Nizam al-Mulk defended himself but on this occasion the Sultan's jealousy was not assuaged and he began to plot against the life of the vizier. Terken Khatun added fuel to the fire, accusing Nizam al-Mulk of dividing the kingdom among his children. Her apposition to Nizam al-Mulk was due to his having urged Malik Shah to nominate Barkiyaruq, the thirteen year old son of Zubaida Khatun, heir apparent, whereas she wished her own son Mahmud, an infant, to be so nominated and was supported in this by Taj al-Mulk Abu'l-Ghana'im Marzban ibn Khusrau Firuz, was vizier to Terken Khatun.