Fan-made guide — content verified from public playthrough sources. Road to Empress is © New One Studio.
Road to Empress

Chapter 6: Southern Mountain Hunt 1

The imperial hunt at Southern Mountain begins as a grand spectacle but quickly turns dangerous. A wild steed, a prince in peril, and a hairpin that belongs to s…

Survival Rate55%
Choices8
Death Branches5
Favor CheckLi Zhi, Li Tai, Li Shimin
QTEYes

Synopsis

The imperial hunt at Southern Mountain begins as a grand spectacle but quickly turns dangerous. A wild steed, a prince in peril, and a hairpin that belongs to someone unexpected — every choice tests your instincts and loyalties. The hunt is not just about game; it is about who you choose to serve, who you choose to save, and what you are willing to endure.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Who are you betting on for the hunt?

Betting on Li Zhi
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

You favor the Ninth Prince — a quiet declaration of allegiance

Hoping Li Tai wins
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

Aligning with the ambitious prince has its perks and perils

I will feel bad for the loser
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

Neutrality is safe but unremarkable

Choice 2

A wild steed charges toward you. How do you handle it?

Sing softly to calm it
Show outcome
DEATH

A gentle song will not stop a panicked warhorse

Grab the whip, hammer, and dagger
Show outcome
SAFE

Preparedness saves your life — and earns respect

Choice 3

Li Zhi is in trouble during the hunt. What do you do?

Rush in to save him
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SAFE

Courage under fire — Li Zhi will remember this

Hang back and wait for someone else
Show outcome
DEATH

While you hesitate, the moment — and Li Zhi — slips away

No Response
Show outcome
DEATH

Inaction in a crisis is a death sentence

Choice 4

An assailant threatens Li Zhi. You must act now!

Pass QTE — Knock him off
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SAFE

Quick reflexes save the prince

Fail QTE
Show outcome
DEATH

Your hesitation costs Li Zhi — and yourself

Choice 5

You find a hairpin at the scene. Whose is it?

Li Shimin's
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

The Emperor's involvement adds a layer of intrigue

Li Tai's
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NEUTRAL

The ambitious prince's presence raises questions

Li Zhi's
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NEUTRAL

The Ninth Prince may be more entangled than he seems

Choice 6

After the hunt, you are called to serve. What do you choose?

Go and serve him — Bedchamber Duty
Show outcome
SAFE

You enter the inner sanctum of power, but at what cost?

Find an excuse to skip — Their Perspectives
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SAFE

You avoid direct entanglement and gain hidden perspectives

Choice 7

During Bedchamber Duty, you face an intimate choice.

Make him never forget me
Show outcome
DEATH

Ambition in the bedchamber leads to ruin

Endure it
Show outcome
SAFE

Patience and restraint carry you through — unlocks Their Perspectives

Choice 8

Whose perspective do you wish to see?

View Li Zhi's perspective
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

Insight into the Ninth Prince's inner world

View Li Tai's perspective
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

Understanding the ambitious prince's true motives

Continue without viewing
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

You move forward with your own perspective only

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the QTE in Chapter 6 mandatory?

Yes. The 'Knock Him Off' QTE must be passed to continue. Failing it results in a Bad Ending. There is no alternative path around it.

Does the hairpin choice in Chapter 6 affect later chapters?

Yes. The hairpin you identify changes scene variants in Chapters 10-11, specifically the 'Tell him to stay' scene. This is one of the reasons players get stuck at 97% exploration — you need to replay with different hairpin choices.

Should I choose Bedchamber Duty or skip it?

Both paths are safe, but they reveal different content. Bedchamber Duty provides a direct encounter with power, while skipping reveals hidden character perspectives. For 100% exploration, you must play both paths.

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Ch5: Southern Mountain Hunt
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Ch7: The Ominous Prophecy