It was coincidence that on the very next day, Shen Qian encountered Ma Peng on his way to his duties. Ma Peng's favorable impression of the Shen family had plummeted because of Yueyao.
Shen Qian asked a few routine questions before asking, "My wife mentioned that Yueyao has fallen ill; do you know how serious it is?"
Ma Peng asked with an unsuspecting tone, "Where did Lady Shen hear that Yueyao was ill? Who knows who's been spreading such rumors? Uncle Shen, Yueyao is in perfect health and seldom gets sick."
Shen Qian's expression turned sour: "In perfect health?" If she was in perfect health, why would she use being unwell as an excuse to avoid attending my wife's birthday banquet?
Noticing the displeasure on Shen Qian's face and feeling awkward, Ma Peng said, "Uncle, there might be a misunderstanding in this matter. Yueyao did not know yesterday was Lady Shen's birthday banquet." Zhuang Ruolan had told Ma Peng about this the night of her conversation with Yueyao.
