In the front hall of the Outer Southern Court, within the Prince Consort's Residence.
Two cultivators, a man and a woman, stood side by side before the spacious courtyard, surveying their surroundings.
Both were stewards employed by the Money Guild, with cultivation in the Qi Refining Realm. The man was named Cui Zhi. Refined in bearing and seemingly around forty, he wore a Dark Teal Robe and stood straight as a pine, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking thoroughly solemn and proper. The woman was named Min Lian. Voluptuous and beautiful, she nonetheless carried herself with easy confidence, radiating shrewd, capable vitality, a faint smile on her face.
Their genders conveniently matched those of Li Ling and his wife. Although the Old Ancestor's recommendation chiefly concerned Li Ling, she had also brought the Ninth Princess along, arranging a place for her as well.
Eunuch Xu, the residence's head steward, bowed and called inside in his shrill voice, "Someone, serve tea to our two guests."
Then he said to them, "Please wait a moment, honored cultivators. My master will be here shortly."
Cui Zhi murmured an acknowledgment and took a seat in the hall.
Seeing this, Min Lian sat in the chair opposite him. Outwardly, she said nothing, but privately she transmitted her voice. "Senior Cui, why exactly did our superiors dispatch us here so urgently? You're well informed. Might you know something of the circumstances?"
Cui Zhi closed his eyes to rest, but answered through voice transmission, "You haven't heard? Yellow Cloud True Person, a Gold-Grade Guest under Elder Shang's care, submitted a request to exercise her privilege to recommend new members. As you know, Gold-Grade Guests have that right."
Min Lian said in surprise, "So that's it. It really was Yellow Cloud True Person. I suspected as much