On the eighteenth day of the sixth month of the forty-third year of Yong'an, Consort Wen's Spring Fragrance Hall underwent major renovations, and rumors soon followed.
There were those who advised Jun Anche not to dote excessively on a concubine, those who accused Jun Fuying of forgetting his roots after gaining favor, and a few who subtly insinuated that Qian Xingzhi harbored malicious intentions and disrupted the court. Each group of gossips had their own agenda, but only the refugees on the outskirts were truly furious.
Not to mention that Nanchuan had barely managed to rebuild after the disaster, and now the lavish renovation of Spring Fragrance Hall was a waste of resources. Moreover, Qian Xingzhi, who hailed from Nanchuan, had apparently encouraged the already-suppressed trouble—truly heinous.
Yin Tan had heard so much slander against Qian Xingzhi over the past few days that his ears were practically calloused. Though he wished to salvage some of her reputation, he was no match for the clamor of public opinion; saying too much would only cost him popular support.
Having not seen Qian Xingzhi for days, Yin Tan grew worried. After finishing his daily lessons, he returned to the Qian Mansion.
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