After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 12

Xie Chao was so consumed by rage that he charged forward. His uncontrollable Alpha pheromones began to turn violent, but before he could even touch the hem of Jiang Xingyuan’s clothes, he was intercepted.

Then, Xie Junqing’s voice rang out, cold and sharp: “Xie Chao.”

Xie Chao froze instantly. Only then did he realize that his impulsive moment had nearly led him to violate a major taboo.

“Ninth Uncle…” Fine beads of sweat broke out on Xie Chao’s forehead.

At this moment, the entire ancestral hall was deathly silent, you could have heard a pin drop.

Xie Junqing’s gaze shifted slowly and, as expected, met a pair of vibrant, sparkling eyes behind him.

He saw the beautiful youth stare blankly for a moment before quickly offering an awkward yet polite smile. He even blinked several times.

What’s wrong? Is there something you need me to do? You can just tell me.

Jiang Xingyuan tried his best to project “truth, goodness, and beauty” through the “windows to his soul.” He didn’t know if Xie Junqing received the message, but the prolonged eye contact was making the corners of his smile stiffen.

The uneasy atmosphere was making Jiang Xingyuan anxious. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cold and elegant man opened his thin lips: “Let go.”

Jiang Xingyuan froze for a second, his brain failing to process the command.

Simultaneously, the interaction between the two drew everyone’s gaze in the hall to his body… no, specifically, to his hand.

Following their gaze, Jiang Xingyuan looked down and saw his own hand. Without realizing it, he had been gripping Xie Junqing’s clothes tightly. His hands had bunched the high-quality fabric into a knot that looked like a blooming chrysanthemum.

The next second, he let go, and the “chrysanthemum” turned into a dried pickle.

This…

Jiang Xingyuan blinked frantically, his expression flickering with panic. He had rarely felt this helpless in his life.

Don’t panic. No matter what happens, don’t panic. Even if the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up.

Jiang Xingyuan gave a forced, fawning laugh: “I was a bit scared and nervous just now. I’m sorry. I’ll fix it for you, it’ll only take a second.”

He immediately reached out to smooth the hem he had wrinkled, but his efforts didn’t seem to make much difference.

“No need.”

The moment those words were spoken, Jiang Xingyuan’s hand twitched. He failed to control his strength.

With a loud RRRIP, the hem of the robe was torn open by Jiang Xingyuan.

Everyone in the hall gasped in unison. They had seen stupid people before, but never this stupid. How did such an idiot end up in the Xie family? Though he had a decent face, his stupidity made people want to run miles away.

Oh right, I heard this idiot is Xie Huai’s future fiancé.

Hah, Xie Huai is so unlucky.

For a family as massive as the Xies, these things weren’t secrets. From the moment Jiang Xingyuan entered the ancestral home, those with good intel already knew.

Beneath the silence, undercurrents swirled.

Xie Huai, feeling the subtle glances directed at him, looked at the conspicuous Jiang Xingyuan with a tight frown and pursed lips. He was extremely displeased. He blamed this idiot Jiang Xingyuan for causing trouble the moment he arrived, offending Xie Chao and leading to this mess. And now, he had offended Ninth Uncle in front of everyone.

He didn’t know how Ninth Uncle would punish him, but seeing Jiang Xingyuan’s handsome face wearing that fawning, foolish smile filled him with disgust.

The thought that this person had been betrothed to him since childhood and would likely become his fiancé made resentment boil within him. Why should he sacrifice his happiness to spend his life with a stupid, mediocre, and incompetent husband? Why was he an Omega of the Xie family?

Xie Huai lowered his head to hide the gloom in his eyes.

Jiang Xingyuan stared at the torn fabric in his hand, his mind a total blank. He really hadn’t meant to do it. While his face remained expressionless, his brain was working at high speed, trying to find a way to bluff his way out or rather, a way to solve the problem.

Actually, the sound of the fabric tearing was quite nice. Crisp, light, like a feather… it must be really expensive, though.

Wait, Jiang Xingyuan frowned, pulling his wandering thoughts back.

Xie Junqing watched the youth before him. The boy’s face changed colors like a chameleon, frowning one moment, pursing his lips the next. He reached out and snatched the torn hem back from Jiang Xingyuan’s hand.

The sensation of the fabric slipping away felt like a slippery fish escaping his grasp. Jiang Xingyuan snapped back to reality and reflexively offered a fawning smile, looking quite dim-witted.

At least, that was how he looked to Xie Junqing. The man retracted his gaze and looked at Xie Chao.

“Regardless of the reason, it is a fact that you were late.”

Everyone’s attention was instantly pulled back to Xie Chao by these words. The pressure on Jiang Xingyuan lessened significantly. It was as if the previous incident was just a minor, insignificant interlude.

Jiang Xingyuan breathed a secret sigh of relief. He tried to shrink his presence and scuttled to the side.

Xie Junqing sensed the youth’s movements behind him but ignored them, focusing on Xie Chao.

“What did I warn you about yesterday?”

“To restrain my arrogance and impatience,” Xie Chao lowered his head like a defeated rooster, his previous bravado gone.

Watching this, Jiang Xingyuan felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Xie Chao, you finally have your day! As long as he held onto Xie Chao’s weakness, he wouldn’t have to fear him in the Xie household.

“I was wrong, Ninth Uncle,” Xie Chao apologized.

Xie Junqing sighed softly and said loudly, “The way to interact with others lies in tolerance.” He looked around at the other Xie descendants, issuing a warning. “This is a Buddhist sanctuary, there shall be no shouting. I hope you keep this in mind.”

“We understand, Ninth Uncle,” they replied in unison. Jiang Xingyuan hurriedly nodded along.

“Xie Chao, starting today, you will come to the ancestral hall for morning lessons every day.”

Xie Chao didn’t argue and simply agreed. “Yes, Ninth Uncle.”

Jiang Xingyuan was delighted. If Xie Chao had to come here every morning, he wouldn’t have the energy to seek revenge!

However, just as Jiang Xingyuan was celebrating, a cold gaze landed directly on him.

“And you.”

Jiang Xingyuan’s smile froze. No way! Punishing Xie Chao is one thing, but what does it have to do with me? He didn’t want to wake up this early. Unlike Xie Chao, he wasn’t going to give in so easily.

Seeing Jiang Xingyuan’s hesitation, Xie Junqing let out a questioning “Hmm?”

“Okay! I’m willing!” Jiang Xingyuan blurted out, drawing everyone’s eyes. He quickly regained his composure: “I think this is a good thing.”

A good thing? Is this guy insane?

Under their bewildered stares, Jiang Xingyuan said seriously: “Xie Chao would be very lonely coming to morning lessons alone. Out of school spirit and despite our past grievances, I will accompany him. Is this not a noble deed?”

Jiang Xingyuan looked at Xie Junqing, his voice softening: “Ninth Uncle, I believe the Buddha will protect a kind person like me, right?”

Damn! How shameless! Everyone was shocked by his audacity. This was a true villain! They finally understood why Xie Chao kept losing to him, the guy was simply too despicable. He was like an annoying fly, you could swat it, but it would still leave you feeling disgusted.

Xie Junqing simply gave him a faint glance and said, “Now that everyone is here, let us begin the morning lesson.”

Soon, a Buddhist scripture was handed to Jiang Xingyuan. He flipped to the first page and felt his vision go dark.

Avalokiteshvara… practicing something… Prajna… Paramita… emptiness… suffering…

How do you even pronounce these words? He didn’t recognize them!

Jiang Xingyuan fidgeted on his cushion. Buddhist dharma is too profound for a mere mortal like me. It’s only natural that I can’t understand it.

Feeling relieved by this logic, his mind wandered to what Xie Chao was having for breakfast. The Xie family was so rich, the food must be great. At the thought, his stomach let out a growl.

He clutched his stomach and looked around. Everyone else was focused on their scriptures. He was the only one who couldn’t sit still.

As he looked around, he suddenly met those cold, deep eyes. “What is it?”

The voice, like cold jade, made Jiang Xingyuan straighten his back instantly. He’d been caught slacking. Suddenly, he wasn’t so hungry anymore. He didn’t know Xie Junqing’s temperament well yet, so he didn’t dare provoke him openly.

Under Xie Junqing’s gaze, Jiang Xingyuan tremblingly raised his hand: “Ni… Ninth Uncle, I don’t understand this.”

This move made the already quiet hall even more silent. The others kept their eyes on their books, but their attention was entirely on the boy. So brave. He’s constantly seeking death!

Everyone waited to see how Xie Junqing would handle him. Jiang Xingyuan held his breath, sensing the weird atmosphere. He didn’t think he’d said anything wrong. If he didn’t know, he didn’t know, right?

He looked up at the silent Xie Junqing with clear, innocent eyes full of a “thirst for knowledge,” waiting for an answer.

Xie Junqing looked at him for a moment, thought about it, and walked over. “Which part don’t you understand?”

As the man approached, Jiang Xingyuan was enveloped in a scent of cold cedar and sandalwood. His nerves tightened, and he sat bolt upright. He looked like the perfect, obedient student.

“Ninth Uncle, this.” He pointed to a word.

“Is it the meaning you don’t understand?” The voice near his ear was lower now, as pleasant as a cool breeze. Jiang Xingyuan felt a bit lightheaded and nodded instinctively, before quickly shaking his head.

“No, I mean… how do you pronounce this?”

There was a moment of silence as Xie Junqing seemingly tried to determine if he was joking.

The others in the hall were speechless. They couldn’t imagine someone being illiterate. In the Xie family, even the youngest, Xie Jinhuai, started learning characters at age one and was winning international competitions by three. They couldn’t wrap their heads around a “trash” like Jiang Xingyuan.

Maybe he’s mentally disabled… They preferred to believe he was causing trouble on purpose rather than being that stupid. If it were true, they felt even more pity for Xie Huai. They knew that if Xie Rong’an wanted to swallow the Jiang family’s assets, Xie Huai’s marriage to Jiang Xingyuan was set in stone.

Jiang Xingyuan blinked innocently and gave a shy smile: “Ninth Uncle?”

Xie Junqing stared at his face for a moment before speaking: “Prajna. It means supreme wisdom. Its meaning is vast and cannot be explained quickly…”

Jiang Xingyuan only half-understood, but the man’s voice was so pleasant he managed to listen. To everyone’s shock, Xie Junqing simply walked away after answering without any punishment.

Why? How? Just because he’s stupid enough?

Though they thought this, no one else dared to ask Ninth Uncle for help like that.

While his eyes were on the book, Jiang Xingyuan was watching his surroundings. He noticed the resentful glares from the others after Xie Junqing moved away.

Yikes… He didn’t know why they all hated him. Fearing they might “eat him alive” once Ninth Uncle left, he raised his hand high again.

“Ninth Uncle, I have another question!” This time, he boldly walked right up to Xie Junqing.

Xie Junqing paused as the youth scurried over. He frowned slightly, wondering if he had been too lenient and let the boy get too comfortable.

However, when he turned around, the youth’s crystal clear eyes were shining: “As expected of you! Handsome people are just different. The moment you spoke, I understood everything. Ninth Uncle, you are truly amazing!”

Xie Junqing was stunned. He hadn’t expected such a direct compliment. It was the first time someone had praised him so bluntly in public. He found it amusing and curled his lips slightly: “What else don’t you know?”

Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes lit up as he leaned in, pointing at the text: “This one, how do you read this?”

“Five Aggregates. It refers to form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness…”

When he finished, Jiang Xingyuan looked at him with pure admiration: “God is truly biased! Not only are you handsome, Ninth Uncle, but your voice is so beautiful it makes my soul vibrate. You’re so kind for not finding me annoying. There’s no one better in the world than you.”

He let out a stream of “rainbow farts” (flattery). From his time in the real world, Jiang Xingyuan knew no one hated being praised. Even the worst person becomes a bit kinder when flattered.

Xie Junqing saw right through the boy’s little scheme, but he wasn’t angry. The youth’s face was exquisite, and his eyes sparkled like a puppy waiting for a treat. This blatant fawning wasn’t actually that repulsive.

Xie Junqing nodded slightly, took the scripture, and began actively explaining a passage to him.

The rest of the Xie family members were dumbfounded. This… this works too?

Shameless. Utterly shameless! They couldn’t match his level of audacity. In that moment, they all decided that unless absolutely necessary, they should avoid crossing this “shameless little man.”

Most importantly: Ninth Uncle actually fell for it!