Fu Ranhui's quarrel with Zhao Youwei was overheard by a certain old woman.
The old woman informed Mrs. Zhao of the incident.
What an outrage for Mrs. Zhao! She blamed Xiao'er for enticing Zhao Youwei, causing a quarrel between the married couple early on New Year's Day.
Ancient people believed that harmony breeds wealth, least of all they'd want a quarrel on the first day of the lunar year.
Mrs. Zhao, unable to remain silent about her indignant feelings, let a few complaints slip to a gossipy lady while visiting during the New Year period.
Thus, the rumor that Xiao'er enticed Zhao Youwei and wrecked the couple's harmony secretly spread around.
As Xiao'er was focused on nurturing her pregnancy at home, by the time she came to know about this, half the year had already passed.
It was the tenth day of the lunar month when a wife of one of Shen Chengyao's subordinates discreetly informed her of the rumor.
Mrs. Liu was enraged upon hearing it!