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

Chapter 41: The Great Era Part 3

The final chapter. Every choice leads to the Eternal Empress ending — or to BE 129 if you fail the prerequisite chain. Wan'er's questions force you to confront …

Survival Rate65%
Choices6
Death Branches1
Favor CheckWan'er

Synopsis

The final chapter. Every choice leads to the Eternal Empress ending — or to BE 129 if you fail the prerequisite chain. Wan'er's questions force you to confront your legacy, the pearl curtain must be torn down, and the Mingtang must be built. This is where the game asks: what kind of empress are you?

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

What drives you to the very end?

I do all this for the Great Dynasty
Show outcome
SAFE

Ambition + — Duty as motivation

I do all this for the late Emperor
Show outcome
SAFE

Strategy + — Legacy as motivation

I do all this for my own ambition
Show outcome
SAFE

Ambition +, Resolve +, Prestige + — Recommended; the honest answer is the most powerful one

Choice 2

Wan'er asks about her grandfather Shangguan Yi. Was he wronged?

Do you think your grandfather Shangguan Yi was wronged?
Show outcome
SAFE

Resilience + — You must complete both options to proceed

Choice 3

Wan'er asks why you love reading. (Complete both questions to proceed)

Why do you love reading?
Show outcome
SAFE

Strategy + — Both questions must be answered before Scene 191

Choice 4

The pearl curtain stands between you and the throne. What do you do?

Tear it down
Show outcome
SAFE

Ambition +, Resolve +, Prestige + — The curtain is the last symbol of indirect rule; removing it is claiming direct authority

Choice 5

What monument will symbolize your reign?

Build a new imperial palace
Show outcome
RISKY

Scene 193 — Grand but not the right symbol; leads to BE 129 unless paired with wrong auspice

Build more temples
Show outcome
RISKY

Scene 193 — Pious but not the right symbol; leads to BE 129 unless paired with wrong auspice

Build the Mingtang — the symbol of imperial power
Show outcome
SAFE

Scene 193 — Required for main path; the Mingtang represents heavenly mandate and earthly authority

Choice 6

How do you proclaim your divine mandate to the people?

Use folk songs to proclaim your divine mandate
Show outcome
RISKY

Leads to BE 129 unless paired with Mingtang

Use auspicious omens to proclaim your divine mandate
Show outcome
SAFE

Required for main path. Prerequisite: Scene 192 Mingtang + Scene 193 Auspicious omens → Scene 194; otherwise → BE 129

Use the precedent of female ruler Wu Wang to proclaim your divine mandate
Show outcome
RISKY

Leads to BE 129 unless paired with Mingtang

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the prerequisite chain to avoid BE 129?

You MUST choose both: (1) Build the Mingtang at Scene 192, AND (2) Use auspicious omens at Scene 193. Any other combination triggers BE 129. The Mingtang represents imperial authority; the auspicious omens represent heavenly mandate. Together, they form the complete justification for female rule.

Do I need to answer both of Wan'er's questions?

Yes. At Scene 190, you must click both options (about Shangguan Yi and about reading) before the game advances to Scene 191. Each gives different attribute bonuses (Resilience + and Strategy +).

What is the Eternal Empress ending?

After building the Mingtang and proclaiming auspicious omens, you choose whether to build the Great Buddha. Saying 'yes' leads to Scene 195 where you gild the statue, gaining +5 attributes (Ambition, Resilience, Resolve, Strategy, Prestige) and unlocking the 'Eternal Empress' ending — the canonical final ending of the RtE II main line.

Should I build the Great Buddha at Scene 194?

'Yes' gives Prestige + and leads to the gilding scene with maximum attribute gains. 'No' ends the chapter immediately. Both complete the game, but 'yes' gives the fuller ending.

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Ch40: The Great Era Part 2