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

Chapter 23: First Among the Nine Consorts

The title of First Consort is within your grasp, but the poisoned tea incident, the jade piece mystery, and Ling Shuang's betrayal create a labyrinth of suspici…

Survival Rate40%
Choices16
Death Branches5
Favor CheckLi Zhi, Xu Minhui

Synopsis

The title of First Consort is within your grasp, but the poisoned tea incident, the jade piece mystery, and Ling Shuang's betrayal create a labyrinth of suspicion. Every ally could be an enemy, and Xu Minhui's arrival complicates the board further.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Someone tries to poison your tea at the consort ceremony. How do you handle it?

Publicly accuse the suspect
Show outcome
RISKY

Dramatic but dangerous — if you're wrong, you've made a permanent enemy

Switch the cups silently and observe who reacts
Show outcome
SAFE

Clever — you identify the culprit without exposing yourself

Choice 2

Xu Minhui arrives at the palace, bearing an uncanny resemblance to someone from your past. How do you treat her?

With warmth — she didn't choose to be the empress's pawn
Show outcome
SAFE

Xu Minhui may become a genuine ally

With caution — she's clearly a planted spy
Show outcome
NEUTRAL

Smart, but you miss the chance to win her over

Frequently Asked Questions

Who poisoned the tea?

The culprit varies based on your previous choices. The game dynamically assigns blame based on whose favor you've built and whose enmity you've earned. There's no single 'right' answer.

Is the jade piece important?

Extremely. The jade piece is a key item that reappears in later chapters. Failing to investigate it here locks you out of the true ending path.

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Ch21: Unnecessary Mother
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Ch25: Sun and Moon in Harmony 1