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

Chapter 21: Unnecessary Mother

Consort Liu fights for her son Li Zhong's position in the succession line. The poisoned earring incident reveals how far mothers will go for their children — an…

Survival Rate45%
Choices18
Death Branches5
Favor CheckConsort Liu, Li Zhi

Synopsis

Consort Liu fights for her son Li Zhong's position in the succession line. The poisoned earring incident reveals how far mothers will go for their children — and how far the empress will go to prevent it. Your position between them makes every choice a moral minefield.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

You discover Consort Liu's poisoned earring plot. What do you do?

Report it to the empress — this threatens the empire
Show outcome
SAFE

You gain the empress's trust but doom Consort Liu

Confront Consort Liu privately — give her a chance to stop
Show outcome
RISKY

She may be grateful or she may eliminate you as a witness

Destroy the evidence — protect Consort Liu for political reasons
Show outcome
RISKY

If discovered, you're implicated in attempted murder

Choice 2

The succession question: who should be crown prince?

Support Li Zhong — he's the eldest legitimate heir
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

You align with tradition but against the empress's wishes

Support the empress's choice — stability matters more than tradition
Show outcome
SAFE

Pragmatic; you maintain the most powerful alliance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Consort Liu be saved?

It's difficult but possible. You need to intervene early, confront her before the plot is discovered, and have enough favor with the empress to advocate for mercy. Most playthroughs result in her downfall.

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Ch20: Claiming the Empress's Throne 3
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Ch23: First Among the Nine Consorts