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. 251 太 The Crown Prince Is Exiled, and His Lucky Maid Goes Along to Bring Him Endless Fortune 太子流放，锦鲤婢女随行超旺他 Xiao Junzi萧君子Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Farming, food, political intrigue, a pure historical romance A clever, quick-witted palace maid X a scheming, domineering, deposed crown prince Adapted under the title Rebel Li Yue is a palace maid who carries dishes in the Eastern Palace. She rarely gets to see the crown prince, the crown princess, or the noble consorts. She thinks she's the luckiest person in the palace: her master's anger never falls on her, and the head cook looks after her. She's grown plump from eating well, and feels trul 12.4kReads8.9Score1.6kShelves
2. 252 王 My Lord, the Princess Consort Says She’ll Never See You Again 王爷，王妃说此生不复相见 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance421k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance Tragedy + No Getting Back Together + Second Male Lead Takes the Lead] A tragic romance! A tragic romance! A tragic romance! Ye Chuyan loved Pei Xiuyan for twelve years, but never moved him in the slightest. All she got in return was Pei Xiuyan wiping out the Ye family and having her father and brothers tortured to death over three days in the snow. At last, she understood: for the rest of her life, there would be no love between her and Pei Xiuyan, only hatred, until one o 27.1kReads9.3Score1.7kShelves

   Reader note

   Every time I see a book without time travel, I have to recommend these three. They're all written by the same author, pure ancient Chinese style, no time travel or reincarnation, purely local stories. They don't treat readers like fools; the story is about separation and reunion. It features a diverse cast of characters, each one memorable, and the author always provides unexpected endings. They're truly fantastic; once you finish one, you'll definitely want to read the other two. Come on, come on!

3. 253 金 The Golden Palace Locks Away the Spring Breeze 金阙锁春风 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance757k WordsCompleted Her entire family perished, she was left dependent on others, the dynasty fell, and she married and divorced. In just eighteen years, Yu Zheng has endured things most people never face in a lifetime. A noblewoman of the former dynasty, all she wants now is to stay alive. She plans to enter the palace as a maid, then use her literacy to earn a post as a court official and support herself. She never imagined that the new emperor would send her to the Fourth Prince’s residence as a gesture of goodw 21.6kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

   Reader note

   Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

4. 254 被 After the Mad Imperial Preceptor Took Me by Force 被疯批国师强取豪夺后 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance783k WordsCompleted Based on the original novel of Youku’s web drama Eternal Night’s Long Dawn [Mad Male Lead VS Stubborn Female Lead] [Both Pure and Faithful + Traditional Historical Romance + Love by Force + Sweet and Angsty + Happy Ending] Xie Wanyin, the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, lost her mother at eight. Her father remarried, and she was sent to grow up in her maternal grandmother’s home. Years later, she returned to the Xie household, wanting nothing more than to avoid conflict and focus on g 3.2kReads9.4Score417Shelves

   Reader note

   The writing style is very good, and they are mostly written in classical Chinese.

5. 255 穿 After Transmigration, Her Whole Family Are Villains 穿越之我全家都是反派 Song Xiangbai宋象白Ancient Romance832k WordsCompleted Content warning: Lots of crude bathroom humor. Don't read while eating. Version One: Jiang Mianmian transmigrates. Her father is a scheming scholar with the face of a kindly man. Her mother has the face of a bodhisattva and the heart of a ruthless killer. Her eldest brother looks simple-minded but is cunning at heart. Her second sister is selfish and sharp-tongued. They were born destined to be villains. To highlight the protagonist's justice, kindness, and greatness, they work hard to do all so 137.2kReads9.6Score16.5kShelves

   Reader note

   After transmigrating, Mianmian used the spiritual spring to help her family improve their abilities and change their fate. Jiang's father first led the whole village to fight against the landlords, then joined the rebel army, governed a county, then surrendered and governed a city, and finally went to the capital to develop and found his biological mother, the Princess, transforming himself into a member of the royal family. In the end, he successfully stole the family's property and became the emperor. The female lead was completely passive throughout the whole process.

6. 256 话 Has Lord Xiahou the Chatterbox Finally Shut Up Today? 话痨的夏侯大人，今天闭嘴了吗 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance435k WordsCompleted [One true love ➕ pure historical setting ➕ happy ending ➕ sweet romance ➕ a little angst along the way] [No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger, pure historical fiction] Xiahou Huai, young master of Shanhai Tower, once swore that he would never love anyone in this life, especially not a woman. Romance was just too painful. Jiang Zhefeng, a scholar who disguised herself as a man, once swore that she would keep living as a man and never fall for any man. After they met, Xiahou Huai acc 905Reads9.3Score178Shelves
7. 257 陪 The Lady’s Maid 陪房丫鬟 March Chirp三月啾Ancient Romance516k WordsCompleted [A Tale of Taking by Force] Unluckily transmigrated into the body of a maid who serves as a dowry, Yun Xiang knows she will eventually be chosen to become Second Master Lu’s bedchamber maid. Second Master Lu is refined and gentle, the man of many maids’ dreams. But she doesn’t want that. She struggles and resists, openly and in secret, doing everything she can to avoid it. Yet, by a twist of fate, she unexpectedly catches Second Master Lu’s eye. She has no right to refuse. Just as it seems the m 67.8kReads9.1Score11kShelves

   Reader note

   1. It's good, and it made me very sad as soon as I started reading. It's a happy ending, but the male and female leads suffered so much. It's really good. 2. My first book about forced marriage, it's good, happy ending. 3. My favorite kind of forced marriage, wow, the male lead feels like a puppy. 4. The male lead is very well-developed, and the female lead is good too, but her last part made me so angry I had a headache. Happy ending. 5. This one is also good, I like it, happy ending.

8. 258 夫 The Madam Takes Charge: No More Lounging, Get Up and Get to Work! 夫人当家：都别躺，给我起来卷！ Give It a Persimmon Try柿柿就试试Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration to an alternate world + wish fulfillment + sweet romance + one-on-one + two strong leads] Xia Shuyan is a noblewoman of the capital, blessed with beauty, intelligence, and an illustrious family. To protect her family from the impending struggle for the throne, she arranges to marry General Xiao Yunchi, a man rumored to bring death to his wives. Xiao Yunchi is the second legitimate son of the Grand Princess and the old Marquis of Zhenbei, as well as the emperor’s nephew. He has sp 15.7kReads9.2Score2kShelves
9. 259 烽 When the Flames of War Die, Spring Will Return 烽火尽处待春归 Rong Mo容墨Ancient Romance342k WordsCompleted Yu Wanxuan had always been a free-spirited woman of the martial world. By chance, she went from the jianghu to the battlefield, where she was transformed amid bloodshed and turmoil. Yang Yingfeng was born into a family of generals, a brilliant and exceptional commander of the Feiyun Cavalry. Together, they braved countless dangers, quelled unrest along the border, and executed treacherous rebels. Just as peace settled across the land and their union seemed certain, she suddenly let go of his han 218Reads8.7Score108Shelves

   Reader note

   The writing is good, the plot is good, the male and female leads have distinct personalities, and the story has a grand vision of family, country, and the world. The only downside is the low rating.

10. 260 青 Snow in Qingzhou 青州雪 The Little Student Who Loves Meat爱吃肉的小同学Ancient Romance747k WordsCompleted Historical Romance | Alternate History [Family and country first | No golden fingers, no transmigration, no rebirth | One-on-one romance | Happy ending] This story involves ghosts and spirits. The heroine grows over the course of the story, so please keep that in mind before reading. A lone spirit wanders the mortal world, its clothes stained by golden-lamp dew, its feet treading on the fragrance of time. Yet it cannot enter the cycle of reincarnation or journey to the next life. The Lord of the 9.6kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves
11. 261 入 Into the Seductive Tent 入娇帐 Cloud Mountain Crow云山鸦Ancient Romance546k WordsCompleted (Original title: Stealing a Friend's Wife) Tao Heyi willingly married her frail husband to bring him good fortune. She had loved him since childhood, and knew that if he weren't so weak, his talent and temperament would have made him far too good a match for her. After their wedding, she carefully nursed him, hoping he would regain his health. In their second year of marriage, a guest came to their home. Her husband happily introduced him: “This is my former classmate, Zhao Jiyun.” Heyi glanced 13.3kReads9.0Score1.4kShelves
12. 262 本 This King's Sleeve Is Thoroughly Severed 本王这袖，断的彻底 Born Under a Lucky Star八字过硬Two Male Leads562k WordsCompleted [Preorders for The World Cannot Keep What It Loves Most open at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. For the first 15 minutes, signed copies are available with no quantity limit; from 16 to 30 minutes, copies personally signed by the author are available with no quantity limit!] [Two male leads + The prince has a bit of a sense of humor] Everyone knew Prince Pu was gay. Even the man on the imperial throne turned a blind eye. Prince Pu had loved many people in his life. A horseman from the frontier 34.6kReads9.6Score4.9kShelves

    Reader note

    No time travel, no rebirth, no female lead, no domestic intrigue, a novel with incredibly strong logic and political intrigue, a story that is both humorous and poignant, and written with superb prose. Tomato (the author) is somewhat unworthy of this novel.

13. 263 北 There Are Fish in the Northern Sea: A Mystery 北冥有鱼【探案】 Shopkeeper Qian钱大掌柜Mystery267k WordsCompleted Women had low status in ancient times, and female coroners were treated as the lowest of the low. After enduring years of torment from her family, Lin Feiyu ran away and spent eight years studying under an old coroner. Yet the authorities and the public still refused to accept or recognize her. After investigating a series of strange and uncanny cases with Cheng Yu, a fallen scion of a once-prominent family, including a prince’s death, a ghost groom, a mermaid’s tearful pearls, and a mysterious 830Reads8.9Score153Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a pure ancient Chinese detective story, and it's truly underrated! The poor female lead has an unhappy family, but thankfully she finds redemption in her 14-year-old self. She and the male lead are like a discerning eye for talent, a determined and courageous coroner, Lin Feiyu, versus a demoted advisor. It's a micro-ensemble piece, with few romantic subplots, focusing on small cases in a remote county. The female lead is a low-status coroner. In that era, while many girls in the capital forged their own paths, their skills weren't widely applied in various prefectures and counties. Therefore, despite being a highly experienced coroner, she wasn't valued. Adding to this, her parents didn't love her, and she lacked a happy family. To avoid a wasted life, she ran away from home, but still... Finding her parents and being blackmailed, she was about to drown herself when she met 14 (a little hint: although 14 is young, she's very clever, and they seem like sisters. In the finale, 14 leaves, and just when she was almost heartbroken, she realized that 14 was actually her own 14-year-old self, bravely rebelling and escaping the mountains—wow, that's a great foreshadowing! The male lead is a newly arrived, demoted clerk, and he and the female lead, 14, Little Stone, solve several cases together. But somehow, these cases connect, revealing a long-forgotten story. The second book is also quite good. I recently read a book that I initially thought was just about solving cases, but later it felt like a very ensemble piece, from idle students to people who understand righteousness and do great things—some even betraying their own families, and some sacrificing their lives. It was really great. Rivalry + Ensemble Cast + Detective + Suspense + National Righteousness Tang Tang'er, the female lead, is initially searching for a murderer in a friend's case. However, this case unfolds like a vast, intricate web, and she and the male lead are initially mortal enemies, unable to tolerate each other. The female lead is intelligent and skilled in martial arts, later becoming a female official and a colleague of the male lead. Together with the young men from the academy, they solve numerous mysterious cases, from the imperial court to the borderlands. What kind of force can infiltrate so pervasively? One case involves a group of refugees unable to enter the city. The female lead and the young men from the academy gather supplies for the refugees, act chivalrously, and parade them through the streets. They devise many methods to allow the refugees into the city, starting by putting pressure on the government. Papers fly everywhere, brimming with scholarly spirit. Countless young men, mostly young masters and ladies, parade through the streets, acting out of their own sense of justice. Unraveling the mystery, the truth of the case is revealed. In the end, he sacrifices his family for the innocent—a testament to righteousness; he sacrifices himself for his family—a testament to filial piety. The story revolves around a young man who discovers his family's involvement in harming others, contradicting his learned principles of morality. He chooses to sacrifice his own family for the innocent. Later, upon arriving in the capital, some young men choose to join the army, while others have their own plans, all driven by their own beliefs. The plot is a slow-burning, multi-talented, and perfectly matched story with episodic elements, detective work, and revenge. The main characters are Lu Yuanqing (Li Jianyun) and Shen Bai (later becoming a high-ranking official). I just finished reading it. The romance between the male and female leads is minimal; the majority of the story focuses on detective work, including many episodic stories. The female lead, Li Jianyun, is highly skilled in martial arts. To seek revenge and uncover the truth, her martial arts are sealed by golden needles, and her beautiful face becomes plain and expressionless. She appears in the public eye as Lu Yuanqing, her appearance unchanged. The male lead is not a spoiled brat; he is outwardly gentle and scholarly, but inwardly intelligent and highly skilled in martial arts. Initially, he only finds the female lead interesting, but later, seeing her investigative talent, he hires her as his advisor. He considers her a confidante, and gradually realizes that if she were a woman, he would definitely marry her. It wasn't until later that the male lead learned the female lead wasn't actually a man. He wanted to marry her, but she had her own plans that she couldn't complete. After she avenged herself, she left, and the male lead waited for her for five years. Their meeting was truly fate; he found her in a small county town. The female lead endured unimaginable pain for revenge, risking everything to overthrow the villain. Only after achieving her goal were they able to be together. This is a story combining crime-solving, romance, comedy, suspense, episodic stories, and a duo of powerful characters: Prince Chu Mingxuan vs. Detective Shen Rubai. The female lead is a female detective who, by chance, solves cases with the prince. From initial dislike and antagonism, they eventually become a couple, solving countless cases together.

14. 264 海 The Begonias Bloom for You Again 海棠今又为君开 Yi Shuang宜霜Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance + Sweet Romance + National and Family Feuds] In her previous life, Xiuyi trusted a scumbag and agreed to marry him, only to be pushed into a pond by a scheming white lotus and drown! Reborn, she opened a clinic, saved her father and brothers, kicked the scumbag to the curb, and schemed to have the white lotus die a gruesome death in prison. The cold-faced marquis, whose power held sway over the realm, drew her into his arms: “Don't worry! With me here, everything will be your 41.1kReads9.3Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is great!

15. 265 女 The Female Physician Xin Yi: A Case Investigation 女医辛夷【探案】 Shopkeeper Qian钱大掌柜Mystery600k WordsCompleted Completed. A cool-hearted female physician and a male lead from the Court of Judicial Review join forces to track down mysterious cases. Relief silver is stolen, 130 bandits are found dead, corpses litter a small town, blood grapes bewitch the minds of men, a daughter who vanished ten years ago, and a tree that begins singing folk songs at midnight... In the eerie capital, strange cases abound, but no crime can escape the law. 6.3kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
16. 266 别 Don't Be Weak, Don't Provoke Her: An Angry Palace Maid Can Restore a Fallen Kingdom 别太弱，别招惹，宫女发怒能复国 Ethereal Fairy霓裳妖妖Ancient Romance748k WordsCompleted [Unusual premise + assassin’s rise + strong heroine + political intrigue + cold and heartless + mildly yandere + cool-headed lunatic + male lead rises from the nth place] * Su Mian was just a palace maid serving a princess. On the day the Southern Yan Kingdom fell, she watched everyone die before her without a flicker of emotion. The princess gave her an even more perilous mission. Until it was done, she had to stay alive. But in a world thrown into chaos, she was sold as a slave and forced to e 25.6kReads9.5Score4.1kShelves
17. 267 这 This Time, the Princess Sent for a Political Marriage Is a Dud 这届和亲的公主不行 Shi Jia石佳Ancient Romance130k WordsCompleted This is a modern story dressed in ancient garb, with each princess sent away for a political marriage representing a modern woman. Princess Chengjun, who switched careers to become a city-defense general, is a career-driven heroine. Princess Baihua, a homebody who avidly follows serialized stories, represents those of us who have read countless novels and cheered wildly for fictional characters. Princess Muyun, who loves money more than life, is a strong stepmother with a sharp tongue and a soft 357Reads9.6Score149Shelves

    Reader note

    Both of these books are written entirely in classical Chinese, without any time-travel elements.

18. 268 诡 The Strange Female Detective: Too Few Days of Romance 诡案女奇探：少逢烂漫时 Dai Cong代琮Mystery393k WordsCompleted They first met while investigating a case in the morgue. Lou Bai: “That woman climbs walls pretty fast.” An arrow shot straight into the woman's shoulder. Tang Tang'er: “Black clothes, pale face. What kind of lousy ‘King of Hell’ are you? You have a dog's nose, though.” She flung a cloud of medicinal powder into his face. Lou Bai and Tang Tang'er: “What a nuisance!” When they met again, a misunderstanding made them colleagues at the Bai'an Prefecture. Together with a group of young men from the 1.5kReads9.4Score252Shelves
19. 269 折 The Delicate Beauty’s Tears 折娇啼 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance573k WordsCompleted [The hero regrets everything to the point of madness + the leads torment each other + a friend steals the heroine away + the second male lead gets the girl + no reconciliation after a breakup + pure historical angst + the heroine ends up with the second male lead] Shen Yanzhi, heir to the Marquis of Jinghai in the Great Chu Kingdom, had just come third in the palace examination when he was unexpectedly captured by the Eastern Qiang Kingdom and married off to Qin Guiwan, a woman of Eastern Qiang 8.3kReads9.3Score887Shelves
20. 270 变 The Master of Disguise (Complete in Two Volumes) 变脸师爷（全两册） Tang Lan棠岚Mystery473k WordsCompleted Shen Bai, a famous young gentleman from the capital, is sent to the obscure little city of Bian to serve as a low-ranking county magistrate. To keep life from getting too dull, he hires a strange young man who has piqued his curiosity, Lu Yuanqing, as his assistant at the county office. With Lu Yuanqing’s help, Shen Bai solves one strange case after another: a naked female corpse leads to two unsolved cases from years ago; a wildly popular book turns out to be linked to a series of murders; a re 2.6kReads9.5Score447Shelves
21. 271 女 The Female Bandit Goes to the Capital to Become an Official and Wins Over the Aloof Emperor 女土匪进京为官，诱拐了清冷陛下 Evening Ripples晚漾Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet historical romance + two powerful leads + devoted to each other + sweet and satisfying + fun and lively + no annoying supporting characters + sensible leads] A super-ferocious, super-rich bandit queen VS a cool, otherworldly beauty of an emperor Jin Sanglu owns thirty mountains of gold and is every inch a bandit queen. After earning military merit, she arrogantly calls out to the court: “If you won’t give me an official post, then make me empress.” The ministers are furious, but they fear 12.7kReads9.4Score1.7kShelves
22. 272 王 Sweet Everyday Life in the Prince’s Mansion 王府甜宠日常 Xu Lian序连Ancient Romance443k WordsCompleted [Past and Present Lives 1v1 + Marriage Before Love + Mutual Devotion] Wen Sisi was crown princess for five years. The crown prince appeared to be a loving husband, but in truth he loathed her. From their wedding night onward, he sought out his concubines, and in the end he personally caused her death before elevating the concubine he loved to the position of his principal wife. Reborn, Wen Sisi ignored the crown prince's flirtatious hints and chose to marry Liu Xuan, Prince of Jingjiang, a man o 12.7kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves
23. 273 宫 A Palace Maid's Daily Life: My Parents Want Me to Be a Couch Potato 宫女日常：爹娘让我当咸鱼 Yu Tangluo玉糖萝Ancient Romance699k WordsCompleted Hang Jiayanxin was a bondservant of the Plain White Banner and a court-appointed royal service worker. She entered the palace at thirteen and would leave at twenty-five. For twelve years in the palace, she kept her parents' advice in mind: be a good-for-nothing fish, and hang on until it's time to leave. But the towering palace before her was like a massive vessel, bearing endless power and desire. Once she pushed open those heavy doors, she stepped onto a path from which there was no turning ba 5.4kReads9.1Score561Shelves
24. 274 问 Springtime Greetings [Springtime Greetings] 问春安【问春安】 Pear on a Rainy Day下雨天的梨Ancient Romance249k WordsCompleted [Pampered heiress Jiang Xuechun vs. cool and restrained powerful official Shen An] [Alternate world + intense push and pull + political scheming + rival suitors] Both leads are virgins!!! (Content note: I tagged it wrong, and I can't change it now. If that bothers you, please don't read.) When Jiang Xuechun, the only daughter of Jiang Jinhuai, Vice Minister of Revenue, first meets Shen An, she thinks, “Father never told me his student was this handsome! I should seize the opportunity while he 575Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A traditional Chinese romance novel with humorous moments! The female lead falls for the male lead because of his good looks. His ex-girlfriend is a plot device to advance the story. The male lead is self-disciplined and principled. Both the male and female leads undergo character development! Later, the male lead falls for the female lead, gets jealous, and is a bit cunning. The female lead is a sweet and innocent little sunshine. The two are constantly bickering. [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration][Admiration] I love watching it!

25. 275 论 The Professional Virtues of a Cook 论厨娘的职业素养 Green Bamboo Snake竹叶青Ancient Romance237k WordsCompleted A leftover woman chef who once farted at the worst possible moment runs into a miserly good-for-nothing general. Zhao Mengmeng says, “There’s no need to explain a life lived with abandon.” Steamed meat buns in the morning, fish and shrimp in the evening: life is colorful and delicious, and dignity is just a passing cloud. This is a lighthearted ancient-style foodie romance, with no angst, just warmth and healing, and a sweet bedtime read! 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead's personality is hilarious! He's arrogant, cunning, awkward, and a stingy little man—it cracks me up! He loves to tease and provoke the female lead, and his inner monologues are priceless. When she ignores him, he even whispers behind her back to his subordinates that she's rude and has a bad attitude, unaware that his subordinates are already on her side and are even calling him crazy. Realizing his princely authority is threatened and he's isolated by the only two living people in the manor, he feels threatened and tries to use some tricks to make the female lead submit. The writing is good, and the style is humorous and funny. I only read a few chapters before rating it; I haven't rated any other books! Five-star recommendation!!! (On the Chef)

26. 276 宫 A Rhapsody of Palace Flowers 宫花赋 Six-Eared Yuanyuan六耳圆圆Ancient Romance681k WordsCompleted [A no-nonsense, trope-defying palace-intrigue drama + no love for the emperor + ensemble of women] Everyone has their own ambitions. I have no interest in fighting other women over a man. She was little Qing Luo, a girl who valued her life above all else. Abandoned by her parents as a child, she had wandered through hardship until she entered the Forbidden City, where she met the beautiful, gracious Yue Ren and the clever, perceptive Lü Zhu. At last, her wandering heart found a home. The three s 30.1kReads9.6Score4kShelves

    Reader note

    It's really addictive to watch, especially since it contains some real historical facts. I was searching for historical information while watching! 🤭

27. 277 虎 The Tiger Wife 虎妻 Lotus Flower藕花Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted The Great Qi Dynasty’s foremost God of War, the ruthless, hideous common-born general Yuchi Gui, was granted a marriage by the emperor to the capital’s greatest beauty, Princess Xu Xiyan. Then his high-born fiancée looked down on him, and the wedding was called off. Three years later, after suppressing a rebellion, the handsome and dashing general returned to the capital, becoming the hero every noblewoman in Great Qi wanted to marry. Then his former fiancée clung to him and forced him into marr 8.4kReads9.3Score1kShelves
28. 278 不 Aren't We Mortal Enemies? Why Does Lord Ji Love Me So Much? 不是死敌吗？季大人怎么这么爱 Yi Er一尔Ancient Romance791k WordsCompleted [Mad, power-hungry minister X black-lotus noblewoman, two powerful and equally unhinged leads] Jiang Zhimiao was born with a rebellious streak. Clever and perceptive, she never let an offense go unanswered and cut off every way back, all so she could leave home and toy with the emperor, until she ran into one particularly troublesome bastard. Ji Suian was born to wealth and privilege. Brilliant to the point of seeming demonic, he had a prominent family and a smooth career in government, as if he 8kReads8.8Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    "If you wish to assassinate the emperor, I will be your blade, helping you ascend to the heavens." He took her hand, leaving a bite mark on her pale wrist. "If you seek power, I will pave the way for you, wishing you a meteoric rise to the top." "No one can shake your position."

29. 279 权 The Powerbroker Lures Me Into His Trap 权臣诱我入局 Bamboo Window, Falling Lantern Blossoms竹窗落灯花Ancient Romance157k WordsCompleted #TwoStrongLeads #HistoricalIntrigue #PushAndPull #FakePregnancy #PlayingWeakToOutsmartOthers #SheThinksHeIsTheHunterButSheIsTheOneInControl In the back courtyard of the Qingyi Tower, the masked Jiang Li pretends to be pregnant to protect herself, treading carefully at every turn. A disfigurement case, forbidden drugs, secrets of the Hundred Herbs Hall... One conspiracy after another closes in around her. Lu Yan, Vice Minister of Revenue, heads south under imperial orders. He claims he is visitin 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Recommend this book! Sisters! I'm done reading it! No Golden Finger rebirth and time travel, the plot advances step by step, and the relationship between the male and female protagonists gradually develops. I quite like the second male lead. After he knew that the male and female protagonists were getting married, he came to see the female protagonist. After saying a few words, he got on his horse and turned the horse's head. Walked a few steps, stopped, and didn't look back. "Li Niang, don't lose the painting. When I get old, I won't be able to paint anymore." "I won't lose it," the heroine replied. Then he rode away. The sound of horse hooves gradually disappeared at the end of the long street. The heroine stood at the door, holding the painting and looking at the empty alley for a long time.

30. 280 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

    Reader note

    💐No time travel, no reincarnation, niche genre but well-written, featuring a delicate, pitiful girl versus a sickly, insane prince. [Learned][Learned][Learned][Learned][Learned]

31. 281 暴 The Bratty Young Lady’s Spoiled Child Bridegroom 暴躁小娘子的纨绔童养夫 It's Not Too Late时不晚Ancient Romance605k WordsCompleted Lin Lexin had two dreams from a young age: Her first was to open a branch of her family’s pastry shop in the capital. Her second was for the young husband her mother had bought her for two taels of silver to study hard and make progress every day, ideally passing the imperial exam to become a successful candidate. If he couldn’t pass, he could return to the shop and work as the bookkeeper. But when she was eighteen, her young husband’s biological father showed up and took her second dream away. 1.3kReads8.9Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is a bit cold, but it's really good. The writing is so good that it almost got rejected because it didn't fit Tomato's style. Luckily, the author was stubborn and didn't give up.

32. 282 恶 The Wicked Supporting Lady Is Doomed to Live as a Widow? Brother-in-Law, I’m Scared 恶毒女配守活寡？夫兄，人家好怕 Ye Buhong叶不鸿Ancient Romance558k WordsCompleted [Elder Brother Steals Younger Brother’s Wife + Deliberate Seduction] (Black-hearted scheming villainess ✖️ abstinent, cold-hearted junior tutor) In her previous life, Pei Jingxu remained a widow for three years for her husband, Rong Xuanzhou, who had died in battle. But then he returned to the capital with Bai Shutong, the widow of his comrade-in-arms, and her two children. The Rong family elders said nothing, only urging Pei to be virtuous and magnanimous. The widow was peerlessly beautiful. No 113.3kReads9.3Score19.4kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is super good! No time travel, no cheat codes, and the female lead is incredibly intelligent and clear-headed. I absolutely love it! [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration][Admiration][Admiration][Admiration][Admiration]

33. 283 被 Forced into Marriage by a Scheme, the Seventh Prince Spoils Her Rotten 被算计强娶，七王爷他超宠的 Fang Qingqing方卿卿Ancient Romance349k WordsCompleted [Historical revenge] [Flirtatious, bewitching prince + ruthless, clever beauty + no rebirth + play the pig to eat the tiger + multiple secret identities] Song Yunshu was the eldest daughter of the valiant General’s household. Clever from childhood, she had a photographic memory. But when she was seven, a power struggle at court saw her entire family accused of treason and executed. During her escape, she was unexpectedly rescued by a merchant family from Jiangnan who had come north seeking medic 4.9kReads8.8Score508Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! It's great, no cheat codes, pure ancient Chinese revenge story. Watch the heroine hide behind the scenes and kill, kill, kill!

34. 284 听 I Hear You’re in Love with Me, Lord Xiao 听闻你心悦我，萧侍郎 Listening to Rain Fall on My Pillow枕上听雨落Ancient Romance348k WordsCompleted [A calm, clever young woman from an established family + a taciturn Vice Minister of Justice] [Pure historical romance + no transmigration or rebirth + no golden finger + a subtly flirtatious heroine + a loyal, doglike male lead] Three years ago, Cui Qingyi returned to her hometown with her grandparents to retire. Then an imperial decree summoned her back to the capital. On the way back, she encountered Xiao Yanchuan, the Vice Minister of Justice, being ambushed. Their connection began when she 6.6kReads8.6Score918Shelves

    Reader note

    This one!! [Attention] The male lead, a cold-faced killer and Vice Minister of Justice, falls for the female lead after a spring banquet, but he's very restrained and cautiously harbors a secret crush, secretly yearning for her but unable to control himself! In the end, the female lead discovers his feelings, pushes him against a rockery, and seduces him into confessing his love for her, hahaha… [Masterpiece by Sparrow Eater][Flying Kiss][Flying Kiss]

35. 285 暮 Clear Pear Blossoms Reflected in the Evening Snow 暮雪映清梨 Softly Humming to the Setting Moon浅吟落月Ancient Romance188k WordsCompleted [Both Leads Are Each Other's Only One + Young Married Couple + Slow-Burning Romance + Nation and Family + No Female Rivalry + Political Intrigue as a Side Plot] A gentle, restrained God of War × a clearheaded, independent heiress? Turns out, we've been ruining each other's carefully crafted personas all along. Mu Chenyan was afflicted with a deadly cold poison, and rumors said that any woman who came near him would die. Yet an illuminating presence lit up his lonely, composed heart and gave hi 132Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The most captivating stories are those about mutual love [shy emoji], it's purely historical romance, and the writing is quite good.

36. 286 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 116.7kReads9.5Score11.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Both of these books feature emperors who are impure. In the last one, the emperor, despite his despicable nature, at least had a conscience and spared the female lead, empress, and a concubine, allowing the three of them to escape the palace by dying!

37. 287 却 Yet You Betrayed the Spring's Grace 却负春恩 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Print edition now available. Search for Ascending to the Clouds on any platform to buy] [Original titles: Ascending to the Clouds / Loathing the Vermilion Walls] [High-IQ Palace Intrigue + Pure-Hatred Heroine + No Disposable Characters] [No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger] [The blurb doesn’t do it justice. Please go read the story] How do you become an emperor’s favorite concubine? A prestigious family? A good education? A gentle, respectful, modest, and accommodating nature? Unfor 25.3kReads9.2Score3.1kShelves
38. 288 宁 Ning Jinge 宁烬歌 Calm as Ever冷静如斯Ancient Romance697k WordsOngoing [Female commander × top-tier spy and assassin | Two equally matched leads | Court intrigue and the martial world | Standing together in troubled times | Devoted 1v1 romance] The sweeping scale of a male-oriented story, with the emotional depth of a female-oriented one. Fast-paced and tightly plotted, with no filler or dragging. The political intrigue is logical, and long-laid clues are brought back into play. A serious world with lighthearted, hilarious everyday moments, and an incredibly sweet 379Reads8.5Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    The drama's underlying tone is balanced with the lighthearted daily banter between the male and female leads, creating a harmonious blend of a somber, chaotic world and a vibrant, everyday feel, with a well-paced rhythm.

39. 289 弹 The On-Screen Comments Call Me a Nobody, but the Villain Calls Me Baby 弹幕说我路人甲，反派却喊我宝宝 Jiu Xiaojiu久小九9k WordsCompleted The comments call me an extra, but the villain calls me baby. 3.2kReads—Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    It looks good... Yes.

40. 290 听 I Heard She Has a Crush on My Childhood Friend 听闻她心悦我的竹马 I Get Hungry If I Skip a Meal我一顿不吃饿得慌Ancient Romance10k WordsCompleted I Heard She Has a Crush on My Childhood Friend 7.3kReads—Score170Shelves
41. 291 拒 I Refused to Be a Marquis's Concubine and Married a Prince Instead. The Heir Apparent Regrets It 拒做侯府妾，转身嫁皇子世子悔晕 Xiaoxiang Lady Traveler潇湘女客Ancient Romance263k WordsCompleted She is the legitimate daughter of the chancellor, famed throughout the capital and betrothed to her childhood sweetheart, the heir to a marquis’s household. She believes they will be together for life, just the two of them. He is the fourth prince, brilliant and gifted, but so reserved by nature that he keeps his love buried deep in his heart, silently protecting her for years. Then the political winds shift. He is framed and demoted, and her family is dragged down with him, falling into ruin. A 573Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    "I, Wang Ruolan, would rather marry a rustic villager than be a concubine." She slapped her fiancé, broke off the engagement, left the capital, and went with her father to Yongzhou.

42. 292 深 The Devoted Second Male Lead Doesn’t Want to Take the Lead 深情男二不想上位 Geheimnis9k WordsCompleted The Devoted Second Male Lead Doesn’t Want to Move Up 7.1kReads—Score218Shelves
43. 293 活 Living in a Cliché Romance Novel, I Choose to Open a Bakery 活在狗血文里的我选择开面包店 The Furious Yuan Baoju气急败坏的元宝炬21k WordsCompleted Living in a Cliched Romance Novel, I Choose to Open a Bakery 43.4kReads—Score700Shelves
44. 294 师 My Senior Sister Is Clumsy, Yet Loves Picking Up Junk 师姐她又菜又爱捡破烂 Mountains and Rivers山河13k WordsCompleted There's a saying in the cultivation world: The eldest senior brother thrives in good times, the second senior sister shines in hard times, and the scheming youngest junior sister rules when all hope is lost. Then all the sects joined forces with the Demon Realm and attacked the mountain. The disciples were utterly defeated. Even the delicate youngest junior sister had fought until she collapsed in a pool of blood. The third senior sister, who never fought and loved scavenging for junk, came puff 180Reads—Score105Shelves
45. 295 裙 A Servant Beneath Her Skirts 裙下臣 Rice Ball米团子Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted Someone tells Li Yi, “The Lu family's daughter your imperial brother is going to marry is beautiful, sure, but she's as dull as a block of wood.” Li Yi scoffs. “What, did that block of wood come to life?” 1.9kReads8.9Score445Shelves

    Reader note

    Does nobody watch this? I promote it on Douyin every day.

46. 296 万 The Book of a Hundred Beauties 1: A Dream of Gold (2-Volume Set) 万艳书1：一梦金（全2册） Wu Qian伍倩Ancient Romance467k WordsCompleted Wan Yi, Fo'er, and Shu Ying, three naive young women, are swept onto a path of sensual excess amid the upheaval of their lives, and are gradually drawn into the ruthless power struggles of the arena. On one side are vicious women, on another inscrutable men; on one side, secret passions and clandestine love, on another, traps and schemes; on one side, infatuation, on another, sin. The illusion stretches endlessly, yet you enter it with ambition. Fate holds the bank, while you wager your life. 1.7kReads9.4Score358Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend these four. The first and second ones both revolve around female growth, and what's most touching is their gradual development. The third one is more realistic and a bit tragic, depicting the harm and frustration women suffered in a cannibalistic feudal society.

47. 297 奸 The Treacherous Minister Wants to Kill Me Every Day 奸臣每天都想弄死我 Qian Ran Jun Xiao千苒君笑Ancient Romance2.6M WordsCompleted Su Huai is a powerful court official, and everyone fears him. He only likes playing power games and scheming against others. He has no interest in women. Then one day, a young woman shows up at his door, claiming to be his fiancée. Su Huai: Want to date me? Lu Yao: What kind of date? Su Huai: The kind that could cost you your life. Lu Yao: ... Later, Lu Yao bitterly regrets her impulsive decision to show up and claim him as her fiancé. When she tries to call it quits, everyone urges her to recon 13.6kReads9.1Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    This could be a masterpiece of [Sparrow Food].

48. 298 嫤 The Years of Jinyu's Story 嫤语书年 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance432k WordsCompleted The realm was in chaos, and enemy troops had reached the city walls. Fu Jin, a highborn woman whose entire clan had been wiped out, was forced to marry Wei Tan, the eldest son of a warlord at the height of his power. The world had turned upside down: the once princess-like darling of heaven was now an older bride marrying for the second time, while the obscure son of a minor official had become her husband, a warlord who looked down on all under heaven. Survival in turbulent times was hard, and 15.6kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    It's great, I've already watched it twice.

49. 299 双 Twin Towers 双阙 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance520k WordsCompleted The Western Zhou: an age of poetry and legend. Qi Heng, daughter of the ruler of Qi, is famed for her beauty. As a princess of a small state, her marriage is entangled with political considerations. Her beauty and intelligence bring two equally exceptional men into her life. One is as gentle as jade and a master strategist, yet seems willing to wait patiently for her to grow up. The other was as proud as a peacock in his youth, but for her he is willing to bow his noble head. Holding a bow, he w 1.9kReads8.9Score242Shelves

    Reader note

    Hai Qing's early works are very profound; I especially love the two books about the Zhou and Han dynasties, particularly the Spring and Autumn period, which feel vivid and evoke a sense of longing. Her later two books are also interesting in plot and vivid in description, unlike typical romance novels.

50. 300 妾 I Never Meant to Marry the East Wind 妾本无心嫁东风 Better to Long for You不如相思Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later; puppy-like sweetheart turns into an ice mountain, then the ice mountain turns into a lovesick puppy; win her back after losing her; male lead gets put through the wringer; male lead is a virgin; fictional setting; pure historical romance] In the second year after Fang Qingyi married into the marquis’s household, the amnesiac heir suddenly regained his old memories. He looked coldly at the unfamiliar woman beside him and asked who she was. The sincere, puppy-like s 3.1kReads8.9Score308Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are written by the same author, with good writing style and a good track record of not finishing their works!

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