Looking for Brainy Novels with Intrigue, Schemes, and Political Maneuvering 有没有烧脑、布局、权谋的小说推荐

1. 1 神 The Game of the Gods: Apostle Number Thirteen 神明的游戏：第十三号使徒 Walking a Snail牵蜗牛散步Eastern Fantasy665k WordsCompleted (A battle of human nature + suspense game + in the vein of and + ensemble cast + infinite-loop progression) The doomsday bell tolls A divine oracle appears without warning, a magic cube descends, and the firmament splits with a roar! The selection tournament for the game [The Primordial Age of the Gods] begins. Attention: [The Thirteenth Apostle] has awakened. Now making his entrance [The Thirteenth Apostle] [The Founder of the End] [The Blood-Red Clown] [The 961Reads8.0Score104Shelves

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   I won't go into detail about the brain-teasing game-themed novel, "Ten Days to the End," but I'll talk about my first novel, a new book. The protagonist is a high-IQ financial expert who plays against various professional experts in a game. The plot is exciting, full of twists and turns, and the ensemble cast is vivid and well-developed. If you don't like it after reading it, feel free to criticize me harshly.

2. 2 十EN Ten Days to the End 十日终焉 Pest Control Team Member杀虫队队员Mystery3.2M WordsCompleted 2024 Tomato Novel Annual Peak Rankings TOP 1 | 2024 China Online Literature Influence List | 2024 China Good Novel Award | Over 2 million copies sold (No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincibility, no System, no mindless antics, no wish fulfillment. Read with caution if these bother you.) Just when I thought it was an ordinary day, I discovered I had been captured and taken to the End. Just when I thought I could escape by continually taking part in death games, people began awakening supernat 1.7MReads9.9Score206.4kShelves
3. 3 逆 Against the Meridians: Liar, Stop! 逆经：骗子住手 Ren Fanwuyin任梵无音Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Original novel for the animated series This Taoist Is Not Quite Right] Life is unpredictable. The fit thrive under Heaven's law, Those skilled in force become generals, those skilled in strategy become kings. Born into the lowest of professions, he refuses to live like a nobody, He waves the yin-yang banner and sees through the Six Lines of Divination. Watch him play at being a spirit medium, watch him swindle and deceive, Watch him make ruthless decisions, watch him rise like a hidden dragon f 43.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

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   A real power struggle, fast-paced like an American TV series, you won't be able to stop watching! [Add to bookshelf]

4. 4 太 The Crown Prince Is a Treasure Trove, but She Flirts and Runs 太子浑身是宝，但她撩完就跑 Nine Strokes, Then a Horizontal Line九笔横才Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever revenge + ensemble court drama + male lead fakes his death and reveals his identity, then goes mad + heroine is his one true love] [Power couple comedy | Strategic mind games | All the right ingredients | Fictional setting] Axiang, a huntress, bought herself a live-in husband. He was handsome, with a fine figure and a noble, radiant air, like an immortal crane descended from the heavens, or a jade-faced gentleman from a storybook. But he had no idea how to show affection. When she offer 1.5kReads9.2Score185Shelves

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   "Clash of Power" is high-energy from start to finish!! The female lead, with her delicate fingers, stirs up the political intrigue of the court, her strategies rivaling those of men, each step meticulously planned for revenge; the male lead, cunning and deep, holds immense power yet views her with special regard. From initial testing to fighting side-by-side, every calculation is imbued with hidden meaning, and every alliance is invincible. There's no romance holding them back, only a clash of equally matched intellects that will leave you thoroughly entertained!

5. 5 伏 Ambush 伏杀 Mo Bai1莫白1Historical1.4M WordsCompleted [Original title: Ambush] Beneath the awe-inspiring might of Heaven, all living beings are mere ants. And yet he dares, with the strength of an insect, to turn the world upside down. For family, for friends, for the burning hatred in his heart, for the nightmares that haunt him year after year, for justice, and for fairness. This story is set in an imaginary world and has no connection to actual history. Everything in it is fictional. Any similarities are purely coincidental. 14.8kReads8.3Score931Shelves

   Reader note

   "Ambush" is a fantasy political intrigue novel! It's high-energy from start to finish, with no dull moments, featuring both witty battles and revenge. You'll love it!

6. 6 何 Why Not Sail Together 何不同舟渡 Xian Yuke羡鱼珂Ancient Romance483k WordsCompleted "The print edition under the same title is available to buy online" [No golden finger, no transmigration, no rebirth. A pure historical romance about family and country, with high-IQ espionage and political intrigue] [A double agent undercover + a petty thief who grows: a lone wolf plays a game of raising a rabbit, gives her fangs, then insists they run away together] In a chaotic age, she is a thief worth less than a blade of grass, willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive. She steals ten 142kReads9.7Score108kShelves

   Reader note

   Ahhh, highly recommended! The political intrigue is so intricate and gripping, it's impossible to put down!

7. 7 大 The Black Lotus of Great Ming 大明黑莲花 Xian Yuke羡鱼珂Ancient Romance594k WordsCompleted [Female con artist × hypocrite] The year the Jiajing Emperor ascended the throne of the Ming Dynasty, Magellan's fleet completed its circumnavigation of the globe. It was only decades later, along the eastern coast of Zhejiang, where the sea ban was in force, that a country woman happened to hear the Western theory that “the world is round.” Suddenly, she realized: If all four seas are round, then wherever you stand, you can be the center of the world. But when she looked around, women had no pa 5.9kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
8. 8 回 The Spring Renewal Pharmacy 回春药铺 The Coldest Days Are Coming小寒将至Ancient Romance432k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + no rebirth or transmigration + revenge + political intrigue] Every thrilling tale begins in a little apothecary. After a chance encounter, a master and apprentice who have both suffered the slaughter of their families and endured countless hardships find themselves facing powerful enemies. They have no choice but to assume secret identities and disappear into the bustling streets of the capital, plotting carefully and advancing step by step as they seek revenge, stirri 19kReads9.4Score2.5kShelves
9. 9 傻 The Foolish Girl Returns 傻女归来 The Coldest Days Are Coming小寒将至Ancient Romance800k WordsCompleted [Strong female lead]+ [No CP]+ [Revenge]+ [Political intrigue]+ [Decisive and ruthless]+ [Multiple secret identities]+ [Strong allies] Suffering can wear down a person’s resolve and break their backbone, but it can also awaken their potential and forge a new beginning. When Lian Hui was five, a sudden illness took both her parents. A high fever left her intellectually disabled, and her own relatives drove her out of the family home. Alone with a dog, she struggled to survive in the wilderness ne 12.7kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves
10. 10 癫EN What the Heck! Everyone Around Me Is Completely Nuts! 癫！孤身边全是神经病！ Wen Yuan Party文元党Ancient Romance764k WordsCompleted Born a crown prince, Qi Yuanzuo was convinced that he was the only normal person in the imperial family. Little did he know what the Crown Prince looked like to outsiders: At seven, he shot a tiger and won nine hundred kilometers of territory in the Qilian Mountains. At thirteen, he cut through the great clans of Jiangnan and personally orchestrated the Case of the Ninety-Seven Mourning Robes, stepping over piles of corpses to claim the throne. At fifteen, he gambled on the Qilian Mountains once 54.4kReads9.5Score7kShelves

    Reader note

    A story of political intrigue and raising a child, where even the crown prince is tricked by the system; he's incredibly cunning and can deduce almost everything from the smallest details.

11. 11 烟EN Misty Rain Tower 烟雨楼 A Night of Misty Rain一夕烟雨Eastern Fantasy9.5M WordsOngoing [The print edition is now available nationwide at all major retailers] "Traditional xuanhuan" "No harem" In the land of Jiuzhou stands a tower called the Misty Rain Tower. Its master, Li Qingzhi, is hailed as a peerless prodigy, holding life and death in his hands beneath the cover of night. Yet what the world doesn’t know is that someone else stands behind the Misty Rain Tower, its true founder. Using the guise of a spoiled young master as cover, he manipulates the winds and clouds and plots ac 868.8kReads9.6Score66.1kShelves

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    I recommend three books that are absolutely captivating. You won't want to stop reading once you start! * **Yan Yu Lou:** The writing is exquisite, the plot is exciting and epic, the characters are vividly portrayed, the supporting characters are intelligent, the protagonist is not tedious, and there are no flaws. It's a top-notch time-travel novel, and I personally think the rating is too low. * **Zi Wo Mental Hospital Learns to Slay Gods:** I started reading from Zhao Kongcheng, and then fell in love with the line "Great Xia Ahead, Gods Forbidden to Travel," and I've enjoyed it ever since. The author, Sanjiu, is very meticulous, perfecting every detail. Every plot hole is well-done and well-filled, demonstrating strong writing skills. However, I just can't get enough of the daily updates. I started reading on January 31st, and it's only been five or six days since then. I don't know if it's because I read fast or what, but it's just not enough. I hope Sanjiu can update more often! The third book, *Nightfall Code*, may be unfamiliar to many, but it's also a rare gem. Lin Hui, an ordinary office worker, after a tedious day at work, accidentally wanders into the familiar but now abandoned 11th Building from his childhood at night. There, he discovered strange symbols and subsequently received a mysterious phone call, drawing him into an unknown adventure. Meanwhile, Su Yao also arrived at the city library's basement due to the same mysterious summons. After meeting, the two faced a combination lock engraved with mysterious symbols in the basement. While exploring the lock, they discovered a yellowed diary that vaguely mentioned a secret being pursued, but the contents were partially obscured by water stains. Just as they were trying to decipher the clues, several unidentified mysterious figures broke into the basement. These people seemed to know they possessed crucial clues and wouldn't allow them to disrupt a certain plan. As the story progressed, the symbols on the combination lock began to rotate on their own, seemingly controlled by a mysterious force. In this tense and exciting plot, Lin Hui and Su Yao not only had to unravel the secrets hidden behind the combination lock but also had to deal with the threats from the mysterious figures. Their ability to uncover the truth hidden behind the code under the cover of night amidst numerous crises is truly impressive.

12. 12 我EN Learning to Slay Gods in the Psychiatric Hospital 我在精神病院学斩神 Three Nine Sound Domain三九音域Urban4.3M WordsCompleted A must-read hit on Tomato Novel | Original novel of the hit anime Slay the Gods | IP influence on the China Online Literature Influence List | 2023 China Good Novel Have you ever wondered whether monsters from ancient myths lurk beneath the neon-lit city? Have you ever wondered whether gods stand watch over humanity atop the moon hanging high above us? Have you ever wondered whether extraordinary people walk among us in our bustling modern cities, acting in the gods’ stead? In the society ruled 992.2kReads9.9Score158.5kShelves
13. 13 夜 The Code Beneath the Nightfall 夜幕下的密码 Sitting and Watching Clouds, Knowing the Tune坐看云识曲Mystery80k WordsOngoing The Cipher Beneath the Night is a gripping mystery novel that takes you into a world full of puzzles and peril. After finishing another dull day at work, ordinary office worker Lin Hui wanders into an abandoned old building he remembers from childhood. There, he discovers strange symbols. Then a mysterious phone call pulls him into an unknown adventure. Meanwhile, Su Yao receives the same mysterious summons and goes to the basement of the city library. When the two meet, they face a combination —Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 14 戏 A Scheme in the Spotlight 戏谋 Yu Ci余辭Ancient Romance303k WordsOngoing The play is beginning, and the schemes are being laid. First, let’s make clear that Ci’an is a book attendant!!! Crown Prince Xie Jinglin and Su Zijin first met through their mutual admiration for each other’s talent and strategy. “Miss Su, you’re remarkably talented,” and “Your Highness Jinglin, your strategies are impressive.” Together, they navigated the treacherous court, solving one crisis after another, until their affection deepened and they finally became partners. The crown prince’s ris —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Don't be misled by appearances; take a closer look before making a decision.

15. 15 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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    [Completed, Rebirth and Revenge + Healing and Poisoning Mastery + Two Strong Individuals Pampered by Each Other + Everyone's Clever and cunning + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggle] Highlight: No villains with low intelligence; everyone is incredibly cunning, a battle of wits at its peak! In her past life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, went blind and used forbidden techniques to drain her life force to save her scumbag husband. 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 madness: "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; a powerful alliance, slaughtering all demons and monsters!

16. 16 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

    Reader note

    A true political intrigue novel! This person is so smart, this person is smart too, this person is also very smart!! It's all about vying for power!! Very competitive!! The ensemble cast of characters is exceptionally well-developed and vivid, and the author's writing is very detailed! Highly recommended!! [Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece][Sparrow's Masterpiece] Second reading, waiting for the extra chapters 555

17. 17 重 Being Reborn Is Fine, But Why Am I Facing the Execution of My Entire Family from the Start? 重生没问题，开局就来满门抄斩？ Crab Walk螃蟹步Historical398k WordsOngoing With his entire household facing execution from the start, he saves himself with a prophecy: "The tiger tally will be stolen tonight." From then on, he wields brush and ink as a blade and plays with memories as his pieces. But every time he wins, he loses a memory. The closer he gets to victory, the closer he comes to becoming a "blank slate." When he finishes rewriting history, will the history books record his own ending? 357Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a brain-burning book about tactics. Keep it and read it slowly. It's good to solve puzzles every day.

18. 18 朱 Murder Behind Vermilion Gates 朱门杀 Wolf in a Cold Noodle Skin x披着凉皮的狼xAncient Romance406k WordsCompleted [Slow-burn ensemble story + revenge + no romance + endless heartbreak] (Sorry, I really do love writing heartbreaking stories. I can't get romance to work; it always comes out feeling flat. But when I write tragedy, my head stops hurting, my back stops aching, and inspiration flows like a mighty river. I get carried away, lost in the moment... Don't be scared, though. This book is actually a sweet little story, and not everyone dies at the end! Come take a look~) The Duke of Guo's entire househo 52Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    One thing leads to another, and everyone has unspeakable secrets; everyone is incredibly cunning. There are no lovestruck characters, no dim-witted villains, and everyone is intelligent. There are many foreshadowing and hidden plots, so you can take notes while watching. Romance is minimal; the focus is on the Avengers.

19. 19 夜 Nightfall 夜悬 Writing with a Brush Like Wielding a Sword执笔如仗剑Eastern Fantasy319k WordsCompleted [Political Intrigue + Jianghu + Xianxia + Wuxia Mystery] There's a saying passed down through the Great Ying Dynasty: “Beyond the Embroidered Uniform Guards, there still hangs the Night.” This book tells the story of Zhao Feiyu, the former commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards known as the “Blade-Wielding Yama.” Under the name Night Hanging, he seeks the truth behind Prince Fu's massacre, gradually unraveling a deadly web of intrigue spanning the imperial court and the jianghu. Watch the 303Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The imperial court and the martial world are a series of chess games.

20. 20 七 The Seventy-Two Paths 七十二道 Writing with a Brush Like Wielding a Sword执笔如仗剑Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted In the third year of Gengzi, sweltering heat blankets the Nanling Dynasty. At court, the powerful chancellor Qin Qingquan is surrounded by allies and wields absolute power, wantonly gnawing away at the dynasty’s foundations. The imperial authority is ruthlessly suppressed, teetering on the brink of collapse. Gloom hangs over the entire realm, the people suffer unbearably, and the prosperous age stands on the verge of ruin. Amid this treacherous turmoil, the martial arts prodigy Nangong Shaoqing 339Reads8.3Score—Shelves
21. 21 苍 Cangyuan Demon Emperor: Reborn to Avenge Every Blood Debt! 苍渊魔帝：重生归来，血债血偿！ Young Master Run Yan润衍公子Eastern Fantasy2.5M WordsOngoing Revenge + Strategy + Invincibility + Myriad Worlds + Ensemble Cast The invincible Demon Emperor Cangyuan ruled the Myriad Worlds, yet he was betrayed by his beloved and his sect, nearly suffering the annihilation of his soul and eternal ruin. With only a remnant of his soul, he was reborn in the lower realm, in Xuanxin Heaven, on the Xuanxin Continent, in the Great Qian Dynasty, in Thundercliff City. Reborn and revived, he returns in a trail of blood! He swears to ascend to the upper realm and m 934Reads—Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this book; the CPU is simply not powerful enough for it.

22. 22 十 Ignored for Eighteen Years, the Legitimate Daughter Returns to Deliver a Face-Slapping 十八年不闻不问，嫡女打脸回归！ Xuan Ying Luo玄英落Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Satisfying read + political intrigue + the fate of the nation + a pocket dimension + the martial world + medicine and poison + suspense] After accidentally transmigrating from a world polluted by nuclear fallout to an alternate realm, the heroine becomes an unwanted daughter of an official’s family. One day after transmigrating, she beats up a wicked servant and sells him off. From then on, the estate is her turf! Seven days after transmigrating, she becomes the leader of the martial world’s mo 4.3kReads9.1Score568Shelves

    Reader note

    This one! You won't regret getting hooked!

23. 23 陈 The Untamed: Xichen and Cheng, Together 陈情令之曦澄相伴 boffTwo Male Leads216k WordsCompleted Lan Xichen × Jiang Wanyin A sweet romance about the leaders of two great sects finding love together. After emerging from seclusion, Lan Xichen went down the mountain to continue his travels. An incident brought him to Lotus Pier, where he and Jiang Cheng began drinking wine, brewing tea, and hunting night haunts together. Jiang Cheng's casual remarks along the way always helped untie some of the knots in Lan Xichen's heart, and little by little, Lan Xichen came to regard him as a confidant. The 466Reads7.6Score104Shelves
24. 24 绑 After Binding the Underworld System, I Had a Blast Taking Down Scumbags 绑了冥府系统后虐渣爽爆了 Calamity of the Galaxy星河祸Modern Romance3.4M WordsCompleted [Metaphysics, supernatural, mutual healing, strong heroine, sweet romance, satisfying and smart] After Chi Zao is reborn and bound to a System, her daily tasks are to catch ghosts, guide souls, and stop powerful figures from turning evil. Mocked as a scarred beauty with a ruined face? She’ll grab a bottle of scar-removing elixir from the System shop. Born poor, with no power or influence? President Chi, your company has gone public. Feng shui masters chase after her, begging to take her as their 2.5kReads9.2Score523Shelves
25. 25 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

    This ancient Chinese political intrigue story is written with delicate and mature prose, creating well-rounded characters who are both strong, thoughtful, strategic, and profound. They enter the game with their own hands, proceeding cautiously and strategically, leading the players to cut off their own escape routes before turning the tables and achieving victory. The male and female leads have a tacit understanding and are both strategic, mutually redeeming each other without being dependent on one another. Their strategies are rooted in human nature, not in good or bad; they know each other's true selves and love each other's complete souls.

26. 26 凤 The Phoenix Strategy 凤策 Fifteenth of the Tenth Month拾月十五Historical597k WordsCompleted The Kunlun divine veins hold the Six Kingdoms in check, while the rules of the Divine Palace conceal deadly traps. A researcher of ancient civilizations transmigrates as Zhao Yan, a dissolute prince. With the phoenix as his wings and strategy as his blade, he rises against all odds to the throne and rules the world. 96Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Here are a few books I recommend; they look pretty good.

27. 27 春 A Spring Dream Takes Me to Ancient Times: I Become a Workaholic in Dayin 春梦穿古我在大胤当卷王 Fifteenth of the Tenth Month拾月十五Historical147k WordsCompleted [Mystery]+ [Multiple Heroines]+ [Transmigration]+ [Golden Finger]+ [Alternate Fantasy World]+ [If It's Not Your Thing, Please Don't Complain] Just because he begged his goddess for a hug in a romantic dream, Lu Xiaochuan was kicked straight into a river in the Great Yin dynasty, launching his mortifying Transmigration adventure! The moment he climbs ashore, he's branded a suspect in the Witchcraft Cult case. He lets slip what he said in his sleep, then reveals the secret that he once saw a celes 45Reads—Score—Shelves
28. 28 红 A Beauty’s Scheme for the Realm 红颜谋天下 Fifteenth of the Tenth Month拾月十五Eastern Fantasy148k WordsCompleted [Mystery]+ [Multiple Heroines]+ [No Transmigration]+ [No Golden Finger]+ [Alternate Fantasy World]+ [If It's Not Your Thing, Please Don't Complain] An imperial edict of marriage sends the icy, beautiful female general Murong Xue storming into the residence with a sword. Turmoil erupts in the Song household's rear court, while strange butterfly shadows from the Xuanming Cult appear, concealing a shocking conspiracy that could overturn the world. As one beauty after another gets drawn into the gam 63Reads—Score—Shelves
29. 29 藏 The Guide to Concealed Beauties 藏娇引 Zhi Ge Wen Mo止戈问墨Eastern Fantasy793k WordsCompleted Winter. The last of the snow. Her sword is moonlight. Her poison is honey. Her name is a secret. Purple robes, swift as lightning. A woman, like a poem. The world knows Princess Jinning, Zhao Qingli, only as a living portrait of a court lady, hidden deep within the palace. Little does anyone know that she is also the Sword God’s sole disciple and a once-in-a-century genius of the Tang Sect. Her sword is called Purple Lightning. When it leaves its scabbard, it flashes like a startled swan reflect 44Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    One Dao, one Buddha, two gods, three demons, four saints, five ghosts. A young man, a white horse, a beautiful woman, the martial world. One sword opens the gates of heaven, one palm kills a martial saint. Winter. Lingering snow. Her sword is moonlight. Her poison is honey. Her name is a secret. Purple clothes, like lightning. A person, like poetry. The world only knows Princess Jinning, Zhao Qingli, a walking portrait of a lady in the deep palace. But they do not know that she is also the only successor of the Sword God, a once-in-a-century genius of the Tang Clan. Her sword is called "Purple Lightning". When the sword is drawn, it is like a startled swan reflecting its shadow. No one in the world can withstand three of her moves. Because those who have seen the third move have all become mute dead men. Her palm is called "Soul Chaser". Her fingers are called "Wind Splitter". Chu Yueyao and Wen Yunshu are not maids, but two deadly shadows. Three women, a game in winter. The martial world is a cup of strong liquor. They, however, sought to savor the tea's delicate elegance. Until someone spilled the tea… A sword cleaved the heavens, a single palm strike slew a Martial Saint…

30. 30 公 The Princess and the Sword Immortal 公主与剑仙 Zhi Ge Wen Mo止戈问墨Eastern Fantasy1.4M WordsCompleted Atop Lock Dragon Peak, snow falls without a sound. Xiao Jianqiu, the “Lone Shadow Sword Immortal,” is invincible beneath heaven with his gleaming blade. He watches the clouds drift by, seeking nothing more than freedom and ease. The martial world? Just a place where grudges are settled and swords do the talking. In Jinling, behind the deep walls of the imperial palace, Princess Zhaoyang Zhao Jin is born to privilege, yet finds the palace walls too high and her life too stifling. The court? Nothi 2.3kReads—Score192Shelves
31. 31 镜 The Hall of Mirrors 镜厅 Who Knows When the Flowers Fall花落知谁晓Mystery1.2M WordsOngoing [Infinite Flow] + [Mild Horror] + [One Heroine] + [Instances] The moment you step inside, you enter the endless Mirror Abyss. Every Mirror Abyss holds the lingering obsession of someone who has died. The rules for survival must be tested with human lives. More terrifying than ghosts are human hearts. Some stand shoulder to shoulder in the darkness, while others stab their companions in the back when all seems lost. Can the rifts deep within the Mirror Abyss ever be repaired? Put your mind to 3kReads6.4Score362Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended.

32. 32 绥 Suiyang 绥阳 Mo Yuheng墨煜衡Historical1.2M WordsCompleted [Ensemble Cast + Political Intrigue + Multiple Viewpoints + Long-form] An alternate-history ensemble inspired by the histories of the Tang and Song dynasties. The title means “to pacify and settle” and “vitality and prosperity.” Twelve years ago, Wang Zhizhou, the Grand Pillar State, died in Chang'an. The Fourth Prince was crippled overnight and sent to the frontier. This sudden turn of events shocked the court and triggered a series of earth-shattering upheavals that left officials throughout t 267Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Want to see it? It's written by a newbie!

33. 33 离 Unbelievable! From the Start, I Was at a Crime Scene 离谱！开局就是案发现场 Cloud Bao Tangtang云宝糖糖Mystery413k WordsCompleted [The rating has just been posted; it will rise later] When Xia Zhu woke up, she had become the prime suspect in a dismemberment case, and the victim's head was in her refrigerator. She was the unluckiest person alive! While others panicked and rushed to prove their innocence, she stayed at the crime scene to examine the details. Drawing on her forensic expertise, she pieced together the clues, investigated the inconsistencies, cleared her name, and helped the police identify the real culprit. Sh 6.2kReads7.0Score745Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is quite good, you guys can check it out. It's the kind of story where a female forensic doctor and a criminal investigation team captain fall in love over time. The female forensic doctor is different from normal people; she's obsessive, but she and he can solve cases together, cooperating with each other from initially disliking each other to eventually joining hands.

34. 34 玫 Roses and Nightfire 玫瑰与夜火 Half a Lifetime of Calm and Composure半生从容淡定Modern Romance2.3M WordsCompleted Shen Qingyan looked at the familiar names on the list and smiled. So this war, fought with emotions as its blade, had always been this way from beginning to end: She was both the hunter wielding the knife and the most beautiful prey in someone else's game. When feigned affection mingles with genuine feelings, and a carefully plotted game turns back on its player, how can she make the winning move on the precipice between love and conspiracy? 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    One woman and four men: To uncover the truth behind her mother's death, she uses her affections as bait, maneuvering among the four men.

35. 35 雪 Spring Burns Through the Ashes of Snow 雪烬春灼 The Remarkable Wang Shiyi了不起的王十一Ancient Romance189k WordsOngoing A historical tale of destruction and renewal, hatred and redemption, political intrigue and true devotion. Watch as yesterday's blazing sun is tempered in the deepest darkness, and at last becomes a bright moon shining over the land. Wang Chunxue went from being the prized jewel of the Langya Wang clan to the daughter of a condemned traitor. The imperial decree accusing her family of treason crushed everything she had: her father and brothers, her glory, and her betrothal to the Crown Prince. Af 70Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese tales of power struggles and court intrigues

36. 36 风 The Blade's Shadow in Love and War: A Choice Between Power and Loyalty 风月刀影：权谋与情义的抉择 Pine Sounds Beneath the Inkstone砚底松声Historical500k WordsCompleted When a great fire devours the red gates of the Jun family estate, the young man who emerges through the smoke is no longer the dashing, carefree playboy who once spent his days cockfighting and chasing dogs. His eyes hold fire and blood, and in his hand he clutches half of a broken jade pendant, the last keepsake his father gave him before the family fell. Fate sweeps him like a tide into one abyss after another. From a life of luxury to utter poverty, from the son of the powerful to an outcast 79Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A political intrigue and revenge story where everyone is highly intelligent and the plot is incredibly mind-bending.

37. 37 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

    I've unearthed two mind-bending political intrigue novels! In *The Brocade Banquet*, the female protagonist uses modern thinking to orchestrate a grand scheme in ancient times, weaving together domestic power struggles and court intrigues. Every detail is meticulously calculated, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. *Judge Bao*, on the other hand, uses crime-solving as a starting point to unveil the undercurrents of the Northern Song Dynasty court. The protagonist uses his criminal investigation knowledge to solve mysterious cases, and the depth of his plot is truly astounding. These are the real brain-teasing political intrigue novels!

38. 38 包 Lord Bao, Is That Crescent Moon Painted On? 包大人，你的月牙是贴的吗？ Sweet Dream Feather甜梦羽Historical284k WordsCompleted I'm a modern high school student who fancies himself Bao Qingtian, and I've transmigrated into the Northern Song as the celebrated official Bao Zheng. From the start, I'm faced with three questions: I can't write, I can't judge cases, and my face isn't even dark! To keep my identity from being exposed, I smear ink on my face and draw a crescent moon with lime. I planned to lie low and muddle through, but I end up becoming a master detective. As my reputation keeps growing, Gongsun Ce can't stop 37Reads—Score—Shelves
39. 39 冰 The Iceberg Empress Enters Another World 冰山女帝闯异界 Light of the Leaf Village木叶之光Mystery9k WordsCompleted The Iceberg Empress Ventures into Another World —Reads—Score—Shelves
40. 40 九 The Secret of the Nine Nether Tower 九幽塔秘 Light of the Leaf Village木叶之光Eastern Fantasy105k WordsCompleted A Strange Case on a Rainy Night: Ye Hanqiu, a rising constable of the Six Fan Gate, is ordered to investigate the theft of government silver. At an inn in the wilderness, he encounters the mysterious swordsman Gu Xifeng. A torrential storm traps travelers from every faction inside the inn, and the discovery of five bodies brings to light an unsolved case from twenty years ago. The Mystery of the Bloodstained Clue: Xiao Yueli, daughter of the Grand Tutor, is gravely wounded and leaves the words " —Reads—Score—Shelves
41. 41 时 The Time Exchange Bureau 时间交易局 Light of the Leaf Village木叶之光15k WordsCompleted The Time Trading Bureau —Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 42 七 Seven Days to Murder 七日谋杀 City of Mist迷雾之城Mystery39k WordsOngoing [Mystery] + [System] + [Sci-Fi] + [Locked-Room Mystery] The System makes everyone kill one another? Jiang Chen secretly cheats! Exceptional detective skills + unlimited exclusive hidden missions = unlimited skills + unlimited items In the distant year of 2090, humanity developed a groundbreaking technology that could upload the consciousness of the dead into a digital world, granting them a form of “immortality.” But for Jiang Chen, a journey that should have led to the hereafter instead became 2Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 43 谁 Who Let Him Become a Police Officer? 谁让他当警察的？ Crow Doesn't Fly Planes乌鸦不坐飞机Urban647k WordsOngoing Xu Lai transmigrates to a parallel world, becomes a police officer, and unexpectedly awakens a god-tier detective System. Whenever he catches a criminal or solves a case, he receives a random reward from the System. The only problem is that the System’s rewards aren’t quite what he expected... “I’m a cop. Why the heck did you give me the skill to counterfeit money?” Xu Lai is initially close to breaking down. But on the very day he reports for duty, he runs into the leader of a counterfeit-money 27.9kReads9.0Score2.4kShelves
44. 44 规 Rule Horror: Beware Your Roommate's Girlfriend 规则怪谈：请小心你室友的女友 Half a Liang of Salt盐巴半两Mystery1.2M WordsCompleted [No heroine + not wish fulfillment + not invincible + unsettling + horror + suspense + plot-driven] [The livestreaming element is only a tiny part of the story. The focus is on horror and suspense, so feel free to dive in] There are only two people left in your school dorm: you and your roommate. Your roommate suddenly brings home an incredibly attractive person they met online, leaves you some money, then hurries off. Now you're alone in the room with your roommate's gorgeous online date... Wou 35.9kReads9.0Score3.3kShelves
45. 45 第 My Ten-Thousandth Rebirth 第一万次重生 Fang Yebai方夜白Urban2.0M WordsCompleted After spending the last three months of his life battling a terminal illness, Chen Luo discovered that he had been reborn on the day his cancer was confirmed. Overjoyed, Chen Luo soon found that three months later, he still died of cancer. But what he never expected was that he’d be reborn again on New Year’s Day in 2019, the day he was diagnosed with cancer. By now, Chen Luo had been reborn ten thousand times. Over the more than two thousand years of this endless loop, Chen Luo had learned ever 22.5kReads8.6Score2.3kShelves
46. 46 乱 A Lone Woman in Troubled Times, Plotting an Age of Prosperity 乱世孤女，谋千古盛世 Lingering Fragrance and Faded Powder旧香残粉Ancient Romance2.2M WordsOngoing [Strong Female Lead + No CP + Empress + Ensemble Cast + Political Scheming + War + Power Struggles in a Chaotic Era + Nation-Building and Farming + No Spatial Storage or System + Slow-Burn Growth + Epic Length] Yun Huaijin suddenly became a "corpse" in a world torn apart by chaos. She crawled out of a pile of bodies, with only a child on the verge of starving to death beside her. In this world, nobles lived in drunken indulgence, powerful clans monopolized knowledge, bandits slaughtered withou 24.2kReads8.9Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    Use your brain; he started from scratch, and his logic is quite good.

47. 47 与 Playing Chess with You: The Phoenix's Power 与君奕：凰权 Jiang Tanluoyue江潭落月Ancient Romance369k WordsCompleted (The rating has only just opened and will rise later) “Political intrigue + evenly matched leads + marriage before love + traditional war for supremacy in a chaotic age + ensemble cast + powerful female lead + nation and family” In these chaotic times, even a monarch can hardly hope for a lifetime of peace. Crowned heir to the throne at six, named crown prince at eight, and enthroned at twelve, Yan Xi was the “future savior of the Yan Kingdom” foretold by an astrologer, blessed with the Purple 211Reads8.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A story of power struggles and intrigue, where all characters are highly intelligent, set against a backdrop of chaotic warfare, featuring a captivating plot and excellent writing.

48. 48 举 After Reporting My Mentor, I Uncovered a City Defense Map Hidden in a Painting 举报恩师后我查出画中城防图 Listening to the Rain聽雨瀟瀟Ancient Romance128k WordsOngoing Seven years of injustice and a blood-written letter have imprisoned Shen Lingzhao’s entire life. The Imperial Weaving and Painting Academy seems elegant, but under its surface, dark currents swirl. To uncover the truth about her father’s murder, she conceals her identity and becomes an apprentice painter, hiding every clue among ink and brushstrokes. When she discovers that a tribute painting conceals coded markings of the city’s defenses and publicly exposes the secret language used in smuggli —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A bunch of seemingly insignificant details in the preceding text—the boatman's casual conversation, the hidden marks on the silk, the shredded jewelry and paper—are all foreshadowing, and they all connect and close in the later text. Only upon rereading do you realize that a murder conspiracy is buried everywhere.

49. 49 娶 Taking a Wife Makes You Stronger 娶妻当变强 The Fiery East冒火的东方Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted This book is also known as The Healer's Hand Covers the Heavens and The Phoenix's Shadow Shines on the Snow. A brilliant story of a remarkable heroine, full of political scheming and mind games that will make you think! The best is yet to come! A great book that nearly lost readers because of its title! Follow a woman as she revives her nation and becomes its empress. She opens her eyes amid a heap of bones, only to discover that she is the deposed empress. Her husband has just established a new 56Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    High IQ, mind-bending, strategic planning, political maneuvering, and captivating storyline.

50. 50 织 The Loom Tower 织楼 Morning Light Is for Bai晨光是为白Urban297k WordsCompleted Weave the tower, weave the laws, weave the rules, weave cause and effect. Everyone who enters the tower is a Weaver. The Shuttle Bearer is not. He is the shuttle itself. Above the tower’s dome, seven hands have held on for seven hundred years. The hands are cold, but even hands have gaps. Chen Mo is the tower’s newest Shuttle Bearer. On his first day, he receives a shuttle-shaped ID badge, and everyone looks at it with fear. An old man in the archives gives him an old photograph and tells him th —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Super mind-bending, you should check it out.

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