Looking for Well-Written Political Intrigue Novels 想看权谋文，文笔好

1. 151 罪 The Ladder of Sinners 罪人梯 Fish Who Lures People钓人的鱼Urban1.1M WordsCompleted Falsely accused and imprisoned three years ago, he received guidance from a powerful figure. Three years later, he returns as a king, ready to settle old and new scores alike. The final installment in the Ladder trilogy: Sin, Man, Ladder. A victorious general is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. See how Chen Lubing climbs to the summit, step by step, over the bodies of his enemies… 18.5kReads9.0Score1.8k14d adds
2. 152 历 History Isn't Quite What You Think 历史其实不是那回事 Master Dongli东篱子Historical131k WordsCompleted China's five thousand years of history stretch back through the ages, filled with countless baffling mysteries that remain unsolved. Behind each one lies a major historical case that has shaken the world, past and present. These cases have given more people a new understanding and appreciation of history, while letting history buffs experience the thrill of uncovering the truth. Restore the truth of history, so future generations can learn what really happened. 989Reads9.4Score—14d adds
3. 153 日 The Sun and Moon Beneath One Sky: Princess Taiping 日月当空：太平公主 Shu Yao Jiu舒窈纠Historical587k WordsCompleted Princess Taiping was one of the most controversial and legendary female political figures in Chinese history, a thorny yet dazzling rose in the splendor of the High Tang. The most beloved daughter of Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian, she married Xue Shao at sixteen in a wedding procession stretching ten miles, hoping for a peaceful life. But she was implicated in Xue Yi's treason case and watched her husband starve to death in prison, shattering her dreams. She put away her innocence 14Reads—Score—14d adds

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   Princess Taiping, Wu Zetian's most beloved daughter, unexpectedly lived a very difficult life. Her husband was ordered to commit suicide by her mother, Wu Zetian, and Princess Taiping herself died a tragic death—forced to commit suicide by her nephew Li Longji, whom she had personally supported. It seems that no one in this world has an easy life. [Crying][crying][crying] Based on history, it is worth reading!

4. 154 明 The Moon Shines Toward the Evening 明月向晚 Nan Chuyi He南初意禾Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Zhu Mingyue, the capital's most talented woman, has once again incurred everyone's wrath. This time, it's because she's engaged to the Fourth Prince, said to be the most elegant man under heaven. But when she wakes from a nap, Zhu Mingyue discovers she's become Xiang Wan, a simple-minded girl from a small town in Qingzhou. Jiang Heng: “She's a catch. Hurry up and bring her back to my estate!” Xiang Wan: “Get lost! When I was making waves in the capital, you were still wearing split-crotch pants! 2.3kReads9.1Score24014d adds

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   Recommended by a seasoned bookworm of over ten years! [Learned it][Learned it][Learned it] Solid writing style, fresh and original story! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

5. 155 宁 Ning Yan: When Women Rule the Roost 宁兖，牝鸡司晨 Books Bring True Wealth有书真富贵Historical168k WordsOngoing [Ensemble political intrigue + entrusted heir + factional strife + expansion of the realm + redressing an old injustice] [Wronged powerful minister male lead x emperor female lead disguised as a man] Also known as "After I Blundered into the Imperial Family, I Discovered I Was the Imperial Family" On a winter night in the seventh year of Chengxu, Emperor Zhao Ning Fu suddenly went mad. Wearing the robes of his favorite consort, Yan, he climbed the bell tower and rang the funeral bell before fall 189Reads—Score10414d adds

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   A ensemble drama of power struggles, including the entrustment of a young heir, factional infighting, territorial expansion, the redress of old grievances, and counter-espionage. No time travel, no idiotic supporting characters. Also known as "After Accidentally Entering the Imperial Family, I Discovered I Am the Imperial Family."

6. 156 不 Unawakened 不悟 Ze Mu则慕Ancient Romance157k WordsCompleted The disgraced minister Gu Hongjian died in battle at Huzhou. After death, a wisp of her ghost returned to the side of her king, Lin Sizhe. Everyone called her a treacherous minister who deserved to be reviled. Only she knew that she had spent nearly her entire life living for Lin Sizhe. But even she never expected that she wouldn't let Lin Sizhe go, even as a ghost. She was supposed to watch him enjoy the spoils of victory she had won for him, then carry on sweet-talking another woman. Gu Hongji 1.5kReads9.2Score13114d adds
7. 157 官 A Trap Within a Trap in the Halls of Power 官场局中局 Spring Breeze Leaves No Trace 007春风了无痕007Urban537k WordsCompleted [Political intrigue + power struggles + influential figures + suspense + workplace drama + deduction] Cao Zili, head of the Phoenix Mountain project, falls to his death. Rumors claim a suicide note was found at the scene, but its intended recipient is a mystery, and the case is full of unanswered questions... Was it suicide or murder? And what was the motive? The body cannot be found, making the case difficult to solve... The provincial task force arrives, sending the political scene in Huzhou i 1.2kReads8.7Score12414d adds
8. 158 雪 The Snowbound Blade 雪藏刃 Xie Xue Hanyan邪雪寒嫣Ancient Romance894k WordsCompleted One is a cold-faced constable who disguises herself as a man. The other is the Prince of Xichuan, a foreign nobleman said to have brought about his wife's death. When these two meet, an extraordinary story is bound to unfold. Passing herself off as a man to serve as a constable in the Six Fan Gate is no easy task. Dao Xueshan even changed her name to Dao Sanxue. To make it in a crowd of men, she has only one choice: be crueler, fiercer, more ruthless, and better at killing than they are. But she 353Reads—Score15214d adds

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   Completed, a completely handwritten novel. The female protagonist disguises herself as a man, working in the government and navigating the political arena. It features martial arts detective work, suspense, political intrigue, and female-led cooperation. The female protagonist has exceptional combat skills and is not romantically inclined. (*^▽^*)

9. 159 冮 Gangcheng Storm 冮城风暴 Spring Breeze Leaves No Trace 007春风了无痕007Mystery414k WordsCompleted [Officialdom + Power Plays + Big Shots + Suspense + Business + Deduction] A woman jumps to her death, and the clues point to the senior management of Jiangzhou Group. Canada’s Shen Group moves in, along with America’s Grid and Japan’s Cai Si… Who is the player, and who is the pawn? Power struggles in high places draw government officials into the fray… Powerful officials make their moves, foreign forces intervene, and a contest unfolds over the nation’s major Jiangzhou No. 1 Project… The male an 358Reads8.5Score—14d adds
10. 160 重 Reborn to Marry an Old Widower, Pampered to Madness 重生嫁给老鳏夫，宠疯 A Page of Fireworks一纸烟火Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Political intrigue, ensemble cast, sweet romance, palace intrigue, revenge, taking down villains, a reborn princess marries the brother-in-law she had in her previous life and joins him in stirring up the court] In her previous life, Mu Yunlang was the least favored princess of the Great Qian dynasty, yet she married Shen Hongnian, the top-scoring candidate in the palace examinations, whom every noblewoman in the capital wanted to wed. She thought fate had finally smiled upon her. Little did sh 6.2kReads8.6Score81414d adds

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    Political intrigue and sweet romance: A reborn princess joins forces with her brother-in-law from her past life to stir up a storm in the imperial court.

11. 161 被 Forced to Divorce, Her Five Brothers Go on a Rampage 被迫休夫后，五个哥哥杀疯了 A Lifetime of Splendor一世风华Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Shen Ning gave up her beloved spear to cook for the man she loved. She broke with her father, a veteran general of Great Yan, and didn’t speak to him for three years. Her husband, the victorious General Who Guards the Nation, returned in triumph with a woman who was a master of the spear. After three years of hard work, all she got was: “A Ning, I want to marry her.” Shen Ning, who had become the laughingstock of the capital after her husband favored his concubine and cast aside his wife, picked 7.1kReads9.4Score1k14d adds
12. 162 潜 Lying Low on a Lonely Island 潜伏孤岛 Spring Breeze Leaves No Trace 007春风了无痕007Urban126k WordsCompleted Shanghai in 1941 is a battlefield without gunfire. Lin Mo, the youngest chief of the secretariat in the Wang Jingwei regime, conceals a Browning pistol beneath his immaculate suit and deadly sharpness behind his gold-rimmed glasses. When he finds a classified message encrypted with the “Plum Blossom Cipher” in a safe, cold sweat soaks through his shirt. There is a traitor within the organization, and this person knows that he is the Chinese Communist Party’s ace agent, code-named “Winter Plum.” 544Reads—Score10414d adds
13. 163 激 Fierce Resistance War 激情抗战 Spring Breeze Leaves No Trace 007春风了无痕007Urban271k WordsCompleted [Alternate history + transmigration + heroes + espionage + behind enemy lines + the spirit of Bright Sword + multiple heroines + revenge] Shen Guohui, a police academy student, transmigrates to Jinling in 1937 while visiting the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. Enraged, he kills Iwane Matsui, the Japanese army's supreme commander. With help from Jiang Dan, his family's tutor, he escapes the residence and runs into Luo Manyun, Chen Gang, and other Nationalist special forces operatives planning an 65Reads8.1Score—14d adds
14. 164 嫡 The Eldest Princess 嫡长公主 Jun Su君素Fantastical Romance213k WordsCompleted As a princess destined to inherit the throne, Lu Ning is at her wit’s end. Her younger brother, the only other person in the family who could inherit the throne, has run away from home. With the throne suddenly thrust upon her, she has no choice but to run away too and search for him. Who would have thought that Lu Ning, newly arrived in the martial world, would fall into a marriage-fraud scheme at a banquet hosted by the Luo family? It turns out the so-called banquet is actually a matchmaking e 352Reads9.2Score10514d adds
15. 165 潜 The Sea of Infiltration 潜伏之海 Forget War and Risk Perishing 007忘战必危007Urban175k WordsCompleted At Taoyuan Airport in 1949, as Yu Zecheng performs the final “hen circling” signal under the station chief's watch, he has no idea that this gesture will mark the beginning of an underground mission lasting thirty-eight years. A customs inspector forced to go to Taiwan, he burns the letter addressed to his “late wife Cuiping,” then uses the ashes to piece together his first map of Taiwan's defensive fortifications. From helping build an intelligence network for the U.S. military's “Operation Bri 136Reads—Score—14d adds
16. 166 女 My Female Boss Helps Me Rise to the Top 女领导带我平步青云 Listening to Snow in a High Tower高楼听雪Urban1.2M WordsCompleted Yang Guang's powerful backer got into trouble. From then on, he had no one to rely on. At the lowest point in his life, he unexpectedly saved a mysterious woman, who helped him rise to success and thrive at every turn. 3.4kReads7.5Score31114d adds
17. 167 风 Winds of Change, Xu Tu 风云，徐图 Yantang Sol焰棠SolAncient Romance275k WordsCompleted This is a chaotic age in which many nations vie for dominance, an era of heroes and grand, sweeping change. Court intrigue, the many faces of human nature, lives beyond one’s control, factional rivalries, conflicts between nations, imperial stratagems, the expulsion of refugees, tyrannical rulers amassing wealth, desertion in the face of battle, corpses piled high, families reduced to cannibalism, desperate struggles, fearless acceptance of death, and desperate last stands: all unfold one after 3Reads—Score114d adds

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    Then I have to mention it. The new book doesn't have many readers yet, and I'm afraid the author will abandon it [almost crying]. But I feel that the author of this kind of book just wants to write and will persevere.

18. 168 解 The Spirit Medium Who Eases Worries 解忧通灵师 Gu Xiaoshi顾小施Ancient Romance511k WordsCompleted [Metaphysics · reborn · sweet romance · mutual salvation] When people die, they leave behind thoughts and resentment. If fate grants them the chance, they can become ghosts and monsters. Ghosts and monsters cannot enter the underworld or be reincarnated. Gu Yousheng inherited a bloodline legacy and was born a spirit medium. Before she turned six, she cried and tried every way she could to get rid of her gift. After she turned six, she worked diligently to resolve grievances and troubles, becomin 25kReads9.5Score5.8k14d adds
19. 169 零 Zero-Degree Showdown: Operation Blue Arrow 零度交锋：蓝捷行动 Windless Rainy Night雨夜无风Mystery2.3M WordsOngoing [Mystery and Suspense] [Espionage] [Crime Investigation] [Modern Urban] [Genius] [Strong Female Lead] [National Security] Twenty-three years ago, a separation tore the lives of twin sisters apart. The younger sister was trained by an overseas spy organization to become an elite agent. Sent back to China, she is ordered to assassinate her own sister, take her place, infiltrate Lanjie Communications, and steal the core secret, “Lanjie 9.” Caught between her mission and her organization's orders on 11.9kReads9.1Score1.4k14d adds

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    The plot concept is great! From the perspective of the secret counter-espionage front, it tells a passionate story about protecting the country's cutting-edge technology. The trio marches forward with heavy loads, fully demonstrating their responsibility as guardians of a great country.

20. 170 红 Crimson Lips, Blazing Passion 红唇烈焰 Young Master Huajia花家大少Urban2.0M WordsCompleted A handsome loser and a cold, aloof female boss. When these two rivals cross paths, they act out a romantic tale of love, revenge, and sweet satisfaction. Office intrigue, cutthroat business, and political scheming are all handled with ease. If you want a story full of twists and excitement, come read The Strongest Man in the City. 33.6kReads9.0Score2.6k14d adds
21. 171 权 Power Over All: Shaking Up the Court with Logic 权倾天下：靠逻辑搅动朝堂 Cheese in Cola奶酪泡可乐Historical546k WordsOngoing Ling Mo wakes up as the foolish eldest legitimate son of the Chancellor’s household, and the moment he opens his eyes, he’s caught red-handed spying. With a few words, he turns the scene of a caught-in-the-act affair into a masterclass in logical reasoning. Before he can even enjoy the good life, he’s forced to take over the family’s mess. His sister is being married off for an alliance, his younger brother stabs him in the back, and his father is a sly old fox with plenty of secrets. The family 6Reads—Score114d adds

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    [Sending hearts][Sending hearts] [If you like political intrigue novels, you absolutely can't miss this one! The plot is consistently intelligent throughout!]🌈The storyline was incredibly engaging, super fresh and original, not at all simplistic, and highly immersive; my mind was filled with vivid images. 🌹You're guaranteed to be satisfied.

22. 172 绝 The Peerless Sword God 绝色剑神 Zhi Ge Wen Mo止戈问墨Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted That winter, the martial world died. Tianwaitian slaughtered the entire martial world, staining rivers and mountains with blood. Beauty meant death. Zhao Qinghe was the most remarkable princess in the world, and the most beautiful woman in the world. When she smiled, the mountains and rivers paled. When she drew her sword, even immortals bowed their heads. Her Flowing Cloud Soft Sword made her invincible in three moves. Two even more dangerous women were always at her side: Luo Qinghan, “De 464Reads8.1Score19114d adds
23. 173 蔓 Green Radish Vines (Two-Volume Set) 蔓蔓青萝（全两册） Zhuangzhuang桩桩Anime Fanfiction521k WordsCompleted Li Qingluo, the third daughter of the Right Chancellor of Ning, was born to a concubine and despised by the First Madam. She rarely dressed up, not wanting to draw attention, but quietly taught herself the guqin and cooking in private. By chance, Qingluo met the Fourth Prince, Zili. Graceful and gentle as jade, he regarded her as a kindred spirit, and the two shared an easy rapport. Liu Jue, heir to the title of Prince Anqing, was proud and domineering, and he and Qingluo clashed from the moment 6.8kReads9.4Score1.1k14d adds
24. 174 全 Global Manhunt: The Western Hemisphere Conspiracy 全球追杀：西半球的阴谋 Little Dudu from Siping四平的小嘟嘟Urban331k WordsCompleted This book is a brain-burning read, with clever characters and no plot padding or superpowers. If you like simple, lightweight stories, please look elsewhere. A young man of mixed Chinese descent lives a quiet life in a small city. Then, out of nowhere, uninvited agents inexplicably take him away. Next, assassins from all over the world descend on him, and suddenly the peaceful little city is filled with gunfire and explosions. After barely escaping the first wave of pursuit, he's swept along on 62Reads—Score—14d adds

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    High-IQ political intrigue, without any cheat codes that defy the laws of physics, relying entirely on genius brainpower to survive against all odds, a brain-teasing story with a tight plot, and an IQ so high it's off the charts.

25. 175 官 Officialdom: Starting by Slapping My Boss Twice 官锋：从打领导两巴掌开始 Little Lotus Breeze小荷风Urban1.4M WordsOngoing Made the scapegoat from the start? Pushed to the margins, with my future and my life ruined? Fine, I’ll remember this. There’s plenty of time to settle the score. My girlfriend breaks up with me, and my love life falls apart. What was I even here for? Fine, I’ll set you free. Don’t regret it. I turn around with power in my hands and return. Li Rui laughs aloud. Those who hurt and slandered me will all pay the price. 29.5kReads8.3Score2.4k14d adds

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    A very engaging story about officialdom.

26. 176 龙 The Dragon Rises in Jinling: Reviving the Tang Dynasty for Five Hundred Years 龙起金陵，再续大唐五百年 Guest at the Deer’s Call鹿鸣客Historical163k WordsOngoing “The emperor in Chang’an, the army of the Wei residence.” The Wei residence’s household troops had become a thing of the past beneath the executioner’s blade, while the emperor in Chang’an lived in constant fear amid troubles both within and without. Does an emperor have some special birthright? Whoever commands the strongest troops and finest horses becomes emperor! Flames raged everywhere. Looking across the land, the Tang was now divided among rival regional warlords: Zhu Wen, Li Keyong, Yang 57Reads—Score—14d adds

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    New book recommendation! Set in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, it's a slow burn (you'll be a bystander in the early stages), with no system, no technology, no showing off, no mindless plots, no melodrama, no time travel, no firearms, no cheat codes, and no protagonist halo. It has history, war, characters, and intrigue; it's all about strategy. An adopted son seizes power, controls regional warlords, and ultimately unifies the country, continuing the five-hundred-year golden age of the Tang Dynasty! New book release, please recommend!

27. 177 宁 Tranquil Abyss 宁渊 Xing Ling星零Ancient Romance355k WordsCompleted “Whoever wins the Master of Yinshan wins the realm.” These words set in motion an age-old game of strategy on the Tianyou Continent. For a thousand years, every ruler of the realm had been aided by Yinshan. Five hundred years ago, as the fate of the kingdom hung in the balance, the Master of Yinshan appeared and helped him unite the land. She was Mo Ningyuan, the Master of Yinshan, whose peerless talent had secured the kingdom, yet she never understood his lifelong obsession. He was Feng Linghan 31Reads9.1Score—14d adds
28. 178 天 A Catastrophic Start: I’m Forced to Marry a Lame, Mad King 天崩开局，我被迫嫁给瘸腿癫王 Who Says Immortality Must Be Lonely?谁说长生需寂寞Ancient Romance806k WordsOngoing [One-on-one, both with no past relationships: the woman transmigrates into a book, pretending to be a vixen but really just a laid-back slacker; the man is reborn, pretending to be a madman but secretly a true romantic. They spar and fall in love, flirt to the extreme, enjoy endless sweet indulgence, and clash over court politics.] No bitter drama, just sweet, over-the-top romance. Their clashes are mostly battles of wits. Su Xu accidentally transmigrates into a book and becomes a cannon-fodder —Reads—Score13114d adds

    Reader note

    A landslide in political intrigue novels: The princess's scathing retorts are more ruthless than the prince's killings.

29. 179 山 A Journey Through Mountains and Rivers 山水行记 Moli Baji莫里吧唧Historical1.4M WordsCompleted "Not a wish-fulfillment novel, not stupid, and not something to eat with your rice. It’s best enjoyed with a drink. This book is for readers with a long-term mindset. Take your time and savor it, and you’ll find that this novel is as tender as water, like the girl you love, intoxicating you." What seems like an ordinary opening is actually a grand scheme plotted long ago… Guangxi, a rainy night, a dilapidated Taoist temple, and a mystery upon mystery. A helpless young woman encounters a handsome 1.3kReads8.2Score18114d adds

    Reader note

    Tired of political intrigue? How about a story about strategic planning? This is a tale of the martial arts world, history, and, most importantly, a tale of imagination.

30. 180 官 The Road to Power: A Clash of Ambition and Desire 官途从权欲交锋开始 Little Lotus Breeze小荷风Urban1.7M WordsOngoing [Political Revenge] + [Career Advancement] + [Alliances of Mutual Interest] + [Romantic Entanglements] + [Political Scheming and Wits] + [Multiple Heroines] + [Ensemble Cast] [The male lead keeps a low profile without being creepy early on, reveals his sharp edge with a roguish charm in the middle, and takes revenge on all his enemies later.] Wang Maoyuan is a "golden phoenix" who flew out of the countryside. The year he graduated from college, he passed the civil service exam and joined the la 18.2kReads7.7Score1.2k14d adds
31. 181 功 Seal of Merit 功德印 Green Robes in Misty Rain青衫烟雨Ancient Romance1.9M WordsCompleted A thousand years later, the former demoness bears a Merit Seal and embarks on a new life, guiding people toward goodness and accumulating merit. Little does she know that the very first person she meets is so wicked he draws the wrath of both gods and men. Get him to mend his ways? Forget it. I might as well die again. 202Reads9.1Score—14d adds
32. 182 摄 The Regent Personally Teaches Me How to Seduce Him 摄政王手把手教我如何撩他 Su Qing素青Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted After Jing Yu transmigrated into the body of a cowardly prince who disguised herself as a man, the late emperor died. The regent, who held absolute power, successively executed all the late emperor’s sons, leaving only Jing Yu. Jing Yu decided to wait for death. She waited a long time. Just as she thought Nan Yuncheng had nearly forgotten about her, he suddenly surrounded her princely residence with his men and cornered her at the door to her bedroom. Nan Yuncheng: “I hear the prince likes men 3.6kReads9.3Score51714d adds
33. 183 重 Reborn in the World of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer 重生笑傲江湖世界 Author Chen Ran作者陈然Male-Channel Fanfiction740k WordsCompleted The protagonist is reborn in the world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. What are the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, the Sunflower Manual, or the Dugu Nine Swords compared to doing whatever you please? The martial world is simply a place where people clash with one another. 63Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A Ming Dynasty officialdom novel, featuring a wandering swordsman venturing into the imperial court.

34. 184 别 Don't Be Weak, Don't Provoke Her: An Angry Palace Maid Can Restore a Fallen Kingdom 别太弱，别招惹，宫女发怒能复国 Ethereal Fairy霓裳妖妖Ancient Romance748k WordsCompleted [Unusual premise + assassin’s rise + strong heroine + political intrigue + cold and heartless + mildly yandere + cool-headed lunatic + male lead rises from the nth place] * Su Mian was just a palace maid serving a princess. On the day the Southern Yan Kingdom fell, she watched everyone die before her without a flicker of emotion. The princess gave her an even more perilous mission. Until it was done, she had to stay alive. But in a world thrown into chaos, she was sold as a slave and forced to e 25.6kReads9.5Score4.2k14d adds

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    It's really good!! A story of a strong female protagonist and political intrigue.

35. 185 上 Last Season's Palace Intrigue Champion Is Now Ruling from Behind the Curtain 上一届宫斗冠军，现在垂帘听政了 The Visitor Sings of Yantai来者歌燕台Ancient Romance322k WordsOngoing [No System] [Political Intrigue with an Ensemble Cast] [Ascends the Throne] [Serious Drama] Xie Jin transmigrates, and before she can even celebrate becoming the champion of palace intrigue, she realizes she's become the previous champion! With his dying breath, the young emperor personally places the Imperial Seal in her arms. Xie Jin looks down at herself. The three-year-old crown prince is hugging her leg, drooling all over her sleeve. Good news: No more serving in the emperor's bed! Bad new 1.6kReads—Score12414d adds

    Reader note

    Without any cheat codes or the ability to place future systems in an era that doesn't fit the conditions for a cheat-like system.

36. 186 刚 Rise of the Fallen Crown Prince 刚成储君，废太子逆袭系统什么鬼 Rain Tears of Xin雨泪之鑫Eastern Fantasy2.0M WordsOngoing Just got named crown prince, and now there's a Deposed Crown Prince System? What is this? [Age 18: This year, you've just become crown prince. Your parents are devoted to each other, you and your siblings get along, the realm is at peace, the treasury is full, and the people live in prosperity. You've got the makings of a perfect sage ruler, with a future that seems set from the start. As a transmigrator, you can't stop grinning.] [Age 28: This year, the eldest prince, missing for ten years, sud 1.2kReads7.0Score17414d adds

    Reader note

    The plot unfolds within the imperial court with logic and intelligence. Although it involves a system, it doesn't appear very frequently; its main purpose is to provide protection for the protagonist and facilitate political maneuvering.

37. 187 女 Disguised as a Man: From Feudal Lord to Empress 女扮男装：从封地王爷杀到女帝 A Feather in the Clouds一片云翎Ancient Romance265k WordsCompleted (Not recommended: the numbers were poor, so it was dropped) [Doomsday transmigration to ancient times + spatial powers + struggle for supremacy + infrastructure building + strong female lead + empress + adorable child + romance] When Xiao Li wakes up, she is in labor, while her consort is in bed with a spy from another kingdom, plotting to seize power and claim a fief. She sends them both on their way. If they can’t be separated, then they can stay together forever. The city falls, and the Xio 12Reads—Score—14d adds

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    This is pretty good, why is nobody watching it? [Eating melon emoji] I've been following it recently, and I keep recommending it. I guess the author won't write any romance scenes, but it seems like the main character is just standing around (I don't even know if he's the male lead).

38. 188 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 2kReads9.3Score26914d adds

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese political intrigue, exquisite writing, two strong characters, high intelligence.

39. 189 内 The First Lady of the Cabinet 内阁第一夫人 Mo Tangtang墨汤汤Ancient Romance618k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she married into the imperial family in a high-status match, only to meet a tragic end. Her family was destroyed, and she lost everyone. In this life, all she wants is revenge, yet she becomes the wife of a Grand Secretary, the spouse of a powerful chancellor... 1.3kReads8.7Score13614d adds

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    This was the first time Mu Baili had truly examined Zhao Wuyou's hands closely; for a man, they were even more exquisite than a woman's. Slender fingers, long and white. Only...

40. 190 皇 After My Royal Brother Died, I Married His One True Love 皇兄死后，我娶了他的白月光 Flying Roast Chicken会飞的烤鸡Two Male Leads304k WordsCompleted [Two male leads + regent + emperor + evenly matched + domineering pursuit] I am an emperor. My life's goal is to squander the empire my father left me. Don't get the wrong idea. I mean it. So I started favoring corrupt officials and treacherous ministers. But those corrupt officials became far too brazen, and when a little boy with his hair tied in buns tugged at my sleeve and said he was hungry, I realized this approach wouldn't work. I needed to try something else. I began building palaces and 172Reads8.5Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Classical Chinese is amazing

41. 191 灰 The Gray Lotus 灰莲花 Clouds of Rough Noodles Again又见糙面云Modern Romance819k WordsCompleted [A textbook case of realist business warfare + a deeply romantic, top-tier intellectual romance] The world has gone mad. A top-tier rich, handsome young heir is forced to compete with his wealthy wife for a lover... “If she likes me and I like her too, then we’ll each have to prove ourselves.” The male lead is loaded with resources and comes with every advantage, while the female lead has brains and beauty and rises from humble beginnings. A textbook case of realist business warfare, arranged fa 37.7kReads9.4Score4.5k14d adds

    Reader note

    A must-read for modern romance novel readers with high intelligence. It boasts a vast worldview, unique character settings, and thrilling yet sophisticated depictions of career and romance. The writing is superb; the male and female leads, along with the supporting characters, are all incredibly compelling. No other novel in the entire Tomato Literature Club is quite like it, so proceed with caution—it has a powerful, lasting impact and no substitutes.

42. 192 夺 The Struggle for the Throne 夺嫡 Desolate and Uninhabited荒芜人烟Ancient Romance916k WordsCompleted The path to the throne, the blood of one's own kin... You say winter is the coldest season... No. Nothing is colder than your heart... 340Reads8.8Score10514d adds
43. 193 帝 The Imperial Throne 帝业 Watching Three Thousand Worlds of Vanity from Afar淡看浮华三千Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted Fish leap from the depths, and phoenixes sing on Mount Qi. The wager is not for fame in a golden age, but for the chance to stay alive. Grudges fade and hatred dissolves, yet this life still holds one regret: I never got to walk hand in hand with him in the best years of my youth. 149Reads8.1Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Don't let its low score fool you; the political intrigue in "The Imperial Ambition" is truly captivating. The story's setting is similar to the Warring States period, with the land divided into seven parts. It's a fantastic political intrigue novel. The conflict between the female lead and her former allies isn't about good versus evil, but rather the conflict between nations. The secondary couple is particularly heartbreaking. "I conquered a city, just to see you once" (the king detained his daughter, promising to see her only after conquering a city; in the end, he failed to conquer the city, and they never met again—it's so heartbreaking, so much so that I'm crying). Another scene that stuck with me was the prime minister of the female lead's and male lead's kingdom, who spearheaded reforms. Due to the war, the reforms were radical. The prime minister and the female lead were prepared to sacrifice themselves for the reforms (like Shang Yang), sacrificing themselves for the nation's progress—it's so heartbreaking, so much so that I'm crying). The original ending was for the female lead to sacrifice herself for the greater cause, but the author couldn't bear to see us readers cry and forced a happy ending, bringing her back to life. The story has a tiny bit of fantasy, but really only a tiny bit. Most of it is about the power struggles and intrigues of the Warring States period, where large countries swallowed up smaller ones. It involves military strategy, troop deployment, surprise attacks, and understanding people's hearts... Highly recommended!

44. 194 任 I Finished the Mission and Ran, but the Young General Went Berserk 任务完成我跑路，少年将军杀疯了 Fragrant White Tea白茶香香Ancient Romance115k WordsOngoing After Shen Xinglan was killed, she was supposed to be bound to a rebirth System, but by mistake she ended up bound to a transmigration System instead. From the start, she found herself on a battlefield strewn with corpses, with a young general whose gaze could kill pointing a sword at her throat as the prime suspect. He demanded coldly, “Tell me, who sent you to spy on us?” She was stunned. Could she really tell him the System had sent her to help him? To complete her System mission as soon as p 2Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This is a really good novel. The story doesn't drag, the plot isn't padded, and both the male and female leads are very clever; their interactions are full of wits and battles of wits. Highly recommend it!!! [Heart][Add to bookshelf]

45. 195 春 The Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period Are So Much Fun (Complete in Six Volumes) 春秋战国真有趣（全六册） Long Zhen龙镇Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Rather than a comprehensive history of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, this is more like a fascinating collection of stories from those eras. Open this book and discover the entire history of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods through a wealth of entertaining tales! The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were a dramatic chapter in Chinese history, but their tangled complexity can put many people off. This book brings countless pivotal historical figures 523Reads9.4Score15214d adds
46. 196 衡 Wild Geese over Hengyang: How a Female Chancellor Loved a Powerful Eunuch 衡阳雁：女相如何爱权宦 Cold Moon in My Heart明月怀寒Ancient Romance450k WordsCompleted [A Revered Female Chancellor of the Ages VS A Beautiful, Powerful, Wretched Eunuch Who Turns His Life Around and Becomes a General] [Traditional Historical Drama + Court Intrigue + Mutual Devotion, 1v1 + Childhood Friends + Healing] The Great Kun Chronicle of Revival records the following about Jing Mingyue: “After Jing Mingyue emerged from the mountains, for nearly forty years the fate of the realm rested upon her... Her magnificent achievements are beyond words. Only the shining heavens and ea 345Reads8.6Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This is a female-centric political novel. The male lead is the female lead's childhood sweetheart and sworn brother. He later becomes a eunuch due to a national upheaval. The female lead loves him deeply, but for the sake of her country, she resolutely opposes the eunuch's interference in politics, leading to many conflicts with him initially. Later, she gradually helps him overcome the shadow of his eunuch identity, guiding him on how to be an upright gentleman who dedicates himself to the country and its people. The writing style is classical and not simplistic; you can tell from the table of contents. [Sending heart]

47. 197 悔 I Broke Off Our Engagement When He Was Poor, but Now He's a Powerful Official Who Keeps Me as His Darling 悔婚穷书生他成权臣囚我做掌中娇 Yan Jingzhen盐景珍Ancient Romance881k WordsOngoing Historical fiction History seen through a young couple’s love and heartbreak The Xining and Yuanfeng Reforms of the Northern Song Dynasty, the fall of the Northern Song + the history of Zhejiang celadon (Yue kiln to Longquan kiln) 1. The New Policies among the people (the Song-Jiao war) 2. The Yun case in Dengzhou 3. Infighting among supporters of the New Policies (the Zhang Ruoji case in Xiuzhou) 4. The Chen Shiru case (the Yuanfeng reforms) 5. Su Shi’s poetry case at the Crow Terrace 6. Longqu 30Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Political intrigue [Got it][Got it]

48. 198 山 A Strategy for Realm and Rivers: Chronicles of Court and Jianghu 山河策【庙堂江湖录】 Hermit of the Cave Peak洞顶山人Historical309k WordsCompleted [Peerless Heir] [Jianghu and Court] [Blood-and-Iron Warfare] [Political Intrigue and Wits] [Alternate History] [Chivalry and Tenderness] [No Transmigration] [No Golden Finger] The Dingbian Prince’s household is wiped out. Ten-year-old heir Ling Canglan narrowly escapes. After years in hiding, he makes his name in a single stroke. He studies both literature and martial arts, and grows into a man of great talent. Faced with the enmity of his country and the hatred of his family, he joins the army 2.2kReads7.0Score15514d adds

    Reader note

    Court intrigue, power struggles, bloody wars, and battles of wits...

49. 199 拿 A History of the Warring States You Can Pick Up but Can't Put Down (Two-Volume Set) 拿得起放不下的战国史（全两册） Feng Wu Ye烽武野Historical388k WordsCompleted This book recounts the history of the Warring States period after the Three Families divided Jin, exposing the schemes and betrayals among the Seven Warring States and the truth behind the warfare. It brings readers into a turbulent yet romantic era, with a story that makes for a thrilling read. 524Reads9.4Score15814d adds
50. 200 长 A Young Man's Journey in Chang'an 长安少年游 Bright Moon Tilts明月倾Two Male Leads574k WordsCompleted The story of a young master from a fallen marquis’s household who enters the palace as a study companion. The emperor is advanced in years, while the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace is a brilliant talent. The declining emperor and the rising Crown Prince have long been at odds. Their greatest disagreement concerns how to deal with the war on the frontier. Envoys from the Five Barbarians arrive in the capital to pay tribute and request a marriage alliance. Emperor Qingde hopes the alliance wil 5.3kReads9.4Score88514d adds

    Reader note

    This book is full of political intrigue, and the main characters are all outstanding individuals, the most brilliant young people in the capital. The writing is superb, frequently quoting classical texts, making it impossible to put down.

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