Chapter 696: 327 Marriage Proposal (Two More Updates)_3

The Emperor silently watched her, his gaze suddenly landing on the wooden hairpin atop the serene Empress Dowager's head. Frowning slightly, he said, "Although Mother is a devout Buddhist, her lifestyle is far too austere. She doesn't even possess a decent hairpin. Unlike the Empress Dowager, who is heavily adorned with a headdress and encircled by pearls and jade, the epitome of extravagance!"

The serene Empress Dowager's lips parted as though she wanted to say something but thought better of it.

She continued to drink her medicine.

The Emperor glanced at the sparse table and asked the handmaiden Cai, who was standing by, "Isn't there any preserved fruit in the house?"

Cai chuckled, "The Empress Dowager does not partake of such."

The Emperor huffed, "Mother is just too used to hardship. In Renshou Palace, they have at least eight kinds of preserved fruit!"