"Mother, don’t be upset anymore, my honor has been restored now." Ye Zi’an hurriedly comforted.
Yang Dachuan also said, "Yeah, you shouldn’t be angry anymore. Fortunately, our child still has his honor, which is more important than anything else. By the way, since you’ve already become a Recommended Man, you’ll have to take another exam next year, right? I’ve heard that after passing the Recommended Man exam, you have to go to the Capital City to take the next one. Since it’s far away from here, when are you planning to leave?"
This question caught both Ye Zi’an and Yang Chuxia off guard, as neither of them had thought about it.
"Father, the spring exam takes place in mid-March. If I pass it, there will be another exam in early April. So, it should be enough time if I go to the Capital City after the New Year."
Upon hearing this, Ms. Wang was puzzled and said, "Will it be enough time if you go after the New Year? It would be better to go there earlier. I’ve heard that some people set off for the Capital City as soon as they receive the news. And I’ve also heard that some people set off half a year in advance, fearing that they won’t make it in time."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia couldn’t help but laugh.
"Mother, the people you’ve heard of are either from very faraway places, such as those from the western or southern border regions, which indeed takes several months to reach the Capital City. Or they are from poor families that have to walk to the Capital City, which of course requires leaving half a year in advance. Our family has a carriage, so we don’t need to leave that early."
With that said, Ms. Wang became happy again, knowing that her son-in-law would be able to stay at home a little longer. Maybe she would even have a grandchild by next year.
The thought delighted her, and she said with a smile, "Brother An’s success in becoming a Recommended Man is a huge happy event. Tonight, we’ll all have dinner at my place, and I’ll personally cook something delicious for you."
Mrs. Wang then went to the kitchen, while Yang Chuxia accompanied old Yang and Yang Dachuan in conversation.
After another two or three days, the people from the county government finally arrived at Yangshu Village to announce the happy news, an announcement that was more than a month overdue. Seeing the two bailiffs walking around the village and hitting the gong, the villagers were curious about what was happening. They listened carefully and learned that Ye Family’s Brother An had become a Recommended Man.
Some detail-oriented villagers found it strange that the news was so late. They even asked the bailiffs about it, but the lower-ranking bailiffs didn’t know the whole story, so they casually mumbled something about Ye Zi’an being accidentally overlooked earlier.
The casually concocted excuse turned out to be quite convincing, and the villagers indeed believed it. And when the news reached the ears of the scholarly townspeople, they also thought the same, thinking that Ye Zi’an was quite talented and shouldn’t have failed the exam in the first place. Now their doubts were finally resolved.
"Recommended Man Ye, this is the reward of one hundred taels of silver from Funan, and an extra fifty taels for your expenses in the Capital City."
"Thank you both, please come inside and have some tea!" Ye Zi’an accepted the two red envelopes, knowing that they contained silver notes, and then handed them to Yang Chuxia. "Wife, you keep this money to buy hairpins."
This action made Yang Chuxia blush, especially since people around her were laughing.
Seeing that Yang Chuxia didn’t take the money, he said again, "Wife, take it."
Yang Chuxia finally took it reluctantly, giving him a glare. This man was really something, making her accept the money in public to buy hairpins. He must want to make everyone envious and jealous.
"Xiaxia really is lucky, look how Brother An always remembers her." Ruoqiu teased while holding her child.
Unexpectedly, Chen Sheng said from behind Ruoqiu, "My wife, I’ve been thinking about you too. I’ll keep all the silver in our house for you."