wrong with Cheng Yunshuo!

If it was just her aging beauty, her looks were restored—so why was he still so cold?

Was he really impotent?

The next day, Lu Lingyun was in the courtyard, "His Highness has a day off today, right?"

"Yes."

"Summon His Highness," Lu Lingyun said, raising her teacup.

Shuang Hong was about to reply when Cheng Suying chimed in, "Mother, I’ll go too."

Lu Lingyun glanced at her and nodded, "Go ahead."

Since the incident of food incompatibility, Cheng Suying had changed her opinion of Cheng Yunshuo after he spoke up for her.

Cheng Yunshuo seldom visited them, and Cheng Suying hadn't seen him for ten days or half a month.

When she heard that Lu Lingyun was going to invite him over, she stepped forward to go find him herself.

Her father... maybe he wasn't as bad as she thought.

Cheng Suying went out with Shuang Hong.

"Is Father at Aunt Qiu's residence?" Cheng Suying asked on the way.

These days, she had also learned that her father often visited Qiu Ling.

Cheng Yunshuo not visiting Li Bihan's courtyard was a plus for Cheng Suying, as it could boost her favor.

"Yesterday, he should have visited Concubine Li's residence," Shuang Hong said.

"Huh?" Cheng Suying immediately frowned. "Wasn't he always visiting Aunt Qiu?"

Shuang Hong said calmly, "Yesterday, the Crown Prince was supposed to visit Aunt Qiu, but on the way, he was invited to Bishui Garden by the Second Miss."

As soon as Cheng Suying heard this, she was instantly furious.

Cheng Lanying, Cheng Lanying—she knew it, that Cheng Lanying was the most scheming and manipulative.

All day long, she didn't learn anything good, only how to compete for favor and snatch people like her concubine.

As she was feeling annoyed, she saw a kite flying out from the small garden in front of her.

A girl's laughter came from within.

"Father, father, play with me."

She followed the sound and saw Cheng Yunshuo playing with Cheng Lanying once more.