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. 351 不 Before Daybreak 不终朝 Leisurely Rain闲雨Ancient Romance218k WordsCompleted [Two Generals + Love of Country and Home + Long-Suffering Romance + Mystery and Investigation + Mutual Pining + Commander Couple] [A decisive, resilient, loyal and strategic female general vs. the steady, patient and far-sighted commander of the Yinchi Army] Shen Xun and Xie Jin are sworn enemies, bitter rivals whose relationship is common knowledge. They rose to fame in their youth and spent ten years at war, yet in the end, they could not escape becoming pawns. A single imperial decree marryin 2.1kReads9.5Score331Shelves

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   I've read quite a few historical romance novels, and many of them are so melodramatic and mindless that I gave up halfway through. There aren't many worth recommending, but I highly recommend these few. I think this kind of writing deserves to be seen by more people; they're really well-written.

2. 352 家 The Child Bride in Our Home 家有童养媳 Long Sleeves, No Dancing Skills长袖不善舞Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [No rebirth, no transmigration, a chance encounter in troubled times, and a family blessed by heaven] When Xiangsui was eight, her father died. A rebel king had risen up, taxes were increasing, and life was unbearably difficult. Xiangsui's mother was a frail woman. Seeing that her mother couldn't possibly raise her and her younger brother, Xiangsui decided to make sure they could all survive. She sold herself to the Cheng family as a child bride, in exchange for a sack of wheat and twenty taels 2.6kReads8.9Score313Shelves
3. 353 疯 After the Mad Minister Was Reborn, His White Moonlight Turned Dark 疯臣重生后，白月光她黑化了 Witch Rao'er魔女娆儿Ancient Romance565k WordsOngoing [Reborn battle maniac goes all out vs. black-lotus beauty rises to power over mountains of bones] In his previous life, Jiang Shao had spent his entire life yearning for the young Empress Dowager of the Liang family. Reborn, he plunges into chaos, still haunted by the obsessions of two lifetimes. But there, before him, is the young Empress Dowager who once sat high upon the phoenix throne, now curled up outside his residence. She looks up at him with a smile. “General, I can't find Grandpa.” Onl 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Let's take a look at these two books 💕💕

4. 354 公 The Princess Arrives 公主嫁到 Snow Tea Woof Woof雪茶汪汪Ancient Romance226k WordsCompleted [The scheming, sickly Duke of Wei VS the human lucky charm, the Grand Princess] Wei Lin, the legitimate son of the Duke of Wei, had been struck by a deadly poison. Rumors in the capital said he would not live much longer. A master at Xiangguo Temple read a birth chart and declared that Grand Princess Nankang was Wei Lin’s fated match, destined to help him turn danger into safety. Wei Lin’s mother then begged the emperor to marry the Grand Princess to her son. Grand Princess Nankang had been luck 3.6kReads9.2Score320Shelves

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   🍅A super captivating short historical romance: Wei Lin, the eldest son of the Duke of Wei, is afflicted with a rare poison, and rumors circulate in the capital that he is nearing his end. A master at Xiangguo Temple analyzes his birth chart and declares that Princess Nankang is Wei Lin's destined wife, capable of saving him from misfortune. Wei Lin's mother then implores the Emperor to arrange a marriage between him and Princess Nankang. Princess Nankang, blessed with good fortune since childhood, is inwardly opposed to the Wei family's marriage proposal. To avoid Wei Lin, she decides to marry herself off. She'll marry anyone, except that scheming, sickly man! Whoever the princess shows interest in will face trouble! Some are of questionable character, some are keeping mistresses, some are corrupt, and some are even traitors… Gradually, all the talented young men fear the princess's attention. Yet, they are also all curious: who will the princess choose next?

5. 355 将 A General Is No Boy 将军非少年 Jinhu瑾狐Ancient Romance706k WordsCompleted If “I love you” is good fortune, then for her, “You’re free” is salvation. “Si Youjin, you can protect these splendid rivers and mountains, you can protect these beautiful years, but can you protect yourself?” She sat atop the city wall and gave no answer… 3.3kReads9.3Score403Shelves

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   These books don't have many readers, but they're absolutely fantastic! [Admiration] The writing is superb, the plot is full of twists and turns, the emotions are delicate, and the story is captivating. Like a fine wine, they need to be savored slowly, becoming more mellow with each sip.

6. 356 我 My Husband Is a Little Fool 我的相公是个小傻子 An Ancient, Broken Dream亘古残梦Ancient Romance634k WordsCompleted [Read at your own risk! Read at your own risk! Read at your own risk! No golden finger, no transmigration or rebirth. The male and female leads are both locals. They marry first and fall in love later. The male lead is genuinely intellectually disabled, not pretending. The leads are devoted to each other.] [A heroine who longs for a simple life × a reclusive, intellectually disabled hero who absolutely hates studying] Su Wan'er had a nightmare. In it, soldiers led a massacre in Xiehua Village. S 1.4kReads8.4Score161Shelves
7. 357 宠 The Favored Consort Only Wants to Cling to the Powerful 宠妃她只想抱大腿 Witch Rao'er魔女娆儿Ancient Romance188k WordsCompleted The first thing Song Qingyi did after transmigrating into a book was cling to the villainous male lead. The second was figure out how to escape the tragic fate written for her, and the third was do everything she could to stay alive until the ending. In reality, though, after seeing that the plot was impossible to change, the gloomy, sharp-tongued scaredy-cat decided to give up and coast through life, only to be hauled to her feet by the breathtakingly handsome, chuunibyou emperor. “Get up. Keep 76Reads9.0Score—Shelves
8. 358 我 So What If I Like the Top Scholar? 我就喜欢状元怎么了 Millet Candy高粱饴Ancient Romance396k WordsCompleted Xiao Changying took a liking to a young man from a humble family. He certainly had some talent and passed the imperial examinations as the top scholar that year. But instead of relying on Xiao Changying’s influence, he wanted her to share a life of hardship with him. Naturally, she refused. She turned around and married the next year’s newly crowned top scholar. As it turned out, she had picked a winner: when she faced a fire, he risked his life to save her, and whenever she had something on her 55Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This book is good. The female lead comes from a powerful family and is clear-headed and rational... The male lead is not of high status, but he is not hypocritical and is genuinely devoted to the female lead...

9. 359 嫡 Reborn as the Beloved of a Cunning Prince 嫡女重生：成为腹黑王爷的心尖宠 Chu Yi Yu Tong初一遇童Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Reborn + physician consort + putting scumbags in their place + satisfying revenge + sweet romance] In her previous life, she was manipulated by a scumbag man. She used her maternal family’s military power to help him take the throne, only to lose her unborn child and see her family destroyed. Reborn, she makes plans at every turn. She takes on the concubines, punishes her half-sister, and executes the scumbag. Everyone who ever bullied her will pay for their crimes in blood! She had already pre 790Reads8.9Score118Shelves

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   A cold and aloof young lady versus a dashing and spirited third prince—sisters, this is not a paid advertisement, you absolutely have to watch it!!!

10. 360 误 Mistakenly Fallen into the Dust 误尘鸾 Murmuring Like the Wind喃喃如风Ancient Romance950k WordsCompleted He is a savage steppe invader; she is a renowned defender of the city. A wall stands between them, and they are enemies for life. He breaks her leg; she kicks in his ribs. She pushes him off a cliff; he tries to drag her down with him. They clash at every turn, and neither will rest until the other is dead. Back then, he was a low-ranking firefighter impeached and demoted, while she was a lame tofu seller. Then one day, a mutiny turned everything upside down. In the end, she became the wildest, 556Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Don't just look at the two books separately; their contents will far exceed your expectations and surprise you.

11. 361 朱 Cinnabar's Call, Pearls Hidden in the Mountains and Rivers 朱砂引，山河藏珠 A Sliver of Crescent Moon over the Eastern Hill东山一缕上弦月Ancient Romance223k WordsCompleted [True prince, false guard | Patient revenge | Political intrigue and conquest | The beauty of a tragic ending | A love that began beautifully and ended in heartbreak] Born the legitimate prince with a silver spoon in his mouth, he was switched at birth while his mother lay gravely ill and fell from grace overnight, becoming a commoner among the people. He endured years of poverty, living beside Buddhist lamps and ancient scriptures, and suffered the humiliation of being bullied. Yet he never bow —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A slow-burning ancient romance novel~ [heart]

12. 362 嫁 Marrying the Imperial Tutor 嫁帝师 Changshanli长山里Ancient Romance560k WordsCompleted [When a Scheming Black-Bellied Type Meets a Sweet-on-the-Outside, Dark-on-the-Inside Type + Love and Hate + Soul Swap + Revenge, Traditional Historical Romance in an Imaginary Setting] Jiang Wanzhi first met Song Qingshi when she was fourteen. At sixteen, she became Mrs. Song. Everyone said she was lucky: a merchant’s daughter had married a top-scoring scholar. That is, until she died under mysterious circumstances on the very night Song Qingshi asked her for a divorce. When she awoke again, she 27.6kReads9.3Score4.3kShelves

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    This is seriously amazing! The subject matter is so captivating, I just can't stop watching it! 😢😢😢😢😢

13. 363 青 The Green Satchel Returns 青囊归 The Absurd Zhang Somebody荒诞的张某某Ancient Romance327k WordsCompleted Wenren Nuan had died once. She died in the inferno at Tinglan Court, after her betrothed's letter breaking off their engagement, and through all the years when everyone thought she had “gone mad.” The one who shielded her from the flames in the end was a servant she had never once spared a proper glance. When she woke again, she was fifteen. The reeds by the cold pond were still white, the wind was still bitter, and the boy was still so thin that his spine showed through. This time, she was n 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's very readable, not mindless or exaggerated, and the writing style is restrained.

14. 364 公 The Princess Is Spoiled and Willful, and the Cold-Faced General Defies His Station 公主娇纵，冷面将军以下犯上 Jiang Baofu江宝芙Ancient Romance418k WordsCompleted [Both leads are each other's first and only love + intense push and pull + over-the-top pampering + fiercely possessive] [Willful, scheming little princess X cold, ruthless, calculating young general] Shen Ran didn't want to be sent off in a political marriage. On the journey back to the capital under Xie Yanli's escort, she thought up a hundred ways to make him let her go. Play the victim: No. Pretend to be sick: No. Act obedient: No. Seduce him: Yes. She realized Xie Yanli wasn't impossi 12.3kReads9.0Score1.5kShelves

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    The little princess was plotting against everyone with a small notebook, and the general, knowing it was a scheme, still fell for it.

15. 365 上 Spring Affairs in the Capital 上京春事 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance400k WordsCompleted Ning Chaoyang rises to become a fourth-rank female official, yet still can’t escape the fate of being traded into a political marriage. She decides to take in a lover to fight back. He must be lowborn, handsome, and preferably too frail to look after himself. She glances to the side and spots a charming young doctor in white. 5.8kReads9.3Score900Shelves
16. 366 满 My Whole Family Are Cannon Fodder, but After They Read My Mind, They Rebel 满门炮灰读我心后，全家造反了 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Physical edition of "Claiming the Pearl 2" goes on presale October 17 at 7:30 p.m.] [Mind reading + System + adored by the whole family + transmigrate into a book + play the pig to eat the tiger] Qiao Jiaojiao had accumulated so much virtue in her past life that the Old King of Hell granted her a rebirth with all her memories intact, plus a golden finger: a Virtue Points Shop. Qiao Jiaojiao was thrilled to start her new life, only to discover she hadn't been reborn at all. She'd transmigrated i 124.4kReads9.7Score14.2kShelves

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    [Completed Ancient Chinese Romance Novels with Power Struggles and Palace Intrigue (9.5+ Rating)] The absolute best power struggle stories ever! I've read them all; the writing is superb! I just finished the first one. It's a story of rebirth, transmigration, and rebirth in one story. Everyone thinks they're special enough to have all the advantages, but little do they know that someone else is already scheming and maneuvering to stir up trouble...

17. 367 让 They Wanted Me to Be a Sacrificial Stepmother, but I Chose to Make My Own Way 让我当炮灰主母，我偏另谋高枝 Ji Yun霁妘Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Historical Romance / Household Intrigue / Sweet Romance / The Male Lead Is Head Over Heels] In Ruyi's Beloved Concubine, the heir apparent Xie Yunzhix is a brave and formidable warrior, always dashing across the battlefield in fine clothes, with no one able to stand against him. Sadly, he is only a supporting character. The story opens with him in a vegetative state, leaving behind three adopted sons. Xu Qingyi discovers that she has become the foil to the beloved heroine of a sweet romance. On 136.5kReads9.4Score20.4kShelves
18. 368 海 Begonias Burn, the Moon Fades, and the Night Sings of Yu 海棠烬月，煜夜如歌 Moonlight in the Pine Ravine松涧月明Ancient Romance339k WordsCompleted [Alternate Wei-Jin-era setting | Past and present lives | Childhood sweethearts | Stealing someone else's love] The Zhaoyi Consort who took her own life in her previous life has become the unattainable obsession of a scumbag emperor in this one? Reborn at fifteen, she attends the elegant Lanting gathering, performs like flowing water from a high mountain, disguises herself as a man, and becomes famous throughout the land. But her face, so similar to the emperor's beloved, draws her into an eve 270Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A historical romance set in the Wei and Jin dynasties, super captivating! [Added to bookshelf][Already hooked]

19. 369 另 Seeking a Better Match: I Refuse to Be the Heir Apparent's Wife 另谋高嫁：这世子夫人我不当了 Jinjiu锦九Ancient Romance577k WordsCompleted [Pure Historical Romance + No Reconciliation After the Breakup + Regretful Pursuit + Second Male Lead Wins] Shen Youyan was the daughter of a low-ranking official. Though born to a humble station, she ended up marrying Lu Biechen, heir to the Marquis of Xuanping, and became his wife. Everyone said she was blessed beyond measure, but she had her own hardships that she couldn’t speak of. Lu Biechen loved Yun Yao, the late daughter of a Grand Tutor. For her sake, he refused to touch Shen Youyan for 200Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book I just published is worth reading. The following two books are worth studying and reflecting upon for those in the workplace.

20. 370 仙 The Immortal's Appearance 仙人状 Shi Jin是今Martial Arts313k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + mystery solving + male lead with a secret identity + lovers who fight as fiercely as they love] A dazzling, outspoken heroine and a seemingly gentle but secretly ruthless physician, locked in a battle of equals as they fall in love! A celebrated romance author's popular historical mystery! A relationship between equals, full of tension; heart-stopping court intrigue; and the shocking truth behind bizarre murders! A celestial being appears in a dream to help solve a case and 16.2kReads9.6Score2.7kShelves
21. 371 折 Spring Breeze, Broken to Pieces 折尽春风 Shi Jin是今Ancient Romance280k WordsCompleted She is the eldest daughter of the provincial governor’s household. She sees through worldly affection, and only money can make her feel secure! He is the great general of the chancellor’s household. He has witnessed every kind of hardship, yet the one thing he can never forget is the smile on her face when she sees money. At their first meeting, he seemed to step out of a painting in shades of lush green, the mountain wind billowing his robe and dazzling everyone who saw him. At their second mee 10.1kReads9.5Score1.1kShelves
22. 372 绿 Green Shoots on the Branch 绿上枝头 Light Peach Blossoms轻薄桃花Ancient Romance221k WordsCompleted [Signed for print] [Brave, steadfast transmigrated heroine VS cool, clearheaded young noble] [Transmigration + rebirth + prominent family + household intrigue + feel-good + career building + strong heroine + light comedy] Jiang Lübao, daughter of a censor, was unexpectedly kidnapped and had her reputation ruined. The marriage that had already been arranged for her was called off, too. For a young woman from a prominent family, this was a devastating blow. But she burst out laughing. No one knew 86.2kReads9.6Score9.6kShelves
23. 373 犹 Still Awaiting Zhaoyang 犹待昭阳 Mu Fusheng木浮生Ancient Romance195k WordsCompleted Spring’s beauty once seemed impossible to surpass; beyond Zhaoyang, no day could be called fine. The first magnificent historical romance from the queen of romantic fiction, Mu Fusheng! A sweeping portrait of a nation and its people, and a profound love so true it could stand as witness to an empire. Within a week of beginning serialization, the novel was recommended by major Weibo book accounts! Two out of every three romance readers have been moved by this story. Several film and television co 629Reads9.1Score115Shelves

    Reader note

    Purely ancient Chinese romance, no reincarnation, time travel, or cheat codes. Beautifully written, each plot has its own unique characteristics.

24. 374 与 Joy with You 与君欢 Moonset月落Ancient Romance657k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue and Political Scheming + Marriage Before Love + Mutual Devotion] A young king and queen join hands to bring peace to the realm, brimming with ambition! A sinister, calculating ruler versus a clever, decisive queen: evenly matched, they win the world together! Jiang He, daughter of an envoy from Qi, was forced to enter the palace as a servant after her mother died and her father disappeared. Then, just before the marriage alliance, the princess of Qi died a tragic death, leaving 27kReads9.5Score3.5kShelves
25. 375 若 If Hatred Could Become a Boat 若将恨做舟 Yi Er一尔Ancient Romance630k WordsOngoing [A vicious mad-dog girl × a sickly fox-like man] The first person Lan Huaizhen killed was her mother. The second was herself. The third... She forgot. She killed them on a whim. Back then, she swallowed her anger so her mother could survive. Now she had nothing left to hold her back. Everyone who had ever bullied them deserved to die. When she learned that the father she had never met was the one who had started all the suffering she and her mother endured, she naturally couldn't let him off. Bu 8.6kReads8.7Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A pure historical romance novel. The female lead's character is truly unique—a character who grows and develops, not a mask-wearing, overbearing heroine. She's somewhat lacking in ability, but she'll relentlessly climb the ladder whenever the opportunity arises. She's a bit of a blockhead, likes to be direct, and often says incredibly touching things without considering others' feelings, making the old-fashioned male lead swoon. He's oblivious to his own attempts to win him over! The character development is compelling, the romance is captivating—a must-watch! [A masterpiece by Que Shi]

26. 376 蓦 The Phoenix Turns Back 蓦回鸾 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance786k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Sun Wei was determined to marry well so she could escape her predicament and strike back at her clan's humiliation. Through various means, she married Sima Jun, Prince of Yuzhang. When chaos engulfed the realm, Sun Wei didn't realize that Sima Jun had feelings for her until the city fell and she was killed. In this life, a woman suddenly appeared before Sima Jun, Prince of Yuzhang, claiming to be his father's second wife. She could read fortunes and seemed to know everythin 4.9kReads9.0Score629Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing is excellent, the story is captivating, the characters are vivid, and the strategy is superb; it is well worth reading.

27. 377 新 The Bride Was Cruelly Abandoned, Only to Discover She Was Pregnant 新娘惨被抛弃，怎料肚中已有娃 Fang Yao芳遥Ancient Romance464k WordsCompleted There was no warmth on her wedding night, only her in-laws' taunts and her husband's indifference. Afterward, her mother-in-law sent her to the countryside without consulting anyone. She was given dozens of acres of land and two elderly servants, and from then on, no one bothered with her. She knew her husband's family didn't want her back, and her heart had grown cold toward them too. But just when she'd finally settled in, she realized that after only one night, she was pregnant with the child 53.3kReads9.0Score3.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This is an ancient romance novel, without time travel or reincarnation, and without any overpowered abilities. The beginning is somewhat angsty, so please don't read if you mind that. The mother-son relationship in the story is touching, and the deep bond between husband and wife, who are both very close yet distant, only slowly accept each other after many years. This is not a sweet, brainless romance novel with clean-cut characters; please skip if you like perfect characters.

28. 378 锦 A Match Made in Splendor, Her Beauty Rules the World 锦绣良缘之男颜倾天下 Su Ang苏盎Ancient Romance232k WordsCompleted Shen Heng was an unremarkable young lady among the official families of Shangjing. Aside from her somewhat striking looks, the one thing that made people take notice was her “remarkable achievement” of being jilted by the Prime Minister’s legitimate son. 3.7kReads9.7Score586Shelves

    Reader note

    Hehehe, just finished watching it, I like the male lead.

29. 379 刺 The Assassin Big Sister Is Back, and the Capital Is in for a Shake-Up 刺客姐姐回来了，京城要变天 Lotus Seeds and Longan莲子桂圆Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted [Strong female lead + satisfying revenge + political intrigue + wuxia style + humor + very little romance + memorable male supporting characters] From the moment she was born, Lü Shangen, the second branch’s young lady in the Hanlin Academy residence, was regarded by her grandmother as an ill omen. When she was just over a year old, she was sent far away. The servants responsible for raising her were greedy to the core. They pocketed the money meant for her upkeep, let their own daughter take Lü 7.8kReads8.9Score913Shelves

    Reader note

    Give this book a try. It's not highly rated, but it's a small, hearty read amidst a larger body of work. It's an assassin story with a smart and capable female lead, a satisfying read, half court and half martial arts world. No time travel, no rebirth, no cheat codes, no naive characters. The plot is tight and fast-paced, everyone is intelligent, and it's humorous and witty. It gets better with each chapter; you won't want to skip any chapters, you'll want to read until the very end.

30. 380 雁 The Call of the Wild Geese 雁声来 Gao Ye Lou Hao篙野漏皓Ancient Romance200k WordsCompleted Yu Wan carried a blood feud. She kidnapped her enemy's only son, Min Xiao, and took him up the mountain as a hostage. She hated him, but Min Xiao was so beautiful that she decided to sleep with him before killing him. Just as she was about to execute him, Yu Wan suddenly learned she'd kidnapped the wrong person. The revelation hit her like a bolt from the blue, and she hurriedly sent him back down the mountain. Min Xiao looked at the extra money pouch on him and counted the contents. One tael a 857Reads9.4Score153Shelves

    Reader note

    The low score for "Red Dust Mistakes" might be because it's a new book with fewer ratings, but it's really good. The ending is unpredictable, so it's definitely worth reading!

31. 381 我 Opening a Little Restaurant in Shengjing 我在盛京开小馆 Four Bayberries四颗杨梅Ancient Romance381k WordsCompleted [Alternate world, slow burn, not a wish-fulfillment novel, food + court intrigue + transmigration. Read with caution if that’s not your thing.] Miss Li’s Changhuan Eatery, tucked away on Qingxing Alley, serves delicious food at affordable prices. The officials who get up early for roll call tug at their increasingly tight uniforms, but still can’t help ordering another bowl of fresh pork wontons. Pei Hongzhi happened to eat there once and discovered that Miss Li didn’t just make excellent breakf 28.2kReads9.4Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Except for the first book, which is not yet finished (but has potential), all the others are top-notch and I recommend them to you. I wouldn't recommend them if they weren't good.

32. 382 簪 The Flower-Pinned Young Man 簪花少年郎 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted When they first met, Qiao Yanan mistook the young man's sex, taking the breathtakingly beautiful youth for a girl. Thinking they were both fellow sufferers in this world, she treated “her” with great warmth, stirring the young man's heart. Once his identity was revealed, Qiao Yanan asked him to pose as her fake fiancé for her own safety. Having fallen for a beautiful young woman, the boy's heart beat faster and faster. He gladly accepted his new fiancée and did everything he could to turn their 10.4kReads9.6Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    They are all high-quality works, with tight plots and no unnecessary dialogue.

33. 383 我 I Find the Top Scholar So Charming 我见探花多娇媚 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted Jing Bao has three wishes: First, protect the family estate of the main branch; second, enter the Imperial College, place third in the palace examinations, and bring honor to the family; third, keep living as a man in disguise until the end. Lord Gu has three wishes too: First, help someone protect their family estate; second, help that someone place third in the palace examinations; third, bring the disguised top scorer home and make her the mistress of the household. 4.1kReads9.4Score756Shelves
34. 384 另 Seeking a Better Match: I Won’t Be the Madam of This Marquis’s Manor! 另谋高嫁：这侯府夫人我不做了！ Egret Under Clear Skies晴天白鹭Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Original title: Finding a Better Match: I’m Done Being the Marquess’s Wife! Regarding plagiarism, don’t make baseless accusations. The publication dates are there for all to see. [Traditional historical romance and household intrigue + strong heroine and hero + mutual devotion + a prince who cherishes his wife] A merchant’s daughter marries into a marquess’s household, becoming the laughingstock of the capital. For six years, Jiang Shu lives alone and supports the entire household without compla 23.3kReads9.2Score4.6kShelves

    Reader note

    🍏🍏This is a well-written ancient romance novel. There's no time travel or system involved; it's just a pure ancient romance. The male lead is a prince, and the female lead is just the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

35. 385 那 That Village, Those People, That Fool 那村那人那傻瓜 Lucky Treasure福宝Ancient Romance174k WordsCompleted One field, one home, and two people: a simple life shared for a long time is what really matters! A hardworking, kindhearted country girl vs. a devoted, doting husband who treats her like a loyal puppy. A warm and simple story of everyday family life! This story takes place in a small village. Hehua, the eldest daughter of the Li family in the west of the village, married Changsheng, who lived in the east... Changsheng never spoke to anyone and couldn't recognize his neighbors. He didn't even kn 31.6kReads9.6Score3.7kShelves
36. 386 与 Together with You, I Remember Our Meeting 与君同，忆相逢 Jun Ruchuanze君如川泽Ancient Romance304k WordsCompleted [Complete] [Historical romance + both leads inexperienced in love + mistaken bride + marriage before love + devoted favoritism + sweet and angsty + mutual devotion + slow burn + HE] [The straightforward prince who owns up to his mistakes × the lively, proud young princess consort] Cen Jingchen thought his princess consort was cold to the extreme, but he never expected her to slap him the very first time they met. He may be angry, but he still wants to keep her by his side. “You can touch me, 47Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are pure historical romance novels, short stories, and completed. The first one: "Prince and Princess," an arranged marriage that blossoms into love, not a wish-fulfillment story, no cheat codes. The male lead is arrogant in the beginning, but he changes. The relationship with the female lead is very sweet, getting sweeter as the story progresses. The plot is tight, no cliffhangers, so feel free to read it. The second one, a sister story: "Rich Young Master × Amnesiac Eldest Daughter," a story of forced marriage and reconciliation. A story of humble yet forceful love; one wrong step, and you find sweetness amidst heartbreak. The male lead is genuinely kind to the female lead, but also genuinely stubborn. He's afraid she'll leave if she remembers, so he tries everything to get her pregnant.

37. 387 山 Where Mountains and Rivers End 山河尽处 Du Ruodao杜若刀Ancient Romance337k WordsCompleted [One Heroine | Master of Medicine and Poison | Peerless Martial Arts | Jianghu and Court Intrigue | Devoted to Each Other] Lu Yunqing (Lu Shen) was nearly killed as an infant, but was rescued by her two masters and raised in seclusion deep in the mountains for seventeen years. She mastered extraordinary martial arts and medicine, but after years away from the world, she knew little of social customs and the rules of aristocratic families. After passing her masters' trial, she bid them farewell 3.6kReads9.4Score398Shelves

    Reader note

    A single female protagonist in ancient Chinese romance novels, without time travel or reincarnation, and without melodramatic or cliché plots.

38. 388 谢 Empress of the Xie Family 谢家皇后 Song of the Yue People越人歌Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted In her first year in the palace, she is a Talented Lady. In her fifth, she is a Jieyu. In her tenth, she wants to become empress. As empress, she can hold on to everything she treasures and keep it from being taken away. She can protect herself and her child, and she can... stay by his side. This is a road with only one direction: take a single step back, and all will be lost. The bright yellow ceremonial parasol moves forward, and the emperor's procession slowly enters the city gate. A yellow p 9.1kReads9.2Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A realistic portrayal of a concubine's rise to power, from a noblewoman to the empress. There is no stroke of good fortune or mindless shortcuts. Every advancement relies on wisdom and forbearance. The political intrigue is logically intricate, the emotional storyline is delicate and restrained, and the writing is elegant and profound, fully revealing the rules and human nature of the ancient imperial court.

39. 389 欢 Huan Boqing 欢薄情 Jun Ruchuanze君如川泽Ancient Romance175k WordsCompleted [Completed] [Traditional Historical Romance + One-on-One Romance + Both Leads Are Faithful + Coercive Possession + Finding Sweetness Amid the Angst + Reconciliation + Happy Ending] [Anxious, Possessive Rich Young Master × Cool-Headed Legitimate Daughter Who Endures] [Content note: The male lead is not a deranged psychopath. They are mutually in love from beginning to end.] After losing her memory, Rong Mingyue was rescued by the refined young gentleman Qin Cheng. The two should have followed the 47Reads—Score—Shelves
40. 390 报 Report, Your Majesty: The Empress Has Left the Palace Again and Again 报告陛下：皇后又又又出宫了 A Cat's Catnip小猫的猫薄荷Ancient Romance60k WordsOngoing [Childhood Friends] [Helping Each Other Succeed] [Sweet Romance] [Ensemble Cast] There is a secret everyone in the palace knows: never mess with the empress. Other empresses are refined and elegant, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Cheng Qingyan, on the other hand, climbs walls and roams the streets, throwing punches whenever she sees injustice. Every few days, she leaves some spoiled young master black and blue. One day, the chief eunuch came charging into the imperial study. 26Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese romance, no reincarnation or time travel, delicate writing style

41. 391 念 Spring Tide of Longing 念念春潮 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance754k WordsCompleted [Print edition under contract] [Sweet romance and comeuppance, a seemingly gentle but calculating male lead, a fierce and adorable heroine, and intense push-and-pull between the leads] The Marquis of Wuning's daughter is to be married, but the bride hangs herself. The groom is Prince Danshuo, a handsome man who enjoys the emperor's deep trust, and the emperor himself personally arranged the marriage. In their panic, the marquis's household can only find someone to take the bride's place. Cheng 74.9kReads9.4Score10.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The author's writing style is unprecedented and unparalleled. A powerful male protagonist and a clever and decisive female protagonist—a perfect match of two strong personalities.

42. 392 夫 My Husband Revived Me, But Found a New Love on the Way? 夫君复活我的路上有了心上人？ Running Peach奔跑的桃子Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted Mu Ran had a nightmare. She was a supporting female character in a male-oriented novel, and the male lead’s beloved wife, the moonlight in his heart. In the second year of their marriage, she would die saving him. To bring her back to life, he searched everywhere from the celestial realms above to the underworld below, gathering countless rare treasures. Five hundred years later, he finally tore through the void, reached the pinnacle of cultivation, and successfully resurrected her. It seemed li 135.7kReads9.2Score18kShelves

    Reader note

    It's really gorgeous!

43. 393 梨 When the Pear Blossoms Bloom 梨花绽放时 Yi Shuang宜霜Ancient Romance260k WordsCompleted She has almond-shaped eyes, peachy cheeks, and a delicate, adorable look; He wears plain clothes, with dark hair and an exceptional air about him; Her life has been full of hardship, yet she remains kind and good-hearted; He has won countless honors on the battlefield and commands awe wherever he goes; What sparks will fly when these two meet? 975Reads8.7Score115Shelves

    Reader note

    [Ancient Romance + Sweet Romance + Revenge + Patriotism] She has almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, and is exquisitely cute; He is dressed in plain clothes with black hair and has an outstanding temperament; She has a difficult life but is kind and good-hearted; He has won many battles and is very powerful; What kind of sparks will the two of them create?

44. 394 重 Reborn: My Fiancé's Brothers Came to Propose to Me 重生之未婚夫兄弟上门提亲了 Adorable Bunny可爱多兔兔Ancient Romance115k WordsOngoing Shen Zhaoning, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Ningyuan Marquis’s household, was deceived into marriage and killed by a scumbag in her previous life. Reborn before marriage negotiations, she means to avoid him and honor her well-matched engagement. But unexpectedly, Xie Yunlan, the man she had never paid much attention to in her previous life, though he was her fiancé’s close friend, takes the initiative and asks for her hand in marriage first. Theme: Your true love is never up on some lof 2Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 395 地 The Underworld Demolition Plan 地府拆迁计划 Wen Ren Xiang Chen闻人向尘Ancient Romance218k WordsCompleted In the underworld, everyone wants to be reincarnated. Only thirteen stubborn holdouts want to remain in hell for all eternity. In response to Heaven's call and to maximize land use, the underworld is demolishing Fan'er Street. The ghosts and monsters there happily collect their relocation benefits and head off to be reborn, except for thirteen stubborn holdouts who refuse to leave Fan'er Street no matter what. As it happens, these people were all rich and powerful in life, and their influence st 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    At first, I thought it was a nonsensical story, but as I read on, it turned out to be a series of short stories rich in philosophical meaning. It depicts the emotions and life aspirations of people from different social classes! Definitely worth reading!

46. 396 我 After I Died, I Became the Fallen God's Beloved 我死后竟成了堕神白月光 Wu Li Chouchou乌里丑丑Fantastical Romance400k WordsCompleted (Publication rights acquired) (Cool beauty x devoted madman) (One-on-one, both inexperienced, younger man, childhood friends, loyal puppy at first who later turns into a rabid dog) Everyone in the Qingxuan Sect knows that Senior Sister Yun Yuan and Junior Brother Xie Zhao grew up together and have been childhood friends. Their close relationship has always made others envious. But recently, everyone has noticed something is wrong. The pair, once so close, have somehow grown distant and haven’t b 74.3kReads8.9Score10.5kShelves
47. 397 楼 The One by the Tower Is Like Jade 楼边人似玉 White Egret, Never Paired白鹭未双Ancient Romance488k WordsCompleted The proprietress of the Zhangdeng Inn is truly insufferable: sharp-tongued, money-grubbing, flirtatious, and shameless. He cultivates the Way of Shangqing and slays the myriad demons of the mortal world. He absolutely must not let her bewitch him! (Demon-hunting, scheming magistrate Song Liyan x money-loving, self-obsessed innkeeper Lou Siyu. The story involves only the human and demon realms. They fall in love in a different setting, with no cultivation. Happy ending, with both sweet and angsty 1.2kReads9.3Score177Shelves

    Reader note

    The last three books are amazing.

48. 398 黑 The Black Lotus’s Revenge 黑莲花复仇记 Stubborn Old Rock顽固臭石头Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted [Black Lotus Revenge-Seeking Craftswoman × Loyal, Power-Hungry Merchant] [1v1] [Two Strong Leads] [Mutual Healing] [Light Mystery and Deduction] [Pure Wish Fulfillment] After the founding of the Beiming dynasty, the construction industry flourished. But a sudden fire at the imperial palace changed the course of everyone’s life. From then on, Cai Ping became Lou Mian, with only two goals in life: revenge and finding her missing parents. To enter the game, she threw herself into mastering her gran 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Unpopular and good-looking

49. 399 琅 The Ballad of Langhua 琅华引 Xue You雪虠Ancient Romance280k WordsCompleted My new book finally got a rating! New books always start with a low score, so I hope the initial rating won’t put you off reading it! I’d also like to thank everyone who left me a review 🥰 Mad, vicious beauty × Ice-cold, chaste nobleman · Both Reborn, Love and Hate · A Chaotic Romance of Wei-Jin-Era Elegance The heroine is a truly unhinged beauty: vain, lecherous, playful, and utterly unhinged in everything she does. She’s wicked, but dazzlingly open about it. The hero is an untouchable flowe 2.9kReads8.1Score245Shelves

    Reader note

    Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties

50. 400 渺 A Lingering Fragrance 渺渺生香 Evergreen Lantern长青灯Ancient Romance287k WordsCompleted Guan Miaomiao is the legitimate daughter of the General’s Mansion. After the elders in her family die on the battlefield, only her aged grandmother remains, her elder brother is demoted, and she is left to hold the entire household together. Xiao Qingyan is the heir to Prince Ding’s mansion, a notorious playboy in Luojing who never misses a chance to fight, drink, or visit a courtesan house. The two, who had no connection at all, somehow end up married. When these rivals meet, they match wits an 70Reads7.0Score—Shelves

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