So, a quick recap on this world: we are in the Qing Dynasty. The male lead of this world is the morally grey crown prince born of the deceased empress. His maternal family holds a lot of power in court, so even the emperor has to be wary of him.
Also, for the sake of making him the complete male lead package, he is also a god of war loved by all the common people but is extremely ruthless to those who cross him. He was the one who ordered my killing at the beginning and the biggest death flag I must avoid.
As for our female lead, she is the daughter of the national protector, who is a part of the neutral party in court. In plain terms, her father wants her to have no involvement with royalty and is simply loyal to the crown and to the people, which also means as long as the ruler isn't a tyrant, he won't act against them.
Then we have the second male lead. He is the prince regent, the youngest brother of the emperor and the uncle of the crown prince, even though they are close in age.
Then we have the villain, the second prince and the son of the current empress, who was the emperor's true love. So, in other words, she has no maternal noble family supporting her, but the emperor is so in love with her that he had the prime minister adopt her as his sister, so that the prime minister's household will be her and the second prince's support.
Now, the role I was initially going to play was the female supporting villainess. I was the only daughter of the prime minister with five protective brothers and a father who spoiled me a lot. I was hopelessly in love with the crown prince and was willing to do anything to be his crown princess despite being in the second prince's faction.
Well, long story short, my entire family would have died, weakening the villain's support. I would have stayed alive and been tortured till I eventually killed myself, unable to bear watching the crown prince marry the female lead I hate.
So, all these are the general death flags I should avoid. In short, I think I should just avoid the capital completely.
Oh, there is also a secret main antagonist that the director refused to reveal to me, saying it would add intrigue to the script. Well, I am really intrigued, so thank you, director.
I have decided. My first decision in Operation Do Not Die is to move to a town farthest from the capital but not by the border, as this script had a war trope, and I don't want to get involved.
Honestly, thinking back now, if there was someone I admired in this whole script, that would be the male supporting character who was saved by the female lead and swore loyalty to her. He was the owner of the biggest merchant guild and had an information channel that rivaled the imperial family.
He felt genuine admiration for the female lead, simply wishing she would lead a happy life away from all sorrows, and even sacrificed himself in the end to make sure she had that happy life, leaving all his wealth to her.
I hated his death, but if I were to try changing anything, I would get involved in the plot. And as much as I loved his character, I love my life even more, so…
I promise to offer the best white chrysanthemum flowers I can find.
As soon as the sun set, I left the inn I was staying at and decided to head for a different province altogether.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning, young girl. You don't seem to be from around here, are you?"
"No, I'm not. I came from Hunan Province, and I intend to go to Sichuan from here, but I forgot the name of the village my relative had told me."
"You said Sichuan? Which county?"
"It's Heping County."
"Heping? The only village I know of in Heping is Heishan Village, but it's extremely desolate and rarely ever has visitors. Young girl, does that sound like where you're going?"
"Yes, yes, Heishan! That is exactly where I plan to go."
"Young girl, why would you leave the thriving Hunan Province to go to a desolate place like Sichuan?"
"Ah, my old lady's health has been declining, and we were told that a quiet mountain-like place is good for recovery. That is why I'm heading to Sichuan."
"Ah, what a filial child."
"Thank you. I'll be on my way now."
I never thought listening in history classes would actually prove useful. Heishan, here I come.
It took almost a week to reach Sichuan from the capital outskirts, but it was all worth it.
This place is so desolate that it is perfect.
I first head over to the head of Heishan Village to move my residency and also purchase a house and land with part of my remaining money.
The village chief was more than happy to have me. He readily welcomed me and sold me the properties I had chosen.
The neighbors all came together to help me with cleaning up the house and were all so kind, giving me food, blankets, and other immediate necessities.
"Thank you, neighbors. Once I settle in, I will invite you all for a meal."
"Alright. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Our village happily welcomes you."
"A-Xin, here. The village chief asked me to give you this grain. It should last for about a week."
"Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, Auntie."
"A-Xin, you're too polite. From now on, we're like one big family."
As soon as everyone leaves, I do some final clean-up before collapsing on my bed. It's not as comfortable as the one given in the palace, but at least my life isn't in constant danger.
Alright, Su Jingxin, it's time to think of your path to money. I have the talent to basically do anything. I could choose the medicine route, become a merchant, or even decide to stay a farmer.
"Ah, what should I do?"
I could become a physician. I learned Chinese medicine and the art of herb processing before. I could go to the mountains, pick up some herbs, head to town, sell them, and also do some consultation on the side.
Why does all that seem more stressful than farming? Farming or medicine? I'm a lazy 21st-century young lady. Why would I ever choose farming?
I jump up, suddenly motivated.
"To the mountains I go!" As soon as I step outside, I am physically assaulted by the sun and make a very difficult but essential decision:
"I should take a quick nap first."
__
Sleep is as essential as breathing in life. Even if I had all the riches in the world, if I don't have health, how could I ever spend them?
What others call procrastination, I call strategic reshuffling. That is why I only come into the mountains two days after making my original plan.
I find some midrange herbs and put them into my basket, finding this mountain not to be as desolate as people believe it to be.
"Wait, what is that?"
I run towards the herb I just spot and dig it up. Ginseng! I really found ginseng. But what is this red patch around it?
I carefully smell the red fluid that stains the grass to find that it is blood. My brain seems to go into autopilot as I turn to look for the source of the blood only to find a young man bleeding and unconscious in a shallow ditch nearby.
I use all my strength to drag him out and then carry him to my home. His wounds are serious and seemed to be caused by a blade.
I find little things around and use them to improvise, stitching him up and treating his wounds. And that's when it suddenly hits me:
One of the most common rules any trashy novel reader knows is that you never pick up a handsome man from the forest. He's either a scumbag or someone important or even both.
Su Jingxin, you really are going to die.