RtE II — Side

Chapter 21: Beyond the Chains

Beyond the Chains centres on the political storm of a forced marriage proposal for the Prince of Wei. The protagonist must navigate palace intrigue, persuade Xu…

Survival Rate42%

Choices8

Death Branches8

Favor CheckLi Tai, Xu Minhui, Xu Xiaode

QTEYes

Synopsis

Beyond the Chains centres on the political storm of a forced marriage proposal for the Prince of Wei. The protagonist must navigate palace intrigue, persuade Xu Minhui to choose her own path, and craft a letter to Xu Xiaode that secures freedom without bloodshed.

Choice-by-Choice Walkthrough

Choice 1

Ominous Dream — Do you tell Li Tai about your nightmare?

Tell him about the dreamSAFE

Li Tai +1. Sharing your fears builds trust.

Say nothingNEUTRAL

Keep your worries to yourself; no penalty.

Choice 2

A Proposal of Marriage — How do you react to the marriage offer?

Knock some sense into himDEATH

Li Tai +9 but BE 42 + 3 voice messages. A dramatic but fatal outburst.

Ask Xu Minhui what she wantsNEUTRAL

Loops back to the same choice; she deflects.

Your Highness, maybe you should just accept itSAFE

The pragmatic answer that keeps the route alive.

Choice 3

The Prince of Wei's Inquiry — How do you comfort him?

That sounds like a good thingNEUTRAL

An optimistic take; no mechanical effect.

No matter how much it hurtsNEUTRAL

A realistic but supportive answer.

Your Highness, do you really careNEUTRAL

A pointed question that challenges his feelings.

Choice 4

The Guard Approaches — How do you avoid detection?

Hide in a nearby crateDEATH

BE 43 + 2 voice messages. The crate is a trap.

Keep workingSAFE

Blending in with the labour keeps you unnoticed.

Choice 5

Knock Them Out — QTE Check

Pass QTESAFE

Subdue the guard and continue.

Fail QTEDEATH

BE 44 + 1 voice message. A failed takedown is fatal.

Choice 6

Persuade Xu Minhui — What argument do you use?

Your father misses youDEATH

BE 45 + 1 voice message. Emotional appeal fails.

The Prince of Wei is more appealingDEATH

BE 46 + 2 voice messages. Flattery backfires.

Don't you want your family's blessing?SAFE

The only persuasion that works; Minhui listens.

His Majesty is more appealingDEATH

BE 47 + 2 voice messages + Achievement: Raise Your Standards. A joke with consequences.

No responseDEATH

BE 45 + 1 voice message. Silence is just as fatal.

Choice 7

Minhui's Resolve — Do you push Minhui or let her decide?

Persuade Xu Minhui to return homeDEATH

BE 48 + 2 voice messages. Forcing her hand ends badly.

Let her goSAFE

Respecting her autonomy keeps the route alive.

Choice 8

The Letter to Xu Xiaode — What do you write in the letter?

I am already with childDEATH

BE 49 + 1 voice message. The desperate lie unravels.

I am already married to DanlichiSAFE

Chapter End + Achievement: Beyond the Chains. The bold declaration ends the chapter successfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Raise Your Standards achievement in Beyond the Chains?

Choose 'His Majesty is more appealing' when persuading Xu Minhui. This triggers BE 47 and awards the achievement, but it is a death branch so you will need to replay the chapter to continue.

What is the correct way to persuade Xu Minhui?

Choose 'Don't you want your family's blessing?' — this is the only safe option. All other persuasion attempts lead to bad endings (BE 45–47). After she listens, choose 'Let her go' to respect her decision and continue.

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Ch19: Dangerous Reunion

Ch22: Another Life