Palace Intrigue with a Smart Female Lead 女主有脑子的宫斗文

1. 151 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 82.1kReads9.5Score9.3k14d adds
2. 152 陈 Aunt Chen Is Back from the Cultivation World 陈姨娘从修真界回来了 Yaya Learns to Fly芽芽学羽Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong Female Lead + No Romance + Satisfying Revenge] Chen Qingzhu, a prodigy of the Yuqing Sect, is struck back into her previous life by a lightning tribulation during her Golden Core breakthrough. She is now a long-neglected concubine in the Jingnan Marquis's household. The mistress she loyally serves wants to make her the scapegoat, while the husband who once swore eternal love makes no effort to learn the truth before ordering her beaten to death. Even her own son looks down on her servant 14.6kReads9.2Score1.9k14d adds
3. 153 奉 A Consort by Imperial Decree 奉旨为妃 Shi Qian时浅Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Trapped in the imperial palace, she clung to what she believed was a devoted love, only to end up abandoned by everyone and meet a miserable death. Reborn, Xie Yuning swears to kill the scumbag with her own hands, defeat the monsters in the palace who once framed her, and rely on the Emperor’s protection to keep her family safe for life. She never expected that her heart, long since numb, would grow warm again under her imperial husband’s tender care. With her revenge complete and peace restored 442Reads8.3Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   These are all books that I found good after reading them. The female protagonists are all very smart and intelligent. My favorite is the first one, and I recommend everyone check them out.

4. 154 通 The Chambermaid’s Rise to Power 通房丫头上位记 Zi Su Liu Lian紫苏琉莲Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Given a second life, Lin Xiangcao wants only to live in peace. She thought the heir she had taken refuge with was physically and emotionally broken, and easy to control. But one day, things took an unexpected turn... A lowly concubine’s maid dreaming of exclusive favor is living in a fool’s paradise. Yet Lin Xiangcao’s own experience proves to everyone who looked down on her that even a humble maid can win her master’s devoted, undivided love... 15Reads8.2Score1614d adds
5. 155 风 The Graceful Crown Princess 风华太子妃 New Clothes Are Better Than Old衣不如新Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted He is the Crown Prince of Chu, brilliant and extraordinary, a gentleman of noble thought. She is the Princess of Jiang, breathtakingly beautiful and quietly graceful. In a political marriage entangled with schemes and noble causes, she marries him. On their wedding night, just as the poisoned hairpin in her hand is about to pierce his neck, he asks, “Would you like me to help?” The fires of war flare across the land, yet he sends her home in triumph. Beneath her peerless beauty lies a shocking s 358Reads9.0Score—14d adds
6. 156 宋 Empress of the Song Family: The Legend of Yuyao 宋家皇后——钰瑶传 Ling Songs by the River江上菱歌Ancient Romance486k WordsCompleted The leads are not each other’s first partners!!! The heroine is neither a naive innocent nor a particularly kind person!!! The emperor hero is a jerk!! Set in an alternate history!! This is not a feel-good story!!! She transmigrates straight into the role of empress. If she rises in rank, she becomes the empress dowager; if she fails, she is deposed and banished to the cold palace. That is the reality of the inner palace: failure leaves almost no chance to recover. A twenty-first-century fashion 585Reads9.0Score10314d adds
7. 157 雍 The Story of Consort Xi of the Yongzheng Emperor 雍正熹妃传 Xin Ruoyan心若言Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted She entered the household at thirteen, marrying the dignified and elegant Fourth Imperial Prince, Yinzhen. At their first meeting, he gently brushed the crumbs of osmanthus cake from the corner of her mouth and asked with a faint smile, “Do you like the pastries in the residence?” His cool, clear eyes, which seemed a little distant, warmed with his smile. He had never promised her an eternity together, yet she believed she would love him until the end of time. Kangxi said he was steady, but she 507Reads8.9Score10114d adds
8. 158 绝 The Stunning, Fiesty Favorite Consort: The Tyrant Is Addicted to Spoiling Her 绝美宠妃太刁蛮，暴君自虐宠上瘾 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance747k WordsCompleted 678Reads8.9Score10114d adds

   Reader note

   This novel is very interesting, the story is very exciting, the female lead is smart, intelligent, and quite resourceful, and the palace intrigue is particularly captivating. Highly recommended!

9. 159 穿 Transmigrated as an Abandoned Consort in the Cold Palace, I Rise to the Top with a System 穿成冷宫弃妃借系统扶摇直上 Mo Xiaotu墨小途Ancient Romance227k WordsCompleted Synopsis: After an accident, Shen Yunqing, once a rising star actress, inexplicably became an unloved, discarded concubine and was bound to a strange palace-intrigue System. Used by others? Abandoned by everyone? A bizarre and tragic death? No. To survive, she entered the game and plotted every move. From discarded concubine to Imperial Noble Consort, she climbed higher step by step, silently swearing to make everyone who had scorned or harmed her pay a terrible price. Emperor Wenxuan: At first 3Reads—Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   It's purely a palace intrigue story. 💕💕💕 The female lead is a transmigrator, but she's clear-headed. In public, she pretends to be a weak and kind little rabbit, but secretly she seeks revenge and settles scores, ruthlessly killing everyone without hesitation. She's not love-struck at all, it's incredibly good! [Top post][Top post][Top post] Highly recommended!!

10. 160 拐 I Abducted a Sickly Little Eunuch 拐了个病娇小太监 Weary Birds, a City Left Behind倦鸟余城Ancient Romance613k WordsCompleted A police officer from the 21st century was reborn in ancient times with her memories intact. She was the daughter of Prince Xianwu, the niece of Emperor Tiancheng, and the only princess of Zhao. With her noble status, she could throw her weight around in the capital, and no one dared cross her. This little menace feared no one, not even the emperor. The only person she was afraid of was the sickly little eunuch by her side. Whenever he coughed, the princess's haughty swagger vanished in an insta 493Reads9.0Score10314d adds

    Reader note

    This is absolutely amazing!

11. 161 鸩 Poison Concubine 鸩姬 Song of Picking Mulberries采桑子Ancient Romance750k WordsCompleted Long ago, there was a wicked bird that lived by the South Sea. Its feathers were bright and beautiful, but laced with deadly poison. It was called the Zhen. The daughter of the King of Xiliang was cunning and twisted, a disastrous beauty and a demon in human form, known throughout the realm as the Zhen Consort. History written by men has never set the record straight for women, but this tale teaches us one thing: there is always a price to pay for offending a woman. 174Reads8.8Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Chu Qing, the daughter of the King of Xiliang, was not entirely selfish or righteous; she sought revenge for her mother and also aimed to advance her own interests. Such a woman might be vilified by men as a "femme fatale," but this story teaches us that offending a woman deeply comes at a price.

12. 162 卿 Where Qingyun Meets 卿云见 Little Breeze, Clear Moon小风霁月Ancient Romance205k WordsCompleted Just after she transmigrates, her husband nearly destroys her body to cover up his crime. After barely escaping with her life, she finds that the one who helped her was her husband's younger brother. Is it a political scheme or a transaction? Each takes what they need and relies on their own abilities. How can she carve out a life of her own in this world? 76Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Everyone's IQ is online

13. 163 南 The Tale of Nan Xin 南心记 Little Breeze, Clear Moon小风霁月Ancient Romance176k WordsCompleted He does everything he can to avoid marrying her, while she plots every which way to wed him. He wants her dead, but she fights to survive in the cracks like a resilient blade of grass. He sees through everything, yet still lets her slowly take root in his heart, where she lingers, impossible to forget and impossible to resist… 67Reads—Score514d adds
14. 164 腹 The Scheming Crown Prince: His Crown Princess Is Rich and Ruthless 腹黑太子：太子妃她多金又凶残 Your Beloved Yun云的卿卿Ancient Romance442k WordsCompleted Su Nuan, nicknamed Ninth Master, is the leader of an international mercenary outfit. After someone ambushes her and shoots her in the head, she wakes up in the body of the easily bullied Princess Consort of Prince Yi. On her wedding night, her husband and younger half-sister join forces to humiliate her. Without a word, she strikes back and beats the scumbag and his half-sister to a pulp. After getting divorced, she thrives and becomes Shopkeeper Su, the richest woman in the world. But a cer 837Reads9.0Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    Reborn after transmigrating, she returns to the Crown Prince's residence after her divorce, enjoying boundless glory.

15. 165 后 A Cheat-Code Life in the Imperial Harem 后宫开挂人生 The Silent Instant Noodles沉默的方便面Ancient Romance584k WordsCompleted In the novel, she is the Empress Dowager’s niece and the emperor’s highest-ranking Consort Shu, with a noble status and boundless favor. Yet in the end, she cannot escape the fate of a minor cannon-fodder character, and dies with hatred in her heart! Qian Qing from another world takes her place and carefully plots every step, winning the emperor’s love and matching wits with the novel’s heroine. She wants to see whether a mere illegitimate daughter of a marquis’s household can still rise to the 1.8kReads7.6Score10914d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead is a time traveler.

16. 166 报 Reporting In! The Loyal Regent Is Crying After I Bullied Him Again 报告！忠犬摄政王又被我欺负哭 Yuan Ai Sheng袁爱生Ancient Romance436k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Satisfying Romance + Redemption + Strong Heroine + Raising a Devoted Puppy + One-on-One, Both Pure] Xiao Hanning, the unloved legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, is an infamous, foolish, ugly girl. She seduces the Third Prince and is destined to be used and die miserably. But her body happens to house the soul of a woman who transmigrated from the 21st century, and she refuses to play by the rules. A scumbag forces her into marriage? She'll disguise herself and become his y 22Reads9.0Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead is intelligent, and the male lead is exceptionally loyal.

17. 167 北 The Crown Princess of Northern Qi 北齐太子妃 Ouyang Zixi欧阳子曦Ancient Romance263k WordsOngoing [Beauty and elegance, devoted couples, political intrigue, strong female lead, historical setting] Xiao Wan’er, the most favored princess in the empire, sees her fate change forever when a rebellion breaks out at court. Fleeing for her life from place to place, she embarks on an extraordinary journey filled with hardship and upheaval. Once an exalted princess, she falls to the status of a slave at others’ mercy. But Xiao Wan’er refuses to accept her fate. Even mired in the muck, she keeps a hear —Reads7.1Score114d adds

    Reader note

    This is an ancient romance novel you absolutely cannot miss! It combines elements of domestic intrigue, palace intrigue, political maneuvering, and a strong female lead. There's no system, no time travel, and no rebirth. The story begins with the heroine's family destroyed, her family reduced to slavery, the loss of her sisters, and her struggle to survive. The novel uses contrast to develop its characters, such as the heroine's transformation from princess to slave, creating a striking contrast. The characters are cleverly portrayed, the plot is tightly woven and logically sound, the content is relatable, the author's writing is excellent, the logic is rigorous, the plot is engaging and fast-paced, the writing style is concise, and the novel features many unique elements.

18. 168 小 The Tadpole's Search for His Dad 小蝌蚪找爹爹 That Blue Robe Fades into the Distance那一袭青衫渐远Ancient Romance451k WordsCompleted Six-Realm fanfic, with a bittersweet ending I want all six realms, and I want love too! A powerful minister in the mortal world? A grim reaper in the dead of night? An emperor of the heavens? A young asura stumbling through the mortal world in search of family and love —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The competition for the female lead's favor is only one aspect. The male lead is not innocent either; he has been using the female lead all along.

19. 169 重 Reborn for Revenge: The Dashing Female General Knows How to Woo Men 重生，复仇，撩汉，女将军飒疯了 Tathagata Flower如来花Ancient Romance218k WordsOngoing The young general Liang Mei, disguised as a man, is pierced by a thousand arrows atop the city wall, and her body is torn apart by five horses. All 300,000 soldiers she took pride in are wiped out, and her hereditary princely estate is confiscated overnight. Her family is destroyed! Three years later, she rises from the ashes and kills everyone who framed her to exact her revenge! When General Qin humiliates her in public, she cries with tears streaming down her face: “General, you’ve misunderst —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead isn't a naive and innocent character; she's intelligent. Her death was quite tragic, but thankfully, she had Huai'er and Qingyi. They are both thoughtful but don't overstep boundaries, truly well-trained by the female lead. The content is excellent, the plot is fast-paced and engaging, definitely worth watching. 👀

20. 170 郡 The Princess’s Schemes 郡主心计 April Isle四月屿Ancient Romance163k WordsOngoing Xiao Yanwan is the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, the Empress’s niece, and the Pingning Commandery Princess personally appointed by His Majesty. To marry her, Luo Zechen, Marquis of Jinyang, swore before the Empress that he would never take a concubine. But five years later, his kept woman publicly kneels in front of Xiao Yanwan’s carriage and begs to be admitted into the household as his concubine. All Xiao Yanwan wants is a quiet, ordinary life. She has no desire to compete or fight, bu —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Every character in the novel is well-developed. Although Xiao Yanxue is the princess's younger sister, she secretly compares herself to the female lead. Liu Xin and Zhiyue, though maids, always stay by the female lead's side. It's really well-written. 👍

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