The Qin family members were all dumbfounded. "What’s going on?"
Although she was an adopted daughter, Old Master Qin had also invested his emotions in her. He might have publicly claimed he wouldn’t intervene, fearing someone might exploit the situation, but privately, he had still pulled his own strings.
He knew securing an acquittal was impossible, but his contacts had promised to maneuver things. Now, what his second son said made him instantly lose his composure. "Second Brother, what exactly have you heard?"
Qin Honggang’s expression was grim. "You all can stop asking. And stop your clandestine activities. If you don’t listen, you’ll face the consequences yourselves. Don’t blame me for not warning you."
Qin Hongling’s brows furrowed tightly. "Does that mean our family has to sever ties with Qin Lijuan to protect ourselves?"
At Qin Hongling’s words, Old Master Qin glared fiercely at him. "Do you think that by severing ties, we’ll escape condemnation?"
Qin Hongling grew anxious. "If we don’t sever ties, given our relationship with her, we’ll definitely be implicated. Dad, you can’t disregard the family for her sake, can you?"
Old Master Qin remained silent for a long while.
This made Qin Hongling and his wife, Wu Lijuan, extremely anxious.
Wu Lijuan hadn’t wanted her father-in-law to help Qin Lijuan previously, precisely because she was intent on severing ties with her. But now that Old Master Qin disagreed, she panicked. After all, in these times, if one associated with such "bad elements," their own prospects could be jeopardized.
Seeing his father remain silent, Qin Hongling called out in desperation, "Dad."
Old Master Qin sighed deeply and swept his gaze over everyone. "At this point, if we sever ties with her, how will people look at us? Who would dare to genuinely associate with us in the future?"
Not giving them a chance to reply, he continued, "Now, our only option is to use her background to our advantage and see if that can help reduce her sentence by a few years."
As for Qin Hongling and Wu Lijuan, they were no longer concerned whether Qin Lijuan’s sentence could be reduced. Their only thought was to dissociate themselves from her to avoid being implicated.
When Yunyi returned from the Wei family’s home, she saw Huo Jingrui waiting at her gate. "How long have you been waiting?" she asked.
Huo Jingrui picked up the items from the ground. "Just arrived, not long."
Yunyi quickly opened the door. "Why didn’t you have someone from Auntie Wei’s call for me?"
A smile touched the corners of Jingrui’s lips. "I knew Yi’er wouldn’t keep me waiting long."
The two of them entered the yard, one after the other.
Yunyi looked at the items he was carrying. "What are those you’re holding?"

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