diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/admin/admin.module.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/admin/admin.module.ts
index e4ae609..8f239ed 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/admin/admin.module.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/admin/admin.module.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { forwardRef, Module } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { CqrsModule } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
 import { AuthModule } from '@modules/auth';
 import { ListingsModule } from '@modules/listings';
+import { AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER } from '@modules/shared';
 import { SubscriptionsModule } from '@modules/subscriptions';
 import { AdjustSubscriptionHandler } from './application/commands/adjust-subscription/adjust-subscription.handler';
 import { ApproveKycHandler } from './application/commands/approve-kyc/approve-kyc.handler';
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ import { MODERATION_AUDIT_LOG_REPOSITORY } from './domain/repositories/moderatio
 import { PrismaAdminQueryRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-admin-query.repository';
 import { PrismaAuditLogRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-audit-log.repository';
 import { PrismaModerationAuditLogRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-moderation-audit-log.repository';
+import { SystemSettingsAiConfigProvider } from './infrastructure/adapters/system-settings-ai-config.provider';
 import { AdminModerationAuditController } from './presentation/controllers/admin-moderation-audit.controller';
 import { AdminModerationController } from './presentation/controllers/admin-moderation.controller';
 import { AdminController } from './presentation/controllers/admin.controller';
@@ -82,6 +84,7 @@ const QueryHandlers = [
 
     // Services
     SystemSettingsService,
+    { provide: AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER, useClass: SystemSettingsAiConfigProvider },
 
     // CQRS
     ...CommandHandlers,
@@ -93,6 +96,6 @@ const QueryHandlers = [
     AdminAuditListener,
     ModerationAuditListener,
   ],
-  exports: [SystemSettingsService],
+  exports: [SystemSettingsService, AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER],
 })
 export class AdminModule {}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/admin/infrastructure/adapters/system-settings-ai-config.provider.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/admin/infrastructure/adapters/system-settings-ai-config.provider.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d32ba5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/admin/infrastructure/adapters/system-settings-ai-config.provider.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  type AiRuntimeConfig,
+  type IAIConfigProvider,
+} from '@modules/shared';
+import { SystemSettingsService } from '../../application/services/system-settings.service';
+
+/**
+ * Adapter that exposes the admin-owned `SystemSettingsService` through the
+ * shared `IAIConfigProvider` port. Lets analytics (and any other module)
+ * read AI runtime config without importing AdminModule (A-09).
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class SystemSettingsAiConfigProvider implements IAIConfigProvider {
+  constructor(private readonly systemSettings: SystemSettingsService) {}
+
+  async getAiConfig(): Promise<AiRuntimeConfig> {
+    const settings = await this.systemSettings.getAiSettings();
+    return {
+      apiUrl: settings.apiUrl,
+      apiKey: settings.apiKey,
+      model: settings.model,
+    };
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/analytics.module.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/analytics.module.ts
index e6700e0..3115ed2 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/analytics.module.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/analytics.module.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { forwardRef, Module } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { CqrsModule } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
-import { AdminModule } from '@modules/admin';
 import { ListingsModule } from '@modules/listings';
 import { ProjectsModule } from '@modules/projects';
 import { GenerateReportHandler } from './application/commands/generate-report/generate-report.handler';
@@ -78,7 +77,7 @@ const EventHandlers = [
 ];
 
 @Module({
-  imports: [CqrsModule, forwardRef(() => ListingsModule), forwardRef(() => AdminModule), ProjectsModule],
+  imports: [CqrsModule, forwardRef(() => ListingsModule), ProjectsModule],
   controllers: [AnalyticsController, AvmController],
   providers: [
     // AI service client
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-listing-ai-advice/get-listing-ai-advice.handler.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-listing-ai-advice/get-listing-ai-advice.handler.ts
index 1311565..d383066 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-listing-ai-advice/get-listing-ai-advice.handler.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-listing-ai-advice/get-listing-ai-advice.handler.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import { HttpStatus, Inject } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { QueryBus, QueryHandler, type IQueryHandler } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
-import { DomainException, ErrorCode, LoggerService } from '@modules/shared';
-import { SystemSettingsService } from '@modules/admin/application/services/system-settings.service';
+import {
+  AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER,
+  DomainException,
+  ErrorCode,
+  type IAIConfigProvider,
+  LoggerService,
+} from '@modules/shared';
 import {
   LISTING_REPOSITORY,
   type IListingRepository,
@@ -91,7 +96,8 @@ export class GetListingAiAdviceHandler
     @Inject(LISTING_REPOSITORY)
     private readonly listingRepo: IListingRepository,
     private readonly queryBus: QueryBus,
-    private readonly systemSettings: SystemSettingsService,
+    @Inject(AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER)
+    private readonly aiConfig: IAIConfigProvider,
     private readonly logger: LoggerService,
   ) {}
 
@@ -113,7 +119,7 @@ export class GetListingAiAdviceHandler
       this.fetchScore(listing),
     ]);
 
-    const settings = await this.systemSettings.getAiSettings();
+    const settings = await this.aiConfig.getAiConfig();
     if (!settings.apiKey) {
       throw new DomainException(
         ErrorCode.AI_NOT_CONFIGURED,
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-project-ai-advice/get-project-ai-advice.handler.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-project-ai-advice/get-project-ai-advice.handler.ts
index f4a1c47..d3019cc 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-project-ai-advice/get-project-ai-advice.handler.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/analytics/application/queries/get-project-ai-advice/get-project-ai-advice.handler.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import { HttpStatus, Inject } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { QueryBus, QueryHandler, type IQueryHandler } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
-import { DomainException, ErrorCode, LoggerService } from '@modules/shared';
-import { SystemSettingsService } from '@modules/admin/application/services/system-settings.service';
+import {
+  AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER,
+  DomainException,
+  ErrorCode,
+  type IAIConfigProvider,
+  LoggerService,
+} from '@modules/shared';
 import {
   PROJECT_REPOSITORY,
   type IProjectRepository,
@@ -75,7 +80,8 @@ export class GetProjectAiAdviceHandler
     @Inject(PROJECT_REPOSITORY)
     private readonly projectRepo: IProjectRepository,
     private readonly queryBus: QueryBus,
-    private readonly systemSettings: SystemSettingsService,
+    @Inject(AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER)
+    private readonly aiConfig: IAIConfigProvider,
     private readonly logger: LoggerService,
   ) {}
 
@@ -96,7 +102,7 @@ export class GetProjectAiAdviceHandler
       this.fetchScore(project),
     ]);
 
-    const settings = await this.systemSettings.getAiSettings();
+    const settings = await this.aiConfig.getAiConfig();
     if (!settings.apiKey) {
       throw new DomainException(
         ErrorCode.AI_NOT_CONFIGURED,
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/__tests__/feature-listing.handler.spec.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/__tests__/feature-listing.handler.spec.ts
index a8dc2bb..f6be43f 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/__tests__/feature-listing.handler.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/__tests__/feature-listing.handler.spec.ts
@@ -21,23 +21,26 @@ function createListing(
 describe('FeatureListingHandler', () => {
   let handler: FeatureListingHandler;
   let mockListingRepo: Pick<IListingRepository, 'findById'>;
-  let mockCommandBus: { execute: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  let mockPaymentInitiator: { initiate: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  let mockEventBus: { publish: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
   let mockLogger: { log: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>; error: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     mockListingRepo = { findById: vi.fn() };
-    mockCommandBus = {
-      execute: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+    mockPaymentInitiator = {
+      initiate: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
         paymentId: 'pay-1',
         paymentUrl: 'https://pay.example.com/checkout',
         providerTxId: 'tx-1',
       }),
     };
+    mockEventBus = { publish: vi.fn() };
     mockLogger = { log: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn() };
 
     handler = new FeatureListingHandler(
       mockListingRepo as any,
-      mockCommandBus as any,
+      mockPaymentInitiator as any,
+      mockEventBus as any,
       mockLogger as any,
     );
   });
@@ -56,7 +59,9 @@ describe('FeatureListingHandler', () => {
     expect(result.paymentUrl).toBe('https://pay.example.com/checkout');
     expect(result.package_).toBe('7_days');
     expect(result.priceVND).toBe('199000');
-    expect(mockCommandBus.execute).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(mockPaymentInitiator.initiate).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(mockEventBus.publish).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(mockEventBus.publish.mock.calls[0]?.[0]?.eventName).toBe('listing.featured-payment-requested');
   });
 
   it('allows the assigned agent to feature the listing', async () => {
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/commands/feature-listing/feature-listing.handler.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/commands/feature-listing/feature-listing.handler.ts
index 5067c25..bfc1439 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/commands/feature-listing/feature-listing.handler.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/application/commands/feature-listing/feature-listing.handler.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 import { Inject, InternalServerErrorException } from '@nestjs/common';
-import { CommandHandler, CommandBus, type ICommandHandler } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
-import { CreatePaymentCommand, type CreatePaymentResult } from '@modules/payments';
+import { CommandHandler, EventBus, type ICommandHandler } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
 import {
   DomainException,
   ForbiddenException,
-  NotFoundException,
-  ValidationException,
+  type IPaymentInitiator,
   LoggerService,
+  NotFoundException,
+  PAYMENT_INITIATOR,
+  ValidationException,
 } from '@modules/shared';
+import { FeaturedListingPaymentRequestedEvent } from '../../../domain/events/featured-listing-payment-requested.event';
 import { LISTING_REPOSITORY, type IListingRepository } from '../../../domain/repositories/listing.repository';
 import { type FeaturePackage, FeatureListingCommand } from './feature-listing.command';
 
@@ -29,7 +31,8 @@ export interface FeatureListingResult {
 export class FeatureListingHandler implements ICommandHandler<FeatureListingCommand> {
   constructor(
     @Inject(LISTING_REPOSITORY) private readonly listingRepo: IListingRepository,
-    private readonly commandBus: CommandBus,
+    @Inject(PAYMENT_INITIATOR) private readonly paymentInitiator: IPaymentInitiator,
+    private readonly eventBus: EventBus,
     private readonly logger: LoggerService,
   ) {}
 
@@ -55,20 +58,33 @@ export class FeatureListingHandler implements ICommandHandler<FeatureListingComm
         throw new ValidationException('Gói không hợp lệ', { package: command.package_ });
       }
 
-      const paymentResult: CreatePaymentResult = await this.commandBus.execute(
-        new CreatePaymentCommand(
-          command.userId,
-          command.provider,
-          'FEATURED_LISTING',
-          price,
-          `Đẩy tin nổi bật ${command.package_.replace('_', ' ')} - Listing ${command.listingId}`,
-          command.returnUrl,
-          command.ipAddress,
+      // Emit domain event BEFORE payment initiation so audit/analytics listeners
+      // see the request even if the downstream payment gateway fails.
+      this.eventBus.publish(
+        new FeaturedListingPaymentRequestedEvent(
           command.listingId,
-          `feature_${command.listingId}_${Date.now()}`,
+          command.userId,
+          command.package_,
+          price,
+          command.provider,
         ),
       );
 
+      // Cross-module call goes through the shared `IPaymentInitiator` port
+      // (payments registers the adapter). No direct dependency on payments
+      // application-layer commands — see A-10.
+      const paymentResult = await this.paymentInitiator.initiate({
+        userId: command.userId,
+        provider: command.provider,
+        type: 'FEATURED_LISTING',
+        amountVND: price,
+        description: `Đẩy tin nổi bật ${command.package_.replace('_', ' ')} - Listing ${command.listingId}`,
+        returnUrl: command.returnUrl,
+        ipAddress: command.ipAddress,
+        transactionId: command.listingId,
+        idempotencyKey: `feature_${command.listingId}_${Date.now()}`,
+      });
+
       this.logger.log(
         `Featured listing payment created: listing=${command.listingId}, package=${command.package_}, payment=${paymentResult.paymentId}`,
         'FeatureListingHandler',
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/featured-listing-payment-requested.event.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/featured-listing-payment-requested.event.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c33d3d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/featured-listing-payment-requested.event.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { type DomainEvent } from '@modules/shared';
+
+/**
+ * Emitted when a user requests to feature (boost) a listing. Carries enough
+ * context for downstream listeners (analytics, audit, anti-fraud) to react
+ * without coupling them to the listings module.
+ *
+ * The actual payment is initiated synchronously through the
+ * `IPaymentInitiator` port — see A-10. This event is the audit trail.
+ */
+export class FeaturedListingPaymentRequestedEvent implements DomainEvent {
+  readonly eventName = 'listing.featured-payment-requested';
+  readonly occurredAt: Date;
+
+  constructor(
+    /** The listing being featured (used as `aggregateId`). */
+    public readonly aggregateId: string,
+    public readonly userId: string,
+    public readonly package_: '3_days' | '7_days' | '30_days',
+    public readonly priceVND: bigint,
+    public readonly provider: string,
+  ) {
+    this.occurredAt = new Date();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/index.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/index.ts
index efb2aae..5cbd4bc 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/index.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/listings/domain/events/index.ts
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ export { ListingPriceChangedEvent } from './listing-price-changed.event';
 export { ListingSoldEvent } from './listing-sold.event';
 export { ListingFeaturedExpiredEvent } from './listing-featured-expired.event';
 export { ListingOwnershipTransferredEvent } from './listing-ownership-transferred.event';
+export { FeaturedListingPaymentRequestedEvent } from './featured-listing-payment-requested.event';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/payments/infrastructure/adapters/command-bus-payment-initiator.adapter.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/payments/infrastructure/adapters/command-bus-payment-initiator.adapter.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e5fc8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/payments/infrastructure/adapters/command-bus-payment-initiator.adapter.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@nestjs/common';
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/consistent-type-imports -- NestJS DI requires value imports
+import { CommandBus } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
+import {
+  type IPaymentInitiator,
+  type InitiatePaymentInput,
+  type InitiatePaymentResult,
+} from '@modules/shared';
+import { CreatePaymentCommand } from '../../application/commands/create-payment/create-payment.command';
+import { type CreatePaymentResult } from '../../application/commands/create-payment/create-payment.handler';
+
+/**
+ * Adapter exposing the payments module through the shared `IPaymentInitiator`
+ * port. Other modules (e.g. listings) depend on the port instead of importing
+ * application-layer commands from payments — see A-10.
+ */
+@Injectable()
+export class CommandBusPaymentInitiator implements IPaymentInitiator {
+  constructor(private readonly commandBus: CommandBus) {}
+
+  async initiate(input: InitiatePaymentInput): Promise<InitiatePaymentResult> {
+    const result: CreatePaymentResult = await this.commandBus.execute(
+      new CreatePaymentCommand(
+        input.userId,
+        input.provider,
+        input.type,
+        input.amountVND,
+        input.description,
+        input.returnUrl,
+        input.ipAddress,
+        input.transactionId,
+        input.idempotencyKey,
+      ),
+    );
+    return result;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/payments/payments.module.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/payments/payments.module.ts
index c394cc3..89aebb6 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/payments/payments.module.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/payments/payments.module.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { Module } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { CqrsModule } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
+import { PAYMENT_INITIATOR } from '@modules/shared';
 import { CancelOrderHandler } from './application/commands/cancel-order/cancel-order.handler';
 import { ConfirmBankTransferHandler } from './application/commands/confirm-bank-transfer/confirm-bank-transfer.handler';
 import { CreateOrderHandler } from './application/commands/create-order/create-order.handler';
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ import { PAYMENT_REPOSITORY } from './domain/repositories/payment.repository';
 import { PrismaEscrowRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-escrow.repository';
 import { PrismaOrderRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-order.repository';
 import { PrismaPaymentRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-payment.repository';
+import { CommandBusPaymentInitiator } from './infrastructure/adapters/command-bus-payment-initiator.adapter';
 import { BankTransferService } from './infrastructure/services/bank-transfer.service';
 import { MomoService } from './infrastructure/services/momo.service';
 import { PaymentGatewayFactory } from './infrastructure/services/payment-gateway.factory';
@@ -62,7 +64,10 @@ const QueryHandlers = [
     // CQRS
     ...CommandHandlers,
     ...QueryHandlers,
+
+    // Cross-module port adapter
+    { provide: PAYMENT_INITIATOR, useClass: CommandBusPaymentInitiator },
   ],
-  exports: [ESCROW_REPOSITORY, ORDER_REPOSITORY, PAYMENT_REPOSITORY, PAYMENT_GATEWAY_FACTORY],
+  exports: [ESCROW_REPOSITORY, ORDER_REPOSITORY, PAYMENT_REPOSITORY, PAYMENT_GATEWAY_FACTORY, PAYMENT_INITIATOR],
 })
 export class PaymentsModule {}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/__tests__/create-saved-search.handler.spec.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/__tests__/create-saved-search.handler.spec.ts
index 14aca04..2d7a5cd 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/__tests__/create-saved-search.handler.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/__tests__/create-saved-search.handler.spec.ts
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@ import { CreateSavedSearchHandler } from '../commands/create-saved-search/create
 describe('CreateSavedSearchHandler', () => {
   let handler: CreateSavedSearchHandler;
   let mockPrisma: any;
-  let mockQueryBus: { execute: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
-  let mockCommandBus: { execute: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
-  let mockLogger: { log: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>; warn: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  let mockEventBus: { publish: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
+  let mockLogger: { log: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>; warn: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>; error: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn> };
 
   beforeEach(() => {
     mockPrisma = {
@@ -16,27 +15,17 @@ describe('CreateSavedSearchHandler', () => {
         count: vi.fn(),
       },
     };
-    mockQueryBus = { execute: vi.fn() };
-    mockCommandBus = { execute: vi.fn() };
-    mockLogger = { log: vi.fn(), warn: vi.fn() };
+    mockEventBus = { publish: vi.fn() };
+    mockLogger = { log: vi.fn(), warn: vi.fn(), error: vi.fn() };
 
     handler = new CreateSavedSearchHandler(
       mockPrisma,
-      mockQueryBus as any,
-      mockCommandBus as any,
+      mockEventBus as any,
       mockLogger as any,
     );
   });
 
-  it('creates a saved search successfully', async () => {
-    mockQueryBus.execute.mockResolvedValue({
-      metric: 'searches_saved',
-      limit: 10,
-      used: 2,
-      remaining: 8,
-      allowed: true,
-    });
-
+  it('creates a saved search successfully and publishes domain event', async () => {
     const now = new Date();
     mockPrisma.savedSearch.create.mockResolvedValue({
       id: 'saved-1',
@@ -48,8 +37,6 @@ describe('CreateSavedSearchHandler', () => {
       createdAt: now,
     });
 
-    mockCommandBus.execute.mockResolvedValue({ usageRecordId: 'usage-1' });
-
     const command = new CreateSavedSearchCommand(
       'user-1',
       'Chung cư Q7',
@@ -61,7 +48,9 @@ describe('CreateSavedSearchHandler', () => {
     expect(result.name).toBe('Chung cư Q7');
     expect(result.alertEnabled).toBe(true);
     expect(mockPrisma.savedSearch.create).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
-    expect(mockCommandBus.execute).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1); // Usage metering
+    expect(mockEventBus.publish).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(mockEventBus.publish.mock.calls[0]?.[0]?.eventName).toBe('saved-search.created');
+    expect(mockEventBus.publish.mock.calls[0]?.[0]?.userId).toBe('user-1');
   });
 
   it('throws when name is empty', async () => {
@@ -74,49 +63,4 @@ describe('CreateSavedSearchHandler', () => {
     const command = new CreateSavedSearchCommand('user-1', longName, {}, true);
     await expect(handler.execute(command)).rejects.toThrow('Tên tìm kiếm không được vượt quá 100 ký tự');
   });
-
-  it('throws when quota is exceeded', async () => {
-    mockQueryBus.execute.mockResolvedValue({
-      metric: 'searches_saved',
-      limit: 5,
-      used: 5,
-      remaining: 0,
-      allowed: false,
-    });
-
-    const command = new CreateSavedSearchCommand('user-1', 'Test', {}, true);
-    await expect(handler.execute(command)).rejects.toThrow('giới hạn');
-  });
-
-  it('continues even when usage metering fails', async () => {
-    mockQueryBus.execute.mockResolvedValue({
-      metric: 'searches_saved',
-      limit: 10,
-      used: 2,
-      remaining: 8,
-      allowed: true,
-    });
-
-    const now = new Date();
-    mockPrisma.savedSearch.create.mockResolvedValue({
-      id: 'saved-1',
-      userId: 'user-1',
-      name: 'Test',
-      filters: {},
-      alertEnabled: true,
-      lastAlertAt: null,
-      createdAt: now,
-    });
-
-    mockCommandBus.execute.mockRejectedValue(new Error('Metering failed'));
-
-    const command = new CreateSavedSearchCommand('user-1', 'Test', {}, true);
-    const result = await handler.execute(command);
-
-    expect(result.id).toBe('saved-1');
-    expect(mockLogger.warn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      expect.stringContaining('Usage metering failed'),
-      'CreateSavedSearchHandler',
-    );
-  });
 });
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler.ts
index 35471e2..c3895e9 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import { InternalServerErrorException } from '@nestjs/common';
-import { CommandHandler, CommandBus, type ICommandHandler, QueryBus } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
+import { CommandHandler, EventBus, type ICommandHandler } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
 import { createId } from '@paralleldrive/cuid2';
 import { type SavedSearch, type Prisma } from '@prisma/client';
 import { DomainException, ValidationException, PrismaService, LoggerService } from '@modules/shared';
-import { CheckQuotaQuery, type QuotaCheckResult, MeterUsageCommand } from '@modules/subscriptions';
+import { SavedSearchCreatedEvent } from '../../../domain/events/saved-search-created.event';
 import { CreateSavedSearchCommand } from './create-saved-search.command';
 
 export interface CreateSavedSearchResult {
@@ -14,12 +14,18 @@ export interface CreateSavedSearchResult {
   createdAt: Date;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Note: quota enforcement (`searches_saved` metric) lives at the controller
+ * via `@RequireQuota('searches_saved')` + `QuotaGuard`. Usage metering
+ * happens in subscriptions via the `SavedSearchCreatedEvent` listener.
+ * This handler must NOT call `CheckQuotaQuery` or `MeterUsageCommand`
+ * directly — see A-11.
+ */
 @CommandHandler(CreateSavedSearchCommand)
 export class CreateSavedSearchHandler implements ICommandHandler<CreateSavedSearchCommand> {
   constructor(
     private readonly prisma: PrismaService,
-    private readonly queryBus: QueryBus,
-    private readonly commandBus: CommandBus,
+    private readonly eventBus: EventBus,
     private readonly logger: LoggerService,
   ) {}
 
@@ -34,17 +40,6 @@ export class CreateSavedSearchHandler implements ICommandHandler<CreateSavedSear
         throw new ValidationException('Tên tìm kiếm không được vượt quá 100 ký tự');
       }
 
-      // Check quota
-      const quotaResult: QuotaCheckResult = await this.queryBus.execute(
-        new CheckQuotaQuery(command.userId, 'searches_saved'),
-      );
-
-      if (!quotaResult.allowed) {
-        throw new ValidationException(
-          `Bạn đã đạt giới hạn ${quotaResult.limit} tìm kiếm đã lưu. Vui lòng nâng cấp gói để tiếp tục.`,
-        );
-      }
-
       const id = createId();
       const savedSearch: SavedSearch = await this.prisma.savedSearch.create({
         data: {
@@ -56,17 +51,8 @@ export class CreateSavedSearchHandler implements ICommandHandler<CreateSavedSear
         },
       });
 
-      // Best-effort usage metering
-      try {
-        await this.commandBus.execute(
-          new MeterUsageCommand(command.userId, 'searches_saved', 1),
-        );
-      } catch (err) {
-        this.logger.warn(
-          `Usage metering failed for saved search: ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)}`,
-          'CreateSavedSearchHandler',
-        );
-      }
+      // Publish domain event so subscriptions can meter usage out-of-band.
+      this.eventBus.publish(new SavedSearchCreatedEvent(id, command.userId));
 
       this.logger.log(`Saved search created: id=${id}, user=${command.userId}`, 'CreateSavedSearchHandler');
 
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/index.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8900d21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+export { SavedSearchCreatedEvent } from './saved-search-created.event';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/saved-search-created.event.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/saved-search-created.event.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c391ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/domain/events/saved-search-created.event.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import { type DomainEvent } from '@modules/shared';
+
+/**
+ * Emitted when a user successfully creates a saved search. Drives downstream
+ * usage metering (subscriptions module) without coupling search → subscriptions
+ * at the application layer (A-11).
+ */
+export class SavedSearchCreatedEvent implements DomainEvent {
+  readonly eventName = 'saved-search.created';
+  readonly occurredAt: Date;
+
+  constructor(
+    /** Saved search id (used as `aggregateId`). */
+    public readonly aggregateId: string,
+    public readonly userId: string,
+  ) {
+    this.occurredAt = new Date();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/index.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/index.ts
index 5df7fcb..759fe50 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/search/index.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/index.ts
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 export { SearchModule } from './search.module';
 export { TypesenseClientService } from './infrastructure/services/typesense-client.service';
+export { SavedSearchCreatedEvent } from './domain/events/saved-search-created.event';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/presentation/controllers/saved-search.controller.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/presentation/controllers/saved-search.controller.ts
index 0282bcc..f7c580c 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/search/presentation/controllers/saved-search.controller.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/presentation/controllers/saved-search.controller.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import {
   ApiParam,
 } from '@nestjs/swagger';
 import { type JwtPayload, CurrentUser, JwtAuthGuard } from '@modules/auth';
+import { QuotaGuard, RequireQuota } from '@modules/subscriptions';
 import { CreateSavedSearchCommand } from '../../application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.command';
 import { type CreateSavedSearchResult } from '../../application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler';
 import { DeleteSavedSearchCommand } from '../../application/commands/delete-saved-search/delete-saved-search.command';
@@ -40,6 +41,8 @@ export class SavedSearchController {
   ) {}
 
   @Post()
+  @UseGuards(QuotaGuard)
+  @RequireQuota('searches_saved')
   @ApiOperation({ summary: 'Lưu tìm kiếm', description: 'Lưu bộ lọc tìm kiếm để nhận thông báo khi có kết quả mới' })
   @ApiResponse({ status: 201, description: 'Tìm kiếm đã được lưu' })
   @ApiResponse({ status: 400, description: 'Dữ liệu không hợp lệ' })
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/search/search.module.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/search/search.module.ts
index b98359b..a5e9287 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/search/search.module.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/search/search.module.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { Module, type OnModuleInit } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { CqrsModule } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
 import { makeCounterProvider } from '@willsoto/nestjs-prometheus';
 import { LoggerService } from '@modules/shared';
+import { SubscriptionsModule } from '@modules/subscriptions';
 import { CreateSavedSearchHandler } from './application/commands/create-saved-search/create-saved-search.handler';
 import { DeleteSavedSearchHandler } from './application/commands/delete-saved-search/delete-saved-search.handler';
 import { ReindexAllHandler } from './application/commands/reindex-all/reindex-all.handler';
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ const CommandHandlers = [SyncListingHandler, ReindexAllHandler, CreateSavedSearc
 const QueryHandlers = [SearchPropertiesHandler, GeoSearchHandler, GetSavedSearchesHandler, GetSavedSearchHandler];
 
 @Module({
-  imports: [CqrsModule],
+  imports: [CqrsModule, SubscriptionsModule],
   controllers: [SearchController, SavedSearchController],
   providers: [
     // Infrastructure
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/index.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/index.ts
index 3c045df..aabcc0b 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/index.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/index.ts
@@ -11,5 +11,15 @@ export {
   ConflictException,
   UnauthorizedException,
   ForbiddenException,
+  TooManyRequestsException,
 } from './domain-exception';
 export type { ErrorResponseBody } from './domain-exception';
+export {
+  AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER,
+  type IAIConfigProvider,
+  type AiRuntimeConfig,
+  PAYMENT_INITIATOR,
+  type IPaymentInitiator,
+  type InitiatePaymentInput,
+  type InitiatePaymentResult,
+} from './ports';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/ai-config.port.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/ai-config.port.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ce538e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/ai-config.port.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/**
+ * Runtime AI configuration read by any module that needs to call an LLM.
+ * This is the shared port — concrete implementations live in the owning
+ * module (currently `admin`) so we avoid cross-module application-layer
+ * coupling (A-09).
+ */
+export interface AiRuntimeConfig {
+  apiUrl: string;
+  apiKey: string | null;
+  model: string;
+}
+
+export interface IAIConfigProvider {
+  /**
+   * Return the currently configured runtime AI settings. Implementations
+   * should resolve secrets server-side and MUST never expose the raw key
+   * over HTTP — this port is intended for backend runtime use only.
+   */
+  getAiConfig(): Promise<AiRuntimeConfig>;
+}
+
+export const AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER = Symbol('AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER');
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/index.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc1f395
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+export {
+  AI_CONFIG_PROVIDER,
+  type IAIConfigProvider,
+  type AiRuntimeConfig,
+} from './ai-config.port';
+export {
+  PAYMENT_INITIATOR,
+  type IPaymentInitiator,
+  type InitiatePaymentInput,
+  type InitiatePaymentResult,
+} from './payment-initiator.port';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/payment-initiator.port.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/payment-initiator.port.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..505555f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/shared/domain/ports/payment-initiator.port.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import { type PaymentProvider, type PaymentType } from '@prisma/client';
+
+/**
+ * Minimal cross-module contract used by non-payment modules (e.g. listings)
+ * to initiate a payment without importing payments application-layer commands.
+ *
+ * The concrete implementation lives in `payments` and is registered under the
+ * `PAYMENT_INITIATOR` symbol. This keeps the dependency direction
+ * listings → shared ← payments, matching our module-boundary rules (A-10).
+ */
+export interface InitiatePaymentInput {
+  userId: string;
+  provider: PaymentProvider;
+  type: PaymentType;
+  amountVND: bigint;
+  description: string;
+  returnUrl: string;
+  ipAddress: string;
+  /** Associated business-object id (e.g. listingId) when relevant. */
+  transactionId?: string;
+  idempotencyKey?: string;
+}
+
+export interface InitiatePaymentResult {
+  paymentId: string;
+  paymentUrl: string;
+  providerTxId: string;
+}
+
+export interface IPaymentInitiator {
+  initiate(input: InitiatePaymentInput): Promise<InitiatePaymentResult>;
+}
+
+export const PAYMENT_INITIATOR = Symbol('PAYMENT_INITIATOR');
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/infrastructure/event-handlers/saved-search-created-usage.handler.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/infrastructure/event-handlers/saved-search-created-usage.handler.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32ff44c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/infrastructure/event-handlers/saved-search-created-usage.handler.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import { Injectable } from '@nestjs/common';
+import { CommandBus } from '@nestjs/cqrs';
+import { OnEvent } from '@nestjs/event-emitter';
+import { type SavedSearchCreatedEvent } from '@modules/search';
+import { LoggerService } from '@modules/shared';
+import { MeterUsageCommand } from '../../application/commands/meter-usage/meter-usage.command';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class SavedSearchCreatedUsageHandler {
+  constructor(
+    private readonly commandBus: CommandBus,
+    private readonly logger: LoggerService,
+  ) {}
+
+  @OnEvent('saved-search.created', { async: true })
+  async handle(event: SavedSearchCreatedEvent): Promise<void> {
+    this.logger.log(
+      `Metering searches_saved usage for user=${event.userId}`,
+      'SavedSearchCreatedUsageHandler',
+    );
+
+    try {
+      await this.commandBus.execute(
+        new MeterUsageCommand(event.userId, 'searches_saved', 1),
+      );
+    } catch (error) {
+      // Log but don't fail — usage metering is best-effort (quota already enforced by guard)
+      this.logger.warn(
+        `Failed to meter usage for user=${event.userId}: ${(error as Error).message}`,
+        'SavedSearchCreatedUsageHandler',
+      );
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/subscriptions.module.ts b/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/subscriptions.module.ts
index 6127458..2b14b39 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/subscriptions.module.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/modules/subscriptions/subscriptions.module.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { GetBillingHistoryHandler } from './application/queries/get-billing-hist
 import { GetPlanHandler } from './application/queries/get-plan/get-plan.handler';
 import { SUBSCRIPTION_REPOSITORY } from './domain/repositories/subscription.repository';
 import { ListingCreatedUsageHandler } from './infrastructure/event-handlers/listing-created-usage.handler';
+import { SavedSearchCreatedUsageHandler } from './infrastructure/event-handlers/saved-search-created-usage.handler';
 import { PrismaSubscriptionRepository } from './infrastructure/repositories/prisma-subscription.repository';
 import { SubscriptionsController } from './presentation/controllers/subscriptions.controller';
 import { QuotaGuard } from './presentation/guards/quota.guard';
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ const QueryHandlers = [
 
     // Event Listeners
     ListingCreatedUsageHandler,
+    SavedSearchCreatedUsageHandler,
 
     // CQRS
     ...CommandHandlers,