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.