Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 759-760: Cai Wei’s Decision (1)_1

Chapter 759: Chapter 759-760: Cai Wei’s Decision (1)_1

As it was nearing June, the weather in the Capital was hotter than ever. Many commoners who feared the heat donned straw hats and rolled up their sleeves when they ventured outdoors. The higher-class citizens took cover under parasols and changed into thin muslin clothing.

Since becoming pregnant, Lady Du did not experience any symptoms such as vomiting or nausea. However, she was extremely susceptible to heat. Barely setting foot outside in the family’s horse carriage, she was already sweating heavily and fanning herself without pause.

"Mother, are you feeling too hot?"

Cai Fei used a handkerchief to wipe off the beads of sweat from her mother’s forehead and considerately took the fan from her, fanning her personally.

Lady Du chuckled, "It must be due to the pregnancy. It feels like summer came earlier this year. This weather is almost unbearable."

Mu Zhongqing said, "It’s not even June yet, and it’s already this hot. If it gets hotter in July or August, won’t people get heatstroke? How about this, tomorrow let’s go to the ice shop and order some ice. It can be kept in the room to cool you down daily."

During this era, there was no such thing as refrigerators or freezers. In the summer, ice was a rare and precious commodity, usually only afforded by the palace or wealthy officials’ households. The ordinary citizens could not afford it. Although a few ice shops were present in the Capital, the price of ice was exceedingly high. Only minor officials or merchants who could not afford to build an ice storage would buy enough ice to show off during banquets, preferring frugality on any regular day in order to save every tael of silver.

Upon hearing that her husband intended to buy ice to cool her, Lady Du quickly dismissed the idea with repeated "no need"s.

She was well aware of the high cost of ice. Having lived in poverty for many years, she had developed a meticulous attitude towards financial matters.

Although their household was now faring better, their children were still young and didn’t require much expenditure. However, in the future, as the kids grow up, there would be tuition fees for Wen’er and Wu’er, and bridal gifts for Wei’er and Fei’er, plus this one in her stomach. With five children, who knows how much silver they would need. Therefore, how could she bear to waste money on a piece of ice that you can’t eat or drink!

"When I was pregnant with all of them, I felt the same heat, but I didn’t have any ice and managed to deliver them safely, right? Earning money is not easy, so don’t waste it recklessly. Our family has one more mouth to feed now, and we will need more money in the future!"

Mu Zhongqing knew of his wife’s frugality and fear of overspending, so he didn’t say anything more, but secretly planned to order some ice for her on his return trip.

Seeing how her mother was constantly wiping sweat, Cai Fei opened the curtain of the carriage to let the wind in to cool her down.

In the moment she lifted the curtain—

Across the street, a few dissipated young nobles who had spent the night at a brothel named ’Drunken Spring Courtyard’ were exiting contentedly. Accidentally, they cast their eyes upon the extremely clean, little face inside the carriage.

That little face was serene and elegant; when she smiled, her cheeks turned pink like the lightest and most lingering sunset glow. She exuded both the innocence of a maiden and the absolute beauty of a woman. In just an instant, all eyes were fixated on the radiant little face inside the carriage, their expressions filled with surprise and delight.

Cai Fei, who was lifting the curtain and chatting with her mother, suddenly noticed the lecherous gazes across the street. Instantly, her face lost color, and panicked, she let go of the curtain and clutched at her heart.

"What’s wrong?"

Noticing the change in her daughter’s complexion, Lady Du asked with concern.

Not wanting her mother to worry, Cai Fei managed a smile and said, "Oh, it’s nothing, I just suddenly thought of Older Sister. I wonder where she is now and when she will come back."