Huo Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes: "That's a stupid question! Grandpa must have gone to avenge you!"
"Go to the Lin family?" Shi Tou was surprised. He knew that the Huo family ranked first among the six major families in the East, but it seemed unrealistic to offend the Lin family for her sake.
Huo Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "Lin An's family is not actually from the Lin family's main branch. I think Grandpa went to the Lin family's main branch to demand an explanation for you."
This is even more awesome!
Seeing the horrified look on Shi Tou's face, Huo Xiaoxiao patiently explained, "Let me put it this way. For example, if your direct descendant is bullied by my servant, and you come to me, I'll just kill that servant to settle things with you!"
"Grandpa's going to kill Lin An?!" Shi Tou was even more horrified. Come to think of it, Lin An wasn't exactly reliable. But killing him seemed like going too far.
"I was just using an analogy!" This time it was Huo Xiaoxiao's turn to roll her eyes. "Anyway, now that Grandpa's gone to the Lin family, your engagement with them is over. By the way, Xiaoyi, you've been at the Imperial Academy for a while now, have you taken a fancy to any boys?"
Shi Tou sighed helplessly: "You know I always skip classes. So far, I only know our homeroom teacher and one other student."
"Which student? A boy?" Huo Xiaoxiao's eyes shone brightly. Her gaze was just like that of the ever-present gossipmonger in Stone's past life.
"...Yes!" Stone looked up at the sky, his tone filled with uncertainty. Little Milk should be a boy, right? Um, that accident last time shouldn't have changed his personality, right?
"What's your name? I know all the prominent families in the capital!"
Stone looked up at the sky again. What was Little Milk's name again? "Terensu...right, Isa Terensu!"
"Terunsu?!" Huo Xiaoxiao exclaimed in horror, jumping up to Shi Tou in an instant. "How could you like Terunsu? Although the scions of our six great Eastern families can marry outsiders, Terunsu is not allowed!"
"Why?" Stone asked instinctively, but then she felt depressed. What the hell? When did she ever say she wanted to marry Terunsu?
Huo Xiaoxiao was really anxious: "Xiaoyi! Although you and Lin An don't get along, don't forget that the Terunsu family and the Lin family are sworn enemies! No matter how your marriage with Lin An ends, the Lin family will still be an ally of the Huo family, and that cannot be changed!"
Hearing Huo Xiaoxiao's words, Shi Tou finally remembered the scene in the Crimson Forest. However, he also recalled the time when Huo Xiaoxiao was almost tricked by the Lin family: "How come I remember you weren't on good terms with the Lin family either?"
Huo Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, then her face darkened. She had obviously remembered what happened back then: "The Lin family wanted to replace the Huo family in the status of the six major families in the East! However, it was also his bad luck. Originally, after climbing up to the Chu family, the Lin family still had a good chance of surpassing the Huo family, but now... Hmph! Chu Fei has become Lin Yao's wife. According to the rules of the six major families in the East, he can never marry again in this lifetime."
After a pause, Huo Xiaoxiao added, "The wife's family is a great help!"
"So the Lin family can't surpass the Huo family for the time being?" Shi Tou raised an eyebrow.
"If I can break through to the eighth-level mage level, then the Lin family won't be able to surpass the Huo family for at least a hundred years!" Huo Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, her tone very heavy: "But my talent..."
"Your talent is quite good!" Stone recalled the time he helped Huo Xiaoxiao in the Crimson Forest and reminded her, "Aren't you already a five-star mage?"
“That’s because the earlier ones are easier to break through, and our Huo family also has a magic advancement guide left by Princess Irene.” Huo Xiaoxiao’s expression was somewhat gloomy: “I’m afraid my talent isn’t enough.”
Stone lowered his head and thought for a moment: "What are you afraid of? I'll make some more explosive rocket launchers for you. If anyone dares to mess with the Huo family in the future, we'll just blast them to death with one shot!"
Huo Xiaoxiao was delighted and grinned, "Haha, okay then! Xiaoyi, you have to keep your word!"
Shi Tou squinted and looked at Huo Xiaoxiao carefully: "I will keep my word, but Miss Huo, shouldn't you explain to me why the things I gave you ended up in Han Shiyi's hands?"
Instantly, Huo Xiaoxiao deflated.
The atmosphere between Shi Tou and Huo Xiaoxiao was relatively harmonious, but things weren't so relaxed at the Lin family's place.
The current head of the Lin family is not Lin Yao, but Lin Yao's father!
"Uncle Huo, please don't be angry, tell me slowly." Lin Yao's father felt he had been incredibly unlucky lately. First, his wife was gone, then his nephew was dumped by that crazy girl from the Han family, and now the Huo family was here demanding an explanation!
How could Grandpa Huo not be angry? Ever since the stone's value increased, he began to regret marrying it off to that little scumbag Lin An so early. You know, with the stone's current market value, it could be married off to Lin Yao, let alone Lin An.
After all, it's not impossible for a woman from the Huo family to marry into a wealthy and influential family and for a woman from a less wealthy and influential family to marry the eldest son of another Eastern family.
"I won't say anything more. Since Lin An has taken a fancy to that girl from the second branch of the Han family, then let him cancel the engagement with my granddaughter!" After thinking for a while, Grandpa Huo decided not to lower himself to Lin An's level for the sake of the Lin family's reputation.
However, breaking off the engagement is absolutely necessary!
Lin Yao's father knew his nephew was in the wrong, but he also knew that the second young lady of the Huo family had become incredibly wealthy because of Ironforge. Ironforge was founded by the second young lady herself; if someone were to marry her in the future, Ironforge would become her dowry!
He cursed Lin An's unreliability in his heart, but Lin Yao's father didn't want to agree to break off the engagement outright: "Uncle Huo, how about this? I'll call over the elder from Lin An's branch, and you can talk to him?"
Grandpa Huo frowned: "Why bother talking to that old fogey? Why don't you just cancel the engagement?"
You're really something, old man. He'll be hated to death by Lin An's faction!
Lin Yao's father wiped the sweat from his forehead and patiently advised, "We should at least inform his branch of the family, right? Besides, Lin An was in the wrong this time, so no matter what, our Lin family must make compensation for this matter!"
"Compensation?" Grandpa Huo was a little confused. Anyone who knew the Lin family knew they were all misers, only taking in and never giving out. Especially the main branch; while others were tightwads, they were mithril roosters—they wouldn't even shed a feather, let alone a speck of rust!
"Yes, it's compensation! Lin An went too far this time, I will definitely not let him off easily!" Lin Yao's father said fiercely, "Uncle Huo, don't worry, I will definitely make that kid regret it!"
Grandpa Huo felt uneasy again: "Let's forget about compensation!" The Huo family was never short of money, and since they got Stone, the goose that lays golden eggs, they were even more flush with cash.
"No, no! Lin An must be taught a lesson for this!" Seeing that Grandpa Huo was about to leave, Lin Yao's father immediately stood up and stopped him.
Lin Yao's father's unusual behavior made Grandpa Huo instinctively feel uneasy: "This..."
"Go and call the Fifth Elder!" Lin Yao's father roared as he turned around. A servant ran out quickly, and Grandpa Huo couldn't stop him: "Uncle Huo, please wait a moment, it won't be long."
A glint of light flashed in Grandpa Huo's eyes. He didn't want to leave now. He wanted to see what kind of trouble the Lin family was up to this time!
☆, Chapter 181 Yi Siyu's Literacy Test
"Lin An will not break off the engagement." The Fifth Elder walked up to Grandpa Huo a short while later and said calmly.
Grandpa Huo's face darkened: "Hmph, my granddaughter isn't someone your Lin family can just manipulate and mold!"
Lin Yao's father quickly tried to smooth things over: "Uncle Huo, Fifth Elder, why don't you two sit down and talk it over?"
Grandpa Huo waved his hand dismissively: "No need. I think I've already wasted too much time. Anyway, this whole thing was caused by Lin An, so the Huo family will call off the engagement this time!"
"Grandpa Huo, isn't what you're saying a bit unreasonable?" The Fifth Elder stopped Grandpa Huo: "I don't know what happened to Lin An, but since the marriage has been arranged, there's no reason to call it off!"
"Hmph! I'm being unreasonable? I'd like to say that your Lin family is going too far! Lin An has been having an ambiguous relationship with other girls even after the engagement. How can I marry my granddaughter into this family?" Grandpa Huo was a little annoyed. He originally just wanted to peacefully break off the engagement, but the Lin family's actions made him very dissatisfied!
"Grandpa Huo, you're saying Lin An has an ambiguous relationship with other girls? What's the evidence?" The Fifth Elder remained remarkably calm: "Anyway, our Lin family acknowledges this marriage, so isn't that enough?"
Seeing that Grandpa Huo was about to get angry, Lin Yao's father became anxious: "Uncle Huo, please don't be impatient, speak slowly."
"How can I not be anxious? We've only been engaged for a few years, and Lin An already dares to openly pursue other girls. What will happen when my granddaughter marries into the family? If I don't break off the engagement now, am I supposed to wait until my granddaughter marries into the family and has children before coming to take her away?" Grandpa Huo was really angry and directly shook off the Fifth Elder and walked outside.
"Old Master Huo! Regardless of your thoughts, the Lin family acknowledges this marriage!" The Fifth Elder emphasized sternly, clearly displeased, "We have not agreed to your annulment of the engagement. Miss Huo's engagement with Lin An remains valid!"
Grandpa Huo paused in his steps, then turned abruptly and said in a chilling tone, "The girls of my Huo family will never be defiled! Huo Yi and Lin An's marriage is over. I will arrange a new engagement for her! If your Lin family is not satisfied, then you can let His Majesty the King decide!"
After saying that, Grandpa Huo stormed off, leaving Lin Yao's father standing awkwardly to the side: "Fifth Elder, what are you doing...?"
The Fifth Elder glanced at him indifferently: "The Han family will not be willing to marry their Eleventh Miss to Lin An."
"Of course I know about this, but the problem is Lin An..." Lin Yao's father was also angry this time. Lin An's actions were too unethical.
"Miss Huo the Second is not the legitimate daughter, but she has the support of Miss Huo the Eldest, and the Ironforge under her name is becoming increasingly stable in the capital. Miss Huo the Second is the best wife for Lin An!"
"If that's the case, why doesn't Lin An cherish it?" Lin Yao's father was almost going crazy. Yes. The Lin family had become increasingly powerful over the years, especially when Huo Xiaoxiao couldn't awaken her magical talent; the Lin family even annexed a significant portion of the Huo family's assets.
The problem is, Huo Xiaoxiao's advancement speed is quite fast now, and the Huo family also has the support of the Shui family. Lin Yao, on the other hand, has lost the support of the Chu family, so…
He really didn't want to fall out with the Huo family at this time!
So, Grandpa Huo returned to the Huo family in a rage, summoned his two granddaughters to his side, but didn't say a word, only lowered his head and drank tea.
Huo Xiaoxiao looked at her grandfather with a bit of confusion, while Shi Tou seemed to understand. It was probably because Grandpa Huo hadn't gotten a good deal at the Lin family.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" After waiting a while, Huo Xiaoxiao couldn't wait any longer and asked.
Grandpa Huo sighed, put down his teacup, and slowly recounted his experiences with the Lin family: "...I didn't expect that old fogey in the Lin family to be so troublesome, insisting on maintaining the engagement. But Xiaoyi, don't worry, Grandpa will find a way to help you."
Before Shi Tou could speak, Huo Xiaoxiao exclaimed angrily, "How can this be! The Lin family is such scoundrels! They were clearly in the wrong first!"
“The Lin family is at fault, but if they insist they didn’t break the contract, there’s nothing we can do. You know, Lin An and the eleventh young lady of the Han family didn’t do anything excessive.” Grandpa Huo sighed again. Just now at the Lin family, he had been very firm in saying he would break off the engagement. But the problem was, no matter who was at fault, if the Lin family insisted on not doing so, there was nothing he could do.
"Grandpa, didn't you say you were going to find Xiaoyi another marriage?" Huo Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Once Xiaoyi is engaged again, what will the Lin family have to say?"
Grandpa Huo looked at Huo Xiaoxiao with a wry smile, then glanced at Shi Tou with some guilt: "Our six major families in the East usually intermarry. However, everyone already knows that Xiaoyi is engaged to Lin An. Under these circumstances, do you think anyone would be willing to get engaged to Xiaoyi again?"
Huo Xiaoxiao bit her lip: "Then let's marry Xiaoyi off! Anyway, there are plenty of nobles in the capital. At worst, Xiaoyi can marry someone else!"
“Xiao Yi is of pure Eastern blood. If she marries someone else…” Grandpa Huo hesitated. In fact, it is now very difficult to find a child of pure Eastern blood like Shi Tou in Eastern families. If it weren’t for the awkward identity that Shi Tou was replacing Huo Yi with, then with her pure Eastern appearance, she would definitely have no problem becoming the young master’s wife.
"Xiao Yi, what do you think we should do?" Huo Xiaoxiao was at her wit's end and could only turn her head to ask.
Stone blinked, indicating that she was just a bystander: "What, what should we do?" In fact, she had already planned to steal the Sixth Princess out, and she figured she would be wandering the world soon.
"Xiao Yi!" Huo Xiaoxiao was furious. Was she meddling in other people's business?
"Alright, alright." Shi Tou didn't dare to really upset Huo Xiaoxiao, so he quickly said, "I don't like Lin An, so let's break off the engagement!"
Huo Xiaoxiao seemed quite satisfied with Shi Tou's answer: "Yes, that's how it should be. Xiaoyi, I support you!" Turning to Grandpa Huo, she said, "Grandpa, look, Xiaoyi doesn't want to either!"
Grandpa Huo looked full of guilt: "Actually, Xiaoyi, you don't need to worry too much. At worst, we can stall for time, and when Lin An can't hold out any longer, he'll probably be willing to break off the engagement."
Just wait and see?!
Stone stared wide-eyed. Was she destined to be a spinster for life?!
But then she calmed down. There wasn't anything wrong with stalling; she'd already decided to run away. Once she left the Fallen Nether Empire, she could do whatever she wanted, right? As for Lin An and the like, she could just swatt them away!
"Hmm, Grandpa, that's a good idea!" Stone, having figured it out, quickly nodded in agreement: "Then let's just wait it out!"
But Huo Xiaoxiao objected: "How can we just wait like this! What if Lin An is still single at his age, and Xiaoyi is just going to waste her time with him?"
Stone gazed silently at the sky. "Miss Huo, is this a curse?"
Grandpa Huo looked at Huo Xiaoxiao with some difficulty: "Xiaoxiao, I know you love your sister, but this matter is really difficult to handle. How about this, I'll first help Xiaoyi see if there are any families willing to form a marriage alliance with our family. If there are, we'll just get engaged directly. I doubt the Lin family would dare to actually sue us before His Majesty the King!"
This answer clearly satisfied Huo Xiaoxiao. As for Shi Tou, she said she was quite calm. Since they had already decided to run away, they didn't care whether Lin An was willing to break off the engagement or not.
Because of the Lin family's affair, Shi Tou felt he should hurry up and start messing with the Fifth Princess, Yi Siyu. Fortunately, Shi Tou wasn't too unlucky this time; a week later, Yi Siyu actually came to his door on her own initiative.
Of course, Yi Siyu went to Ironforge, not the Huo family.
"Your Highness, Fifth Princess, are you well?" No matter how unreliable or hated Yi Siyu was, she was still the Fifth Princess of the royal family, and the proper etiquette could not be neglected.
With a sour face, Yi Siyu completely ignored Shi Tou's bow and barged in: "Find a quiet place, this princess has something to ask you!"
Shi Tou led Yi Siyu to her private lounge. In fact, she knew perfectly well why Yi Siyu wanted to see her. It concerned whether she could smuggle the Sixth Princess out safely, and Shi Tou cared about this matter even more than Yi Siyu did.
“Your Highness, this is my private rest room. It’s guaranteed to be quiet and safe.” Shi Tou invited Yi Siyu to sit on the sofa and poured her a cup of tea: “Your Highness, please have some tea.”
Yi Siyu paid no attention to the cup of tea. After confirming that the room was indeed quiet and safe, she asked eagerly, "Where did you get that Nine Heavens World-Shaking Manual that you gave me last time?"
Shi Tou naturally understood why Yi Siyu wanted to see her, so she wasn't surprised at all: "It was obtained from the Huo family."