After returning to the capital, the eldest daughter saved her entire clan with her medical skills.

Frozen pears that I used to enjoy so much now taste so unpleasant, like chewing wax, and are nowhere near as good as the fruit my younger sister brought.

"Sister-in-law, eat as much as you want. There's plenty more. You can have as much as you want."

"Thank you very much, little sister. You're welcome."

Fang Lingruo grabbed a handful of jujubes from the bamboo basket and handed them to the old lady and Princess Lingjun before eating them herself.

"Little brother, why haven't you finished school yet? It's already past 5 PM."

As Xue Ruanruan watched the sky grow increasingly gloomy, the cold wind howled, and the snowflakes fluttered down, she couldn't help but worry. Xue Li usually finished school and returned home long ago, so why hadn't he come back yet today?

"Perhaps he was kept behind by the Master for some reason."

Arthur was holding a handful of jujubes and eating them with relish, saying nonchalantly.

Xue Li used to occasionally come home late. His younger brother-in-law was exceptionally intelligent and did well in his studies, often receiving praise from his teacher.

Sometimes the teacher would keep him behind to grade other students' homework, which his family had long been used to. His sister-in-law had only recently returned to Beijing, so perhaps she didn't know.

"Staying with the Master?"

Xue Ruanruan was curious; her younger brother was excellent in his studies, so why was he left behind?

“Li’er is good at his studies. After each test, the teacher would keep Li’er to help his classmates correct their papers and give him extra tutoring to explain more complex knowledge.”

Princess Lingjun smiled gently and explained to Xue Ruanruan that she had neglected her youngest son over the years because she missed her daughter too much.

Fortunately, Li'er is a good student, sensible and considerate, and has never caused her any trouble with her studies.

"You're so amazing, little brother."

When it came to her studies, Xue Ruanruan felt ashamed. Compared to her younger brother, she was practically the disobedient disciple her master had described.

My master has had to worry a lot about me, unlike me, whose teacher has taken the initiative to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts.

By 7 p.m., Xue Li still hadn't returned home, and even the old lady couldn't help but get anxious. "It's already this late, why hasn't Li'er returned home yet? Could something have happened?"

“Li’er would have been back by now at this hour. Daughter-in-law, go and look for him.”

Princess Lingjun could no longer sit still; a sense of panic welled up inside her. Li'er had never returned so late before; something must have happened.

"Grandmother, Mother, don't worry. Perhaps something has delayed you. Ruan Ruan is going to the academy to pick up my little brother. You can wait here at the mansion."

How could Xue Ruanruan bear to let her mother go out in the heavy snow? It was freezing cold outside, with fierce winds and snow, and it would be troublesome if her mother got sick from the cold.

“My little sister is right. Grandmother and Mother should stay here at home. I will go with my little sister to the academy to bring my little brother back.”

Asri stopped eating the fruit, wiped her hands clean with a handkerchief, had her maid fetch her cloak, changed her clothes, and prepared to leave.

"It's the middle of the night and a snowstorm is raging. It's too risky for you two young ladies to go and pick them up. I'm worried about you."

The old lady forbade it and instructed Granny Fang to bring her cotton robe so she could personally go to the academy to pick up her grandson.

"Grandmother, you should just wait here in the manor. It's cold and slippery outside, and falling is no small matter. Don't you remember that there are plenty of servants in our manor who know kung fu? At worst, we can have Uncle Zhang accompany you. You can rest assured now, right?"

Xue Ruanruan quickly comforted the old lady who was about to get up.

"Then you should go and come back quickly, and don't linger on the way. Anything you need to do can wait until tomorrow."

The old lady realized she had been too hasty. She calmed down, told the two to be careful on the road, and then returned to the manor immediately after picking up Xue Li.

Arthur and Xue Ruanruan agreed and drove their carriage out of the mansion.