Historical Romance Tragedy with a Bad Ending! 古言虐文，BE结尾！

1. 51 请 My Lord, Grant Me a Lovesick Gu 请君赐我相思蛊 Gu Shisan顾十三Ancient Romance56k WordsCompleted When they were young, Jun Wuye and Yun Ji both believed in love. She once vowed to live and die with him, but love could never overcome schemes and deceit. One misunderstanding, and they were parted for life. Her family was destroyed, her brother was brutally killed, her child miscarried, and both her legs were crippled. “Jun Wuye, did you ever love me at all?” On the city wall, dressed in a wedding gown red as blood, she spoke in a voice full of grief. He slashed her wedding gown with his sword 87Reads6.2Score—14d adds
2. 52 愿 May You Never Betray Our Love 愿君不负相思意 Lan Wan Mian蓝晚眠52k WordsCompleted Five years ago, she risked her life to save him. They held a grand wedding, and she married into the Eastern Palace. But after enduring every kind of humiliation and lowering herself to please him, Zhao Yuying received nothing in return but a divorce decree... "The one I love is Lian'er. A venomous woman like you is completely unfit to be Crown Princess!" His face was icy. She gave a desolate smile, wept tears of blood, and drowned herself, never to be seen again. Nangong Yunting, from this day —Reads—Score—14d adds
3. 53 此 May I Never Betray Your Heart in This Life 此生如若负卿心 Mo Mo Er Yan莫莫而言Ancient Romance53k WordsCompleted Xiao Youning brought her fondest hopes with her when she was sent to marry Zhao Chukun. Their loving days passed in a daze, until one day he raised an army and brought about the destruction of her country and family. He held his newlywed princess as he climbed to the highest throne, trampling her dignity beneath his feet, while she was trapped in a gilded cage, at the mercy of others. Once she escaped the palace, when the day came that she had been reborn anew, she would make that cold-blooded m 2Reads—Score—14d adds
4. 54 终 At Last, I Admit Defeat 终于愿赌服输 Spring Thunder Cannon春雷炮Modern Romance50k WordsCompleted “Why couldn't you be the one who got sick?” “Why couldn't you be the one who died?” With drunken eyes, the man bends down and whispers the most heartless words in the gentlest voice. But he doesn't know that she really is going to die. 13.1kReads8.2Score86314d adds
5. 55 平 The Greatest Sorrow in Life Is Unrequited Love 平生最苦是相思 Shattered Ice碎碎冰Ancient Romance31k WordsCompleted On her wedding day, she thought it marked the beginning of happiness. Little did she know it was the beginning of his revenge... 180Reads8.0Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   They're all so heartbreaking, so cruel to couples!

6. 56 赠 I Give You the Bittersweet Pain of Parting 赠君人间苦别离 Spring Thunder Cannon春雷炮Ancient Romance43k WordsCompleted Xie Jingsheng hated Hua Zhezhi. When he was at his lowest, she not only kicked him while he was down, but nearly got him killed. The first thing he did after returning victorious was marry her, then drive her slowly insane. Hua Zhezhi was left with a crippled leg and suffered endless humiliation. When she was near death, she asked with red-rimmed eyes, “I never betrayed you. Why have you treated me this way?” “Keep making things up,” he said viciously, squeezing her throat. “Let’s see if you can 651Reads6.0Score—14d adds
7. 57 莫 Don't Look Back, or You'll See Your Grave 莫回头，回头见坟头 The Tree That Wants to Fly要飞天的树Ancient Romance11k WordsCompleted Don't Look Back, or You'll See Your Grave 29Reads—Score—14d adds

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   This is so cruel!

8. 58 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 26.7kReads9.3Score1.7k14d adds

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   It's very angsty at the beginning but has a happy ending. Highly recommended! [Learned something new]

9. 59 重 The Reborn Take the Stage: A Lowly Concubine's Daughter 重生者当道，卑微庶女 Walking Against the Light逆着光行走Ancient Romance562k WordsCompleted [Angsty + reborn + multiple male leads + no romance + no stupid characters + no love-brained heroine + taking by force] The heroine is a frail, innocent beauty of humble origins whose fate is full of misfortune. In every life, she is repeatedly tormented by a person who keeps being reborn. Yet each time the wicked reborn tormentor starts over, they ultimately fall at the heroine’s hands. And in every life, the more they torment her, the more horribly they die! In the first life after the rebirth 286Reads8.1Score—14d adds

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   The female protagonist is a delicate, innocent girl with almost nothing but beauty. She's initially tricked and nearly gang-raped by a vicious reborn individual, later losing her reputation and suffering abuse and assault from her enemy's father. Eventually, she catches the eye of the male protagonist, who avenges her. The reborn individual dies and is reborn again, this time causing the unsuspecting female protagonist even greater misery…

10. 60 深 Layers of Resentment in the Deep Palace 深宫怨几重 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿Ancient Romance152k WordsCompleted In this mortal world, in the imperial palace, in the mansions of the wealthy, how much love has gone unreturned and turned into bone-deep hatred? The tangled passions and heartbreak of so many men and women have all vanished into the mists of history. 875Reads—Score10114d adds

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    "You poisonous woman!" He threw me to the ground. The blue bricks were cold, and my cheek pressed against the ground. I saw mud on his boots. He squatted down, his eyes bloodshot, like a caged beast enraged. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "What did Qingge do to you? Why did you poison her?" Poison. He thought I was the one who poisoned her. I opened my mouth, my throat dry, and finally only managed a cold laugh.

11. 61 锦 A Beauty Adorned with Brocade 锦上娇 Yuan Xi垣溪Ancient Romance825k WordsCompleted The mighty General Dingbei commanded three armies at just twenty and made a name for himself on the battlefield. His enemies were so terrified of him that they kept their distance. Now that he’s married, he often leaves the house with scratch marks on his face and a rueful look. Everyone is stunned, but the general isn’t ashamed. He’s proud of it, declaring, “My wife is adorable no matter what she does. What do you know? You’re nothing...” 841Reads8.2Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    These are all pretty good. [1] The moon in the sky blows the wind on earth, passing through ordinary life. [2] It's quite different from most novels about rebirth. [3] All the hardships will only make them love each other more.

12. 62 凰 The Phoenix Empress Returns 凰后归来 Ye Lian Ning夜恋凝Ancient Romance838k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Xiao Xiwei died at the hands of her husband and younger stepsister. Only just before her death did she learn that her life had been a falsehood, painstakingly fabricated by someone else. Reborn through fire, she proceeds cautiously at every turn, learns to read people’s hearts, and sees through their schemes. Together with the Seventh Prince, who has pursued her from her past life, she builds a splendid life. 21Reads9.0Score—14d adds
13. 63 魅 The Enchantress Who Bewitched the World 魅姬惑天下 Black-Hearted Cat黑心的猫Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted Chu Xiao, regent of the Yan Dynasty. Yu Ge, a peerless dancer. He used her as a pawn to win over the powerful, climb to the heights of power, and marry the treacherous chancellor's daughter. They took her body, killed her child, and murdered her mother. She swore to make these hypocrites pay for their blood debt. Then, in a single day, her astonishing true identity was revealed. Three thousand bewitching women, five hundred poison masters, and over ten thousand elite soldiers knelt throughout th 823Reads8.8Score17414d adds
14. 64 念 Fragrant Thoughts Beneath the Silk Quilt 念香衾 Companion in the Mist烟霞侣Ancient Romance963k WordsCompleted 5.5kReads8.9Score50914d adds

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    These are all pretty good. [1] In ancient times, cousins were not allowed to live together. [2] The country was thrown into chaos, and the world was in turmoil.

15. 65 繁 A Splendid Mistake 繁华错 A World of Splendor繁华锦世Ancient Romance1.9M WordsCompleted If I had another life, I would never put my hand in yours again. Never. · Hengzhou’s richest man, the Yun Sect’s Iron Cavalry, Qiongzhou’s pleasure quarter, the Four Great Houses of the capital: what earth-shattering secrets lie hidden among these people and places, so seemingly unrelated? What turmoil does a peerlessly beautiful woman, moving through the world of courtesans, stir up with her delicate hands? Everything should have been in the palm of her hand, effortless and under control. But t 570Reads8.4Score10314d adds
16. 66 王 The Princess Consort Wants a Divorce Every Day 王妃日日想和离 Hot Palace Lady热宫娘娘Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Ye Feiwan was sent to a secluded courtyard by Feng Qing and died in despair. She never expected to be reborn after their marriage had already been arranged. Ye Feiwan refuses to fall in love again. She causes trouble, “flirts around,” finds concubines for Feng Qing, and keeps her distance from him, all for the sake of getting a divorce. She never expected that Feng Qing would finally be angered into agreeing to the divorce, only to mysteriously change his mind the next day 4.2kReads8.5Score40514d adds

    Reader note

    I cried so much! The ending was pretty sweet, but it was still a bit heartbreaking.

17. 67 武 Emperor Wu’s Forbidden Love: The Beauty of Emperor Xiaowu 武帝之绝爱：孝武红颜 Dreaming and Soaring漫梦飞翔Ancient Romance226k WordsCompleted After Emperor Wen came the prosperous Han dynasty. Young Emperor Wu, Liu Che, ascended the throne full of ambition and vigor. He was not only a ruler of great vision, but also a passionate and romantic man. In his life, there was the fiery, headstrong Chen A'jiao, the gentle and virtuous Wei Zifu, and the peerlessly beautiful Lady Li... Yet among all his romances, one woman was the love of his life, and also the one least mentioned in the historical records. She was Lady Wang. Lady Wang was from 307Reads—Score—14d adds

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    A tragic love triangle! The story of a peerless beauty, a legendary general, and an emperor of all time.

18. 68 吹 Shattering the Moonlight Over Half the River 吹碎半江月 Lin Zhui林追Ancient Romance42k WordsCompleted [Bad Ending / Two Female Leads] Two young women from different backgrounds, yet they end up on the same path. A feudal society, arranged marriages, and no right to make their own choices. All of it is like a stack of death warrants, hastening their decline. They are both lucky and unlucky. Lucky, because they become each other's light; unlucky, because they cannot change their fate. But the ending is beautiful. At least they are together. —Reads—Score—14d adds

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    Ancient Chinese Romance - I chose the wrong tag before

19. 69 相 Husband, Spare Me Your Blade 相公，刀下留我 Many Blessings福多多Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Ye Qingcheng transmigrated, and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Later, she realized that someone had been setting her up all along. Qin Shao was reborn, with every detail of his past life still vivid in his mind. If he let a woman set him up again in this life, he might as well give up on life. “My lord, what will it take for you to let me go?” the alluring woman asked with a charming smile. “If you die, I'll be done for.” “Come on, you've loved me so much you want to kill me. 10Reads8.8Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    These are all pretty good. [1] In the end, the lovers were united in marriage. [2] The inner thoughts of the orphaned girl living under someone else's roof are described very well.

20. 70 瑾 Madam Jinning 瑾宁夫人 Qi Ran Liuli七媣琉璃Ancient Romance2.9M WordsCompleted Meng Jinning wasn't exactly the laid-back type, but she understood the principle of not bothering others unless they bothered her first. She also knew that being a stepmother was no easy task. She figured the children's maternal relatives and their own father could take care of them, and the most she could do was turn a blind eye. She never expected that, even though she had no intention of meddling, someone else would insist on dragging her into their business. 309Reads7.7Score10514d adds
21. 71 凤 The Phoenix Rules the Ninefold Heavens 凤倾九重 Crayon Immortal蜡笔仙人Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Chi Jingshu was dutiful and kept to herself, yet still suffered endless torment and ultimately earned the title of “the disastrous seductress who brought down a kingdom.” When her country fell and she was strangled to death against the towering red-lacquered walls of the imperial city, she thought, If I get another life, I'll live up to the name “calamity who ruins kingdoms and brings disaster to the people”! Reborn one day at the age when girls wear their first hairpin, Ch 2.8kReads8.8Score60514d adds

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    These four books are a must!!! [1] Reborn, I was given a chance to repent. [2] When you detach yourself from the initial state, you feel humble, lovable, and obsessive. [3] Seemingly righteous and awe-inspiring, but actually hypocritical. [4] They have stayed together through thick and thin for three generations.

22. 72 祸 The Calamity Consort 祸妃天下 Jiang Youyou姜右右Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted She was a scheming, calculating spirit. He was a ruthless, sinister prince lying low in a corner of the empire. Born for revenge, she laid a vast web of traps and plotted to overthrow the dynasty. He was the most obedient piece on the board, yet he bound her heart with love, advancing step by step until she could never leave his side. Xuan Yuan Mo wrapped his arms around the woman from behind. “I know you’ve always been using me, but I like being useful to you…” Ye Qingwan’s lashes fluttered, bu 516Reads8.6Score10114d adds
23. 73 锦 Return of the Swallow 锦堂归燕 Breezy and Bright风光霁月Ancient Romance3.2M WordsCompleted As the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, she was switched at birth and forced to struggle for survival among the common folk. At long last, she was reunited with her family, only to be caught up in endless domestic power struggles. She wanted to get along with her sisters, honor her elders, and live a peaceful life of her own, but every one of those awful people was determined to thwart her! So she faced reality: if she wanted a good life, she would have to scheme and fight within the h 2.3kReads8.4Score31914d adds
24. 74 上 Heaven Above 上邪 Lan Jia Sanshao蓝家三少Ancient Romance2.7M WordsCompleted Fu Jiuqing is hiding a huge secret: he secretly picked up his own wife... Everyone knows that the Fu family of Hengzhou is richer than the emperor, yet its heirs are a sorry lot. The eldest legitimate son died young, the second is a wastrel, the third is obsessed with food and women, and the fourth is an idiot. The youngest, Fu Jiuqing, is a concubine's son and a sickly child by nature. Everyone says the Fu family must have done something wicked in a past life to deserve this. Jin Yue didn't wan 3kReads9.0Score39614d adds
25. 75 蝶 Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: Sold into Prostitution by My Mother-in-Law, My Ex-Husband Searched for Me for Ten Years 蝶影归尘：被婆母卖入风尘，前夫寻了我整整十年 Ni Ah Ni Ge Ni氼啊氼个氼55k WordsCompleted The Butterfly’s Shadow Returns to Dust: Sold into a Life of Vice by My Mother-in-Law, My Ex-Husband Searched for Me for Ten Years 342Reads—Score814d adds

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    Title: I'm the Villain in Everyone's Eyes, But I Love Her No Less Than Anyone Else—Reading "Butterfly Shadow Returns to Dust" from Xiao Qihao's Perspective --- The world all condemns me, Xiao Qihao, as sinister, obsessive, and ruthless. They're right. I'm the illegitimate son of the Zhang family, taking my mother's surname, without a legitimate status, and raised under someone else's roof since childhood. I'm jealous of Zhang Zhiming—jealous of his status as a legitimate son, jealous of his substantial family fortune, and even more jealous that he married the only woman I ever wanted in my life. Lin Die'er. --- From the first moment I saw her, I knew I was doomed. She was a daughter of a prestigious family, with exquisite features and an unyielding spirit. Zhang Zhiming was incredibly accommodating to her, yet her eyes were filled with impatience and disdain. I saw it clearly—she didn't love him. Since she didn't love him, why couldn't I be placed beside her? Once this thought took root, it could never be uprooted. I began to spy on her daily routine, hiding behind the artificial hill to watch her sit alone by the pond, lost in thought. When she wasn't around, I would sneak into her courtyard and stare intently at the rouge box on her dressing table. I even made a move on Ping'er, simply because she was the closest person to Die'er. Die'er rushed to me, demanding that I marry Ping'er properly. I smiled and said to her, "The position of my legal wife has always belonged to you." Her eyes were like knives, cursing me as shameless. But I didn't care. I only cared about her. --- I finally got her, but she never belonged to me. I bribed Zhang's mother, forged a letter of divorce, and imprisoned Die'er in a separate courtyard. That night, I said to her: "Your mother-in-law has long since betrothed you to me." She cried, struggled, her heart breaking. I kissed her, but she didn't respond, only tears streamed down her face. At dawn, I pushed open the door and left. She was curled up in a corner, her clothes disheveled, her eyes empty. I thought I had won. But later I learned that she was pregnant with Zhang Zhiming's child. To keep the child alive, she made me believe it was mine. She gritted her teeth, trying to please me, closing her eyes and letting me kiss her, but murmuring another man's name where I couldn't hear. At night, she slept in my arms, murmuring in her sleep—"Zhiming…" Those two words were like a knife, piercing my heart. I tightened my arms, whispering in her ear, "It's okay. It doesn't matter who you call in your dreams. In this life, you can only lie beside me." But I couldn't deceive myself. I had her body, but never her heart. --- I gave her all my kindness, yet she wouldn't even give me a genuine smile. I poured all my love into her. I made the villa exquisite and warm, gathered her favorite snacks and treasures, stayed by her side every day, carefully caring for her, putting aside all my malice, learning to be gentle and accommodating. But the look in her eyes was always devoid of warmth. I was unwilling. I was insanely jealous of Zhang Zhiming. Why? Why could she be so unforgettable to him when he did nothing? I gave everything, yet I couldn't earn a single genuine smile from her. I became addicted to opium, trying to numb myself with it. I wanted to forget her, but I couldn't. --- She disappeared, and the rest of my life was filled with searching and regret. My mother sold her to a brothel while I was in seclusion trying to quit opium. When I emerged from seclusion and learned the news, I searched frantically, scouring every street and alley, but I found no trace of her. The child I believed to be Ping'er's was the one I cherished and cared for. I named him "Yi'an"—meaning "unwavering" and "peaceful." I poured all my guilt, indebtedness, and obsession with Die'er into this child. I believed until my death that he was my own flesh and blood. I never discovered the silver necklace she left behind tucked into the swaddling clothes. --- When news of her death arrived, my world collapsed. Years of searching, and what I finally received was news of her death. The woman I longed for but could never have, the woman who ruined half my life and whom I also ruined, she was dead. She took a bullet for someone else, giving her life for another man. I didn't even get to see her one last time, not even a chance to apologize. I held the golden butterfly hairpin she left in the villa, shutting myself away for three days, refusing to eat or drink. I remembered that night she said to me, "I'm just your trophy." I said to the air, word by word— "Die'er, I love you. Because you are you, not some trophy." No one heard. She won't hear me either. --- I'm not a good person, but I truly loved. Everyone says Xiao Qihao is a villain, a scoundrel, the murderer who ruined Die'er's life. I won't defend myself. But I want you to know—my love for her was no less than anyone else's. I just used the wrong method, the wrong method from the very beginning. If I could have met her sooner, if I could have pursued her openly and honestly, if I wasn't Zhang's illegitimate son, if I could have controlled that jealousy and obsession—would the ending have been different? No one can answer me. She will never come back. --- Epilogue: I poured all my guilt and longing for Die'er into the front lines of the War of Resistance. I could turn my blade against my brother, but never against my country. For the rest of my life, I devoted myself to supporting the war effort, teaching that child to love and be good, and spending my life atoning for the sins I had committed. I made Ping'er my legal wife, and she bore me a son and a daughter. But the place in my heart remained empty. I know I am not worthy to say I love her. But if there is a next life—I hope I can stand before her with dignity and say: "Miss Lin, hello. My name is Xiao Qihao. I am not anyone's illegitimate child, nor anyone's substitute. I am just someone who wants to get to know you." 😢😢 If you have ever loved someone to the point of obsession, read "Butterfly Shadow Returns to Dust." There are no purely good people here, nor purely bad people. There is only a man named Xiao Qihao who loved someone he should never have loved in the most wrong way. The end, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.

26. 76 蝶 Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: My Husband's Enemy Seizes Me by Force 蝶影归尘：丈夫的的仇人对我强娶豪夺 Ni Ah Ni Ge Ni氼啊氼个氼15k WordsCompleted Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: My Husband's Enemy Forces Me into Marriage 24Reads—Score—14d adds

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