Chapter 52: The Cuckoo Occupying the Magpie's Nest

“How dare you!” Zhang Feiyang shouted angrily, his voice instantly drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

“If you want to give it a try, I certainly won’t stop you,” he continued. “But you’ll definitely be thrown out as a troublemaker.”

With that, Zhang Feiyang pointed behind him, and several bodyguards immediately stepped forward. They formed an impenetrable wall in front of Zhao Qiang.

The atmosphere at the main gate tightened to a breaking point.

“Zhang Feiyang, call your men to step aside quickly. Don’t force me to tell my eldest sister,” Chu Siqi said anxiously, tears threatening to fall. If Zhang Feiyang continued causing trouble like this, Zhao Qiang wouldn’t be able to get in today.

“Zhao Qiang, I suggest you leave obediently!” Lin Meina sneered sarcastically from the side, enjoying watching Zhao Qiang get flustered.

“Second Miss, let me ask you something,” Zhao Qiang suddenly raised his voice, tinged with anger. “Is this the Chu family estate?”

“Yes, why?” Chu Siqi was taken aback, unsure why Zhao Qiang was asking such a question.

“Then why is a Zhang family member shouting and making a scene at the gate? Is this the Zhang family estate? Did I come to the wrong place?” Zhao Qiang’s voice echoed through the air, his gaze locked intensely on Zhang Feiyang, filled with suspicion and doubt.

“Or do you Zhangs want to seize the Chu family’s property and take over their home?” The words dropped like a bomb, instantly stirring waves of murmurs among the crowd.

Everyone knew this was the Chu family’s estate—it should never be Zhang Feiyang giving orders here.

“Silence means consent. It seems your Zhang family’s ambitions are quite grand,” Zhao Qiang said disdainfully, crossing his arms.

No one had ever bested Zhao Qiang in a verbal sparring match.

“You!” Zhang Feiyang trembled with rage, his face flushed bright red like a ripe tomato.

This was part of their Zhang family’s plan—to gradually transfer the Chu family’s assets and eventually take full control.

Now Zhao Qiang had called it all out in one breath, leaving him shocked and at a loss.

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“Zhao Qiang, stop making trouble here! This is the engagement banquet between the Chu and Zhang families, not a place for your antics!” Zhang Feiyang shouted angrily.

“Hmph, Zhang Feiyang, who’s really causing trouble here? I’m a guest invited by Second Miss Chu, yet you block me at every turn. What exactly are you after?” Zhao Qiang stared daggers at him, unafraid.

“A guest is a guest. On what grounds do you assume I’m here to cause trouble?” Zhao Qiang stepped forward, questioning sharply, “Is it just because I have a grudge against you?”

“This is the Chu family’s home, not yours,” Chu Siqi couldn’t help but raise her voice, anger seeping through. This was her home, and it was unacceptable for the Zhang family to act so arrogantly.

“Even if you were invited, rules are rules. No invitation means no entry!” Zhang Feiyang stood his ground stubbornly, determined to oppose Zhao Qiang.

He simply disliked Zhao Qiang and refused to let him in, regardless of whose estate it was.

“Why are so many people gathered here? What’s going on?” Zhang Hongye, head of the Zhang family and father of Zhang Zihao and Zhang Feiyang, asked as he arrived.

Seeing the family head, the crowd quickly made way.

The engagement banquet was held here because the Chu family’s voice carried more weight in the imperial capital. Hosting it at the Chu estate added prestige.

The Chu family provided the venue; the Zhang family handled security.

“Dad, this guy insists on coming in without an invitation,” Zhang Feiyang complained, trying to shift the blame. “I kicked him out, but he won’t back down.”

With his father’s arrival, Zhang Feiyang’s arrogance only grew.

“Uncle Zhang, I was invited. Even without an invitation, I should be allowed in!” Chu Siqi was furious at being treated so unfairly in her own home.

She had already called her eldest sister, vowing that Zhang Feiyang would pay for this.

She hoped complaining to Zhang Hongye would help, but his stance surprised her.

“Niece, without an invitation, it might be inconvenient,” Zhang Hongye glanced at Zhang Feiyang. Though unsure of the details, his priority was protecting the Zhang family’s face and supporting his son.

“This is a union between the Chu and Zhang families. Even if he’s your friend, he’s still an outsider.”

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“How about this, niece: next time you invite your friends separately, we Zhangs will cover the costs!” Zhang Hongye’s words sounded generous but stunned Chu Siqi’s sense of fairness.

Since when could she not bring friends to her own home?

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Now she understood why her eldest sister despised the Zhang family so much.

“Did you hear that? Zhao Qiang, no invitation, get lost. My brother and sister-in-law’s engagement banquet is about to start,” Zhang Feiyang smirked proudly. “If you really don’t want to leave, I can have the kitchen send out some leftovers for you to eat!”

Zhang Feiyang was now completely carried away. The Zhang family controlled security today. They decided who could enter or be stopped outside.

“Interesting. The head of the Zhang family says such things—aren’t they afraid the Chu family might misunderstand?” Zhao Qiang raised his voice.

“Everyone, come see! I’m a friend of Second Miss Chu, yet I’m not even allowed to enter. The Chu estate’s entry and exit are controlled by the Zhang family? What a farce!”

Zhao Qiang had held back for a long time, thinking Chu Siqi could handle it. He now realized he had overestimated her.

She was just a young girl who couldn’t even command her own home turf.

Zhao Qiang escalated the situation, and even if the Zhang family wanted to back down now, it was too late.

If they didn’t make a scene, the Zhangs would never learn to be cautious.

How could the Chu family stand for such arrogance on their own land?

“What are you shouting for?” Zhang Feiyang snapped, pointing at Zhao Qiang and cursing loudly.

“Throw him out! Don’t let him cause trouble here!” Zhang Hongye grew impatient. Staying here blocking the way wasn’t solving anything.

If this got out, it would be a joke on the Zhang family.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll kick him out right now and show him how powerful the Zhang family is,” Zhang Feiyang said with renewed confidence.

With his father backing him, he acted even more recklessly.

After all, if trouble arose, it wouldn’t be his fault.

Zhao Qiang whispered something into Chu Siqi’s ear. She blinked.

“Bring four men and drag him away. Keep an eye on him at all times,” Zhang Feiyang ordered arrogantly. “Anyone causing trouble today is an enemy of the Zhang family!”