RETURN OF THE ACTRESS
Crown Prince's Request

Palace garden

"Greetings to his highness the emperor and empress." Said the crown prince.

"What brings you here?" Ask emperor.

"I have a small plea, it's about some fugitive whose case has just been closed." Answer the crown prince.

"Leave us three." Empress orders. All the servants left immediately.

"What kind of wish is that?" Ask emperor.

"A few years ago some slandered people had committed the murder of concubines just because of a meaningless piece of cloth, they were eventually sentenced to death. They did not give up, the prisoners escaped the death penalty. Then, they became fugitives with a price of only 1000 taels per person. After being fugitive for a year, a leader adds a reward to the person who can capture them to 10,000 taels per person. For almost 5 years they were not found, finally their case was closed a few months ago. I'm here to beg the emperor to find them, bring them back to this palace. Not as a fugitive to be killed, but as a royal whose name will be cleared." Answer the crown prince.

"They disappeared like they were swallowed up by the earth, very hard to find. I heard they escaped by passing through the forbidden forest, the forest was rumored to be very dangerous. They must be dead, if they were alive how could they not be found?" Emperor says.

"Your Majesty, they must be alive. After all they were still noble wives and daughters! What noble emperor was such a vile man that he could kill his daughter and wife just because they were slandered by evil people?! The servant begged the noble one to find out the truth and clear their name!!" The crown prince suddenly knelt down.

"Are you begging as a sister? Or the... You're begging as a man to get the woman you want? She's your sister, don't ever think she'll come back and you can go after her!!" Resolute emperor.

"Hamba begged as a sister! I plead as a sister who misses her sister! As an older brother who just wants his sister to live quietly! Live with happiness! Live with honor! Not as a fugitive!" Answer the crown prince.

"Please! How dare you yell in front of me just to defend some fugitive?!" Emperor says.

"Your majesty, just because of a piece of cloth are you willing to sacrifice your daughter and wife?! Isn't that just a meaningless thing?! Why does your majesty believe so?! They must be defamed! Please be wise, your majesty!" The crown prince did not give up.

"Evidence has been shown, an old servant as a witness, even a dagger full of blood was found in the room of concubine Jiao, how can a slander come from evidence that is already clearly visible?" Empress.

"Your highness empress, wasn't concubine Jiao a noble friend since childhood? Wasn't it her own majesty who asked the emperor to make her as a concubine? Isn't your relationship great? Then why just because a few words from a concubine like concubine Yao could make the noble one forget that friendship?" Ask the crown prince who made the empress pause for a moment.

"She doesn't quibble when accused, doesn't that mean she doesn't deny it? Doesn't that mean it's true if he wants to kill me? You're my son, why are you even begging for forgiveness for the man who planned to kill me?" The queen asked back.

"What does the empress know how it feels to be untrustworthy by a very noble person? His Majesty considers himself as a sibling, always wants him to be fine, always wants him to be happy, always wants him to live a quiet and healthy life, always willing to do anything for him who has been friends with his noble for decades. But that person instead believes in a few words from the person who wants to destroy you. The man alleged that his highness wanted to kill him, then his noble friend believed and gave his majesty the death penalty. Does your majesty know how it feels?" Instead of answering, the crown prince asked again.

"I've always felt that you were the most reliable, I didn't think you were trying to rebel." Emperor says.

"I don't feel like I'm doing a rebellion, I just want my brother to get justice. My sister lived a life full of obstacles for so many years due to slander until supposedly death, I just wanted to see her happy. If he's dead, I'd like to see his body even if it's just bones." Said the crown prince.

"Where did you learn to defy and try to protect a fugitive? Even though he's your brother, he's still a fugitive!" Resolute emperor.

"Hamba already knows the answer to the servant's request, please leave." The crown prince just left the emperor and empress who only looked at him with an indecipherable look.

.........

Lodging

"Walking to someone." Jianying replied briefly.

"someone? Who?" Ask Jieru again.

"Someone who always hoped to see you guys is fine." Jianying replied again.

"Someone related to the palace?" Guess Jieru.

"Yes, he's been waiting for you guys to come back." Reply Jianying.

"Are you sure he's not the one who wants us dead?" Jieru.

"How is it possible? He's the one who always wants you guys to be okay!" Jianying replied with certainty.

"Oh? Who is that guy? A waitress who also served my mother first? Or the.... Crown prince?" Jieru guessed again.

"Second, he's the one who wants to see you. I'll let him know if you're here." Jianying.

"Oh? You want to meet the crown prince. So you're not worried if someone follows you and kills you?" Ask Jieru.

"I'll be gone at night, no one's gonna see me because I'm so good at sneaking around." Jianying replied with pride.

"Yayaya is up to you. If we get caught because you eat I'll kill you! Oh, do I have a nephew?" Ask Jieru.

"Ah.... That's... I forgot to tell you that. All the crown prince's wives died of illness, even their babies died of the same thing." Reply Jianying.

"Don't you know who did it?" Ask Jieru.

"That cunning old woman did it all perfectly! We can't accuse him of having no proof!" Jianying looked furious.

"It's a pity that I want to see if my niece will look like her mother or father. All right, you can go. Remember to be careful, don't forget about my threats!" Jieru said as he played the dagger in his hand.

"Yayaya I know! Don't be such a cold-blooded killer! I'm your friend not the enemy!" Jianying.

I don't care who you are. What ruined my plan will die!" Jieru.

"Yes, okay. I'm leaving now, I'll be back soon." Jianying.

"You'd better remember the words I said!" Threat Jieru.

Jianying immediately left because she did not want to talk more with Jieru who changed his personality again. He went to see the crown prince and relayed all the information.

Seriate.....