Zheng Boyuan took the letter from Xu Zhi and read it carefully. Seeing the words of advice from the Marquis of Yongning to Xu Zhi, he felt a pang of sadness. He did have family; Madam Chen was his stepmother, but the Marquis of Pingxi was his biological father. When Xu Zhi prepared New Year's gifts for the Marquis of Yongning, she did prepare gifts for the Marquis of Pingxi as well. And what was the result? The Marquis of Yongning's return gift arrived, but there was no word from the Marquis of Pingxi's residence.

It's not that I like those things, but I crave the feeling of being cared for and remembered.

Zheng Boyuan suppressed these chaotic thoughts and smiled as he looked at the things sent from the capital with Xu Zhi.

After Zheng Boyuan left, Xu Zhi asked Bai Guo to put everything away. Bai Ying smiled and said, "Miss, these were all things that our Marquis's mansion picked out to send over that you liked. Why are you putting them away now?"

Xu Zhi sighed and said, "Our household has not been lacking in etiquette, and we sent the festival gifts before the festival. However, the return gifts from the Marquis of Pingxi's household have not been sent yet. I don't know if they will be able to be sent before the festival."

Bai Guo curled her lip and said, "I doubt it. We give them gifts every holiday, but how many times have they given us anything in return? Usually, they only care about receiving gifts and don't give anything back."

Bai Ying came in carrying a tray and, upon hearing this, quickly said, "Bai Guo, how can you say such things? Is this something you should say? What will the son-in-law think if you say such things?"

Bai Guo bowed to Xu Zhi, blushed, and left with the things in her hand.

Bai Ying placed the tray on the table and said to Xu Zhi, "Miss, don't listen to Bai Guo's nonsense. This girl just says whatever comes to mind. Even if the Pingxi Marquis's mansion is not good, it is still family with our son-in-law. Even if they don't give us a return gift, it is still a way for us juniors to show our respect to our elders, isn't it?"

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "My dear sister, how could I not understand this? I just feel that our son-in-law is unhappy about this. My great-aunt is getting old and there are many things she is willing to do but unable to. If she doesn't want to give it, she doesn't want to. We'll make some good food for our son-in-law later to cheer him up."