Inside the large tent, in the dim light of the candlesticks, the candle flames flickered slightly with the faint airflow...
Even in the dim light, Jiang Ming could see everything clearly!
The person who arrived was none other than Changsun Yuehua, the primary consort of Murong Hong...
"Your Highness! This!"
Jiang Ming immediately pushed her away and covered her with the leather covering he was using.
"Khan!"
Changsun Yuehua looked slightly ashamed and murmured with her head down, "Khan...does he find me old and unattractive?"
"Wow!"
Jiang Ming's heart pounded. He had considered a million possibilities, such as Murong Hong's sons rebelling and trying to seize his Khanate.
But he really didn't expect that Changsun Yuehua would climb into his bed!
What the hell has this turned into?
"Your Highness! You dare not act recklessly!"
Jiang Ming's face darkened, and he said, "You are the First Khan's principal wife and my mother-in-law. How could you do such a thing?"
Upon hearing this, Changsun Yuehua frowned slightly, taken aback, her eyes showing a hint of confusion.
At this moment, Jiang Ming realized that the impact of these cultural customs was so overwhelming that it completely overturned his worldview!
According to proper etiquette, after the old Khan dies, his son inherits the throne.
His own mother, as well as other concubines, would certainly be treated as elders and cared for until their old age.
But what if this inheritance isn't from father to son, but rather abdicated to someone else in the tribe...?
That would be equivalent to a man "entrusting his wife and children": you would have to help the former Khan take care of his wife and children...
Similar to the case of Dugu Yan, whose husband died and who then married Jiang Ming, and Changsun Yuehua's younger sister, Changsun Yuenu, the same principle applies.
Now that Murong Hong is dead, and Jiang Ming is not Murong Hong's son, so... according to etiquette, he should also marry Changsun Yuehua!
The problem is that this is from the perspective of "abdication" involving entrusting one's wife and children.
From another perspective, who are you, Changsun Yuehua? You are Murong Xue's mother! How could you do such a thing?
Perhaps this was nothing to the Xianbei tribes, who were still in a primitive stage.
After all, in the history of the Central Plains in his previous life, there were Tang Dynasty emperors who married stepmothers and even kidnapped their daughters-in-law.
But Jiang Ming has his own principles and bottom line. He can only accept Changsun Yuenu as the limit!
We absolutely cannot accept Murong Xue's mother, Changsun Yuehua, again, or what will become of us?
To be honest, Jiang Ming couldn't understand either: Changsun Yuehua, what were you thinking? If your daughter found out, how heartbroken would she be?
And these ridiculous rules! How can Murong Hong's spirit rest in peace?
Jiang Ming now somewhat understands why people in his previous life, from ancient times, were bound by social norms to require women to remain chaste after their husbands' deaths...
"Khan... I am the first wife of the former Khan. According to the rules, you are the Khan now, not his son. I should marry you..." Changsun Yuehua explained.
"Tsk!"
Jiang Ming frowned and said, "But you're my mother! Don't be ridiculous! I'm your son-in-law, and Xue'er is my wife!"
"I know, I've given you all three of my daughters, can't you..."
"cannot!"
Jiang Ming didn't want to hear her explanation and interrupted her directly, saying, "I don't care if you're trying to consolidate your position or for some other reason... In short, don't even think about it. The Khan... his body is barely cold, and you're already doing this? How can you face him?"
These words made Changsun Yuehua tremble violently, and she looked at Jiang Ming in astonishment.
Her eyes didn't show much guilt, but rather a lot of confusion and doubt.
The cultural gap is just too big...
Jiang Ming knew that explaining things to her using proper etiquette would be futile; it would be like talking to a brick wall and wouldn't bring her any sense of shame.
He sighed and patiently said, "In our eyes, a mother-in-law is the same as a biological mother. Women are not appendages, much less spoils of war, and not things that can be transferred at will. You are Xue'er's mother, and you are also my mother, understand? You mustn't do this again..."
"But Khan... you've already taken Yue Nu, why can't you take me?" Changsun Yuehua's face was full of resentment and grievance.
"That's different!"
Jiang Ming frowned and said, "At the very least, I didn't marry Yue Nu's daughter. You are my elder, so you must never have such a thought again... Otherwise, I will be cursed as a beast and an animal in the Central Plains!"
Hearing Jiang Ming say this, Changsun Yuehua burst into tears and sobbed.
Jiang Ming knew that no matter how much he explained, it would be useless; the cultural gap couldn't be bridged with just a few words.
He guessed that Changsun Yuehua's actions were most likely due to a lack of security, after all, she had no sons, only three daughters...
So Jiang Ming said, "Mother! Tomorrow, I will formally bestow upon you the title of Queen Dowager and serve you as my own mother. Is that alright? You should be completely at ease now..."
He paused and continued, “The Xianbei people… have always existed as a tribal alliance, which is too backward. After we eliminate the Northern Xiongnu, I will petition the Emperor to formally establish a state for the Xianbei. At that time, the Xianbei will be a formal state, and you… will be the Queen Mother of the Xianbei, and your wealth and honor will still be guaranteed.”
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