Underrated Historical Romance with Excellent Writing: No Transmigration, No Cheats, No Brain-Dead Characters 冷门且文笔巨好的古言，不穿越，不外挂，不无脑

1. 601 锦 Phoenix Brocade Strategy: The Seal Keeper Is Flirting with Me Again 锦凰策：掌印他又在钓我 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance580k WordsCompleted [Reborn for revenge · Unhinged eunuch · Empress] Shen Qingxian was reborn just before her entire family was to be executed. The first thing she did was throw herself into the arms of the unhinged chief eunuch who held power over the entire court. "Chief Eunuch Pei, care to work together?" Pei Wushe pinched her chin and smiled. "The fish in my pond never make it out." She helped him rule the world, and he helped her ascend to the imperial throne. Only when she was dressed in imperial robes did he 8Reads—Score—Shelves
2. 602 月 The Moon Sinks over Xizhou 月沉西洲 Fu Erqi傅二七Two Male Leads44k WordsOngoing [One short love story per chapter] [Historical romance, power struggles, palace intrigue, and xianxia] [Of all things, loving you is beyond my control] Stories with two male leads and stories with a male and female lead (possibly also two female leads, depending on the story). The pairing will be noted after the chapter title. The stories are unrelated, so feel free to read them in any order. Human nature is complicated. There are no absolutely good or absolutely bad characters, so please don't —Reads—Score—Shelves
3. 603 乞 A Beggar Fleeing Famine: Just Stay Alive 乞丐逃荒，不死就行 Fish Who Talks Too Much鱼多嘴Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted A little beggar on the streets of Sanxi Town, known by the nickname Bamboo Viper. For the first ten years or so, he barely managed to scrape by. When floods struck the Two Huai regions, he somehow survived and, for reasons he couldn't explain, fled the disaster with a string of little ones in tow. He took in children, learned to fish, and cleared land to farm. A beggar makes mistakes, is fiercely protective of his own, and tries his best to become a good older brother. The siblings go from havin 5.4kReads9.3Score651Shelves

   Reader note

   The novel vividly portrays the lives of farmers, from a beggar to the head of a family, depicting the hardships of their long journey as they flee for their lives. It features seven siblings of different genders who manage to live a hardworking and ambitious life. The eldest brother manages the household, the second is strong, the third has a talent for business, the fourth is literate, the fifth is a culinary expert, the sixth is a skilled carver, the seventh is a master needleman, and the eldest is of royal blood. It's an ensemble novel, with each character clearly defined.

4. 604 明 Marry Me Beneath the Bright Moon 明月嫁卿卿 Rabbit Purple Moonrise兔紫月上Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Song Chuyu thought she and Kang Rui were deeply in love, and that no one could ever come between them. Yet that person had been living by their side all along, pampered under the title of “sister-in-law.” After being reborn, Song Chuyu didn’t spare Kang Rui a glance as he rode through the streets in triumph, and she certainly wouldn’t marry him again. * When Kang Rui woke up to find himself back in the impoverished days of his youth, he struggled to get used to the drafty windows after having li 87.9kReads9.3Score11.3kShelves
5. 605 最 The Waning Glow 最阑珊 Fu Erqi傅二七Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted [Not a wish-fulfillment novel + neither lead is perfect + real people with real feelings] (Heir × Commandery Princess, a political marriage between two kingdoms, marriage before love, both devoted to each other, happy ending) The hero becomes a loyal puppy later on, with a world that consists only of the heroine and everyone else. The heroine is wise, noble-born, and deeply unfortunate. * She still remembered that Qixi Festival, when colorful lanterns hung high and candlelight filled the sky. Su 14Reads6.3Score—Shelves
6. 606 开 Livestreaming the Terracotta Army to Qin Shi Huang from the Start 开局给秦始皇直播兵马俑 A Quietly Hardworking Little Slacker一只悄悄勤快的小拖沓Ancient Romance982k WordsCompleted [Fun History Livestream + No Romance + Just for Fun] "Good morning, everyone. Today we'll be visiting one of the Eight Wonders of the World, the Terracotta Army in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor." Ying Zheng, excited about the arrival of immortals: Is this my mausoleum? Liu Bang, drinking with Lady Qi in his arms: Hahaha, they even dug up the First Emperor's tomb and turned it into a tourist attraction! Liu Che, planning his campaign against the Xiongnu, glanced over: Once I've finished 543Reads8.8Score106Shelves
7. 607 东 The Eastern Palace Lantern 东宫灯 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance584k WordsCompleted I gave him a sweet cake, hoping to bring warmth to someone in this hell. He offered me a game of chess, with life and death as the stakes and the world as the board. Only later did I learn... The sweetness was a blade coated in honey, and the warmth a fire steeped in poison. From the moment he made his first move, I had become the sharpest piece in his hand, and the only weakness in his heart. Red plum blossoms blanketed in snow, at last revealing the color of blood. Beneath the seal of his pal —Reads—Score—Shelves
8. 608 历 History Videos: Roasting the Past with Our Ancestors 历史视频：和老祖宗一起吐槽 Que Qian雀迁Modern Romance994k WordsCompleted No romance, a slice-of-life story. The heroine doesn't know what's going on, and historical videos appear from time to time. In a dream, Cui Zhaoqing binds herself to an Observer Companion System. Unbeknownst to her, the ancestors of every dynasty are taken on a tour of the modern world, experiencing the wonderful state of mind of modern people and seeing a technologically advanced society where countless things flourish. 821Reads5.5Score—Shelves
9. 609 和 The Day We Divorced, the Marquis's Ancestors Followed Me 和离当天，侯府祖宗跟我走了 Reborn Noble Consort Xi重生的熹贵妃Ancient Romance171k WordsOngoing [Divorce + business + beloved by the ancestors + a groveling ex-husband + slow-burn romance] The day Gu Yunzheng returned to the capital victorious, he brought Princess Ning'an with him. “Qingyao will be my legal wife, and you'll be demoted to secondary wife. You can still manage the household.” Shen Mingtang laughed. So someone else got all the benefits, while she was left to clean up the mess? In front of everyone, she produced a divorce agreement, then slapped seven years of account books dow —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A divorce decree severs seven years of entanglement. Shen Mingtang, no longer clinging to the past, is determined to reclaim everything that belongs to her. #NewBookRecommendation #FaceSlappingSatisfyingNovel

10. 610 替 The Poisonous Bride: The Sickly Emperor Keeps Pretending to Be Unconscious to Win My Heart 替嫁毒妃：病娇帝王总在装昏爱我 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing [Two powerful, utterly unhinged leads · A fake married couple · An intense push and pull] On the surface, she is a gentle concubine-born daughter. In truth, she is a poison-wielding avenger. On the surface, he is a frail emperor. In truth, he is a control-obsessed maniac. From poisoning each other to falling helplessly for each other, from a life-or-death struggle to a twisted symbiosis. The palace? The court? The world? They're nothing but a backdrop for our love story. On the first day of my 1Reads—Score—Shelves
11. 611 成 On Our Wedding Night, the Obsessive Crown Prince Took Me to the Eastern Palace 成亲当晚，偏执太子夺我入东宫 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted The aloof, possessive Crown Prince × the dazzling beauty who loves money Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows that the Crown Princess was snatched away from someone else by the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince, as elegant as jade and as clear as moonlight, fell into the sea of love, there was no climbing back out. He Yue transmigrated to ancient times and became the owner of a rouge shop. She wasn’t rich or powerful, but her life was peaceful and carefree. Then one day, the woman she liv 35.3kReads9.0Score2.7kShelves
12. 612 万 Who Would've Thought the Ancients Would Watch My Everyday Life? 万万没想到，竟被古人围观了日常 Xin Yuezi新玥子Ancient Romance2.8M WordsCompleted No CP The laid-back Fish System 2233 was kicked down to Blue Star by the Main System, which had grown tired of it. To fulfill the upgrade target assigned by the Main System, 2233 decided to livestream and earn upgrade energy. It was easy and took hardly any effort... And so, the dynasties of Jiuzhou's history were suddenly treated to a livestream from the modern era. When the feudal ancestors caught sight of their “rebellious” descendants, would they frown in dismay or beam with delight? What ch 10.1kReads7.5Score384Shelves
13. 613 毒 The Poison Queen Kicks Away the Poison, and the Tyrant Offers His Blade to Win Her Favor 毒后踹翻毒药，暴君他递刀求宠 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [Both leads are reborn + redemption + a tyrant wins himself over + miraculous doctor and poison expert] In her previous life, Yin Huang was poisoned by her half-sister. Only as she lay dying did she learn that her tyrant husband had watched the entire scheme unfold without lifting a finger. Reborn on her wedding night, she tore up her innocent-girl act and poured the poison down her enemy's throat instead. At the palace banquet, she dazzled in red, using her mastery of poison to cow the entire r 1Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 614 报 Your Majesty, the Tyrant Can Read Minds 报告娘娘，暴君他有读心术 Three Two Five三二五Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After she touched the tyrant’s skull, which had been polished into a wine bowl, she unexpectedly transmigrated into the empress who died the most gruesome death in history. Every day, she plotted to kill the tyrant and become empress in her own right, unaware that he could read minds. When the tyrant fell gravely ill, she wept and begged Heaven to let her trade her own years of life for his safety. The tyrant was deeply moved, until he suddenly heard her thoughts: [If he’s so sick, hurry up and 6kReads9.3Score1kShelves
15. 615 直 Livestreams and Short Videos Leave Our Ancestors Stunned 直播和短视频，老祖宗都破防啦 A Girl Who Doesn't Want to Go Bald不想秃头的少女Ancient Romance558k WordsCompleted I’m a new writer, so please be kind! Yun Yuyao is a college student. During summer vacation, she is unexpectedly bound to a livestream System while at home. From then on, she livestreams modern life to the ancestors. The ancestors are utterly shaken! Life in the future is way too good! P.S. The livestream will protect the heroine’s privacy. It will also be broadcast to people from special periods in history, though they may not get much screen time. Only Chinese people who are not traitors ca 11.8kReads8.8Score599Shelves
16. 616 后 The Legend of Empress Zhaoyi of Later Tang 后唐昭懿传 Luo Guigui罗姽姽Ancient Romance834k WordsCompleted In the chaotic final years of the Tang dynasty, she is a lonely phoenix, adrift and without a home. When she was twelve, she met a young man and never forgot him. She journeyed a thousand miles just to find him. He is a young hero. Fulfilling his father's dying wish, he sweeps south to defeat Zhu Liang and marches north to trample the Khitan, single-handedly restoring the Tang dynasty. But forced by his stepmother and framed by his wives and concubines, he loses the woman he loves most, leaving 248Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This story is exceptionally well-written, with no time-travel elements. The female protagonist is the daughter of the Minister of Works during the Tang Dynasty. After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, her family is destroyed, and she meets and falls in love with two powerful figures from the Five Dynasties period. Just before her wedding to one of them, she is betrayed and robbed by the other through cunning and treachery. Years later, she discovers she has been tricked, and that her husband has been plotting to seize her first love's empire, a secret he has kept hidden from her. It's far from mindless; it adheres closely to history, respecting historical records for all major events, with only the romance being fictional.

17. 617 他 He Tore the Blood from My Heart to Save Her 他剜我心头的血，去救她 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted He Cut Out the Blood from My Heart to Save Her —Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 618 首 The Concubine's Laid-Back Life in the Chief Minister's Household 首辅家妾室的躺平日常 Budding Bok Choy开花小白菜Ancient Romance559k WordsCompleted Liu Yu was reborn, returning to the time before disaster struck the Pingnan Marquis Household. She, along with Liu Huan, the illegitimate daughter of the second branch, and Liu Ying, the illegitimate daughter of the fifth branch, had been offered to powerful officials as concubines by the old madam. Because of her beauty, she entered Prince Qi's household and was forced into its internal power struggles. After barely managing to survive them, Prince Qi ascended the throne. And then... She had fo 2.1kReads8.3Score240Shelves
19. 619 天 Sky Screen Livestream! My Laid-Back Daily Life Soothes History’s Regrets 天幕直播！摆烂日常抚历史意难平 Carefree Little Mint逍遥小薄荷Modern Romance1.4M WordsCompleted (Written for fun, so please don’t take it too seriously.) The Myriad Realms Livestream System is a golden finger System born from the unfulfilled hopes of the people of Huaxia over thousands of years. After finding a Host, it livestreams the Host’s laid-back life to people in every dynasty, drawing livestream energy from them and using the Host to send gifts to people across the ages. And so, people from every dynasty saw modern skyscrapers and all kinds of high technology. They saw fine wine an 3.1kReads8.2Score157Shelves
20. 620 夜 Night After Night, the Rough-and-Ready Steppe Man Sweeps Me Onto His Horse 夜夜强宠，草原糙汉抢我上马背 A Broad Mind Adds Years to Life心宽可增寿Ancient Romance253k WordsCompleted Original Title: Night After Night, Spoiled by the Rough-hewn Cowboy of the Grasslands, Who Steals Me onto His Horse The winds of the grasslands, scorching debts, and a rough-hewn cowboy who can't sweet-talk but shows his love through his actions. [Rough Cowboy Dotes on His Wife] + [Fallen Heiress] + [Face-slapping and Fierce Protection] + [Heartwarming Life with a Child] I thought I'd snatched a slave, but in the end, I willingly let her capture my heart. I stole you onto my horse, so you're my 3.5kReads—Score156Shelves
21. 621 赎 I Bought the Sharp-Tongued Male Courtesan's Freedom: This Lady's Heart Aches 赎了刻薄男花魁：奴家心口疼 My Love, You Will Return卿终归兮Ancient Romance472k WordsCompleted [Male Courtesan + Male Lead Will Become the Other Woman for Love] Everyone says Jiang Wuyou, head of the Jiang family of Liyang, has the face of a bodhisattva and the heart of a devil, and never makes a deal at a loss. Yet she spent a fortune to buy the freedom of Liu Se, a flamboyant and sharp-tongued male courtesan. He was beautiful, but mean, greedy, arrogant, and contemptuous of the poor. When they first met, he sneered at her: "Dressed that shabbily, even if you're a maid, you must be the o 9.7kReads9.0Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The first is an ongoing historical romance novel. The male lead is a courtesan, and the female lead is a seemingly gentle but cold-hearted patriarch of a noble family. Initially, the male lead is sarcastic, arrogant, and capricious, but after falling in love with the female lead, he suffers a painful and humble love, transforming into a ghostly figure, unable to win her heart. The second is a completed fantasy novel. The male lead is a substitute, and the story begins with him desperately trying to revive the deceased female lead. The female lead suffers from amnesia, and the male lead keeps this a secret, claiming to be her husband, until she regains her memory and the lie is exposed… (The female lead is a demon lord, invincible when unleashed).

22. 622 我 I Married Myself 我娶我自己 One Leaf Knows Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter一叶知春夏秋冬Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted I Married Myself 1Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 623 我 I Sparked Ancient Gossip with a Paternity Test! 我靠亲子鉴定！引爆古人吃瓜风潮 Three Two Six三二六Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The original novel behind the hit short drama Ascending the Phoenix Tower On her wedding day, her scumbag husband actually demands that she kneel to his widowed sister-in-law? What a joke. Whoever wants to kneel can do it themselves. She has the ability to conduct paternity tests, and on the spot, she exposes the two of them and their illegitimate child, revealing their affair. She ruins the scumbag’s chances of becoming the top scholar and cuts off his path to success! A fake heiress forges a b 623Reads8.9Score227Shelves
24. 624 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. 9.2kReads9.0Score593Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a purely classical Chinese text. You might not know who the female lead is at first, but it gets more and more interesting as you read on.

25. 625 饲 The Wife-Taming Lord 饲妻君 My Love, You Will Return卿终归兮Ancient Romance268k WordsCompleted [Male Substitute, Gentle Husband Material] Heng Xi had lost her memory. All she knew was that she had a gentle husband, Su Jinwu. He was considerate, beautiful, and good at taking care of people. Apart from being blind, he was perfect. Unfortunately, Heng Xi didn't like perfect things. So she tore his clothes, made him drink strong liquor, and deliberately praised other men in front of him... but all she got in return was a soft laugh and, "As long as my wife is happy." Until she discovered that 2.2kReads8.8Score276Shelves
26. 626 看 Ancients Watch Videos and Experience the Future! 看视频古人体验后世之旅！ The Moon Sets Like a Star月落如星Ancient Romance435k WordsCompleted A new story is here! Come read my work on Tomato Novel. I hope you'll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 238Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 627 嫡 After the Legitimate Daughter Was Reborn, the Duke's Mansion Became the Laughingstock of the Capital 嫡女重生后，国公府成了京中笑话 Clear Grain Knows Autumn清禾知秋Ancient Romance408k WordsCompleted Su Ruoxi was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of An's household and the most celebrated talent in the capital, Shengjing. Blind to people's true nature, she trusted her fiance and her cousin from the second branch, only to be betrayed by her father. She, her mother, and her elder brother were falsely accused of treason and died in a frozen wasteland... When she opened her eyes again, she was back on the day she had been bitten by a poisonous insect a year earlier. She tore up the marriage 3.1kReads8.2Score293Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is pretty good, a fast-paced and enjoyable read.

28. 628 渣 My Scumbag Fiancé Ran Away from Our Wedding, So I Married Someone Else on the Spot 渣男逃婚，我当场改嫁了 Mu Yun Cheng慕妘娍Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted On her wedding day, Meng Jinyao’s intended groom, Gu Xiuming, eloped with another woman, turning her into a laughingstock. She hardened her heart and changed grooms on the spot, marrying Gu Xiuming’s adoptive father, Gu Jingxi. After the wedding, Gu Xiuming sneered at her. “Meng Jinyao, have you no shame? You couldn’t become my bride, so now you want to become my mother?” Meng Jinyao looked at the man standing in the doorway and complained, “Husband, your son is being disrespectful and insulting 4.2kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves
29. 629 表 My Cousin Has Ambitions 表妹野心有点大 A Duo Guli阿朵古丽Ancient Romance136k WordsOngoing Pure historical romance + scheming, calculating legitimate daughter + winning her back + forced marriage + political intrigue The hero is the emperor, ten years older than the heroine. Jiang Shi should have been a noble young lady of the capital, but her grandaunt came to seek refuge with the Jiang family and ended up in her father's bed. Afterward, her father favored his concubine over his wife, and the Jiang family tried to seize everything from Jiang Shi's mother. After her mother divorced an 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Cool] Report! This book is original, no time travel, pure native protagonist! The female lead's background isn't particularly difficult. Her father favored his concubine over his wife, and her mother divorced and remarried, so she was unloved by both parents. At six, she was sent to live with her maternal grandfather, living under someone else's roof and suffering from her cousin's ostracism. However, she wasn't twisted; she was clear-headed, strategic, and knew how to protect herself and her family's reputation. Each character has their own stance. Her strategy of seeking revenge and killing her half-sister was a bit unexpected and amazing. Usually, people only start planning after returning home, but the female lead had already ruined her half-sister before she even returned, making it seem like she had nothing to do with it on the surface. Moreover, she took the opportunity to encourage other women to read and write more.

30. 630 惊 What? My Videos Are Being Spied on by the Ancestors 惊，我刷的视频，被老祖宗偷窥了 Sweet and Fragrant Qin Changsheng香香甜甜的秦长生Ancient Romance197k WordsCompleted [Historical setting + Light Screen + Short Videos + Modern Day] Have you ever seen a protagonist this unlucky? She just went out to watch the snow and ended up breaking a bone. Her phone also knocked out the System that was about to bind itself to her, so somehow the phone and the System got bound to each other instead. 1.1kReads8.0Score—Shelves
31. 631 南 A Lovely Lady in the South 南有嘉人 Fragrance Deep in the Bones骨中香彻Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + revenge + satisfying wish-fulfillment + face-slapping and punishing villains] [Sweet on the surface but dark underneath, fallen heiress VS beautiful, powerful, tragic God of War prince] My mother was bought from a villain for one tael of silver by my gambling-addict father, and bore him four daughters. When I was thirteen, Mother finally gave birth to a son for him, but he abused her to death. Only after Mother died did I learn from the letters she left behind that she was 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    We welcome everyone to spot the differences!

32. 632 仵 The Coroner’s Guide to Winning Over the Darkened Powerhouse 仵作攻略：黑化大佬心尖宠 Moon's Demise月亡Ancient Romance627k WordsCompleted A modern forensic doctor transmigrates into the past and becomes a lowly maid in the Jinyiwei kitchen, powerless and bullied by everyone. 257Reads8.5Score—Shelves
33. 633 我 I Came to the Capital to Break Off the Engagement 我来京城退亲的 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Ancient Romance129k WordsCompleted Pei Xuan returned to his residence after court, and the steward hurried to report, “Miss Jiang from Jiangnan has arrived with her mother. They’re in the reception hall speaking with the Old Madam.” He stepped through the moon gate and saw his mother and grandmother seated in the main seats, their faces displeased. A woman in plain clothes stood in the hall, her back ramrod straight. “Old Madam, Madam,” she said, her clear voice shattering the heavy silence, “I am Jiang Hailan of the Jiang family 9kReads8.0Score901Shelves

    Reader note

    Your Highness, please accept this! She and her frail, ailing mother traveled a long and arduous journey to the capital, and without a word, she annuled the marriage, which had long been a mere formality. She thought the matter was over, but her former fiancé wouldn't have it, jumping out like a ruffled rooster and yelling, "What? You think my status as a close advisor to the Emperor and Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review isn't enough for you, that I'm not good enough for your impoverished family? Heh! A poor man trying to break off an engagement, thinking it'll all go smoothly? Dream on!" What would happen next? She never imagined she'd fall in love with a man from ancient times.

34. 634 命 The Crown Princess Destined by Fate 命定太子妃 Don't Ask莫问Ancient Romance624k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Liu Wangshu was a refined young lady raised by the book. As crown princess, she had worked herself to the bone, managing everything inside and out, only to die on the eve of becoming empress. Given another chance, she was determined to keep her distance from that heartless crown prince. But despite all her efforts, the crown prince changed, and she was still the crown princess. Rumor had it the new crown prince was lecherous and cruel. Looking at the smiling man before her, 1.2kReads9.0Score128Shelves
35. 635 夏 Xia Suofangyan 夏锁芳妍 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Ancient Romance155k WordsCompleted His father, the Marquis of Pingnan, has been sentenced to death, his mother, Commandery Princess Haiyan, is under house arrest, and he has been banished to a remote land. Does their marriage contract still stand? She breaks off their engagement when he falls on hard times. Is she kicking him while he's down, or does she have her reasons? To escape the royal marriage bestowed upon her by fate, she accompanies a princess to a distant land as a bride. Amid boundless snowy plains, Eagle Sorrow Ravin 8Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 636 佞 The Treacherous Minister 佞臣 Read a Little, Xu Bai读点叙白Mystery549k WordsCompleted [Amnesiac, Highly Skilled Detective X Cold-on-the-Outside, Warm-Hearted Eunuch in Power] [Historical fantasy + Mystery-solving + Two Beautiful, Powerful, Tragic Leads + Taking Another's Place + Marriage Before Love + Amnesia] After Zhao Yuqing is gravely wounded and loses her memory, she wanders to Jianzhou, where she is rescued by the kindhearted young lady of the Jia family. To repay her, Zhao Yuqing, gifted with both martial prowess and intelligence, solves the Jia family's murder case, only 808Reads9.1Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist is a eunuch; the case unfolds rapidly, creating a highly suspenseful story.

37. 637 宠 Pampering My Beloved Wife 宠娇妻 Mu Ziyang木子阳Ancient Romance226k WordsCompleted Although Ye Ruoning, nicknamed Jiaojiao, was born into a marquis's household, she was far beneath her cousin, the future wife of the heir to the Duke of Zhenguo's household, a family honored by the imperial court. The emperor had arranged a marriage between the heir and her cousin long ago. But no one expected Ye Ruoning to take her cousin's place and marry the heir, a handsome man with the bearing of jade who excelled in both letters and arms. Everyone knew the heir was pleased with his betroth 5.8kReads9.1Score520Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing is superb! 🍬 ① The story follows a woman who marries her cousin in place of her sister. Their relationship blossoms from a hazy, innocent love to a harmonious marriage, culminating in her becoming empress. It's a sweet, long-lasting romance. ✨ ② The main characters and the ensemble cast are all exceptionally well-developed. The female lead survives the massacre of her entire family, destined to bear a heavy burden. Fortunately, she meets the best man in the world, who cares for her and becomes her strong support! 🍂 ③ Entrusted with a child by her aunt, she is forced to marry her cousin! How much does she love him? It's simply a woman's duty to love someone over time. She uses her intelligence and cunning to become his only wife, bestowed with a title by the emperor himself. 🎭

38. 638 她 She's a Murderess, So How Did She Marry the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review? 她杀人魔，怎么嫁了大理寺少卿？ Ya Bazi牙霸子Ancient Romance525k WordsCompleted [Female Lead: Has a Slight Grasp of Human Nature] X [Male Lead: A Good Man] [A Not-Quite-Right, Delicate Beauty X The Pure and Noble Xie Xiao Wu] . Sang Mi was a man-eating flower that killed without batting an eye, a murderous fiend who couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger and couldn’t tell one grain from another. She transmigrated. But why was she the daughter of the Minister of Justice? And why had she married Xie Zeyi, a junior official at the Court of Judicial Review? . Xie Zeyi had long b 7.1kReads9.1Score783Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a man-eating flower with a quirky and adorable thought process. She enjoys killing, but only bad guys. The male lead is responsible for solving the cases, but after discovering the female lead is a criminal, he becomes responsible for handling the details of her misdeeds. He absolutely adores her! [Heart emoji]

39. 639 凤 The Phoenix Returns: A Conspiracy 凤归谋 Tao Zhijiuying桃栀久耀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted [Historical fantasy with a powerful heroine, political intrigue, and satisfying revenge] [No transmigration + no rebirth + no System] Peach blossoms bloom in their splendor, their fiery beauty never fading. The phoenix returns to its home, then takes to the skies once more. Feng Xihe said: From childhood, I studied military texts and histories and trained in horsemanship, archery, and the art of war. Of the four arts, I devoted myself only to calligraphy, because Father said an emperor’s handwr 1.2kReads9.1Score130Shelves

    Reader note

    No time travel, no system, no rebirth—a historical romance with a strong female protagonist embodying political intrigue! Welcome to read!

40. 640 野 Wild Lilies Bloom in Spring Too 【野百合也有春天】 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Two Female Leads114k WordsCompleted Important note in advance: This is not a story with two female leads! The platform settings are wrong! The male and female leads are devoted to each other, with absolutely no divided loyalties! As Zhou Xiaoyu looked at the profound sorrow in Song Chuyu’s eyes, she realized with absolute clarity that he still hadn’t moved on. That girl, Cen Baihe, had long since taken root in the softest part of his heart like the most tenacious vine, bound to him by blood and impossible to tear away. At that mom 75Reads—Score—Shelves
41. 641 母 Becoming Empress of the Realm by Pretending to Be the Chancellor's Widowed Sister-in-Law 母仪天下，从冒充丞相寡嫂开始 Luo Chunshui洛春水Ancient Romance630k WordsCompleted [Revenge + Face-Slapping the Scum + Lighthearted + Sweet Romance] When you’re out in the world, you can choose your own identity. To infiltrate high society and avenge the massacre of her sister’s family, Feng Qingsui decides to pose as the distant cousin of a prestigious household. But just as she’s about to seek their help, the household she picked is raided by the Imperial Guards. She tries another family. Raided. Then another. Raided again. At her wit’s end, she knocks on the door of the “Pr 24.2kReads9.4Score4.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is absolutely fantastic! The title might make you overlook it, but the content is truly captivating. It's a revenge story that delivers a satisfying and cathartic experience. The entire narrative revolves around ruthless decisiveness and swift, decisive action, without any elaborate schemes, tricks, or slow maneuvering. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read!

42. 642 与 Dreaming with the Cold, Powerful Official: The Sweetheart Blushes and Her Heart Races 与清冷权臣共梦，娇娇脸红心跳 Orange Gummies橘子软糖Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance + devoted couple] Fourth Miss Jiang lost both her parents when she was young. She has spent years hidden away in the inner quarters of the Jiang household, never meeting anyone. After coming of age, rumors spread that she is ugly and timid as a mouse, prompting her fiancé to break off their engagement. But on the day the engagement is called off, the man who arrives isn’t her fiancé. It’s his uncle, the man who visits her dreams every night. Jiang Fu has a secret. Ever since she c 12.3kReads9.2Score1.5kShelves
43. 643 春 A Lovely Spring Day 春日好时光 April Thirty-Three四月三三Ancient Romance445k WordsCompleted [Completed, no rebirth or transmigration.][A peaceful rural life, a rugged man meets a beauty, and ordinary people make a life together.] Song Shu trembled and cried, “Please spare me, grim reaper!” But the terrifying man took off his demon mask and gently said, “Don't be afraid, miss. I'm a good person.” She just wanted to get rid of this dangerous man as soon as possible and never see him again. But he said in a gruff voice, “I can never repay you for saving my life. The only thing I can do i 9.9kReads9.3Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    They are all very good, not time-travel stories, and are set in ancient China.

44. 644 小 Xiaoci Xian's Collection of Novellas About Love 小辞仙中篇爱情小说合集 Little Ci Xian小辞仙Modern Romance454k WordsCompleted I highly recommend the sixth story, "Who Does the Lilac Bloom For?" She said, “The Ding family was wrong to substitute a daughter born of a concubine for the legitimate heir to save face. Your Highness was wrong to accept this marriage under pressure. This mistake began in the capital and must end in Qianzhou. Now that Your Highness has reclaimed your rightful place, this mistake should come to an end as well.” Her gaze was clear and candid, without the slightest trace of resentment, only the lu 163Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 645 重 Reborn, I Become My Arch-Enemy's Living Widow Sister-in-Law 重生后，我成了死敌的活寡嫂子 Two Times Four Means Prosperity二四得发Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn + sister-in-law and brother-in-law + an aloof beauty brought down from her pedestal + emotional push and pull + winning her heart and her body + devoted couple] The Eastern Palace has no crown prince, and the princes are locked in a fierce struggle for the throne. Ning Miao and Yan Mobai are the top strategists of their generation, each serving a different master. They cross paths over a map of iron mines and kill each other. Only after her death does Ning Miao learn tha 39.6kReads9.4Score5.9kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a bit niche; I haven't seen many people share it, but I think it's quite nice.

46. 646 闺 A Girl’s Private Affairs 闺事 Sui Tang隋唐Ancient Romance340k WordsCompleted [Airheaded, sweet little beauty × cold-faced, warm-hearted man who overthinks everything] Pure historical romance, both leads are virgins Wen Wan was sold to Spring River, Flowers and Moonlight at the age of ten. Everyone said she had the beauty of Xi Shi. On the eve of her debut, Cao Du Zhi, the instructor who had always doted on her, went out of his way to find someone to take her in for her first night. She went along, all naive and clumsy sweetness, and by sheer luck, caught the man’s eye. H 4kReads9.2Score432Shelves
47. 647 帝 The Divine Emperor's Abandoned Consort: The Godly Doctor 帝凰之神医弃妃 A Cai阿彩Ancient Romance5.1M WordsCompleted [New Book Recommendation: The Imperial Physician's Consort] On her wedding day, she awakens in the countryside, dressed in rags. Amid the scorn of the crowd, she steps into the imperial capital, leaving bloody footprints behind... She is an orphan with neither father nor mother, bullied by everyone. He is The Outcast, a ruthless prince second only to the emperor and superior to all others. She is covered in wounds and utterly disheveled. He stands apart from the world, peerless in grace and bear 5.8kReads9.0Score681Shelves
48. 648 软 Soft Waist, Beguiling Bones 软酥腰，娇妾媚骨生香 Meow-Flavored Toffee喵味太妃糖Ancient Romance724k WordsCompleted After one wild night, Song Yihuan was set up by her elder sister and made into a surrogate. No one knew that by day, her elder sister lived in perfect harmony with Ji Lingchuan, heir to Prince Ning, while by night, Song Yihuan took her place, spending the nights in his arms because her sister could not conceive. Song Yihuan thought that once she gave birth, she would finally be free of it all. But the moment the child was born, her sister dropped her virtuous facade and tried to kill the mother 561Reads9.2Score210Shelves
49. 649 皇 How to Make an Empress (Complete in 2 Volumes) 皇后是这样炼成的（全2册） Jiu Xiaoqi酒小七Ancient Romance368k WordsCompleted Ji Wuju finally catches up with the woman he loves after pursuing her for thousands of miles. At the military camp, he and Ye Zhenzhen, who is disguised as a man, make a show of their affection, leaving the old general so frantic he spits blood. “Think of the consequences!” Before Ji Wuju can even get used to having her by his side, Ye Zhenzhen is abducted by the Xiongnu again. Ji Wuju: “!!!” (Ye Zhenzhen: “Your Majesty, stay calm.”) After a great deal of hardship, he rescues Ye Zhenzhen, only f 1.2kReads9.4Score197Shelves
50. 650 不 No Match for the Imperial Uncle’s Beauty 不及皇叔貌美 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance491k WordsCompleted The man she had loved for ten years was going to burn her alive so he could marry someone else! Just before she died, someone appeared from the sky and rescued her from the flames. “I’ll help you with anything you want,” Shen Guyuan said. “As long as you find true love in the end.” “I want revenge!” Chi Yu gritted her teeth. “I’ll make that pair of cheating bastards pay in blood!” But revenge was one thing. A woman this fierce still had no prospects for marriage. Shen Guyuan was worried, so he t 441Reads8.7Score102Shelves

Other lists with Phoenix Brocade Strategy: The Seal Keeper Is Flirting with Me Again