Good ending guide for Road to Empress: The prologue ending of Road to Empress 2 where the protagonist chooses to return to the palace and reunites with Li Zhi by screaming his nam…
The prologue ending of Road to Empress 2 where the protagonist chooses to return to the palace and reunites with Li Zhi by screaming his name and passing the critical QTE, leading into Chapter 17's A New Era route.
A New Era is the prologue ending that launches the Li Zhi route in Road to Empress 2. Unlike the prologue’s other path which sends the protagonist to Ganye Temple, this route represents the choice to return to the palace and fight for a position of power. The pivotal moment comes at Chance to Meet Li Zhi, where only the desperate act of screaming Li Zhi’s name — rather than attempting to force entry or bribe the nun — leads to survival. Passing the subsequent QTE confirms the reunion and transitions the story into Chapter 17: A New Era.
This ending functions as a gateway rather than a final conclusion, as it determines which side chapter arc the player will experience. Players who choose this path will follow the Li Zhi-centered storyline, while those who choose to leave enter the Ganye Temple arc. The QTE here is one of the first significant skill checks in RtE II, and failure sends the player to Bad Ending 7. This makes the prologue choice one of the most consequential in the entire game, effectively splitting the narrative into two entirely different experiences.