Lixue Beifong

Lixue Beifong (Lìxuĕ Běifong, 丽雪 北方) is a nobility, former Grand Judge of the Earth Kingdom, sister to Songwen Beifong and Xiuying Beifong, and daughter of Shufen Tian and Siniestro Beifong. As the granddaughter of Toph Beifong, she comes from one of the most powerful and historically influential families in the Earth Kingdom. She is a highly skilled earthbender who discovered her ability to lavabend at a young age, a rare and once-illicit technique that set her apart even within her own family. While her sisters specialise in metalbending, the three maintain a strong and unified bond.

The House of Beifong

Lixue was born on 25 Yinyue 142 AG in Quangku, a coastal town in the eastern Earth Kingdom. Her father, Siniestro Beifong, belonged to the ancient House of Beifong, a noble family whose influence dates back centuries.

Also known as the House of the Flying Boar, the Beifongs built their wealth through dominance in the silk industry before expanding into banking under Jin Beifong, who turned the family into a national financial power. Through strategic alliances, including marriage into the Hou-Ting royal family, the Beifongs became deeply tied to the Earth Kingdom’s ruling elite. Over generations, members of the family served as bankers, politicians, engineers, scholars, and even monarchs, at times rivaling the authority of the royal court itself.

Childhood

Lixue spent her early years in Quangku under the surname “Tian,” used to conceal her family’s true identity. Her mother, Shufen Tian, raised Lixue and her sisters, Songwen and Xiuying, in a stable and well-provided household despite their modest surroundings. Her father left shortly before her birth due to the rising threat of the Red Lotus, entrusting Shufen with the resources needed to protect and support the family. Though his absence raised questions, Lixue grew up in relative comfort, with access to education and training.

From a young age, Lixue showed clear talent in earthbending. Under the guidance of Master Ginli, she developed her abilities and eventually discovered her capacity for lavabending. At the time, this technique was considered illicit, and its existence was kept strictly hidden between Lixue and her mentor.

Adolescence

In 162 AG, Lixue’s life changed with the death of her mother. In the aftermath, she and her sisters uncovered letters and journals that revealed their true lineage and their connection to the House of Beifong. In 165 AG, the siblings relocated to the Beifong Estate in Gaoling, re-entering noble society. They faced initial skepticism but gradually established themselves through their actions and reputation.

Together, they founded the House of the Flying Boar, a commercial enterprise dealing in ores and resources across the Earth Kingdom. The business quickly became profitable and employed a wide network of workers and staff within the estate. Lixue chose to enter the Judicial Branch, where she rose rapidly from law student to Grand Judge. During her tenure, she restructured the judicial system, introducing new ranks and restoring its functionality. One of her earliest cases involved the trial of Sokka Bao-Zheng.

Working alongside Xaoten Izaki, she played a role in legal reforms, including the formal legalization of lavabending within the Earth Kingdom, allowing her to openly use the ability she had concealed for years. Her sisters also rose to prominence, with Xiuying becoming Head of the Dai Li and Songwen serving as Royal Advisor.

Personality

Lixue is calculated and disciplined, shaped by both her upbringing and her position within a powerful noble family. She is strategic in her thinking and deliberate in her actions, often planning ahead and anticipating outcomes. She carries herself with composure and refinement, maintaining a controlled and polished public image. Her presence alone often commands respect without the need for force.

In private, particularly around children, she shows a noticeably softer side. She is patient, gentle, and more relaxed, setting aside her usual formality in those moments.