The elder brothers of Huo Tingyan are mentioned in the story but do not appear directly. They are the older sons of Huo Zhenchuan and Qin Shu. They have given birth only to boys, which disappoints Qin Shu, who desperately wants a granddaughter. They are described as causing their parents less worry than Huo Tingyan. They are supporting background characters in the Huo family narrative.
