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Xie Huiyi just wanted to simply say thank you, but she didn't expect to cause Li Quansheng's displeasure.

She smiled awkwardly and said, "Then I'll leave first." Then she turned and left the library.

Xie Huiyi walked out of the library, took a deep breath, and felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

She muttered to herself that if she had known Li Quansheng was so fierce, she would not have come here.

……

In the living room of Bailu Academy, He Zimo and Qian Huazhou sat opposite each other at a wooden table. Outside the window, sunlight shone on the blue brick path, and through the window lattice, mottled light and shadows were reflected on their faces.

He Zimo sighed lightly, frowning: "Hua Zhou, do you think our Marquisate can remain immune to the struggle between the nine princes of the royal family for the throne?"

Qian Huazhou shook his head gently, picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Zi Mo, why are you so anxious? The situation is not clear yet, and worrying too early will only cause trouble for yourself."

He Zimo sighed and said, "But the situation in Ningguo Mansion is already so tense. Once the struggle for succession breaks out, how can our mansion remain unscathed if it is caught in the middle?"

Qian Huazhou put down the teacup and looked at He Zimo: "Zimo, have you ever thought that the reason why the situation in Ningguo Mansion is so tense is because they are in the center of the vortex, while our mansion still has a buffer zone."

He Zimo shook his head: "I understand what you mean, but which of the nine princes of the royal family is not ambitious? Once they succeed in their bid for the throne, the fate of our mansion will be in their control."

Qian Huazhou smiled and said, "Zi Mo, don't you think this worry is a bit unnecessary? The fight for the throne in the royal family has always been bloody, but our mansion is located in a remote area and has no close relationship with the royal family. They may not pay attention to us."

He Zimo hesitated and said, "But, Hua Zhou, my father is very concerned about the situation in Ningguo Mansion. He is worried that if Ningguo Mansion falls, our Marquis Mansion will also be implicated."

Qian Huazhou gently patted He Zimo's shoulder and said, "Zimo, your father does have his concerns, but we must believe that everything is in our hands. As long as our mansion remains neutral and does not make a statement easily, I believe we can get out of this struggle for the throne unscathed."

He Zimo nodded, but then asked, "Hua Zhou, how long do you think this struggle for succession will last?"

Qian Huazhou pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard to say. Maybe one or two years, maybe three to five years, or even longer. But in any case, we must be prepared for a long-term response."

He Zimo sighed: "I don't know how many people will pay the price of their lives in this struggle."

Qian Huazhou said seriously: "Yes, Zimo, so we must cherish the peaceful time in front of us and avoid being involved in this struggle as much as possible."

The two were silent for a while, and He Zimo suddenly changed the subject: "Hua Zhou, do you think the situation in Ningguo Mansion will affect the business of our Marquis Mansion?"

Qian Huazhou smiled slightly: "Zi Mo, don't worry, although the situation in Ningguo Mansion is tense, their business has not been greatly affected. The business of our Marquis Mansion has also been developing steadily. As long as we remain vigilant, I believe it will not be affected too much."

Just then, there was a knock on the door, interrupting their conversation.

He Zimo frowned slightly and stood up to open the door.

The light from outside the door shone in, illuminating a graceful figure. Xie Huixuan was wearing a lavender silk dress, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, and her temperament was elegant. She smiled slightly and introduced herself: "I am Xie Huixuan, the second daughter of the Ningguo Mansion. I came here to visit my brother Xie Yunchen who is studying at the White Egret Academy."

He Zimo was slightly startled, and immediately invited Xie Huixuan into the room. He was secretly surprised, because he and Qian Huazhou were just discussing the Ningguo Mansion, and Xie Huixuan happened to come. He couldn't help but cast a meaningful look at Qian Huazhou, as if to say: "This situation is really a coincidence that is unbelievable."

Qian Huazhou smiled knowingly, stood up and bowed to Xie Huixuan, saying, "So you are Miss Xie from the Ningguo Mansion. I am so sorry. I am Qian Huazhou, a friend of He Zimo."

Xie Huixuan smiled gently and said, "Mr. Qian, you are too polite. I heard my brother mention you. He said that your talent and character were highly praised in Bailu Academy."

Qian Huazhou understood, and a smile appeared on his lips. He secretly sighed that the world was incredibly small. He said softly, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I wonder what you are doing here, young lady?"

Xie Huixuan smiled slightly and said, "Actually, I am here on behalf of my mother, Madam Gu, to borrow some music scores and chess scores from Mr. He. My mother admires Mr. He very much, and hopes to take this opportunity to let the children in our family be influenced by him."

He Zimo's eyes flashed with surprise when he heard this. He and Qian Huazhou had just discussed the situation in Ningguo Mansion, but he didn't expect Xie Huixuan to come. He pondered for a moment and asked, "I wonder if this is what your brother Xie Yunchen meant?"

Xie Huixuan shook her head slightly and said, "My brother didn't know about this. Mother sent me here. I don't know the specific intention, but mother said that doing this would benefit the family."

He Zimo pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. The current situation of the Ningguo Mansion is quite delicate. If the two sides can take this opportunity to get closer, it will be beneficial to both the Ningguo Mansion and the He family. So, he resolutely decided to give up and lend his treasured piano and chess scores to Xie Huixuan.

Xie Huixuan frowned slightly, looked at He Zimo, and said calmly: "Mr. He, are you really willing to give up the piano and chess scores you mentioned?"

He Zimo smiled slightly, stroked the teacup in his hand, and slowly said: "Xie Xiaomei, since you were sent by Madam Gu Zhiyi, I will naturally not let Madam down. This piano and chess score is a little token of my appreciation."

A trace of joy flashed in Xie Huixuan's eyes. She bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Mr. He. I will convey your kindness to Madam Gu truthfully."

She nodded slightly, acknowledging He Zimo's promise, and then turned around to report to Gu Zhiyi. He Zimo looked at her back, feeling uneasy.

"Zi Mo, do you think the motive of the Ningguo Mansion's action is really just to get the music score?" Qian Huazhou suddenly asked, breaking the silence in the living room.

He Zimo frowned slightly, turned to face Qian Huazhou, and said in a deep voice: "Huazhou, I also think there must be something fishy about this matter. Gu Zhiyi is a very cunning person, we must be on guard."

Qian Huazhou smiled slightly, with a hint of teasing in his eyes: "Zi Mo, are you worried that Gu Zhiyi will cheat on the score, or are you worried that she will cheat on your score?"

He Zimo blushed and glared at Qian Huazhou: "Huazhou, stop talking nonsense. I am just doubting the motives of the Ningguo Mansion. If it is true as you said, then Gu Zhiyi's intentions are too sinister."

Qian Huazhou put away his smile and became serious: "Zi Mo, if this is true, what should we do?"

He Zimo pondered for a moment, with a hint of determination in his eyes: "We must take the initiative and not let Gu Zhiyi succeed. I will find a chance to question Gu Zhiyi and see what her intentions are."