You'll Need To Make Decisions Carefully To Reach The Throne In Road To Empress 2

It's bound to be a long, arduous, and difficult path, but Road to Empress 2 puts you into the shoes of a cunning young nun seeking to make her return to the imperial Palace and rule the land once and for all - it's just going to take a bit of doing to get there.

Road to Empress 2 spans 24 chapters, and while there are over 100 ways to end the story along the way through decisions or inaction alike, there's only one real Road to Empress. Here's a look at which choices to make to reach the throne!

Story And Gameplay Overview

Though there are plenty of different endings in Road to Empress 2, only one of them leads to you actually becoming the Empress of the nation. You'll spend hours having candid discussions, scheming with other characters, lying tactfully, sacrificing relationships, and more in pursuit of the throne. In all, it will take you 24 chapters to go from Ganye Temple in the beginning to the Palace itself.

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It's early on that you get a taste of how ruthless your cohorts can be, so you'll need to think on your feet and play the long game with everyone you meet in order to become the Empress in Chapter 41 of the main game. Most of the decisions you can potentially make will lead to your untimely demise or the crumbling of your upcoming empire in some way, so you'll need to keep your eyes and ears out for anything happening behind the scenes that might pose a problem.

Along the way, you'll earn stat boosts in a few categories, but these are largely oriented toward an achievement for mastering each of the skills in one playthrough.

How To Use Our Road To Empress 2 Guide

If you're looking for the fastest route to becoming Empress in Road to Empress 2, you've found the right guide. For sake of keeping things as spoiler-free as possible, in an interactive drama that hinges on you watching the story play out, you'll find every chapter broken down in the tables below with the answer that moves the story along.

Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to earn achievements for specific dialogue choices at key points, so if such a case applies in any chapter, we've provided the answer that gives the achievement.

Finally, for the sake of explaining the game's mechanics a little more clearly than we'd have been able to here, we've put the prologue and first chapter of Road to Empress 2 into their own guide to help familiarize you with the gameplay. This guide is for the Main Story of Road to Empress 2, but we do have a guide for the Side Chapters as well.

The Unfathomable Rear Palace

All Decisions In The Unfathomable Rear Palace

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 18: The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0

Empress's Question

I believe Linglong did not act with ill intent.

Empress's "Concern"

I enjoy doing chores.

What Do You Want?

Your Majesty should see the empress more.

Li Zhi's Disappointment

This is how I truly feel.

Serve the Meal?

(Any option)

Chapter 19: The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 2

Reunion with Gaoyang

Greet her first.

Questioned Identity

Tear up from the grievance.

Polish the Shoes?

(Any option)

Handling the Note

Keep it.

Consort Xiao's Olive Branch

Slap her hard.

Rising Tension

(Any option)

Li Zhi's Approach

Like what, exactly?

Your Response

I'm not going anywhere.

Chapter 20: The Unfathomable Rear Palace 2.0 3

Spend Your Stipend

Distribute it among the lowly chamberlains.

Take Her Hand

Pass the QTE.

Is Consort Xiao the Culprit?

I beg Your Majesty to punish Consort Xiao.

What Is Your Wish?

Ask the Empress to let you take revenge on Liu Xi.

Force Liu Xi to Confess

Imprison Liu Xi and interrogate her with torture.

A Familiar Face

Slap her.

Liu Xi's Wish

"Fulfill" her wish.

Liu Xi's Fate

Kill her.

The Unnecessary Mother

All Decisions In The Unnecessary Mother

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 21: The Unnecessary Mother 1

Linglong's Interrogation

I've been lingering outside.

Brace Against the Ground

Pass the QTE.

Who Pushed You?

Li Sujie.

Who is the Culprit?

Blame Li Sujie.

How Shall This Be Dealt With?

Soften him up.

The Poison Earrings

Keep wearing them.

Break the Alliance

Help Li Zhong become the Crown Prince.

Chapter 22: The Unnecessary Mother 2

Makeover Moment

Infiltrate in the Night Suit.

So Close

Kiss him.

Who Will Inherit the Crown?

Keep urging His Majesty to name Li Zhong.

Li Zhi Wants You to Stay

Flirt, then walk away.

How Will You Use Li Zhong?

Urge Li Zhong to focus more on his mother.

Spreading Rumors

Liu will be Empress Dowager when Li Zhong ascends.

Road To Empress 2: Achievement Guide

There are 57 Steam achievements for Road to Empress 2, each of which correlates to a Feat in the main menu that offers Flowers and Eggs as a reward.

First Among The Nine Consorts

All Decisions In First Among The Nine Consorts

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 23: First Among The Nine Consorts 1

Accept the Title of Zhaoyi?

Politely decline.

The Empress's Test

Actually, I'm carrying Li Zhi's child.

Sister's Suffering

Sister, I will help you escape him.

A Bedtime Story

(Any option)

Powder in the Tea

Investigate the tea first.

Protect the Unborn

Secretly take the abortion medicine.

Remaining Medicine

Destroy them completely.

Beat Youzi to Death?

Speak for him.

Beat Linglong to Death?

Keep silent and mourn for her.

Chapter 24: First Among The Nine Consorts 2

Recruiting Youzi

Be kinder than the Empress.

Do You Trust Me?

I trust you, Your Majesty.

Gaoyang's Apology

You are always my best friend.

Closer To Power

All Decisions In Closer To Power

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 25: Closer To Power 1

Resignation Petition

Read them all, then choose Ji.

Promotions

A high-paying honorary post.

Coasting Talent

Do you really think you can survive under powerful ministers?

Ji Huaizhong's Concern

The realm bears the Li name.

Throw Them Off Balance

Petition to depose the Empress.

Chapter 26: Closer To Power 2

Will You Recruit Him?

Yes. Those who serve me need not be saints.

The Unruly Official

I'll give you one more chance. Choose your words carefully.

Control of the Court

Quietly win over officials from humble origins suppressed by the aristocratic clans.

Do You Know My Sister?

(Any option)

Li Zhi's Tenderness

My heart is cold, and so are my hands.

The Clash of Two Tigers

Stand aside and let the two rivals destroy each other.

Seeing Li Tai One Last Time

I'm busy!

Battle For The Empress Position

This chapter is labeled Battle for the Empress Position in the game's visuals, but as Claiming the Empress's Throne in the chapter list.

All Decisions In Battle For The Empress Position

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 27: Battle for the Empress Position 1

Minhui Seeks a Ride

Say nothing and allow her to join Li Zhi.

Life-Giver or Soul-Taker

Harm me and your whole clan dies by royal decree.

Push Push

Pass the QTE.

Bandits on the Road

Take the risk and make a run back to the gate.

How to Deal With Xu Minhui?

Keep her around.

Chapter 28: Claiming the Empress's Throne 2

Turning the Bandit

(View all three conversations.)

Throw the Empress Into a Panic

Leak that the assassin has confessed.

The Right Messenger

Consort Xiao of Elegance.

Choosing Your Words

Show hostility.

A Play for Consort Xiao

With others present, how can we speak so freely?

Who is the Mastermind?

The Empress is behind it.

Guard Arrangements

Ask Ling Xiao to lead more guards outside, with only a few inside.

What Use is an Assassin?

Frame the Empress for an even greater crime.

Empress Of The Realm

All Decisions In Empress Of The Realm

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 29: Empress of the Realm 1

Anning's Death

Swallow your grief and use her death to bring charges.

How to Deal with the Murderer?

Neither the Empress nor Li Zhong will get away from this.

Chapter 30: Empress of the Realm 2

Watch the Show or Flip the Table?

Step forward and shout to stop him.

Verbal Duel with Chu Suiliang

Perhaps you are the one who belongs on that throne.

Allies of the New Empress

Win over the generals who command the troops.

What Are We Fighting For?

Don't you know that every soldier is counting on you?

Not the Right Moment?

Do you intend to leave this disaster for the next generation?

What Are Your Odds?

Certain victory.

Aunt's Last Wish

(Any option)

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The Feast Of Power

All Decisions In The Feast Of Power

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 31: The Feast of Power 1

The Decisive Move

Strip away his power.

The Promotion

Thank you, Your Majesty.

A Long-Awaited Reunion

In the end, it still falls to me to promote you.

How to Deal With Your Brothers?

Keep them in place.

Dismantling the Clans (1)

Approve

Dismantling the Clans (2)

Decline

Dismantling the Clans (3)

Decline

Dismantling the Clans (4)

Approve

Dismantling the Clans (5)

Approve

Dismantling the Clans (6)

Approve

The Opportunity to Cultivate Power

Follow your judgment.

Chapter 32: The Feast of Power 2

Stake Life on a Gambit

I didn't do this!

One Strike, One Kill

Treason.

An Ally for Rebellion

Li Zhong, the current Crown Prince.

Making Li Zhong Panic

Li Yifu has petitioned to replace the Crown Prince, and His Majesty did not rebuke him.

Li Zhong's Question

Sacrifice Chancellor Zhangsun. It is your only way out.

The Chancellor's Accusation

(Any option)

Consort Xiao's Fate

Kill her.

The Chancellor's Fate

End him.

Li Zhong's Fate

Spare him.

Deposed Empress's Question

(Any option)

The Deposed Empress's Fate

Kill her.

The Emperor And The Empress

All Decisions In The Emperor And The Empress

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 33: The Emperor and the Empress 1

Whose Side Are You On?

Support the Emperor and speak up for him.

Why Wage War on Baijie?

To intimidate the surrounding states.

A War at Stalemate

End it swiftly with overwhelming force.

Plan for a Swift Victory?

Find an unexpected angle of attack.

Chapter 34: The Emperor and the Empress 2

What to Do with Xu Jingye?

Execute him publicly.

What to Do with the Slanderer?

Let bygones be bygones.

Between Emperor And Empress

All Decisions In Between Emperor And Empress

Story Node

Correct Decision

Chapter 35: Between Emperor and Empress 1

Li Hong's First Request

This is unwise.

Li Hong's Second Request

I disagree.

Li Hong's Third Request

Refuse.

The Clamor to Depose the Empress

Sacrifice your men to quell public fury.

A Strategic Retreat

Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang.

The Fate of Your Brothers

(Any option)

Li Yifu's Choice

Say nothing in defense of Li Yifu.

Which Memorial to Present?

Your opponent's memorials.

Chapter 36: Between Emperor and Empress 2

Deal with Shangguan Yi

Condemn him and make his death resound.

Act First and Report Later?

Eliminate him behind His Majesty's back while he recuperates.

Li Hong's Desperate Objection

Do you intend to drag your men down with you?!

The Mother-and-Son Rift

Without my ruthlessness, you would have died long ago!

How Will You Answer Taiping?

He will. He misses you dearly, and his mother even more.

Reversing the Empress's Downfall

Confront him.

Li Zhi's Hesitation

Remove the crown and request your deposition.

The Choice You Know is Right

I refuse to leave. *

What You Think

(Any option)

* It may take a moment for "I refuse to leave" to appear, but selecting "Agree with him" leads to one of the game's dozens of potential endings.

Sun And Moon In Harmony

All Decisions In Sun And Moon In Harmony

Story Node and Text

Correct Decision

Chapter 37: Sun and Moon in Harmony 1

Rumors of an Illegitimate Child

Quash the slander and severely punish

Trap in the Eastern Palace

Enter as planned.

The Story of the Mother

The day I was crowned Empress, carrying you within me as I walked toward your father.

Li Xian's Emotional Stirring

His Majesty and I intend to entrust the crown to you sooner than planned.

Chapter 38: Sun and Moon in Harmony 2

The Final Confession

Never.

Li Zhi's Final Will

(Any option)

Road To Empress

All Decisions In The Final Chapter Of Road To Empress

Story Node and Text

Correct Decision

Chapter 39: Road to Empress 1

The Incompetent New Emperor

Depose the Emperor.

Deposing the Emperor

The Imperial Guards: use force to depose the emperor.

The Vacant Throne

Appoint a new Emperor.

The Timid Dan

Grant his request!

The Royalist Commander

A member of the Li house. To assert your legitimacy.

Chapter 40: Road to Empress 2

Li Zhi's Gentle Haven

Leave.

A Legacy of Infamy?

(Any option)

The Fate of a Loyal Minister

(Any option)

Chapter 41: Road to Empress 3

Reason for Persistence

Everything I've done was for my own ambition.

Wan'er's Questions

(Ask both questions.)

Path to the Throne: Grace

Construct halls symbolizing imperial power.

Path to the Throne: Auspice

Proclaim the prophecy of Woman Ruler Wu.

The Grand Buddha

Yes.

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