A Powerful Female Lead Playing the World as Her Game Board and Its People as Her Pieces, or an Assassin With a Secret Identity 大女主权谋，天下为局，苍生为棋，或者马甲杀手

1. 51 乱 A Lone Woman in Troubled Times, Plotting an Age of Prosperity 乱世孤女，谋千古盛世 Lingering Fragrance and Faded Powder旧香残粉Ancient Romance2.2M WordsOngoing [Strong Female Lead + No CP + Empress + Ensemble Cast + Political Scheming + War + Power Struggles in a Chaotic Era + Nation-Building and Farming + No Spatial Storage or System + Slow-Burn Growth + Epic Length] Yun Huaijin suddenly became a "corpse" in a world torn apart by chaos. She crawled out of a pile of bodies, with only a child on the verge of starving to death beside her. In this world, nobles lived in drunken indulgence, powerful clans monopolized knowledge, bandits slaughtered withou 24.2kReads8.9Score3kShelves

   Reader note

   I recommend this book; it's exceptionally well-written, and the female protagonist has a very charismatic personality.

2. 52 听 They Say Everyone Rumored to Be Involved with This Maid Gets Promoted 听说和这丫鬟有绯闻的都升官了 Tears in the Heart of the Tree树心有泪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigrated Maid + Ensemble Cast + Political Schemes and Twists + Hilarious Chaos] One-sentence summary: A maid and two minor officials are brought together by a wastrel marquis to resolve crises and crack bizarre cases. Zhuxin transmigrated into the body of a maid in a Duke's manor. She thought her future would involve either household intrigue or farming, but then the manor was confiscated and she landed in the Imperial Prison. Zhuxin felt like she was doomed. They were all picking on her j 16.6kReads9.3Score2.3kShelves

   Reader note

   Does anyone understand how I felt reading this book? I was too afraid to skip any chapters!

3. 53 别 Don't Be Weak, Don't Provoke Her: An Angry Palace Maid Can Restore a Fallen Kingdom 别太弱，别招惹，宫女发怒能复国 Ethereal Fairy霓裳妖妖Ancient Romance748k WordsCompleted [Unusual premise + assassin’s rise + strong heroine + political intrigue + cold and heartless + mildly yandere + cool-headed lunatic + male lead rises from the nth place] * Su Mian was just a palace maid serving a princess. On the day the Southern Yan Kingdom fell, she watched everyone die before her without a flicker of emotion. The princess gave her an even more perilous mission. Until it was done, she had to stay alive. But in a world thrown into chaos, she was sold as a slave and forced to e 25.6kReads9.5Score4.2kShelves

   Reader note

   A story featuring a strong female protagonist, political intrigue, and well-placed foreshadowing. Volume 1: The world is a game of chess, and she enters the game herself.

4. 54 穿 I Transmigrated to the Zhou Dynasty, Helped Wu Zetian Summon Great Figures, and Built a Golden Age 穿越到武周朝代，我帮武则天召唤大佬们创盛世 Bring Me a Vat of Luosifen来一缸螺蛳粉8k WordsCompleted I transmigrated to the Wu Zhou dynasty and helped Wu Zetian summon great talents to create a golden age. 517Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   So beautiful! So beautiful! So beautiful! 34*

5. 55 我 I Saved the Grand Princess, and Now She Wants to Marry Me [Dual Female Leads] 我救了长公主，她要和我成亲【双女主】 Bring Me a Vat of Luosifen来一缸螺蛳粉8k WordsCompleted I saved the Grand Princess, and now she wants to marry me [Two female leads] 309Reads—Score—Shelves
6. 56 女 The Female General Forces the Empress to Marry Her [Two Female Leads] 女将军逼迫女皇娶她【双女主】 Bring Me a Vat of Luosifen来一缸螺蛳粉6k WordsCompleted The Female General Forces the Empress to Marry Her [Two Female Leads] 689Reads—Score—Shelves
7. 57 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

   Reader note

   A novel about a strong female protagonist seeking power.

8. 58 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
9. 59 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
10. 60 望 Longing for the Remaining Snow 望余雪 Ji Xin稷馨Ancient Romance338k WordsCompleted Cui Jinzhi was a member of the Time Administration, and she had one final mission. She had to uncover why a small world had fallen into chaos and why its plot had collapsed. After observing it for a long time, she discovered only that the people were suffering because of their ruler's incompetence. So she disguised herself as a man and worked her way up to become the world's prime minister. Using her own efforts, she stabilized the chaot 1.2kReads9.3Score127Shelves

    Reader note

    Without further ado, you'll fall in love with it.

11. 61 太 The Crown Prince Is a Treasure Trove, but She Flirts and Runs 太子浑身是宝，但她撩完就跑 Nine Strokes, Then a Horizontal Line九笔横才Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever revenge + ensemble court drama + male lead fakes his death and reveals his identity, then goes mad + heroine is his one true love] [Power couple comedy | Strategic mind games | All the right ingredients | Fictional setting] Axiang, a huntress, bought herself a live-in husband. He was handsome, with a fine figure and a noble, radiant air, like an immortal crane descended from the heavens, or a jade-faced gentleman from a storybook. But he had no idea how to show affection. When she offer 1.5kReads9.2Score185Shelves

    Reader note

    The author's writing style is excellent and seasoned, feeling more natural than some contrived "political intrigue" stories. The characters are more realistic and down-to-earth, and the emotions are more delicate and rich. The seemingly unassuming big boss of the palace, Consort Qi, is a standout among time-traveling female characters. The female lead is vividly portrayed, leaping off the page. The male lead is self-disciplined, principled, and of noble character. The mutual attraction between the two leads is a two-way journey, like a destiny etched into their very bones. In short, it's absolutely fantastic. A must-read for fans of historical romance novels. Trust my judgment, based on my extensive reading and travel experience.

12. 62 写 Write Me Off as a Flop 写我作败笔 Come, It's Just Empty Wordsovo来是空言ovoAncient Romance281k WordsCompleted [The Capital’s Infamous, Unhinged Marquis’s Orphan × An Older, Tender-Hearted, Loyal General] [Historical Court Intrigue + Strong Female Lead + Ensemble Cast] The Crown Prince fears her, rebels want to win her over, and even the emperor is moved to tears by a few words from her. Yet one preachy border garrison commander appears in the capital on a rainy night and holds a knife to her throat. The orphaned daughter of a noble house turns the capital upside down, determined to find out one thing: W 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A pure ancient Chinese romance novel with political intrigue, no rebirth, no system, and no cheat codes. The female lead is intelligent throughout, and the romance between the male and female leads is without any angst. It's a female-centric story featuring a famous, eccentric orphaned noblewoman from the capital and an older, easily moved, and loyal general. "If the player doesn't value the lives of the pieces, then the game is overturned!" "I hope that you will remember then that my parents were once considered a price they could give up."

13. 63 灯 When the Lanterns Fade, the Calamity Ends 灯明劫尽 Rui Xuan睿暄Ancient Romance859k WordsOngoing [Two strong leads, brilliant strategists, devoted only to each other, revenge, dual identities, dual personalities, an alternate world not based on any historical dynasty, plenty of witty flirting] She is the eldest princess, rumored to be cherished by all, yet she witnessed her mother spend her life being manipulated by the man she loved. Gentle and composed on the surface, she excels at reading people and understands human nature. To stir up the court, she will stop at nothing. She will destro 1.9kReads9.3Score270Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese romance, political intrigue, two strong characters, female lead is clear-headed and thoughtful.

14. 64 这 This World Is on the Brink of Ruin 这个天下，危在旦夕 Iced Sweet Tea冰甜茶Ancient Romance275k WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue + No Romance + Strong Female Lead + Disguised as a Man, Later Reclaims Her Identity] Original title: This Realm Is on the Brink of Ruin One-line summary: Transmigrate, become emperor, and figure out how to be a useful emperor. Full summary: “The deer has fled Yan, and all the realm pursues it.”, The Hunt for the Deer She transmigrated into a book and became emperor overnight. It should have been a joyous occasion. But this Great Yan dynasty was beset by natural disasters. The 549Reads9.3Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    [Learned][Sparrow's Masterpiece] Transmigrated into the body of the nineteenth prince who stumbled upon the throne, ascended it in a time of crisis, disguised himself as a man, and was an unknown figure who froze to death. The country is on the verge of collapse in a few years, the court is controlled by two factions, and there are assassins... Changing the opinions of those around him, establishing imperial authority, winning over the hearts of the people... Can this country be saved? The country's survival depends on the people.

15. 65 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

    Reader note

    A female protagonist with unparalleled wisdom and intelligence, calm and insightful, decisive and domineering—it's so satisfying to watch! She stands shoulder to shoulder with the male protagonist, walking hand in hand, achieving mutual success.

16. 66 我 I Only Want to Be a Military Doctor, So Why Are You Making Me Empress? 我只想当军医，你们让我当女皇？ I'm Starving我超饿Ancient Romance965k WordsCompleted [Feel-good revenge + transmigration + System + medicine + nation-building + conquering a chaotic age + empress + cheat powers] Medical student Liu Yi transmigrates into a war-torn age. The world is in chaos, the imperial court has fallen, and ordinary people can barely survive. But she brought along her all-purpose doctor System. System: “I can give you medical equipment.” System: “I can give you medical books.” System: “I can give you an entire modern hospital.” System: “Your goal is to becom 10kReads9.5Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a female-centric story with no romantic pairing, and it's incredibly good, especially the character Jiang Jin. I absolutely love her, and it's also a bit funny.

17. 67 男 Keep All That Male Beauty Away! I Only Want the Throne! 男色通通闪开，本宫只想要登基！ Nan Wanxu南婉徐Ancient Romance436k WordsCompleted [Reborn + strong female lead + true and false princesses + woman ascends the throne + political intrigue] Would being the founding emperor’s only daughter, surrounded by handsome men, be amazing? Lan Zhaoyu says it’s not amazing at all! All she wants is to be a sovereign with no spouse, in the literal sense: an unmarried empress! Her father handpicked legitimate sons from distinguished noble families, all accomplished in both civil and military arts, and adopted them as his sons. They all fawned 2.3kReads9.1Score365Shelves

    Reader note

    The fake princess kills the real prince and becomes empress. Absolutely brilliant! "What?! The emperor secretly replaced his only prince with a princess?!" Why? Isn't that the typical plot of palace dramas where the princess is replaced by the prince? "What?! The emperor is going to arrange for the switched prince to marry the fake princess!" This plot is getting more and more confusing! The truth! Where is the truth? Whatever, this princess is going to ascend the throne! Anyone who stands in her way will die!

18. 68 被 Forced to Divorce, Her Five Brothers Go on a Rampage 被迫休夫后，五个哥哥杀疯了 A Lifetime of Splendor一世风华Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Shen Ning gave up her beloved spear to cook for the man she loved. She broke with her father, a veteran general of Great Yan, and didn’t speak to him for three years. Her husband, the victorious General Who Guards the Nation, returned in triumph with a woman who was a master of the spear. After three years of hard work, all she got was: “A Ning, I want to marry her.” Shen Ning, who had become the laughingstock of the capital after her husband favored his concubine and cast aside his wife, picked 7.2kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Juejuezi is great, she's absolutely nice.

19. 69 特 The Special Agent Marquess: The System Forces Me to Play Politics 特工女侯：系统逼我搞权谋 Eighty-Year-Old A-Jiao Writes to Rule the World八十阿娇提笔定江山Ancient Romance258k WordsCompleted [No brainless heroine + no saintly heroine + no yandere + two powerful leads + political intrigue + fictional setting + sisterhood building careers + ensemble cast + women supporting women + female general + nation and world] Shen Jinghong, an elite agent from the National Security Bureau, transmigrates into the body of a frail, abandoned daughter of a marquis’s household. The [System of the Greatest Chancellors in History] expects its Host to sob and do its tasks, but instead she turns around 87Reads9.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Learned] The system thought it was bound to a sickly, tearful host, but it turned out to be a top-tier special agent who had transmigrated! Forced into gentle palace intrigue? She tamed the wicked servants, broke through deadly traps, returned to the Marquis's mansion, and used her strength to show everyone: the sickly girl had already transformed. Teaming up with Prince Jing to engage in political maneuvering, she ultimately became a powerful female marquis, leaving her mark on history. This plot is so exciting!

20. 70 重 The Reborn Matriarch Goes on a Rampage, Filling Her In-Laws' Ancestral Graves 重生主母杀疯了，婆家祖坟埋满了 One Thirteenth十三分之一Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted Also known as The Ex-Husband Is Obsessed with His Widowed Sister-in-Law? Divorce Him and Marry a Powerful Official [Reborn to Take Down Every Backstabbing Wolf] [Love-Chasing Redemption + Never Looking Back] In her previous life, Mu Yunshu poured every ounce of herself into the Lou family. But as she lay dying, she saw her aloof, taciturn husband making solemn vows to her elder sister-in-law in his arms. Their adopted daughter, whom she had cherished for years, was there too, clinging to the old 28.4kReads9.0Score4.1kShelves

    Reader note

    It's super good! There isn't a lot of romance, but it's incredibly enjoyable to watch. The main focus is on the female lead, and the plot is truly captivating, with each story unfolding seamlessly. Once you get into it, you can't stop watching. Highly recommended! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

21. 71 女 After Faking Her Death in Disguise as a Man, She Starts Playing the Frail, Scheming Green Tea 女扮男装死后，她开始演柔弱绿茶 Ye Buhong叶不鸿Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The print edition of [Playing Coy] is available on all platforms. [The heroine is everyone’s beloved, with maximum “moonlight in the heart” appeal + doted on by all + universally adored + strong female lead] Qin Buwen disguised herself as a man and played the part of a treacherous official for sixteen years. At the height of her infamy, everyone in Chang’an, even the dogs, would go out of their way to avoid her. Then she was betrayed and abandoned by everyone. She leapt from a tall building, onl 36.5kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Who says women are inferior to men? Whether the female lead is dressed as a man or reverts to her female identity, she is always devoted to her country and strategizes brilliantly. She's truly amazing!

22. 72 临 Ruling from the Court: Your Majesty, Let Me Hold Power Over the Realm 临朝听政：陛下许我权倾朝野 Only I Come to Pluck the Stars独独来摘星星Ancient Romance639k WordsCompleted [Strong female lead and equally matched leads, political intrigue, duty to country and people, fictional historical drama, ensemble cast in troubled times, devoted to each other, with a focus on the career plot] [Decisive female general × restoration emperor who obeys only the heroine] Song Wanyue was born into a military family. When she returned victorious to the capital, she was met not with honors, but with an imperial decree ordering her entire family executed. She had trusted the wrong fam 11Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Don't be fooled by the title; it's a story of a powerful woman vying for supremacy, featuring two strong characters, both with consistently high intelligence.

23. 73 疯 A Madwoman Transmigrates Into a Powerful Figure, and the Empire Goes Off the Rails 疯批穿成大佬后，江山开始癫了 The Snail Who Types码字的蜗牛Ancient Romance510k WordsCompleted Su Tang transmigrated into a book, becoming a minor female character who dies in chapter three of a rebirth novel. But she soon discovered that the original owner had powerful connections and was a remarkably skilled fighter. This start actually seemed pretty good. Her awful relatives like making trouble? No problem. A few beatings will teach them to behave. The female lead wants to foist her gay fiancé on her? Sounds good. She has to get married anyway, and at least the guy’s good-looking. The 3.8kReads9.0Score368Shelves

    Reader note

    The plot moves at breakneck speed, with a memorable scene in every chapter: she publicly displays her relics, shocking the princess; she leads her maids into the military camp to train female soldiers; she engages in a heated debate with the Confucian scholars in the court; and her rebellion is both crazy and cool! There are no frustrating moments or excessive displays of maternal love. The female lead is all about "not being able to stand the slightest grievance," and she'll take action rather than talk. Her crazy actions are so satisfying that they'll make you want to stomp your feet in relief.

24. 74 权 The Scheming Phoenix: The Princess Moves the Pieces and Rules the Realm 权谋娇凰：公主执棋控天下 Yu Yuanyuan彧渊渊Ancient Romance689k WordsOngoing The imperial palace of Dongheng is dazzling beneath the sun, its glazed tiles gleaming and its carved beams and painted rafters exuding luxury. Xiao Qian Ning, the eldest princess, was granted her exalted title at birth. Born into wealth and honor, she is the apple of everyone's eye. She is Dongheng's brightest jewel, and every move she makes draws attention. But when she was ten, the empress suddenly died, and Xiao Qian Ning's world collapsed with her. From then on, her temperament changed comp 50Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead wields great power, possesses both skill and strategy, boasts exceptional martial arts abilities, and is a master of medicine. [Admiration][Admiration]

25. 75 穿 Transmigrating to Ancient Times: Three Women, Countless Dramas 穿越古代：三个女人N台戏 A Lamp in the Twilight一灯阑珊Ancient Romance6.1M WordsOngoing [Ensemble cast + group transmigration + farming and commerce + military service and medicine + self-reliance and perseverance, an uplifting and satisfying story, slow burn, everyday slice of life] A car accident sends three women transmigrating to the unfamiliar Great Wu Dynasty, where they land in a bandit’s den from the start. Zhu Mingyue: “Watch me make a fortune with two deadweights in tow.” Duan Xiaotang: “Watch me bring stability to every corner of the realm with two teammates.” Lin Wanwan 27.5kReads9.4Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly intelligent, entertaining, and unconventional – I highly recommend it.

26. 76 报 Your Majesty, the Tyrant Can Read Minds 报告娘娘，暴君他有读心术 Three Two Five三二五Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After she touched the tyrant’s skull, which had been polished into a wine bowl, she unexpectedly transmigrated into the empress who died the most gruesome death in history. Every day, she plotted to kill the tyrant and become empress in her own right, unaware that he could read minds. When the tyrant fell gravely ill, she wept and begged Heaven to let her trade her own years of life for his safety. The tyrant was deeply moved, until he suddenly heard her thoughts: [If he’s so sick, hurry up and 6kReads9.3Score996Shelves

    Reader note

    The first one... Well, it has a comedic element, and the female lead eventually becomes an empress and rules the world quite well. The third one, the female lead is truly amazing—cold and aloof, exuding an overwhelming aura of dominance.

27. 77 攀 Marrying Up 攀高枝 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [Film and TV rights sold] [Print edition published] Zhang Zhixu had everything from birth. A family with a century of prestige, enviable talent, and a career that kept rising step by step. But he found life terribly dull. Then, one day, an accident struck, and his soul entered a woman's body. A woman who couldn't read a single character, yet dreamed of marrying into a powerful family and becoming a phoenix. · Chen Baoxiang had traveled a thousand miles from the countryside to the capital, hoping 163.8kReads9.6Score22.8kShelves
28. 78 重 Reborn for a Comeback: The Young Lady’s Style Is All Wrong 重生逆袭：大小姐画风不对 Mo Mo Is Master Mo墨墨是墨爷Modern Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Sweet romance + putting scumbags in their place + an exceptionally bold heroine + feel-good power fantasy] In her previous life, she died with deep resentment. In this one, she rises from the ashes and tears the scumbags to shreds. Who could have guessed that Feng Xing, the formidable financial tycoon; Feng Bai, the world-renowned genius doctor; and Feng Jing, the top-tier star who captivates countless women, would turn out to be her own biological brothers? In her previous life, no one cared f 33.5kReads9.3Score6.1kShelves
29. 79 大 The Great Yu's Master Strategist 大渝筹算师 Little Darling Lost in the Way迷途的小心肝Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Strong female lead + revenge on scumbags + lighthearted + pure romance + playing the fool to catch the tiger + happy ending] Good news: Her betrothed came first in the provincial exams and earned the title of Jieyuan. Bad news: Her betrothed, now a Jieyuan, wanted to break off the engagement without losing face, so he schemed against his fiancée, who came from a merchant family. Fine. If you want to break things off with dignity by scheming against someone, then neither of us is going to have a 19kReads9.3Score2.3kShelves
30. 80 九 Ninefold Brocade 九重锦 Evening Breeze Under the Moon月下晚风Ancient Romance715k WordsCompleted Household and palace intrigue, with the leads not both being each other's first. A fictional setting, with all ranks and titles made up. A heroine who grows over time and isn't blinded by love. After being suppressed for more than a decade, a concubine-born daughter has her fate rearranged overnight. Entering the prince's manor only fuels her ambition. Her birth father ignores her, allowing her stepmother to torment her and her mother for half their lives without ever offering them the slightest 33.5kReads9.3Score5.8kShelves
31. 81 惊 Goodness! The Maid Comes Home Pregnant and Finds a Bright New Path 惊！丫鬟揣娃回家，走出康庄大道 The Gods Keep Silent诸神不语Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted The short drama is out, and a publishing deal has been signed, awaiting release. [Soul transmigration + storage space + fleeing while pregnant + only ever been with each other + building wealth] Liu Yuehong was a country girl and a third-grade maid at the Duke of Zhenguo’s manor. At sixteen, hoping to buy her freedom early and earn fifty taels of silver, she became the antidote for the manor’s third young master, Lu Chen. During that time, memories of her previous life in a post-apocalyptic worl 17.9kReads8.9Score1.8kShelves
32. 82 我 I, the Ultimate Schemer: The Empress Calls Me a Living Yama 我，最强毒士，女帝直呼活阎王 Xing Xing Zi星星子Historical4.3M WordsOngoing [Search Tomato to watch the short drama: The Third Greatest Stratagem of All Time] Gao Yang transmigrated to the Great Qian Dynasty just as the Empress ascended the throne and began recruiting talent from across the land. So he volunteered himself as a poison strategist! The Empress: “Suppose you personally wiped out your enemy's entire family. As you looked at the bodies scattered everywhere, you suddenly realized there was still a child in the house. What would you do?” Gao Yang: “I'd say, ‘Re 382.6kReads9.2Score32.3kShelves
33. 83 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter's Beauty and Power Rule the World 嫡女国色，权掌天下 Green Plums and Bamboo Wine青梅竹酒Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing [Court Intrigue] [Max-Level Expert] [Ruthless and Decisive] [Mutual Devotion] [Clever Leads] [Alliance of Equals] Si Yan, supreme commander of the Huaxia military, transmigrates to the Great Xuan dynasty. She rescues the God of War, Prince Yan, from a pile of corpses, then braves thousands of troops to obtain an antidote for the wolf-poisoned arrow in his body. She even promises to join forces with him to repel two hundred thousand enemy troops. Prince Yan laughs it off. Later... She defeats pow 3.3kReads8.8Score428Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend!!! Everyone should watch this! The female lead is clear-headed, has a grand vision, and is highly skilled in martial arts. At the beginning, she is reborn and uses her wisdom to save the male lead on the battlefield. After returning to the Great Xuan Dynasty, she becomes a great general and then a regent empress. Together with the male lead, she gets the Great Xuan Dynasty and the Great Yan Dynasty to join forces. The female and male leads are incredibly powerful, both are strong!!!

34. 84 长 The Grand Princess Returns to Court, Slays the Evil Empress, and Bathes the Palace in Blood 长公主归朝，剑斩妖后，血染朝堂 The Lazy Cat Young Master慵懒的猫公子Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Overpowered heroine + light ensemble cast + no romance + unshakably righteous, to a fault + unifies the realm] “The Eldest Princess has returned to court! Stand aside at once!” Yuchao, spring of the third year of the Gen era. Three years after the new emperor's ascension, war raged along the borders, drought struck the north, and plague ravaged the south. Empress Zhaozhao ruled from behind the curtain, promoting her cronies and framing loyal officials. The court was mired in corruption, and nei 2.7kReads8.4Score309Shelves

    Reader note

    🌹The iconic scene of Princess Junhuang wielding the Phoenix Sword and slaughtering the court is considered the pinnacle of female-oriented political intrigue novels. 🌹When the new emperor is incompetent and Empress Zhao is ruling erratically, this eldest princess, who "slays the tyrannical ruler and punishes the treacherous officials," returns from the border, demonstrating political wisdom through the control of a plague and consolidating her authority by executing the entire clan of a traitor. 🌹

35. 85 凤 The Phoenix-Born Woman 凤女为凰 Feng Sha Chaoge凤煞朝歌Ancient Romance123k WordsOngoing Luo Ningshu was the daughter of the Prime Minister, born to a noble family. Skilled in medicine and compassionate toward all living things, she was told by a fortune-teller that the phoenix-tail mark between her brows meant she was destined to be an empress, and that her life would be extraordinary. But an accidental rescue caught the eye of the lofty emperor, and from then on she was trapped behind the palace's red walls and green tiles. The emperor began to dote on and protect her in every way —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book features a quintessential female protagonist. She's lured into the palace by the emperor, who initially showers her with affection, but in reality, his love isn't exclusive to her. She suffers much injustice, including a miscarriage, leading to her gradual disillusionment. Ultimately, she plots to cause him to lose his throne, cultivating relationships with powerful ministers and scheming to finally seize it and avenge her unborn child by killing all those who wronged her. However, the male protagonist is actually protecting her, and he knows everything she's done. He's willing to die by her hand. Their love is quite contradictory, but the plot is clear and very engaging.

36. 86 驸 My Consort Took a Concubine, So I Cast Him Off; He Rebelled, So I Became Emperor 驸马纳妾我休弃，驸马造反我称帝 Paper Tiger纸老虎Ancient Romance541k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication] [A noblewoman and a transmigrated woman join forces to contend for the throne. Strong female lead, ensemble cast, political intrigue, no romance] Yuan Xuan was born to be a pawn. For the sake of the realm, she lived as a man and served as crown prince for over a decade. When her younger brother was born, Yuan Xuan returned to living as a woman and became a discarded pawn. Abandoned by everyone, she had no one left who didn’t want her dead. Less than a year into her marri 15.7kReads9.5Score3kShelves
37. 87 王 The Prince Wants to Die, So the Physician Princess Slaps Him 王爷一心求死，医妃抬手一巴掌 Yuan Youyi元又一Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Feel-Good Comedy + Unhinged Heroine + Medicine + Pocket Dimension + Taking Down Scumbags + 1v1, Both Pure] Su Yinyue didn’t transmigrate all this way just to let people walk all over her. If you stand in my way, I’ll kill you, kill you, kill you! The prefect abuses his power to help the wicked: You crooked official, take this slap! Her elder sister sets a fire in the middle of the night: Think you can get away with it? I’ll make sure you can’t! Her concubine stepmother fawns over her elder sist 36Reads5.8Score—Shelves
38. 88 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 92kReads9.6Score12.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! Just look at the ratings!

39. 89 吾 My Phoenix Returns 吾凰归来 Li Er'er李尔尔Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [A classic rebirth story, political intrigue and revenge, with a heroine focused on building her own career] The empress of the Kingdom of Nanyue, a legitimate daughter of a military family. She was the Prince of Yu's consort for two years and a benevolent empress for four, yet when she went into labor one day, the man she loved cut open her belly and killed their child. His reason was that she was a demon empress who would bring ruin to the nation, and that the child she bore would surely kill 2kReads9.1Score242Shelves

    Reader note

    It's incredibly good, exceptionally good. The female lead becomes an empress in the end, and her intelligence is consistently high throughout.

40. 90 我 After Reaching Max Level in the Wasteland, I Transmigrated to a Famine Year and Became Empress 我在废土满级后，穿越荒年当女帝 Zhuye竹野Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted A satisfying infrastructure-building power fantasy, not a matriarchal-world story. Ruan Xiang, ruler of the largest base in the wasteland, transmigrated into one of the refugees fleeing famine in ancient times. Finding water, irrigating fields, building filtration ponds, making bricks and building kilns, teaching people to read, pressing oil… To survive better, Ruan Xiang gathered every worker she could. Until she discovered that the imperial court was growing weak, the ministers were afraid 9.4kReads9.1Score1.1kShelves
41. 91 惊 Shock! Reborn on the Eve of My Family's Execution, I Say Let's Rebel 惊！重生回满门抄斩前夜，造反吧 Yi Yangcheng衣漾澄Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Rebirth + feel-good story with a powerful heroine + family and country + political intrigue] A cool-headed, cunning heroine who plans several moves ahead + a brilliant, devoted yet restrained male lead who serves as a high-ranking official at the Court of Judicial Review In her previous life, the entire Ning family, loyal to the throne for generations, was slaughtered. To avenge them, Ning Zhiwei led an army of a hundred thousand to marry Su Mingjin, helping him with all her might as he rebelle 27.3kReads9.3Score3.3kShelves

    Reader note

    A female protagonist's empowering story, the founding empress.

42. 92 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    In her past life, Shen Yu, the legitimate daughter of a military family, fell into an abyss after her father and brothers died in battle, and was later drowned in an icy lake by her husband's conspiracy. Reborn at a turning point in her destiny, she saw through the coldness of the world and single-handedly overturned old cases, vowing to vindicate the loyal and virtuous from the battlefield to the political arena. Xie Tingzhou's words, "I'll accompany you to overthrow the world," were the brightest light in the darkest night.

43. 93 衡 Wild Geese over Hengyang: How a Female Chancellor Loved a Powerful Eunuch 衡阳雁：女相如何爱权宦 Cold Moon in My Heart明月怀寒Ancient Romance450k WordsCompleted [A Revered Female Chancellor of the Ages VS A Beautiful, Powerful, Wretched Eunuch Who Turns His Life Around and Becomes a General] [Traditional Historical Drama + Court Intrigue + Mutual Devotion, 1v1 + Childhood Friends + Healing] The Great Kun Chronicle of Revival records the following about Jing Mingyue: “After Jing Mingyue emerged from the mountains, for nearly forty years the fate of the realm rested upon her... Her magnificent achievements are beyond words. Only the shining heavens and ea 342Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This one fits perfectly! The male and female leads are childhood sweethearts. When the female lead was eight, a major upheaval in her family and country separated her from the male lead. She entered Hengyang Academy, changed her name, and became the best assassin in the land. The male lead entered the Imperial Court and became a eunuch. At seventeen, she reunited with the male lead under a different identity, and together they killed the rebel leader. The male lead vaguely recognized the female lead but wasn't sure. At twenty-three, the female lead changed her identity again, becoming the leader of the upright officials who used the world as a chessboard, the head of the scholars, and a renowned minister. The female lead loves the male lead deeply but resolutely opposes the eunuch's rule. The male and female leads have amazing power!

44. 94 胎 Reborn into an Ancient Farming Family, She Becomes a Renowned Female General 胎穿古代农家，农门女将名满天下 Wan Qing万顷Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Career-focused + strong heroine + heroine stands on her own + female general] [The heroine relies on no one and brings glory to her family through her own abilities.] [The whole family is harmonious and full of positive energy.] [Things to note] The heroine has no romantic pairing, but her family members do. There is an age gap between the heroine and her older sister, and the heroine has to grow up. [Things to note] The section on body searches during the imperial examinations is fictional, no 6.8kReads9.1Score908Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this book. It's a female-centric novel with no romantic pairing. The female lead disguises herself as a man to uphold her family's honor. First, she earns money, but not through the usual invention of soap. Then she takes the imperial examinations, passing with flying colors, and is conscripted into the army on the way to the results announcement. From an ordinary soldier, she rises to become the nation's first female general, displaying both courage and wisdom. The emperor is incredibly kind, appointing people based on merit. Most importantly, the author is very talented; she even writes all the poems herself!

45. 95 盛 A Prosperous Age of Power Plays: Beauty Rules the World 盛世权谋：红妆倾天下 Gentle Breeze风轻Ancient Romance3.1M WordsCompleted She was the guardian deity of Daye, the renowned Prince of Linjiang. After fulfilling her oath and retiring in triumph, she was betrayed by the person she loved most. Her legs were crippled, her face was flayed, and the officials memorialized the throne as the people pleaded for justice. Her entire clan, five generations and nine branches, was slaughtered. In a ruined temple before an arhat statue, she tore open her chest and crushed her own heart, dying with eyes wide open. She was the notoriou 1kReads8.5Score109Shelves

    Reader note

    She was the guardian deity of Daye, the renowned Prince of Linjiang, who, after achieving great success to uphold an alliance, retired only to be betrayed by her beloved. Her legs were crippled, her face stripped, officials petitioned, and the people pleaded for her life. Her entire family, spanning five generations and nine clans, was slaughtered. In a dilapidated temple, before the Arhats and Buddhas, she personally gouged out her own chest and shattered her heart, dying with her eyes wide open in disbelief. She was also a notorious, wicked, and ill-educated woman, the capital's number one lovesick fool, who would stop at nothing to marry the man she loved, attempting suicide eight times before finally perishing. (Completed + Rebirth + Palace Intrigue/Domestic Strife)

46. 96 踹 After Kicking Over the Dragon Throne, the Entire Court Begged Her to Take the Crown 踹翻龙椅后，满朝文武跪求她登基 Fei Xi妃玺Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted (The heroine focuses on her career, with no romantic pairing. She becomes somewhat cold-hearted and ruthless later on.) Born into the world as a princess, Yu Hui thinks that at last, an incredible fortune has fallen into her lap. She has a palace to live in, money to spend, and status to protect her, so she can enjoy a peaceful, happy life. But peace is out of the question. Calamities keep dropping out of the sky, and they’re heavy ones. Happiness? Not really. Someone is always ending up dead, s 8.6kReads8.8Score728Shelves
47. 97 春 The Allure of Spring 春华引 Sticky Ash粘粘灰Ancient Romance2.3M WordsCompleted As a princess, Shen Minghua spent her previous life taking “doing whatever she wanted” to the extreme. If anyone crossed her, she would use her power to crush them. Yet she was favored by the emperor, so even those who resented her had to flatter and appease her. With so many sycophants around her, she gradually lost sight of who she truly was. In her previous life, she trusted the wrong person, and one cup of poisoned wine cost someone their life. When she opens her eyes again, she is back in J 460Reads5.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This one features a female lead with clear goals; she's a strong, independent female lead.

48. 98 前 Love's Torments in a Past Life: My Name Is Premature Death 前世虐恋：吾名早夭 It's Never Too Late to Take the Plunge入坑不晚Ancient Romance163k WordsOngoing [Historical Romance + Strong Female Lead + Political Intrigue + Feel-Good Revenge + Female General + Eldest Princess + Enchanting Empress] Just how unhinged is the heroine? When she was a female general, she dosed an enemy city with laxatives. The results were hard to describe. Her name means “short-lived,” and she was never destined to be loved. Though her family ties are shallow, she is a god of war on the frontier. What does it matter that she is a woman? She will save her country and protect 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A historical romance novel featuring a strong female protagonist and political intrigue. A powerful princess, driven by national ambition, marries into a foreign land for a political alliance. She schemes and manipulates, manipulating people's hearts. To fall in love with her is to suffer tragedy.

49. 99 综 A Film and TV Crossover: Grant Me Three Thousand Wishes 综影视之许我三千心愿 Pipi Q皮皮QFemale-Channel Fanfiction984k WordsOngoing A different possibility for various film and television worlds, making up for all the regrets of the original stories. No lovesick protagonists, no golden finger, logical storytelling, not canon, parallel worlds based on film and television dramas, intelligent protagonists, political scheming, palace intrigue, strong female leads, the Republic of China era, equally matched couples... 1. Aisin-Gioro Yongqi and Xilin-Jueluo Linlang 2. Lu Mengping and Qin Shuo 3. Xiao Zhenying and Lin Xie 1.7kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The latest world is the Three Kingdoms period, and the female lead is Zhou Yu's sister.

50. 100 想 I Want to Lie Flat, but My Strength Won't Let Me 想躺平，怎奈实力不允许啊 Big Boss Norma诺玛大大Ancient Romance637k WordsCompleted If you like stories that jump straight into fighting and killing, with life-or-death stakes, this one may not be for you. The heroine isn't naturally inclined to seek power or kill. For a long time at the beginning, she enjoys peaceful days filled with family life and everyday trivialities. They are the easiest, most carefree years of her life, and a crucial period for gathering supplies and building the reputation she will need when she later rises up. When natural disasters and human calamitie 730Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A powerful female protagonist, born with superhuman strength, solves famines through farming, technology, infrastructure, military achievements, and modernization in ancient times, ultimately becoming an empress. In her previous life, she was a mercenary king suffering from PTSD. After transmigrating, she only wanted to retire peacefully, but unexpected natural and man-made disasters struck. Instead of supporting her father, brothers, nephews, and husband, she decided to become empress herself!

Other lists with A Lone Woman in Troubled Times, Plotting an Age of Prosperity