"Xiaxia, don’t rush!" Ye Zi’an gently took her hand, saying, "First, listen to me. We had originally planned to go north, but halfway there, we heard that the rainfall in the south this year is unusually high compared to previous years. Mr. Luo said that if such a topical event took place during the Autumn Exam or the Spring Exam, most of this year’s exam papers would be related to it."
"Mr. Luo mentioned that one would have a deeper understanding of such an event if they have personally witnessed or suffered through it. Knowing the place well also helps," Ye Zi’an continued after a pause, "Also, I figure that if Mr. Luo knows this pattern, then many others do too. The government may or may not implement reforms. Going there to observe the terrain isn’t a bad idea. In case a question on how to solve a flood arises, we will be prepared. Plus, by the time we get there, the flood situation would have stabilized."
"Oh, that’s good then!" Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia nodded her head. But then recalling some modern methods of water control, she said, "As for how to manage water, I do have some thoughts. I will share them with you tonight."
"Alright!" Ye Zi’an laughed after they finished their serious discussion, "In three days, Xiaxia will be of marrying age. So when are you planning to marry me?"
"Are you proposing to me again?" Yang Chuxia glanced at him, poking his chest, "I won’t mention the lack of flowers, and as for rings, I have plenty so it doesn’t matter. But where’s your sincerity? You’re just mentioning it casually."
Ye Zi’an laughed, capturing the hand on his chest and then said, "What if I use myself to propose? Can I give myself to you?"
"Shameless" Yang Chuxia pushed him gently, "I’ve never seen anyone propose with themselves, you really are..."
Ye Zi’an chuckled lightly and then said seriously, "Xiaxia, I want us to get married after I pass the Autumn Exam. What do you think?"
"After the Autumn Exam? Isn’t that only a few months away?" Her birthday falls on the first day of June and the Autumn Exam takes place in September. That was barely over three months away.
"Yes, I want to give Xiaxia the best." Ye Zi’an thought to himself that the title of ’Madam of Recommended Man’ sounds better than ’Cultivated Talent’s Wife’.
With that in mind, Yang Chuxia rolled her eyes and said, "Then why don’t you say, let’s get married after you become the top scholar?"
"My dear Xiaxia, wouldn’t that take too long?" Ye Zi’an whispered into Yang Chuxia’s ear, "I’ve been waiting too long."
"Get out, the older you get the more unscrupulous you become." Yang Chuxia pulled him up,"Let’s go, meet my parents. They’ve been worried about you for months."
Ye Zi’an was familiar with Yang Chuxia, noticing her changing the subject, he knew Yang Chuxia must be feeling shy and avoiding the topic.
Then he casually added, "Well, I’ll go and talk to your parents about when we will marry."
When they entered the front yard, both Yang Dachuan and Ms. Wang were there. Seeing the couple approaching, they knew that as soon as he returned, he went to see their daughter. They felt very gratified.
"Brother An is back." Ms. Wang joyfully pulled him up, "No need to kneel, no need to kneel, get up."
Yang Dachuan glanced at him, then said, "Have you been suffering outside? Why have you lost so much weight?"
"I haven’t suffered, I’ve just been walking a lot each day."
Ms. Wang then asked, "You’re not going out again, right?"
"No, I won’t be going out again. I’ll stay home and study for the upcoming exam at the end of August in the prefecture."
Ms. Wang happily said, "That’s good, it’s better if you don’t go out. I’ll prepare some good food for you, you’ve lost more weight than before."