Looking for Good Classical Chinese Romance Novels Set Among Aristocratic Families, with Household Intrigue and No Idiotic Characters 求好看的纯古言小说，世家大族，宅斗文，不脑残。

1. 301 冷 Cold as Ice: My Heart Is Ice, His Heart Is Iron 冷若冰霜：妾心似冰郎心如铁 Xia Bing t夏冰tAncient Romance216k WordsCompleted He gently pressed his cold lips to the woman's forehead and said in a soft yet resolute voice, “Didn't you want to borrow my hand to get revenge? As long as you survive, I'll be the blade you use to take your revenge.” 9Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A revenge story set in a wealthy family, where the male and female protagonists each have their own grudges to settle.

2. 302 瑜 The True Story of Yu 瑜真传 Ling Zhuzi灵竹子Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Yuzhen, an unsuccessful palace candidate, is granted by the Qianlong Emperor as a bride to his brother-in-law, the ninth young master of the Fucha clan, Fuheng. But Fuheng already has someone in his heart, resulting in the awkward situation of his wife and concubine entering the household on the same day. Yuzhen is the granddaughter of the great literary master Nalan Rongruo and is hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Qing dynasty. Yet fate plays a cruel joke on her, separating her from th 24Reads8.8Score—Shelves
3. 303 陪 On the Night of My Burial, I Brought the God of War Prince Back from the Dead 陪葬夜，我让战神王爷起死回生 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors" Animated adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors: The Prince’s Beloved" [Hilarious + Transmigration + Sweet romance + Obsessive love + Devoted pairing + Imperial physician heroine + Palace and household intrigue + Inspirational] I was a military doctor with a PhD when I transmigrated, only to find myself about to be buried alive as a sacrifice for the dead God of War, the Prince? I grabbed the burial offerings and ran, planning to live in luxu 20.9kReads9.3Score2.4kShelves

   Reader note

   Hilarious time-travel romance novel with palace intrigue and domestic power struggles. ① A goddess-like doctor transmigrates into a coffin to be buried alive and discovers that the prince can still be saved. Sweet and funny stories about family, country, and the world. ② Hilarious mind-reading ability + gossip system. Laugh from beginning to end. ③ Strong female lead with a space. Abuse the villains and build your career. It's incredibly satisfying.

4. 304 综 A Life of Many Flavors Across Film and TV Worlds 综影视之百味人生 Qian Gui Gui钱龟龟Ancient Romance358k WordsCompleted Quick transmigration + sweet romance + a heroine who isn’t love-brained + one-on-one romance in every world + System + pocket dimension Gu Yanqing is an ordinary office worker in the twenty-first century. By chance, she binds herself to System 521 and journeys through three thousand fictional worlds based on film and television. She fulfills wishes and experiences different lives, all while finding time for a little romance. As long as you can pay the price, I can make your wish come true. The h 5.9kReads8.9Score254Shelves

   Reader note

   A classic domestic power struggle novel [shy] The female protagonist transmigrates and is arranged by the princess to be a concubine of the prince. She'll do it, and she's determined to make a name for herself [thumbs up]. But the prince is used to beautiful women and insists on something different [cool]. "Repair the courtyard wall?" The princess paused in her tea-drinking. Other concubines would either live obediently in the courtyard, waiting for the prince's summons, or buy cosmetics and try to adorn themselves. Shen Wei, however, is quite unique. The old nanny didn't seem to care: "Fangfei Garden has been uninhabited for a long time, and the courtyard wall is damaged. Perhaps Shen is worried that the heavy rain will wash it away, so she's repairing it in advance—she's from a farming family, that's all she can see." The princess smiled sarcastically. Yes, only a woman from a farming family would care about a damaged courtyard wall and ask for vegetable seeds. Let her be; she won't cause much trouble anyway. Not paying attention to Shen Wei, the princess's mind was still on her children. She instructed the old nanny, "Send someone to the school to keep an eye on them and not let the two children misbehave in class. This year is the Empress Dowager's birthday, and the two children must behave well in front of her." The old nanny asked, "The Prince will return from his southern tour the day after tomorrow. Should we let the two young masters rest for a day to welcome the Prince?"

5. 305 满 The Whole Sect Is Full of Crazy Villains, Only the Junior Sister Is a Goofball 满门反派疯批，唯有师妹逗比 Wei Xiaoxi未小兮Ancient Romance3.5M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into a book, Ye Linglong becomes the vicious cannon-fodder villainess in a cultivation novel. With terrible aptitude, she even coerces the heroine into taking her into the top sect during the Cultivation Tournament. After joining, she opposes the heroine at every turn and eventually dies a miserable death. To enjoy a long, happy life, Ye Linglong immediately gives up on coercing the heroine and turns around to join the worst sect in the cultivation world. She’s done being th 247.3kReads9.6Score24.8kShelves
6. 306 爆 Hilarious Mind Reading: The Prince Eats Gossip Until He Throws Up 爆笑读心术，王爷吃瓜吃到吐 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance452k WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: The Hilarious Mind-Reading Art: The Prince Laughs at Gossip Until He Chokes Manhua adaptation: The Princess's Inner Thoughts Are Full of Gossip, and the Prince Is Hooked; The Princess's Inner Thoughts Can't Be Hidden [Historical fantasy + mind-reading + gossip System + silly comedy + System space + sweet romance + feel-good revenge + transmigration to an alternate world + palace and household intrigue + devoted and powerful couple + marriage before love + healing a posses 24kReads9.1Score2kShelves
7. 307 穿 I Transmigrated to the Future, Where Earth Is My Backyard 穿越未来之地球是我后花园 Zhu莪术Modern Romance591k WordsCompleted After the womanizer Jiang Lan dies, she transmigrates to an interstellar age where men outnumber women and all women are born with a planting space. Other people's planting spaces are a few dozen, a few hundred, or a few thousand square meters. But she transmigrated with the entire Earth! As a top-tier breeder, Jiang Lan has plenty of partners to choose from! Young hunks, sweet puppies, mature older men, wolfish types, gentle men, muscular men, cuties... handsome men of every kind flock to her. 961Reads7.9Score101Shelves
8. 308 江 The Jiang Family Girl Who Never Made It Into the Family Register 江家那上不了族谱的小女子 Red Sugar红红糖Ancient Romance633k WordsCompleted Because her father was struck from the clan register, Jiang Jiuzhu was born a little girl who could never be entered into the family genealogy. So be it. She could simply live her life as it came… Even if it was a complete mess, even if she couldn’t make sense of it, as long as she stayed alive… and didn’t die. 4.4kReads8.0Score455Shelves

   Reader note

   These are all pretty good. The fourth one is especially good!

9. 309 做 Be a Concubine? You're Not Worthy! I'll Find a Better Match, and You'll Beg Me to Stay 做妾？你也配？另谋高嫁你下跪 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted This book is now available as a full-cast audio drama, and it’s hilarious! Give it a listen! [Hilarious Transmigration + Medical Space + Sweet, Satisfying Romance + Power Struggles + Palace and Household Intrigue + Mutual Devotion and Strength] A genius in medicine and poison transmigrates to ancient times with a medical space. She wakes up in a coffin, only to have a bewitching man try to steal it? Her ex-husband favors his concubine, abuses his wife, and shamelessly claims her dowry? Her fathe 5.6kReads8.9Score554Shelves
10. 310 独 He Dotes on His Concubine? I'll Enter the Eastern Palace and Marry the Ailing Crown Prince Instead 独宠外室？我入东宫转嫁病弱太子 Writer's Block文荒Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Published as "Love Takes You into His Heart", available on Taobao, Douyin, and Pinduoduo] [Palace and household intrigue + reborn revenge + devoted husband] In her previous life, Shen Ruoxi devoted herself to marrying Prince Qi, Murong Yu. At home, she exhausted herself managing his household; outside, she knelt and begged her father and brothers to help him ascend the throne. She even gave up her place as his princess consort to please him, willingly becoming a concubine. She gave him everythi 20.9kReads9.3Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is very strong-willed, and I also really like the male lead's personality—he's decisive and doesn't drag things out. It's a great watch.

11. 311 夫 My Wife Is Timid and Unassuming 夫人胆小木讷 The Sleepy Kitty爱睡觉的喵Ancient Romance687k WordsCompleted Two people born to concubines were forced together for the sake of their family’s interests. One was a talented young man, the other bland and taciturn; one had genuine ability, the other only pretended to be dull; one wanted to make a name for himself, the other just wanted to play dumb… 9.4kReads8.4Score889Shelves

    Reader note

    I've been following this author's books for half a year now, and overall they're pretty good. You could give them a try.

12. 312 带 I Married the Sickly Chief Minister with a Farming System, and He Flirts with Me Every Day 带种田系统嫁病娇首辅，日日被撩 Jiang Qiuqiu姜秋秋Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Farming + putting scumbags in their place + strong heroine + sweet romance + devoted couple] Lu Zhaozhao, head of a family of merchants, accidentally gets bound to a farming System that brings her into a lucky-charm farming novel called The Imperial Consort of the Peasant Household. There, she becomes a cannon-fodder supporting female character who dies as soon as she appears. When she opens her eyes, she has to choose between two newlywed husbands. She faces a greedy, vicious mother-in-law, th 38.8kReads9.3Score3.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The first two books feature male protagonists with questionable backgrounds initially, but later reveal they are the emperor's offspring. Both stories revolve around the female protagonist supporting each other, growing together, and overcoming challenges – the romance is very engaging. The third book doesn't focus much on the male protagonist or the romance; it primarily focuses on the female protagonist saving the world against the predetermined male protagonist and the will of Heaven. However, the characters are very well-developed, and the power struggle between the good and evil factions is incredibly exciting.

13. 313 泼 The Fiery Second Madam Shen 泼辣沈二娘子 The Sleepy Kitty爱睡觉的喵Ancient Romance701k WordsOngoing The Shen family of Tongji City is comfortably well-off. The family of seven should have been living happily together, but fate had other plans. Shen Muqing, the head of the household, suddenly passed away, leaving his widowed wife and young son and daughter to face a world full of predators... 46Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 314 王 The Prince Is Here: The Frail Young Duke Is Doted On 王爷在上：小郡公病弱得宠着 One Egg Yolk Pie一口蛋黄派Two Male Leads1.6M WordsCompleted [One-to-one romance + rebirth + sweet, satisfying romance] Chi Yu is the only legitimate son of the general's household, but he was born with a delicate constitution. Sickly since childhood, he wheezes after three steps and coughs after five. Among the young gentlemen of Kyoto's prominent families, he's famous for being frail and delicate. Reborn, the frail Chi Yu finally gets back on his feet! He had planned to take revenge and punish the villains step by step on his own, but unexpectedly, he c 11.3kReads9.5Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    🎋🌼Beautiful Ancient Romance Novels🍀, 1. Shi Buyu was born smiling. Rumors circulated in the capital that she was a jinx. Sitting by the window, Shi Buyu laughed upon hearing this. A jinx? Then she'd better live up to that reputation. 2. One day, she was pestered by Xie Sanye, who said he had a demon in his heart. Yan Sanhe: She doesn't care about the affairs of the living. Xie Sanye: They all say I'll die young, just consider it a pre-determined fate. 3. Jiang Mianmian transmigrated. Her father was cunning and treacherous with a scholarly face; her mother was ruthless with a benevolent face; her eldest brother was seemingly simple but cunning; and her second sister was selfish and sharp-tongued.

15. 315 惊 Shocking! The Flower-Palace Courtesan Is Pregnant, and the Barren Prince Will Have an Heir 惊！花魁孕崽，绝嗣王爷有后了 Orange Glow and Treasure橘光宝气Ancient Romance256k WordsCompleted [Just rated, score may rise] (Sly yet spirited beauty × fake playboy, fake infertile, real prince) [Household-intrigue power fantasy + devoted couple + everyone’s favorite + marriage before love] Jiang Li took the place of a princess who had fallen on hard times and was sold into a brothel. After thirteen years, on the day she became the star courtesan, a mysterious man bought her first night, and she unexpectedly became his cure for pent-up desire. Who knew she was naturally fertile? After one 1.2kReads8.2Score145Shelves

    Reader note

    This one! The female lead is a pregnant courtesan, quick-witted and resourceful, and especially skilled at palace intrigue! She's suddenly entangled with a seemingly childless but actually dissolute prince, expecting for much resistance, but his entire family unexpectedly becomes her allies! He confesses his love, she eavesdrops in the corner, and their child frantically floods the comments section! What a happy family!

16. 316 综 A Film and TV Crossover: Grant Me Three Thousand Wishes 综影视之许我三千心愿 Pipi Q皮皮QFemale-Channel Fanfiction984k WordsOngoing A different possibility for various film and television worlds, making up for all the regrets of the original stories. No lovesick protagonists, no golden finger, logical storytelling, not canon, parallel worlds based on film and television dramas, intelligent protagonists, political scheming, palace intrigue, strong female leads, the Republic of China era, equally matched couples... 1. Aisin-Gioro Yongqi and Xilin-Jueluo Linlang 2. Lu Mengping and Qin Shuo 3. Xiao Zhenying and Lin Xie 1.7kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The fourth installment of the World series (199-274) features Fu Heng as the male lead and Yehenara Zhiqing as the female lead.

17. 317 凤 Tale of the Phoenix Hairpin 凤头钗记 The Long Night Is Nearly Over寒夜将尽Ancient Romance175k WordsOngoing In her previous life, she was a princess, betrayed by her own kin and left to die in the far north! Reborn in a new life, she becomes a baby girl abandoned by a river. The imprint of a phoenix-head hairpin on her body is the only proof of her identity. From an abandoned girl of the streets to the legitimate daughter of a prince's household, she plots her every move and tears her enemies apart. In this life, everyone who wronged her will pay in blood! #HistoricalRebirth #HouseholdIntrigueAndPower 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These two are really good.

18. 318 嫁 After Marrying the Mad Crown Prince to Bring Him Good Fortune 嫁给疯批太子冲喜后 You Shi尤时Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The unfavored legitimate daughter of the Mu family is ordered by imperial decree to marry the crown prince, Zhou Jing, who is at death's door, to bring him good luck. Plenty of people wait to laugh at her, saying she might just end up bringing him luck by killing him in bed. When Zhou Jing opens his eyes, he finds himself with a fiancée. The young woman is clearly terrified of him, but still can't help swearing her loyalty. “Your Highness, I'll treat you very well.” “Your Highness, after you pas 33.4kReads9.4Score4.7kShelves
19. 319 吾 My Wife, Afu 吾妻阿福 Where Will My Beloved Go伊人何归Ancient Romance208k WordsCompleted [Reborn × Marriage First, Love Later] [Clingy, affectionate beauty vs. refined and elegant noble minister] Yuan Shujin (Yuan Afu) was lovely and charming, adored by her father and brothers from childhood, and born into a distinguished family. But one mistaken choice of lover cost her father and brothers their lives. Her sincere affection had been nothing but a tool for someone else, and in the end, she took her own life on a lonely night. When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the y 2.6kReads8.9Score343Shelves

    Reader note

    [Rebirth × Arranged Marriage, Love Later] [A Spoiled and Clingy Beauty vs. A Refined and Elegant Minister] Yuan Shujin (Yuan Afu) is beautiful and charming, pampered by her father and brothers since childhood, and comes from a prominent family. One day, she made a mistake in choosing a husband, and her father and brothers died because of her. When she opened her eyes again, she didn't hesitate to get into the carriage of that refined and elegant minister. "Minister Xu, are you getting married?" "No." "You must get married eventually. What do you think of me? What kind do you like? A charming and aloof woman, or a domineering one? I, Yuan Afu, am good at everything."

20. 320 半 Not a Thing Is Left to Chance 半分不由人 Xiao Xiao Zhao Zhao萧萧曌曌Ancient Romance205k WordsOngoing It turns out that even when two people love each other, things can still end badly. The most painful love in the world is when fate brings you together but never lets you be. A princess whose kingdom has fallen meets the person who will save her, but a sea of bloodshed lies between them. In the end, fate brings them together and then tears them apart. It is never up to them! 67Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 321 静 On the Ridge of Jingling 静岭上 Mo Tianyan, Who Loves Shrimp and Loofah爱吃虾仁丝瓜的莫天焱Ancient Romance306k WordsOngoing Jingning has a dream in which she sees another life she once lived. To escape the predicament in her dream, she writes a book warning of natural disasters, saving an entire county. She also hints at the fate of a famed general, never realizing that he had long since put life and death out of his mind. But this makes the emperor wary. An imperial edict decreeing their marriage binds her to the crown prince from then on... —Reads8.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book moves at an incredibly fast pace. The female protagonist, driven by a compassionate heart, reveals something that hasn't even happened yet, attracting the emperor's attention and forcibly binding her to the crown prince.

22. 322 我 My Emperor Father Can Read Minds 我的皇帝父亲会读心 Bone-Leak Gua Wen骨漏呱闻Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [Infrastructure Building Focus ✚ Mostly Comedy ✚ Not Historically Accurate ✚ No Romance] Emperor Wei prided himself on being a wise ruler. His ministers served him well, his harem was harmonious, and his children were clever and filial. That is, until he was struck by lightning. Afterward, he gained the ability to read minds, and finally learned that everyone around him was two-faced, saying one thing while thinking another! Emperor Wei was devastated. So he had been such a failure as an emperor 57.1kReads9.3Score5.3kShelves
23. 323 司 The Retired Life of a Female Court Archivist 司籍女官的退休日常 Jing Ban静半Ancient Romance561k WordsCompleted [Fictional setting, not a transmigration or rebirth story + household intrigue + lady of the house] [Early story: self-reliant junior female official x by-the-book prefect] [Later story: perceptive and sensible lady of the house x scheming grand secretary] Wu Xi has spent thirteen years in the palace, struggling her way up, cautious and restrained, dodging countless hidden attacks. At last, she earns the position of sixth-rank female official in charge of the palace library. But then the former 1.1kReads8.6Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead in this book is incredibly clear-headed; just look at how many people are reading it to know it's good. It's a pity that new book ratings are inaccurate, and since it's still being serialized, few people know about it. A clear-headed and reasonable matriarch × a cunning and powerful minister—I'm totally hooked! [Kissing emoji]

24. 324 都 They All Call Me a Jinx? I'll Tear the Green-Tea Girl Apart and Make a Name for Myself 都叫我扫把星？我偏手撕绿茶扬名 Three Bowls of Rice a Day一天吃三碗大米饭Ancient Romance92k WordsOngoing [Household Scheming] [Face-Slapping and Punishing Scum] [Feel-Good Story] [Growing Heroine] [Ensemble Cast] [Raising the Banner of Rebellion] [Calculating, scheming step by step, playing the harmless little flower while hiding a tiger's heart x A loyal, devoted guard who willingly becomes her pawn] Everyone around Yu Shi'an has regarded her as a jinx since childhood. Everyone knows she supposedly caused her parents' deaths, so they all target her. But instead of giving up, she climbs to the top —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The story opens with a power struggle within a wealthy family, and the second chapter immediately delivers a brutal and swift retribution to the villains! The revenge is swift, accurate, and ruthless, and both the male and female leads are virgins. The main characters have powerful backgrounds and influence!

25. 325 她 She Broke Off the Engagement Without Hesitation! Her Reborn Ex-Husband Chases Her to His Doom 她毅然退亲！重生前夫追妻火葬场 Win the Lottery天中大奖Ancient Romance515k WordsCompleted (Both leads are reborn + rekindled love + no misunderstandings + the husband’s long road to winning her back + sweet romance) [In their previous life, she loved him; in this life, he loves her] Scene One: One day, the Marquis of Dingnan was choosing a husband for his daughter. Pointing at a portrait, he said: “This one’s nostrils are too big. What if An’an’s children inherit them?” “This one’s eyes are too small.” He had reason to suspect they were just for show. “This one’s too short.” He was s 4kReads8.9Score303Shelves

    Reader note

    Both books are great. In the second book, the heroine's secret to winning over her mother-in-law is sending her box after box of storybooks, haha!

26. 326 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
27. 327 反EN Villain: My Little Brother is the Chosen One 反派：我的弟弟是天选之子 I Keep a Fat Rabbit家养了只肥兔Eastern Fantasy4.3M WordsCompleted "Lovably awful villain + wish fulfillment + scheming + lighthearted + sly trickster + shameless + not an invincible protagonist" Qin Feng transmigrated into the ancient wilderness as the eldest young master of the Qin family. His twin younger brother was the legendary Chosen One, and possessed a one-in-ten-thousand Supreme Bone. He thought he could ride his brother’s coattails to the peak of life, but then an unprincipled System showed up and told him there was a bright future in being a villain 342.6kReads9.5Score38.8kShelves
28. 328 神 God-Tier Choices: This Beast Tamer Is a Little Too Fierce 神级选择：这个御兽师有亿点生猛 Three Winds 11三风11Urban3.4M WordsCompleted [Beast taming + choices + comedy + nonsense + one female lead (no female lead) = ?] When Chen Shu wakes up, he finds that he has transmigrated to a parallel world where beast taming reigns supreme, and he has bound himself to a Divine-Level Choice System! Every choice he makes earns him all kinds of rewards! With the System’s help, his pets grow increasingly monstrous: a slime that can sit on a dragon and crush it to death, a husky that can blast a phoenix to tears with elemental skills, and a.. 178.3kReads9.7Score21.4kShelves
29. 329 科 The Imperial Exams: From a Duke’s Bastard Son to a Powerful Official 科举！从公府庶子到权臣的青云路 Zhou Shusen周树森Historical4.2M WordsOngoing [Not a BL novel! Not a male-male romance! One male lead, little to no romance, and a plot-focused story.] [Transmigration + Illegitimate Son of a Duke’s Estate + No System + Imperial Exams + Political Intrigue] He transmigrates, and the good news is that he’s now an illegitimate son of the Duke of Wei’s household, with food and clothes taken care of and no need to worry about making a living. The bad news is that he’s not only unloved, but also mocked and looked down upon. Heh. Never look down o 48kReads8.9Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a great show that combines palace intrigue, political maneuvering, and the imperial examination system! 👍🏻

30. 330 拢 Gathering Autumn Grace 拢秋懿 Pumpkin Bun南瓜馒头Ancient Romance292k WordsOngoing The most beloved eldest legitimate princess of Liang was betrothed from childhood to the eldest legitimate son of the Marquis Who Guards the Nation. With war against Yan on the brink, she saw him off to battle, and he promised he would return. She thought that once the war was over, she could marry the young man she loved and spend her life with him. But when news of defeat reached the imperial capital, she learned that he had vanished, his fate unknown. Liang had suffered heavy losses in the ca —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You might want to check out this new book. The female lead is thoughtful and has her own secrets (initially showing concern and concern for the male lead's impolite behavior, she eventually gives in and lets it go; she has her own judgment and opinions on other matters). The male lead is cunning and knows how to play the innocent (his inner monologue: gentle and charming in front of the female lead, timid and easily bullied in the palace, but secretly plotting meticulously).

31. 331 后 A Laid-Back Concubine in the Inner Palace, Calmly Turning Her Life Around and Sunbathing 后宅小咸鱼，淡定翻身晒太阳 Orange Turned Orange橘子橙了Ancient Romance262k WordsOngoing Su Zhiyuan looked up at the person holding her around the belly and lifting her up, then lowered her head and kept nibbling on the pastry in her hand. Her father had said that everyone here was an important person, so she had to behave. Her mother had said that her father was the head of the family, and that if she listened to him, she’d get pastries. She’d been very good today, so she’d get another pastry when she got home. Six-year-old Feng Chen hugged Su Zhiyuan around the belly from behind a 9.9kReads8.6Score610Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is raised by the male lead; it's a sweet and doting romance novel. Aside from the female lead, the male lead completely ignores everyone else, making her a total little tsundere.

32. 332 弑 After Failing to Assassinate the Emperor, I Return to Power Seven Years Later 弑君失败，七年后本宫卷土重来 Yijun翊君Ancient Romance770k WordsCompleted [An emperor who seems gentle and refined but is actually an obsessive tyrant VS an empress who seems detached from worldly desires but is actually ruthless] Year Five of Jiayou. A political upheaval brought down the Jiang family, the imperial family’s staunchest supporters, overnight. That same year, Empress Jiang He’s plan to poison Emperor Jiayou in Fengqi Palace failed, and she was confined to Qianyuan Temple to pray for the realm. The realm remained unharmed, but the imperial harem became a 2kReads8.4Score156Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese romance novels [laughs][laughs]

33. 333 清 The Cool and Noble Lady: The Mad Young Heir Gets More Savage the More He Flirts 清冷贵女：疯批世子他越撩越凶 Yijun翊君Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [A cool, lonely noblewoman from a distinguished family who leaves the child behind and keeps the father out of the picture VS a volatile, sensitive marquis's heir who is shamelessly clingy and flirtatious] Fu Qinghe raised children for Shi Anyuan her entire life. In the end, the child she had raised from infancy dug up her grave and threw away her bones, all because his birth mother wanted to be buried alongside Shi Anyuan. She thought she would remain lost forever in a mass grave, but on her 1.4kReads7.7Score106Shelves
34. 334 拽 The Feisty Consort Climbs to Power Through Palace Intrigue, Everyone Else Back Off 拽妃宫斗上位，闲杂人等退退退 Pine Blossom Candy松花糖Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama is out now. Search for it on Fanqie to watch. [Palace Intrigue Power Fantasy + Not a Clean Romance + Being the Emperor’s Mother Is Better Than Being His Consort] Every woman in the harem hopes to win Emperor Jingrong’s favor, but Yuan Yuntang sees the emperor only as a tool for having children. Women in ancient times had to marry sooner or later anyway, so she might as well marry the most powerful man of all. After all, Emperor Jingrong has a great figure, a handsome face, and a 16.6kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    20 Ancient romance novels, covering all genres and styles, all incredibly good! The plots are coherent, the writing is excellent, and the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat.

35. 335 媚 The Allure of Her Grace 媚君姿 Win the Lottery天中大奖Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted Cautious, unassuming concubine-born daughter vs. clever, scheming concubine-born son (one-on-one, both each other's first, sweet and doting, a match made in heaven) [No rebirth, no transmigration; a local girl makes her own way] This story takes place in a fictional dynasty. Anything unrealistic is just the author's invention. (The author's best grade in school was in the bottom fifteen in class, and she usually hovered in the bottom ten.) To avoid being married off by her legal mother to an o 1.4kReads8.8Score142Shelves

    Reader note

    I recently read this; it's a pure historical romance. Both the male and female leads come from relatively powerful families, and neither has any special advantages. They are both illegitimate children, so it's a domestic drama novel without any special plot armor. However, the writing is still very smooth and enjoyable. Both the male and female leads are ambitious and intelligent. The female lead, to escape a marriage arbitrarily arranged by her stepmother, weighs the pros and cons and enters into a normal marriage with the male lead. After marriage, it's quite sweet; the two strive together to avoid the schemes of others. [Eating melon emoji][eating melon emoji]

36. 336 读 Mind Reading: Help! Your Father-in-Law Is Impossible to Woo, Crown Princess 读心术：救命！太子妃你爹太难撩 A Tumbler That Won't Fall一颗不倒翁Ancient Romance524k WordsCompleted [Mind Reading + System + Transmigrate into a Book + Marriage First, Love Later + Devoted Couple] Jiang Fu transmigrated. The bad news: she became a cannon-fodder supporting female character. The good news: the female lead's father saved her. The bad news: the original cannon-fodder asked Jiang Fu to give her a different life. No more being cannon fodder: she wanted a lifetime of happiness and to marry well. The good news: Jiang Fu was rescued from the water by the female lead's father, making hi 27.7kReads9.2Score3.5kShelves
37. 337 为 A Life of Servitude 为婢 Qiaoqiao the Loach桥桥小泥鳅Ancient Romance389k WordsCompleted Xiao Lu was held hostage for ten years. I stayed by his side, living as if we were husband and wife. When he was rescued and returned to the State of Zhao, I became the most shameful kind of person at his side: a slave from the State of Chu. A maid, insignificant and easily overlooked. I watched him marry a beautiful woman, watched him host banquets for his guests. I watched him become a prince, watched him bask in glory. Later, on the eve of my wedding, I heard that he had burned his boats and 5.1kReads8.7Score535Shelves

    Reader note

    Note the female lead's background; she's not truly of lowly status! She accompanied Xiao Lu for ten years during his time as a hostage in a foreign land, yet he turned around and married a high-ranking official's daughter. Later, she managed to escape and married the Crown Prince, becoming a concubine. However, due to past grievances, she harbored deep suspicion towards the Crown Prince.

38. 338 长 The Eldest Princess Is Fierce and Stunning, While Her Scheming Hostage Prince Grows Arrogant on Her Favor 长公主暴戾绝色，绿茶质子恃宠而骄 Seven Parts Wine七分酿酒Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Yan Shu was blinded by love and wasted a winning hand! Not only did her kingdom fall, she was also poisoned to death by a scumbag full of schemes! Reborn, she swept her hand through the air! She had the scumbag beaten with a rod, wiped out his entire household, brought down the Noble Consort... She would slay any god or Buddha who stood in her way! The richest man in the world was her disciple, the strongest shadow guard was her senior brother, the fearsome Iron Cavalry gen 1.6kReads9.1Score228Shelves
39. 339 月 Moonlight on the Spring River 月映春江色 Linzhong Guanzhi霖中观致Ancient Romance291k WordsCompleted [Sweet historical romance, devoted couple, a brave and clever heroine with strong principles who never lets herself be mistreated] (No transmigration, rebirth, or System) [1v1] The hero is devoted, and the heroine is independent and self-assured. [Beautiful, clever, cool-headed noblewoman vs. devoted, wife-doting general] In the fifteenth year of the Jiazhao era, victory comes at the border, and General Yan Yunmo returns in triumph. At court, he asks the emperor to arrange his marriage to Jiang 139Reads5.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I really like the female lead; she's proud, aloof, and has a strong personality—a true daughter of a noble family.

40. 340 皇 The Royal Family's Sickly, Obsessive Daughter-in-Law 皇家病娇媳 You Lu由鹿Ancient Romance570k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + classic period setting + marriage first, love later + raising a child + beautiful and captivating heroine] She spent five years scraping out a miserable existence in a brothel. At last, the famous courtesan Luo Jinyi died. She died in her wedding sedan chair, being carried off to become someone’s concubine. When she awoke again, she was still going to be carried off in a wedding sedan chair. This time, it was the day ten years earlier when she had been deceived into refusing to marry 6.8kReads9.1Score985Shelves

    Reader note

    So cool! [Smirking emoji][smirking emoji][smirking emoji]

41. 341 公 The Princess Is Fierce and Beautiful, and Her Shadow Guard Keeps Crossing the Line 公主暴戾绝色，影卫日日以下犯上 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + Feel-good power fantasy + Yandere + Devoted loyalist] Fate played a cruel trick: the most powerful imperial princess on the Jiuzhou Continent was reborn in the body of a lovesick little princess from Western Qi. The moment she awoke, the world was shaken. A scumbag points at her and curses? She orders coldly, “Drag him out and give him fifty more lashes!” The overlord of the business world is her subordinate, the most revered emperor in Jiuzhou is her older brother, the mighty 16.8kReads9.4Score2.7kShelves
42. 342 将 The General’s Daughter: Her Frail Husband Can’t Hide His Schemes 将门娇：病弱郎君他心机藏不住 Year After Year, Harvest After Harvest年年穗岁Ancient Romance489k WordsCompleted Wei Zhaoming & Shen Congjun Wolfish heroine & puppy-like hero, younger man, both chaste, happy ending Pure historical romance, with tender love and matters of state * When the new emperor ascended the throne, he issued an imperial decree arranging a marriage for his beloved general, the Cloud Banner General. Though the Cloud Banner General was a woman, she could easily knock a two-hundred-jin man flat. Seeing the frail young man who looked as if a breeze could knock him over, everyone wondered h 3.5kReads9.0Score412Shelves
43. 343 公 The Princess Arrives 公主嫁到 Snow Tea Woof Woof雪茶汪汪Ancient Romance226k WordsCompleted [The scheming, sickly Duke of Wei VS the human lucky charm, the Grand Princess] Wei Lin, the legitimate son of the Duke of Wei, had been struck by a deadly poison. Rumors in the capital said he would not live much longer. A master at Xiangguo Temple read a birth chart and declared that Grand Princess Nankang was Wei Lin’s fated match, destined to help him turn danger into safety. Wei Lin’s mother then begged the emperor to marry the Grand Princess to her son. Grand Princess Nankang had been luck 3.6kReads9.2Score320Shelves
44. 344 重 Reborn: The Sweet, Black-Hearted Princess Dotes Exclusively on Her Sickly Eunuch 重生：白切黑公主独宠病娇九千岁 Sleepy Cat猫沉沉Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The print comic is now available: The Princess Has Nothing to Fear] [100% sweetness + two lovesick leads + fake eunuch + strong heroine] [Unhinged princess vs. stone-faced, straight-laced eunuch] Before she was reborn, she chose the most dazzling top scholar in the Northern Kingdom as her consort. Her whole family was slaughtered, her country fell, and she was forced to marry a eunuch! After being reborn, the first thing she did was deal with that two-faced scumbag. She refused to take even the 6.7kReads9.3Score990Shelves
45. 345 夫 Madam Crooks Her Finger to Train Her Dog, and Her Man Obediently Follows 夫人勾手训狗，爷乖乖就走 Xiao Tianyi小甜一Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (A proud, sharp-tongued hero whose actions belie his words × a clever, beautiful heroine who knows how to tame men) By her parents’ arrangement and the matchmaker’s word, Qiao Qiao marries Xie Heng, the third son of the Xie family, whose family has been close to hers for generations. The Xie family is complicated, with many sisters-in-law to contend with. On top of that, Third Master Xie is aloof by nature and comes from a military examination background. Everyone says Qiao Qiao will be worn out 14kReads9.0Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is amazing! The author's writing is excellent, and the characters are vividly portrayed. [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

46. 346 重 Reborn, I Fed My Father the Poison My Stepmother Prepared for Me 重生后，我把继母下的毒喂给父亲 Talking and Laughing in the Breeze谈笑风声Ancient Romance795k WordsOngoing [Traditional historical romance: household intrigue + political maneuvering + irresistible heroine + the one who got away] In her previous life, Shen Yuan was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Shen family, yet her stepmother and half-sister joined forces to poison her. With her dying breath, she watched her beloved husband exchange a smile with her half-sister. Her cold-blooded father didn’t care that she was dying. Her mother’s dowry was stolen, and her young brother was tortured to death. 41.3kReads8.5Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this book.

47. 347 怯 A Timid Spring Night 怯春宵 Uncle Luo洛叔叔Ancient Romance331k WordsOngoing After marrying Xie Wujiu, Su Miao only planned to be a virtuous wife. Having seen too many schemes in the inner quarters of a grand household, she expected no loving marriage. Her goal was to live a quiet, peaceful life and make it safely to old age. But the marquis's manor was no peaceful place, and none of her sisters-in-law were easy to deal with. There was always some family drama or another, and Xie Wujiu was so moody he would even get jealous over a cup. Su Miao was exhausted. Then she bec 32Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all legal wives, and the stories involve power struggles within large families; all are well-written.

48. 348 外 The Illegitimate Daughter 外室女 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance808k WordsCompleted Before she transmigrated, Shen Yi had lived through one hardship after another. Then she was reborn as a baby into a happy family. What could be more carefree? She never imagined it was all a lie. Her father’s love for her mother was fake, and so was the marriage contract he gave her. He had merely come to the Duke’s household to experience life, while Shen Yi, her brother, and her mother were just byproducts of that experience. That would have been bad enough, but her scumbag father also had a 7.8kReads9.3Score869Shelves
49. 349 穿 I Reincarnated as the Wicked Eldest Princess, and I'm Not Changing My Ways 穿成恶毒嫡长公主，不洗白 I Want to Be a Rich Lady我想当富婆Ancient Romance359k WordsCompleted [Romance + Sweet Love] Shang Changge transmigrated into a book, becoming the notorious eldest legitimate princess in a male-oriented power fantasy. As a villain, Shang Changge wasn't worried at all. Reforming her image was out of the question. She just wanted to keep doing whatever she pleased. Her evil plans came in three parts. 1 Shang Changge: “Take out the old emperor so my beautiful crown prince brother can ascend the throne without a hitch.” Her beautiful crown prince brother: “...” Why co 3.5kReads9.1Score311Shelves
50. 350 惜 Cherishing Flowers 惜花芷 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [The original novel behind the TV adaptation starring Hu Yitian and Zhang Jingyi] After keeping her talents hidden for fifteen years, Hua Zhi thought she could spend her life as a proper aristocratic young lady, living in peace. But when the Hua family’s fortunes collapse, she has no choice but to reveal her sharp edge and hold the storm-tossed household together. Being out in public becomes the norm, and so does galloping through the streets. When all else fails, she even carries a coffin on he 18.6kReads9.6Score4.2kShelves

Other lists with Cold as Ice: My Heart Is Ice, His Heart Is Iron