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. 101 祝 Wishing You Peace and Prosperity Year After Year 祝卿岁岁荣安 Chen Xiaofan Who Loves Yellow Heart Greens喜欢黄心菜的陈小凡Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted Before her birth mother died, she pointed at Zhu Qing'an in front of everyone and cursed her for bringing misfortune to her six relatives. She ordered Zhu Qing'an to keep vigil for her for three months after her death, then shave her head and become a nun at Jingyun Convent, never to leave the convent or return to secular life. So three months after her birth mother’s death, Zhu Qing'an ceased to exist. At Jingyun Convent, a young nun named Jingchen struggled to survive in this world. Given anot 2.4kReads8.9Score220Shelves

   Reader note

   It's finished and available to read.

2. 102 母 Mother of the Nation? No, I Want to Rule the World! 母仪天下？不，我要权倾天下！ Dreams, How Many?梦几何Ancient Romance986k WordsOngoing [Alternate-World Palace Intrigue + No Romance + Raising Children + Never Falls for the Emperor] Content warning: The male lead is not chaste. Palace intrigue runs throughout, and the emperor never favors just one consort. After a car accident, Chu Ningzhi was pulled into the alternate world of Great Zhou. She had to become Empress Dowager to survive. To stay alive, she entered the palace through the selection and gave birth to a child. She planned every move carefully and defeated all her enemie 179Reads8.8Score—Shelves
3. 103 快 Quick Transmigration: A Max-Level Expert Stumbles Into a Palace Intrigue Set 快穿，满级大佬误入宫斗片场 Tianyang Peak, Who Loves Handmade Wheat Dumplings爱吃手工麦饺的天阳峰Ancient Romance580k WordsCompleted Synopsis: Ever since 18888 was bound to its Host, it had felt that something wasn't quite right. But when it saw its Host looking like a delicate, weak beauty, it relaxed. Until... For its first mission, it had to win the emperor's favor. 18888 was very pleased with itself for snagging a palace-intrigue template. This would be a piece of cake. Who could have guessed that, in the great hall, a sinister wind would blow as the emperor and his ministers trembled in fear? Enter Ling Xiao, the emperor 20kReads9.2Score1.5kShelves
4. 104 不 If I’m Not Going to Fight for the Emperor’s Favor, Why Enter the Palace? 不宫斗，进宫干嘛？ Storyteller from Shu蜀中说书人Ancient Romance309k WordsCompleted [Black Lotus Heroine | Not Love-Brained | Palace Intrigue | Heroine Rises to Power | Male Lead Is Not Chaste (The Emperor Is Not Chaste) | Harem | No Good People] Without power or influence, she presents herself as a delicate flower that clings to others. On the surface, she is weak and harmless, devoted to the emperor. Beneath that, she is meticulous and deeply calculating. She does not covet the emperor's love. Instead, she uses her “devotion” as bait to lure him into her trap. Lady Shu is so 5.3kReads8.7Score599Shelves

   Reader note

   This is a self-proclaimed palace intrigue story. It doesn't feature two virgins or exclusive favor. The female lead is a seemingly innocent but actually docile character for the first thirty-odd chapters, but later transforms into a ruthless and man-eating force. She's capable of harming others and vying for power; she's driven by ambition and a desire to reach the top. She has no emotions, only lust.

5. 105 好 What a Virtuous Empress 好一位贤德皇后 Head of Zaolin Street枣林街长Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The comic adaptation, "What a Virtuous Empress," is now online! The virtuous empress An Linzhao is reborn. She sheds her mask of virtue and goodness, planning every move as she sends her enemies to hell one by one. In her previous life, An Linzhao strictly followed the rules for women, remaining virtuous and good as she helped her husband ascend the throne and become empress. She urged the emperor to govern diligently and kept the harem in check, only to face growing resentment. In the end, an e 194.9kReads9.0Score32.1kShelves

   Reader note

   Just kidding, the only downside to this book is that it's not finished yet. The loveless female lead is awesome.

6. 106 我 My Sister Is the Emperor’s Favorite Consort 我姐姐是后宫宠妃 Only Eats Three Bowls只吃三碗Historical832k WordsCompleted [Comedy + fictional setting + one heroine + little romance + heroine appears late] Ji Jinxiao, the only younger brother of Consort Ji, the emperor's favorite, was notorious in the capital for being a playboy. The court officials roared: “Ji Jinxiao has no regard for the law, disrespects his elders, neglects his studies, and exploits the people for profit!” Having just hidden away a chest of treasures her younger brother had given her as bribes, Consort Ji burst into tears and secretly pinched h 13.4kReads8.8Score1.2kShelves
7. 107 穿 Reborn as the Empress Dowager, I Just Want to Take It Easy 穿成太后只想咸鱼 Fei Xi妃玺Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted “Pay attention: this is a story with a strong female lead, no male lead, and no romance.” After transmigrating, she became the most exalted woman in Yun Zhao. She thought she could live a carefree life of wealth and luxury, but danger closed in from every side, with pitfalls everywhere. It was not just her reputation at stake, but her life. The emperor dreams of ruling in his own right? Here, take the imperial seal. Go play by yourself, kid! The consorts are fighting for power in the palace? Tos 15.3kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves
8. 108 庶 The Enchanting Concubine: The System Insists I Become Beautiful and Win the Emperor’s Favor 庶女娇妩：系统非要我变美当皇后 Anna lloollaa安娜lloollaaAncient Romance312k WordsCompleted [System + Harem Intrigue + Beauty Makeover + The Powerful Man Bows His Head + HE + Male Lead Goes Mad with Love] [Not a pure relationship on both sides; favored early on, exclusively doted on later, 1v1] On the eve of the imperial selection, Shen Niaoniao, a concubine-born daughter, was threatened by her stepmother into entering the palace to help her legitimate sister secure the emperor’s favor. For her mother’s sake, she was willing to be a pawn, but she accidentally uncovered her sister’s pl 8.8kReads8.4Score1.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The author himself is recommending this book! It's a palace intrigue story, featuring a system that makes you beautiful, and the powerful falling from grace. Those interested can check it out, and reviews are welcome!

9. 109 惊 What! The Fourteenth Prince's Consort Opens a Supermarket Chain in the Qing Dynasty 惊！十四福晋在大清开连锁超市了 Handheld Scallion Pancake手抓葱油饼Ancient Romance648k WordsCompleted [Qing Dynasty transmigration + strong heroine + groveling husband + brainless feel-good power fantasy] After Ming Yue transmigrates into the Qing Dynasty and becomes Wan Yan Ming Yue, the fourteenth wife of Yin Zhen, her goal in life is clear: love can take its time, but money has to be made while the opportunity lasts. She won't lose sleep over a man, only over money. Scene 1: Her mother-in-law, Consort De: “Ming Yue, a woman should put her husband first and be virtuous and gentle. How can you 328Reads7.6Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This is a movie I watched recently. It's not a virgin story, and the female lead is very rational (not love-struck, she doesn't have romantic feelings for the male lead, only familial ones, because she has a son). I prefer this kind of story; it's a bit more realistic and not too fake.

10. 110 娘 Her Grace Is Cool and Gentle, and Everyone Loves Her 娘娘她清冷温柔惹人爱 Yue Xiao悦肖Ancient Romance404k WordsCompleted A pure palace-intrigue story, in classical style. No transmigration, no rebirth. The fate of a noblewoman has never been hers to decide. She is Yun Wan, the Chancellor's only legitimate daughter. Her destiny was set from birth: everything she learned was solely to prepare her to enter the palace. Would she willingly enter the palace and fade into obscurity, becoming a pawn the emperor could use to keep the Yun family in check? Or would she carefully maneuver her way into becoming the favorite co 1.4kReads8.4Score118Shelves

    Reader note

    The number one complete palace intrigue novel, everyone's intelligence is online.

11. 111 清 Qing Transmigration: The Noble Consort Takes Down Consort De and Becomes Empress Dowager 清穿：贵妃娘娘她灭了德妃成太后 My Feelings for You卿我意Ancient Romance873k WordsCompleted [Child-rearing (not self-sacrificing; willing to go after her mother, but never schemes against children) + Harem intrigue] After transmigrating into the Qing Dynasty as Noble Consort Tongjia during the reign of Kangxi, Ruirui's first thought was to go find that poor child... Ruirui didn't like the Qing Dynasty. But if she had to choose one person in all of Great Qing, it would be the Fourth Prince, later the Yongzheng Emperor. Not because she liked him, but because she felt for him. She felt fo 14.6kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves
12. 112 亡 The Fallen Princess: A Sea of Love and Hatred 亡国公主：情天恨海 Mu Yan Bingxin木焱冰欣Ancient Romance1.2M WordsOngoing A kingdom falls, a family is destroyed, and a treasured pearl is cast into the dust. Years in the imperial palace, a lifetime tangled in love and hate. A fleeting moment of tenderness and the bonds of their child cannot erase a blood feud. She is a princess of a fallen kingdom, biding her time as she struggles between revenge, the people, and the fate of her former dynasty. He is an emperor who rules the land, with the realm always taking precedence over love. Imprisoned in the palace and subjec 2.4kReads8.4Score141Shelves
13. 113 大 The Madam Only Wants to Lie Flat 大娘子只想躺平 Sheng Mian盛眠Ancient Romance721k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + everyday life + transmigrating into a book + the steady, gradual progress of a woman in her thirties living in ancient times] After transmigrating into a book as a marquis’s daughter-in-law, she finds herself middle-aged, with elders to care for and children to raise. Her mother-in-law dislikes her, her cold husband is alive but as good as dead, and she never sees him. His concubine keeps making a fuss to get attention, while her three biological children are cl 11.2kReads9.0Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all very good palace intrigue dramas, neither of them feature two virgins nor exclusive love.

14. 114 穿 The Daily Life of a Laid-Back Concubine After Transmigrating 穿越之闲鱼妾室的日常 Tian Nanxing Nan天南星南Ancient Romance480k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + household and palace intrigue + no golden finger + devoted love later on] Zhang Xinian transmigrated into the body of a concubine in Prince Jing’s household. Above her was the princess consort, backed by powerful connections and ruthless in her methods. Beside her was a brainless side consort with overwhelming fighting prowess. Below her, a reborn woman and a transmigrated woman were locked in fierce competition. Zhang Xinian trembled with fear. She had no golden finger and did 104.7kReads9.4Score12.2kShelves
15. 115 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 115.1kReads9.6Score16.6kShelves

    Reader note

    A palace intrigue story about slaying a dragon—the ultimate goal is to slay the dragon and become the Empress Dowager. The female lead is a successful businesswoman, clear-headed, resourceful, and incredibly resilient. The male lead is a real eunuch, creating a captivating and quirky couple who work together to achieve great things. The plot is fast-paced and incredibly engaging—highly recommended!

16. 116 清 The Qing Palace's Favored Consort, Jueluo Clan 清宫宠妃觉尔察氏 Nuan Xiao Bai暖晓白Ancient Romance501k WordsCompleted There’s a pocket dimension. (Not pure wish fulfillment. The heroine is favored, but not the only one.) Wu Na lived to a ripe old age in her previous life, bringing her working life to an end. She happily arrived in the underworld, hoping to be reborn into a wealthy family this time. Thinking about all the wonderful things her next life might bring, she walked toward the Bridge of Helplessness with her head down. She didn’t notice the brief, dazed look on Granny Meng’s face when she saw the glow 6.4kReads8.3Score374Shelves

    Reader note

    These three books are about palace intrigue.

17. 117 我 My Years as a Benevolent Mother in the Qing Palace 我在清宫做圣母的那些年 Tsukimino E月见里绘Female-Channel Fanfiction2.5M WordsOngoing [A vengeful ghost from a mass grave × a scheming palace-conquering beauty × a golden finger bigger than the sky] Shanyue, a ghost from a mass grave, is reborn in the worlds of Empresses in the Palace and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace as a “living bodhisattva,” carrying a body full of resentment. Save the consorts? Soothe the children? She turns the consorts against one another and uses others to assassinate royal heirs. Beneath the compassionate guise of Guanyin lurks a demon from the depths o 31.3kReads8.7Score1.3kShelves
18. 118 小 The Palace Maid Is Soft and Sweet, and the Emperor Cherishes Her 小宫女又软又娇，皇上宠她入骨 Silver Charm银娇Ancient Romance530k WordsCompleted [HE; a cold, powerful emperor VS a carefree little palace maid, not both virgins] A Zhi grew up in the palace and knew all its twists and turns. Her goal was clear: eat well and wait to die! Who could have guessed that one day, while delivering a meal, she would catch the emperor’s eye? Terrified, A Zhi packed her little bundle that very night, determined to make a run for it at dawn! But before she could get away, she and her pitifully small bundle were sent straight to Taihe Palace. Only after 20.8kReads9.2Score2.1kShelves
19. 119 惊 A Stunning Misstep: Chun Yuan Returns to Turn the World Upside Down 惊鸿舛：纯元归来覆乾坤 Warm Light from Nine Branches九枝灯暖Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Ulanara Chun Yuan was cruelly poisoned by someone dear to her. She had given her heart with complete sincerity, only to die consumed by resentment. Reborn, Chun Yuan returns to the time before her marriage, determined to rewrite her fate. Drawing on the bitter lessons of her previous life and her natural intelligence, Chun Yuan marries into the prince's household and becomes his principal wife. She rises steadily to the pinnacle of power in the imperial harem and becomes th 33Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Do you remember the Empress Chun Yuan from "Empresses in the Palace," who never actually appeared in the story? The Empress Chun Yuan, the emperor's eternal white moonlight? The elder sister of Chun Yuan, whom Empress Yi Xiu used to protect herself? Empress Chun Yuan has been reborn! How will the reborn Chun Yuan change her destiny? And how will she alter the landscape of the harem? Let's find out!

20. 120 娇 The Pretty Palace Maid's Step-by-Step Rise to Empress 娇娇宫女，步步为后 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance574k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue / not both partners’ first time / devoted love in the later story / not a strong heroine; the female lead cries easily and isn’t particularly clever, so don’t expect too much!] After three years in the palace, Yue Li has worked carefully and waited for a chance at promotion. Just before she is promoted, a palace maid sharing her room is sentenced to death for offending a consort. Thunder crashes and rain pours that night as blood spatters everywhere. Terrified, Yue Li cannot sle 25.1kReads9.3Score12.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist, Yue Li, was originally a lowly palace maid who only wanted a peaceful life outside the palace. Her fate changed drastically after she unexpectedly stumbled into the Emperor's arms. After entering the palace, she faced constant strife and conflict, including the (diāonán, making things difficult) from Consort Ru, and the covert struggles between the Imperial Concubine and the Empress. From the bloody opening scene of a palace maid being flogged to the fierce confrontations in the Imperial Garden, the plot is full of twists and turns. Although the protagonist isn't exceptionally intelligent, she strives to survive in the deep palace. This story follows a small person's rise to power in the harem, experiencing the thrill of palace intrigue.

21. 121 蛇 The Viperous Favorite Consort: Scheming Her Way to Rule as Empress Dowager 蛇蝎宠妃心机深，垂帘听政做太后 It's Xinxin是欣欣呦Ancient Romance497k WordsCompleted [Content warning! The female lead is a wholly evil villain, cruel and scheming, and will stop at nothing to climb to the top.] “[Don't randomly bring up women competing against women. This is a palace-intrigue story!! The harem is a workplace, and the imperial consorts are all rivals!]” Bu Xingruo was the most favored consort in the palace. In her previous life, she let the Emperor's favor go to her head, throwing her weight around and acting arrogantly in the harem. Lost in the Emperor's fleeti 658Reads8.6Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    ❤️The first book, with only 360,000 words, already has a 7.8 Rating. It portrays a truly vicious protagonist who, despite failing in palace intrigue in her previous life, is reborn and still chooses the vicious path because she believes her failure stemmed from her incomplete wickedness. She abandons all love and compassion, her eyes fixed solely on the most alluring thing in the world: power!

22. 122 贤 The Worthy Consort Is Still Taking It Easy Today 贤妃今天也在咸鱼 Misty Clear Melody渺渺清音Ancient Romance625k WordsCompleted In the harem of Emperor Chenyuan of the Great Jin, there is a dignified and gentle empress, a charming and lovely Noble Consort, a peerlessly beautiful Consort Li, and a clever, kindhearted Consort Hui. Talented women abound, and the competition is fierce. Han Shuyi looks left and right, but can't find a niche for herself as Worthy Consort. Oh, well. Competing for favor now and then while choosing to lie flat the rest of the time: that's the real truth of life in the harem. * As emperor, Meng Ti 21.5kReads8.2Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    Recommended! The female lead is reincarnated, and all three of her children are reborn. It's decently watchable. Those who enjoy palace intrigue might want to give it a try.

23. 123 综 Film and TV Crossover: My Desperate Comeback in Empresses in the Palace 综影视：我在甄嬛传里极限翻身 Plum Blossoms Have No Fragrance梅花不香Female-Channel Fanfiction142k WordsCompleted Empresses in the Palace fan fiction This story moves at a fast pace and vilifies Zhen Huan and others. The heroine is no good person: she's a pure villain, ruthless and cruel, with the petty mindset of someone who can't stand to see others happy. The story starts in the middle and focuses on plot twists. If that's not your thing, don't click. 4.5kReads8.2Score293Shelves

    Reader note

    This is pure, action-packed fun; the protagonist transmigrates to the very end and suddenly turns the tables on the emperor. It's pure palace intrigue with absolutely no love for the emperor.

24. 124 穿 After I Transmigrated, I Became the Frail Moonlight of the Entire Imperial Harem 穿越后我成了全后宫的病弱白月光 Si Qian and Porridge司千和粥Ancient Romance379k WordsCompleted Rising star Wan Lai'er transmigrates overnight and becomes Wan Jiaojiao, a palace lady who died just after entering the imperial palace of the Great Jin dynasty. With her “bounce back from the brink, refill the mana bar” skill, Wan Jiaojiao isn't afraid of a thing. As long as she's still breathing, she can't die. What?! The horse beside the Empress Dowager has bolted? Wan Jiaojiao says, “Leave it to me!” The Empress Dowager declares, “Jiaojiao saved my life. I want to see who in the harem dares 2.7kReads9.3Score403Shelves
25. 125 朱 Zhu Yixiu Is Reborn in Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace and Slaughters Her Way Through the Harem 朱宜修重生如懿传，一手杀穿后宫 Su Xue粟雪Female-Channel Fanfiction516k WordsCompleted Zhu Yixiu is reborn into Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace. She abandons her slender brows, cares for her jade-like fingers, and transforms her appearance. She gains the eldest son as well as the legitimate son, and takes complete control of the harem, without a rival in sight. (1. My longtime readers know I like the character Yixiu, and that most of my spin-off stories feature original plots instead of following the source material. 2. I only watched the original Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace o 1.1kReads8.6Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    Zhu Yixiu from *The Legend of Zhen Huan* transmigrates into Qingying from *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace*! She ruthlessly eliminates all rivals! Zhu Yixiu is intelligent, perceptive, cautious, skilled in acting, adept at using people, knowledgeable in pharmacology, capable, and resourceful. After transmigrating into Qingying's body, it's like a queen mistakenly entering a bronze-level game—she digs traps everywhere, yet wins every single time. It's so satisfying to watch! The child resembles both Zhu Yixiu's eldest prince and her son Honghui, which somewhat fills the void in their hearts. Moreover, they share a common goal. With two queens joining forces, conquering the dragon and ascending to the throne will be a piece of cake! Looking forward to it!

26. 126 穿 The Transmigrated Woman’s Legendary Path to Becoming Empress 穿越女之皇后的传奇之路 Loves Dried Fruit爱吃果干Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Empress Ye of the Great Zhou's Zhaohua era was Emperor Jinghe's second empress and the mother of Emperor Yuanshun. Ye Zhaoning was the second legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo. From birth, she possessed memories of another life. As the second daughter, she was often overlooked and was not especially cherished by her parents, but she got along well with her sisters. When she was ten, her parents were posted away to serve as officials, and she was entrusted to her maternal grandfather, wh 1.3kReads7.2Score158Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all palace intrigue and power struggle novels, featuring highly intelligent characters, strong couples, and satisfying reads that get better with each chapter. Not only are the main characters great, but the supporting characters are also excellent. The plots are rich, the characters are well-developed, and they're definitely worth rereading. [Smirk]

27. 127 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter Becomes Empress, and I Rule the Harem 嫡女为后，后宫我说了算 Pikachu Loves Apples皮卡丘爱吃苹果Ancient Romance461k WordsCompleted [Young married couple, perfect teamwork, both incredibly capable] (Not an exclusive pairing, includes a harem, so proceed with caution if that bothers you. Alternate-history setting.) One is the niece of the emperor’s favorite consort; the other is the legitimate son of the empress, who has fallen out of favor. An imperial decree of marriage binds Lin Tingwan, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household, to the Crown Prince, Li Yanlian. From then on, they share one fate, for better 5.9kReads8.8Score730Shelves
28. 128 嫔 Life as a Consort: I’m Surprisingly Good at Slacking Off 嫔妃这职业，摆烂的我竟驾轻就熟 Qin Xiaoxu勤晓徐Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted Office drone Tao Yanyan transmigrates into the body of Tao Yanyan, the lowest-ranking concubine in an ancient emperor’s harem. Surrounded by women of higher rank, she has no choice but to tread carefully and survive to the end. Competing for the emperor’s favor? Not a chance. Keeping her head down is the way to go. What? The emperor is super handsome? But he’s in love with everyone! What? Without the emperor’s favor, she won’t live to old age? What? You’re the lowest-ranking concubine and you’re 5.5kReads8.3Score561Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist knew that the emperor could not be just her emperor, so she did not strongly insist on a lifelong monogamous relationship. She lived a quiet life in the deep palace, raising her child, earning money, eating and drinking well, taking revenge for her enemies, and not vying for the emperor's favor.

29. 129 从 From Palace Maid to Imperial Consort: Her Majesty Is on a Killing Spree 从宫女到贵妃，娘娘她杀疯了 Yu Yidao俞一刀Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted It’s bad enough that she’s transmigrated into a palace laundry maid. Who knew a eunuch would take a fancy to her, too? Jiang Zhiyi decides that lying low in the palace is out of the question. She’ll just have to climb the ladder to success. When a eunuch lusts after her, she sends him to his grave. When the concubines vie for favor, she’ll stop at nothing. Jiang Zhiyi knows the imperial harem is a cutthroat workplace where only the capable survive. The palace is full of deceit and intrigue, 6kReads8.8Score587Shelves
30. 130 却 Yet You Betrayed the Spring's Grace 却负春恩 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Print edition now available. Search for Ascending to the Clouds on any platform to buy] [Original titles: Ascending to the Clouds / Loathing the Vermilion Walls] [High-IQ Palace Intrigue + Pure-Hatred Heroine + No Disposable Characters] [No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger] [The blurb doesn’t do it justice. Please go read the story] How do you become an emperor’s favorite concubine? A prestigious family? A good education? A gentle, respectful, modest, and accommodating nature? Unfor 25.8kReads9.2Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Both books are by the same author and are exceptionally well-written. The plots are always unexpected, especially "Ascending to the Clouds," which is full of twists and turns. Highly recommended.

31. 131 庶 The Concubine's Rise: From Palace Maid to Noble Consort 庶女嫡谋：从采女到贵妃的逆袭之路 Willow in the Breeze风柳依依Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Rebirth + palace intrigue + political scheming + satisfying revenge] In her previous life, He Ruoshui was forced by her legitimate elder sister to enter the palace as her maid, only to meet a tragic end. Reborn, He Ruoshui decides to enter the palace under a different identity. Why not become the emperor's favorite consort? It took He Ruoshui ten long years to rise from a low-ranking palace woman to the most prestigious consort in the empire. 80Reads5.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a pure palace intrigue rebirth novel with a strong female lead who is career-driven, clear-headed throughout, and not prone to being swayed by romance. She levels up by defeating various obstacles, but it's not all smooth sailing; she'll encounter her share of setbacks. It's one of the better palace intrigue novels I've read, and I recommend it to you!

32. 132 公 The Princess Is Stunning and Clear-Headed, but the King Pursues Her Day and Night 公主绝美清醒，大王日夜纠缠 Yao Yang遥飏Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted Neither the hero nor the heroine is a good person. Marriage first, love later; she tempts him; both are chaste; size difference; the hero is a hopeless romantic; romantic tension early on; a powerful heroine and political intrigue in the middle and later parts. More serious than a mindless feel-good story. Purely fictional ancient setting. Please don’t overanalyze. Liu Chuying is the ninth princess of Beixiang. While the other princesses study the Four Books and Five Classics, her mother teache 2kReads8.9Score194Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue, with no genuine feelings for the emperor—this is incredibly clear and skillfully handled. The plot is full of twists and turns, making it extremely enjoyable.

33. 133 逞 Indulging 逞娇 Yuan Yuan原瑗Ancient Romance683k WordsCompleted [Rugged Hero and Sweetheart, A Princess's Devoted Suitor] [Marriage First, Love Later, One True Pairing, Sweet Romance] As the most honored princess of the Great Yi Dynasty, Pei Heyu was raised from birth in a world of wealth and luxury. When she grew up, she associated only with princes, nobles, and members of eminent families. Those young ladies and gentlemen all came from households of immense wealth, dressed in bejeweled finery. They drank Mingqian Longjing tea worth a fortune, ate tribute p 11.7kReads8.9Score1.1kShelves
34. 134 皇 The Empress Leaped to Her Death, and the Mad Tyrant Wept Until His Eyes Were Red 皇后纵身一跃，疯批暴君哭红了眼 Huang Dandan黄蛋蛋Ancient Romance635k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, devoted couple + palace intrigue + regretful pursuit, clear-headed heroine, everyone's unattainable ideal] Meng Tang is a gracious, gentle empress who never competes for favor. Everyone thinks she is a true white lotus standing tall in the harem, and even the tyrant believes it. He takes a new concubine, and she smiles, congratulates him, and arranges for the newcomer to spend the night with him. He sends her restorative medicine, and she obediently takes it, knowing full we 21.5kReads9.3Score2kShelves
35. 135 甄 Empresses in the Palace: The Cannon Fodder Concubine's Rise to Promotion 甄嬛传之炮灰的贵妃升职记 Greenwood on Spring Mountain青木上春山Female-Channel Fanfiction318k WordsCompleted Noble Lady Fang was an inconspicuous background character in Empresses in the Palace, the previous owner of the Broken Jade Pavilion. Shallow, a standard-issue extra, and unlucky. Until she died in the Cold Palace and was chosen by the System to live her life over again. To be honest, she had always thought of herself as an ordinary little nobody in the imperial harem. The System must have picked her by mistake out of inexperience. But the System said, “Choosing you is the most rigorous and opti 5.9kReads9.2Score486Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend those books by Sister Cao and Little Bird An.

36. 136 如 Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace Fanfic: A’ruo Reborn 如懿传同人：阿箬重生 Fajiega Thirteen法尔伽十三Female-Channel Fanfiction176k WordsCompleted (Please read the P.S.! Please read the P.S.!) Aruo, one wrong step, and every step after it is wrong. Branded a traitor to her master, she is cast into the cold palace and meets a terrible end. Reborn, she doesn’t regret striving for power in her past life. What she regrets is being a fool, with schemes too feeble to support her ambition. Ambition isn’t a bad thing. People naturally strive to rise, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Reborn this time, Aruo will still fight for a bright future a 289Reads8.2Score—Shelves
37. 137 浣 Huan Bi Becomes a Consort 浣碧为妃 Ye Yongsi夜永思Female-Channel Fanfiction250k WordsCompleted When Huanbi was reborn, she no longer lost herself in the lonely waiting of her previous life. What would her future hold? Would she leave the palace with her elder sister, as she had in her previous life? Her greatest wish was to become a daughter of the Zhen family openly and honorably, and to have her mother’s memorial tablet placed in the ancestral hall. After careful thought, Huanbi decided to stay in the palace and find a chance to get close to the emperor. She would use his power to prote 2.3kReads9.1Score202Shelves
38. 138 曹 Cao Qinmo Goes on a Rampage in The Story of Ruyi 曹琴默在如懿传嘎嘎乱杀 Xiao Qiannyun萧千陨Female-Channel Fanfiction322k WordsCompleted After drinking a bowl of calming soup, her soul drifted through the world. She watched Zhen Huan tell Consort Duan that the Emperor and Empress Dowager had ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to poison her calming soup, and felt her heart sink with grief. The imperial family truly was heartless. Although Consort Duan had schemed against her, she had at least been sincere toward Wenyi. She watched helplessly as Zhen Huan drove the person who had poisoned her, her own bedfellow, to die on the drag 1.7kReads8.5Score146Shelves
39. 139 重 Reborn: Cao Qinmo Battles Her Way Through Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 重生之曹琴默斗穿如懿传 The Spinning Mad Bellflower悬转的疯铃草Female-Channel Fanfiction383k WordsCompleted 645Reads8.9Score100Shelves
40. 140 当 When An Lingrong Slays Her Way Through Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 当安陵容杀穿如懿传 The Mulberry Glow of Old Age Is Never Too Late岁岁桑榆非晚Female-Channel Fanfiction381k WordsCompleted An Lingrong: The meticulous and ruthless Sister An is back! Going from palace maid to empress dowager will be a piece of cake! . After being reborn, An Lingrong never expected to end up in Qianlong's harem. But this place is nothing like she remembers! (The Story of Ruyi and Empresses in the Palace don't share the same continuity, so this is more like a parallel new world.) · The older sister she wronged all her life has been possessed by an old woman who does nothing but stir up trouble. Go en 12.5kReads9.1Score1.4kShelves
41. 141 甄 Empresses in the Palace: An Lingrong's Prophetic Dream 甄嬛传之当安陵容有了预知梦 Gu Fuqing顾孚清Female-Channel Fanfiction345k WordsCompleted On the eve of the draft for the Bordered Yellow Banner, An Lingrong had a fleeting dream in which she saw her entire life. She thought it was nothing more than a vivid dream, but it turned out to be her actual future. No, I, An Lingrong, will never let the things I suffered in that dream become reality. So first, I need to distance myself from Zhen Huan! 863Reads8.6Score102Shelves
42. 142 清 Qing Transmigration: Stay Calm, Princess Consort! The Fourth Prince Will Win You the Empress's Throne 清穿：福晋稳住！四爷给你挣后位 Willow Bank杨柳岸Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [An alternate Qing dynasty, unlike the historical one.] After transmigrating, Yun Qu swallowed nervously as she faced her complicated new circumstances. She had become the Fourth Prince's primary consort. What was she supposed to do? Could she ever go back? Once she learned that returning was impossible, Yun Qu accepted her fate. She decided to raise her son well and treat the Fourth Prince like her boss, serving him diligently. If he pointed east, she wouldn't go west. If he wanted to take a co 19.1kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    You won't regret investing in these! [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration] They're really super good! My personal favorites are the second and fourth books, but the others are great too!

43. 143 当 When An Lingrong Is Reborn as Hailan 当安陵容穿成海兰 The Battle of Two Meows二喵之争Female-Channel Fanfiction213k WordsCompleted When An Lingrong, the clever, sensitive, and insecure woman from Empresses in the Palace, transmigrates into Hailan from Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, she refuses to become the blade Ruyi wields. Will the Ruyi of the original story still be as aloof and pure as a chrysanthemum? 516Reads8.1Score—Shelves
44. 144 从 From Palace Maiden to Empress Dowager: The Beloved Consort Rules the Realm 从秀女到太后：娇娇娘娘母仪天下 Holding the Wedding Candle秉花烛Ancient Romance693k WordsOngoing Jiang Wanzhen was merely the daughter of a minor sixth-rank official, forced by circumstance to enter the imperial harem. Luckily, the emperor was young and handsome, so he wasn't too hard to stomach. The women in the harem were all cunning schemers, but Jiang Wanzhen fought her way through every obstacle, tore down paper tigers, and took on the fake sweethearts. She nursed her best friend, had children, and before she knew it, she had risen from an insignificant low-ranking consort to the most 101Reads8.5Score—Shelves
45. 145 当 When An Lingrong Enters Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 当安陵容穿进如懿传 Holding a Branch z执枝zFemale-Channel Fanfiction220k WordsCompleted (The only true-love pairing in this story is Jinzong × Wei Yanwan. An Lingrong is focused on her career and has no romantic pairing.) “South of the Yangtze, lotus blossoms grow. Their leaves stretch far and wide. One day, a pair of fish will find each other and swim side by side in the blue waves.” A woman who is insecure, plain-looking, from an ordinary family, inexperienced, and apparently short on luck is destined to become a stepping stone for others in the scheming imperial harem. So An Lin 92Reads6.0Score—Shelves
46. 146 甄 Empresses in the Palace: The Promotion of Li Pin 甄嬛传之丽嫔升职记 Boss Qing the Slacker摸鱼青总Female-Channel Fanfiction762k WordsCompleted By a twist of fate, Fei Yunyan transmigrates into Empresses in the Palace as the doomed Noble Lady Li. She had only hoped to avoid being sacrificed and, once Consort Hua fell, quietly enjoy the palace gossip as a minor background character. But things don't go as planned. From the day she's branded a member of Consort Hua's faction, she becomes sworn enemies with the Empress, Zhen Huan, and the others. Well, then, forgive me. I'll just have to go all out and climb my way to the top. From the so- 2.6kReads8.0Score177Shelves
47. 147 清 In the Qing Court, Kangxi Wants Only Me 清穿之康熙只要我一个 Pour Me a Cup of Tea来盏茶Ancient Romance510k WordsCompleted What’s it like when someone who firmly believes in historical materialism suddenly transmigrates? Jing Su: ...I’d really like to think about it, but my freshly beaten backside won’t let me. To stay alive, Jing Su quickly sets herself some life goals. Goal one: Keep her head down until she can leave the palace at twenty-five! Why it fell through: Staying alive is too hard. She has to climb higher. Goal two: Su Malagu is so impressive. I want to be like her! Why it fell through: I’ve fallen for th 3.4kReads9.2Score275Shelves
48. 148 陵 An Lingrong Reborn: Punching Huanhuan, Kicking the Empress, and Seizing the Throne 陵容重生：拳打嬛嬛脚踢皇后上位 Fat Cat Eats Three Bowls at a Sitting肥猫一顿吃三碗Female-Channel Fanfiction1.0M WordsCompleted ☀ Dark-hearted villainess ☀ Black lotus from humble beginnings ☀ Clever palace intrigue ☀ Non-canon plot The premise: “Miracle Rongrong” Lingrong climbs from the lowest rank, competing for favor, scheming for power and a child, and taking revenge by eliminating the “Three Illegitimate Children of the Forbidden City.” When Lingrong wakes up again, she discovers she has been reborn before the selection of imperial consorts. At the selection, she meets Zhen Huan again and immediately splashes a cu 5.5kReads8.9Score455Shelves
49. 149 甄 Empresses in the Palace: Cao Qinmo Reborn Amid Palace Intrigue 甄嬛传：曹琴默重生之宫廷风云 Waiting a Long Time for the One久待一良人Female-Channel Fanfiction170k WordsOngoing In her previous life, after Cao Qinmo died, her spirit wandered the palace. She watched helplessly as Wenyi was registered under another woman's name, as the new emperor ascended the throne, and as an imperial decree sent Wenyi far away to marry for peace... Heaven took pity on her, and she was reborn on the very day she exposed Consort Hua. The emperor suspects her, the Empress Dowager is wary, and everyone looks on coldly... Given a second chance, how can she survive the whirlpool of harem con 148Reads7.0Score—Shelves
50. 150 当 When An Lingrong's Soul Transmigrates into Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 当安陵容魂穿如懿传 Hearing the Mountain Moon闻山月Female-Channel Fanfiction262k WordsCompleted An Lingrong died, but her soul stayed behind and somehow possessed one of the consorts of Zhen Huan's son. Fine. I've got nothing to lose, so I'll do whatever it takes. At worst, I'll die again. But why is everyone in this harem so unhinged? One is always “shaking mushrooms,” another keeps going on about “overstepping your authority,” and a third won't stop saying “noble son, noble son, prince's noble son”... An Lingrong: ? Warnings: The protagonist, An Lingrong, is vicious and deranged, and wil 144Reads—Score—Shelves

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