A Winning Pair: I Strike It Rich, He Gets His Revenge

Quiet and Engaging, Best Read with Some Thought

I've read most novels already.

No Power Fantasies or Mindless Stories: Something Substantial and Not Cringey

After reading a few books that really make you think, I can't get into brainless stories anymore. It's frustrating. (No heroine, or just one heroine, but don't demean women, or I really can't stand it.)

High-Quality Stories With Exceptional Writing

Any gender is fine, as long as the writing is good.

Seeking High-Quality Historical Romance, No Transmigration, Rebirth, or System

I like food, palace intrigue, the imperial examinations, political schemes, and crime-solving. On Tomato, I’ve read The Strongest Female Grand Secretary Rises Against the Odds; for palace intrigue, Zhaohua Weiyang, Palace Willows, and Deep Palace Strategy: The Tale of Qingzhi; for food, Chang’an Snack Shop (I can’t remember if it was on Tomato).

Looking for Books Where Everyone Is Sane, Smart, and Has Their Own Principles

Any era is fine, as long as the characters stay clear-headed. No love-brained characters, and no tired old plotlines where someone injures themselves to feed another person blood.

Beautiful Writing, Mature Prose, Nothing Childish. I Don't Mind Familiar Tropes.