Volume One, Chapter Three: Throw This Eyesore of a Woman Out!

Under the puzzled gazes of everyone present, Mo Yu straightened her posture and walked over to sit beside Old Master Fu.

Fu Yanting and Lin Hua were seated far from the old man.

Fu Yanting could no longer contain himself. He cast a glance at Mo Yu, his eyes brimming with disgust. Withdrawing his gaze, he stood up.

“Grandfather, how can you let Mo Yu sit there? She’s not worthy of that seat!”

That seat was second only to Old Master Fu’s in the entire family. And Mo Yu wasn’t even a member of the Fu family!

Old Master Fu shot Fu Yanting a fierce glare, growing ever more dissatisfied with this grandson of his. Mo Yu was such a wonderful girl—how could Fu Yanting be so blind as to overlook her? Instead, he insisted on favoring such a shallow woman.

He had lived long enough to see through the woman at Fu Yanting’s side at a single glance—she was not of good character. To think she aspired to become the Fu family’s granddaughter-in-law; she was far from worthy.

Old Master Fu’s expression grew stern.

“Why not? I’ll declare it in front of all the Fu family members right now: this seat is reserved for Mo Yu alone. No one else, not even you, may sit there.”

Fu Yanting’s face darkened.

If that was how things stood, then today, in front of all these elders, he would make himself clear.

He spoke coldly. “Grandfather, I will not marry Mo Yu!”

Most of the Fu family was aware of the engagement between Mo Yu and Fu Yanting. Now, seeing Fu Yanting reject the match, they all turned their eyes to him.

Fu Yanting grasped Lin Hua’s hand, gazing at her with deep affection.

He continued, addressing everyone, “The one I’ve always loved is Xiaohua. I will break off my engagement with Mo Yu and marry Xiaohua.”

The crowd erupted in astonishment.

Old Master Fu swept Lin Hua with a look of contempt. “A woman like that will never marry into our family. If you insist on marrying her, so be it—relinquish your inheritance rights to the Fu family. I will pass them to Mo Yu, and you can leave with that woman!”

He went on, “From this day forward, you have nothing more to do with this family. Any children born of that woman will not be recognized by the Fu family. You’ll have to earn your living outside; don’t expect a single cent from the Fu family!”

“Grandfather!” Fu Yanting stared with wide eyes, disbelief etched across his face.

How could his grandfather strip him of the family inheritance all for Mo Yu’s sake? Even bestow the inheritance upon Mo Yu? Was he truly willing to disown his own grandson?

Even his children would not be allowed into the Fu family.

It was simply outrageous.

Fu Yanting blamed everything on Mo Yu. It seemed that in his absence, she had whispered plenty into his mother’s and grandfather’s ears.

“Mo Yu, do you think that by doing this I’ll marry you? Ridiculous!”

He scoffed coldly.

Old Master Fu turned to the house steward. “Old Li, throw that eyesore of a woman out. I won’t have the Fu family’s reputation sullied here.”

Housekeeper Li had served by Old Master Fu’s side for forty or fifty years; he knew exactly what was meant. He beckoned the household staff and, despite Fu Yanting’s interference, forcibly dragged Lin Hua out.

As she was being hauled away, Lin Hua reached desperately for Fu Yanting, crying out, “Yanting, save me!”

Fu Yanting kicked one of the servants aside and helped Lin Hua up.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Lin Hua clung tightly to his hand as if grasping a lifeline. In her heart, she was unwilling—why should Mo Yu so easily win the Fu family’s favor? In what way was she inferior?

Her eyes brimmed with tears, a single glance was enough to evoke pity.

Her voice was soft and plaintive. “Yanting, I’m fine.”

Hearing this, Fu Yanting’s anger flared to the limits. He turned to Old Master Fu, saying, “Grandfather, even if you don’t like Xiaohua, you can’t treat her like this!”

With that, he led Lin Hua away, full of indignation.

Once the two of them had left, Mo Yu stood as well. She first nodded to Old Master Fu, expressing her gratitude for his care.

“Grandfather.”

Then she looked to Sun Jingyi. “Aunt Fu, I came today to speak about the engagement.”

Turning to everyone present, she announced, “I wish to dissolve my engagement with Fu Yanting.”

At these words, both Old Master Fu and Fu’s mother were stunned. In their hearts, they had long since accepted Mo Yu as the future daughter-in-law.

Old Master Fu’s gaze softened as he looked at her kindly. “Mo Mo, I promise you, that woman will never enter the Fu family—not even as a mistress. You need not make sacrifices for her—”

“Grandfather.” Mo Yu’s voice was firm. “My mind is made up.”

Old Master Fu sighed deeply at this. He knew Mo Yu’s temperament—once she made a decision, it was not easily changed.

After a moment, he said, “Mo Mo, my birthday is coming up soon. Could you wait until after my birthday to leave the Fu family?”

His birthday was the day after tomorrow. Originally, the birthday banquet had been entrusted to Mo Yu to organize.

Mo Yu considered; to walk away now would be inappropriate.

“All right, Grandfather, I promise. I will organize this birthday celebration, and I will do it well.”

Old Master Fu nodded in relief. “Very good. I’ve also invited the Prince of the Imperial Capital to my birthday banquet, though I haven’t received a reply yet. Mo Mo, if you can bring the Prince to attend, it would bring great honor to our family.”

Mo Yu lifted her eyes, clear as water. “Grandfather, why would the Prince of the Imperial Capital be here in the city?”

The Fu family had built their fortune on pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. After years of hard work, they had earned some standing in the city, even appearing on national television. Recently, they had branched into the pharmaceutical industry, but as newcomers, it was extremely difficult to make headway.

A factory had been established on the outskirts, but the competition was fierce and regulatory pressure intense. Bankruptcy threatened at any moment; several shareholders were calling to pull out.

Old Master Fu spoke, “If we can use the birthday banquet to forge some connection with the Prince and secure even a modest investment, the factory could be revived.”

Mo Yu understood. “Yes, Grandfather. I will do everything I can to invite him.”

Sun Jingyi looked at Mo Yu with heartfelt concern. In the six years they’d spent together, she had grown very fond of this girl. Mo Yu often visited the Fu family to see her, making soup and giving massages. Thanks to her, many of Sun Jingyi’s old ailments had not flared up for a long time.

A thought occurred to Mo Yu. “Grandfather, what is the Prince’s name?”

“Mu Shaozhou.”