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.
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.