Xu Lingyin was uneasy and dared not approach Zhang Yuan. She only stayed beside Cui Yuanxi and Tong Ke, listening to the two women chat about anything and everything. Perhaps their mood rubbed off on her, for her mind settled somewhat, and she grew less nervous.
Before long.
A figure appeared outside the courtyard. Through the fence, they could see a girl in a pink dress with her hair tied into two buns. It was Xiao Shi, who had hurried to the Mysterious Court after receiving Cui Yuanxi's letter.
"Miss, I'm here! Open the gate," Xiao Shi called, knocking.
"I'll get it."
Xu Lingyin volunteered, opened the courtyard gate, and invited Xiao Shi inside.
She knew Xiao Shi and knew that she was Cui Yuanxi's personal maid, but she did not look down on her because of that status.
According to the ancestor, Xiao Shi had a highly unusual origin. She was a Pre-Heaven Lifeform rarely seen in Recent Antiquity, with outstanding natural talent and a life-bound divine ability, far beyond the ordinary person.
"Hello, Daoist Heir Xu. We meet again." Seeing that Xu Lingyin had opened the gate, Xiao Shi greeted her.
Maintaining the bearing of the Mysterious Court Dao Maiden, Xu Lingyin nodded lightly. "No need to stand on ceremony, Miss Xiao Shi. Fellow Daoist Zhang and Fellow Daoist Cui have been waiting for quite some time. Please head inside."
Fellow Daoist Zhang...?
Xiao Shi blinked and tilted her head slightly. When she saw Zhang Yuan drinking tea at the stone table in the courtyard, understanding dawned on her.
Her miss had not mentioned Zhang Yuan in her letter. Before coming, Xiao Shi had wondered why her miss had suddenly jumped ship and run off after making such firm promises before leaving. Now she saw that her miss