Chapter 38: Someone Was Struck by Lightning

During the process of distilling floral dew, Madam Zhou specially added citron and pear blossoms.

This method was something she had learned from the old wet nurse in their household. She had tried it many times before and could recognize the scent of the floral dew just by smelling it. However, this bottle of rose floral dew not only carried the familiar fragrance but also had a unique aroma she had never encountered before.

Surprised, Madam Zhou quickly handed it to Du Wanchun to smell.

“What is it, Mother?” Du Wanchun took the floral dew and sniffed it. A special floral fragrance filled her nose, making her feel instantly refreshed. For a moment, it was as if she were standing in a vast sea of flowers, filling her heart with joy.

She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Mother, this floral dew smells amazing!”

Zhou Feng and Zhou Zhao also came over to take a sniff. They were equally astonished.

“Mother, this floral dew smells even better than the ones we used in the capital!” Zhou Zhao said excitedly, unable to resist taking a few more whiffs.

Even the usually composed Zhou Ruiyuan showed a look of surprise after smelling it.

Madam Zhou was momentarily stunned. She sniffed it again and felt that something was off. “This floral dew smells different from what I remember in the capital.”

Du Wanchun reassured her, “Mother, maybe it’s because the flowers here are different, so the scent is also different. Let’s take it to the county and see if we can sell it.”

Madam Zhou hesitated. “We only have this one bottle. Will it sell?”

Du Wanchun thought of someone and smiled. “We can ask Master Fang from the Fang family. If he takes a liking to our floral dew, that would be great.”

Madam Zhou was doubtful. “Would he really be interested in my floral dew?”

Du Wanchun nodded with a smile. “Mother, trust me this time. Master Fang will definitely like it.”

Yesterday, when she delivered radishes, she had deliberately inquired about the Fang family.

Madam Fang was known to love fragrances, but ever since she arrived in Cheng’an Town, she hadn’t been able to find a suitable one, which had left her quite frustrated.

After a moment of contemplation, Madam Zhou nodded. “Alright, let’s go together.”

Du Wanchun smiled and nodded.

This time, Madam Zhou only brought Du Wanchun to the county.

The boiler at home was still distilling flower petals, so someone had to watch the fire. Zhou Feng, Zhou Zhao, and Zhou Ruiyuan stayed behind.

Du Wanchun and Madam Zhou took a horse-drawn carriage to the back courtyard of the Fang residence.

The Fang family was wealthy, and their estate was even larger than the Li family’s.

Du Wanchun jumped down from the carriage and knocked on the back courtyard gate.

A middle-aged woman opened the door.

When she had delivered radishes last time, Du Wanchun hadn’t seen her before.

The woman glanced at the two plainly dressed rural women before her, her face darkening with displeasure. “Who are you? What business do you have at the Fang residence?”

Du Wanchun replied with a smile, “May I ask if Steward Liu is here?”

Yesterday, it was Steward Liu who had collected the radishes. He was a kind person, which was why she specifically sought him out.

Hearing the mention of Steward Liu, the woman cast them a contemptuous glance and snapped fiercely, “Get lost! Where did these beggars come from? Get out of here!”

As she spoke, she reached out and forcefully shoved Du Wanchun.

Du Wanchun nearly fell, but fortunately, Madam Zhou caught her from behind.

“You wicked woman! How can you start pushing people before even saying a few words?!” Madam Zhou fumed.

The woman spat at their feet. “Can’t you two understand human speech? I told you to scram!”

Du Wanchun stepped forward, shielding Madam Zhou behind her. “Auntie, we came here yesterday to deliver radishes—”

But the woman refused to listen and was about to curse at them.

Du Wanchun felt a surge of irritation and furrowed her brows slightly.

At that moment, a sudden bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.

All three of them were startled.

“Get lost!” The woman regained her composure and reached out to push Du Wanchun again.

However, at that moment, another bolt of lightning struck the sky, this time hitting the doorframe directly above the woman’s head.

With a loud boom, the doorframe collapsed, crashing down onto the woman.

She let out a scream of pain and fell to the ground. “Ah! Help!”

Hearing the commotion, the other elderly servants and maids in the back courtyard rushed out.

“Madam Zhang! Are you alright?”

The woman lay on the ground, unable to speak from the pain.

The young maids nearby were terrified.

They quickly ran to the front courtyard to call for the senior stewardess attending to Madam Fang.

When Madam Fang heard that someone had been injured in the back courtyard, she immediately made her way over.

Du Wanchun and Madam Zhou were also shocked by the sudden lightning strike. They stood to the side, staring at the fallen woman in astonishment.

“What happened here?” Madam Fang entered the courtyard, her face full of confusion as she saw the collapsed doorframe and the injured woman.

The young maids all shook their heads.

Du Wanchun stepped forward and said, “A bolt of lightning just struck from the sky and happened to hit Madam Zhang.”

Hearing her voice, Madam Fang raised her eyes and scrutinized her. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Du Wanchun replied, “We are from the Zhou family—the ones who delivered radishes yesterday. We came today to ask Manager Liu if he still needs more radishes.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Fang suddenly smiled. “So those radishes were from your family?”

Du Wanchun nodded. “Yes, all of them were from our farm.”

Madam Fang, whose hair had a touch of silver, smiled kindly. “Those radishes were crisp, sweet, and delicious. I enjoyed them very much. I was just about to ask Manager Liu to buy more, and here you are.”

Du Wanchun took two steps forward and quickly responded, “Of course, Madam. We will bring more radishes for you tomorrow.”

“Very well.” Madam Fang nodded with a smile and turned to head back inside.

Just then, the wind rustled the leaves, and a sudden breeze swept through the courtyard.

The breeze carried the scent of floral dew from Du Wanchun’s body, drifting toward Madam Fang’s nose.

She immediately stopped in her tracks, took a deep breath, and asked the maids beside her, “Did you smell that fragrance just now?”