The Dragon Robe and Him

Preferably Historical Romance with Political Intrigue and Two Strong Leads, Modern Romance Is Fine Too

Both leads should put their own interests first. Ideally, their factions start out somewhat hostile, and they're both rather cold-hearted. The female lead should be one person in public and another in private, with a ruthless streak and plenty of different sides to her. I want a romance between evenly matched rivals who refuse to back down and keep flirting with each other. 😃😍

Pure Court Politics and Scheming: No Rebirth, Transmigration, or Cross-Dressing, Just Brains and Strategy

Looking for something with highly intelligent characters.

Please, I Need Political Intrigue Novels. No Idiot Protagonists

Are there any good political intrigue novels left? I'm begging you. I don't care if there's a System, as long as the protagonist isn't an idiot.

Looking for Clever Books Full of Strategic Scheming and Mind Games

Political Intrigue and a Big-Picture Female Lead!!!

I want a female-led story with a grand scope. A male lead is fine, too. Please, I’ve run out of books to read. It needs to be well written!

Novels About Scheming and Political Intrigue

Anything is fine as long as it isn't set in modern times.

Looking for High-Quality Historical Romance, the Kind You Can't Skip a Single Chapter!!!

Pure Historical Romance: A Gentle, Composed, and Cunning Female Lead, and a Male Lead Who Isn’t Cold or Expressionless

The male lead shouldn't be the emperor, and the female lead shouldn't transmigrate or be reborn.

Please Recommend Books as Good as Spring in the Brocade Tent

Looking for books similar to Spring in the Brocade Tent.

Historical Romance with Two Strong Leads: Both Are Cunning and High-Born, with Palace and Household Intrigue, and No Goody-Two-Shoes Heroines

The male and female leads are clever strategists with high status. Palace and household intrigue, no saintly characters, a tightly paced plot, and a happy ending.

Looking for High-IQ Political Intrigue

Both the male and female leads are intelligent and strategic, while the supporting characters are loyal and warmhearted.

High-IQ Novels About Scheming and Conquering the World, with No Forcefully Idiotic Side Characters

Something like The Nation-Protecting Prince Consort or Legend of Ling Tian, with schemes to conquer the world.

Looking for Sweet Historical Romance with Court Intrigue and Equally Matched Leads

#High IQ, Brilliant Schemes, Cunning Maneuvers, No Harem

A highly intelligent protagonist who's always on the ball, villains who aren't idiots, no harem, little interest in romance, and plenty of passion.

Stories About Power Struggles in Both the Martial World and the Imperial Court?

The protagonist should be decisive and ruthless. The antagonists should be intelligent, or there shouldn’t be any absolute villains. No female lead, and above all, no woman should turn the protagonist into an idiot.

Books I Personally Think Are Really Good

Some books I think are really good! Give them a try.

Looking for a Smart, Strategic Female Lead Who Doesn't Rely on the Male Lead

I love novels like Blossoms in Adversity so much.

The Heroine Is Great at Flirting, and the Hero Absolutely Dotes on Her (Please Recommend Something Good!)

As long as it's good! Historical romance, contemporary romance, cute babies, bring them all on. I'm out of books to read!

Any Stories with a Female Lead Who Always Gets Revenge and Handles Things Decisively?

Please don't recommend stories where both leads let everyone walk all over them, then just stand there in silence like they're mute. What is wrong with them?

History and Political Intrigue: Hand Them All Over

No fantasy. A power level around that of wuxia is fine, but nothing too powerful. Remember, no fantasy, including high martial arts. No fantasy, no fantasy!!!!!

Historical Fantasy, with a Cold, Powerful Female Lead Right from the Start, Not One Who Has to Grow into It

The female lead should be powerful from the moment she appears. Her personality should be either cold or bloodthirsty, basically an incredibly badass wish-fulfillment protagonist. The male lead should not be overly calculating.

Looking for Good Palace-Intrigue Novels with an Emotionless Heroine

No need for both leads to be chaste. What kind of serious palace-intrigue story would that be? The children can be fathered by someone other than the emperor, for all I care. And please don't make the heroine everyone's darling later on. Can you really not write a story without turning it into sweet pampering romance?