A New Era opens the main story after the Prologue's Li Zhi route. The protagonist reunites with Li Zhi at Ganye Temple and returns to the palace, where she must…
A New Era opens the main story after the Prologue's Li Zhi route. The protagonist reunites with Li Zhi at Ganye Temple and returns to the palace, where she must navigate Empress Wang's scrutiny in a series of high-stakes interrogations. Eight bad endings lurk behind seemingly innocuous dialogue options, making this one of the densest death-gate chapters in the early game.
Li Zhi +1. A composed greeting that maintains dignity.
Strategy +, Li Zhi +2. A calculated show of hurt that earns more respect and a higher affinity boost.
Resolve +, Li Zhi +1. An emotional response that deepens the bond.
A restrained reaction; no mechanical bonus.
BE 8 + 1 voice message. Agreeing too eagerly makes you a target.
Refusing forces Li Zhi to negotiate, keeping you safer.
BE 9 + 2 voice messages. Xiao's faction is too dangerous to provoke directly.
Strategy +. Exploiting Wang's prudence is the smarter play.
Wang +2. Playing the weak newcomer lowers her guard but costs respect.
Wang -2. Standing your ground earns no favor with the Empress but preserves your pride. This is a KEY CHOICE that shapes later interactions.
Wang -5 → BE 10 + 3 voice messages. Admitting closeness provokes the Empress's wrath.
Wang -1 → BE 11 + 1 voice message. Dismissal is too transparent a lie.
Wang +2. A candid admission that paradoxically satisfies the Empress more than denial.
Wang -9 → BE 12. Excessive honesty about the bond is suicidal.
BE 13. Confirming again from this angle is a trap.
BE 13. Contradicting your previous answer is equally fatal.
Resolve +. Accepting the offer with grace is the safe path. After the scene: Ambition +, Resolve +, Strategy +, then Ambition +, Resolve +, Prestige +.
Wang -2 → BE 14. Devaluing yourself triggers a bad ending.
Wang -1 → BE 15. Overreaching for the consort title is punished.
Ambition +. Choosing power sets you on the ambitious route. Note: this choice may cause the 'When Did Your Heart Falter?' scene in Ch21-22 to be automatically skipped.
Resolve +, Resolve +. Choosing love deepens the romantic route.
Ambition +, Resolve +, Strategy +. The boldest answer that boosts all three stats. This is a KEY CHOICE that determines which storyline branch you follow.
The Tell the Truth and Rumors or Truth scenes are sequential traps. In choice 6, the only safe option is 'Yes, it's true' (Wang +2). However, choice 7 is a pure death gate — all three options lead to BE 12 or BE 13. This means you must have passed choice 5 correctly AND accepted Wang's invitation in choice 8 to survive. The interrogation is designed so that your earlier rapport with Wang determines whether you even reach choice 7.
Yes. Choosing 'Power' at the end of Ch17 sets you on the ambition route, which can cause the 'When Did Your Heart Falter?' scene in Ch21-22 to be automatically skipped. Choosing 'I want everything' gives the best overall stat boosts (Ambition +, Resolve +, Strategy +) and may unlock additional scenes.
Calmly greet → Say nothing → Refuse → Use Empress Wang's caution → Act timid and submissive → Yes, it's true → Accept → I want everything. This path avoids all death branches and maximizes stat gains.