Looking for Historical Romance With an Incredibly Intelligent Heroine and Unmatched Cunning 求女主智商超高，智谋无双的古言小说

1. 51 南 South Branches Toward Dusk, The Regent Has Been Plotting This for Ages 南枝向晚，摄政王他蓄谋已久 Doudou from Zhongyue Province中月省的逗逗Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted [Just received a rating] Complete ◎ [Revenge after being reborn + mastery of medicine and poison + powerful leads who cherish each other + everyone’s a schemer + palace intrigue and political machinations] Important: No stupid villains. Everyone has eight hundred tricks up their sleeve, and the battle of wits is at its peak! In her previous life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s family, was blind to the truth. She used a forbidden technique to save a scumbag man, dr 22.6kReads8.8Score2.6kShelves

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   [Rebirth and Revenge + Healing and Poisoning Mastery + Two Strong Individuals Pampered by Each Other + Everyone's Clever and cunning + Palace Intrigue] **Highlight:** No villains with low intelligence; everyone is cunning and cunning, a battle of wits at its peak! In her past life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, went blind and used forbidden techniques to save her scumbag husband, exhausting her life force. In return, she found him secretly having an affair with her scheming cousin, leading to the tragic deaths of her entire loyal family! Reborn, she holds silver needles, returning to the day she used poison to prolong her husband's life. Facing his expectant gaze and her cousin's feigned tears, Shen Nanzhi coldly withdrew her needles: "I won't cure the poison. Since my cousin is so deeply in love, why don't you bleed her and cut her flesh?" In this life, she tears off the disguise, possessing unparalleled healing and poisoning skills, able to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded! Xiao Duo, the Regent of Dayuan, a powerful and influential ruler, suffers greatly from a rare poison. Shen Nanzhi tossed down the antidote, her voice cold and arrogant: "I will extend Your Highness's life. Lend me your blade to slaughter all the demons and monsters, how about it?" The world believed the Duke's daughter was merely a delicate canary in the palm of a living Yama. Only when powerful officials took center stage, and deadly schemes unfolded one after another, did everyone realize with horror—the seemingly fragile Shen Nanzhi was actually a master strategist, a female Zhuge Liang who held the reins of power and calculated every move! She and he entrusted their lives to each other, slaying gods and demons alike, manipulating the entire court with ease! When the bloody path was cleaved through, the world was at peace. The ruthless regent, who struck fear into the hearts of all under heaven, shed his menacing aura and held her tightly in his arms, his voice low and hoarse with fervor: "Zhizhi, the realm is settled. This vast and beautiful land is my dowry; when will you give me a title?!" —A ruthless and decisive medical and poison queen × A crazed regent who bows down to her; together, they will slaughter all demons and monsters!

2. 52 对 Conversations Across the Ages: A Transmigrator Gives His Life to Keep the Great Qin Alive for a Thousand Years 对话千古，穿越者以命续大秦千年 White Road Bird白路鸟Historical894k WordsOngoing [Ying Zheng is the protagonist and sole male lead]+ [Keeping the First Emperor alive] This isn't one person's transmigration. It's an entire civilization charging into battle. In Chinese year 4736, Huaxia teeters on the brink of destruction. The only hope is to rekindle the one spark from two thousand years ago: the First Emperor, Ying Zheng! And so begins a tragic sacrifice spanning two millennia. The first arrival is a military doctor. He kneels beside my bed, weeping uncontrollably. “Your Maj 210.9kReads9.3Score23.7kShelves
3. 53 乱 After Fleeing the Chaotic Era, I Became the Founding Empress 乱世逃亡后，我成了开国女帝 Nan Wanxu南婉徐Ancient Romance4.1M WordsCompleted [Publication rights signed] [Strong heroine + political intrigue + turbulent times + power struggles + ensemble cast] She’s fleeing from the start, a female warlord in a chaotic age. Lin Zhihuang, originally named Lin Zhihuan, transmigrates as a county magistrate’s daughter, only to find tens of thousands of refugees attacking the city from the start! While others transmigrate into palace or household intrigue, she transmigrates straight into a chaotic age and a desperate flight from famine. The 95.8kReads9.4Score13.2kShelves

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   A completed female-centric, empowering novel where the heroine rises to empress through intelligence and political maneuvering in a chaotic world. Every supporting character is well-developed and memorable. This is the novel where I remember the most names of the supporting characters. It's definitely worth reading! [Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece]

4. 54 爆 Hilarious Mind Reading: The Prince Eats Gossip Until He Throws Up 爆笑读心术，王爷吃瓜吃到吐 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance452k WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: The Hilarious Mind-Reading Art: The Prince Laughs at Gossip Until He Chokes Manhua adaptation: The Princess's Inner Thoughts Are Full of Gossip, and the Prince Is Hooked; The Princess's Inner Thoughts Can't Be Hidden [Historical fantasy + mind-reading + gossip System + silly comedy + System space + sweet romance + feel-good revenge + transmigration to an alternate world + palace and household intrigue + devoted and powerful couple + marriage before love + healing a posses 24kReads9.1Score2kShelves

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   Intelligent and quick-witted, yet hilariously scheming.

5. 55 陪 On the Night of My Burial, I Brought the God of War Prince Back from the Dead 陪葬夜，我让战神王爷起死回生 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors" Animated adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors: The Prince’s Beloved" [Hilarious + Transmigration + Sweet romance + Obsessive love + Devoted pairing + Imperial physician heroine + Palace and household intrigue + Inspirational] I was a military doctor with a PhD when I transmigrated, only to find myself about to be buried alive as a sacrifice for the dead God of War, the Prince? I grabbed the burial offerings and ran, planning to live in luxu 20.9kReads9.3Score2.4kShelves
6. 56 做 Be a Concubine? You're Not Worthy! I'll Find a Better Match, and You'll Beg Me to Stay 做妾？你也配？另谋高嫁你下跪 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted This book is now available as a full-cast audio drama, and it’s hilarious! Give it a listen! [Hilarious Transmigration + Medical Space + Sweet, Satisfying Romance + Power Struggles + Palace and Household Intrigue + Mutual Devotion and Strength] A genius in medicine and poison transmigrates to ancient times with a medical space. She wakes up in a coffin, only to have a bewitching man try to steal it? Her ex-husband favors his concubine, abuses his wife, and shamelessly claims her dowry? Her fathe 5.6kReads8.9Score554Shelves
7. 57 救 Help! The Demon Lord and I Switched Bodies, and Now He's Carrying My Baby 救命！与魔尊互换后他怀了我的崽 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance525k WordsCompleted [Hilarious transmigration + System space + body swap + sweet romance + yandere + two powerful, devoted leads + everyone’s favorite + ensemble cast + multiple couples] Ye Pianpian accidentally transmigrates into a cultivation world and becomes the most miserable villainess in the Longevity Sect. The System tells her she has to win over the Demon Lord to survive, but she swaps bodies with him the moment she transmigrates. She breezes through the entrance test, becoming a genius girl who draws ever 836Reads7.4Score110Shelves

   Reader note

   The female protagonist is intelligent and has a strong sense of national responsibility. ① A refreshing female protagonist with a space to take down scumbags and build her career. ② A hilarious time-traveling goddess doctor who transmigrates into a coffin to be buried with the war god prince and kisses him awake. Sweet and funny. ③ A hilarious mind-reading system with a gossip-eating system. The prince is so angry while eating gossip that he laughs hysterically. ④ A hilarious cultivation story where the female protagonist swaps bodies with the demon lord. Various crazy laughs will make your stomach hurt. ⑤ A hilarious mind-reading tyrant with two personalities who are jealous of each other.

8. 58 有 With the Tyrant’s Mind-Reading Ability, I’m Slaying My Way Through the Imperial Palace 有了暴君读心术，我在皇宫杀疯了 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance384k WordsCompleted [Hilarious Transmigration + Historical Romance + Mind Reading + Pocket Space with a Spirit Spring + Healing a Yandere + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggles + Sweet, Devoted Romance + Medical Skills] Modern miracle doctor Ye Li dies suddenly and transmigrates, becoming the neglected consort of a deranged tyrant. The tyrant is a madman, a complete lunatic, and every night he goes on a killing spree. The original heroine is blinded by love and gullibly trusts Prince Jin's vows. She helps him kill t 276Reads6.5Score—Shelves
9. 59 为 To Solve a Major Case, I Have to Get Close to My Nemesis 为查重案，我被迫和死对头贴贴 Cold Night, Long Light寒夜长照Ancient Romance227k WordsCompleted [The cold, iron-willed female deputy minister × the smooth-talking male vice minister] [An unwilling partnership decreed by imperial edict | Bickering partners solving cases together] Shen Ciwan, deputy minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Pei Yan, vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, are the capital’s most famous rivals in government. She thinks he’s a slick-tongued, shameless rogue; he thinks she’s cold-hearted and has no human feeling. They routinely submit memorials accusing 78Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This female lead has the highest level of intelligence; investing in her is definitely worthwhile!!!

10. 60 重 Reborn as a Concubine in the Su Household 重生之我在苏府当小妾 Shangguan Loves to Drink Water上官爱喝水Ancient Romance377k WordsCompleted Nontraditional rebirth + women's self-rescue + psychological healing + original poetry + metafiction Don't let the title fool you. The original title was Dawn's Clear Light. Rebirth is the ultimate act of self-rescue. A profound story that is both heartbreaking and healing. Zheng Ming awoke after transmigrating, only to become the concubine of a powerful minister. She navigated the storms of political rivalries and stirred the winds of change across the realm, believing she was carefully plan 241Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I clicked on this expecting a satisfying rebirth story, but was immediately struck by its awe. This isn't a typical revenge plot; it's a desperate game of chess spanning two lifetimes. Set in the Northern Song Dynasty, the author meticulously crafts a world of political intrigue, where courtly schemes are ruthless and brutal. Even more astonishing is how the exquisite poetry and intricately linked foreshadowing twist at the very last moment, giving the entire story a fresh soul. It hides profound psychological healing within the cruelest threads of fate. At 370,000 words, it's not long, but its impact is so powerful that I couldn't help but reread it, tears streaming down my face at familiar lines. This is a niche gem that requires careful reading, but once understood, it will remain unforgettable.

11. 61 战 The God of War’s Beloved Is a Special Forces Soldier from Another World 战神的掌心娇竟是异世特种兵 Big Sister Ali阿狸姐姐Ancient Romance961k WordsCompleted The modern era’s top special forces soldier, “Night Phoenix,” dies on a mission. Her soul travels through time and she is reborn as Wei Shi, the infamous “spoiled and unruly princess” of Prince Jing’s manor in the Tianqi Kingdom. The moment she opens her eyes, she inherits the original owner’s painful memories of her past life: her father, Prince Jing, has rendered such great service that the emperor sees him as a threat. The incompetent and suspicious Emperor Jianwu joins forces with corrupt of 10.4kReads8.5Score1.4kShelves

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    This is a good book, it meets the requirements [sends heart]. After the sacrifice of Ye Huang, a top special forces soldier in modern times, her soul transmigrates into the body of Wei Shi, the spoiled princess of the Jing Prince's Mansion in the Tianqi Kingdom. Upon opening her eyes, she receives the original owner's memories: three years later, the Jing Prince's Mansion will be framed by a tyrannical emperor and treacherous officials, and the entire family will be executed, and she herself will die a tragic death in the cold palace. She must change the fate of her entire family before the tragedy occurs.

12. 62 沙 The Goofy Legitimate Daughter and the Aloof Top Scholar Who Dotes on Me Without Restraint 沙雕嫡女，清冷探花宠我没边 Sweet and Tangy Orange香甜酸橙子Ancient Romance419k WordsCompleted [Hilariously overactive imagination and theatrical antics × a scheming, devoted wife-spoiler] Reborn into a century-old prominent family as its legitimate daughter, Jiang Jinning only wants to make money. Her fiancé is destined to become a young lord? No thanks! He has a childhood sweetheart he treasures above all else! What she doesn't know is that the sweetheart is her. Jiang Jinning has a secret: she's secretly in love with Cui Jinhuai, the fiancé chosen for her when they were babies. She's h 75Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The female lead is silly and cute, with a sharp mind; the story is fast-paced; the male lead is incredibly doting; the ambiguous and tug-of-war between them is heart-fluttering; the characters are richly detailed and have distinct personalities; and the story is lighthearted and funny!

13. 63 燃 Burn to Ashes: Die With You 燃烬DieWithYou A Late Crossing in a Firefly Boat荧舟晚渡Two Male Leads259k WordsOngoing A love so intense that they run toward each other, breaking through every obstacle of convention, family, and status. They love each other recklessly, letting their passion burn fiercely. Even if it means being shattered to pieces, they will stay together. —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I discovered so many good books

14. 64 东 The Northeast Top Is Fierce 东北top很凶猛 Born Under a Lucky Star八字过硬Two Male Leads818k WordsCompleted [Age gap + Difference in experience + Both strong + Shameless top and scummy bottom] [No dumbing down / No stand-ins / The bottom is a bad guy / The top is a dog] [A vicious old man still in his prime + A smooth-brained young man who keeps courting disaster] Situ An never expected to meet his one true love at the ripe old age of thirty-six. Duan Wang never expected that his first romance would be with a dangerously unhinged beauty straight out of hell. "One last thing from your uncle: secondhand 61.4kReads9.3Score8.6kShelves
15. 65 锦 Schemes at the Brocade Banquet 锦筵谋 Sweet Dream Feather甜梦羽Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted From the pinnacle of Michelin cuisine to the hell of household intrigue, all it took was one explosion. Lin Wanyi, an internationally renowned top chef, opens her eyes to find she's become the most wicked third young madam of the Su family in the Qing Dynasty. From the start, she's in a hopeless situation: Her husband despises her, her mother-in-law wants to divorce her, and the servants look down on her. On top of that, her sister-in-law is a “born heroine,” doted on by the entire household, s 327Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend "The Scheme of the Brocade Banquet"! The female lead's intelligence is consistently high throughout, her strategic brilliance is unparalleled, making her a pinnacle of political intrigue novels. Starting with a modern-day time travel to ancient times, she uses modern thinking to orchestrate events, navigating the treacherous power struggles of the inner palace and the inner court with meticulous planning and flawless strategies. She single-handedly stirs up a storm, the plot is mind-bending and addictive—a must-read for fans of strategic intrigue and political maneuvering!

16. 66 知 You Know Me, Yuan 知我鸢 From Black to White由黑到白Ancient Romance366k WordsCompleted Eight years ago, a massacre left Zhu Nianzhi, the Grand Tutor’s legitimate daughter, with her family destroyed. She became the jianghu’s most mysterious player, known as “Jinghong Ke.” She returned to seek revenge, only to be seen through at a glance by Yu Changyuan, the Crown Prince feared by all for the deadly poison coursing through his body. He kept her at his side, coolly watching her stir up storms, and personally placed the butcher’s knife in her hands. The world thought he had gone mad. 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is resourceful and intelligent.

17. 67 宰 The Chancellor Is Hard to Flirt With: Cold in Public, Wild with Desire in Private 宰辅不经撩，人前清冷人后欲又野 Clear Grain Knows Autumn清禾知秋Ancient Romance589k WordsCompleted [For all the aunties out there, come on in] [Once the older, powerful minister discovers the pleasures of the bedroom, he spoils his wife without restraint] Ling Wanqiu was the laughingstock of the capital’s elite. Everyone said she was a complete idiot. At a flower-viewing banquet, her half-sister and fiancé led the crowd in humiliating her, and she was literally laughed to death. When she opened her eyes again, someone else had taken over her body: a modern socialite academy owner and queen of 66.3kReads7.3Score7.8kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this one. The female lead is highly intelligent and emotionally intelligent, and she manages to keep her whole family in check.

18. 68 锦 The Brocade-Clad Killer 锦衣杀 A Bamboo Knows Cool一竹知酷Ancient Romance388k WordsCompleted He is the sharpest blade in the emperor’s hand, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. By imperial order, he marries the only daughter of the Marquis Who Guards the Nation, who has been left behind in the capital. A marriage contract is both a reward and a shackle... She is a hostage used by the emperor to control the generals stationed at the border. He is the jailer ordered to keep watch over her. He struggles between loyalty and the growing desire he cannot suppress, while she naviga 2.2kReads7.1Score263Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese romance, both male and female protagonists are highly intelligent, political intrigue type.

19. 69 锦 The Rebellious Consort of the Brocade Palace 锦阙叛妃 Soaring Over the Southern Mountain跃南山Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Historical Romance, Court Politics + Amnesia + Faked Death + Tortured Romance + Palace and Household Intrigue + Powerful Cast + Ensemble Story + Second Male Lead Takes the Lead + First Love + Wife-Chasing Crematorium] [Heroine: Legitimate Daughter of the Minister of Rites - Princess Consort - Empress - Queen of a Vassal State - Protector of the Nation] ◆Reading Guide◆ ◇ Sickly, brilliant strategist heroine + domineering prince of a vassal state as Male Lead One + mysterious, devoted Male Lead T 562Reads9.4Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Judging from the title, our heroine is a cunning and ruthless character. The princess is quite confused in the early stages, and there are many strange plot points in the story. The secrets are gradually revealed after chapter 80. Spoilers will ruin the story, so there will be all sorts of twists and turns. You absolutely must read to the end! It's full of political intrigue, palace intrigue, and domestic power struggles. The female lead is incredibly smart, the prince is cunning, and there's also a lovestruck second male lead whose screen time could rival that of the male lead!

20. 70 裙 Even the Men at My Feet Are Hard to Handle 裙下之臣也难为 Kiss You Gently轻轻地亲亲你Ancient Romance319k WordsOngoing [Cool, brilliant, ambitious female lead × Multiple male leads: Childhood friend, a cunning and devoted crown prince + A younger court official she saves + A rival general who loves and hates her] Gentleness is her weapon, chasing fame and fortune is her instinct, and the imperial court is her chessboard. She is the first female official in the Jing Dynasty, a cool, distant moonlight who saves the prime minister’s son from dire straits and willingly lets herself be used. She is the only person th —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The female lead appears dignified but is ruthless at heart. She stirs up trouble in the court for herself and her family, precisely manipulating her confidants, the crown prince, and others. She engages in a power struggle with the military officer, using her wit to navigate the various factions. The plot is incredibly fast-paced.

21. 71 重 Back to High School: With the System, I Went from a Terrible Student To... 重回高中：系统加身，我从学渣变 Tenderness Deep in the Woods林深处的温柔Urban95k WordsCompleted Gong An is a boy who is bullied and ignored at school because his grades are mediocre and his family is ordinary. After his girlfriend cruelly breaks up with him, his life hits rock bottom. Then, after an accident, he is reborn in his school days and gains a mysterious System. It gives him a chance to change his fate, assigning missions such as “Make the top ten in the grade” and “Dazzle everyone at the school anniversary gala,” and rewarding him with knowledge and skill points to help him make 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Must-recommend books

22. 72 魂 After My Soul Transmigrated to a Chaotic Age, I Slaughtered Every Noble in My Path 魂穿乱世后，杀神屠尽诸卿公 Xun Ye璕也Ancient Romance170k WordsOngoing [Epic historical ensemble + transmigration + court intrigue + powerful heroine + no romance + ruthless] In her previous life, Shen Xu was a butcher of the battlefield, leaving rivers and mountains soaked in blood. She flooded cities and left a million corpses in her wake. Though she spent her life fighting and killing, her achievements eventually made the emperor fear her power. In the end, he granted her a sword, and she took her own life. When she opened her eyes again, her soul had fallen int 39Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist was a ruthless killing machine who dominated the battlefield in her previous life, but unexpectedly her soul transmigrated into the body of a poor woman from the bottom of society during a chaotic era. Surrounded by powerful and tyrannical figures who oppressed the people and nobles who wreaked havoc on the court, she took up arms again and plotted step by step. With her strategy and unparalleled martial arts, she eliminated the villains and carved out a place for herself in the chaotic world of division.

23. 73 灯 When the Lanterns Fade, the Calamity Ends 灯明劫尽 Rui Xuan睿暄Ancient Romance859k WordsOngoing [Two strong leads, brilliant strategists, devoted only to each other, revenge, dual identities, dual personalities, an alternate world not based on any historical dynasty, plenty of witty flirting] She is the eldest princess, rumored to be cherished by all, yet she witnessed her mother spend her life being manipulated by the man she loved. Gentle and composed on the surface, she excels at reading people and understands human nature. To stir up the court, she will stop at nothing. She will destro 1.9kReads9.3Score270Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese political intrigue, dual strength, high quality, high intelligence, and strategic thinking.

24. 74 夺 You Steal My Fortune to Support Your Cousin? Reborn, I’ll Offer the Whole Clan as Sacrifice 夺我气运养表妹？重生送全族祭天 Tang Zhaozhao棠炤炤Ancient Romance427k WordsCompleted Also known as ‘They Stole My Fortune to Raise Their Cousin, and My Brother-Obsessed Mother Wept at the Wrong Grave.’ Chu Mingyue spent her whole life as a human fortune battery, and died because of her brother-obsessed mother’s schemes. Her lucky-star fortune and status as the Marquis’s legitimate daughter were also stolen and given to her ungrateful cousin from her maternal uncle’s family. Even after death, her soul was imprisoned and sacrificed to Heaven in a soul-crushing ritual, so she could 576Reads7.0Score111Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is the legitimate daughter of a noble family, but was murdered by her domineering mother who switched her fate. Reborn, she goes on a killing spree! She doesn't hold grudges overnight; some die, some are castrated—it's incredibly satisfying! [Thumbs up][Heart]

25. 75 废 The Good-for-Nothing Princess Awakens: Her Time-Traveling Best Friend Helps Her Become Empress 废柴公主觉醒：跨时空闺蜜带称帝 Who Wants Peanuts谁要吃花生Ancient Romance793k WordsOngoing [Multiple Male Leads / Romantic Tension / Love Rivals / Political Intrigue / Growth] The princess incurs numerous romantic debts while pursuing her ambitions. The imperial physician, her secret guard, a mysterious merchant, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review... one after another, they all fall for her. [The Male Leads' Lines] Wen Yu (the aloof imperial physician): "It's not that I don't want to. I think of you every moment, cherish you every instant, savor the memories every day, and 22kReads8.2Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend three ancient Chinese romance novels about power struggles, the rise of female thought, and strong women who don't depend on anyone.

26. 76 吾 My Three Wishes 吾有三愿 Mechanical Wang机械汪Ancient Romance778k WordsOngoing [Mad Queen x Reclusive Power Behind the Throne] [Past and Present Lives] [Sweetness and Angst] [Fated Redemption] [Alternate World] (This story focuses on [Two Powerful Leads Growing Together] and [Profound Devotion]. Sweetness and angst intertwine. This is not a mindless power fantasy, so read with care if that's not your thing!) In their previous life, in the modern world, the two parted forever on a snowy night! He sat in a wheelchair dusted with snow, and his three wishes ended in regret as 55Reads7.7Score—Shelves
27. 77 锦 A Heart Like Heng 锦心似蘅 Luling Lu Wenyu庐陵禄温瑜Ancient Romance754k WordsOngoing Just started ranking, so the numbers will rise later! [Intrigue, historical setting, romance, court politics, strategy, intelligent cast (not a mindless wish-fulfillment story)] He thought she was just a pawn. She thought he was a caged bird trapped in an abyss. In this game that began with lies, whoever fell in love first was destined to lose everything. “I got close to you to use you.” “I know. I got close to you to turn your scheme against you.” It turned out that all their deep affection 324Reads8.6Score—Shelves
28. 78 寒 A Clear Sparrow Falls on a Cold Branch 寒枝落清雀 Yi Gongjin一公瑾Ancient Romance241k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance + strong female lead + political intrigue + ensemble cast + woman disguised as a man] At the age of ten, Xie Youning watched her mother die by the sword and her elder brother fall in a pool of blood. The Xie family was wiped out. She hid in the woodshed and narrowly escaped with her life. Five years later, under the assumed name Liang Yanchu, she passed the palace examinations as a disaster refugee from Hexi, placing second, and entered the imperial court. She intends to unco 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Despite being a delicate and talented woman, she had to disguise herself as a man and serve as an official for the sake of her family. She was schemed against in the court, and after her identity was exposed, her relationship with her sworn brother took a step further.

29. 79 古 A Master of Ancient Architecture Takes Four Kids on an Adventure in the Past 古建大佬带四娃闯古代 Blue Waters Reflecting青水相映Ancient Romance312k WordsCompleted Who could have guessed that after transmigrating, a top ancient architecture restoration expert's first task would be to take four children and find their father? Daily life is a riot of chaos and laughter. She takes on troublesome relatives, builds up the family business, and restores ancient buildings. The whole family lives together in a lively, carefree way. 14Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Not bad, I followed it.

30. 80 满 A Family of Loyal Martyrs Forced into a Second Marriage, and the Comment Section Goes Wild 满门忠烈被逼当填房，弹幕杀疯了 Peach Blossoms Flourish桃之泱泱Modern Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Past and present connected + two storylines running in parallel + women supporting women] It begins when Shen Shuangyu is branded a homewrecker for supposedly seducing her brother-in-law before her sister's death, then marries into a marquis's household as his second wife. She pours her heart and soul into managing the household, supporting her husband, and raising her stepson and stepdaughter, never uttering a single complaint. In the end, all she gets in return is: “She's doing this to atone. 41.1kReads9.0Score6.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This story, "The Twin Beauties," features two leading ladies from different eras who help each other achieve their goals step by step. The part where they try to save each other brought tears to my eyes [crying]. The ending was great; both of them started their own wonderful lives.

31. 81 青 A Promise in Blue Robes 青裳一诺 The King Is Thirteen大王十三岁Ancient Romance398k WordsCompleted In their previous life, Qingshang (Heguan) and Duruo (Houpu) died together in a car accident, bound by death as they had been in life. In this life, Qingshang carries her memories of their past and journeys across mountains and rivers to reunite with him... But he no longer recognizes her, and love and resentment pull them in opposite directions... She practices medicine to save lives, solves one strange case after another, and uses her wisdom to stop a war between two nations and protect the pe 44Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    🔥Using her medical skills to quell wars between two nations, the female lead's character is stunning! "High EQ Strategy" + "Detective in Chaotic Times" + "Hidden Affection" + "Strong Career Line" A reborn female doctor solves numerous bizarre cases to protect the people, while facing her amnesiac former lover, she can only secretly harbor her feelings. #HeroineAncientRomance #Rebirth #PoliticalIntrigueDetective #SweetAndTangIntent

32. 82 你 You and I, Heart to Heart 你侬我侬 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance322k WordsCompleted A hazy dream left Qiaoqiao unable to see things clearly, but one thing was certain: Mo Henghuan was a massive scumbag! So why wait? She should dump him! But why did trouble follow right on his heels, and why was it so hard to deal with? Well, having an ally was important, and the heir of the Bai family seemed like a good choice. But I’m only joining forces with you, not marrying you. How about we renegotiate the terms? The Bai heir: “Qiaoqiao, whether we’re cooperating or plotting together, you 1.9kReads9.5Score243Shelves

    Reader note

    Good-looking domestic intrigue novels

33. 83 倚 Leaning on the Perilous Pavilion 倚危庭 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Just how hard is it to raise an outstanding young woman? That depends on who’s raising her. If an entire clan, or even a whole country, throws its support behind her, that’s another matter entirely. Ye Qingjiu is a woman with all sorts of jumbled memories and a knack for baffling people with her behavior. She thinks she’s clever, until she somehow gets married and finally realizes Li Tingye has been playing her all along... 6kReads9.4Score597Shelves
34. 84 绝 The Peerless Little Princess Consort 绝世小俏妃 Dog Thirteen狗十三Ancient Romance575k WordsCompleted [A funny, charming princess consort + a scheming prince who fiercely protects his own + a manipulative woman + a wickedly seductive and mysterious Holy Lord, and more...] [Sweet romance + comedy + from scum to love + perfect ending] What does it feel like to fall in love with your enemy? The day he led his troops to invade her country, the sun shone brightly. The seventh prince of Beijiang, Mu Beiming, cut an imposing figure in his black armor. Even with a fearsome mask hiding his face, his shar 5.6kReads9.5Score668Shelves
35. 85 葵 The Sunflower Princess’s Book of Delights 葵花郡主欢乐宝典 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance1.5M WordsOngoing Xiao Kuihua has a name as common as they come for a noble young lady, but her parents are both highborn and utterly unreliable. They raised her into a “green melon,” someone who speaks without thinking and invites gossip, and whose hopeless conduct makes marriage difficult. Yet, by a twist of fate, she wins herself a young husband, and so begins her delightful life of stirring up the capital and teasing young dandies before marriage, then making mischief with her in-laws and battling her mother- 1.9kReads9.5Score297Shelves
36. 86 伴 A Shared Dream 伴生梦 Sixteenth Moon十六月Two Female Leads117k WordsCompleted I posted a draft. I thought “two female leads” meant there would be two heroines, so this is awkward. And why did I sign a contract? I clicked the wrong thing, seriously! It’s all ruined. 3Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Being forced into marriage was Lin Shang's desperate situation, but also her opportunity. In the vortex of imperial power and a thousand-year destiny, she used her status as a woman to scheme for power and write her own legend amidst the flames of war.

37. 87 寒 The Noble Daughter of a Poor Family Dumps Her Ex and Opens a Clinic 寒门嫡女踹掉前夫开医馆 A Lampwick Wrapped in Fog雾裹灯芯Ancient Romance104k WordsCompleted Reborn on the night she was ruined and disgraced in an abandoned temple, Shen Qingyan turns the tables with a silver needle, pinning her half-sister and fiancé to a pillar of shame. Carrying a lost medical text, she quietly leaves her home and begins treating patients in the streets, specializing in ailments that leave the Imperial Medical Office helpless. From plagues in Nanjiang to mysterious illnesses in the palace, her medical skills shake the court and threaten the interests of the decaying —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    In her past life, the daughter of a poor family was surrounded by schemes and betrayals, losing her life to the cruel hand of her husband. Reborn, she becomes fiercely independent, exacting revenge on all the villains. She decisively dumps her ex-husband, resuming her medical practice to heal the sick and save lives. Her career storyline is incredibly exciting.

38. 88 何 Who Will Walk Beside Me Through the Night? 何人伴我夜间行 Raindrops Falling on the Eaves水滴落在屋檐上Ancient Romance880k WordsOngoing [Courtly schemes + wits and courage + fictional late Qing setting] Would you call her a ruthless, calculating schemer, or a refined young lady, educated and well-mannered? The unforgettable steward Jiao swears brotherhood with twelve heroes and establishes a stronghold. Hardship breeds hardship, but a chance encounter with spring can transform a fish into a dragon. Why did “Ji Liuniang” cast aside the “Liu” in her name, and what carried her to success? A shrewd and far-sighted minister of the co 7Reads7.2Score—Shelves

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    The thrill of the arena combined with the power struggles within the household; the wise eldest sister holds the entire Zhen family together.

39. 89 三 Three Years of Marriage, One Letter of Divorce Ends It All in the Capital 三年婚姻，一纸休书断京华 Raindrops Falling on the Eaves水滴落在屋檐上Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted Three Years of Marriage, One Divorce Decree Shatters the Capital 464Reads—Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    They considered themselves clever, but in her eyes they weren't clever enough, because she always calculated things ahead of them.

40. 90 寒 A Cold Crow Nests in Your Heart 寒鸦栖君心 Wind and Sunset风夕阳Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Everyone envies the Prince of Beian for loving his wife beyond all measure, with a love as deep as the sea. No one knows he won this perfect life by risking everything. Yan Junjue clawed his way out of a mountain of corpses in the Cold Palace. He was bloodthirsty and ruthless, a possessive, obsessive madman whose jealousy was carved into his bones. Everyone in the world feared him. Only Cui Yunqi was a little warmth in his endless darkness. She was the proud and steadfast lord of Hanya City, dev 9.1kReads8.8Score907Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! The female lead is intelligent, clear-headed, and rational. 👍

41. 91 权 A Woman in Power 权姝 Wind and Sunset风夕阳Ancient Romance628k WordsCompleted Legitimate daughter | Devoted hidden guard × Long-suffering childhood friend, the prince | Pure romance | Court intrigue | Strong female lead | Nation and family The court of the Great Qi dynasty is in turmoil, with the struggle for the throne brewing beneath the surface. The Molong cavalry bears down on Zhenmen Pass, where starving, freezing soldiers hold the border with their flesh and blood. On the battlefields of a troubled age, it is not only men who march to their deaths. Fu Ziyou brav 558Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 92 裙 He Has Someone Else Kneeling at His Feet 裙下之臣他另有其人 Miss Lin Watches Movies观影林姑娘Ancient Romance231k WordsOngoing To uncover the truth behind her father and brother’s deaths in battle, she abandoned her life of finery and fine horses and spent five years plotting. She pointed her sword at his throat. “You were the only one I never doubted.” He smiled, running his fingers along the blade. “The road to kingship is paved with bones.” In that moment, she finally saw clearly: beyond the mist lay no truth, only the torture he had prepared for her with his own hands. The vast realm ran red as blood, but it could n 48Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A conspiracy turned her entire life upside down; her father and brothers perished, and her fiancé vanished without a trace. Su Qingyan abandoned her bow and arrows to take control of the trade routes, secretly building a powerful force with hidden weapons, determined to bring down her nemesis lurking in the shadows. A ruthless woman meets a cunning man; everyone involved is a villain—this fateful game is sure to be thrilling!

43. 93 刺 The Assassin Big Sister Is Back, and the Capital Is in for a Shake-Up 刺客姐姐回来了，京城要变天 Lotus Seeds and Longan莲子桂圆Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted [Strong female lead + satisfying revenge + political intrigue + wuxia style + humor + very little romance + memorable male supporting characters] From the moment she was born, Lü Shangen, the second branch’s young lady in the Hanlin Academy residence, was regarded by her grandmother as an ill omen. When she was just over a year old, she was sent far away. The servants responsible for raising her were greedy to the core. They pocketed the money meant for her upkeep, let their own daughter take Lü 7.5kReads8.9Score884Shelves

    Reader note

    I tried this book. The rating wasn't high, but it was a small, unrefined read. It's a niche assassin story with a smart and capable female lead. It's a fast-paced, enjoyable read, half court and half martial arts world. There's no time travel, no rebirth, no cheat codes, and no naive characters. The plot is tight and doesn't drag. Everyone is intelligent, and it's humorous and witty. It's the kind of book that gets better and better as you read on. You won't want to skip any chapters; you'll want to read it all the way to the end.

44. 94 惊EN Terror: I Only Sell Haunted Houses 惊悚：我只卖凶宅 Nicholas Goudan尼古拉斯狗蛋Mystery1.5M WordsCompleted Rooms where unnatural deaths have occurred are collectively known as haunted houses. There are two kinds: “blue houses” and “red houses.” Living people can stay in blue houses without harm, but anyone who lives in a red house is doomed to die. I work as a real estate agent. One day, I accidentally sold a red house, and afterward, I began encountering terrifying things… 26.5kReads9.2Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Keep it up, muah!

45. 95 长 The Blood Curse of Immortality 长生血咒 Guan Tangzi观棠子Ancient Romance531k WordsCompleted [The mystery of immortality + palace intrigue at its peak + battlefield schemes + devastating romance + dynastic upheaval] This is an intense political romance full of heartbreak. Get yourself emotionally prepared before reading! Twist after twist! Every character is clever! The plot is logical, the foreshadowing is rich, and the emotional impact lingers. It took me three days to recover after finishing it! Princess Yongzhao carries unusual blood, making her the most precious “medicine” in the 32Reads8.8Score147Shelves
46. 96 娶 I Married a Fox Spirit and Was Struck by Heavenly Tribulation, So My Sect Fights Gods and Buddhas for Me 娶狐妖遭雷劫，师门为我战神佛 A Steamed Bun on a Fork叉上小笼包Eastern Fantasy126k WordsOngoing Throughout the long river of history, there is a little-known story. There was once a young Taoist who had never caught a single ghost since beginning his cultivation. In the eyes of others, he may have seemed like a hopeless cultivator, but he was kind at heart and always believed that all things possessed a spirit. Later, he chose to leave the Taoist life behind and begin anew. His wedding day should have been a joyous occasion, bustling with guests. Yet not one of his fellow disciples, his ma 12Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Classics never go out of style.

47. 97 穿 Transmigrating to the Seventies: The Young Educated Youth Is Dumbfounded 穿越七零，小知青她懵圈了 Miss Zhou周大小姐Modern Romance1.8M WordsOngoing (Everyday life of sent-down youth, not a strong female lead, a touch of an ensemble cast, unhurried pacing, with a couple) Gu Xiaoman, from the twenty-first century, dies suddenly after getting drunk while celebrating landing a job. She wakes up aboard a green-painted train carrying sent-down youth in the 1970s. No space, no System, no golden finger, and not even the original owner’s memories. She’s definitely the most wretched transmigrant in history, with none of the usual perks. Good heavens! 12.4kReads8.7Score1.3kShelves
48. 98 女 Disguised as a Man in Court, I Became the Tyrant's Beloved 女扮男装上朝堂，成了暴君白月光 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance385k WordsCompleted [Hilarious transmigration into a book] [Historical romance] [Woman disguised as a man] [Palace and household intrigue] [Imperial examinations and political strategy] [Sweet, doting, and satisfying] [A devoted, powerful couple] Modern-day genius physician Ye Wan transmigrates into a book, becoming the useless eldest legitimate son of the Ye family, a powerful minister. The original owner was raised as a boy, and the whole family are villains. In three months, the entire family will be executed. A 1.2kReads6.7Score151Shelves

    Reader note

    Intelligent and humorous: ① Hilarious mind-reading + gossip system 🍉🍉🍉 The prince laughs until his stomach hurts while gossiping. ② Hilarious time-traveling goddess doctor transmigrates into a coffin to be buried with the war god prince, kisses him awake, sweet and funny. ③ Strong female lead, refreshing novel with a space to punish scum and build a career, super satisfying. ④ Hilarious time-traveling female disguised as a man, tyrant's forced love, sweet and funny. ⑤ Hilarious time-traveling female lead swaps bodies with the demon lord, silly and crazy. ⑥ Hilarious mind-reading tyrant with two personalities, jealous of each other, sweet and funny.

49. 99 错 A Mistake, A Meeting 错，相逢 Big and Little Orange Cats大小橘猫Ancient Romance573k WordsCompleted That year, I first came into the world, and the balance of power across the realm was suddenly overturned in silence. The new emperor of Xilu ascended the throne, determined to bring about reforms. In Xidan, the young Emperor Yuan Xi also inherited the throne that same year. They all said I smiled at everyone from the time I was little. Yet at the grandest of enthronement banquets, I looked up and saw a handsome young man in imperial robes, with clear, bright features, and burst into tears. He p 35Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Two powerful forces team up to fight the Japanese pirates; if you enjoy watching action against Japanese pirates, come and take a look!

50. 100 谋 Scheming for a Beauty 谋红颜 Big and Little Orange Cats大小橘猫Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted A flood swept away Ru Yu's mother. Everyone said it was a natural disaster, but she alone knew for certain that someone had lowered the iron floodgate with a sneer as the waters surged in. To uncover the mystery behind it, she resolutely descended from Mount Kuocang. Making herself a pawn, she stepped into the treacherous game of power unfolding across the land. 37Reads8.8Score—Shelves

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