"Yes, I'm from the Eastern Former Residence." Seeing that Huo Xiaoxiao's expression didn't seem to have seen through her, Shi Tou finally breathed a sigh of relief and spoke much more fluently.
"Oh, I see." Huo Xiaoxiao nodded, then pondered for a moment, "In that case, the Dongfang Residence is trying to go against the Qin family?"
What do you mean by that?
Shi Tou was momentarily stunned. She was just with Han Shiyi, so how did that become going against the Qin family? Could it be that the six major families of the East were truly beginning to split?
Shi Tou's momentary petrified expression didn't escape Huo Xiaoxiao's notice. However, Huo Xiaoxiao's lips curled up; she didn't want to expose Shi Tou directly: "I understand. It seems the people from the Eastern Residence have good taste." Tsk tsk, brat, let's see how you continue this act!
"Uh, yeah!" Now that things had come to this point, Shi Tou had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue the act: "I think the Han family is pretty good."
"Really? What do you think of the Huo family?" Huo Xiaoxiao looked at Shi Tou with great interest, as if she was looking forward to her answer.
Shi Tou's mind raced. Han Shiyi had previously told her not to associate with the Qin family, but she hadn't said anything about not associating with the Huo family. In other words, the Huo family and the Han family should have the same stance.
"The Huo family is quite impressive. I've heard about Miss Huo's shrewdness and competence." That should be alright, right? Two years ago, some of the Huo family's affairs were handed over to Huo Xiaoxiao. I suppose she's already started learning how to manage the Huo family now? After all, Huo Xiaoxiao is the Huo family's sole heir.
"Really? I'm that famous? But I don't think I'm anything special!" Huo Xiaoxiao suddenly sighed. "For one thing, I have a younger sister who's always eyeing me like a hawk!"
younger sister?!
Not to mention Shi Tou, even Han Shiyi was taken aback. Huo Xiaoxiao's mother was a very high-ranking lady in the Shui family. Although Han Shiyi's mother was also from the Shui family, their statuses were incomparable. It was like no one would think that Lin Yao and Lin An were comparable in status.
Huo Xiaoxiao's mother had passed away long ago, and she only had one half-sister, the real Huo Yi. However, Shi Tou remembered clearly that the real Huo Yi had long been sent to a secret place and kept as a slave.
"You have a younger sister?" Han Shiyi finally couldn't help but ask when she saw that Shi Tou hadn't spoken.
"Huh? Miss Han, how come you don't know I have a younger sister? Isn't she your friend?" Huo Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, looking at Han Shiyi with suspicion. "What? She hasn't contacted you at all?"
Han Shiyi glanced at Shi Tou quickly, quite surprised: "Your sister? But... could it be that Huo Yi is back?"
"Yes!" Huo Xiaoxiao nodded firmly, a relieved look on her face. "She must have been too busy lately to contact you, right? It's okay, I'll tell her when I get back. Friends should get together more often."
"But, but..." Han Shiyi suddenly realized that she also had moments when she was tongue-tied. Just like now, she had no idea how to start the conversation.
Stone, on the other hand, calmed down. After hesitating for a moment, Stone pretended to know nothing and asked, "How come the Huo family has another young lady? That's strange, I've never heard of her before."
"Oh, my sister left the Huo family two years ago because of some sudden business. She just came back about two weeks ago." Huo Xiaoxiao poured herself another cup of tea: "Huh? Why aren't you drinking any? Doesn't it taste good?"
"Hehe, I'll drink." Shi Tou picked up his teacup and gulped down a mouthful. "That's wonderful! Congratulations to Miss Huo on your sister's reunion!"
Han Shiyi looked at Shi Tou with a strange expression, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how, staring blankly in a very awkward manner.
"Sigh, don't even mention it, it makes me so angry." Unexpectedly, Huo Xiaoxiao immediately put down her teacup on the coffee table upon hearing this: "I don't know what's wrong with my sister. She just left two years ago and hasn't been back for two years. There hasn't been a single word from her since. For the past two years, my Huo family has tried every means to find her, but it's as if she has completely vanished."
Han Shiyi felt like she was going to vomit blood, but the blood stuck in her throat, making her face look extremely pale.
"It was a long time coming. She came back half a month ago. Her appearance hasn't changed much, but her personality has completely changed." Huo Xiaoxiao sighed, looking every bit the worried older sister.
Shi Tou gave Han Shiyi a hard elbow, signaling her to speak up quickly.
Han Shiyi felt she was the unluckiest person today! "Miss Huo, what happened to Huo Yi? Does she not recognize you anymore?" Damn, where did this imposter come from!
"How could that be? She's just changed her personality, but she's not mentally unstable," Huo Xiaoxiao said dismissively.
Feeling scorned, Han Shiyi expressed her innocence, saying that she was clearly an imposter, so how could she possibly have Huo Yi's memories?
“My sister and I used to have a very good relationship. Although she’s a bit lazy, she has a very good personality and temperament. Since she came back this time, she’s not only been making things difficult for me at every turn, but it seems like she wants to compete with me for the position of heir to the family head!”
Chapter 261 Your brother is a pretty good guy
Damn it! Who is this bastard who dares to impersonate me?!
Shi Tou instantly bristled, but fortunately Han Shiyi acted quickly and immediately calmed her down: "Miss Shi, although I know you have a strong sense of justice, this is a family matter of the Huo family. You'd better listen to Miss Huo's opinion first!"
Shi Tou Sen gritted her teeth, already recalling the Ten Great Tortures of the Qing Dynasty in her mind. Damn it, how dare they impersonate me? I'll make them understand why flowers are so red!
"Oh? I never knew Miss Shi was such a kind person!" Huo Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile: "No matter what, she is still my own sister."
The furious Stone suddenly froze, looking at Huo Xiaoxiao with extreme surprise. Huo Xiaoxiao usually called her Xiaoyi, and sometimes, when she was really angry, she would yell "Serena." But in public, she always called her Little Sister, never referring to her as her biological sister!
After a moment's thought, she began to understand Huo Xiaoxiao's meaning. If that person was indeed impersonating her, then her first priority would be to inherit Ironforge. It was common knowledge in the capital that Ironforge belonged to the second young lady of the Huo family. However, judging from the current situation, it was clear that ownership of Ironforge still rested with Huo Xiaoxiao.
Two years ago, when she left the capital, although she seemed to be in a hurry, Shi Tou knew that she had arranged everything before leaving. Moreover, because she had previously signed a magical contract with Hua Wushuang, even if someone who looked exactly like her stood in front of Hua Wushuang, he would not mistake her for her.
"By the way, Miss Huo. Now that Huo Yi is back, may I go see her?" Seeing Shi Tou keeping his head down and not speaking, Han Shiyi was a little puzzled. However, after thinking about it carefully, she decided to go and find out for herself.
Originally, it was thought that Huo Xiaoxiao would consider it a little, but unexpectedly, after hearing Han Shiyi's words, Huo Xiaoxiao immediately agreed: "Okay, I was just about to go home anyway, why don't you all come back with me!"
Han Shiyi nodded and reached out to pull Shi Tou closer. Shi Tou pursed his lips tightly, remaining silent and simply following Han Shiyi with his head down.
Huo Xiaoxiao had her own carriage, while Han Shiyi and Shi Tou's carriage followed behind Huo Xiaoxiao's carriage.
"Hey. What do you think is going on? Why would someone impersonate you?" Han Shiyi asked impatiently as soon as she got into the carriage. Actually, if Shi Tou were the real person, she might have been a little suspicious after hearing this news, but Shi Tou's disguise was so good. She even tried to struggle when her identity was exposed. Therefore, Han Shiyi was absolutely convinced that the girl beside her was the second young lady of the Huo family.
"It's not impersonation." Stone looked a little bewildered; the other person had simply reclaimed their identity.
"What?" Han Shiyi was taken aback and subconsciously took a big step back. She didn't realize that she was in a carriage and immediately lost her balance and sat down on the ground.
After all that fuss, Stone chuckled: "What? You doubt I'm real?"
"Tch! Even if I had my doubts before, seeing your expression now, I know you're serious!" Han Shiyi glared at Shi Tou resentfully. This bastard was still as gloating as ever!
However, Han Shiyi frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Then what exactly happened? It wasn't impersonation? Then..."
"I'm not Huo Xiaoxiao's biological sister at all." Seeing Han Shiyi's puzzled expression, Shi Tou could only patiently explain. Estimating that there was still some time before arriving at the Huo family, Shi Tou simply recounted the key points of what happened back then.
Although Shi Tou explained it very simply, Han Shiyi was still stunned: "Wow! Xiao Yi, I suddenly feel like I admire you so much!"
Shi Tou didn't tell Han Shiyi that she grew up in the Dwarf Kingdom; she only said that she had lived in the Crimson Forest for a while. Even this alone drew gasps of surprise from Han Shiyi.
"Oh right, I remember now, you're a Battle Qi Master? Then why don't you go to the Crimson Forest? Aren't the Blood Pearl Fruits there supposed to awaken your talent?" Mentioning the Crimson Forest reminded Stone of a question she had always wanted to ask.
"Are you stupid? I'm a descendant of the Han family, and my mother is a young lady from the Shui family. Why would I eat Blood Pearl Fruit? Are you tired of living?" Rolling her eyes, Han Shiyi looked at Shi Tou with great disdain.
Shi Tou paused, then remembered the two incompatible magical elements within Huo Xiaoxiao's body, and suddenly realized: "I understand, Blood Bead Fruit, fire element!"
"Yes, if one is born with a fire elemental body, there is a certain chance that their magical talent will awaken after consuming the Blood Pearl Fruit. If one is not born with a fire elemental body, there is also a very small chance that their talent will awaken. However, I am born with a water elemental body."
"I understand now. Could it be that Huo Xiaoxiao almost got into trouble back then?"
"Hmm?" Han Shiyi raised an eyebrow: "The Huo family is the eldest daughter of the Huo family, and the Huo family members are born with fire elemental bodies... Ah! Wait! Huo Xiaoxiao's mother..."
Seeing Han Shiyi's surprised expression, Shi Tou knew that she had also thought of it: "Huo Xiaoxiao is probably also a water elemental, but she is completely different. She also has some fire element in her body."
"Water and fire are incompatible?" Everyone understands this principle, but no one would have thought of it at first. The descendants of the Huo family have always been quite talented, especially in fire magic. And the descendants of the Huo family almost never intermarry with the Shui family, simply because some family rules have been overlooked over time.
"I suspect that the person who supposedly impersonated me is actually the real second young lady of the Huo family." Shi Tou felt that her idea was very close to the truth, but she couldn't understand why the real Huo Yi would suddenly appear. She had clearly been sent to be kept like a slave back then.
"Could it be because Huo Xiaoxiao's strength has declined?" Han Shiyi suddenly asked excitedly, scratching at the rocks. "Although I've been confined, I've heard that Huo Xiaoxiao's talent isn't good, and it seems she'll never be able to break through to the sixth-star mage level in this lifetime!"
"Really?" Shi Tou was extremely skeptical, because before she left the capital, Huo Xiaoxiao's advancement had been very smooth, and her physique should have been improved. How could it have changed again?
"Of course! How could I lie to you!" Han Shiyi glared at him with dissatisfaction: "And don't forget, the real Huo Yi and Huo Xiaoxiao are indeed half-sisters, but she is still Huo Xiaoxiao's father's biological daughter! Just like my Han Shier, although she comes from a poor background, my father still likes her very much."
Han Shiyi looked very serious. She believed she understood this matter much better than Shi Tou: "Besides, I don't think a father would willingly send his daughter to be kept like a slave. You know, the six major families in the East have one place for keeping their daughters. If she's a slave, it means she can be enjoyed by any member of any East family. I don't think her father can stand that."
"Huo Xiaoxiao was very persistent at the time."
"Tch, my mother was very insistent back then! It's just that the situation was a little different." After thinking for a moment, Han Shiyi decided to explain things to Shi Tou properly, so that she wouldn't run off to support Huo Xiaoxiao in a state of confusion: "Let me put it this way, neither my brother nor I are direct heirs of the Han family, and although my mother married into the Shui family, her parents had already passed away. Although the Shui family is nominally her maternal family, no one in the family would really stand up for her."
Looking at the thoughtful stone, Han Shiyi paused for a moment before continuing, "My mother insisted on sending Han Shier away, but my father wouldn't allow it. He even said he would rather divorce my mother than send his own daughter to be kept like a slave. In the end, my mother had no choice but to compromise."
"But this time, didn't your father still marry Han Shi'er off to... a cripple?"
"There was no other way!" Han Shiyi pouted. "Right after the accident, my mother wanted Han Shier to take my place, but my father refused. In fact, in his eyes, Han Shier and I were not much different. We were both his daughters. Moreover, Han Shier lost her biological mother when she was young, and she looked very much like her mother. I suppose my father still felt sorry for her."
Shi Tou looked at Han Shiyi with a hint of sympathy.
"Later, Han Shier tried to harm me, but ended up harming herself instead. My father was heartbroken when he saw Han Shier's disfigured face, and he slapped me on the spot!"
Han Shiyi looked out the window: "Hehe, isn't it funny? I am his legitimate daughter! I am the true legitimate daughter of the Han family! But what do you think? He doesn't think so. But I also have to thank him for that slap, which completely angered my mother. My mother said directly that she was going back to her parents' home, and she was taking my brother and me with her."
"Your father will definitely refuse. The Han family's status is never as high as the Shui family's." Shi Tou sighed softly. Back then, Han Shiyi's mother chose to compromise because she wanted the best for her children. Now, for the same reason, it's better for Han Shiyi to leave the Han family than to marry a cripple. Perhaps in a mother's eyes, even marrying a beggar is worse than marrying a cripple?
"Yes, he wouldn't dare! Besides, do you really think we're all still young? My brother Han San may seem like a spoiled brat, but when it comes to ruthlessness, my father is definitely no match for him! Of course, he just put my father under house arrest until Han Shi'er got married."
Suddenly, Shi Tou's opinion of Han San changed. Actually, apart from being a bit lecherous, Han San was a decent person. And even though Han San was lecherous, he never forced anyone. It could be said that all the women who had relationships with Han San were there voluntarily.
"Poetic, huh? I suddenly think your brother is a really good person."
Chapter 262 The Real and Fake Huo Yi Face to Face
Han Shiyi stared at the stone in utter horror, speechless for a moment.
A short while later, the carriage stopped. This time, Shi Tou was quite decisive, jumping off the carriage and dragging Han Shiyi down with him. Luckily, Han Shiyi was a martial arts master; if she had been a magician, she might have fallen flat on her face.
"Young Miss, today the eleventh young lady of the Han family, she...she..." The gatekeeper naturally reported when he saw Huo Xiaoxiao get out of the carriage. But when he saw the two girls getting out of the carriage behind her, he immediately stammered.
"Alright, I understand." Huo Xiaoxiao knew what was going on as soon as she heard it. She waved for the servants to leave and gestured for Han Shiyi and Shi Tou to follow.
Although it had been two years since he left the Huo family, the Huo family didn't seem to have changed much. At least, that's how it appeared on the surface. Following Huo Xiaoxiao to the backyard, Shi Tou subconsciously glanced at the small courtyard where she used to live.
"That's my sister's yard." Seeing the look in Shi Tou's eyes, Huo Xiaoxiao explained casually, then welcomed them into her yard: "It's almost lunchtime, may I have the honor of inviting you two ladies to dinner?"
Hearing Huo Xiaoxiao say that, Shi Tou shuddered instantly. Why did she sound so much like Han San? Like a playboy chasing girls.
Not only Shi Tou, but Han Shiyi also felt this way, though she didn't express it as obviously as Shi Tou. Following Huo Xiaoxiao's suggestion, they agreed to have a meal, and the two were ushered into the small dining room.
"Since Miss Han Shiyi is friends with my sister, why don't I invite her over as well? What do you think?"
Although Huo Xiaoxiao used a consultative tone, Han Shiyi and Shi Tou both understood. Regardless of their opinions, the second young lady of the Huo family would come. In fact, wasn't this Huo Xiaoxiao's intention from the very beginning when she invited them?
While waiting for the so-called second young lady of the Huo family to arrive, Huo Xiaoxiao calmly looked at Han Shiyi and explained, "My younger sister has been missing for two years, and I don't know where she went. However, she has returned this time and can't remember many things. Miss Han, if it's convenient, please talk to her about the past."
Han Shiyi turned her head to look at the stone in surprise before nodding.
Shi Tou was so angry that he reached out and pinched Han Shiyi. Did she think Huo Xiaoxiao was stupid? She made it so obvious!
"Sister, what can I do for you?" A clear female voice rang out from the entrance of the small dining room after a short while.
Shi Tou and Han Shiyi both looked over in surprise. Huo Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, calmly invited her in to have a meal together.