I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 262 Gap
The Great Yehut tried to persuade her further, but the Turkic Queen Dowager wouldn't listen. "You may leave!"

Having no other choice, Da Yehu had to take his leave.

The next day, the Turkic Empress Dowager summoned Consort Zhi while Ashinamu was discussing state affairs with his court officials.

Consort Zhi knew something was wrong and secretly sent a eunuch to find Ashina Mu, while she herself used the excuse of getting ready to delay.

The Turkic Empress Dowager was furious when no one came after waiting for a long time, and she directly ordered the eunuchs to drag the Consort Zhi over.

"How dare you delay coming when I summoned you!" the Turkic Queen Dowager roared. "Who do you think you are, daring to act so arrogantly in front of me?"

"Guards, give her a good slap in the face!"

At the command of the Turkic Empress Dowager, two old nannies stepped forward. One held down Consort Zhi, while the other drew her bow and slapped Consort Zhi hard across the face.

For a moment, the hall was filled with the sound of slaps and Consort Zhi's cries of pain.

Only when Consort Zhi's still-attractive face was swollen like a pig's head did the Turkic Empress Dowager feel satisfied. She stopped the nanny who was holding Consort Zhi, saying, "Song, you have bewitched the Khan, causing him to be criticized. As the Turkic Empress Dowager, I will not allow you to continue to tarnish the Khan's reputation!"

A palace attendant carrying a tray walked in front of Consort Zhi. Consort Zhi looked up and saw that it contained poisoned wine, a dagger, and a white silk ribbon.

The Turkic Queen Dowager said condescendingly, "You choose for yourself!"

"Your Majesty's decree is my duty, but please tell me clearly: when have I seduced the Khan and tarnished his reputation?"

"Since I began serving the Khan, I have always considered myself diligent and obedient. My heart is entirely devoted to the Khan. I have never questioned or inquired about state affairs, nor have I ever interfered in state affairs by taking advantage of the Khan's favor!"

Consort Zhi raised her chin and said, "Your Majesty, I do not know what I have done to make the Empress Dowager mistakenly believe that I have tarnished the Khan's reputation?"

"You still dare to be stubborn?!" the Turkic Queen Dowager scolded. "As a concubine of the former Khan, you were spared from being buried alive with him because you gave birth to the Eighth Prince."

"Yet you seduced the Khan, and he took you as his concubine! Do you know what people outside are saying about the Khan?"

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken! The custom in the Turkic lands is that the son succeeds the father, and the brother succeeds the brother. As a concubine of the former Khan, I naturally became the Khan's woman after he ascended the throne. What wrong have I done?"

Unlike the Great Yu, women in the Turkic people were treated the same as cattle, sheep, and goods. In particular, there were relatively few women among the Turks. Therefore, after the father's death, the son inherited not only his father's property but also his father's wives and concubines.

However, the Turkic royal family rarely did this. After all, no one lacked women, so the Turkic royal family's custom was that all concubines who did not bear children were buried alive with the emperor.

Concubines with children would leave the palace to live with their children after the Khan's death.

"You still dare to be so cunning and deceitful!" The Turkic Queen Dowager's anger intensified. "Since you are unwilling to die on your own, then I will mercifully send you on your way!"

"Guards, bring forth a white silk ribbon!"

"Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!" Consort Zhi panicked. "I am the Khan's concubine, you cannot punish me at will!"

"As the Khan's mother, it is my duty to purge the Khan's harem," the Turkic Empress Dowager sneered. "What are you waiting for? Make your move!"

A palace attendant received the order, stepped forward, took the white silk from the tray, wrapped it around Consort Zhi's fair neck, and tightened it with both hands.

Consort Zhi instantly felt short of breath. She gripped the white silk ribbon around her neck tightly with both hands, trying to buy herself a moment's respite, but to no avail.

Gradually, Consort Zhi's struggles weakened. Just when Consort Zhi thought she was going to die there, a commotion suddenly came from outside the palace.

"Khan, Khan, the Empress Dowager has important matters to attend to; you cannot enter!"

"Get out of my way!" Ashina Mu kicked aside the eunuch blocking his way, pushed open the door, and saw the eunuch fiercely strangling Consort Zhi's neck. His eyes widened in fury.

"presumptuous!"

Ashina Mu strode forward and kicked away the eunuch who was holding the Consort Gui's neck.

Consort Zhi's vision blurred, and she collapsed weakly into Ashina Mu's arms. Ashina Mu's eyes were filled with anxiety, "Lan'er, Lan'er, how are you? Open your eyes and look at me."

Consort Zhi barely opened her eyes, glanced at Ashina Mu, murmured "Khan" and then fainted.

Ashina Mu was greatly shocked and immediately picked up Consort Zhi and was about to leave.

The Turkic queen dowager quickly stopped her, "Where are you taking that wretch?"

"She is not a lowly woman, she is my noble consort!" Ashina Mu held the noble consort in his arms, his gaze towards the Turkic Empress Dowager was colder than ever before, "She is also my beloved woman!"

The Turkic queen was shocked. "Are you out of your mind? She's your father's woman!"

"Your Majesty, be careful what you say!" Ashinamu said coldly. "After her father's death, Consort Duolan became a Buddhist nun and died of grief because she missed her father."

"The Consort Zhi was a woman I met when I left the palace; she has nothing to do with my father!"

The Turkic Empress Dowager scoffed, "Do you think I'll believe you just because you say that? Do you think the whole world will believe you?"

"Whether the Empress Dowager and the people of the world believe it or not, I do not care," Ashina Mu said, enunciating each word clearly. "If the Empress Dowager causes trouble for my beloved concubine again, don't blame me for being unfilial as her son!"

"What do you intend to do?" the Turkic Queen Dowager exclaimed angrily. "I am your mother!"

"Mother? Has the Empress Dowager ever even considered me as her son?" Ashina Mu said coldly. "What mother in the world would kill her son's beloved!"

The Turkic queen choked.

"Guards! Convey my decree: The Empress Dowager is unwell and should not leave the palace. From this day forward, close the gates of Anhe Palace. No one is to enter or leave without my order!"

The Turkic Empress Dowager could hardly believe her ears. "You want to place me under house arrest?"

"Yes, once the Empress Dowager has figured out how to be a good mother, I will release you!"

After Ashina Mu finished speaking, he turned around, picked up Consort Zhi, and strode away.

The Turkic queen was furious and sat on the soft couch, breathing heavily.

The old woman mustered her courage and spoke up to comfort her, "Empress Dowager!"

The Turkic Empress Dowager slammed the teacup on the table to the ground. "Fine, I've truly raised a fine son!"

The old woman immediately dared not utter another sound.

On the other side, Ashinamu hurriedly summoned a shaman to treat her. After the shaman gave Consort Zhi a pill, Consort Zhi slowly woke up.

Ashina Mu asked with concern, "Lan'er, how are you feeling?"

Consort Zhi burst into tears instantly, sat up, hugged Ashina Mu, and cried, "I thought I would never see the Great Khan again!"

Ashina Mu was heartbroken. "No, no."

"I assure you, this is the last time. As long as I am here, no one will be able to lay a finger on you."

Consort Zhi hesitated, "But the Empress Dowager..."

"I have already closed the gates of the Anhe Palace. The Empress Dowager is unwell and cannot leave the palace at will."

A hint of joy flashed quickly in Consort Zhi's eyes, but her face showed worry. "With the Empress Dowager recuperating, who will manage the harem?"

"you!"