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

When Murong Xun appeared, this was the scene he saw: a small child was tightly bound to the trunk of a chinaberry tree with thick hemp rope, his arms and hands covered in blisters.

Blood dripped from his clothes onto the snow, turning the white snow crimson, a sight that was extremely jarring.

The little girl seemed oblivious to his arrival, her eyes closed as she whispered something like, "Big sister, save Li'er," looking utterly helpless.

Even someone like Murong Xun, who was known to the world as a ruthless and heartless living Yama, couldn't help but clench his fists upon seeing this situation, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Who could be so cruel as to do such a thing to a three-year-old child?

Xue Yan led the troops to guard the frontier, and this is how these people treated his children. This is how he was treated in return for his loyalty and bravery. How heartbroken he would be if he knew.

My brother is really senile. He is surrounded by treacherous officials and villains, and not only has he not noticed, he has also treated these villains as treasures, giving them so much power.

This time, he was determined to eliminate the treacherous officials in the court. If his elder brother dared to obstruct him, he would not hesitate to let someone else sit on his throne.

"Li'er?!"

Xue Ruanruan followed Murong Xun into the outhouse as if possessed. When she saw the small figure tied to the tree trunk, her heart almost broke.

Murong Xun brandished his sword a few times beside Xue Li, and the tightly bound hemp rope broke into several pieces, and the little boy was about to fall to the ground.

A pair of strong arms quickly reached out and caught Xue Li, holding him in their arms.

Hearing Xue Ruanruan's voice, Xue Li woke up from her semi-conscious state. Her little body was stiff with cold, and when she saw the familiar face, she burst into tears.

"Big sister, you've finally come to save Li'er! They tied me to a tree and beat me. I tried to fight back but couldn't break free of the ropes. Is Li'er stupid?"

In the presence of the old lady and Princess Lingjun in the mansion, Xue Li was more like a mature young man, and he almost never cried.

But he suddenly revealed his vulnerable side in front of Xue Ruanruan and developed a deep dependence on her.

His previous feigned strength crumbled the moment he saw Xue Ruanruan appear, and he burst into tears.

"Li'er isn't stupid; she's the smartest child in the world. Big sister will avenge you. Whoever bullied you, big sister will make them pay an even heavier price. She won't let a single one get away with it!"

Looking at her younger brother like this, Xue Ruanruan felt heartache and self-blame. Tears streamed down her delicate, fair cheeks like broken pearls.

Anyone who dares to bully her Xue family, no matter their identity or status, she will not let them get away with it and will make them pay a heavy price!

"Don't cry, big sister. Li'er is alright. Look, she's perfectly fine."

When Xue Li saw her older sister crying, she panicked and reached out her little hand to try to wipe away the tears on her face. But her small body was being held by Murong Xun, who was too high for her to reach Xue Ruanruan.

"Li'er, be good. Big sister, don't cry. Tomorrow, when we come to the academy, we'll find all those bad kids who bullied you and make them cry and kneel down to apologize to our Li'er."

"Elder sister, don't do this. It will ruin your reputation and make it hard to find a good husband. You should avenge Li'er yourself."

At this time, Xue Li was still considering Xue Ruanruan's reputation and did not want his own affairs to affect her marriage. At such a young age, he already knew how to think of others.