I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 285 The situation is tense
If even Gu Xuan is like this, then what reason does she have not to work hard?

After much painful reflection, Tang Zhao followed Gu Ci with a thirst for knowledge, and his military skills improved rapidly.

Lanzhou, Xuanwang Mansion.

Princess Xuan put down the dowry list in her hand and stretched her aching neck slightly. "Has Xuan'er not returned yet?"

Granny Meng shook her head, "The servant has been guarding the city gate every day, but he hasn't seen the Seventh Miss."

Princess Xuan trusted Tang Zhao's abilities and would not forget to tell Gu Xuan to return to the manor. Therefore, the only possibility is that Gu Xuan was unwilling to return early.

"Alright, as long as she shows up on the wedding day," Princess Xuan said, taking a sip of her tea and turning to Madam Ming, who was sitting beside her. "Take a look, is there anything missing?"

Madam Ming took the thick dowry list, which included not only the dowry from the royal family but also the personal dowry from Princess Xuan, and even all the betrothal gifts sent by the Shen family.

Madam Ming smiled and said, "Mother Consort is very thoughtful. The list includes everything you need for food, clothing, daily necessities, and entertainment. It couldn't be more perfect."

Princess Xuan felt relieved upon hearing this, "Then let's prepare according to the list!"

Granny Meng took the dowry list and went downstairs to open the storeroom with the steward, where they selected dowry items according to the list.

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, half a month before Gu Xuan's wedding, Princess Xuan personally went to the Northwest military camp and forced Gu Xuan, who was refusing to leave the camp, onto a carriage.

"Mother! Master is teaching us how to perform surgery!" Gu Xuan struggled to run out of the carriage. "I can't leave now, or I'll fall behind!"

Princess Xuan held her daughter down and said irritably, "Are you still going to get married or not?"

Gu Xuan pouted so much her lips could hang an oil bottle. "There's still half a month left, what's the rush?"

"You know there are only half a month left? That's barely enough time to travel by carriage from Wuwei back to Lanzhou!" Princess Xuan said angrily. "If the wedding is delayed, I'll kick you out of the house!"

"Can't we get married in Wuwei?" Gu Xuan knew she was in the wrong. "Shen Jiawen happens to be an official in Wuwei, and the Shen family also owns a residence there."

Princess Xuan thought her daughter had gone mad studying medicine. "Young Master Shen is the eldest son of the Shen family and the future head of the family. His wedding should naturally take place at the Shen family's old residence. There's no reason for it to be held in a separate courtyard."

"Young Master Shen took leave from the government office a month ago to return to Lanzhou to prepare for the wedding, but you're acting like nothing happened!"

Gu Xuan dared not speak again and sat in the corner, sulking.

Tang Zhao watched Gu Xuan get the short end of the stick with great satisfaction, and only on the day they arrived in Lanzhou did he casually remind her, "Young Master Shen is getting married, so Miss Shen should naturally return to the mansion to attend the wedding banquet."

Gu Xuan's eyes lit up. That's right, Jia Hui is Shen Jiawen's younger sister. How could she not attend her brother's wedding?

Then she won't be left behind by Jia Hui!

After Gu Xuan figured it out, she instantly perked up. "Why didn't you remind me sooner?"

Tang Zhao crossed his arms and hummed.

Gu Xuan accused, "This is deliberate revenge!"

"That's right, who told you to laugh at me?"

"You're the one crying, and you blame me for making fun of you?" Gu Xuan reached out and flicked the tip of her nose. "You stingy little crybaby."

Princess Xuan gave her daughter a gentle glare, then looked at Tang Zhao with concern, "Zhao Zhao, are you crying? Did someone bully you? Tell your mother, and your mother will stand up for you."

Gu Xuan spoke before Tang Zhao could, saying, "Fifth Brother is trying to force Tang Zhao to grow too quickly, wanting to train him into a commander-in-chief in a short period of time. Tang Zhao couldn't handle the pressure and started crying."

Tang Zhao gave an awkward smile, unable to express his bitterness.

Princess Xuan slapped her daughter, then lovingly embraced Tang Zhao, scolding, "Yuan Ye took several years to rise from a common soldier to a commander-in-chief, and now he wants to make our Zhao Zhao a commander-in-chief in just a few months? Has he lost his mind?"

"Zhao Zhao, be good. We won't listen to that brat. If you want to learn, you can learn slowly. If you don't want to learn, you don't have to. If Yuan Ye dares to force you, tell your mother, and your mother will teach him a lesson!" Tang Zhao silently lit a candle for Gu Ci in her heart. "I understand. Thank you, Mother."

Looking at the loving mother and daughter, Princess Xuan and Tang Zhao, Gu Xuan felt a pang of sadness.

Who is the real mother's daughter?

The Turkic Queen Mother, far away in the Turkic palace, also harbored the same question.

Who exactly is Ashinamu's biological mother?

Not only did he not wish her a Happy New Year, but now he can't even see his son on her birthday!

The Turkic queen became increasingly aggrieved and stormed into the Daming Hall, only to find that there were only eunuchs inside, and her son was nowhere to be seen.

Where is the Khan?

The eunuch knelt down, his voice trembling, "The Khan has gone to the Water Garden."

Upon hearing the words "Water Garden," the Turkic Empress Dowager became even angrier. In order to build the Water Garden for Consort Zhi, Ashina Mu emptied the national treasury, leaving her without enough money to celebrate her birthday in a grand manner, and she had to make do with a hasty affair.

The Turkic queen's chest heaved violently as she turned and rushed towards the water garden.

The eunuchs hurriedly caught up.

In the water garden, Consort Zhi was playing the zither for Ashina Mu.

The babbling water, the melodious sound of a zither, the faint fragrance, the pure white snow—Ashina Mu leans against a soft pillow, drinking strong liquor and eating roasted meat, living a carefree life like an immortal.

But some people just have to disturb this idyllic life.

The eunuch blocked the doorway. "Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, the Khan is inside. Please allow me to go in and inform him."

The Turkic Empress Dowager kicked aside the eunuch blocking her path, "How dare you! I am the Turkic Empress Dowager, the Khan's birth mother! Do I need you to announce my presence if I wish to see the Khan?"

The eunuch was kicked and rolled on the ground, then crawled back and knelt down. "Your Majesty, the Khan has ordered that anyone entering the Water Garden must obtain the Khan's permission, including," the eunuch kowtowed heavily to the ground, "including Your Majesty!"

"I'd like to see if the Khan will kill me if I enter without announcing myself!"

The Turkic queen kicked the eunuch aside and angrily pushed open the palace door.

The palace doors slammed shut with a loud bang, and the music played by Consort Zhi abruptly stopped.

Consort Zhi's slender fingers were cut by the zither strings, and blood dripped instantly onto her moon-white dress, like plum blossoms blooming in the snow.

Ashina Mu stared at the scene in a daze until Consort Zhi gasped in shock, at which point he snapped out of his reverie and nervously put Consort Zhi's index finger into his mouth.

Consort Zhi blushed with embarrassment at Ashina Mu's actions and lowered her head to avoid looking at him.

Upon witnessing this scene, the Turkic Empress Dowager strode into the hall, pulled Ashina Mu aside, and shouted at Consort Zhi, "Guards, drag this wretch out and beat her to death!"

The eunuchs outside the palace knelt on the ground, none of them daring to move.

Upon seeing this, the Turkic Queen Mother was so angry she nearly fell over. "Are you all deaf? Can't you hear my orders?"

Ashinamu tenderly tore off a piece of his sleeve to wrap around Consort Zhi's wound.

Consort Zhi glanced timidly at the Turkic Empress Dowager, who seemed to want to devour her alive, and said weakly, "Great Khan, the Empress Dowager..."

Ashina Mu gave Consort Zhi a reassuring look, then said without turning his head, "Why should the Empress Dowager take her anger out on the palace servants? They were merely following my orders."

"But Empress Dowager, don't you know that no one is allowed to trespass into the water garden without my permission?"