Looking for Ancient-Style Political Intrigue with a Smart Protagonist Who Plots on a Grand Scale 求古风权谋文，主角智商在线，布局天下

1. 1 世 The Fierce Heir: This Young Lady Is Mine 世子凶猛：这个小娘子，我抢定了 Fruit Wine Beneath the Moon月下果子酒Historical2.1M WordsOngoing Original novel of the short drama “The Heir Is Fierce: I’m Claiming This Young Lady” One moment he opens his eyes, and he’s in Great Yan. Yang Shu is quite pleased with his identity: the sole heir of the Prince of Dingguo’s household. The emperor suspects him and the noble families shun him, but that’s no big deal. He’ll just rebel. If you’re going to be a spoiled young master, you have to act like one. First, beat up your future father-in-law... Second, smash up a gambling den... And third, sna 13.7kReads8.5Score851Shelves

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   My Four Great Classics of Political Intrigue

2. 2 我 My Proud and Talented Lady of the Marquis’s Manor 我的侯府傲娇才娘子 When Bai Ze Arrives白泽来时Historical1.8M WordsCompleted Also known as: “I Just Transmigrated and Picked Up a Proud Marquis Household Heiress” and “One Female Lead” Food gives life continuity. Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song give it charm. A little wealth, fame, and success give it grandeur. Gu Zhengyan transmigrated and unexpectedly won first place in a poetry competition. He even married a young lady from a marquis’s household, only for the furious marquis to throw them both out. Gu Zhengyan took his wife back to his impoverish 31.7kReads9.0Score2.9kShelves
3. 3 我 My Wife Is the Eastern Jin Dynasty's Number One Female Demon 我老婆是东晋第一女魔头 Handsome Young Man俊俏少年Historical2.6M WordsOngoing The kings of the Sima clan turned their blades on one another. The northern barbarians ate their fill of human flesh. The aristocratic families fled south in terror. The starving commoners boiled their children in pots. Heroes fought for their lives on the battlefield, while nobles got high in their palaces. Sons killed fathers, younger brothers killed older brothers, daughters became slaves, and men became concubines... This absurd age was one long debauch. Tang Yu: “I just want to protect myse 121.2kReads9.3Score11.5kShelves
4. 4 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 868.2kReads9.6Score68.1kShelves

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   1. Absolutely fantastic! A political intrigue story about surviving in difficult circumstances, a slow-burn, satisfying read—much better than mindless, mindless entertainment. The author's writing is superb; Tomato is a top-notch writer. 2. It has the feel of "The Prince's Tale," a very enjoyable read, but not mindless. There's a female lead, but she appears late in the story. It involves political intrigue and strategic battles. The protagonist's friends and family are also intelligent, and the antagonists aren't brainless either. Both are highly recommended.

5. 5 皇 The Emperor's Gold Medal County Magistrate 皇家金牌县令 Noodle King Zai板面王仔Historical2.7M WordsCompleted [Farming + lighthearted fun + transmigration] Fang Zhengyi transmigrates to the Great Jing dynasty and becomes a county magistrate. After seven years of work, he has created his own earthly paradise. He’d planned to live out his days as a carefree little emperor. In the thirteenth year of the Jinghe era, the emperor of Great Jing travels incognito and accidentally wanders into Taoyuan County... The moment the emperor enters the county, he is astonished! The many strange and wondrous things leave 228.3kReads9.5Score28.1kShelves
6. 6 魏EN The Wei Clan's Cursed Son Becomes Grand Secretary—Now They Beg Me to Return 魏家孽种成首辅，全族跪求我认祖 A Salted Fish in Everyday Life生活中的咸鱼Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as The Wei Fox) [Political Schemes][One Female Lead][Ensemble Cast][The Wei Faction] Condemned from birth, I was given the name Niesheng. On the day I was born, my mother died in childbirth, and my grandfather mourned before the ancestral hall. The whole household looked at me askance, all calling me a disaster star who had stolen another's fate. My biological father hated me like an enemy, my elder half-brother regarded me as an omen of bad luck, and my stepmother hid a knife behind 647.6kReads9.2Score91kShelves

   Reader note

   I've read quite a few novels, but this one is truly my current favorite. The characters are perfectly developed; the eulogy written after killing the Prince of Ning makes me cry every time I read it. It doesn't treat the ancients like fools; each social class is clearly depicted, and everyone has their own hidden thoughts. Reading this makes me feel like my classical Chinese studies weren't wasted. It has the potential to be a hit; even a short drama adaptation wouldn't do it justice. The only downside is that it's too short; a hundred chapters a day wouldn't be out of the question.

7. 7 蝼 An Antlike Monkey as a Scapegoat? Become Empress and Make Them Eat Their Words 蝼蚁吗喽替死鬼？做了皇后掌你嘴 Wen Yitan温一檀Ancient Romance875k WordsCompleted After transmigrating, Shi Le'an quickly gained a clear understanding of her situation: she was a scapegoat, a fall guy, and a powerless nobody with a fancy title. Her husband was in prison, and her birth family wouldn't lift a finger to help. In short, anyone could take a shot at her. Shi Le'an: ... Absolutely outrageous. Just because I haven't shown my claws, you think I'm a pushover? Even a nobody has dignity. From now on, anyone who bullies me will have their ashes scattered! First, she had t 9kReads9.0Score1.4kShelves

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   The female lead is incredibly intelligent, and she didn't fall for the male lead at first. She only developed feelings for him after spending a long time together, which is truly amazing. All of the male lead's advisors only recognized her because of her intelligence.

8. 8 抄 After the Confiscation, the Most Beautiful Woman Is Seized by a Powerful Minister 抄家后，第一美人被权臣强取豪夺 Yang Si Si杨姒姒Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted [Political Intrigue + Romance + Coercive Love + Powerful Male Lead and Vulnerable Female Lead + Obsessively Possessive Hero] A resilient, beautiful heroine versus a calculating, ruthless hero An imperial edict sends Chancellor Qing Heng to prison, where he dies by suicide, supposedly out of guilt. His entire family is executed, and his only daughter, Qing Yan, is forced into servitude and sent to the Entertainment Bureau. Those of servile status are made to serve and entertain others, as prostit 33.5kReads8.8Score4.5kShelves

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   The male protagonist's political maneuvering is a key element; at the beginning, he's merely concealing his true strength. It's a story of forceful acquisition and seizure, without time travel, rebirth, or a system.

9. 9 冒EN Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as “The Matter of Me Pretending to Be a Nobleman of the Southern Dynasties”) To transmigrate isn’t a dinner party. It’s a deadly game at every turn. The south is beautiful, yet lofty ambitions often fade away. Since ancient times, the Southern Dynasties have been weak, their heroes short-lived. No golden finger, no System, and no second chance at life. Everything starts from zero! Original owner’s memories: none! Identity: none! Supplies: none! When transmigration becomes reality, ho 493.7kReads9.7Score71.7kShelves

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   The first book features a protagonist who transmigrates to ancient times without any special abilities. His multiple romantic partners all have ulterior motives. The male lead, lacking identity and captured, is forced to impersonate a member of a noble family. He's highly intelligent and meticulously plans his way through the story. The author has a strong literary background; without it, it's difficult to follow and understand. It's a pity I read this book so late, otherwise I would have attended the author's offline event. A long-time bookworm, I highly recommend it. Chinese people don't lie to Chinese people. If you don't like it, scold me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The second book also features a male lead who transmigrates without any special abilities. He initially wanted to rely on his father and live a carefree life, but discovered he was a fake prince switched at birth [laughing and crying emoji]. Forced to find a way out, he passed the imperial examination with top honors. The male lead is highly intelligent, and unlike other novels where he becomes a disciple of a great Confucian scholar and then constantly urges his master to improve, he's only in his fifties—the perfect age for striving! The detailed descriptions are also good. Highly recommended! [Thumbs up emojis] The third book features a woman disguised as a man but with a system. The female lead is incredibly beautiful, but because she has a system, there's no low-level version of the cross-dressing trope. It's a high-IQ, imperial examination novel with political intrigue. It's already completed and definitely worth reading! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

10. 10 全 My Clan Raised Me to Greatness, So I Gifted Them Purple Robes 全族扶我青云志，我赠族人朱紫袍 Uncle Jianghe江河大爷Historical2.2M WordsOngoing After dying suddenly from overwork, workaholic Chen Yan is reborn as the only son of a newly born provincial graduate in the Great Liang Dynasty. His father is successful, so Chen Yan promptly decides to lie flat and enjoy the good life, with food brought to him and clothes laid out for him. But when he learns at the age of six that he was switched at birth with a farmer's child, his life takes a turn. The day the fake young master returns to the Chen family, he goes out to work in the fields an 214.1kReads9.3Score21.3kShelves
11. 11 手 With the Notable Ministers System in Hand, I Disguise Myself as a Man in Ancient Times 手拿名臣系统，我在古代女扮男装 Tianyang Peak, Who Loves Handmade Wheat Dumplings爱吃手工麦饺的天阳峰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Xu Yue transmigrates into a book. She becomes the delicate, vulnerable cousin of the male lead in an examination-themed novel: her mother died young, she has no brothers and no one to rely on, and her family won't take her in, so she is awkwardly forced to live in the male lead's home. In her previous life, Xu Yue rose from being an orphan to earning a doctorate. She never believed in fate, and even though it was hard for women to get by in ancient times, she never stopped thinking about how to 118.2kReads9.6Score11.4kShelves
12. 12 送 He Sent Me to the Enemy Camp, Then Went Mad with Regret After Taking the Throne and Coveting His Minister's Wife 送我入敌帐，登基后悔疯夺臣妻 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing Original title: A Qing as Dust Upon the Steps to the Throne. The animated series Feng Mou Di Wang Xin is now available. [Possessive Love] [Power Struggles for the Realm] [Love and Hate] [All Male Leads Are Chaste] [Physical and Emotional Anguish] [Male Leads One and Two Chase the Heroine] She is the daughter of a military family. Her father is falsely accused of colluding with the enemy, and her entire family is sentenced to death. The official overseeing the execution is none other than the Cro 27kReads8.9Score2.8kShelves

    Reader note

    These two articles are exceptionally well-written, depicting political intrigue and complex schemes, with each event intricately linked to the next.

13. 13 恶 Ten Years After the Wicked Minister Died, He Came Back to Life 恶臣死后十年，他活了 Black Resilience黑色韧性Historical335k WordsOngoing The emperor was dead, the crown prince was weak, and sycophants held the court in their grasp. Traitors ruled the land. Loyal officials dared not speak, and the court bowed as one. Those who refused to kneel had their bones broken. Those who dared to speak had their tongues torn out. Men of principle died beneath the executioner’s blade, while vile opportunists became honored guests in the halls of power. A spark smoldered in the mountains, barely clinging to life. A hidden dragon lay coiled in 241Reads8.9Score108Shelves

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    An ancient, fictional setting with court intrigue and no romantic pairing. The protagonist, a villainous official, is resurrected from the dead and becomes entangled in a turbulent undercurrent beneath a seemingly peaceful world. He uses a false identity to stir up trouble on the front lines, while secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes in each instance.

14. 14 公 The Princess Becomes a Servant, and the Mad Regent Locks Her Up with Bloodshot Eyes 公主为婢，疯批摄政王红眼囚她 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance784k WordsCompleted [Mutual Firsts] [Power Struggles] [Taking by Force] [Rivalry for Love] [Love and Hate] [Resilient, Cool Beauty and Unhinged Prince Regent] She was the princess of Nanzhao, but through a twist of fate, she ended up living among ordinary people. Eight years ago, Xiao Nanyan, the regent of Tianqi, happened to pass through Nanzhao. He rescued her and brought her back to his residence, where he raised her as a deathsworn guard. With beauty that could topple kingdoms, she was still only a servant, and 3kReads9.2Score320Shelves
15. 15 帝 The Emperor’s Marriage: To Rule the World for You 帝王嫁：为君临天下 Cold Heart, Cold Feelings, Pretty Girl凉心凉情好姑凉Two Male Leads381k WordsCompleted [Two male leads] There was a beauty in the imperial palace, born delicate and precious. Everyone said he wouldn’t live to see ten more springs. For peace among the four kingdoms and stability throughout the realm, the ministers all urged the emperor to act. “Your Majesty, the Imperial Lord has been ill for many years. For the sake of peace throughout the realm, we hope Your Majesty will not…” Before he could finish, someone hurried in from outside the hall. “Grand Tutor, the latrine at the resid 5.3kReads9.2Score595Shelves

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    That has to be Yan Zhi! He's paving the way for everyone, but he's forgotten about himself 😭😭😭 It's really good, everyone should read it. Don't be misled by the ratings; this is a new work by the author.

16. 16 予 Grant Me a Thousand Autumns 予我千秋 Xing Yanyan行烟烟Ancient Romance339k WordsCompleted [Court Intrigue + Woman Disguised as a Man + Two Powerful Leads] Two princes, two generals, a formidable alliance, and sworn enemies who fall in love! In the sixteenth year of Jianchu, Qi Bingjing, the late emperor of Great Jin's most beloved fourth son, turned twenty and was enfeoffed as the Prince of E. After the investiture ceremony, the emperor asked what kind of woman he wanted for his princess consort. He thought for a moment, then replied nonchalantly, “She needn't be beautiful, but I wan 1.7kReads9.3Score195Shelves
17. 17 侯 The Marquis's Estate Forgot Its Gratitude? The Regent Backs Me, and I Won't Forgive Them 侯府忘恩义？摄政王撑腰，不原谅 Chu Diandian初点点Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Luo Ning took a blade meant for the Empress Dowager and suffered severe injuries, trading her life for her family's noble title. She went south to recuperate for three years, but when she returned, she discovered that her maternal cousin had taken over her courtyard. Her cousin had even replaced her in every aspect. Luo Ning's parents and elder brother adored her, her grandmother favored her, and even Luo Ning's childhood sweetheart secretly admired her, saying that she surpassed Luo Ning in eve 180.6kReads9.4Score27kShelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese political intrigue? Then these must be on the list.

18. 18 重 Reborn, the Legitimate Daughter Goes on a Rampage, Then Offers Him a Kingdom to Make It Up to Him 重生嫡女杀疯了，送个江山哄一哄 Begonia Jiu Qian Qi海棠玖仟柒Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Double Rebirth + Sweet Romance + Mutual Flirting + Palace and Household Intrigue + Two Powerful Leads + Revenge] Jiang Qingwu, the legitimate daughter of a military family, mistook the identity of the person who saved her life. She was manipulated by a scumbag and deceived by her best friend. In the end, her entire family was wiped out. Only as she lay dying did she learn that the Regent Prince, who had silently supported and protected her and been gravely wounded and crippled for her sake, was 2.1kReads8.8Score252Shelves
19. 19 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 24.7kReads9.5Score4kShelves
20. 20 穿 Transmigrated as a Treacherous Minister's Legitimate Daughter, She Plays the Part to Perfection 穿成奸臣嫡女，她本色出演 Garlic Bamboo Shoots蒜香竹笋Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + Career-focused early on + Sweet romance + One-on-one romance + Both leads are devoted to each other] [Two-faced, ruthless minister's daughter × Wild, formidable iron-faced general] The ruler of the business world transmigrates into a book overnight, becoming the daughter of the treacherous chancellor. She throws her weight around and commits every kind of evil, with the label “vicious supporting female character” practically branded onto her. She's madly pursuing the 86.4kReads9.6Score11.3kShelves
21. 21 新 Newlywed Unmasked: The Top Tycoon Disguised as a Crown Princess 新婚掉马：顶级大佬伪装太子妃 Three Claws三只爪Ancient Romance393k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later + equally matched powerhouses + disguises + slow burn + wits and courage + mutual healing + palace intrigue] Rumor has it that the Crown Prince of Chu is blind, his internal organs are failing, and he will not live to see winter. The princess sent to marry him is said to be a weakling who does nothing but cry. On their wedding night, assassins sneak in. The princess is so frightened that she drops her teacup, but a shard happens to slice an assassin’s throat. The Crow 2.1kReads—Score312Shelves

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    A marriage of convenience that blossoms into love, featuring two strong individuals, a battle of wits, and mutual redemption. Rumor has it that the Crown Prince of Chu is blind and his internal organs are failing, not surviving past winter; while the princess sent for a political marriage is a weak and useless woman who only knows how to cry. On their wedding night, an assassin sneaks in. The princess, terrified, smashes a teacup, a shard of which accidentally cuts the assassin's throat; the Crown Prince weakly shrinks into the bed, but a silver needle on his fingertip accidentally pierces the assassin's vital point. The entire court awaits the spectacle of this short-lived couple's downfall. Until one dark and stormy night, the world's greatest poison doctor, Yaksha, and the leader of the Assassin's Guild, Yama, fight fiercely for a divine elixir. As they tear off each other's masks, both fall silent. Chu Mochen approached, his voice low and deep: "My beloved consort, your night attire is far more beautiful than your phoenix coronet and wedding robes during the day." Yan Yunqi sneered, brandishing her poisoned needle: "Your Highness, even with your eyes still open and your temper flaring, you're still much more pleasing to the eye than during the day!" When a dramatic princess with a built-in armor that reflects physical attacks tenfold meets a powerful, sickly tycoon, the entire capital is left in tears!

22. 22 不 Before Daybreak 不终朝 Leisurely Rain闲雨Ancient Romance218k WordsCompleted [Two Generals + Love of Country and Home + Long-Suffering Romance + Mystery and Investigation + Mutual Pining + Commander Couple] [A decisive, resilient, loyal and strategic female general vs. the steady, patient and far-sighted commander of the Yinchi Army] Shen Xun and Xie Jin are sworn enemies, bitter rivals whose relationship is common knowledge. They rose to fame in their youth and spent ten years at war, yet in the end, they could not escape becoming pawns. A single imperial decree marryin 2.1kReads9.5Score331Shelves

    Reader note

    Absolutely gorgeous!

23. 23 纵 So What If You’re Reborn? 纵你重生又如何 Yao Yaoya妖幺芽Ancient Romance169k WordsCompleted [The main story is complete] [Two powerful leads + no point in being reborn as a concubine’s daughter + face-slapping and punishing scoundrels + the male lead has a secret crush] [A cool, composed beauty with overwhelming combat prowess vs. a mysterious, bewitching prince] [One-on-one romance + happy ending + single and chaste] Her mother was the most favored legitimate princess, her uncle was the reigning emperor, her maternal grandmother was empress dowager of the realm, and her older brother 2.4kReads8.9Score309Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist has been carefully nurtured and has her own power base. She has no system, no time travel, and no rebirth.

24. 24 朝 Day After Day, Endless and Long 朝朝漫漫 Young Master Little White Rabbit小白兔公子Ancient Romance335k WordsCompleted Moonlight spilled across the ground, cool and pale. Lotus flowers stood tall in a tranquil pond. A gauzy veil concealed her face as she danced with graceful poise, every smile and frown captivating. People said Gu Yanchu, the powerful grand secretary, was the emperor’s illegitimate son, abandoned among the common people. Otherwise, how could he have joined the Grand Secretariat at such a young age? It was a pity that such an elegant, handsome gentleman had married a fierce and domineering young 5.1kReads9.1Score410Shelves
25. 25 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

    💞: Includes both historical romance and palace intrigue elements; highly recommended! [Learned something new]

26. 26 惹 Offending the Imperial Daughter 惹金枝 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (Film and television rights have been sold. The physical book will be available for preorder on July 10 at 19:00.) Shi Buyu was born smiling. At that moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared, collapsing a row of outbuildings in the Shi family compound. Days of torrential rain brought devastating floods and countless victims. Rumors soon spread through the capital that she was a disaster star sent into the world. But she was as precocious as a demon, with a photographic memory, and learned bo 257.8kReads9.7Score30.2kShelves

    Reader note

    💞: Includes both historical romance and palace intrigue elements, highly recommended! [Learned something new]

27. 27 身 Body Swap: The God of War Prince Takes Over My Household Battles 身体互换：战神王爷替我宅斗 Clear Breeze Begonia清风海棠Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted [1v1, Fun Romantic Comedy, HE, Wise and Cool-Headed Young Lady vs. Adorable God of War Prince, Both Chaste, Happy Ending] The people of the Jiang household notice that their young lady has been acting strangely lately. The young lady used to be quiet and gentle. Now she’s still quiet, but there’s a murderous aura about her. In the garden, her sweet-talking younger sister affectionately reaches to link arms with her. Ye Zhan dodges at once, her voice full of disdain. “If you want to talk, then ta 11.1kReads9.1Score1.6kShelves
28. 28 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 84.3kReads9.5Score9.6kShelves
29. 29 青 After Losing Her Memory, the Childhood Sweetheart Became the Young General's Cherished Love 青梅失忆后成了少年将军掌中娇 Kelisiting克莉斯汀Ancient Romance223k WordsCompleted [Clever, Cunning Foxlike Heroine VS Steady, Stern, Humble Hero] [One-on-One Romance, Sweet Pampering, Adorable Child, Childhood Sweethearts] [The Hero Suffers] The night before, Shen Zuihuan was still preparing for her engagement ceremony. The next morning, she woke up in shock to discover she had been married for five years already! Her fiancé was nowhere to be found, and her current husband was the childhood friend she had hated most of all. He was even holding a child who looked exactly like 25.9kReads9.3Score2.3kShelves
30. 30 九 The Ice-Cold, Arrogant Eunuch! He Made the Little Drama Queen Cry! 九千岁冰山又傲娇！气哭小作精！ Xie Kefeng谢客风Two Male Leads500k WordsCompleted [Completed][Two Male Leads + Mutual Devotion, One-on-One + Rebirth + Sweet Romance and Court Intrigue] A cup of poisoned wine sent Yan Shuche and Yun Zhuyuan to their deaths beneath a rain of arrows. Only before he died did Yan Shuche learn that the icy, taciturn chief eunuch of the Western Depot had loved him for years. Given another life, Yan Shuche decides to focus on his career! And flirt with him, spoil him, and love him along the way! * Yan Shuche: “Do you want to hold me?” Yun Zhuyuan: “N 3.2kReads9.4Score446Shelves

    Reader note

    This, this, is really beautiful.

31. 31 多 Surely You Laugh at My Passion 多情应笑我 Jiu Xiaoqi酒小七Ancient Romance216k WordsCompleted Lin Fang has been disguised as a boy since childhood, and she can't help feeling helpless about it. Her household registration says she's male, so what can she do? But the secret she has sworn to protect is discovered by a young boy she accidentally rescues! Lin Fang thought she'd picked up a deadweight, but once the boy, Yun Weiming, regains his identity, she feels as if she's sitting on a mountain of gold. “Who would've thought! I've picked up all kinds of things before, but you're the most va 70.3kReads9.7Score9.3kShelves
32. 32 她 Why Is the Bastard Son of the Earl's Manor She Toyed With Living in the Eastern Palace? 她玩弄的伯府庶子，怎么住东宫啊 Beijing Bamboo北京竹Ancient Romance336k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + both leads are each other's first love + heroine treats hero as an antidote + hero's longtime crush comes true and drives him mad with love] [Brave and fearless female general VS scheming, gloomy, sweet-faced-but-black-hearted crown prince] Pei Zhao is the first female general of the Yong Dynasty. Meng Yansheng, heir to the Marquis's household, has been secretly in love with her for years and willingly marries into her family. On their wedding day, a sealed imperial or 137Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A pure ancient romance novel with no time travel or reincarnation elements, featuring a strong main cast.

33. 33 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 88.8kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves
34. 34 夫 Madam, the Heir Has Been Plotting This for a Long Time 夫人，世子他蓄谋已久 Susu Qian Ci酥酥芊瓷Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted [A devoted couple, sweet romance, childhood friends] (Complete! Originally titled The Lady, the Heir Apparent Has Been Plotting This for a Long Time) [Scheming, doting heir apparent VS beautiful, high-maintenance heir apparent’s wife] Lu Zhaozhao, the youngest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yunyang’s household, is adored by her parents and protected by her older siblings. She has grown up in comfort, with everything going her way. At sixteen, Lu Zhaozhao is a peerless beauty, and the thre 27.3kReads9.2Score3kShelves
35. 35 大 The Dali Temple Vice Minister’s Two-Faced Husband 大理寺少卿的双面夫君 Yan Tan Qian Ye言覃浅野Ancient Romance492k WordsOngoing [A couple who start out hating each other and become truly devoted] [Mystery and deduction] [Historical romance] [Clever heroine] [Scheming hero] [The story opens with a political plotline] [The individual cases begin in Chapter Five] Cheng Wanrou, an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is married off by the emperor to Xiao Qingyuan, the Censor-in-Chief. Since they are pawns in the emperor's power struggle, they can't stand one another at first. Cheng Wanrou always assumes Xiao Q 62Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese political intrigue novel

36. 36 入 Caught in My Web of Longing 入我相思局 Pan, Shepherd God of the Heavenly Lord's Residence天君府的牧神潘Ancient Romance182k WordsOngoing [Detached, Obsessive Court Musician x Scheming, Unhinged Prince] Historical political intrigue | Devoted couple, 1v1 | Happy ending | A touch of ensemble cast Lin Xiwan always thought she was lucky. Her mother died when she was born, and her father, like everyone else, thought she was a bringer of bad luck and left her to be raised at a country estate. Still, with her grandmother's protection, she made it safely to the age of ten. When she was eleven, her grandmother died. Lin Xiwan was allowed 30Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese dramas depict a complex web of power struggles, where everyone is trapped in their own obsessions and destinies.

37. 37 蓦 The Phoenix Turns Back 蓦回鸾 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance786k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Sun Wei was determined to marry well so she could escape her predicament and strike back at her clan's humiliation. Through various means, she married Sima Jun, Prince of Yuzhang. When chaos engulfed the realm, Sun Wei didn't realize that Sima Jun had feelings for her until the city fell and she was killed. In this life, a woman suddenly appeared before Sima Jun, Prince of Yuzhang, claiming to be his father's second wife. She could read fortunes and seemed to know everythin 4.9kReads9.0Score643Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend "The Golden Branch"—my absolute favorite!!! Every single one is worth recommending; both are top-tier!!

38. 38 夺 The Fight for the Throne 夺位 Qiao Mu桥沐Two Male Leads392k WordsCompleted While everyone else fights over noble titles, Chu Xuan has always had his sights set on the throne. He has always wanted to be emperor and control the fate of everyone under heaven. 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Chu Xuan, a man of refined elegance, clad in white robes as white as frost, is a master strategist. While others believe he is vying for the title with his father and brothers, his true desire has always been the throne. Disguised as a frail and sickly man, he meticulously plots his moves, ultimately seizing the world. The political intrigue is brilliantly written; even the supporting characters are incredibly cunning. However, this is a novel with two male protagonists, which some readers may find unpalatable. Read it at your own discretion.

39. 39 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
40. 40 错 Mistakenly Bound to the Eunuch, He Helps Me Ascend the Throne 错绑九千岁，他助我登临帝位 Two or Three Sounds Beneath the Moon月下两三声Ancient Romance156k WordsOngoing [War-God Grand Princess × Lord Eunuch: Fierce and ruthless to outsiders, proud and devoted to her] “Women rule” + “Court intrigue” + “Both pure” + “Power couple” Ye Shumei returns from battle to find that her fiancé, Wen Zhijin, is going to marry her imperial younger sister. How could she possibly put up with that? If you’re going to be so unreasonable, then I’ll just... On a dark, windy night, she climbed over the wall into the Grand Tutor’s residence and hauled someone back to her villa in a s 41Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a romance novel featuring two strong characters vying for power, and it's also very sweet.

41. 41 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.5kShelves
42. 42 攀 Marrying Up 攀高枝 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [Film and TV rights sold] [Print edition published] Zhang Zhixu had everything from birth. A family with a century of prestige, enviable talent, and a career that kept rising step by step. But he found life terribly dull. Then, one day, an accident struck, and his soul entered a woman's body. A woman who couldn't read a single character, yet dreamed of marrying into a powerful family and becoming a phoenix. · Chen Baoxiang had traveled a thousand miles from the countryside to the capital, hoping 163.8kReads9.6Score22.8kShelves
43. 43 大 Snow Blankets the World, the Wind Carries the Blade 大雪满风刀 An Ren Dao Ruo Shan安仁道若山Historical3.3M WordsCompleted [No System, alternate history, political intrigue, a touch of cultivation, no mindless characters, no invincible heroes] A mysterious woman is imprisoned in the depths of the imperial jail. The first time jailer Yang Zhan met her, he cursed her, calling her shameless! From then on, she had a name... Bilian! 23.9kReads9.0Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Deservedly so, very good.

44. 44 前 In My Past Life, You Slaughtered My Entire Family. Reborn, I'll Take Your Kingdom 前世你灭我满门，重生我覆你江山 He Huoban禾火半Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted The short drama "Scheming Phoenix, Beloved Substitute Eunuch" is now streaming. Thanks so much for your support, guys. Love you all! [Both leads reborn + devoted to each other + family and country + power struggles] A heroine who always gets revenge + a patient, deeply devoted hero with a secret identity In her previous life, Li Shuangwan used the meritorious service of the entire General’s House of Zhenguo to help the helpless Ling Heng ascend the throne. She believed that after ten years of ma 9.5kReads9.0Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female lead is incredibly powerful, possessing both wisdom and courage. She uses the emperor to carry out murders and exterminate entire clans, ensuring that virtually no one suspects her. The male lead is also exceptionally skilled, with off-the-charts martial arts abilities.

45. 45 重 Reborn, I Become My Arch-Enemy's Living Widow Sister-in-Law 重生后，我成了死敌的活寡嫂子 Two Times Four Means Prosperity二四得发Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn + sister-in-law and brother-in-law + an aloof beauty brought down from her pedestal + emotional push and pull + winning her heart and her body + devoted couple] The Eastern Palace has no crown prince, and the princes are locked in a fierce struggle for the throne. Ning Miao and Yan Mobai are the top strategists of their generation, each serving a different master. They cross paths over a map of iron mines and kill each other. Only after her death does Ning Miao learn tha 39.2kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The power struggles in episode 2 are intricately linked, and the female lead is incredibly intelligent.

46. 46 逢 The Lantern-Bearing Chronicles 逢灯纪 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance982k WordsCompleted (Signed for publication, with screen adaptation rights sold) You're the daughter of a marquis. You want to take your mother's dowry and remains with you? Done. I'll take the dowry and remains, and bring you your mother's divorce papers as well as your own severance papers cutting ties with your family. You were declared dead and became an invisible person behind your brothers. You want to live like a normal person again? Done. I'll restore your name and identity, and make sure you receive the en 87kReads9.3Score12.7kShelves

    Reader note

    When reading on Tomato Books, the worst thing is to start off amazing but then turn out to be disappointing. These are some of my most treasured books that I've finished reading and even want to reread. The writing is impeccable, the flow is superb, and it's an extremely comfortable read; the stories are very engaging, not the kind of fast-paced entertainment that's just for the sake of being entertaining.

47. 47 明 A History of the Ming Palace 明代宫闱史 Xu Xiaotian许啸天Historical734k WordsCompleted Venture deep into the palace to explore the love and hatred between emperors and their consorts; delve into history and discover the twists and turns of feudal dynasties. Understand this series, and you understand the palace. Understand the palace, and you understand history. Understand history, and the realities of the world become clear. Palace romances are an important branch of traditional historical fiction. 33.9kReads9.6Score588Shelves

    Reader note

    The political intrigue depicted in historical texts is top-notch.

48. 48 大 The Benevolent Ancestor of the Tang Dynasty 【大唐仁祖】 Tang Renzu of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors三皇五帝唐仁祖Historical973k WordsCompleted [Golden Finger] [Transmigration] [Li Ke] [Political Intrigue] [History] From the start, he transmigrates into Li Ke. Facing certain death, he uses Li Shimin as a chess piece and goes head-to-head with the Changsun clan and the Guanlong aristocratic families, deftly resolving the struggle over the crown prince's succession. From the start, he is trapped in a dead end: Changsun Wuji has already begun plotting to frame him, and the deadly purge of Zhenguan Year 17 is less than six years away. He 5.5kReads—Score494Shelves

    Reader note

    This is the book! Comparable to *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and *Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties*, it's a masterpiece with the potential to be passed down through generations! *Emperor Renzu of Tang*, a nearly million-word finale completed in mid-September, is highly recommended. I suggest reading the comments section of the last chapter first, where the author summarizes the entire novel. The author's writing style, plot structure, imperial strategies, political maneuvering, emotional narratives, military warfare, court intrigue, and governance are all top-notch. The writing is astonishing, the scope grand, the themes lofty, the thoughts profound, the author possesses solid knowledge, a deep cultural foundation, and masterful political maneuvering. If you don't like it after reading it, you can slap me! It's not a mindless system-crushing story; it focuses on political intrigue, large-scale ancient warfare, the ongoing romance between Shen Luoli, and multiple parallel storylines involving court intrigue and governance. It blends historical figures from the Zhenguan era with those from *Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties*, adding modern military and philosophical elements for a disruptive effect. Modern thought and educational achievements are used as experiments in the evolution of civilization in the Tang Dynasty.

49. 49 娘 The Temple of the Goddess: A Fallen Emperor's Life of Mutual Combat 娘娘庙之亡国之君的左右互搏人生 omgdomgdTwo Male Leads321k WordsOngoing [Historical BL] [Mutual Firsts] [Having a Child] No one is reborn or transmigrates, there are no golden fingers or misunderstandings, but there are schemes. A broad-minded, unconventional founding emperor x a love-struck, fallen ruler who cares for all under heaven. Two extraordinary emperors raise a child together, curb the power of regional lords, repel enemies, unify the realm, provide disaster relief, and improve people's lives. Together, they establish and govern their unified empire. They 1.2kReads—Score107Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient political intrigue: Two emperors pursuing their ambitions

50. 50 红 Secret Records Behind the Red Walls: A Complete History of China's Unofficial Past, Unabridged 红墙秘录：中国野史大全（无删节完整版） Xu Xiaotian许啸天Historical2.7M WordsCompleted This complete collection is like a secret key unlocking the hidden chambers of China's imperial past, guiding readers into shadowy corners that official histories leave shrouded in secrecy. From the ancient legends of Unofficial History of the Xia and Shang to the imperial passions and court intrigues of The History of the Imperial Harem in the Song Dynasty, The History of the Imperial Harem in the Ming Dynasty, and Unofficial History of the Yuan Dynasty; from the extravagant excesses of The Ero 1.6kReads9.3Score256Shelves

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