As a young child, Lady Dou was raised in the palace and particularly favored by her uncle Yuwen Yong (Emperor Wu).

[10] Yuwen Yong didn't favor Empress Ashina at first, but agreed after Lady Dou and her father reminded him of Tujue's power and that he still had to face the rivaling neighbor kingdoms Northern Qi and Chen dynasty.

[11][12] Lady Dou persuaded the general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟) to form a marriage alliance with the Tang household.

After Yang Jian overthrew the Yuwen family and established the Sui dynasty in March 581, Lady Dou lamented that she wasn't able to help her uncle and cousins.

Once, Lady Dugu was extremely sick and due to her reckless and adamant personality, several of her daughter-in-laws refused to assist her.

After Li Yuan was made Prince of Tang, Lady Dou was given the posthumous name "Mu" on 8 January 618.

[14] When her son Li Shimin succeeded to the throne as Emperor Taizong, he honored Lady Dou as Empress Taimu (太穆皇后) on 12 December 635.