Looking for Palace Intrigue, Pure Palace Intrigue!!! No Mutual Chastity and No Exclusive Favoritism! 求宫斗，纯宫斗！！！不要双洁，也不要独宠！

1. 51 入 Entering the Imperial Harem 入春宫 Kun Yuan坤垣Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + villainess with a career-driven mind + fluffy mind-reading + men competing for her] Su Fuqu was the legitimate youngest daughter of the Grand Preceptor. She and the Crown Prince, Qin Zhaolin, grew up together and were deeply in love. But after she came of age, Qin Zhaolin abandoned her, chose her cousin as his wife, and asked Su Fuqu to become his concubine. She turned around and schemed her way into the emperor's bed, sowing discord between father and son and throwing the pal 64.6kReads8.9Score8kShelves

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   It's a fantastic show! Both the male and female leads are incredibly intelligent, their scheming is thrilling, and they're constantly pulling each other in opposite directions. The plot involves both palace intrigue and the imperial court, and the male lead initially claims he won't give her love, but he gradually falls for her.

2. 52 福 The Sweet and Beautiful Imperial Concubine: The Abstinent Fourth Prince Dotes on Her 福晋娇又美：禁欲四爷宠上瘾 Wan Bao妧宝Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted [One devoted couple + sweet romance] Tong Jia Ning Chuge, the legitimate daughter of Longkodo, was getting married. But on her wedding day, a princess snatched her groom right off the street. The poor girl fell out of her bridal sedan and died on the spot! The woman protested, “I just got here, and a bunch of people are already laughing at me for being a discarded wife. I can’t stand for this!” Just as she was racking her brains for a way to put them in their place, an imperial edict from Empero 24.4kReads9.4Score2.4kShelves

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   Whether it's good or not, you'll know once you see it!!! You won't regret watching it!!!

3. 53 宫 Palace Beauty 宫姝 Clear Summer Xixi清夏兮兮Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted She dared not love too deeply, afraid it would all turn out to be nothing but a dream. She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, scheming every day to win the emperor's favor; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, with invisible blood staining her hands; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts. In the end, it was only what she had imagined. 8.4kReads9.2Score950Shelves

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   These four books are pure palace intrigue, incredibly captivating! [Admiration][Admiration] I've read them multiple times, and even those I don't want to read again, I'll reread them. The first book has four reincarnations, and every segment is absolutely fantastic—a must-read! The second one is set during the Yongzheng era, and it's the best of all the Yongzheng-era rebirth or time-travel novels I've read. The third one is very sweet, pure love, and the plot is perfectly nuanced. The fourth one has a fantastic palace intrigue plot; it's not a mindless script, super engaging, and the female lead is intelligent throughout. I've read it several times.

4. 54 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

   Watching period dramas is inexplicably more relaxing, plus they often have dramatic plots. I'm recommending my favorites to everyone, and I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do!

5. 55 九 Ninefold Brocade 九重锦 Evening Breeze Under the Moon月下晚风Ancient Romance715k WordsCompleted Household and palace intrigue, with the leads not both being each other's first. A fictional setting, with all ranks and titles made up. A heroine who grows over time and isn't blinded by love. After being suppressed for more than a decade, a concubine-born daughter has her fate rearranged overnight. Entering the prince's manor only fuels her ambition. Her birth father ignores her, allowing her stepmother to torment her and her mother for half their lives without ever offering them the slightest 33.5kReads9.3Score5.8kShelves

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   🔥🔥The female lead is meticulous and shrewd, scheming and calculating at every turn. She doesn't blindly rely on men, but uses her intelligence and decisiveness to successfully outmaneuver the male lead [smirk][smirk], ultimately reaching the highest position [admiration][admiration]

6. 56 锦 The Lucky Little Star: Her Prince Father Is Strong, Handsome, and Tragic 锦鲤小福星，王爷爹爹美强惨 Laimi Is a Kitty来米是只喵Ancient Romance675k WordsCompleted [Everyone’s favorite] [Blessed child] [Feel-good power fantasy] [Comeback] No one knew just how far the Prince of Yue’s household had fallen! Nothing went right wherever they went, they failed at everything they tried, and their bad luck clung to them like a curse. Then they picked up a three-year-old beggar, and it was as if they’d suddenly unlocked cheat mode. The economy boomed, and one stroke of good luck followed another. “Your Highness! His Majesty says your governance has been excellent a 24Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A lighthearted and captivating ancient romance novel, effortlessly crushing the power struggles within the household and palace! A handsome, strong, and tragic prince, plagued by misfortunes, finds a lucky charm named Xiaodou and completely turns his life around, with the entire household protecting him without any frustration.

7. 57 帝 The Emperor Has No Heart, Yet His Cool and Elegant Noble Consort Has Her Ways 帝本无心，怎奈清冷贵妃手段高 My Cat Is Called Huabei我的猫叫花呗Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Cool, seductive fox beauty vs. a carefree, womanizing emperor] [The heroine is the true daughter, driven by revenge and ambition: a scheming beauty, sweet on the outside but ruthless within, and far from virtuous. This is an unconventional palace-intrigue story focused on winning hearts. The hero is not chaste. Later, he desperately tries to win her back. The overall tone is sweet, and the romance becomes one-on-one in the latter half.] Until the age of five, Changyu Jiao was the legitimate da 9.2kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

   Reader note

   Pure palace intrigue. The title sounds pretty average, right? The beginning was okay, but the ending made me cry so much my eyes were swollen the next day. The tragic beginning was ridiculous. Just because of that greedy and despicable fortune teller's words, how could he do that? How could he do that? His own mother broke his leg, he became a beggar, he hid under corpses for warmth in the cold winter, then he ended up in an opera troupe, and in the end, he was just used as a tool for revenge. He almost, just a little bit, didn't survive. The later entanglement with the emperor made me think it would have been better if he had just died. It was too heartbreaking.

8. 58 穿 Transmigrating into Empresses in the Palace: The Darkened Consort Hua Is Wild and Daring 穿越甄嬛传：黑化华妃又野又飒 Su Hanzhou苏寒舟Female-Channel Fanfiction775k WordsCompleted [Multiple characters know the plot + schemes to control the whole game + the emperor favors her alone in the later stages + clear-headed heroine with her wits about her] Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, had her powerful family backing her and was the emperor’s favorite among the six palaces. She could have dominated the harem and won it all, but her foolish obsession with love drove her to fight for favor and make enemies at every turn, ultimately costing her life. Her final words, “Your Majesty, you m 1.1kReads8.9Score119Shelves
9. 59 入 A Stand-In in the Palace? The Noble Consort Goes on a Killing Spree 入宫当替身？贵妃娘娘她杀疯了 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance221k WordsCompleted [Alternate-History Palace Intrigue + Fertility and Many Children + Scheming, Unhinged Villainess + Ensemble Cast in the Harem] Wan Yunsi had had enough of being a lowly concubine-born daughter whom anyone could bully and who never had enough to eat. So she took the initiative to scheme against the Wan family and her father, becoming the twin sister of her infertile legitimate-born elder sister and entering the palace as a consort. From the moment she stepped through the palace gates, Wan Yunsi k 43Reads8.4Score—Shelves
10. 60 累 I'm Exhausted! To Fool Him, I Pretend to Be Sweet and Innocent Every Day 累死！为了骗他，本宫日日装娇纯 Deer in the Deep Forest深林的鹿Ancient Romance455k WordsCompleted “If you want to win, you have to learn how to lose first.” Meng Xianxiang lost a life, and learned to struggle, to seize what she wanted, to scheme and plan, and to claw her way up. Looking back on her previous life, she had lived in a stable, eaten pig slop, served tea and emptied chamber pots, enduring abuse and humiliation at every turn. Each memory was a stab to the heart. Given another chance, she wants status and power, and a world where no one dares bully her again. Behind the palace’s re 3.5kReads9.2Score302Shelves

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    Investing in this stock is a sure win! [Shy]

11. 61 宫 A Palace Maid’s Daily Struggles 宫女奋斗日常 Phantom Beneath the Moon月下幻影Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ling Huan has skin as smooth as ice and looks like a goddess, yet she has no interest in power and thinks only of leaving the palace. In the end, neither she nor her child meets a good end. Given another chance, her goal is to raise her child well and become Empress Dowager herself. A palace-intrigue story with a strong female lead. The heroine is ruthless and clever. A thoroughly satisfying read. 6kReads9.2Score853Shelves

    Reader note

    Recommended for those who are good-looking and won't upset you.

12. 62 宫 Palace Rose 宫蔷 Off to Boil Wine with Green Plums青梅煮酒去Ancient Romance311k WordsOngoing Her grandfather said she could soar through the sky like a bird or swim through rivers, lakes, and seas like a fish. In short, she should be free, carefree, and happy. Her father said she was the apple of her family's eye, and that even after she married, her family would always be there to support her. The people said she was born into a noble family and later became a revered empress. Her grandfather and father had rendered great service to the country and its people, securing her a lifetime o 21Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is the Empress, clear-headed and self-possessed. The male lead is a pure emperor, possessing great talent and ambition. He has genuine feelings for the Empress, but this doesn't prevent him from favoring other concubines. It's somewhat similar to Li Shimin's feelings for Empress Zhangsun; the feelings are real, but so is his philandering. The other concubines also have their own distinct characteristics; there are no purely evil concubines, and the palace intrigue is all for the sake of their families and future prospects.

13. 63 娘 The Empress Is Otherworldly and Alluring: The Emperor's Exclusive Favorite 娘娘又仙又撩：陛下椒房独宠 Clouds Rise to the Ninth Heaven云出九霄Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted [Not a first-love-only pairing; the heroine is no saint; the emperor favors her exclusively in the middle and later stages; fluffy, brainless sweet romance; silly and lighthearted, read with caution] Everyone says that a highborn legitimate daughter who enters the palace is doomed to a bad end, but Pei Jinyan refuses to believe it. Besides, she was once the emperor’s favorite consort in her previous life. She simply ruined a winning hand through her own arrogance and capriciousness. She gave bir 7.6kReads9.2Score871Shelves
14. 64 青 The Childhood Sweetheart Consort Rises to Power, Her Goal Is to Become Empress Dowager! 青梅侧妃上位，目标是太后位！ Xiao Yan Wants to Get Rich小闫要暴富Ancient Romance593k WordsCompleted [Domestic scheming in the early stages, palace intrigue later; the leads are not both faithful~] [The heroine loves the hero but keeps her feelings in check, staying clear-headed and never obsessed. The hero cares for her, but as emperor he has to balance the court, and there will be no shortage of women around him. The heroine is special to him!] An unexpected imperial decree changed Jiang Qingyue from the Princess Consort of Prince Qing to his secondary consort overnight. The emperor’s favor a 4.6kReads8.3Score383Shelves
15. 65 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. 66 听 Rumor Has It the Noble Consort Alone Enjoys the Emperor's Favor in the Deep Palace 听说贵妃在深宫独得圣上恩宠 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance568k WordsCompleted When they were young and love stirred in his heart, he took her in. Once he held power, he had no choice but to hide her away. In the lonely inner palace, she waited quietly, day after day and year after year. For power and status, he feared nothing. He overcame every obstacle and held her close. Behind layer upon layer of palace gates and red walls, a dream within a dream awakened the lovers from their reverie. 8.9kReads9.0Score573Shelves
17. 67 帝 The Imperial Terrace's Charm: The Noble Consort Is Beautiful and Well-Behaved 帝台娇：贵妃娘娘她又美又乖 Mu Niannian慕年年Ancient Romance501k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + climbing the ranks and crushing the villains + doting romance. The male lead knows his own heart. He'll devote himself to her alone later on.] [The heroine rises through the ranks quickly at first, then more slowly later on.] [The heroine comes from a noble family, is the most beautiful woman in the harem, and already has two adorable children. The Emperor falls for her first and favors her from early on, before devoting himself to her alone in the middle and later parts.] By a 20.5kReads9.4Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    This movie made me cry so much! It's so good, the plot is tight and doesn't drag at all, it's absolutely fantastic, and every step the female lead takes is captivating! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up] Highly recommended! [Kissing emojis][Kissing emojis][Kissing emojis]

18. 68 贵 The Noble Consort Is Cool and Aloof, and the Emperor Yearns for Her Night After Night 贵妃清冷，圣上夜夜相思 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance448k WordsCompleted Shen Qinghe was in the bloom of youth when she entered the palace, where she weathered its intrigues for more than a decade. She had hoped to leave with a reward one day, or perhaps spend her whole life peacefully as a palace official. But then an order came down, and one day she unexpectedly became an imperial consort. She watched these women fight day after day, never expecting to become entangled in their schemes herself. Shen Qinghe could only sigh. He was the emperor, and she was a palac 13.1kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves
19. 69 冉 The Empress Ran 冉后 Nai Nai J奈奈JAncient Romance376k WordsCompleted Ran Hu was made a Jieyu concubine as soon as she entered the palace. On her very first day, she was summoned to the emperor’s bedchamber and granted the title of Chen, cherished like a rare treasure. Her peerless beauty and her younger brother’s illustrious military achievements as Marquis of Chang’an gave her the confidence to act as she pleased in the harem. The two souls who had come from a later age ultimately left a lasting mark on this strange world. 4.6kReads9.0Score473Shelves
20. 70 入 I Entered the Palace to Help My Sister Keep the Emperor’s Favor, but Became His Cherished Favorite 入宫替嫡姐固宠，却成皇上掌心宠 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she entered the palace and devoted herself to helping her legitimate elder sister keep the emperor’s favor. In the end, she died without a body to bury, abandoned by her family. Returning to the year of the imperial selection, Luo Shuran calculates her every move. Her breathtaking beauty is her only weapon. She sheds her youthful timidity and blossoms into a woman of captivating charm. One fleeting glimpse, like a fairy fallen from the heavens, catches the emperor’s eye. 6.1kReads9.3Score859Shelves
21. 71 妾 The Concubine’s Code of Conduct 妾室职业守则 Su Yun苏芸Ancient Romance638k WordsCompleted Ke Rong is a dedicated, third-rate actress who transmigrates and becomes a concubine in a prince’s household. The handsome, dashing prince provides her with food and lodging, occasionally shares her bed, and even pays her a monthly salary for doing nothing. She cannot quit this job and leave, and it would be hard to find another one if she did... Ke Rong decides that she must do her job as a “concubine” conscientiously and diligently, lest she get fired and lose the chance to live a leisurely, 716Reads8.3Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    I don't understand why this book, which is so well-written, doesn't have a high rating. I think it could be adapted into a TV series; it's so realistic. It's not exactly thrilling, but reality is full of disappointments. A concubine in a feudal dynasty, facing the rulers and their entire extended family, couldn't possibly have so much freedom. But at least the ending is good; the heroine gets her revenge. I especially love the later passage: "All my life I've longed to be cherished, carefully placed, and meticulously preserved. To be spared from fear, spared from suffering, spared from wandering aimlessly, spared from having no one to cling to. But that person, I know, I've always known, he will never come."

22. 72 重 Reborn in the Dragon Bed, the Beloved Consort Cries in the Emperor's Arms 重生在龙塌，宠妃抱着陛下哭 Staggering Along蹒跚行Ancient Romance461k WordsCompleted [A spoiled, sweetly obedient favorite consort VS a gentle, jade-like emperor who's sweet on the outside and ruthless within (they are not each other's first, but he dotes on her exclusively from the beginning to the end)] Jiang Shuyi's life as a favorite consort went smoothly for fifteen years. The emperor was gentle and benevolent, doting on her without restraint, and not a single woman in the harem dared challenge her. But she was blind to her own sister's treachery. In the end, her closest 100.7kReads9.2Score11.2kShelves
23. 73 娘 The Consort Is Coy and Alluring, and Has Her Sights Set on the Throne 娘娘又茶又媚，一心只想上位 Take Your Pikachu Away抱走你的皮卡丘Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Alternate history + pure palace intrigue + clear-eyed heroine who doesn’t love the emperor] Su Qingyao looks like a delicate beauty, but she is more clear-headed than anyone. In the imperial harem, all she wants is power. Before the emperor, she is the picture of understanding. “Your Majesty is my only support.” “With Your Majesty by my side, I have nothing to fear.” But what she is really thinking is: Thank goodness she made plans long ago. The man before her is the least reliable person of al 168Reads7.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel features a female protagonist who rises through pure palace intrigue in a purely domestic setting.

24. 74 外 The Concubine 外室 Fishing Around Again Today今天也摸鱼Ancient Romance349k WordsCompleted A sweet romance, devoted couple, one-on-one, no family or palace intrigue, simple and straightforward, no golden finger!!! Chun Xiao had all the food and comforts she could want in the modern world. She never expected to end up as a kept woman in ancient times, and her life was hellish from the start. Feeling the empty pockets that were cleaner than her face, she could only sigh and keep her head down for now! Once she saved enough money... then... 14.2kReads9.3Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is really good. The female lead is a time traveler, and the male and female leads are so sweet. The male lead is very gentle, and the female lead is also wonderful. The ending of the second book might not be as happy, but it's still good. The third book is also very good. I read it a long time ago, so I don't remember it a bit, but it's really good. Highly recommended!!!

25. 75 后 A Cheat-Code Life in the Imperial Harem 后宫开挂人生 The Silent Instant Noodles沉默的方便面Ancient Romance584k WordsCompleted In the novel, she is the Empress Dowager’s niece and the emperor’s highest-ranking Consort Shu, with a noble status and boundless favor. Yet in the end, she cannot escape the fate of a minor cannon-fodder character, and dies with hatred in her heart! Qian Qing from another world takes her place and carefully plots every step, winning the emperor’s love and matching wits with the novel’s heroine. She wants to see whether a mere illegitimate daughter of a marquis’s household can still rise to the 1.8kReads7.6Score110Shelves
26. 76 美 A Beauty Enters the Palace as a Substitute, Only to Draw the Princess’s Forceful Love 美人入宫为替身，引来公主强制爱 Tian Kong Zheng天空征Ancient Romance211k WordsOngoing [Substitute and Counter-Substitute] [Two Female Leads] [Ensemble Cast] [Harem Intrigue and Political Scheming] [Two Powerful Leads] [Bad Ending] [An aloof, alluring goddess-like consort VS a radiant eldest princess, cherished by all] [The leads are NOT each other's only partners!!! Read with caution] Before entering the palace, Jiang Shiwu wanted only to use others to kill her way to vengeance for her mother. After entering the palace, Jiang Shiwu discovered that her mother had once been hon —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    What a promising prospect! A female-friendly ensemble drama set in a palace intrigue, featuring a pure and innocent girl who looks down on the emperor, who is universally disliked. Who wouldn't love a lovable little girl like that? [Kissing emoji]

27. 77 皇 The Empress Is a Max-Level Palace Intriguer, Crushing Everyone 皇后满级宫斗，嘎嘎乱杀 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + infidelity + fictional setting + a resourceful, money-loving, beauty-loving, life-loving empress ✖️ emperor] In her previous life, Hua Shu was a lowly palace maid. She schemed her way to the top of the political ladder, only to be condemned by everyone and branded a wicked woman who brought ruin to the nation. When she opens her eyes again, she finds herself in the unfamiliar state of Chu, as an unloved empress who’s also being made a scapegoat. As if she’d put up with that! S 14.2kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    What exactly happened to make the Empress go from being out of favor to being the sole favorite? Come and find out!

28. 78 宫 The Heart of the Palace 宫心 Zhang Zhiyan张芷言Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted A sweeping tale of dynastic splendor, a palace crowned with layered eaves. Fame and fortune drift away like clouds and smoke; the world may look the same, but people have changed, and the past can never be relived. She was once lowborn and humble as dust, bowing and scraping, dependent on others for every breath. She was once fair as snow, radiant as brocade, dancing with graceful poise and captivating charm. They called it a gathering of beauties, a day of perfect splendor. But beneath it al 126Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These three are all super good, pure palace intrigue novels! [Laughs] You'll really regret it if you don't read them. Please ignore the title of the first one 😂

29. 79 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 118kReads9.5Score11.2kShelves
30. 80 娇 So Pure and Innocent as a White Lotus, How Could She Be Scheming to Seduce Him? 娇娇纯净似白莲，怎会心机引诱？ Melon Egg瓜蛋Ancient Romance536k WordsCompleted [A femme fatale schemes for power, leading the hero step by step into ruin.] Jiang Yueyao is ruthless and destined to become empress. She first meets the emperor at a palace banquet. She is the most favored concubine of a minister, and after a palace consort publicly humiliates her, she drops to her knees and pleads for mercy, looking heartbreakingly beautiful beneath the dazzling palace lanterns. She meets the emperor for the second time in the study at her residence. Frantically fleeing her hu 4kReads9.0Score425Shelves

    Reader note

    It just finished airing, and it was really good.

31. 81 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

    Except for the second book, all the others are finished. They're all 9 out of 10, featuring clear-headed, independent female protagonists who are all about strategy and intellect, devoid of emotion. Trust my judgment, my darlings. Each book has a different focus, but every single one is wonderful. [Heart emoji]

32. 82 后 The Imperial Harem: The Story of Consort Qin 后宫：勤妃传 Liang Yebai梁夜白Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Chen Wenxin is lazy and loves good food. After transmigrating into the Qing dynasty as a low-ranking palace maid, all she wants is to live a quiet, comfortable life doing nothing. But after one night serving the emperor, she discovers she is exactly his type! He even uncovers her secret laziness and gives her the title of Consort Qin! QAQ I feel like the emperor just hit me with a massive dose of sarcasm. I’m falling apart inside... Am I really going to have to embark on a life of bearing and ra 2.3kReads9.0Score279Shelves

    Reader note

    The emperor is merely a stepping stone on the path to becoming Empress Dowager; the female lead has 800 cunning schemes.

33. 83 宜 Yi Xiu Reborn: I Became the One He Could Never Forget 宜修重生：当我成了白月光 An Tangtang007安棠棠007Female-Channel Fanfiction1.1M WordsCompleted [Qing dynasty + palace intrigue + reborn + revenge + brainless wish fulfillment + a touch of sweet romance] Also known as: Reborn Yixiu: My Love, You Were Born to Be Loved; Yixiu Reborn: You Were Born to Be Loved; Yixiu Reborn: When I Became the White Moonlight Yixiu is reborn, back to the days before she entered the prince’s household. In this life, she will become Yin Zhen’s rightful primary wife, trample Ruoze underfoot, and beat Zhen Huan to a pulp! She will protect Honghui and become the ri 7.1kReads9.0Score698Shelves
34. 84 风 Willows in the Wind 风中柳 Yu Ling雨泠Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Ruthless heroine➕female-lead power fantasy➕light ensemble-style palace intrigue➕face-slapping and scum-bashing➕primarily focused on building her career] (Female lead is a virgin; male lead is not) Jiang Fu, the Jiang family’s fifteen-year-old illegitimate daughter, was lovely and graceful. Unfortunately, her stepmother was cruel and her father was heartless. As an illegitimate daughter, she had no say even in the marriage that mattered most to a woman. Her family could manipulate her as they p 2.1kReads8.8Score293Shelves

    Reader note

    Every female protagonist in these books is very clear-headed, possessing both resourcefulness and intelligence. The author's writing style is also excellent. Superb!

35. 85 甄 Empresses in the Palace: I'm Determined to Be This Empress Dowager 甄嬛传之这个太后我当定了 Typewriter No. 1打字机1号Female-Channel Fanfiction455k WordsCompleted [Clear-Eyed Heroine + Raising Three Children + Master of Drama + Winner of the Harem Wars] Alternate setting: An Lingrong is a concubine's daughter. Also known as: Empresses in the Palace: I'm Destined to Be the Empress Dowager! Su Qin was a D-list actress. By a twist of fate, she transmigrated into An Lingrong from Empresses in the Palace. Since she had transmigrated, why not outdo them all? 1. First goal: Take everyone else's path and leave them nowhere to go! What? The Wonderful Sound Lady? G 1.3kReads9.0Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The early episodes are filled with wit and strategy, and the character rises to power quickly. The low rating is unfair; it's a great read, full of palace intrigue. The protagonist manages to win over Mei Zhuang and cultivate relationships with Consort Jing and Consort Qi. Zhen Huan serves as a contrasting example; although her ending is tragic, it feels justified. Most of the plot points are different, and it's not filler at all. It feels genuinely well-written. I love it! A highly recommended read—you won't regret it! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

36. 86 宫 Palace Intrigue: Starting with Pretending to Be Innocent 宫斗，从装纯开始 Round Round Pig圆圆猪Ancient Romance385k WordsCompleted To give her sister a peaceful life, Xiao Wu, who lived under other people's roof, entered the palace selection. The palace gates opened onto a world of intrigue, but Xiao Wu had a clear goal. She would climb, one step at a time, all the way to the top. She would climb until no one could bully her and her sister! When Bei Chen Yue first met Xiao Wu, he thought she was delicate and soft, someone who looked easy to bully... He figured he might as well give her a title and keep her by his side. Who 686Reads8.6Score107Shelves
37. 87 重 Reborn! A Son Makes the Father Noble, and Fourth Master Lifts Her to the Empress's Seat 重生！父凭子贵，四爷巴巴捧后位 Happy StellaLou快乐星黛露Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Palace Intrigue and Political Scheming + Cunning Little One] (Not a chaste romance. The heroine is the sole favorite from the middle onward. Read with care if this bothers you.) Heaven took pity on her. Reborn, Yijun returned to the day she gave birth to Honghui and swore she would protect the child who had died young. But who could have guessed that the icy Fourth Prince from her previous life would become captivated by the tenderness and liveliness in Yiju 6.4kReads9.4Score492Shelves
38. 88 系 System: Power Over the Court 系统之权倾朝野 Wind Follows the Flowing Robes拂衣来风Ancient Romance338k WordsOngoing (System + strong heroine + no moral limits + invincible in the later chapters + palace intrigue and power struggles) Fu Xiaolian spent over a decade struggling her way through the entertainment industry and finally became a Best Actress. On her way to the awards ceremony, she died in a plane crash. She transmigrated to ancient times and was forcibly bound to an unknown creature claiming to be a Palace Intrigue System. Fu Xiaolian had no choice but to embark on the treacherous path of palace intr 51Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In my opinion, both the first and last books are very good. The first book is similar to what you requested—pure palace intrigue—and fits the theme. The first room in the last book, however, is a refreshing and engaging palace intrigue story.

39. 89 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
40. 90 快 Quick Transmigration: Conquest of the Villain, the Wicked Woman Uses Her Beauty to Get Her Way 快穿：攻略反派，恶女恃美行凶 Shang Buyu商不予卿Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [No CP, powerful and wickedly charming schemer, male characters suffer, attracts both men and women] Sheng Wu, the Ghost King imprisoned in the Abyss of Ten Thousand Ghosts, was vicious and cruel. She wielded a fan made from a beauty’s bones and played a game of wits with the Heavenly Dao. She’d been content to lie flat, bullying evil spirits and enjoying an easy life, when an Evil Woman Redemption System suddenly showed up, offering to help her complete missions and then reincarnate as a human. 1.6kReads8.9Score162Shelves
41. 91 掌 The Apple of His Eye 掌上明珠 Wei Xiaoqi未小七Ancient Romance592k WordsCompleted Jiang Mingzhu was born into a family of military commanders, but after falling in love with the son of a chancellor from a scholarly family, she forced herself to become the very model of a virtuous, refined woman. But being virtuous and refined brought her no happy ending. She didn't even know how she died. When she opened her eyes again, she had become the heaven-blessed Princess Anle. Still, life as a heaven-blessed young woman wasn't all that easy. Would her widowed sister-in-law stop at not 415Reads7.6Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    All of them are super good and the writing is great.

42. 92 岁 Years in the Palace 岁岁宫阙 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance706k WordsCompleted Liu Yuetang was sent to a country estate by her legitimate mother the day she was born. When she came of age, her older half-sister gave up her chance to enter the palace because of a dream, stole her match, and spent the night with her betrothed. Liu Yuetang went along with it and decided to enter the palace to carve out a bright future for herself. Once inside, she kept a low profile, learned the arts of the bedchamber, and mastered the art of playing hard to get, pouting coquettishly, and put 10.9kReads8.9Score1.4kShelves
43. 93 替 After Entering the Palace in Her Sister's Place, the Young Mistress Rises Through the Ranks 替姐入宫后，小主她一路高升 Zhizhi Rice Loves Zhizhi吱吱米喜欢吱吱Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong Male Lead and Strong Female Lead + Favored Consort + Palace Intrigue + Adorable Baby + Sole Devotion + Childbirth] (The early story leans toward palace intrigue, with the heroine putting on an act and scheming against the hero. Later, their feelings erupt, and he devotes himself to her alone.) After transmigrating, she becomes an illegitimate daughter of the Su family. Her birth mother died young, her father shows her no affection, and her stepmother is cruel. A complete nobody at home, 2.9kReads9.0Score332Shelves
44. 94 清 Secret Records of the Qing Palace: The Tale of Qingrong 清宫秘录·倾容传 Salmon三文鱼Ancient Romance799k WordsCompleted In the power struggles of the Shunzhi Dynasty, Qing Rong should have been a mere bystander. But when she became Aisin Gioro Qing Rong, she was destined to be swept up in the storm. A hundred years passed in a flash. Looking back, Qing Rong could no longer tell love from hate, untangle old grudges, or make sense of her vengeance. Her life could only end in sorrow. 16Reads6.1Score—Shelves
45. 95 傲 The Haughty Empress's Concubine Conquest 傲娇娘娘的宠妃攻略 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance437k WordsCompleted Palace intrigue + historical romance + not mutually chaste + marriage first, love later She is the general’s younger sister, with an excellent family background and beauty to match. After she transmigrates, she wakes up caught in the schemes and betrayals of the imperial palace. To protect herself, she resolves to become the emperor’s favorite consort. When they first meet, he tells her, “I will never like a woman like you in this life.” Gu Qingyan successfully presents herself as somewhat 1.6kReads8.9Score138Shelves
46. 96 我 The Tyrant and I Are Head Over Heels for Each Other 我和暴君相亲相爱 Bai Ze白泽Ancient Romance489k WordsCompleted Yin Yingying was trapped inside the plot of a novel after leaving a scathing review and cursing up a storm. Her mission was to win over the villainous tyrant and earn the honor of having three thousand beauties in his harem and all his love for herself. Only then could she escape. But… On her first attempt, she became a charming, winsome palace maid. With three parts anticipation, three parts shyness, and seven parts heart-melting vulnerability, she threw herself into his arms. He remained expre 155Reads8.5Score—Shelves
47. 97 离 Li Huang (Complete in Three Volumes) 离凰（全三册） Yi Lan Ni Chang猗兰霓裳Ancient Romance777k WordsCompleted The pinnacle of harem fiction by the beautiful author Yi Lan Nishang! A match for Empresses in the Palace and Scarlet Heart A tale of tumultuous love and hatred within the palace walls Liu Lianzi, author of Empresses in the Palace, has written a heartfelt foreword He is a young emperor who ascended the throne as a child, a master of both letters and arms, revered by all beneath heaven. Caught in court intrigues, he is forced into marriage. She is the daughter of a powerful prime minister, blesse 6.2kReads9.3Score1kShelves
48. 98 清 Qing Transmigration: After Raising Yongzheng, She Became the Winner of the Harem 清穿：抚养雍正后她成了后宫赢家 Yu Zhiwei予之微Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted When she opened her eyes, she had become an utterly ordinary concubine in the Kangxi Emperor’s court. The one unusual thing was that she had a prince as soon as she transmigrated. With no status, no favor, and only a child to rely on, how could she survive in the murderous imperial harem? There is no decisive heroine obsessed with power, nor any sweet romance. This is simply a story about surviving and raising a child, with the goal of becoming a dowager consort and enjoying retirement. But 13.5kReads8.9Score1kShelves
49. 99 朕 The Emperor Finds His Consort Alluring; I Find His Majesty a Jerk 朕见贵妃多妩媚，妾见皇上甚是渣 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance458k WordsCompleted [No transmigration or rebirth] [Pure palace intrigue] [The heroine never falls in love] Jinyue, the legitimate eldest daughter of a general's household, is chosen in a selection for the imperial harem. The Empress appoints her as a spy and marries her off to the Crown Prince as a secondary consort. The moment she enters the Eastern Palace, she understands that she and Zhongli Jin are bound only by mutual interest. There can never be the slightest affection between them. After sixteen years in th 2.5kReads9.0Score239Shelves
50. 100 清 Qing Transmigration: The Fourth Prince's Body Is Coveted 清穿：四阿哥他的肉体被觊觎了 Big Cigar大雪茄Ancient Romance209k WordsCompleted The straightforward Fourth Prince runs into a palace maid who doesn't know when to quit. Before he knows it, he's become a turtle in her pot, And one that spits out gold coins, too. Simply put, this is the story of a palace maid's rise to power. 22Reads—Score—Shelves

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