Looking for a Historical Romance with a Powerful Male Lead Who's a Scheming Court Official, but No Angst. He Should Be Cunning. 求男主是权臣，古言，不虐，男主腹黑

1. 51 盛 Cherished by the Powerful: The Lord Chancellor’s Darling 盛宠：权臣大人的掌心娇 Admiring Flying Fish from the Abyss临渊羡飛鱼Ancient Romance150k WordsCompleted (Rebirth + pampered romance + political intrigue + household drama + 1v1 + devoted couple) Reborn on the day of her wedding, Chu Jiaojiao decides not to run away! Remembering the miserable fate she suffered after fleeing her wedding in her previous life, Chu Jiaojiao vows to cling tightly to the powerful minister’s leg! On their wedding night “Husband~” A sweet, bone-melting voice comes from beneath the veil. Gu Chen raises an eyebrow, stroking his thumb ring with his right hand before giving a 1.6kReads9.1Score200Shelves
2. 52 春 Spring Robes in Disarray: Only to Unravel the Chancellor's Desires 春衫乱：只为奸臣解风情 Fish in the South City南城有鱼Ancient Romance463k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + reborn to change fate + devoted husband + political intrigue and revenge. The heroine is gentle yet resilient, kind and perceptive. The hero is a noble, powerful minister, beautiful and tragic. Many foreshadowed clues and twists.] Lin Shu was a noble young lady from the capital, raised without ever having to lift a finger. When disaster struck the Lin family, Lin Shu became a government slave. She was put to washing and dyeing cloth in the Imperial Household Dep 12.1kReads9.4Score1.5kShelves

   Reader note

   This book was incredibly moving! [Sending hearts][Sending hearts] The male lead is wonderful, and he's very kind to the female lead. He appears to be a "treacherous official," but he's not actually one; there's a twist later on. The female lead is also wonderful; she's a woman of integrity. The male and female leads heal and warm each other's hearts during their time together. It was so touching and heartwarming! [Almost crying][Almost crying][Admiring][Sending hearts][Sending hearts]

3. 53 嫁 Marry a Powerful Official and Become a Widow? The Transmigrate-Into-a-Book Side Character Won’t Stand for It! 嫁权臣守活寡？穿书女配不干了！ Lucky Blossoms福朵朵Ancient Romance788k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + everyone’s favorite + devoted couple + putting scumbags in their place + no mistresses or misunderstandings + everyone speaks their mind] Jiang Yuzhu transmigrated into a book, becoming the ill-fated first wife of Xie Zhao, the male lead of A Great Chancellor. From the start, she was handed a disaster: the original Jiang Yuzhu was on her way to have an affair, set up by her own eldest brother. According to the original story, after sleeping with a scumbag, Jiang Yuzhu 7.8kReads8.9Score928Shelves

   Reader note

   [Sending a heart][Admiration]

4. 54 姜 Jiang Yugu 姜域顾 Ningning Zi柠柠梓Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + devoted and sweet love + a gentle, proactive little princess + doting affection + mutual devotion] Jiang Sui, the seventh imperial princess of the Great Qi Dynasty, was born into a life of luxury and privilege. Bright and lively, she was simple and guileless, never hiding what was on her mind. When she was twelve, she fell in love at first sight with a young man and secretly gave him her heart. From then on, someone lived in her heart, and she kept a little secret all 6.9kReads9.2Score772Shelves
5. 55 裙 The Minister Beneath Her Skirts: She Makes the Prince Regent Bow to Her 裙下权臣：她引摄政王折腰 Zheng Da Qian郑大钱Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Scheming heroine + power struggles + palace and household intrigue + strong female lead + prince + revenge and cathartic payback + mutual healing] In her previous life, Xie Deyin was sent by her husband, the Marquis of Pingyang, to the bed of a powerful regent to curry favor with him. She bore a son, only for her husband and his favored concubine to murder the child. Reborn, Xie Deyin vows to rise to the pinnacle of power, crush the scumbag and expose the fake saintess. She deliberately approac 11.3kReads9.2Score1.5kShelves
6. 56 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 24.7kReads9.5Score4kShelves

   Reader note

   Oh my god, it's so good! The plot is clear and well-structured, and the scheming is superb. The female lead is strong and independent, and the male lead guides her step by step. Every character in the book is vivid and has their own unique charm. The writing is also amazing; it's so good it could be used in an essay. You absolutely must read it, you won't be disappointed!

7. 57 穿 After I Transmigrated into a Book, I Became the Big Shot’s Lazy Pillow 穿书后成了大佬的咸鱼抱枕 Xi Yin奚音Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted Outside, a raging storm howled and battle cries filled the air. Inside, Ning Xihua suddenly jolted awake on the bed. Propping herself up halfway, she looked confused. “What’s going on?” The man held a book in one hand and pulled her into his arms with the other. “Nothing. Go back to sleep.” “Oh.” Ning Xihua lay back down and promptly fell asleep. If the big shot was this calm, then even if knives were raining down outside, it had nothing to do with her. After transmigrating into a book, Ning Xi 49.3kReads9.4Score5.5kShelves

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   The male lead is a cunning and possessive crown prince, while the female lead transmigrates into a book as a lazy bum who only wants to live a carefree life. However, to change her fate of dying young, she decides to cooperate with the crown prince. The female lead's family is very powerful. The interactions between the male and female leads are incredibly sweet, and there is absolutely no angst.

8. 58 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

   Reader note

   A cunning and powerful general meets a delicate and sweet princess! It's super good!

9. 59 病 The Possessive Power Minister’s Guide to Spoiling His Wife 病娇权臣宠妻手册 Late Day晚昼Ancient Romance209k WordsCompleted [Transmigrated into a book + super-sweet one-on-one romance + secret identity revealed + supernatural ability + forced to become the villain’s beloved] A straightforward beauty who never stops flirting vs. a charming, laid-back fox of a man Shen Zhixia transmigrated into the body of a doomed cannon-fodder character with a high chance of dying. But she could see whether the threads around people’s wrists were red or black: red meant affection, black meant dislike. And she even had a handsome man 1.7kReads9.2Score191Shelves

   Reader note

   Perfectly fitting! The female lead transmigrates into a book and tries to seduce the male lead. The male lead hides his true intentions for revenge, appearing gentle and refined on the surface, but is actually extremely cunning and ruthless. Sometimes the male lead is really funny, imagining things like, "Ha, woman, you actually want to sleep with me? Don't you know shame?" The two of them are so sweet! [Licking screen][licking screen][licking screen]

10. 60 首 The Prime Minister's Child Bride Is Quite the Flirt 首相大人的童养媳，有点撩 Zuo Erfang左耳方Ancient Romance611k WordsCompleted [A few warnings: 1. They don’t take over someone else’s body; their souls switch places. 2. The child bride identity is for her protection.] Jiang Yu transmigrated into a book! But she had no System, no golden finger, and she wasn’t the heroine or a supporting female character. She’d become a child bride who appeared in just one panel of a comic, and all you could see of her was her back! Ack… She was just an ordinary little office worker. In this ancient world where the birds didn’t even bother 1.3kReads8.8Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The first and third ones are especially beautiful.

11. 61 首 The First Grand Secretary's Lucky Little Wife 首辅家的锦鲤小娇妻 Chasing Dreams Tonight逐梦今宵Ancient Romance508k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + lucky charm + sweet romance] Sang Zhi transmigrates into a book! That’s right! Sang Zhi had stayed up all night in her dorm, feverish, reading a farming novel. When she woke up, she discovered she had become the slovenly, selfish, universally disliked minor villainess in the story! Her father has just died, white mourning cloth hangs everywhere, the family is dirt-poor, and rain leaks in from every side! The newly awakened, disheveled Sang Zhi is dumbfounded! She has 1.2kReads9.0Score115Shelves
12. 62 吾 My Wife, Afu 吾妻阿福 Where Will My Beloved Go伊人何归Ancient Romance208k WordsCompleted [Reborn × Marriage First, Love Later] [Clingy, affectionate beauty vs. refined and elegant noble minister] Yuan Shujin (Yuan Afu) was lovely and charming, adored by her father and brothers from childhood, and born into a distinguished family. But one mistaken choice of lover cost her father and brothers their lives. Her sincere affection had been nothing but a tool for someone else, and in the end, she took her own life on a lonely night. When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the y 2.6kReads8.9Score343Shelves
13. 63 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
14. 64 重 Only After Being Reborn Did I Learn I Was the Cool and Aloof Minister's White Moonlight 重生才知，我竟是清冷权臣白月光 October Orange十月橙Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [Revenge on scumbags + sweet romance + switched marriages + reborn heroine vs. transmigrated heroine + a seemingly aloof, secretly twisted beauty] In her previous life, Chu Mingyuan learned only as she lay dying that the younger sister who had secretly been sleeping with her husband was not born to her late mother. She was actually a concubine-born daughter who had been switched at birth by a concubine. Chu Mingyuan died with regrets. Thankfully, Heaven took pity on her, and after her death she 8.7kReads8.9Score901Shelves

    Reader note

    The author is truly a master writer! Bringing down the aloof and cunning beauty from her pedestal is absolutely brilliant! The opening story of the arranged marriage is so captivating; I love the "marriage of convenience" trope where the man's unrequited love blossoms into a deeper romance. She initially thought the male lead's agreement to the arranged marriage was a reluctant compromise, but in reality, he had secretly loved her for two lifetimes, a love that could never be reciprocated! Their post-marital interactions are incredibly sweet and filled with affection!!

15. 65 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 13.5kReads9.1Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The male and female leads have very unique personalities, and their relationship is a mix of love and hate. It gets more and more exciting as you watch, and it'll make you laugh until your stomach hurts! [Laughing][laughing][laughing]

16. 66 蓄 Long-Planned: The Chief Councilor’s Daily Devotion to His Wife 蓄谋已久：首辅大人的宠妻日常 I Am the Blooming Prosperity花开富贵本花Ancient Romance566k WordsCompleted “The rating just came out, so it’ll go up later.” Sweet, delicate beauty × scheming powerful official. A marriage that turns into tooth-achingly sweet love! “The aloof beauty comes down from her pedestal of her own accord.” A spring palace painting leads to “bedroom lessons,” and the heart-fluttering moments just won’t stop! Reading guide: Both leads are virgins, happy ending, sweet romance with no angst, sugar from beginning to end! Qin Nuan married Shen Yanqing, the Chief Minister who was the 30.9kReads8.9Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is cunning and loves to cling to the female lead [laughs][thumbs up]. It's a marriage of convenience that blossoms into love; a delicate beauty paired with the cunning and powerful minister Shen Yanqing—it's so sweet! Qin Nuan married him, expecting to be alone, but Shen Yanqing becomes incredibly clingy at night. By day, he's the formidable prime minister, but by night he's only interested in her. When she was caught peeping at erotic pictures, he even laughed and said, "Let's try it tonight!" Sweet and fluffy, no angst, both leads are virgins, happy ending.

17. 67 别 After Fleeing the Villa, the Mad Power Minister's Eyes Turned Red with Rage 别院私逃后，疯批权臣怒红眼 Jiang Shian江十桉Ancient Romance419k WordsCompleted [Coercive romance + wife-pursuing crematorium + devoted couple] Everyone said the eldest son of the Pei family was noble and virtuous, elegant beyond compare. But Jiang Yingwan felt an inexplicable fear of him. Especially when those dark, cold eyes turned her way, a chill ran down her spine. Years ago, the Jiang and Pei families had made a verbal marriage pact. The Old Madam Pei wanted her to marry Pei Yanchen, but the two families were no longer social equals, and Jiang Yingwan already loved so 40kReads8.9Score2.9kShelves
18. 68 强 Claiming His Elder Brother's Widow, the Ruthless Power Broker Plots Every Move 强娶长嫂，疯批权臣步步为营 Nan Youyu南又予Ancient Romance315k WordsCompleted My new work is out! Come read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you'll enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 1.1kReads7.7Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    The ratings just came out, but it's great!

19. 69 嫁 After Marrying a Treacherous Minister, I Was Spoiled Like an Ancestor 嫁个奸臣后，我被宠成了祖宗 Teasing the Moonlight撩拨月色Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted After being reborn, Meng Wu has no interest in romance. All she wants is to bring her enemies down. A husband? He just needs to be powerful, wealthy, and handsome! Pei Yan doesn't buy it. He thinks this girl is quite the character, and he's intrigued. You don't care about romance? That's fine. I do! Cornered against a wall and proposed to, Meng Wu stares at him in disbelief. Pei Yan smiles faintly. “Your standards for a husband are that he's rich, powerful, and handsome. Don't I meet every one o 4.8kReads9.2Score607Shelves

    Reader note

    The most beautiful woman in the capital, her family destroyed—in her old age, she was violated by her adopted son and ultimately drugged and sent away by her adopted daughter-in-law… She had been married into the Song State Duke's mansion at sixteen, carrying his memorial tablet, and spent her entire life as a widow, ending in humiliation and misery 😭 Reborn before the tragedy began, in this life, Meng Wu will protect her loving family and live a carefree and unrestrained life ❤️

20. 70 成 After We Wed, the Aloof Chancellor Fell for Me 成亲后，高冷丞相沦陷了 September Honey九月花蜜Ancient Romance454k WordsCompleted [Transmigrates into a book + sweet and satisfying + marriage before love + everyday life + devoted to one another] Du Nan transmigrated into a book, becoming Yun Shuyue, the sickly, pampered legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant family in the capital. Three days later, she was to marry Jiang Chengyuan, the prime minister, a first-rank official at court. A perfect sacrificial supporting character! She had read more than half the story. Yun Shuyue wasn’t Jiang Chengyuan’s one true love. He mar 5.7kReads8.7Score495Shelves
21. 71 为 To Redeem the Tyrant, the System Struggles to Survive Around the Clock 为救赎暴君，系统她日夜极限求生 Lu Li路鲤Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Hilarious + light fantasy + devoted couple + bickering + enemies turned lovers] Ever since Ouyang Linlang transmigrated into the body of an ancient tyrant, she hadn't enjoyed a single peaceful day! The two bickered all day and traded insults all night, locked in a love-hate relationship At first, when the tyrant wouldn't listen, she coaxed and tricked him, claiming she was a Judge's Brush who could predict the future and defy fate. Later, the tyrant became obsessed with jealousy. She spent ever 13.5kReads9.3Score2.2kShelves
22. 72 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 88.8kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is a powerful and resourceful prince, while the female lead is a smart and capable female general. She initially disguises herself as a man, but later they join forces to conquer the world.

23. 73 春 Spring Stirs the Lotus Platform 春动莲台 Not Enough Grass Jelly to Drink烧仙草不够喝Ancient Romance453k WordsCompleted [Cherished, highborn daughter × dignified, abstinent son of a prominent family] Rumor has it that Shen Lianchi, the youngest daughter of the Grand Princess and the Duke of Zhenguo, has been sickly for years. She has a noble title, but is really an ugly woman. Yet this supposedly ugly woman has a marriage match that all the noble young ladies in Tokyo envy: she was betrothed to the Fu family’s young master before birth! What kind of man is Fu Yuji? Born into a distinguished scholarly family, a pr 1.6kReads7.4Score206Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a pampered and privileged legitimate daughter, while the male lead is a refined and abstinent scion of a noble family. He has been deeply in love with the female lead for 15 years. It's incredibly good, absolutely amazing! Highly recommended! [Laughing][laughing][laughing]

24. 74 表 After the Cousin Cast Him Aside After a Fling, the Mad Young Lord Came Knocking Late at Night 表姑娘始乱终弃后，疯批世子深夜找上门来了 Flowers Fall Year After Year花落年年Ancient Romance555k WordsCompleted Song Yining was unexpectedly caught up in a mysterious case. To save her own life, she latched onto Lu Shi’an, Deputy Commander of Hecheng. She went to great lengths to persuade Lu Shi’an to clear her name, and he kept her pampered at his side. “From now on, I belong to you, Lang. I’ll stay with you through life and death.” “You’re so impressive, Lang. I could never look at another man again.” Later, Lu Shi’an was framed and thrown into prison, his fate unknown. Song Yining immediately sold the 665Reads6.4Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is a powerful minister, ruthless and forceful in his pursuit of power! He manages to surpass his rivals! The female lead is unexpectedly drawn into a mysterious case, becoming entangled with the male lead. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, she is forced to leave, only to reunite with him. The female lead initially tries to escape, but she can't break free. The male lead is dark, eccentric, and obsessive, devoting himself solely to the female lead. His love is incredibly sweet and genuine!

25. 75 可 The Khatun Was Taken by Force 可敦是劫来的 Stars Like Rain星如雨如Ancient Romance181k WordsCompleted Qin Rao was the “perfect princess,” carefully shaped over sixteen years by the Jin Kingdom’s Fragrance Training Bureau. Blessed with peerless beauty and a mask of meekness, she was being sent to the Great Yuan Kingdom as a bride when the Khagan of Northern Yan, Tuoba Yunhe, personally seized her. Tuoba Yunhe, the most dangerous mixed-blood khagan of Northern Yan, hauled her onto his horse and used his iron will to shelter her beneath his wing. He tore apart her cautious little world, yet indulge 6.2kReads8.9Score778Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so good, incredibly good!

26. 76 陪 On the Night of My Burial, I Brought the God of War Prince Back from the Dead 陪葬夜，我让战神王爷起死回生 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors" Animated adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors: The Prince’s Beloved" [Hilarious + Transmigration + Sweet romance + Obsessive love + Devoted pairing + Imperial physician heroine + Palace and household intrigue + Inspirational] I was a military doctor with a PhD when I transmigrated, only to find myself about to be buried alive as a sacrifice for the dead God of War, the Prince? I grabbed the burial offerings and ran, planning to live in luxu 20.9kReads9.3Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is a powerful minister; this is a sweet and romantic historical romance novel.

27. 77 做 Be a Concubine? You're Not Worthy! I'll Find a Better Match, and You'll Beg Me to Stay 做妾？你也配？另谋高嫁你下跪 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted This book is now available as a full-cast audio drama, and it’s hilarious! Give it a listen! [Hilarious Transmigration + Medical Space + Sweet, Satisfying Romance + Power Struggles + Palace and Household Intrigue + Mutual Devotion and Strength] A genius in medicine and poison transmigrates to ancient times with a medical space. She wakes up in a coffin, only to have a bewitching man try to steal it? Her ex-husband favors his concubine, abuses his wife, and shamelessly claims her dowry? Her fathe 5.6kReads8.9Score554Shelves
28. 78 爆 Hilarious Mind Reading: The Prince Eats Gossip Until He Throws Up 爆笑读心术，王爷吃瓜吃到吐 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance452k WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: The Hilarious Mind-Reading Art: The Prince Laughs at Gossip Until He Chokes Manhua adaptation: The Princess's Inner Thoughts Are Full of Gossip, and the Prince Is Hooked; The Princess's Inner Thoughts Can't Be Hidden [Historical fantasy + mind-reading + gossip System + silly comedy + System space + sweet romance + feel-good revenge + transmigration to an alternate world + palace and household intrigue + devoted and powerful couple + marriage before love + healing a posses 24kReads9.1Score2kShelves
29. 79 白 The Moonlight Reborn, Her Childhood Friend Begs for Her Love Every Night 白月光重生，竹马夜夜缠溺求偏宠 Sweetie Dodo糖多多宝Ancient Romance314k WordsCompleted He is the choice she makes after weighing the pros and cons. She is the obsession he can never let go of. [Both are each other's first and only; flirty, doting romance + heroine is reborn to take revenge × male lead can be fierce or sweet + a lovesick man tears apart the green tea himself] “Xiao An'an, no matter whose side you're standing by right now, in the end, you'll only ever be mine.” “Xiao An'an, you don't have to love me, but you can't leave me behind.” In her previous life, her husba 182Reads6.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    She thought it was a choice made after weighing the pros and cons, unaware that she was his obsession that had haunted him for over a decade. "Xiao An'an, no matter who you stand beside now, in the end, you can only be mine." "Xiao An'an, you can live without me in your heart, but you can't abandon me." No one knew: Fu Yunjing had coveted the little princess he grew up with for over ten years. In the bitter cold of the borderlands, he endured countless life-or-death nights by imagining her phantom under the moonlight. Returning victorious, he heard she was to marry? At the welcoming banquet, by a twist of fate, he encountered her while she was taking traditional Chinese medicine. Should he rationally push her away, or go with the flow? [Shy][heart][heart]

30. 80 逼 You Force Me to Marry the Regent? I'm Pregnant, and the Crown Prince Has Gone Mad 逼我嫁摄政王？我有孕太子疯了 A Merfolk in the Northern Sea北冥有鲛Ancient Romance301k WordsCompleted Marriage first, love later (sweet romance) + long-planned pursuit + domineering CEO + he pursues her + second male lead pursues his wife + elder brother steals younger brother’s wife + intense push and pull + wins her heart and her body + both virgins + happy ending + legitimate daughter + prince and princess consort + crown prince + struggle for the throne When the plum blossoms were in bloom, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyuan promised Shen Jinghong that once her father and brothers returned victorio 2.1kReads8.2Score190Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead is a regent prince, nine years older than the female lead, and very skilled at flirting. It's a sweet and doting romance novel. The female lead is delicate and afraid of pain, while the male lead's relationship evolves from an arranged marriage to a passionate and emotional one, filled with both pampering and coaxing.

31. 81 病 The Frail Prince's Goofy Shadow Guard 病弱王爷的沙雕影卫 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Two Male Leads184k WordsCompleted The renowned Prince Jing of the Dayong Dynasty appears to be a sickly man confined to his bed, coughing up blood without end. In reality, he is a ruthless, calculating mastermind who always stays several moves ahead. His true strength lies in his intellect: using his frail health as a disguise, he stirs up storms at court. The top assassin sent by the greatest killer organization in the martial world is disguised as a naive new shadow guard. He is exceptionally good at his job but has an unusual 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! A very interesting concept, definitely worth checking out.

32. 82 锦 Spring Deep Behind Brocade Curtains: The World as Matchmaker 锦幕春深之天下为媒 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Ancient Romance45k WordsCompleted A new work is here! You’re welcome to read my stories on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy them. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 3Reads—Score—Shelves
33. 83 烬 Blossoms Dyed in Ashes: After I Was Reborn, I Married My Protector 烬染繁花:重生后我嫁给了守护者 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Ancient Romance27k WordsCompleted Flowers Dyed in Ash: After Being Reborn, I Married My Protector —Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 84 暗 The Dark Night Shines as One 暗夜同辉 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Two Male Leads351k WordsCompleted Corruption at court intertwines with the forces of the martial world, while foreign enemies watch hungrily from beyond the borders. The commander of the Imperial City Bureau appears to be a cold and ruthless attack dog of the court, but in truth he bears the burden of a family injustice and secretly investigates the truth. The young master of the martial world’s intelligence organization, Wind Listening Tower, seems like a carefree wanderer, but uses his network of informants to protect the peop 2Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 85 废 The Deposed Crown Prince Is Wooed by a Eunuch 废太子他被小太监攻略了 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Two Male Leads255k WordsCompleted Dual male leads: reborn for revenge * transmigrate into a book to survive * spoiler-savvy player VS reborn powerhouse Revenge and the struggle for the throne. Every step is carefully planned as they eliminate their rivals. The gap in information, the building of trust, and defying fate. 3Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 86 首 The Chief Minister's Poisonous Favorite 首辅的掌心毒妃 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云Ancient Romance552k WordsCompleted A Modern Master of Medicine and Poison Reborn as a Good-for-Nothing in a Marquis’s Household? The Powerful, Scheming Chief Cabinet Secretary Insists on Spoiling Her! Shen Qingci uses her silver needles to break deadly schemes and her miraculous healing skills to save the people. Sharp-tongued and steely, she takes down her rotten relatives. Xie Jingyuan governs the court and brings order to the realm, protecting his beloved’s vulnerable side with deep devotion. His ruthlessness is reserved for e —Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 87 女 The Villainess Only Wants to Build Things 女配她只想搞建设 A Cloud That Goes Its Own Way一颗特立独行的云309k WordsCompleted Modern engineer Shen Qingxu is born into another life as the concubine-born younger sister accompanying a princess sent abroad for a political marriage. When she awakens, she is bound to the Nation-Building System. She turns away from schemes within the household and chooses instead to aid Xie Heng, a fallen prince held hostage in an enemy kingdom. Using scientific knowledge and the System’s support, she starts with infrastructure and agriculture, helping him return home and claim the throne, re 2Reads—Score—Shelves
38. 88 农 The Tough Farm Wife: The Playboy Heir Is Sweet and Flirtatious 农门悍妻：纨绔世子甜又撩 Salt Pork盐巴猪Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [The short drama The Tough Farmhouse Wife: The Heir Apparent Is Sweet and Flirtatious is now streaming on Hongguo and Tomato!] [Secret identity + taking down villains + sweet romance + comedy] Su Tong transmigrates into a book as a military prostitute who has been sold for ten years and has a tarnished reputation. A fake heir apparent personally proposes to her, figuring that her bad reputation means no one will stand up for her if she dies. Su Tong also thinks that an idle, useless male support 5.6kReads9.3Score722Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel features a male protagonist who pretends to be weak at the beginning but is actually very cunning. It's an ancient romance novel, not angsty, and not for those who are henpecked.

39. 89 重 The Road to Redemption After Rebirth: A Daughter Worth a Fortune Won't Come Back 重生悔改路，千金不复还 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹42k WordsCompleted A Reborn Road to Redemption: A Daughter of Wealth Is Never Coming Back 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The powerful minister pursues his wife

40. 90 重 Reborn, He Knelt and Begged Me Not to Divorce Him 重生后他跪着求我别离婚 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹20k WordsCompleted After He Was Reborn, He Begged Me on His Knees Not to Divorce Him —Reads—Score—Shelves
41. 91 重 Reborn, I Spoiled My Cold and Distant Husband Until He Cried 重生后我把高冷夫君宠哭了 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹37k WordsCompleted After Being Reborn, I Spoiled My Aloof Husband Until He Cried 3Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 92 冲 On Our Wedding Night, the Powerful Minister Forced Me to Write a Divorce Letter 冲喜当晚，权臣逼我写下休书 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹32k WordsCompleted On the Night of the Auspicious Marriage, the Powerful Minister Forced Me to Write a Divorce Letter 1Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 93 退 After Breaking Off the Engagement, I Married His Archrival 退婚后嫁给他死对头 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹27k WordsCompleted After Breaking Off the Engagement, I Married His Archrival —Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 94 狠 The Ruthless Heir's Wife 狠毒世子妃 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹35k WordsCompleted The Ruthless Heir's Consort —Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 95 重 Reborn to Marry the Villain, Backed by the Regent, I Went on a Killing Spree 重生嫁反派，摄政王撑腰，杀疯了 Shi Su Su Ya是酥酥吖Ancient Romance256k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + Sweet Romance + Past and Present Lives + Medicine] Jiang Shining and Nangong Yu were betrothed as children. They grew up together, a perfect match in looks and talent. At her birthday banquet, she was overjoyed, thinking it would be the formal betrothal ceremony for the two of them. Instead, she learned that her father and brother had died in battle, and Nangong Yu stormed in with troops, accusing the Jiang family of treason. Tortured until she wished she were dead, Jiang Shining watc 380Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! Super good-looking! Five-star rating!

46. 96 大 The Pet Life of the Deputy Minister of the Court of Justice 大理寺少卿的宠物生涯 The Stranger Is as Beautiful as Jade陌上人如玉Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Other people transmigrate and get to eat like kings. Why does she have to eat dead rats every day? Other people have handsome men by their side after they transmigrate. Why does she have to become the medicine ingredient for an arrogant man? Hey, can we make a deal? She's a petite, adorable, peerlessly cute little civet cat, after all. Everyone, back off and let her have some peace and quiet. 480Reads8.8Score—Shelves
47. 97 和 After Our Divorce, My God of War Ex-Husband Shamelessly Begged to Marry Into My Family 和离后，战神前夫死皮赖脸求入赘 A Ladleful of Weak Waters弱水一瓢瓢Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Su Yue, a genius doctor from the modern world, wakes up one day in the body of a divorced princess consort. As soon as she comes to, she is given poisoned wine and ordered to remain faithful to her former husband, the God of War. What a joke! Faced with such an unreasonable demand, Su Yue boldly declares in public that not only will she marry someone else, but her former husband will personally escort her to the wedding sedan. She makes money with one hand and puts scoundrels in their place wi 5.9kReads9.2Score826Shelves
48. 98 姐 My Sister and I Are to Marry the Same Man? I Won't Marry the Crown Prince, I Want the Regent 姐妹同嫁？我不嫁太子我要摄政王 I Am the Blooming Prosperity花开富贵本花Ancient Romance717k WordsCompleted The possessive, jealous regent x the sweet, silly Princess Mingyue The heroine is the kind of person who doesn’t have to lift a finger for someone to fall in love with her! "Historical romance + reborn + in their previous life, the hero secretly loved her and died with her + in this life, he competes for her and refuses to let her go + both are devoted to each other + happy ending + sweet romance + no angst for the heroine" In both their past and present lives, Wen Ruan is Shen Ye’s wife. In t 36.1kReads8.7Score6.3kShelves
49. 99 书 Trapped in a Book as the Demon Queen: The Sickly Regent Is No Gentleman at Night 书穿妖后：病娇摄政王每晚不当人 Ran Aran冉阿冉Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the Great Zhou’s most notorious empress, Su Ruo barely has time to enjoy herself before her life is in danger. A patriotic System comes knocking, asking her to support the young emperor and change the fate of the Great Zhou’s fall. ??? She’s the wicked empress everyone wants dead! Never mind that the young emperor is hopelessly incompetent. Picking a fight with the regent, who holds all the power at court, is just asking to die young, isn’t it? Patriotic System: The reg 2.2kReads9.4Score301Shelves

    Reader note

    The Empress Dowager, with her patriotic mindset, and the Regent engage in a battle of wits.

50. 100 沈 Chancellor Shen, Your Wife Took the Kids Out to Find Their Dad Again! 沈相，你媳妇又带崽出去找爹了！ Passion Fruit百香果果Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Adorable child + foresight + doted on by everyone + silly antics + laugh-out-loud comedy] “Mother, why don’t you recognize me?” Ji Wanwan has only just transmigrated when she suddenly finds herself with a five-year-old son, and he’s her own flesh and blood! Her adorable, daddy-like son is clever and well-behaved, and can even see the future. Every now and then, he blurts out things like: “Mother, that auntie who’s so close to you is a bad person!” “Second Uncle, if you take this road this year, 15kReads9.3Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    Unlike typical time-travel novels, this one features a novel concept: a cunning male lead and a female lead who transforms from a simpleton into a very capable person. Their relationship is also sweet, and there are no troublesome scheming aunts or scheming male leads.

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