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

Chapter 6: Southern Mountain Hunt 1

The imperial hunt at Southern Mountain begins as a grand spectacle but quickly turns dangerous. A wild steed, a prince in peril, and a hairpin that belongs to s…

Survival Rate55%
Choices8
Death Branches5
Favor CheckLi Zhi, Li Tai, Li Shimin
QTEYes

Synopsis

The imperial hunt at Southern Mountain begins as a grand spectacle but quickly turns dangerous. A wild steed, a prince in peril, and a hairpin that belongs to someone unexpected — every choice tests your instincts and loyalties. The hunt is not just about game; it is about who you choose to serve, who you choose to save, and what you are willing to endure.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Who are you betting on for the hunt?

Betting on Li ZhiNEUTRAL
You favor the Ninth Prince — a quiet declaration of allegiance
Hoping Li Tai winsNEUTRAL
Aligning with the ambitious prince has its perks and perils
I will feel bad for the loserNEUTRAL
Neutrality is safe but unremarkable
Choice 2

A wild steed charges toward you. How do you handle it?

Sing softly to calm itDEATH
A gentle song will not stop a panicked warhorse
Grab the whip, hammer, and daggerSAFE
Preparedness saves your life — and earns respect
Choice 3

Li Zhi is in trouble during the hunt. What do you do?

Rush in to save himSAFE
Courage under fire — Li Zhi will remember this
Hang back and wait for someone elseDEATH
While you hesitate, the moment — and Li Zhi — slips away
No ResponseDEATH
Inaction in a crisis is a death sentence
Choice 4

An assailant threatens Li Zhi. You must act now!

Pass QTE — Knock him offSAFE
Quick reflexes save the prince
Fail QTEDEATH
Your hesitation costs Li Zhi — and yourself
Choice 5

You find a hairpin at the scene. Whose is it?

Li Shimin'sNEUTRAL
The Emperor's involvement adds a layer of intrigue
Li Tai'sNEUTRAL
The ambitious prince's presence raises questions
Li Zhi'sNEUTRAL
The Ninth Prince may be more entangled than he seems
Choice 6

After the hunt, you are called to serve. What do you choose?

Go and serve him — Bedchamber DutySAFE
You enter the inner sanctum of power, but at what cost?
Find an excuse to skip — Their PerspectivesSAFE
You avoid direct entanglement and gain hidden perspectives
Choice 7

During Bedchamber Duty, you face an intimate choice.

Make him never forget meDEATH
Ambition in the bedchamber leads to ruin
Endure itSAFE
Patience and restraint carry you through — unlocks Their Perspectives
Choice 8

Whose perspective do you wish to see?

View Li Zhi's perspectiveNEUTRAL
Insight into the Ninth Prince's inner world
View Li Tai's perspectiveNEUTRAL
Understanding the ambitious prince's true motives
Continue without viewingNEUTRAL
You move forward with your own perspective only

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the QTE in Chapter 6 mandatory?

Yes. The 'Knock Him Off' QTE must be passed to continue. Failing it results in a Bad Ending. There is no alternative path around it.

Does the hairpin choice in Chapter 6 affect later chapters?

Yes. The hairpin you identify changes scene variants in Chapters 10-11, specifically the 'Tell him to stay' scene. This is one of the reasons players get stuck at 97% exploration — you need to replay with different hairpin choices.

Should I choose Bedchamber Duty or skip it?

Both paths are safe, but they reveal different content. Bedchamber Duty provides a direct encounter with power, while skipping reveals hidden character perspectives. For 100% exploration, you must play both paths.

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Ch5: Southern Mountain Hunt
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Ch7: The Ominous Prophecy