Pure Palace Intrigue, with a Smart, Clear-Headed Female Lead Who Loves No One 纯宫斗，女主聪明理智不爱仼何人

1. 1 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 24.6kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves

   Reader note

   The female lead comes from a good family, is intelligent and resourceful, has her own methods, and isn't blinded by love.

2. 2 继 The Second Empress 继后 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The Noble Consort was favored, the Worthy Consort bore a son, the Bright Etiquette was the emperor’s white moonlight, and the Beautiful Consort was his cinnabar mole. Every other concubine had her own talents and charms. It was a whole garden in full bloom. So who was our protagonist? The unfavored empress, with no children and no powerful family backing. Great. Why did this plot feel so familiar? Never mind. On the first day Zhao Wumian transmigrated here, she decided to lie flat. Compete for t 81.1kReads9.5Score9.1kShelves

   Reader note

   This harem novel won't make you feel bloated or cause breast hyperplasia. The female lead isn't purely virtuous, nor does she turn evil; on the contrary, she's incredibly emotionally stable, unaffected by anyone, and consistently strives towards her self-set goals. The three thousand concubines in the harem are all quite distinctive, and the male lead, the emperor, is also a complex and relatable character, surprisingly not unlikeable.

3. 3 在 A Hundred Ways to Win the Emperor's Heart in the Harem 在后宫征服皇帝的一百个技巧 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ever since entering the palace, Yun Li has become a shameless schemer. Two-faced and insincere, she puts on an act every day. When dealing with the emperor’s favorite consort, she tears into her until she’s furious, then clutches her chest with a wounded look and says, “I’m so envious that His Majesty dotes on you.” When someone tries to frame her, she casually slaps them, then bursts into tears. “Why would you treat a kind person like me this way?” When speaking with the empress, she nods absen 12.2kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves

   Reader note

   This book is pure palace intrigue! The emperor eventually falls in love with the female lead, but she never loves him until his death. She rises through the ranks to become empress, gives birth to a prince who inherits the throne, and then goes on her own travels.

4. 4 我 My White-Eyed-Wolf Sister and I Were Reborn and Swapped Souls 我和白眼狼妹妹重生后灵魂互换了 Luo Zhi落之Ancient Romance178k WordsOngoing A cunning, ruthless heroine versus a twisted, obsessive hero In her previous life, Su Yu'er enjoyed the emperor's favor without end, until Shen Ningyue and the empress conspired to frame her. Reborn, she and Shen Ningyue switch souls. Now in Shen Ningyue's body, she initially plans to pretend they've made peace and team up with Su Yu'er to get revenge. But that plan falls through, so she lies low at Lady Zhaohua's side and stokes conflict in the harem, sowing suspicion between the empress and L 8Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Guaranteed to be pure palace intrigue, with very little romance for the female lead.

5. 5 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score427Shelves

   Reader note

   Pure palace intrigue. The female lead enters the palace with only one goal: to bear a son and become the Empress Dowager. The emperor is nothing more than a tool for producing sons. She doesn't love the male lead. Any concubine who dares to cause trouble is eliminated!

6. 6 中 The Empress of the Central Palace 中宫元后 King Smile笑笑大王Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + marriage before love + palace intrigue] (This is a fictional setting, written as I please. Please don't hold it against me if it doesn't fit history.) Qiao Shanshan, who lived to thirty on Blue Star, died while saving a child. Only after reaching the underworld did she learn that it wasn't her time to die. The soul reaper had taken the wrong person. To make it up to her, the King of Hell promi 15.4kReads8.2Score1.5kShelves

   Reader note

   Highly recommend! It's so good!

7. 7 不 No More Slacking: The Prince’s Favorite Concubine’s Daily Grind 不当咸鱼，王府宠妾的内卷日常 Four Crescent Moons四弯月Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + cutthroat household competition + no slacking off + ambitious heroine] Shen Wei, a die-hard rat-race fanatic, transmigrated into the lowest-ranking maid in a prince’s manor. Prince Yan held a position of great prestige, but all his wives and concubines had given up trying. The princess consort, born to a prestigious family, was as aloof as a chrysanthemum. The secondary consort wanted lifelong monogamy. The reborn woman had lost all hope in Prince Yan and was content to lie fla 68.4kReads9.4Score8.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The female lead is only after money and works extremely hard to win the emperor's favor.

8. 8 玉 Yu Wujiao 玉无娇 Cherry Red樱桃红Ancient Romance443k WordsCompleted Palace intrigue + clear-headed heroine + high intelligence and emotional intelligence + not an only-one relationship + no System or portable space + a heroine who grows over time (not a wish-fulfillment story), not blinded by love. After her parents and younger sister are brutally killed, Jiang Yuxin, daughter of a convicted minister, realizes that becoming a favored consort is the only way to change things. At nineteen, the emperor is at an age when he falls easily. He falls for one woman afte 281Reads8.8Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I stumbled upon this, and it turned out to be surprisingly good. It's pure palace intrigue, the female lead is clear-headed and not love-struck, and the palace intrigue is captivating.

9. 9 贵 Is the Noble Consort the Most Favored in the Harem Today? 贵妃今天宠冠后宫了嘛 Yu Liang鱼梁Ancient Romance629k WordsCompleted [The Noble Consort is the reborn empress. Liang Jiayi = Zhou Jinghe. A clever, brave, strong-willed little troublemaker × a diligent, virtuous, wise, and benevolent ruler] Rumor had it that the newly arrived Noble Consort was the empress’s double. The Noble Consort had never put up with such an insult in her life, so she turned around and raised hell in the entire harem. The concubines competed for the emperor’s favor? She drove them out of the palace. The Empress Dowager made things difficult f 432Reads9.2Score102Shelves

   Reader note

   This is really beautiful.

10. 10 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist eventually took control of the government from behind the curtain.

11. 11 太 The Crown Prince Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife: The Empress's Daily Life After Bearing Twins 太子宠妾灭妻，娘娘双胎上位日常 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance554k WordsCompleted [There are a few typos, so please skip this if that bothers you.] A deranged, ruthless heroine and an obsessive Crown Prince, with exclusive devotion later on, clear-headed palace intrigue, and multiple births. Jiang Shiruo is stunningly beautiful, but only a concubine’s daughter. Still, even a concubine’s daughter deserves to live. Jiang Shiruo has no interest in the other princes. She only wants to enter the Eastern Palace, because that’s the only way she can reach the highest position. After 7.7kReads8.9Score676Shelves
12. 12 皇 The Emperor Fell for Her at First Sight: The Bewitching Consort Becomes Empress After Bearing Many Heirs 皇上一见钟情，尤物娘娘多胎封后 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance251k WordsCompleted [The emperor falls in love at first sight + the emperor begs the heroine to manage the harem + heroine with stellar acting skills + strong, intelligent heroine + lots of children] Whoever harms me, I’ll make them pay! Hua Yunchu loves only herself. The right way to deal with a man is to use up every last bit of his value. But the emperor wants to make Hua Yunchu a Noble Lady, while the empress’s throne sits empty. And he wants me to manage the harem, too? What is going on? I’d planned to coast o 2.6kReads9.1Score290Shelves
13. 13 灭 After the Crown Princess Conceives Twins, the Crown Prince Favors His Beloved Concubine and Makes Her Empress 灭太子妃怀双胎，太子宠娇妾封后 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance. Not a virginal couple! + Clear-headed heroine gradually grows stronger in palace intrigue + Twins + Winning the Crown Prince’s heart, aiming for the empress’s throne] An Ruyan clutched her book of Thirty-Six Stratagems and set out to win over the tyrannical Crown Prince!!! An Ruyan was rescued by Prince Yan when she was robbed while visiting a temple. She had long been in love with him, but an unexpected incident made her see what a scumbag he was. Determined to 2.3kReads8.9Score235Shelves
14. 14 尤 The Alluring Consort Climbs to the Phoenix Throne and Captures the Emperor's Heart at First Sight 尤物娘娘爬凤位，让皇上一见钟情 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance228k WordsCompleted [Devoted love + the emperor falls at first sight + palace intrigue and rising to power through favoritism + heroine’s acting skills + strong, clever heroine] Wen Shuyao loved only herself. Only losers loved men. Now that she had been granted the title of Attendant and ordered into the palace, she would make use of the emperor’s love at first sight. The emperor was merely a stepping stone for Wen Shuyao. It wouldn’t be hard to act like someone deeply in love with him. Wen Shuyao was the legitimat 5.1kReads9.0Score609Shelves
15. 15 东 The Eastern Palace's Pampered Concubine: The Crown Prince Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife, and She Sets Her Sights on the Empress's Throne 东宫娇妾：太子宠妾灭妻目标后位 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance229k WordsCompleted Not a pure pairing, not a pure pairing [The prince’s concubine is not a pure pairing at first + she enters the palace soon after, and becomes his sole favorite after the palace struggles] [The heroine is clear-headed and career-minded, working her way up to the empress’s position] Since I’ve been granted the title of Worthy Lady, my goal should be the empress’s throne. The Crown Prince has been married for two years, but the Crown Princess has yet to bear him a child. The Empress personally choo 2.3kReads8.9Score197Shelves
16. 16 贵 The Noble Consort Rejects Love, Yet the Emperor Dotes on Her and Decrees Her Empress 贵妃不入爱河，皇上盛宠下旨封后 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance288k WordsCompleted [The leads aren't both chaste at first + he pampers her devotedly later + the emperor secretly helps her navigate palace intrigue + the heroine has no interest in loving the emperor and focuses on climbing the ranks.] Alternate-era setting [The emperor personally raises his future empress, then claims her in the night] The Yun family has a legitimate daughter, a peerless beauty hidden away in the general's manor. The prime minister's son came to propose, but didn't even get to see her. “I don't 1.5kReads9.1Score201Shelves
17. 17 宫 A Heart Caged Behind Palace Walls: Consort Yuan Is Promoted Again 宫墙锁心宠，元妃娘娘又晋位了 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance320k WordsCompleted No one is completely devoted to one person in the early part of the story, so don’t read if that’s a dealbreaker. The emperor is a scoundrel at first, but utterly doting later. More sweet than angsty. [Palace intrigue and rising to power + many children + absolute favor + climbing to the top one step at a time] Su Zhitang, the daughter of a general, enters the palace as a beauty after the selection. Her father is already a second-rank official, so she only wants to heed her mother’s advice, keep 607Reads9.0Score101Shelves
18. 18 为 Ten Years as a Consort 为妃十载 A Little Plum一枚小李子Ancient Romance224k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + ruthless, formidable female lead and unhinged villainess + no golden finger, no System] Dongfang Li has always been a femme fatale. “If someone hurts me once, I’ll make them pay a hundred or a thousand times over.” “If I were plain-looking, that would be one thing. But Heaven gave me a beauty unlike any other. Why shouldn’t I fight and seize what I want?” Dongfang Li is an unfavored daughter born to a concubine, so from the moment she enters the palace, she treads carefully, r 16Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a cunning beauty who is single-mindedly focused on her career.

19. 19 不 A Concubine Who Doesn’t Want to Be Empress Isn’t a Proper Couch Potato 不想当皇后的妃子不是好咸鱼 Slacking Off摸鱼兒Ancient Romance920k WordsCompleted (Ensemble female cast + palace intrigue) (Complete) (Not a mutually faithful couple + not exclusive devotion + not a rebirth story + marriage before love; the heroine is no pushover!) The male lead is a scumbag who loves his white moonlight deeply. The heroine is clever and sharp-witted, enduring things at first before striking back later. An alternate-world story with no particular dynasty! Song Yunjin came from an ordinary family. Her father was merely a low-ranking seventh-grade official 49Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Currently being updated, a promising book about how a girl from a lowly official family gradually rises to the top of the imperial throne.

20. 20 非 An Unconventional Palace Intrigue 非传统宫斗 Known in the Jianghu as the Thorny Rose江湖人称带刺玫瑰Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted Imperial selection from the start / Pure palace intrigue with a touch of household intrigue / Ensemble cast / Realistic style [Pure palace intrigue begins after chapter 20] Not the emperor’s sole favorite / Not a virgin couple / No romance pairing [The emperor is a scumbag with the power of life and death. The first few chapters establish his character and contain potentially uncomfortable scenes. If that bothers you, skip to chapter 20.] Everyone is caught up in palace intrigue. The consorts an 2kReads8.3Score227Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a pure palace intrigue story that's incredibly good; the writing, character design, and plot are all excellent and very realistic!

21. 21 穿 After Reincarnating as a Wretched Old Woman, I Just Want to Live a Laid-Back Life 穿成极品老妇之后只想当咸鱼 Every Inch Is Gold寸寸金Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted The old woman was a real piece of work. She drove her eldest daughter-in-law to her death, then doted on her second son, who passed the highest imperial exam and married the daughter of the prime minister. She even encouraged him to favor his concubine and neglect his wife. In the end, the prime minister had the whole family killed. The old woman suddenly came back reborn, only to be scared to death by what she had experienced in her previous life. Manxing, a promising 25-year-old woman, transmi 31.1kReads9.4Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is very good. Don't be scared off by the title; the content is excellent and well worth reading.

22. 22 恶 The Wicked Supporting Actress Is Reborn and Wins at Life 恶毒女配重生后躺赢了 Bei Xin贝芯Ancient Romance622k WordsCompleted The emperor has never touched anyone but the heroine! One beloved consort in the harem + 1v1 romance + fictional setting. Meng Yan only learns on the brink of death that she's a supporting character in a sweet palace-intrigue novel. In the story, she loves the emperor, Lu Haozhi, devotedly until the very end. She diligently competes for his favor and tirelessly fights the innocent white-lotus heroine, only to land herself in the cold palace and die miserably in the snow. After being reborn, she 21kReads9.1Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist in this book is intelligent and kind.

23. 23 暴 The Tyrant’s White Moonlight Is a Black-Hearted Lotus 暴君的白月光是朵黑心莲 Li Qingzhao李青照Ancient Romance653k WordsOngoing The ratings have only just come in, and they’ll go up! The original title was Snow Seeping into the Bones of a Beauty. Updates are very slow. [A young emperor who is cruel, suspicious, and full of schemes × a bewitching, calculating villainess who ensnares his heart and plots to seize the throne | He has other women; she is faithful] “I am a demon who devours flesh and bone; you are a prisoner who drinks poison to quench your thirst.” The daughter of a powerful minister wears a beauty’s face as 18Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's worth pondering carefully; use your brain to analyze power struggles.

24. 24 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 41.5kReads9.6Score5.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is intelligent, insightful, courageous, and resourceful. From a palace maid to the empress, she's a true career woman who doesn't care about anyone else. [Laughing][laughing][laughing]

25. 25 宫 Palace Intrigue Begins Before the Selection 宫斗从选秀前开始 A Cluster of Flowers一丛花令Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In her previous life, she endured a life of hardship and instability. From the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Wu’an to a government courtesan available to any man, she finally escaped a life of being passed from one man to another, only to jump from the tiger’s jaws into the wolf’s den. She walked on eggshells at every step until she finally became the real power behind the prefect’s household. But the misery of her first half of life had already left her body broken beyond repair. Only o 7.7kReads9.0Score763Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue, I love how the female lead is so clear-headed and focused on her career!

26. 26 就 Now This Is Palace Intrigue! Thirty Heroines Topple the Harem 就这个宫斗爽！30个大女主掀翻后宫 Read a Little Editorial Team读点编辑部Ancient Romance429k WordsCompleted [Palace and Household Intrigue + Anthology Stories + Strong Female Leads + Feel-Good Revenge + Face-Slapping] She waited three years for the general to return from war, only for her husband to come home with a pregnant woman and announce he was taking her as a second wife?! Dream on! I’m the daughter of the richest man in the land. From now on, I’m getting a divorce and building my own career! She was the exalted crown princess, yet on the very day she gave birth, the crown prince and her mother 330Reads8.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    My go-to bedtime story! Several chapters make up a cohesive narrative, the pacing is tight, and the female leads are amazing! 👍

27. 27 娘 The Consort’s Laid-Back Daily Life 娘娘的佛系日常 Springtime Sweet Orange春日甜橙Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [A lazy, carefree little schemer who just wants to lie flat + historical fantasy + palace intrigue + heroine devoted to one man, hero not devoted to one woman] The charming and clever favorite consort Lin Jingran refuses to work herself to the bone. She’s got the Noble Imperial Consort position lined up, and plans to enjoy the drama and lie flat her way to becoming Empress. Family? She’s a treasured darling of her family, too. The emperor? He openly favors her and helps her navigate palace intr 1.5kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue; the female lead is clear-headed and doesn't love anyone.

28. 28 清 The Imperial Noble Consort’s Laid-Back Life in the Qing Dynasty 清穿皇贵妃的咸鱼日常 An Eraser一块橡皮擦Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Su Yin unexpectedly arrives in the Qing Dynasty and, by a twist of fate, ends up in the Fourth Prince’s residence. Knowing roughly how history is supposed to unfold, she chooses to keep a low profile to save her own skin. Who would have thought that one day, the Fourth Prince would overhear her secretly badmouthing him? The prince declares, “Very well. You’ve got my attention!” Su Yin denies it three times over: “It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it, don’t make things up.” 3kReads9.0Score262Shelves

    Reader note

    The woman who transmigrates into another body doesn't have any special abilities or try to change the world; it's a very heartwarming novel.

29. 29 病 The Sickly-Obsessive Noble Consort Is Sweet and Alluring, and Mercilessly Torments the Cold-Faced Emperor 病娇贵妃又娇又媚，狂虐冷面君王 Manman Out for a Stroll曼曼在漫步Ancient Romance174k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance and household intrigue]+ [Brutal revenge on scumbags]+ [Noble Consort]+ [A convincing actress]+ [Two male leads]+ [A long road to winning her back] She was born into a lowly family. Her methods of climbing the ranks were nothing special, and she had no talent for music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. All she had was a face of incomparable beauty. She thought she would spend the rest of her life quietly growing old in the palace. Unfortunately, treacherous minist 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is absolutely amazing!!! You absolutely have to have this book! I'll cry if anyone doesn't read it. Even though the title and cover are a bit corny, the content is truly incredible!!! Highly recommended!!! [Bump][Bump][Bump][Bump][Bump][Bump][Bump][Bump]

30. 30 穿 After I Transmigrated, I Helped My Best Friend Win the Emperor’s Heart 穿越后我帮闺蜜攻略皇上 Leaning on My Sword, Listening to Wind and Rain倚剑听风雨Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Xu, the no-nonsense doctor; Fang, the kindhearted, guileless chef; and Lin, the fair-skinned beauty with a string of admirers. An accident sends the three best friends transmigrating to ancient times together. From the start, it's a living hell: they open their eyes in the Cold Palace, where the emperor has ordered them executed. They're bullied by vicious servants and beaten by a favored consort. The miserable trio hatch a plan: if they want to survive, they have to cozy up to that emperor! Uni 3.1kReads9.3Score595Shelves

    Reader note

    This is truly amazing.

31. 31 华 Consort Hua Reincarnates as Gua Liu 华妃娘娘她魂穿瓜六了 The Master and the Master's Husband夫子和夫子夫Female-Channel Fanfiction606k WordsCompleted Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, was a woman loved by Emperor Yongzheng. The daughter of a powerful official, she lost her child while still young because the emperor feared her family's influence. For decades, the man she loved most had her drink the incense-scented medicine known as Joyful Harmony, damaging her health and leaving her barren for life. Even so, in the end, she was condemned as having grown too powerful, and in a single night, every member of the Nian family was killed. Her soul is rebo 61Reads5.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Consort Hua is reborn and transmigrates into the body of the Six No-Saintess. She has ulterior motives towards everyone, bringing Zhen Yu Rao into the palace, causing the death of Shen Mei Zhuang, and exposing Zhen Huan's scheming and manipulative nature.

32. 32 卫 Wei Yanwan Returns to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Ruyi, Step Aside 卫嬿婉回到如懿传，如懿请靠边站 The Master and the Master's Husband夫子和夫子夫Female-Channel Fanfiction562k WordsCompleted A gambling-addicted younger brother, a mother who drains her dry, a childhood sweetheart with no ambition, and her, bullied by the protagonists. Reborn on the day Wei Yanwan sends Yao Huang a peony. Jinzhong, wait for me to use the Emperor’s silver to support you. Warning: This story reflects only this novel’s point of view. 205Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Wei Yanwan is reborn and suffers the torment of her gambling-addicted younger brother, her bloodsucking mother, her unambitious childhood sweetheart, and the bullying she endured from the main characters. On the day she gave the peonies to her reborn self, Jinzhong, I'll use the Emperor's money to support you.

33. 33 绛 Lin Daiyu Reborn: Mastering the Fourth Prince's Harem 绛珠重生，玩转四爷后宫 Cat King Who Raises Pigs养猪的猫猫大王Female-Channel Fanfiction1.2M WordsOngoing [A cast-of-characters story about Daiyu reborn in the imperial harem. No golden finger, not a wish-fulfillment story, and it has its tragic moments. No one gets exclusive favor, and the plot is original. All you lovely readers are welcome to show your support and help keep the story going with love.] [This is a harem-intrigue novel, but I hope you sisters will find more in it than just harem intrigue.] [If you can't accept Daiyu being touched by Yinzhen, please steer clear. In a harem story, she 624Reads6.9Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Lin Daiyu is uniquely beautiful

34. 34 入 After Entering the Palace, the Obsessive Emperor Dotes on Consort Yuan 入宫后，偏执皇上盛宠元妃娘娘 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [A violent emperor + a feigning-fool, ruthless concubine-born daughter + not mutually exclusive in the early stages + favored above the entire harem later] An Qingyu was the fourth daughter of the prime minister. Her mother, Concubine Lan Yue, had been brought into the household as the prime minister’s wife’s dowry maid. As a concubine-born daughter, An Qingyu had grown up at the First Madam’s side, keeping her head down and ingratiating herself, just like Concubine Lan. Then a twist of fate rui 1.7kReads9.0Score180Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! Absolutely amazing! Highly recommended! Absolutely amazing!

35. 35 萧 Empress Xiao: Win the Emperor and Bear Him a Son 萧氏皇后：拿下皇上生皇子 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance516k WordsCompleted More children, more blessings. [The fiercest rise to power through palace intrigue + Winning the emperor's heart + Having all the children in the imperial palace + Having children nonstop] Every child who survives in the end is the heroine's. After breaking all ties with Prince Ling, she enters the palace. Two years go by, and she avoids the emperor's favor, wanting only to live out her life in peace. She never expected the empress's banner to sway in her direction and choose her. Xiao Wan'er kn 291Reads8.9Score—Shelves
36. 36 锦 The Tale of Consort Jin: Put Down Your Blade, Your Majesty, I Can Still Kill 锦妃传：皇上刀放下，本宫还能杀 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance359k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she trusted the empress and helped her eliminate her enemies, only to be cast aside once she was no longer useful. In this life, she’ll hold on to the emperor and topple the empress. Consort? Noble Consort? If she’s going to be anything, she’ll be empress. Your Majesty, here I come! 137Reads8.4Score—Shelves
37. 37 幺 The Youngest Daughter, Changle 幺女长乐 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Miss Zhu Si’s rough fighting skills have always made her the laughingstock of the capital’s noble families. In everyone else’s eyes, that’s the sort of work meant for household guards. Zhu Changle, who considers herself invincible, isn’t ashamed of it. She’s proud. Not everyone can protect their own home, but she can! And then some! She’d even turn the whole capital upside down to protect it! Don’t believe her? Try her! 18.7kReads9.5Score3.1kShelves

    Reader note

    It's quite good. The main character is a pampered daughter of an official, who is also a female knight-errant. She has a strong sense of national responsibility and a touch of martial arts.

38. 38 宫 The Willow by the Palace Wall 宫墙柳 Dream Doll梦娃Ancient Romance166k WordsCompleted Why must the imperial consorts compete for the emperor’s favor? A smash-hit, heart-wrenching historical romance that burst onto the scene in 2019! Recommended by countless tearful readers, this unconventional palace-intrigue novel will stay with you long after you finish. In the lightest of styles, it captures everyone’s deepest regrets. In May of the year I turned fourteen, with the pagoda trees in fragrant bloom, I sat in Yong’an Palace, propping up my head as I dozed. The man’s laughter held 48.6kReads9.7Score7.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue is also a group of people fighting against the emperor.

39. 39 和 The Legend of He Xi 和熹传奇 Yi Fei苡菲Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Deng Sui had been certain that missing the selection three years earlier meant she would be free of strife from then on. But shackled by her identity, she was forced to enter the palace a second time and won favor as a low-ranking consort. Neither her graceful figure nor her lovely features could make Emperor Liu Zhao fall for her. She was merely a pawn, caught between a sovereign who placed imperial power above all else and ministers who dared to act with impunity... The moment she entered the 22Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead sends the female lead into the palace to be his pawn in order to counterbalance Consort Yin. Neither the male nor female lead loves the other. After entering the palace, the female lead is constantly embroiled in palace intrigue; they are definitely not a couple who are both virgins. The male lead seems to love no one. The female lead was originally supposed to marry a prince, but after entering the palace, she gave up that idea. She knows she is the male lead's pawn, so she no longer harbors any illusions about him.

40. 40 帝 The Emperor's Ambition 帝王业 The Dream Speaker寐语者Ancient Romance367k WordsCompleted The original novel for the television series The Rebel Princess, starring Zhang Ziyi. A thousand miles of blood mark the road to the throne; holding hands for half a lifetime, a beauty brings ruin. She is the daughter the Langya Wang family is proud of, the deepest love of a great ruler, and the power behind the founding of a dynasty. She is a traitor to the aristocratic clans and the last protector of her family, a sinner who brought down the imperial house and an adviser who helped two emperor 947Reads9.5Score143Shelves

    Reader note

    Good novels

41. 41 嫤 The Years of Jinyu's Story 嫤语书年 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance432k WordsCompleted The realm was in chaos, and enemy troops had reached the city walls. Fu Jin, a highborn woman whose entire clan had been wiped out, was forced to marry Wei Tan, the eldest son of a warlord at the height of his power. The world had turned upside down: the once princess-like darling of heaven was now an older bride marrying for the second time, while the obscure son of a minor official had become her husband, a warlord who looked down on all under heaven. Survival in turbulent times was hard, and 15.3kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The answers were all written in classical Chinese style. I really enjoyed them!

42. 42 不 Oh No, Fourth Master from Empresses in the Palace Has Transmigrated 不得了，甄嬛传四大爷穿越了 The Master and the Master's Husband夫子和夫子夫Female-Channel Fanfiction1.1M WordsCompleted [System] [Transmigration] [Empresses in the Palace] [True Harem] Ye Shu has watched Empresses in the Palace countless times, and her greatest pleasure is reading the live comments. Without them, the show just isn't as fun. As usual, Ye Shu turned on the live comments, only to spot an amusing one: “If the emperor could be reborn, what would he do?” Ye Shu chimed in, “Guard against fire, thieves, and getting cheated on. Hahaha.” Ding! Congratulations, you've been granted the chance to transmigrate 570Reads5.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This palace intrigue novel is quite good; the content is excellent, pure palace intrigue, not mindless.

43. 43 将 The General's Legitimate Daughter: The Hot-Tempered Consort Is Not to Be Trifled With 将门嫡女：暴脾气贵妃不好惹 Lu Yueerwu陆月二五Ancient Romance936k WordsCompleted [Devoted Love in the Later Story + Adorable Baby + Powerful Hero and Heroine + Beloved Legitimate Daughter] [Hopelessly Devoted Foolish Emperor + Clear-Headed, Self-Controlled, Clever Noble Consort] Once you enter the palace, it’s as deep as the sea. Yu Jinghe is the most clear-eyed woman in the world. Noble Consort Yue, the most stylish woman in the harem, wins the emperor’s favor all to herself with her fiery temper. Sharp-tongued and quick to throw a punch, she’s practically the harem’s gangs 3.3kReads9.2Score300Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue, the female lead is extremely rational.

44. 44 重 Reborn, the Noble Consort Only Wants to Be the Villain 重生后贵妃她只想当反派 Love Sleeping In爱睡懒觉Ancient Romance351k WordsCompleted [Mutual devotion + sweet romance + no angst] After being reborn, Ye Jiujiu takes her brash, don’t-mess-with-me attitude to the extreme: She kicks the meticulously dressed Consort Li into the water; She slips laxatives into the tea of the coquettish Consort Yun; She wreaks havoc at the flower-viewing banquet the Empress painstakingly prepared; The consorts all rush to the emperor to complain: The cool, dignified emperor says, “I established this harem solely to give the Noble Consort something to 3.5kReads9.1Score349Shelves

    Reader note

    It's fantastic that there are no messy side stories, and the writing is also quite good. Definitely worth buying.

45. 45 春 Spring Banquet 春日宴 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance664k WordsCompleted She kept male favorites and toyed with powerful ministers! For eight years, the arrogant and tyrannical Princess Danyang, Li Huaiyu, wreaked havoc across the court and country. She died on the day the new emperor ascended the throne, bleeding from every orifice in a truly gruesome death. The officials celebrated and the people rejoiced: Evil gets what it deserves! Good riddance! Yet on the seventh day after her death, Princess Danyang returned to life in the body of the Bai family’s Fourth Mis 13.6kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend everyone to watch it, it's really good.

46. 46 穿 Transmigrating as Daiyu 穿越之黛玉逆袭 Little Lazy Florist小懒花匠Female-Channel Fanfiction1.0M WordsCompleted After waking up, Lin Shu found she had transmigrated into the frail Lin Daiyu. She looked up at the sky and lamented, “Heavens, why are you so cruel to me!” Since she was already here, she had no choice but to make the best of it. But despite being the daughter of a high-ranking official and a wealthy family, her original self had lived a miserable life. She never saw a fraction of the family fortune. Her betrothal, sealed by the pledge between the Wood and Stone, fell through, and after years o 304Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Having read the original version of Dream of the Red Chamber, I watched this drama out of curiosity. I found it to have its own unique charm. Don't be too fixated on the original work; this drama is quite good.

47. 47 深 Palace Intrigue: The Story of Qing Zhi 深宫策·青栀传 Qing Zhi Wei Bai青栀未白Ancient Romance882k WordsCompleted Her eyes can see through sinister tricks and schemes, but she cannot fully see the changes in people's hearts. His hands hold the fate of all under heaven, yet all he wants is to hold on to the few who truly care for him. How far is it from being the daughter of a powerful official distrusted by the emperor to becoming a virtuous empress remembered throughout history? Once she enters the imperial palace, her past ties are severed. Half a lifetime of ups and downs conceals the green of the garden 1.9kReads9.2Score298Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is super good, the content is fantastic!

48. 48 当 After the Puppy-Like Heir Learned to Dote on His Wife 当奶狗世子学会宠妻后 Yue Gou月苟Ancient Romance456k WordsCompleted The clingy young heir × the cold-faced but soft-hearted eldest princess The eldest princess has come of age to choose a husband. Everyone in the Kingdom of Qing debates who could possibly win the heart of this unattainable beauty. No one expects their own princess to be whisked away by a spoiled young heir just returned from Yanbei. The ministers shake their heads, convinced the princess and the young heir are a poor match: he is young, mischievous, and doesn’t know how to cherish anyone. They f 7.7kReads9.3Score800Shelves

    Reader note

    The whole book is super sweet! Have you ever seen a prince consort who can be so charming and affectionate? [Smirk]

49. 49 女 The Empress Runs Wild: Her Bewitching Imperial Consort Is Irresistible 女帝倾狂：妖孽皇夫太撩人 Hua E婳鹅Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted After transmigrating, Luo Huanqing goes from being a top esper who ruled a territory in the post-apocalyptic world to a tyrant reviled by everyone for her cruelty! Assassinations, poison, schemes, and open plots: a whole crowd is tearing itself apart over the throne beneath her... Luo Huanqing has this to say So what if they're willing to risk their lives? Whether it's a fight against heaven, earth, or other people, she'll take them all on! But for all her calculations, she never expected to fal 636Reads8.8Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    It's super good! The female lead is a post-apocalyptic time traveler, and the male lead is pregnant!

50. 50 病 The Possessive Tyrant Is Cold by Day but Wants Kisses at Night 病娇暴君他白天冷冰冰晚上要亲亲 Song of the Ages千秋岁引Ancient Romance562k WordsCompleted [Possessive love + strong heroine + everyone's darling + devoted couple + secret identities + reborn + a mutually devoted, powerful couple in a satisfying 1v1 romance] In her previous life, she was deceived and manipulated into calling off her wedding, then died in a terrible fire. Only the violent emperor rushed into the flames to protect her, his eyes bloodshot. He avenged her, held her old clothes, and followed her in death. After being reborn, she kicks aside the scumbag man and the vile wom 1.9kReads9.1Score267Shelves

    Reader note

    Super good! The female lead is reborn, the male lead loves her deeply, and there are no melodramatic plot twists. Most of the story is harmonious, and even the villainous supporting characters are handled very well by the female lead! Highly recommended!

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