Looking for Real Palace-Intrigue Dramas, No Need for Mutual First-Timers 求真正的宫斗剧，不需要双洁

1. 1 智 Wise Men Avoid Love, and the Noble Consort Wants No Responsibility 智者不入爱河，贵妃不想负责 Uncle Luo洛叔叔Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Being a beggar would be better than being in the harem. Shen Qing is despairing over her current identity. The female lead won't appear for another two years, and Shen Qing is the lowest-ranking consort in the male lead's harem. Her father is useless, and she has neither money nor power. It seems her only option is to wait for the emperor's favor. To make matters worse, she has a face that attracts trouble. If she fights for influence, she has no leverage; if she doesn't, she'll just get bullied 42.4kReads9.5Score5.1kShelves

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   Every single one of them is one of my favorites! 🌟 The first one, "The Imaginative Master and the Pampered Heroine," has a fantastic plot, and the personalities of the male and female leads are just my type. I've already read it countless times! The second one, as the title suggests, is about a pampered palace maid who rises to become a mistress. Our male lead is incredibly doting on the female lead, who is a bit cunning but not overly so, and the male lead is a doting, fatherly boyfriend! The third one has such a perfect storyline, and I cried buckets at the end. Shen Shuo and Shi Yan will always be happy! Every single one of the following books is also super good, but I won't go into detail, hahaha.

2. 2 娇 The Pretty Palace Maid's Step-by-Step Rise to Empress 娇娇宫女，步步为后 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance574k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue / not both partners’ first time / devoted love in the later story / not a strong heroine; the female lead cries easily and isn’t particularly clever, so don’t expect too much!] After three years in the palace, Yue Li has worked carefully and waited for a chance at promotion. Just before she is promoted, a palace maid sharing her room is sentenced to death for offending a consort. Thunder crashes and rain pours that night as blood spatters everywhere. Terrified, Yue Li cannot sle 23.4kReads9.3Score10.4kShelves
3. 3 人 Life Is a Play, and the Empress Is All About Her Acting Skills 人生如戏，娘娘她纯拼演技 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + witty banter + sweet, delicate beauty + calculated mind games] The leads are not each other’s only partners. If that bothers you, don’t read. Be prepared for suspicion in the early chapters, followed by affection later. The pacing is slow, so proceed with caution if you prefer fast-paced wish-fulfillment stories. As a double award-winning actress and a seasoned star of palace intrigue dramas, how could Shi Yan possibly lose her nerve after transmigrating into the imperial hare 4.9kReads9.3Score518Shelves
4. 4 累 I'm Exhausted! To Fool Him, I Pretend to Be Sweet and Innocent Every Day 累死！为了骗他，本宫日日装娇纯 Deer in the Deep Forest深林的鹿Ancient Romance455k WordsCompleted “If you want to win, you have to learn how to lose first.” Meng Xianxiang lost a life, and learned to struggle, to seize what she wanted, to scheme and plan, and to claw her way up. Looking back on her previous life, she had lived in a stable, eaten pig slop, served tea and emptied chamber pots, enduring abuse and humiliation at every turn. Each memory was a stab to the heart. Given another chance, she wants status and power, and a world where no one dares bully her again. Behind the palace’s re 3.7kReads9.2Score325Shelves
5. 5 帝 The Imperial Terrace's Charm: The Noble Consort Is Beautiful and Well-Behaved 帝台娇：贵妃娘娘她又美又乖 Mu Niannian慕年年Ancient Romance501k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + climbing the ranks and crushing the villains + doting romance. The male lead knows his own heart. He'll devote himself to her alone later on.] [The heroine rises through the ranks quickly at first, then more slowly later on.] [The heroine comes from a noble family, is the most beautiful woman in the harem, and already has two adorable children. The Emperor falls for her first and favors her from early on, before devoting himself to her alone in the middle and later parts.] By a 20.9kReads9.4Score2.1kShelves
6. 6 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 57.2kReads9.5Score7.1kShelves
7. 7 东 The Eastern Palace's Beauty: This Favorite Consort Is Mine! 东宫姝色：这宠妃我当定了！ Sheng Qian笙浅Ancient Romance520k WordsCompleted [The heroine is doted on from the very beginning. The story focuses on sweet romance, not scheming palace intrigue. The hero adores the heroine and is even a little lovesick. If that's not your thing, please move along, and don't leave a bad review over it. The heroine rises from a junior consort to a favored consort, Crown Princess, and Empress. The hero is a crown prince at first and becomes emperor later.] Su Niannian has landed in a male-lead-centric novel! Her new identity is Su Ling, the 30.1kReads9.4Score2.9kShelves
8. 8 皇 The Empress Is a Max-Level Palace Intriguer, Crushing Everyone 皇后满级宫斗，嘎嘎乱杀 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + infidelity + fictional setting + a resourceful, money-loving, beauty-loving, life-loving empress ✖️ emperor] In her previous life, Hua Shu was a lowly palace maid. She schemed her way to the top of the political ladder, only to be condemned by everyone and branded a wicked woman who brought ruin to the nation. When she opens her eyes again, she finds herself in the unfamiliar state of Chu, as an unloved empress who’s also being made a scapegoat. As if she’d put up with that! S 14.4kReads9.4Score2kShelves
9. 9 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 116.7kReads9.5Score11.1kShelves

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   These two palace intrigue novels are absolutely amazing! [Heart] The first one is about a modern-day woman who transmigrates and, with her exceptional acting skills, gradually seduces the emperor... [Heart][Heart] The second one is about a male protagonist who is attracted to a simple and kind-hearted woman from beyond the Great Wall. He promises her a lifetime of devotion, but after two years she fails to conceive. An imperial decree is issued, making her a concubine of the crown prince, burdened with the responsibility of continuing the imperial line. However, the female protagonist, coming from the modern world, doesn't believe in love, only in herself: "Men belong to her; power is also what he desires." This book has four volumes: "Four lifetimes of love, preordained by fate, a cycle of cause and effect that will eventually close."

10. 10 帝 The Emperor's Cherished Consort 帝王娇宠 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance417k WordsCompleted [Not a pure-love couple / not a strong heroine / weak heroine / little palace intrigue / slight angst early on, exclusive devotion later] Shu Li began having frequent dreams after she was transferred from the Hall of Sacred Books to serve the emperor. In them, a tall man stood not far from her. The first time their eyes met, she woke with a start. The second time she saw his face, he grabbed her by the throat and frightened her. The day after waking from the dream, she suddenly realized that 8.5kReads9.2Score912Shelves
11. 11 娇 The Clever Palace Maid and the Cold, Cruel Emperor Who Can't Resist Her 娇娇宫女手段高，冷戾帝王不经撩 Clashing Gold and Flying Jade铿金霏玉Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Reborn / palace intrigue, not both virgins / delicate heroine / hero is a bit of a jerk early on, loses his mind midway, and dotes on her alone in the end] Yuan Qing was just a low-ranking palace maid. But she was born alluring and beautiful. In her previous life, the Empress Dowager gave her to Prince Jing as a concubine. Who could have guessed she would become the princess consort's thorn in the side, and that a bowl of poisoned soup would end her life? Reborn, Yuan Qing set her sights on the 5.8kReads9.2Score562Shelves
12. 12 后 The Harem's Number One White Moonlight: Winning Her Way to the Heavens 后宫第一白月光，步步为赢登云天 Yu Jiuzhao御九昭Ancient Romance376k WordsCompleted [Pure Palace Intrigue + Ruthless, Talented Female Lead + Clear-Eyed Careerist + Fighting for Fame and Power] ※ The empress is gravely ill. The imperial consorts mobilize their forces, each resorting to one scheme after another, their ambitions on full display. Mu Mingyue, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke's residence, is also ordered into the palace to help her sisters secure the empress's position... But who would willingly be a stepping stone? Who would be content to serve as a mere p 689Reads—Score116Shelves

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    A true palace intrigue story, no rebirth, no system—it's all about fighting from the start, a life-or-death struggle, full of deceit and treachery. There's no forced virginity; after all, what kind of miscarriage or framing would a virgin story involve? The protagonist woos the emperor, making him obsessed, and eventually wields absolute power. The first book features a female protagonist ruling from behind the curtain. The second book features a female protagonist who becomes Empress Dowager, enjoying wealth and power, and even keeping her childhood sweetheart as a male concubine (it's not uncommon for Empress Dowagers to keep male concubines, and then there's a delicious entanglement of interests between the female protagonist and her childhood sweetheart).

13. 13 深 Layers of Resentment in the Deep Palace 深宫怨几重 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿Ancient Romance152k WordsCompleted In this mortal world, in the imperial palace, in the mansions of the wealthy, how much love has gone unreturned and turned into bone-deep hatred? The tangled passions and heartbreak of so many men and women have all vanished into the mists of history. 873Reads—Score101Shelves

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    For ten years, the Empress served as a substitute for the Emperor's unrequited love, eliminating his rivals. Only when the Emperor returned to the palace did she discover that the Emperor himself had forced her to swallow an abortifacient to carry his unborn child to term—and the Regent knelt before her, offering her a knife: "Kill him, or kill me." (Chapter 11)

14. 14 入 After Entering the Palace, She Becomes His Majesty’s One True Love 入宫后她是陛下的白月光 Yu Jiuzhao御九昭Ancient Romance463k WordsCompleted [Pure Palace Intrigue] [No Saintly Heroine] [The Heroine Schemes Against the Entire Harem] [Political Machinations] [Clear-Headed Careerist] Originally titled "The Empress's Daily Life of Palace Intrigue," retitled "A Consort's Guide to Palace Intrigue" * Shen Yiwan, the illegitimate daughter of the Shen family, became pregnant after entering the palace and was made Virtuous Consort. Somehow, she let her good sense fly out the window and made the decision she would regret most in her life. She s 758Reads8.6Score100Shelves
15. 15 皇 Has the Noble Consort Left Qirong Palace Today? 皇贵妃今天出栖容宫了吗？ Xiaoman Crisp小满酥Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [☆No transmigration, no rebirth, and no pristine couples] [☆The romance develops gradually] Everyone in the palace knew that the person they must never offend was neither the pampered and fiery Noble Consort Hui nor the peerlessly beautiful Consort Cen, but Noble Consort Zhe of Qirong Palace, Lady Fucha. A consort's guide to survival: If you want to get ahead, never provoke the lady of Qirong Palace. She was the emperor's first woman, his companion and confidante since their youth; the mother 15kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all pure, original palace intrigue novels, super good!

16. 16 狼 Bella of the Wolf Clan 狼族贝拉 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿12k WordsCompleted Bella of the Wolf Clan 25Reads—Score—Shelves
17. 17 好 The Road to Good Fortune: A Beauty's Rise to the Top Through Childbearing 好孕之路：美人靠生子走上巅峰 Kui Xi奎希Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Palace Intrigue + System + Multiple Births + Devoted Husband + Adorable Babies] Please note: This is not quick transmigration, and the male and female leads are not each other's one and only. The male lead devotes himself exclusively to the heroine in the middle and later parts of the story. The heroine stays clearheaded from beginning to end: she is neither lovestruck nor saintly. The System is not an overpowered golden finger, and the heroine relies more on her own abilities. 23.7kReads9.1Score3.6kShelves

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    I'm a fan of palace intrigue novels, so I really enjoy reading them. You should definitely check out these; you won't regret it! [Admiring][Admiring][Admiring]

18. 18 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 116.2kReads9.6Score16.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Of all the palace intrigue novels I've read, this is the one I recommend the most. The characters are intelligent and resourceful, and the character development is excellent, especially the emperor. He's ruthless, heartless, and twisted, yet he has a sliver of genuine sincerity beneath his facade. I love that sliver of truth beneath his hypocrisy. I've read it several times.

19. 19 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 88.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves

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    I found the first three books incredibly good. In the first one, the female lead knew what she wanted, didn't love the male lead, and eventually became empress herself. In the second one, the female lead had a high social status, was childhood sweethearts with the male lead, and was also very clear-headed. In the third one, the female lead transmigrated and was bound to a life simulator; she had to become a concubine before the age of 30, or she would die suddenly at 30.

20. 20 并 Twin Blossoms 并蒂双生姐妹花 Xu Yang, Who Loves Sorghum Liquor爱吃高粱酒的虚泱Ancient Romance15k WordsCompleted Twin sisters, blossoms on a single stem 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A true palace intrigue novel. Everyone says that Grand Tutor Shen is aloof and untainted by worldly affairs, but only Qin Sang knows that this man hides a past and his trump cards that no one else knows.

21. 21 得 If Justice Won't Be Served, I'll Find It Myself 得不到的公道那便自己寻 Liu Qian六乾Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted If no one will give you justice, go find it yourself. —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No romantic pairing, revenge story, the female lead knows how to use witchcraft.

22. 22 中 The Empress's Palace 中宫 Tomato Lychee Rice番茄荔枝饭Ancient Romance904k WordsCompleted At eighteen, Yu Lanqing was shrewd, clever, and breathtakingly beautiful, yet stubborn enough to keep going until she hit a wall. Wei Li went to every length to marry Su Yaoyao, and Yu Lanqing used every means at her disposal to become Wei Li's empress. A daughter of the Yu family couldn't stand the sight of anything dirty. She acted decisively and turned his harem upside down. Wei Li did not love Yu Lanqing. That was why everything she did and said annoyed him so much. Wei Li said Yu Lanqing wa 668Reads8.6Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue novels don't feature reborn female protagonists who are intelligent and have loved the male protagonist for ten years.

23. 23 御 The Imperial Physician’s Shocking Secret Diagnosis: I Foiled a Major Rebellion 御医惊天秘诊：我反手平定谋反大案 Rainbow Little Tiger彩虹小老虎Ancient Romance23k WordsCompleted The Imperial Physician's Astonishing Secret Diagnosis: I Turned Around and Foiled a Major Rebellion 25Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Exhilarating and thrilling! [Admiration] The story is short and concise, perfect for reading on the bus without wasting time. A grand political drama set in Swan Palace! A royal physician accidentally uncovers a royal secret, the queen is framed and imprisoned, and her daughter risks her life to rescue her. The entire story is tense, with no unnecessary dialogue. The power struggles will keep your palms sweating! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Add to bookshelf][Add to bookshelf]

24. 24 谢 Empress of the Xie Family 谢家皇后 Song of the Yue People越人歌Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted In her first year in the palace, she is a Talented Lady. In her fifth, she is a Jieyu. In her tenth, she wants to become empress. As empress, she can hold on to everything she treasures and keep it from being taken away. She can protect herself and her child, and she can... stay by his side. This is a road with only one direction: take a single step back, and all will be lost. The bright yellow ceremonial parasol moves forward, and the emperor's procession slowly enters the city gate. A yellow p 9.1kReads9.2Score1.1kShelves

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    The first two female leads are very clever; they're my top palace intrigue drama.

25. 25 凤 Phoenix and Luan in the Palace of Tranquility 凤鸾坤宁 Fu Xiangjun傅香君Ancient Romance886k WordsCompleted [Empress + not a mutually exclusive romance + pure palace intrigue + intelligent characters + bearing a son to seize the throne] Zhao Zhenshu, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wei’s household, married the legitimate second son of the Prince of Jin’s household. She had only wanted to be the principal wife in the inner quarters. But when the Crown Prince rebelled, the emperor simply replaced him. The legitimate second son of the Prince of Jin’s household was suddenly transformed into the lof 2.1kReads6.9Score179Shelves
26. 26 宫 Palace Intrigue Begins Before the Selection 宫斗从选秀前开始 A Cluster of Flowers一丛花令Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In her previous life, she endured a life of hardship and instability. From the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Wu’an to a government courtesan available to any man, she finally escaped a life of being passed from one man to another, only to jump from the tiger’s jaws into the wolf’s den. She walked on eggshells at every step until she finally became the real power behind the prefect’s household. But the misery of her first half of life had already left her body broken beyond repair. Only o 7.5kReads9.0Score742Shelves
27. 27 入 Entering the Palace to Seize the Phoenix Throne, with a Treacherous Minister as My Blade 入宫，夺凤权，奸臣为我掌中刀 Chilly Pale Moon苍月微凉Ancient Romance108k WordsOngoing Reborn for revenge + palace intrigue and putting scoundrels in their place + the emperor is a dog + becoming empress dowager + a powerful minister as a blade that shakes the court [The mild-mannered scholar who turns utterly ruthless vs. the general's daughter, a reborn, bloodthirsty demon empress] Could a Yangzhou singing girl really become empress? “No, they're wrong. Taohua will kill the tyrant and rule this realm!” She is Shen Wanyin, daughter of the Shen family, whose maternal relatives ar 5Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Reborn for revenge, the emperor and empress are the heroine's enemies from her past life. The heroine uses the prime minister (her husband from her past life, who secretly loves her) as a tool to successfully exact her revenge, and in the end, their child ascends the throne.

28. 28 大 The Imperial Consort of the Great Sheng Dynasty 大盛皇妃 Shu Yiyu书亦娱Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing Ensemble cast + revenge + black lotus heroine + not both virgins + high-IQ palace intrigue rising to political power struggles + tragic romance + alternate history + love rivals The palace is the main battleground: beneath its dazzling, extravagant facade are witty, charming daily moments and a brutal core of deadly conflict. Palace secrets are portrayed in meticulous detail. Some content may be upsetting. A bad ending. If you enjoy it, please leave a five-star review. Ling Longxiu was born to a 545Reads—Score102Shelves

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    Completed, angst warning⚠️ Rating not yet available. Content depends on your tolerance level; if you like angst, I'm waiting for a five-star review. A masterpiece of unconventional palace intrigue and power struggles. Detailed descriptions of palace secrets, plot twists that avoid clichés. Clear logic, humorous daily life, intense power struggles, the female lead is ridiculed upon entering the palace, and she seeks revenge through her own efforts. No cheat codes, no time travel, no rebirth; she navigates the treacherous and dark harem. Content may be disturbing; some readers may be driven away by the emotional intensity. Have you ever seen a palace intrigue novel where both men and women fight? A tragic portrayal of the ancient feudal system, showcasing the brutality of court struggles and the complexities of human nature.

29. 29 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 23.9kReads9.3Score1.8kShelves
30. 30 栖 Bough of the Phoenix Perch 栖凰枝 Lu Shiqi鹿时七Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Short drama now available. Search "A Sigh for Youth". Starring Mi Qi and Wang Kang] Also known as "I'm a Psychology PhD, and I'll Slaughter My Way Through the Palace" Palace intrigue + sweet romance + not both leads' first relationship + heroine focused on her career On her first day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue fell out of favor. Everyone said she was nothing but a pretty face, a vase. On her second day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue regained the emperor 36.8kReads9.4Score4.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The first two books fit well, and the third book fits some dimensions.

31. 31 快 Quick Transmigration: The Alluring Concubine Captivates Hearts and Rises to Principal Wife 快穿：妾室妖媚，撩欲惑心晋主母 Song Shilu宋时鹿Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Quick transmigration through palace and household intrigue, a wholly ancient-world heroine, a villainess focused solely on her mission, the Matriarch System, breathtaking beauty, a naturally seductive allure, a scheming green-tea vixen, not a sweet romance] Everyone says, “Beauty is a sin.” Liu Fuyin, daughter of a wealthy merchant, is stunningly beautiful and enchantingly seductive. Before she even comes of age, she’s a beauty capable of bringing kingdoms to their knees, and everyone wants to 12.3kReads8.8Score716Shelves
32. 32 人 Life Simulator: I'm a Pro at Rising Through Palace Schemes 人生模拟器：宫斗升职我专业 I Eat Tomatoes Without Spitting Out the Skins吃西红柿不吐番茄皮Ancient Romance429k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Palace Intrigue + System + Golden Finger + A Story That's 30% Indulgence and 70% Playing It Safe] (Important, important, important!!! Content warning: The heroine is an ordinary person who grows over time. At first, she has some girlish romantic notions; she isn't highly intelligent from the start. Not a mutually exclusive first-love story, and the male lead doesn't dote on her alone. Don't read if these bother you.) From the start, she's in the hardest difficulty mode. After s 6.7kReads9.1Score644Shelves
33. 33 鬓 Hairpins and Beauty 鬓花颜 Peach Who Doesn't Slack Off桃子不摸鱼Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Main story complete] [Maid + sisters in the inner palace + ensemble-focused story] [The heroine is a native of this world, with no transmigration, rebirth, or hidden identity] After her mother dies of illness, Meng Shu’s father takes a new wife almost at once. She endures years under her stepmother’s hand, but in the end, she cannot escape being sold. A trafficker’s rope drags her away from her homeland and casts her into the fabulously wealthy Tang household. Her exceptiona 35.4kReads9.2Score4.5kShelves
34. 34 入 Pregnant with Twins After Entering the Palace, She Is Promoted to Imperial Consort 入宫后怀双胎，她被抬位做贵妃 The Star Bridge Slowly星桥缓缓Ancient Romance655k WordsCompleted When her elder sister, the legitimate daughter who had entered the palace as a consort, fell out of favor, Jiang Qingwan was chosen by her stepmother to enter the palace and help her sister regain the emperor's favor. She was beautiful and timid, but who could have guessed that the emperor would end up doting on her to no end... 1.3kReads8.6Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue, promotion, and the lack of purity (in the context of the novel/the story).

35. 35 大 A Blessed Heir for the Ming Dynasty: The Empress Begs Every Day to Be Deposed 大明好孕：皇后娘娘她日日求被废 Qing Suisui卿岁岁Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted They are not mutually exclusive, and this book covers quite a lot of Ming dynasty history. Some details may not be accurate, so please bear with me. Thank you. Jing Shu transmigrated as Hu Shanxiang, the most useless empress in the Great Ming dynasty, and nearly fell apart. Sun was Zhu Zhanji’s childhood sweetheart. Jing Shu was at best a lucky charm her family had offered to the imperial household. How could she possibly compete with Sun? So, knowing how history would unfold, Jing Shu simply g 4.6kReads9.1Score300Shelves
36. 36 娇 The Sweet, Beloved Consort Who Bewitches Hearts 娇娇宠妃惑人心 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance425k WordsCompleted [Not a pure couple; he dotes on her exclusively later on; a little palace intrigue; the heroine is a master flirt; story complete] She transmigrated from the modern world. Quirky and clever, she was also a brilliant actress. Emperor Shengwu could govern with effortless command, bring peace and stability to the realm, and win battles from a thousand miles away, striking fear across the four seas. He was an emperor who held all power in his hands and ruled over all beneath the heavens. Yun Mengq 51.6kReads9.3Score6.3kShelves
37. 37 继 Successor Empress 继后 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The Noble Consort was favored, the Worthy Consort bore a son, the Bright Etiquette was the emperor’s white moonlight, and the Beautiful Consort was his cinnabar mole. Every other concubine had her own talents and charms. It was a whole garden in full bloom. So who was our protagonist? The unfavored empress, with no children and no powerful family backing. Great. Why did this plot feel so familiar? Never mind. On the first day Zhao Wumian transmigrated here, she decided to lie flat. Compete for t 82.7kReads9.5Score9.2kShelves

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    🔥🔥🔥🔥The female protagonist transmigrates and becomes the Empress. Zhao Wumian lies down on her first day. Competing for favor? What a joke! There's a favored concubine ahead and the beloved Consort Zhao behind. How can she compete? She can't be deposed without cause. Anyway, she has the status and a good salary, so she starts to laze around... Unexpectedly, this lazy empress arouses the emperor's interest. Let's see how this high-level empress enjoys exclusive favor in the harem! [Licking screen][licking screen]

38. 38 清 In the Qing Court, Kangxi Wants Only Me 清穿之康熙只要我一个 Pour Me a Cup of Tea来盏茶Ancient Romance510k WordsCompleted What’s it like when someone who firmly believes in historical materialism suddenly transmigrates? Jing Su: ...I’d really like to think about it, but my freshly beaten backside won’t let me. To stay alive, Jing Su quickly sets herself some life goals. Goal one: Keep her head down until she can leave the palace at twenty-five! Why it fell through: Staying alive is too hard. She has to climb higher. Goal two: Su Malagu is so impressive. I want to be like her! Why it fell through: I’ve fallen for th 3.5kReads9.2Score266Shelves
39. 39 不 No Eavesdropping on the Emperor 不许偷听朕说话 Yin Zaishui尹在水Ancient Romance925k WordsCompleted An Jiu transmigrated into the body of a young palace maid who wanted to climb into the emperor’s bed. The moment she opened her eyes, the tyrant ran his sword straight through the maid who had tried to seduce him. The next day, the tyrant killed a senior maid who served one of the consorts. On the third day, a maid who tasted the emperor’s food died from poison. Being a palace maid was a high-risk job. An Jiu decided to work hard, save up, cherish her life, and stay away from the tyrant. But the 78.7kReads9.4Score13kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all top-tier books, I highly recommend them: 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. All the ruthless characters in palace intrigue are here!

40. 40 入 I Entered the Palace to Help My Sister Keep the Emperor’s Favor, but Became His Cherished Favorite 入宫替嫡姐固宠，却成皇上掌心宠 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she entered the palace and devoted herself to helping her legitimate elder sister keep the emperor’s favor. In the end, she died without a body to bury, abandoned by her family. Returning to the year of the imperial selection, Luo Shuran calculates her every move. Her breathtaking beauty is her only weapon. She sheds her youthful timidity and blossoms into a woman of captivating charm. One fleeting glimpse, like a fairy fallen from the heavens, catches the emperor’s eye. 6.1kReads9.3Score839Shelves

    Reader note

    Just finished reading it. Reborn into a concubine's life, she refuses to be a sacrifice for her family. She schemes and plots her way to the emperor's favor. She's cunning, hypocritical, and an actress; she doesn't fall in love. She fights her way through the harem, rises to a high position, and even the heartless emperor eventually falls for her.

41. 41 入 A Stand-In in the Palace? The Noble Consort Goes on a Killing Spree 入宫当替身？贵妃娘娘她杀疯了 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance221k WordsCompleted [Alternate-History Palace Intrigue + Fertility and Many Children + Scheming, Unhinged Villainess + Ensemble Cast in the Harem] Wan Yunsi had had enough of being a lowly concubine-born daughter whom anyone could bully and who never had enough to eat. So she took the initiative to scheme against the Wan family and her father, becoming the twin sister of her infertile legitimate-born elder sister and entering the palace as a consort. From the moment she stepped through the palace gates, Wan Yunsi k 44Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book, *Zun Du*, is super good! Although it's still ongoing, it's so good I finished it all in one night. The characters' personalities and traits are incredibly detailed. It's practically on par with a typical wish-fulfillment novel, definitely worth reading. The second book has fast progression, involves raising children, and is very strategic; it's already completed. *Zun Du*, go for it!!!

42. 42 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 42.1kReads9.6Score6kShelves

    Reader note

    🔥🔥Highly recommended! This is a fantastic palace intrigue novel, and it's all finished, so you can read it without worry. After finishing it, you won't be afraid even if you time-travel to participate in palace intrigue—it's incredibly effective! [Cool][Cool]

43. 43 技 The Concubine with Maxed-Out Skills Is Turning Herself into an Empress? 技能拉满的侍妾，卷成皇后了？ White Peppercorn白藤椒Ancient Romance620k WordsCompleted Empress Wenzhao was a famously bewitching consort and the most talented empress. The way she has been judged and defined throughout her life has changed many times, but that has never diminished her status or the value of studying her. [System + Raising Kids + Relentless Competition] Thanks to being well fed at home, Qi Jiao was plump and rosy-cheeked. After a flood, she was sold into the palace as a maid, and when she got a little older, she was assigned to the empress’s palace. A few years lat 12.4kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    1️⃣ New book: The female protagonist transmigrates with a "Noble Lady Cultivation System," learning various talents and skills. She enters the palace early, when the male protagonist is still the Crown Prince. Both are young and nurture each other, gradually catching up as you read. 2️⃣ This female protagonist isn't exactly pure either😆, having ambiguous relationships with multiple people. The synopsis suggests she'll become even more unrestrained after becoming Empress Dowager, but it's currently on hiatus. 3️⃣ In this book, the emperor also has other concubines in the early stages, but the female protagonist's appearance and personality are exactly to his liking. She immediately becomes his favored concubine upon entering the palace, not far from being his sole favorite. A very arrogant and unrestrained harem novel.

44. 44 贵 The Noble Consort Is Cool and Aloof, and the Emperor Yearns for Her Night After Night 贵妃清冷，圣上夜夜相思 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance448k WordsCompleted Shen Qinghe was in the bloom of youth when she entered the palace, where she weathered its intrigues for more than a decade. She had hoped to leave with a reward one day, or perhaps spend her whole life peacefully as a palace official. But then an order came down, and one day she unexpectedly became an imperial consort. She watched these women fight day after day, never expecting to become entangled in their schemes herself. Shen Qinghe could only sigh. He was the emperor, and she was a palac 13.3kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I've read these three books repeatedly; they're incredibly good. Investing in them is definitely worthwhile! [Already hooked]

45. 45 皇 A Royal Concubine 皇家妾室 A Bottle of Milk with Wangzai一瓶牛奶加旺仔Ancient Romance242k WordsCompleted [The heroine does not transmigrate, has no golden finger, and is not the sole object of the prince’s favor. He may favor her more later on. Read with care if that bothers you.] Qiao Weiyue was born into a merchant family. Because of her beauty, she was presented to Prince Jin as a concubine. She knew her place. The prince would never favor her alone, and she couldn’t compete with noblewomen who had powerful families and plenty of tricks up their sleeves. So she could only cling tightly to Prince 7.1kReads8.4Score850Shelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue dramas, not all two leads are virgins, highly recommend four or five: ① Zhang Xinian, the female lead, transmigrates into the body of a concubine in the Prince Jing's mansion, gradually rising through the ranks, no special abilities. ② Qiao Weiyue, the female lead, is a merchant's daughter, no transmigration, no special abilities, and not the sole favorite. ③ Liang Xue, the female lead, lives in a rigidly class-based ancient society, not detached from reality; she's an ordinary person. She stays true to herself and doesn't monopolize the emperor's affections. ④ Xie Xuzhen, the female lead, is cunning, resourceful, ruthless, doesn't engage in romance, focuses on palace intrigue in the early stages, and later participates in politics. ⑤ Qian Qing, the female lead, possesses high intelligence in palace intrigue, clear logical thinking, and the ending is unexpected; the author's imagination is impressive, highly recommended.

46. 46 抽 The Lottery System: The Green Tea Consort's Daily Balancing Act 抽奖系统：绿茶娘娘的端水日常 Senior Brother Is Right大师兄说的对啊Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Alternate setting, not an exclusive romance, and they are not each other’s first and only. The heroine doesn’t love the emperor; she’s only doing her job.] From palace kitchen maid to empress Everyone thinks Ye Yu owes her success to the emperor’s devoted love. Alas, love that runs too deep never lasts… [Your remaining days of survival are running low. Please recharge.] Ha. As if there’s any true love in an imperial household. She has her transmigration-awakened Empress Growth System to th 485Reads7.1Score100Shelves
47. 47 静 The Prince Jing’s Consort: Master, Save Me 静王妃之师傅救我 Murong Yiyu慕容忆鱼Ancient Romance807k WordsOngoing Originally titled The Princess Consort of Prince Jing, this novel was renamed The Princess Consort of Prince Jing: Master, Save Me in memory of a departed friend. It tells the story of Princess Murong Jingwen of Beiping. After descending from Yuntai Mountain, she misses her chance to marry Lin Yutai and is sent far away to the Chen Kingdom to wed Prince Jing as part of a political alliance. She is abducted along the way, and meets Li Chaoyang, a villager of the Chen Kingdom. Thus begins the stor 63Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This new book is a historical romance, and it's very good.

48. 48 穿 The Transmigrated Woman's Career Advancement Through Childbirth 穿越女升职靠生娃 Dreaming Little Ying爱做梦的小影Ancient Romance384k WordsCompleted Liang Xue transmigrated into the body of a chambermaid who shared her name. In this fictional dynasty, society is feudal, and life in ancient times is hard. One wrong move could get you killed. Liang Naixue only wants to keep her head down and live to a ripe old age. She has no interest in leveling up by fighting monsters. Having a child would be nice, though. But why, the longer she keeps her head down, the more children she has and the higher her status rises? 2kReads8.4Score137Shelves
49. 49 我 I Won the Harem With My Beauty 我凭美貌在后宫躺赢了 Ningning Lingqi柠柠零七零Ancient Romance782k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + System + slice-of-life harem intrigue + satisfying revenge + ruthless heroine + lovestruck male lead + not pure + devoted love later] Content warnings at the end! Gu Lingwen dies unexpectedly and meets a clumsy beginner System. The two are stranded in a cruel feudal era, trembling with fear. They can return to the modern world only by completing the final assigned mission… There are only two ways to finish the mission: start a rebellion or fight for power in the harem. Underach 3.6kReads8.5Score244Shelves
50. 50 清 A Qing Dynasty Transmigration: The Life Player 清穿之生活玩家 Cat Butterfly猫蝶Ancient Romance465k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + lots of childbirth + clear-headed, decisive black-lotus heroine + managing the harem + slow transmigration] World One: Kangxi, complete. World Two: Yongzheng, complete. She transmigrates into the Qing palace. Starting out in modern times as a hairpin maker, Jiang Mengyu puts every skill at her disposal to work. She's already started hustling, thanks! No feelings, just technique. Her intelligence stays sharp, and she's a born workaholic. Content warning: When faced with life-or 4.4kReads9.2Score314Shelves

    Reader note

    These college students aren't lying, these are basically all palace intrigue stories. They're all highly intelligent, seemingly innocent but actually ruthless, not saintly, and cunning. They don't flaunt kindness and justice, and are incredibly charming. I admire the blue-ringed octopus character in the first book; she didn't hold back against the male lead at the last moment and didn't gamble with love. The second and fifth books show amazing control and manipulation of people's hearts, and her use of others to do her dirty work is amazing. The third book is also interesting, with the feel of a top-tier innocent heroine from the original work. The fourth book is truly satisfying, featuring a decisive and ruthless female lead who never suffers injustice or verbal abuse. Each world has a different style, upgrading and expanding upon the original characters, which is fantastic, unlike some quick transmigration novels where each world is similar, or even worse than the original. There's another book I couldn't find a link to, called "The Sickly Charming Beauty with a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Script." It has palace intrigue, but I prefer the political intrigue, especially in the world of Princess Lu Yuan, where she allies with Empress Lü, kicks out Liu Ying (the "barbecue" character), and becomes the Empress.

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