Later in the evening, Princess Huizhen noticed Huiling staring at Cuilian from time to time, as if she trying to signal something. She narrowed her eyes slightly, but didn’t say anything.

After dinner, Princess Huizhen returned to her palace. Once the doors were shut, she whirled around, slapping Cuilian sharply across the face.

Cuilian shrieked and staggered backward. Her eyes welled with tears, but she didn’t dare retreat.

"Princess... what… ...