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

Chapter 10: Feast of Shadow 1

Behind the gilded doors of Consort Wei's inner circle, a feast of deception unfolds. Xi Xin's brother is a pawn in a deadly game, and the choices you make will …

Survival Rate38%
Choices8
Death Branches9
Favor CheckXi Xin

Synopsis

Behind the gilded doors of Consort Wei's inner circle, a feast of deception unfolds. Xi Xin's brother is a pawn in a deadly game, and the choices you make will determine whether he lives, dies, or becomes a weapon. Du Ruo's loyalties are unclear, Lan De lurks in the shadows, and the box you must unlock holds secrets that could topple factions. In this chapter, mercy and pragmatism are not the same thing.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Consort Wei's circle presents two figures you can interact with. Who do you approach?

Approach Du Ruo first, then Xi XinNEUTRAL
A deliberate order — Du Ruo's story colors your view of Xi Xin
Approach Xi Xin first, then Du RuoNEUTRAL
Prioritizing Xi Xin gives context to Du Ruo's actions
Choice 2

You must choose between Xi Xin and Du Ruo. Whose side do you take?

Du RuoDEATH
Du Ruo's side leads to a trap you cannot escape
Xi XinSAFE
Xi Xin's cause is the safer path — and the more just one
Choice 3

Xi Xin's brother is in mortal danger. What do you do?

Have Rui'er swap the dregsDEATH
The swap is detected — you are exposed as a conspirator
Break him outDEATH
A prison break without resources is suicide
Kill him and frame Consort WeiSAFE
A ruthless but effective strategy — the frame sticks
Choice 4

You must decide: kill for real or stage his death?

Kill for realDEATH
Actual murder leaves evidence that cannot be erased
Stage his deathSAFE
A convincing performance — the world believes him dead
Choice 5

What happens to Little Shui, the brother?

Give Little Shui back to Xi XinSAFE
An act of mercy — Xi Xin Favor +9 and enduring loyalty
Keep Little Shui as leverageDEATH
Leverage becomes a noose — Xi Xin turns against you
Choice 6

Who is the snitch leaking information to Consort Wei?

Du RuoDEATH
Wrong — Du Ruo is many things, but not the snitch
Liu XiDEATH
Liu Xi has her own agenda, but she is not the informant
Du Ruo's beau, Lan DeSAFE
Correct — Lan De has been feeding information to Consort Wei
Xi Xin has no clueDEATH
Dismissing the possibility leaves you vulnerable
Choice 7

You must unlock the box to reveal the evidence. Can you crack it?

Enter the correct passwordSAFE
The box opens — damning evidence in your hands
Choice 8

Du Ruo begs for release. What do you do?

Keep her tied — she cannot be trustedSAFE
Caution prevails; Du Ruo remains contained
Let her go out of mercyDEATH
Mercy to the wrong person is fatal — Du Ruo betrays you

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is framing Consort Wei with Xi Xin's brother the safe option?

In the brutal logic of the rear palace, killing him outright creates a murder investigation, and breaking him out is logistically impossible. Framing Consort Wei eliminates the threat while turning a liability into a weapon against your enemy. It is ruthless, but survival in the palace demands ruthlessness.

How do I figure out that Lan De is the snitch?

The game provides subtle clues throughout the chapter — Du Ruo's unusual knowledge of timing, Lan De's suspicious absences. Players who pay attention to NPC behavior patterns can deduce it. If you are stuck, Hint Mode highlights the relevant dialogue.

Is giving Little Shui back to Xi Xin worth it?

Absolutely. It is the single largest single-chapter favor gain in the game (+9 for Xi Xin). This pays dividends in later chapters where Xi Xin's loyalty can mean the difference between life and death.

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Ch9: Consort of Preciousness's Downfall
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Ch11: Love Under Imperial Tyranny