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

Chapter 12: Love Under Imperial Tyranny 1

Love in the imperial court is not a freedom — it is a battlefield. When Gaoyang's forbidden relationship with the monk Bianji is discovered, the Emperor's wrath…

Survival Rate60%
Choices10
Death Branches5
Favor CheckLi Tai, Gaoyang
QTEYes

Synopsis

Love in the imperial court is not a freedom — it is a battlefield. When Gaoyang's forbidden relationship with the monk Bianji is discovered, the Emperor's wrath threatens everyone connected to her. Xi Xin's request, Fang Yi'ai's schemes, and Li Tai's dangerous question all converge in a chapter where silence kills and speaking up may cost you everything.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Xi Xin makes a request that could compromise your position. Do you approve?

ApproveDEATH
Xi Xin's request is a trap — approval seals your fate
DeclineSAFE
Refusal preserves your standing, though Xi Xin is displeased
Choice 2

Whose side do you take in the Gaoyang conflict?

Gaoyang — protect the princess at all costsSAFE
You choose loyalty — path leads to Undoing the Marriage
His Majesty — the Emperor's will is lawSAFE
You choose obedience — path leads to Engagement Delay
Choice 3

You must find a reason to delay the engagement. What do you say?

Gaoyang is too youngDEATH
Age is not a valid argument in the imperial court
The late Empress's memorial is soonSAFE
Filial piety is unassailable — the delay is granted
Choice 4

You need to delay the engagement through another angle. What reasoning do you use?

Gaoyang is too youngDEATH
This argument fails regardless of which path you are on
The late Empress's memorial is soonSAFE
The same reasoning works — filial duty trumps political expedience
Choice 5

How do you assist Gaoyang during the delay?

Say Father's earrings are lost — create a distractionSAFE
A clever misdirection buys precious time
Slip away while he is distractedSAFE
A quiet exit avoids direct confrontation
Choice 6

You must scale the wall to reach Gaoyang. Can you do it?

Pass QTE — Scale the WallSAFE
Agility and determination carry you over
Fail QTE — try againNEUTRAL
You can retry — the QTE loops until you succeed
Choice 7

Li Tai asks you a pointed question about your loyalties. How do you answer?

Tell the truthNEUTRAL
Honesty is refreshing — but may be used against you later
We prayed for His Majesty's healthNEUTRAL
A safe, diplomatic answer
We prayed for your match, Your HighnessNEUTRAL
Flattery that pleases Li Tai without revealing anything
Choice 8

Fang Yi'ai gives you an order. How do you respond?

This place is unbearableSAFE
Honest frustration that Fang Yi'ai respects
What is that buzzing? It is youSAFE
Sharp wit that catches Fang Yi'ai off guard
Choice 9

The Emperor demands you reveal what you know about Bianji. What do you do?

I swore to keep Bianji safe for GaoyangSAFE
Defiance earns the Emperor's wrath but Li Tai's respect — Li Tai Favor +9
Keep quiet and submitDEATH
Silence is interpreted as guilt — you are condemned
Choice 10

Gaoyang is confined. Do you try to see her?

Insist on seeing GaoyangSAFE
Loyalty over caution — you reach her side
Stay away for your own safetyDEATH
Abandoning Gaoyang isolates you from your last ally

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does keeping quiet about Bianji lead to death?

The Emperor interprets silence as knowledge withheld — an act of defiance without the courage to own it. Speaking up, even in defiance, at least shows conviction. In the imperial court, cowardice is punished more harshly than rebellion.

Does the QTE for scaling the wall have a death penalty?

No. Unlike other QTEs in the game, this one loops — you can fail repeatedly without consequence. It is a skill gate, not a death gate. The narrative frames the repeated attempts as determination.

Which Gaoyang path should I take — Undoing the Marriage or Engagement Delay?

Both converge at the 'Assisting Gaoyang' section, so neither is objectively better. The difference is narrative flavor: Undoing the Marriage emphasizes your bond with Gaoyang, while Engagement Delay shows political savvy.

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Ch11: Love Under Imperial Tyranny
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Ch13: A Crucible of Life and Death