The Number One Courtesan
第一家伎
- Status
- Completed
- Length
- 1.8M Words
- Genre
- Ancient Romance
- Subgenre
- Palace & Household Intrigue
- Updated
- 28d ago
- English
- Request a translation
Also on Qimao
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I'm a Veteran Reader Looking for Smart Characters, Solid Logic, and Mature Writing 🙏
I'm getting more and more fed up with brainless stories that make no sense. Give us characters with some brains! I'll read any genre as long as it makes sense. 🙏
Books with Titles That Put You Off, but Amazing Stories
Looking for Something Truly Excellent. It’s Been Ages Since I Found One
I came to Tomato Novel just to read Slay the Gods. Since finishing it, I haven’t found anything else worth reading. Lately, I haven’t felt much like reading.
What Are the Three Best Books Ever on Tomato?
Books Worth Reading Ten Times
Rated 9.9, Worth Staying Up All Night For, Impossible to Put Down!
I want to read something like Wanwan Is Not Wanwan: Now That We're Reborn, Who's Going to Spoil You?
Give Me Some High-IQ Stories. Reading Idiot-Proof Fiction Is Making Me Stupid
Welcome to the “Don’t Be Fooled by the Title” Series
Sigh, some stories look so plain on the surface. You’ll never know how wonderful they are unless you click on them.
Another Novel Rated 9.9
This novel is a 9.9 out of 10. Don't let the boring title fool you, it really is exceptionally good.
Looking for the Best of Historical Romance, the Kind You Can Read Over and Over
Male leads similar to those in "A Fine Brocade of Good Days" and "The Phoenix’s Grace Knows No Bounds".
Those Overlooked Masterpieces
Looking for books like First-Rate! (First-Rate). Good books shouldn't be buried!
Rated 9.8 on Tomato! A Deep, Brilliant Read! Read It Twice or More! A Masterpiece! Add It to Your Shelf!!!
Looking for books like "Mad, All Mad, and That's a Good Thing (Chasing the Wind on Purpose)".
Mature Writing (Careful Word Choice, Logical Plot, Immersive, and Well-Written)
Highly Rated Novels with Smart Female Leads, Rated 9.5 or Higher. Please Don't Recommend Randomly, Thanks
Looking for Clever Books Full of Strategic Scheming and Mind Games
After Reading Bound by Spring, Nothing Else Measures Up. Please Recommend Timeless Classics
Looking for books like "Bound by Spring's Passion". I'm out of books to read, so please recommend classics that hold up well.
Are There Any Books With a Highly Intelligent, Meticulous Heroine Who Plans Every Move?
Looking for books similar to "In the 1960s, I Became the Scheming Female Lead's Stepping Stone". The female lead can suffer, but she must always get revenge. Good writing would be nice, but isn't essential. I just hope the golden finger isn't too overpowered; a little female-lead luck is fine. I still prefer smart female leads.
Are There Really No Better Female Leads Than Lü Songli, Xu Yue, and the Others?
Looking for books like "With the Worthy Minister System in Hand, I Disguise Myself as a Man in Ancient Times". The female lead is talented, self-reliant, determined, and knows her own mind. She doesn't lose herself in romance and has ambitions. I'll read any genre, whether it's modern, cultivation, or has a System.
What Happened to Tomato? There Haven't Been Any Good Stories Lately
I'm in a reading slump. Please recommend novels. Bring out the ones you've been saving for a rainy day. ˶>ᗜ<˶
Are There Any Novels That Can Match Bound by Spring? I Finished It and Now I'm Out of Books to Read
Looking for Rational Characters Without Love-Brain Syndrome or Insane Plotlines!
This is one of the novels I've found that comes closest to what I want. Every character has their own schemes, and they feel like real people brought to life before your eyes. It's a brainy palace-intrigue drama. Could anyone recommend a smart romance novel? Historical or modern, either is fine.
Highly Rated Stories! Smart, Strong Female Leads! Please Recommend Some
Are there any books you can read over and over without getting tired of them?
Any Books That Can Rival Flowers in the Mirror?
Are there any books as good as Blossoms in Adversity?
I'm in a Reading Slump! My Esteemed Subjects, Quickly Present Your Rarest Books!
Looking for stories similar to *Transmigrated as the Eldest Illegitimate Brother: My Legitimate Younger Brother Is Actually a Reincarnated Immortal Emperor!* Anything except palace intrigue or doting-on-the-wife stories is fine, as long as it’s good. I just want the most treasured book on your shelf.
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Reader comments 101
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The author of this work must be a reclusive literary master. The writing and plot are superb. This is the most realistic and cruel ancient romance novel I have ever read. There are no unrealistic romantic tales, only vivid and flesh-and-blood characters living their lives.
I rated it after watching half of it. It's very good, with political intrigue, intricate plots, and meticulous logic. But I know why it got a low rating: the overall tone is very sad. Maybe people nowadays just want to watch something cheerful and funny. But I think it's very good; the characters are vivid and relatable.
It's rare to find a book with such a distinctive writing style. In an era dominated by online novels, it actually gave me the feeling of reading a physical book. Before I knew it, I had spent an entire afternoon reading it, and I've finally caught up with it. The female protagonist is very well-developed; she's an exceptionally intelligent woman who always knows what to say and what not to say.
This is an ancient romance novel that fully explores the capriciousness of fate, the complexity of human nature, and the resilience of women. It's not a sweet romance or a fantasy, but it uses the most poignant stories to tell you: even in hell, the heart can still turn towards the light.
This story employs a classic example of narrative with a cognitive gap, creating a chilling sense of unease that is indeed rare for Tomato. While it's not my preferred genre, the writing style—a brutal and dark coming-of-age ritual—is very skillful. Five stars for innovation. Although I felt some parts were unnecessary. Nevertheless, it's a rare type of story for Tomato.
Unlike some readers' descriptions of it as a "hidden literary master," this book certainly doesn't follow the typical trope of a protagonist's rise to power through revenge, soul-swapping, or using beauty to climb the social ladder. It's truly unique. The hardships of survival and the vast differences in social class feel incredibly realistic. I just wonder if this book has a male protagonist.
Zun Du is so beautiful! I'd seen her on social media before but never clicked on her post. I thought she was just a pretty face, but the female lead is so smart and clear-headed. She learns so quickly and understands everything she's taught. Although she's not particularly pretty, she plays the zither beautifully.
Personally, I think this is a great book whose potential is wasted by its title, but the title is also quite clever. I've seen this book recommended several times, and I always assumed it was a typical domestic power struggle story, probably with plenty of romance, and the female lead being a lowly courtesan who wins someone's heart through manipulation.
The current rating is 8.6. I've read 100 chapters, and I think this book deserves at least 9 points. Whether it can reach 9.3 Or higher depends on how it develops. First of all, this isn't a romance novel; it's a story about a lowly person struggling to survive who gets caught up in the power struggles between royalty and aristocratic families, constantly growing and breaking through obstacles.
It's been a very long time since I've seen a book that so realistically depicts the lives and thoughts of people at the bottom of society in ancient times. Every character, even the smallest one, is vividly portrayed. Everyone has their own perspective, their own thoughts, and their own desires.