This game makes me start to understand what timeloop protagonists go through.

"...We've been friends all these years, and you won't even try?"

I did, Gaoyang, I did. I made the active choice to loop back time 7 different times because I refused to let your lover die and for your spirit to break. I wanted to save you. I died all 7 times, and in my first few attempts, I inadvertently dragged down people I cherished with me. I tried, Gaoyang, I really did! But you're acting like I never did!

And of course you are! You don't know about what I tried, about how I failed! You don't know that every route leads to failure!

I tried every possible option until I had to accept that I could not help you! Please let me at least stay by your side!

I did ended up reading spoilers about Road to Empress, aka history. :'D

Pretty promo pictures for Road to empress~

(Li Tai's my man but Li Zhi's text is fun)

𝐘𝐀𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐈 as 𝐋𝐈 𝐓𝐀𝐈 / 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐈 and 𝐇𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐈 as 𝐖𝐔 𝐘𝐔𝐀𝐍 𝐙𝐇𝐀𝐎

Simp a brother who sympathises with his gay brother even though he's the one who arranged their meeting, relationship and death :D

Li Zhi was literally the one who orchestrated Li Tai's plan to depose the Crown Prince. (Li Zhi's bodyguard asked if they should dispose Chen Xin, which means that Chen Zin knows Li Zhi's hand in all this. Further, Chen Xin going back to the Crown Prince to tell him of Li Tai's role literally doesn't make sense unless Chen Xin had a powerful backer that could sneak him in + could benefit from the Crown Prince wanting revenge on Li Tai.) Li Zhi did this without Li Tai even realizing it.

Li Zhi is constantly calculating and thinking about how to use people. When he learnt that Gaoyang and Yuanzhao were going to the burning temple to save Bianji, he still had the presence of mind to order that this info be leaked to Li Tai, because he knew Li Tai would definitely come to save Yuanzhao too. This is someone who's used to thinking about all sorts of possibilities at all sorts of times. He's an instinctual schemer.

Quite frankly, the reason why Li Zhi doesn't have as many dramatic scenes with Yuanzhao as compared to Li Tai is because:

Li Zhi simply would never get caught in a dramatic situation where he would kill a general in front of witnesses to save Yuanzhao. His style is to do things from the background, via indirect methods. The most Li Zhi has put himself on the line for Yuanzhao was to use his own marriage as a bargaining chip. (Which, don't get me wrong, is still a pretty big deal, but it doesn't run the risk of being stripped of your role. And still benefits Li Zhi politically.)

Like he absolutely has a manipulative side. He knew about and was supporting his brother’s scheme against the crown prince without either knowing, and knows how to manipulate those around him. It’s no mistake he’s constantly shown playing Go, which is known for being a game of strategy taught to generals.

But also he does have a sweet and caring side, only coming out in small moments. He makes art for his father and is touched when Wu compliments it, he has an artistic hair pin made for her to replace one she lost in saving him, he paints countless umbrellas to make one to properly communicate his feelings. The game of Go is also seen as an art form in China, something for a scholar to practice to refine their mind.

I kind of love how he is manipulative and schemes, having a tight control over his composure and emotions, but also has a more sensitive inner self. He isn’t an angel but he isn’t also cold and unfeeling, he’s both.