Chapter 26: What Does It Mean to Have Aching Balls?

Seeing this, Yuan Qian'er teased Mo Yiran with a playful grin, "Oh my, Your Highness, your peach blossoms are in full bloom—they've even reached your doorstep! You'll be the Imperial Son-in-law soon, won't you?"

"Are you very happy to see me become the Imperial Son-in-law? Hmm?" Mo Yiran asked, his face deadpan.

"Er, if you both like each other, then of course I'm happy. But if she tries to force you, I wouldn't be pleased at all! How could such a fine specimen as yourself be ruined like that?" She wondered why he always got so grumpy whenever she mentioned him with someone else—it was truly baffling.

"You'd be happy if we liked each other?" Mo Yiran stared at her, thinking, *This girl clearly hasn't fallen for me yet; otherwise, would she say such things?*

"Hey, why are you acting so strange all of a sudden? Stop looking at me like that; it feels like you're going to eat me!" Feeling unnerved by his gaze, Yuan Qian'er shrank her neck back, like a child who had done something wrong.

Mo Yiran sighed. "Sigh, you... I really don't know when your brain will finally click." *It seems the road to winning my wife's heart is still very long,* he thought to himself.

"What's wrong with my brain? It's always worked just fine."

"Yes, it works fine usually, but it fails at critical moments! By the way, Qian'er, what does 'ball-aching' mean?" Mo Yiran was keen to understand every modern term that popped out of her mouth.

Yuan Qian'er felt incredibly awkward. *This... how am I supposed to explain this?*

"Er, this... how should I put it? I'll explain it to you when there's an opportunity later! Haha, hey, didn't you say you were going to take me to the palace to see the Emperor today? When are we leaving?" She quickly searched for an excuse to brush it off.

Seeing her stammering, Mo Yiran figured that "ball-aching" couldn't possibly be a pleasant term.

"Go wash up and have breakfast, and then we'll go. Look at you, you're covered in sweat from playing all morning!"

"Fine, wait for me, okay? I'll take a quick shower and be right back."

After breakfast, Yuan Qian'er changed into a simple white silk dress with wide sleeves. She was about to head to the palace with her hair down when Mo Yiran stopped her. "Qian'er, you can't go to the palace to see the Emperor with your hair loose. Let me call Mo Xue to style it for you first."

No sooner had he spoken than Mo Xue appeared, carrying all the necessary hair-styling tools, as if she had been prepared all along.

"Oh, okay! Sorry to trouble you, Mo Xue."

"There is no need for such formalities, Miss Yuan. This is my duty."

Mo Xue was very skilled; she finished in a few moments. Turning to Yuan Qian'er, who was looking in the mirror, she asked, "Miss Yuan, how does this look to you?"

"Wow, Mo Xue, your skills are amazing! It's beautiful. But why is it half-up and half-down?"

"My lady, in Bingmo, only women who are married pin their hair up completely. Which hairpin would you like to wear?"

"You choose for me. Something simple, with a light color—nothing too flashy. Just one is fine; any more would be uncomfortable."

"Understood. Then let's go with the light purple jade hairpin."

It must be said that Yuan Qian'er looked truly elegant in traditional attire. With her hair styled by Mo Xue, she looked refined and graceful—the very image of a great beauty. Yuan Qian'er never dreamed she could look so stunning in ancient dress.

Mo Yiran looked her over. Her face, devoid of makeup, possessed a fresh, natural beauty that was even more captivating than her modern look. He couldn't help but exclaim, "You look truly beautiful!"

For the first time receiving a compliment from such a handsome man, Yuan Qian'er felt as if she were floating. "Well, of course! Don't you know who I am? I'm so kind, innocent, lively, and cute that I look good in anything. Even you are praising me, which just goes to show how extraordinary my charm is!"

"Indeed, I've been completely captivated by you. What should I do? You'll have to take responsibility for that!" Mo Yiran said with a roguish, playful smirk.

"Ha, you're so fake! Stop acting and hurry up and take me to the palace!"

"Alright, let's go!"