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

Chapter 18: The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 Part 1

The harem turns deadlier in its second iteration. Stripped of your allies and forced into servitude, you must navigate Empress Wang's psychological warfare whil…

Survival Rate55%
Choices7
Death Branches5
Favor CheckLi Zhi, Empress Wang

Synopsis

The harem turns deadlier in its second iteration. Stripped of your allies and forced into servitude, you must navigate Empress Wang's psychological warfare while Li Zhi's affections become both weapon and shield. Every word you speak is a potential death sentence — or a stepping stone to survival.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

A servant tries to grab you — how do you react?

Pull your hand away
Show outcome
SAFE

Resolve + — You refuse to be demeaned; continues to Scene 22

Choice 2

Empress Wang interrogates you about your intentions. What do you say?

Your Majesty, please punish this servant severely
Show outcome
DEATH

BE 016 — You beg for punishment and are destroyed by it

I believe Linglun wasn't intentional
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience + — Recommended; you deflect blame without groveling

Auntie, I won't let you speak of the Empress that way
Show outcome
SAFE

Strategy + — You gamble on loyalty over submission

Choice 3

Empress Wang shows you 'concern' — really a test. How do you respond?

My life already belongs to the Empress
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience + — You accept your position and survive

I truly can't take it anymore
Show outcome
DEATH

BE 017 — Your weakness is exploited; you break

I actually enjoy doing rough work
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience + — You disguise your pain as contentment

Choice 4

Li Zhi asks what you want him to do. This is a pivotal moment.

Your Majesty, I want to rise through our child
Show outcome
DEATH

BE 018 — Resolve +, Li Zhi Affinity +99, but this path leads to ruin

Your Majesty should spend more time with the Empress
Show outcome
SAFE

Strategy + — You play the long game; recommended for main path

Your Majesty should spend more time with Consort Xiao
Show outcome
DEATH

BE 019 — Strategy +, but directing Li Zhi elsewhere backfires

Choice 5

A disappointed Li Zhi waits. What do you say?

Actually I don't want His Majesty to visit the Empress
Show outcome
DEATH

BE 020 — Resolve +, but jealousy leads to disaster

This is my true feeling
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience +, Empress Wang Trust +5 — Honesty earns unexpected allies

Choice 6

Do you serve Li Zhi proactively or wait for the Empress's order?

Serve Li Zhi proactively
Show outcome
SAFE

Resolve + — You take initiative; chapter complete

Wait for the Empress's order
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience + — You play it safe; chapter complete

Frequently Asked Questions

Which choice at Scene 24 is best for the main story?

Choose 'Your Majesty should spend more time with the Empress.' This keeps you on the main path and avoids BE 018/019. The other options seem tempting with affinity bonuses but lead to bad endings.

Does the 'our child' option ever lead to a good outcome?

No — despite giving +99 Li Zhi Affinity, it always triggers BE 018. The game punishes using pregnancy as a political tool in this chapter.

← Previous
Ch17: A New Era
Next →
Ch19: The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 Part 2