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. 701 从 From Maid to Magistrate’s Wife: A Native Woman’s Journey 从丫鬟到官夫人，土著女子奋斗史 Zhuang Sheng Mi庄生迷Ancient Romance769k WordsCompleted [Native-born leads, no space, no System, no golden finger] Strong, beautiful maid Ren Qingmiao x unlucky, sickly, handsome scholar Lin Yanchu Ren Qingmiao's hometown was struck by disaster when she was young, and she was sold into slavery. Her intelligence and strength won her master's favor. By chance, she saved the unlucky scholar Lin Yanchu, and the two became entangled from then on. She learns a trade and trains her body, becoming self-reliant and strong. After leaving the manor, Ren Qingmia 5.3kReads8.9Score554Shelves

   Reader note

   The male and female leads are both indigenous. The female lead is very strong-willed and opinionated, while the male lead is unlucky in the beginning and acts a bit like a pig in front of her. It's super good! 🥰

2. 702 只 One Hand Shrouds the Immortals 只手遮仙 Wounded Nerves受伤的神经Ancient Romance247k WordsCompleted Ancient fantasy romance, xianxia, possessive love, three men vying for one woman. Scene One: Lin Qiyue was imprisoned in a cage inlaid with gold and jade. The immortal attendants all called her captor “Your Highness.” But Lin Qiyue didn’t know him at all. She couldn’t understand why he had abducted her. Yet this prince acted as if he knew her intimately, as though they had known each other for thousands of years. Scene Two: “Senior Brother! Don’t…” Lin Qiyue was so frantic that tears nearly sp 735Reads8.4Score102Shelves

   Reader note

   Trust me, these books are exceptionally well-written. Once you read one, you'll be hooked on the rest. Each story is unique and features multiple male protagonists. I especially recommend the third book, "Brotherly Empathy."

3. 703 且 Let the Years Grow Quiet, and the Autumn Breeze Pass 且安岁晚任秋萧 Slightly Sweet Ding微甜丁Ancient Romance431k WordsCompleted Adapted into a motion comic: With You, Through the Years [Historical romance + a touch of political intrigue + sweet romance + devoted couple] “The author can’t write a blurb, just read the story.” The second young master of the Mu family is fabulously wealthy but disabled, and everyone mocks him as a useless cripple. Four years ago, when his life hung by a thread, she appeared out of nowhere. From then on, he spent day and night tracing the features of her face. Four years later, he was gravely 4.3kReads8.8Score212Shelves

   Reader note

   Don't let the low rating fool you, the writing is top-notch! The interactions between the male and female leads are incredibly sweet, absolutely adorable.

4. 704 醉 Drunk and Reckless 醉轻狂 Wounded Nerves受伤的神经Ancient Romance200k WordsCompleted Two men fight over one woman, determined to possess her at any cost. Li Xiang is rescued by Su Mo and brought to the prince's manor as a maid. They fall in love over time, but a struggle for imperial power brings the manor down and tears the lovers apart. For Su Mo's sake, Li Xiang quietly cares for the injured heir, Zhou Mingxuan. But when they meet again, the bond between the three of them can never return to what it was... Scene One: He had just lifted the covers when Li Xiang swung her fre 5kReads8.9Score411Shelves
5. 705 非 You Are My Only Intention 非卿三意 Wounded Nerves受伤的神经Ancient Romance275k WordsCompleted A possessive romance + brothers tearing each other apart for love, with three men fighting over one woman. A misunderstanding led Chen Wanqing to sleep with her fiancé’s brother, Zhuang Xianzhi. She thought it was just a one-time mistake and that they would each return to their proper place. But Zhuang Xianzhi refused to let go, unable to get enough of her. Zhuang Ziyin, her husband, endured it all and kept backing down, only making Zhuang Xianzhi even more brazen... Chen Wanqing wavered betwee 3.2kReads8.8Score305Shelves
6. 706 被 Forced to Marry a Lovesick Girl, the Disabled Heir Strikes It Rich 被赐婚花痴女，残疾世子赚翻了 Flowers of That Year那年的花Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted 28.6kReads9.2Score1.9kShelves

   Reader note

   These are some beautifully written historical romance novels. The descriptions are delicate and smooth, and the stories are incredibly captivating—you'll be hooked from the first read! 🍒 They include stories about past and present lives, soul transmigration, and tales of real and fake heiresses, as well as forced marriages followed by mutual attraction. You'll know which one you like after just a few chapters! [Laughs]

7. 707 君 A Lord's Grudge 君怨 Wounded Nerves受伤的神经Ancient Romance222k WordsCompleted Two men fighting over one woman, with a domineering, possessive romance! ❤️ It all started when Liu Rongrong, desperate to win back her fiancé Shen Zhiyuan, stripped and tried to seduce him. She had no idea that the third prince, Xiao Huai, was secretly watching and had seen her embarrassing display. Determined to bring the Seventh Princess and Shen Zhiyuan together, Xiao Huai stopped at nothing and took Liu Rongrong, that troublemaker, under his wing himself. Scene One: Xiao Huai looked straigh 1.1kReads8.4Score106Shelves
8. 708 女 After Faking Her Death in Disguise as a Man, She Starts Playing the Frail, Scheming Green Tea 女扮男装死后，她开始演柔弱绿茶 Ye Buhong叶不鸿Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The print edition of [Playing Coy] is available on all platforms. [The heroine is everyone’s beloved, with maximum “moonlight in the heart” appeal + doted on by all + universally adored + strong female lead] Qin Buwen disguised herself as a man and played the part of a treacherous official for sixteen years. At the height of her infamy, everyone in Chang’an, even the dogs, would go out of their way to avoid her. Then she was betrayed and abandoned by everyone. She leapt from a tall building, onl 37kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

   Reader note

   You can only say that investing in these books is a sure win; every single one is a gem.

9. 709 东 The Eastern Palace’s Hidden Darling 东宫藏娇 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance222k WordsCompleted [Sweet, imaginative historical romance + Pursuing his wife through live comments + A forced romance that turns mutual + A beautiful airhead + A sinister crown prince + The real and fake heiress] To earn money for her seriously ill mother and her injured brother, desperate Pei Jiaojiao sold herself into slavery at the Eastern Palace. Her pretty face and timid, trouble-avoiding nature earned her a place serving in the Crown Prince's study, assigned by the steward. Her daily chores were simple: gri 4.3kReads9.1Score316Shelves
10. 710 世 The Heir's Everyday Life of Spoiling His Wife 世子爷养妻日常 The Mountains Are Nowhere to Be Seen山山不见Ancient Romance818k WordsCompleted (Marriage first, love later, sweet romance, feel-good power fantasy, both leads have been faithful) Song Qianlan is the eldest legitimate daughter of the prime minister’s household. Ordered by imperial decree to marry the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, all she wants is a respectful marriage and a peaceful life. Xie Yan is the heir of the Duke of Dingguo. Married by imperial decree, he has just one request of his wife: behave herself and keep out of trouble. With their mutual understanding that the 21.6kReads8.8Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    It's definitely worth watching; investing in it won't hurt! [Laughs]

11. 711 被 After Being Kidnapped, I Kidnap the Western Regions' Young Lord and Bring Him Back to the Central Plains 被拐后，我反拐西域少主回中原 Thousand Threads of Intrigue千丝戏Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Young lord of the Western Regions × Princess of Sheng'an] Ye Zhaoyu was born into the imperial family. She figured she'd surely been dealt the pampered darling's script in life, so she wisely decided to coast. But she never expected to take a wrong turn and be kidnapped to the Western Regions. By a stroke of bad luck, she was sent to the bed of a deranged young lord known as a demon's lair and a living Shura. She immediately switched into survival-and-escape mode, determined to flee back to the 8.4kReads9.5Score1.3kShelves
12. 712 跛 The Gentle Wife of the Lame Young Scholar 跛腿小秀才的温柔妻 Still So Sleepy还是困啊Ancient Romance100k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a Book, Low-Key, Cozy Farming Story, No Golden Finger, Simple Everyday Life, Short Novel of 100,000 Words] * Lan Ruo transmigrates into a book and becomes a young scholar’s wife. The young scholar is injured in an accidental fall and becomes lame. He’s terribly shy and blushes whenever she teases him. She can’t help herself, always wanting to tease him and watch him turn red with embarrassment. Content warning: The pace is fairly quick because this is a short novel. 3.4kReads8.9Score294Shelves
13. 713 诱 Luring the Snake: Qing Qing as My Wife 诱蛇：青卿为妻 When the Clouds Part, the Galaxy Appears云散现星河Ancient Romance456k WordsCompleted Enticing the Azure -----A story about a young couple falling in love and growing stronger along the way---- The snake woman once thought her life would always be this way. When needed, she would be summoned to fight unknown enemies. When not needed, she would wait in a spirit beast pouch until she rotted away. Bound by a blood contract, she could only repeat this cycle, neither human nor demon, waiting for death to release her from the contract. She never expected that day to come so soon. At th 3.1kReads9.3Score369Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is truly unique online, absolutely amazing! No clichéd plot twists!

14. 714 败 The Defeated General 败将 Chi Fei迟非Two Male Leads602k WordsCompleted A chef has come to Liangxi County, his skills so astonishing that he draws food lovers from far and wide. A scholar has come to Liangxi County, writing letters and painting pictures while cursing people to die soon and be reborn. They have only one thing in common: they are both handsome, with perfect figures, and together they have become the county’s most striking sight. The young ladies of every household are practically tearing their handkerchiefs apart, only to learn that the two men are a 2.2kReads9.7Score378Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a BL (Boys' Love) novel, the second is a romance novel; both are good.

15. 715 昭 Unblemished Radiance 昭质未亏 Egret and Jing Ling鹭与镜泠Ancient Romance351k WordsCompleted A sweet historical romance full of court intrigue, one-on-one~ ( ˘ω˘ ) Resilient young lady from a refined family × brilliant, free-spirited boy A story of a precocious, proud young princess who seems cold but is warm-hearted, and a handsome young man who can think of nothing but his beloved, as they dote on each other and stand by one another~ Until the age of twelve, Ye Zhao was a noble young lady of the marquis’s household, treasured like gold and jade. Then calamities came one after another, 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's perfectly on theme. The female lead suffered hardship in her early years, but her heart was never corrupted; she's resilient and intelligent. The male lead is the kind of young swordsman who originally roamed the world, but he entered the imperial court for the female lead. He's cheeky and knows how to flirt, and the two are incredibly sweet. [Flying kiss]

16. 716 公 The Princess Becomes a Servant, and the Mad Regent Locks Her Up with Bloodshot Eyes 公主为婢，疯批摄政王红眼囚她 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance784k WordsCompleted [Mutual Firsts] [Power Struggles] [Taking by Force] [Rivalry for Love] [Love and Hate] [Resilient, Cool Beauty and Unhinged Prince Regent] She was the princess of Nanzhao, but through a twist of fate, she ended up living among ordinary people. Eight years ago, Xiao Nanyan, the regent of Tianqi, happened to pass through Nanzhao. He rescued her and brought her back to his residence, where he raised her as a deathsworn guard. With beauty that could topple kingdoms, she was still only a servant, and 3.1kReads9.2Score322Shelves

    Reader note

    Both books are great! The second one is a sequel to the first. Highly recommended, you won't regret it! [Sparrow Eater's masterpiece][Already hooked]

17. 717 性 Wild at Heart, A Master Flirt: The Coldhearted Prince Goes Mad for Her 性子野，撩的花，寡情王爷疯魔啦 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance906k WordsCompleted [Both Leads Are Inexperienced + Faux Uncle and Niece + Political Intrigue + Ensemble Cast + Regretful Pursuit] [Quirky, Scheming Heroine VS. Vengeful, Unhinged Uncle] Xie Ning, the second daughter of the Prince of Jing’an’s household, has just arrived in Yandu when she wanders into the wrong room and is used by a man as an ingredient in an antidote. After one wild night, she intends to treat it as a fleeting fling, but he petitions the emperor to grant them a marriage. He is the mighty Prince of 1.7kReads9.2Score188Shelves
18. 718 锁 Locked in the Spring Night 锁春宵 Banana Pizza香蕉披萨Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + reborn + revenge on scum + sweet romance + mutually faithful] In her previous life, Su Qingyu had been married for three years without ever consummating the marriage. Then her cousin suddenly appeared before her with a child, and Su Qingyu finally learned that the man wasn't impotent. He just couldn't perform with her. Her cousin stripped off Su Qingyu's face, took her place as the legitimate daughter of the marquis's household, and became the matriarch of the S 33.9kReads9.3Score5.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is reborn and leaves her scumbag husband to marry Master Shen. However, the supposedly dead Master Shen suddenly comes back to life and spends every day intimately with her. [Eating popcorn emoji]

19. 719 神 The Abandoned Miracle Doctor Returns Reborn 神医弃女重生归来 Zi Wei He子薇河Ancient Romance522k WordsCompleted [Devoted to each other + reborn + pocket dimension + revenge + sweet romance] (A full-cast audiobook adaptation is available. Give it a listen!) In her previous life, she caught a chill after falling into the water and slept for six days, missing her coming-of-age ceremony. When she woke, she was told she would marry the Marquis's heir in a month. To please her family, she agreed. But the heir's heart never belonged to her. At the marquis's residence, she was constantly targeted and mistreated, 16kReads8.8Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    1. A Divine Doctor's Abandoned Daughter Reborn: A completed ancient romance novel about rebirth. The plot is truly excellent, very enjoyable, and worth reading three times. [Explore][Full]

20. 720 忘 The Tribulation of the Forgotten River 忘川劫 Jiu Lu Feixiang九鹭非香Ancient Romance172k WordsCompleted [“Cold and ruthless God of War” Moxi VS “Heartless Stone Spirit” Sansheng] “If you can catch me, I’ll be yours!” She is the Three-Life Spirit Stone by the River of Forgetfulness, beside the other shore’s flowers, guiding souls through the consequences of their deeds. He is the renowned God of War of the Nine Heavens, with no room for personal feelings, devoted only to all living beings. A stone has no heart, and a warrior no tenderness. Though they are worlds apart, a casual remark binds them to 29.5kReads9.6Score3.9kShelves

    Reader note

    None of them have reached a million reads, but they're really good! The theme is fresh, the plot is exciting, and the length is short! [A masterpiece by Sparrow Eater][A masterpiece by Sparrow Eater][A masterpiece by Sparrow Eater] Highly recommended!

21. 721 将 The General Is Ready to Wed 将军待嫁 Dream Three Lifetimes梦三生Ancient Romance353k WordsCompleted The accomplished female general Zhao Chongyi defies an imperial decree and flees her arranged marriage. Zhou Wenran, notorious master of the Tianqi Pavilion, is ordered to capture her. Though they have never met, the two clash briefly in the dark and both end up badly wounded. Zhao Chongyi tumbles off a cliff... When she wakes, she has become Shu Xiaoman, the second daughter of the Shu family in Dongli Town at the foot of the mountain. She also finds a handsome man who has “lost his memory.” The 558Reads9.3Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all pretty good!

22. 722 旺 Bringing Fortune to Her Husband and Glory to His Clan! The General's Wife Is a True Lucky Star! 旺夫！兴族！将军夫人真锦鲤！ March Sluggishness三月意懒Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [A dangerously unhinged, handsome and tragic general × a delicate beauty who cries at the drop of a hat; marriage first, love later + sweet romance + age gap] Cheng Yang is the Liang dynasty’s greatest general: stern, ruthless, and utterly brutal in his methods. People in court call him the “Fourth Chancellor.” Despite his outstanding military service, he is cursed with the fate of a lone star. His father and brothers are all dead, his birth mother is gravely ill, and his sister-in-law has gone 12.5kReads9.2Score1.4kShelves
23. 723 糙 A Rough Hunter Found a Sweet Princess and Cherished Her as His Dearest Treasure 糙汉猎户捡到娇软公主宠成心尖宝 Golden Hairpin, Ah金步摇啊Ancient Romance234k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance + devoted couple + rugged man + adorable heroine] The most honored legitimate princess of Chu suffered an accident and fell off a cliff. A broad-shouldered, rough-edged hunter found her and brought her home to be his little wife. Princess: “I am the most honored legitimate princess of Chu.” Rugged hunter: “This little woman must’ve hit her head when she fell, but it’s fine. I don’t mind.” Princess: … The princess slapped the hunter across the face and snap 11.7kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
24. 724 回 The Spring Renewal Pharmacy 回春药铺 The Coldest Days Are Coming小寒将至Ancient Romance432k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + no rebirth or transmigration + revenge + political intrigue] Every thrilling tale begins in a little apothecary. After a chance encounter, a master and apprentice who have both suffered the slaughter of their families and endured countless hardships find themselves facing powerful enemies. They have no choice but to assume secret identities and disappear into the bustling streets of the capital, plotting carefully and advancing step by step as they seek revenge, stirri 21kReads9.4Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    These two books are considered classics.

25. 725 探 So What If He's the Top Scholar? She Turns Around and Marries the Number One Scholar 探花了不起？她转身高嫁状元郎 The Flying Old Cabbage会飞的老帮菜Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [One-on-One Romance + Reborn in the Womb + Face-Slapping + Everyone's Favorite + Female General + Light Political Intrigue] She paid for her husband to sit the imperial exams, cared for his gravely ill mother, and supported his entire family. After two years of hard work, she was rewarded with his triumphant return as the third-place palace graduate, along with his new wife: supposedly the most talented woman and the highest-ranking female official in the dynasty, with a slight swell to her bell 1.3kReads9.2Score139Shelves

    Reader note

    That scumbag! This third-ranking scholar's career isn't going to be smooth sailing. His divorced wife is the prime minister's daughter; she'll definitely make things difficult for him in the officialdom. Haha, just wait and see! Highly recommended!

26. 726 她 She Came Back With Her Memories 她带记忆来 Fang Momo方莫墨Ancient Romance283k WordsOngoing [No golden finger, no transmigration, body-swap resurrection, pure historical political intrigue, happy ending] [Career-minded female chancellor + henpecked prince] Wei Mingluo is merely the illegitimate daughter of Wei Yan, Vice Minister of Rites. Her father shows her no affection, her mother died young, and she has suffered constant bullying in the Wei household. To her surprise, the mighty Prince Anbei has people watching her every move and repeatedly puts her to the test. The first time, he 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a good but underrated story, a pure historical romance with political intrigue. Both leads are strong; the female lead is very intelligent, and the male lead is clever and obedient to his wife.

27. 727 沉 Who Knows the Heart's Desire by the Sinking Boat? 沉舟侧畔谁知意 11 Candies11颗糖Ancient Romance384k WordsCompleted Shen Zhiyi is married off by her father to the Lu family, a military household in Bianjing. On their wedding night, her groom, Lu Chenzhou, drunkenly calls out another woman’s name. She calmly snuffs out the wedding candles. “If we’re not meant to be, then let’s be allies.” When he returns home wounded, she spends the whole night treating him with acupuncture to stop the bleeding. When a concubine frames her, he smashes the poisoned cup in front of everyone. Then they face one calamity after ano 10Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No time travel, no cheat codes, no concubines or maids, both characters are virgins, the ending perfectly reflects the theme, and the writing is quite good!

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