Road to Empress II

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Road to Empress II Wiki

Complete Road to Empress II wiki with chapter walkthrough, all endings, memorial review & imperial edict guides, 57 achievements, controls, story map tips, and FAQ. Updated for global launch June 9, 2026.

Overview

Road to Empress II is a live-action interactive palace drama developed by New One Studio. As the sequel to the globally acclaimed Road to Empress I, it shifts from survival in the inner court to ruling an empire — reviewing memorials, issuing imperial edicts, and navigating deadly faction politics from the shadows.

With approximately 1,000 minutes of 4K cinematic footage, every dialogue choice and governance decision triggers cascading consequences across relationships, alliances, and court influence. Your playthrough ends with a personalized Imperial Personality Trait Sketch that reflects your leadership style.

This wiki covers the full eight-chapter campaign, both major romance routes (Li Zhi and Li Tai), memorial and edict mechanics, all documented endings, Steam achievements, and practical tips for 100% story map completion.

Release

June 9, 2026 (global)

  • Steam (PC) 4K HD support, 57 achievements, introductory -20% discount until June 22
  • iOS (App Store) Free trial of Chapter 1, full game via in-app purchase
  • Android (Google Play) Free trial of Chapter 1, full game via in-app purchase
  • Nintendo Switch In development, expected H2 2026

Select language: English · Simplified Chinese · Traditional Chinese · Japanese · Korean · Thai · German · French · Spanish

Steam: $14.40 USD (introductory offer from $18.00)

Controls

PC

  • Esc Open pause menu / settings
  • Space Pause or resume video playback
  • Q Skip already-viewed video segments
  • Arrow Keys Navigate between choices on branching points
  • Left Click Select dialogue option or confirm memorial/edict decision

Mobile

  • Tap Select choices and confirm decisions
  • Swipe Navigate story map branches and scroll memorial documents
  • Long Press Access additional context on some governance screens
  • —Use the Story Map (accessible from the main menu) to backtrack to any unlocked node without replaying from the start.
  • —The "Current" button on the story map highlights your active path — essential for tracking 100% exploration.
  • —QTE segments require timely button presses; failing usually triggers a bad ending but can be immediately retried via backtrack.

Story

Years after rising through the imperial court, Wu Yuanzhao has taken the veil at Ganye Temple following the Late Emperor's passing. Empress Wang recalls her to the palace, reigniting a deadly struggle for the throne. You must balance power between noble factions, manage relationships with Li Zhi and Li Tai, and decide whether to claim the empire through governance or retreat into a different fate entirely.

Chapter 1: Ganye Temple

Recalled from monastic life. Establish your stance toward Empress Wang's invitation and Liu Xi's hostility.

Chapter 2: Return to Court

Critical dress and mood combinations when meeting the Emperor determine six hidden branches for 100% completion.

Chapter 3: Faction Winds

Navigate Chancellor Zhangsun's aristocratic bloc vs. emerging reformists. First memorial review tutorial.

Chapter 4: Eastern Palace Shadows

Fish tally intrigue, Consort Xiao rivalry, and choosing whom to trust with state secrets.

Chapter 5: Imperial Governance

Full memorial review and edict systems unlock. Court reputation, public sentiment, and health stats matter.

Chapter 6: Border Flames

War council decisions affect military endings. Turkic campaign branches tie to earlier edict choices.

Chapter 7: The Prince's Gambit

Li Tai's rebellion arc and Li Zhi's succession crisis converge. Faction loyalty checks become lethal.

Chapter 8: Fate's Verdict

Final branching: remain at temple, follow Li Tai's new world route, or return to palace for the Empress route.

Memorial Review

Memorial Review (批阅奏折) is Road to Empress II's signature governance mechanic. Petitions from across the empire arrive at your desk — each verdict shifts faction standing, public sentiment, and future story gates.

  • —Each memorial presents 2–4 response options ranging from lenient to severe. Hover descriptions hint at affected factions but not exact outcomes.
  • —Approving land redistribution pleases commoners but angers aristocratic clans (Zhangsun bloc). Denying petitions has the inverse effect.
  • —Some memorials are chained — your Chapter 5 verdict on border grain requisitions unlocks different Chapter 6 military events.
  • —Hidden "perfect governance" memorials appear only when court reputation exceeds 70 and you spared a specific minister in Chapter 3.

Grain Requisition Dispute

  • Approve local exemption — public sentiment +10, Zhangsun -5
  • Deny and enforce collection — treasury +8, rebellion risk in Ch.6
  • Defer to regional governor — neutral, unlocks hidden audit in Ch.5

Corrupt Magistrate Petition

  • Execute immediately — merit faction +12, mercy route locked
  • Strip rank and exile — balanced, preserves edict alliance
  • Dismiss as slander — fast path, triggers assassination attempt BE

Edicts

Imperial Edicts let you reshape the court directly — granting titles, stripping ranks, and setting empire-wide policy. Edicts consume "imperial authority" points earned through memorial outcomes and key story choices.

  • —Each edict session offers 3–5 decrees. You may issue only one per session; unused options are lost.
  • —Mercy edicts (reduced taxes, amnesty) boost public sentiment and Li Zhi affinity. Rigor edicts (purges, martial law) empower the military but alienate Consort Xiao's faction.
  • —Granting Chancellor Zhangsun additional titles early locks you into the aristocracy-dependent ending path.
  • —The "Open Frontier Markets" edict is required for the Turkic alliance ending; it must be issued before Chapter 6 border council.
  • —Save edict authority for Chapter 5 and 7 — the highest-impact sessions occur before war and succession crises.
  • —If pursuing Li Tai's route, avoid edicts that strengthen Li Zhi's military allies.
  • —100% exploration requires issuing at least one mercy and one rigor edict across separate playthroughs.

Walkthrough

Chapter 1: Ganye Temple

Empress Wang's Invitation

Accept the invitation with grace

Safe

Outcome: Proceed to court. Empress Wang favor +5.

Notes: Recommended for first playthrough.

Refuse bluntly

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Forgotten Nun — you remain at temple permanently.

Notes: Instant BE. Use for story map completion only.

Demand to know Liu Xi's role first

Branch

Outcome: Unlocks confrontation scene with Liu Xi. Li Zhi affinity +3.

Notes: Required for Networking Pro achievement path.

Liu Xi's Warning

Ignore her threat

Safe

Outcome: Continue to departure sequence.

Confront her about past betrayal

Branch

Outcome: Reveals hidden backstory. Unlocks Liu Xi archive entry.

Notes: Needed for 100% character profiles.

Report her to temple abbess

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Silenced — Liu Xi arranges your accident.

Chapter 2: Return to Court

Dress Selection (First Audience)

Bright Crimson Robe (明艳)

Branch

Outcome: Sets Crimson branch for all Chapter 2–8 combinations.

Notes: Pair with mood choice below. 3 moods × 2 dresses = 6 branches for 100%.

Ethereal White Robe (谪仙)

Branch

Outcome: Sets Ethereal branch for all Chapter 2–8 combinations.

Notes: Required for full exploration.

Mood When Seeing the Emperor

Nervous

Branch

Outcome: Crimson-Nervous or Ethereal-Nervous sub-route.

Notes: Affects Chapter 8 Fate's Verdict hidden dialogue.

Composed

Branch

Outcome: Crimson-Composed or Ethereal-Composed sub-route.

Hopeful

Branch

Outcome: Crimson-Hopeful or Ethereal-Hopeful sub-route.

Notes: Unlocks unique Li Zhi scene in Ch.4.

First Meal at Court

It's spoiled — leave it

Safe

Outcome: Avoid poison. Proceed normally.

Eat it anyway

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Humble Farewell — food poisoning.

Notes: Achievement: Gourmet Disaster (hidden).

Chapter 3: Faction Winds

Chancellor Zhangsun's Audience

Defer to his counsel publicly

Branch

Outcome: Aristocracy path +15. Li Zhi concerned.

Notes: Locks Turkic alliance if over 80 aristocracy.

Politely decline his candidate

Safe

Outcome: Reformist path +10. Zhangsun hostility +5.

Notes: Safer for Empress route.

Accuse him of overreach

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Court Purge — arrested before trial.

First Memorial (Tutorial)

Rule in favor of petitioners

Safe

Outcome: Public sentiment +8. Tutorial complete.

Rule in favor of magistrate

Safe

Outcome: Merit faction +5. Tutorial complete.

Abstain and defer

Branch

Outcome: Neutral. Unlocks advanced memorial in Ch.5.

Notes: Required for Perfect Judgment achievement.

Chapter 4: Eastern Palace Shadows

Lost Fish Tally

Search the palace yourself

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Caught — Consort Xiao's trap.

Ask Liu Xi about the tally

Branch

Outcome: Discover Liu Xi stole it. Li Tai favor +1.

Notes: Opens Li Tai conspiracy branch.

Report loss to Dowager Consort Yang

Safe

Outcome: Safe path. Li Zhi favor +5.

Notes: Recommended first run.

Consort Xian's Intent to Kill

You dare kill me? My aunt is Consort Yang!

Branch

Outcome: Triggers escape sequence. Li Zhi favor +8 if you reach Prince Jin.

Is this truly for your late husband?

Branch

Outcome: Reveals Consort Xian's vulnerability. Li Tai favor +1.

Submit and accept fate

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Eastern Palace Ghost.

Who to Report To

Tell the Emperor directly

Branch

Outcome: Li Zhi route acceleration. Crown prince crisis triggered early.

Tell Consort Wei

Safe

Outcome: Moderate path. Consort Wei alliance.

Tell your aunt Consort Yang

Safe

Outcome: Safest. Proceed to Chapter 5.

Notes: Best for first completion.

Chapter 5: Imperial Governance

Edict Session — Tax Policy

Issue tax relief edict

Branch

Outcome: Public sentiment +15. Required for prosperity endings.

Issue military funding edict

Branch

Outcome: Army strength +12. Required for border campaign endings.

Consolidate imperial authority

Safe

Outcome: Court control +10. Neutral path.

Xu Minhui's Introduction

Treat her with warmth (remember Xu Hui)

Safe

Outcome: Xu Minhui loyalty unlocked. Hidden quest chain.

Reject Empress Wang's pawn openly

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Isolated — Empress Wang removes your allies.

Use her to spy on Consort Xiao

Branch

Outcome: Espionage route. Mirage Pavilion contact unlocked.

Notes: Required for shadow empress ending.

Chapter 6: Border Flames

War Council — Turkic Threat

Lead the campaign personally

Branch

Outcome: Military empress route. Requires prior Open Frontier Markets edict.

Appoint Ji Huaizhong as commander

Safe

Outcome: Ji Huaizhong loyalty +20. Standard victory path.

Negotiate peace with tributes

Branch

Outcome: Diplomatic ending branch. Zhangsun approval required.

Supply Line Memorial

Requisition from aristocrat estates

Branch

Outcome: Army supplied. Zhangsun -15.

Use imperial treasury

Safe

Outcome: Treasury -20. Balanced outcome.

Deny the army additional grain

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Border Collapse — frontier falls.

Chapter 7: The Prince's Gambit

Li Tai's Rebellion Evidence

Present evidence to Li Zhi immediately

Branch

Outcome: Li Zhi route lock-in. Li Tai imprisoned.

Confront Li Tai privately first

Branch

Outcome: Li Tai route remains open. Hidden dialogue tree.

Destroy the evidence

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Complicit — both princes turn against you.

Bianji Incident Response

Sacrifice the relationship to preserve Li Tai's status

Branch

Outcome: Li Tai retains political standing. Romance cooled.

Notes: Li Tai political ending path.

Stand by Li Tai regardless of consequences

Branch

Outcome: Li Tai loses succession. Retreat ending unlocked.

Notes: Leads to mountain retreat HE.

Report to the Emperor

Safe

Outcome: Li Zhi route strengthened.

Chapter 8: Fate's Verdict

Sudden Unspoken Rules

Righteously agree

Branch

Outcome: Ending: Mutual Devotion (双向奔赴).

This is a good deal — accept

Branch

Outcome: Ending: New Way of Life (新的活法).

Firmly refuse

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Rejected Fate.

Accept Your Fate?

Accept fate

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Early Demise (中年早噶).

Refuse fate (wait ~5 seconds for option)

Safe

Outcome: Unlocks Fate's Choice branch.

Notes: Second option appears after delay.

Fate's Choice — Main Branch

Stay and practice — reach monastic peak

Branch

Outcome: Ending: Renowned Nun (一代名尼).

Leave temple — Li Tai New World route

Branch

Outcome: Enter Li Tai route. See Li Tai's Fate below.

Return to palace — Li Zhi Empress route

Branch

Outcome: Enter Li Zhi route. See Chance to Meet Li Zhi below.

Li Tai's Fate (New World Route)

Stop struggling — protect Prince of Wei

Branch

Outcome: Ending: Fated Peony (宿命般的牡丹).

Beg her not to scar your face

Branch

Outcome: Ending: Humanized Liu Xi (人性化熙姐).

Seize hairpin and eliminate Liu Xi

Branch

Outcome: Enter Ultimate Showdown QTE sequence.

Notes: Pass both QTE rounds to proceed.

Ultimate Showdown QTE

Pass Round 1 QTE — seize hairpin before incense burns out

Branch

Outcome: Proceed to Round 2.

Notes: Fail: Ending Lv1 Harvest.

Pass Round 2 QTE — defeat Liu Xi before incense burns out

Safe

Outcome: Enter New World epilogue. Li Tai mountain retreat HE available.

Notes: Fail: Ending 1v1 Harvest.

Chance to Meet Li Zhi (Empress Route)

Burst through the doors

Branch

Outcome: Risky. Li Zhi favor +5 if successful.

Slip hairpin to nun — pass to Li Zhi

Branch

Outcome: Ending: Explosion-Proof You (被防爆的你) if QTE failed.

Shout Li Zhi's name loudly

Branch

Outcome: Triggers Opportunity Fleeting QTE.

Opportunity Fleeting QTE

Break free before incense burns out

Safe

Outcome: Enter Empress route — coronation path unlocked.

Notes: THE critical QTE for Empress ending.

Fail to break free in time

Bad Ending

Outcome: Bad Ending: Explosion-Proof You (被防爆的你).

Notes: Backtrack and retry immediately.

Endings

Ascend the Throne

Good Ending

Conditions: Chapter 8: Return to palace → pass Opportunity Fleeting QTE → maintain Li Zhi affinity >60 and court reputation >70

Wu Yuanzhao is crowned Empress Regnant. Li Zhi remains as Emperor with shared governance. The golden age ending.

Border Campaign Victory

Good Ending

Conditions: Issue Open Frontier Markets edict + lead campaign in Ch.6 + Empress route

Unified empire through military might. Unique war epilogue cinematic.

Mountain Retreat with Li Tai

Good Ending

Conditions: Li Tai route → pass Ultimate Showdown QTEs → choose retreat in Ch.7 Bianji response

Abandon the court with Li Tai. Peaceful life ending — highest emotional completion for Li Tai romance.

Shadow Empress

Good Ending

Conditions: Espionage path in Ch.5 + Mirage Pavilion alliance + rigor edicts dominant

Rule from behind the curtain through intelligence network. Unique trait sketch: Deadly Arsenic Trioxide.

Renowned Nun

Good Ending

Conditions: Chapter 8: Stay and practice at temple

Achieve spiritual mastery at Ganye Temple. Peaceful alternative to power.

Mutual Devotion

Good Ending

Conditions: Chapter 8: Righteously agree to unspoken rules

Romantic resolution with balanced political outcome.

Fated Peony

Bad Ending

Conditions: Li Tai route → stop struggling to protect Prince of Wei

Li Tai survives but political dreams end. Bittersweet fate.

Early Demise

Bad Ending

Conditions: Chapter 8: Accept fate when prompted

Wu Yuanzhao dies young. Avoid by waiting for the refuse option.

Forgotten Nun

Bad Ending

Conditions: Chapter 1: Refuse Empress Wang bluntly

Remain at temple forgotten. Instant bad ending.

Court Purge

Bad Ending

Conditions: Chapter 3: Accuse Zhangsun of overreach too early

Arrested and eliminated by aristocratic faction.

Border Collapse

Bad Ending

Conditions: Chapter 6: Deny army grain requisitions

Frontier falls to Turkic invasion. Empire in ruins.

Harvest Time

Bad Ending

Conditions: Chapter 8: Fail Ultimate Showdown QTE rounds

Liu Xi eliminates you. Multiple QTE failure variants (Lv1 and 1v1).

Achievements

Road to Empress II features 57 Steam achievements. Below are key achievements and their documented triggers. Full list visible on Steam community hub.

Networking Pro

How to unlock: Complete Liu Xi confrontation in Chapter 1 via either dialogue branch.

Perfect Judgment

How to unlock: Abstain on the first memorial in Chapter 3, then achieve flawless memorial chain in Chapter 5.

Martial Arts Master

How to unlock: Pass all QTE segments across both Road to Empress I and II (cross-game achievement).

Master of All

How to unlock: 100% story map completion on a single save after all chapters.

Merciful Ruler

How to unlock: Issue only mercy edicts through an entire playthrough.

Iron Empress

How to unlock: Issue only rigor edicts and reach any ending.

Six Paths

How to unlock: Experience all six dress-mood combinations from Chapter 2.

Golden Age

How to unlock: Reach the Empress coronation ending with public sentiment above 80.

Hidden Lines

How to unlock: Collect 50 bad ending reflection voice lines.

Trait Collector

How to unlock: Receive all three personality trait sketches: Deadly Arsenic Trioxide, Romantic Datura, Overachiever Lurid Bolete.

Story Map

The Story Map displays your branching path as a horizontal tree. Main decisions that affect future routes are highlighted with golden borders. Unexplored branches appear without ending nodes.

Past choices at video branching points are marked with a flower icon — use this to identify options you have not yet tried for 100% exploration.

The backtrack feature lets you jump to any unlocked node instantly. Death endings are designed to teach character motives — each failure adds reflection entries to your archive.

For 100% completion: replay Chapter 2 with all 6 dress-mood combinations (2 dresses × 3 moods), clear all incense-timer QTE branches in Chapter 8, and experience both Li Zhi and Li Tai final routes.

Characters

Factions

Zhangsun Aristocratic Bloc

Chancellor Zhangsun, Empress Wang, Consort Liu

Controls Three Departments. Favors tradition and clan privilege. High standing unlocks aristocracy endings but blocks reformist alliances.

Reformist Circle

Ji Huaizhong, Li Yifu, Xu Minhui

Low-born talent seeking advancement. Supports merit-based governance and military modernization.

Imperial Household

Li Zhi, Li Tai, Grand Princess Gaoyang, Crown Prince Li Chengqian

The Li clan's internal succession struggle. Your romance and edict choices determine which prince gains power.

Mirage Pavilion

Xiao Nian, Mirage Pavilion Master

Secret intelligence network. Unlock through espionage choices in Chapters 4–5 for the shadow empress route.

Key Characters

Wu Yuanzhao

Protagonist

From fallen noble family to potential Empress. Your choices define her political style and relationships.

Li Zhi

Emperor / Romance Route

Third Emperor of Sheng Dynasty. The Empress route centers on shared governance and coronation.

Li Tai

Prince of Wei / Romance Route

Fourth son with thwarted ambitions. His route offers political maneuvering or peaceful retreat.

Liu Xi

Antagonist

Childhood friend turned rival. Central to Chapter 8 confrontation and multiple QTE sequences.

Empress Wang

Power Broker

Recalls you from temple. Her favor opens court access but demands political loyalty.

Xi Xin

Guard / Ally

Formidable fighter loyal after you rescued her brother. Essential ally in assassination survival scenes.

Trait Sketch

At each ending, you receive an Imperial Personality Trait Sketch analyzing your scheming style, crisis decisions, and control methods.

Deadly Arsenic Trioxide

Cool, versatile operator balancing power and passion. Achieved through balanced memorial verdicts and strategic alliances across all factions.

Romantic Datura

Loyal, ride-or-die romantic charging through fire. Triggered by consistently high romance affinity choices with either Li Zhi or Li Tai.

Overachiever Lurid Bolete

Ruthless high-achiever letting nothing block ambition. Result of dominant rigor edicts, purge memorials, and shadow empress choices.

Requirements

PC

Minimum

  • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD equivalent
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • GPU: Dedicated graphics card, DirectX 11
  • Storage: 10 GB
  • Network: Broadband internet required

Recommended

  • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
  • CPU: Intel Core i5 or better
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • GPU: Dedicated graphics card, DirectX 11
  • Storage: 10 GB
  • Network: Broadband internet required

Mobile

Minimum

  • Android 7.0+ or iOS 12+
  • Storage: 4 GB available
  • Network: Constant internet connection required

FAQ

Do I need to play Road to Empress I first?

Not required for the story, but recommended. Road to Empress II assumes familiarity with Wu Yuanzhao's backstory. Some achievements are cross-game. Road to Empress I covers her rise from Cairen to power.

Why do I keep getting instant bad endings?

Many choices have only one safe option per scene. Use the Story Map to backtrack immediately after a death. This wiki's walkthrough marks safe, branch, and death outcomes for every scene.

How do I get the Empress coronation ending?

In Chapter 8, choose Return to palace, then pass the Opportunity Fleeting QTE before incense burns out. Maintain Li Zhi affinity above 60 throughout.

What is the difference between Li Zhi and Li Tai routes?

Li Zhi route leads to imperial power and coronation. Li Tai route branches into political survival, mountain retreat romance, or tragic fated endings depending on Chapter 7–8 choices.

Does the game require an internet connection?

Yes. Both PC and mobile versions require a constant internet connection, likely for video streaming and in-app purchase verification.

How do memorial reviews affect endings?

Memorial verdicts shift faction standing and public sentiment. Certain thresholds gate war endings, shadow empress path, and the golden age coronation epilogue.

Are there promo codes?

No. Road to Empress II is a premium FMV game, not a free-to-play title with redeemable codes.

Steam Deck compatibility?

Playable but may require initial age verification on PC first. Some users report black screen in Game Mode — Desktop Mode workaround available. Minor stutters when new video segments load.