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. 151 皇 The Royal Family’s Cherished Daughter-in-Law: The Emperor and Empress Are Shipping Themselves 皇家宠媳：帝后嗑CP啦 Sheng Qian笙浅Ancient Romance296k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + palace and household intrigue + no transmigration or rebirth + alternate history + one-on-one romance + sweet and doting + childhood sweethearts] [Gentle, resilient beauty VS cool, composed Crown Prince] Just three months after Mu Shuangyin's birth mother passed away, Chancellor Mu took a second wife. The new madam brought a son and a daughter into the household. They were said to be the Chancellor's children, and even more remarkably, the twins had been born ab 18.2kReads9.2Score1.8kShelves
2. 152 先 Love After Marriage: The Crown Princess Keeps Pretending to Be Good Again and Again 先婚后爱，太子妃又又又又在装乖 I Want to Be a Rich Lady我想当富婆Ancient Romance278k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance] Song Yao, who was born into this world, got married to Nangong Yi, the notoriously violent crown prince. After their wedding, they acted like a proper couple, treating each other with courtesy and respect. Gradually, Song Yao discovered that the crown prince was nothing like the violent man of the rumors. He was gentle, considerate, and easy to get along with. So she let her true nature out and started doing as she pleased. - At first, when facing the crown prince: Song Yao: gent 21.7kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves
3. 153 拽 The Feisty Consort Climbs to Power Through Palace Intrigue, Everyone Else Back Off 拽妃宫斗上位，闲杂人等退退退 Pine Blossom Candy松花糖Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama is out now. Search for it on Fanqie to watch. [Palace Intrigue Power Fantasy + Not a Clean Romance + Being the Emperor’s Mother Is Better Than Being His Consort] Every woman in the harem hopes to win Emperor Jingrong’s favor, but Yuan Yuntang sees the emperor only as a tool for having children. Women in ancient times had to marry sooner or later anyway, so she might as well marry the most powerful man of all. After all, Emperor Jingrong has a great figure, a handsome face, and a 16.8kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves

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   Just three words: really beautiful

4. 154 锁 Locking the Yuanluan 锁元鸾 Dongfang Lanlan东方懒懒Ancient Romance222k WordsCompleted (The rating is low because few people have rated it) [Palace intrigue + satisfying revenge on scumbags + dramatic, mischievous heroine + heroine isn't ruled by love + seizing power + play the pig to eat the tiger + ensemble cast] Everyone in the palace knows that Empress Lin Yuanluan, the emperor's second empress, is shallow, foolish, domineering, and lovesick. Only Yuanluan herself knows she has never loved the emperor. That's precisely why she was able to rise from a mere secondary consort to 43Reads8.0Score—Shelves

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   The female lead isn't love-struck; she schemes to make the emperor fall in love with her at first sight when he was still the crown prince. She starts as the crown prince's concubine, and after he ascends the throne, she becomes his imperial concubine, playing the fool to outwit him.

5. 155 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 33.7kReads9.3Score3.4kShelves
6. 156 撩 Flirting with the Crown Prince: His Long-Overdue Passion Is Irresistibly Sweet 撩诱太子：迟来的深情嘎嘎甜 Just a Tiny Bit More就吃亿点点Ancient Romance455k WordsCompleted [The short drama Jasmine in Your Embrace is now streaming on Hongguo. Thanks for your support!] [A resilient, scheming beauty VS a gentle crown prince who turns into a brooding new emperor] [Traditional historical romance + Sweet pampering + No transmigration or rebirth + Both leads are each other’s only love + One-on-one romance] To save her mother, she must become the crown princess and bear a legitimate son, securing the chancellor’s household against future troubles. She calculates, tempts, 9.4kReads9.2Score822Shelves
7. 157 腹 The Scheming Prince: The Fierce Girl Plans to Turn the Tables 腹黑王爷：彪悍丫头要翻天 Meng Xuan Xuan孟暄暄Ancient Romance3.6M WordsCompleted Ye Zhenzhen became Prince Jing Qi You's personal maid, and everyone said her lowly birth meant the prince would tire of her sooner or later. A young servant: "Don't worry, Zhenzhen. Once the prince gets tired of you, he'll give you to me as my wife!" A guard: "Zhenzhen, when the prince no longer wants you, I want to take care of you for the rest of your life!" Zhenzhen rolled her eyes. She had plenty of money. When the prince got tired of her, she would buy her freedom, open a shop, and become a 4.2kReads9.1Score532Shelves

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   The first book isn't really a palace intrigue story, but it's still quite good; I'm currently reading it. The second book is definitely a palace intrigue drama; it's good and worth reading.

8. 158 谋 Scheming for the Heir 谋嫡 Master Hua花爷Ancient Romance403k WordsCompleted From being a pawn sent by her elder half-sister to the Third Prince's residence to climbing over a mountain of blood and claiming the empress's throne, Lin Wanying did just one thing: she kept Zhao Xuan firmly by her side. 3.8kReads9.1Score745Shelves

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   It's pure palace intrigue! The female lead is incredibly cunning and intelligent. There will be traps and suspicions along the way, but she single-handedly turns the tables on herself.

9. 159 为 The Concubine's Guide to Self-Cultivation 为妾的自我修养 Yu Jian郁见Ancient Romance429k WordsOngoing Zhu Yan transmigrates as a merchant's daughter and becomes a pawn her family uses to avoid disaster. Her father sends her to Changning Marquis Xie An as a concubine. As a concubine, Zhu Yan stays true to herself. She doesn't compete, make a fuss, or draw attention. Who could have guessed that the Marquis of Changning would be so fortunate? When something happens to the royal family's only two heirs, the emperor chooses Xie An, a member of the imperial clan, to inherit the throne. If a concubine 6.2kReads9.2Score438Shelves

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   Both of these are palace intrigue novels, which I absolutely love. Neither is a "double virginity" story, and the fact that the protagonists aren't both virgins makes sense in ancient times. Both female leads are incredibly clear-headed, and the ratings are quite high. In the first book, the female lead transmigrates into the body of the Empress, and in the second, she's the Emperor's concubine. Both are totally my cup of tea! 😎

10. 160 贵 The Noble Consort Has Negative Affection for Me 贵妃对朕负好感度 Sleepyhead Who Won't Sleep睡睡不睡觉Ancient Romance419k WordsCompleted [System] [A Little Palace Intrigue] [Devoted to Each Other] Su Rongyi is the Imperial Consort in the palace, and her father is the Great Min's top-ranked general, commanding an army of six hundred thousand. Ever since she was little, Su Rongyi has known that her family is a grave concern to the emperor, and that the Su daughters are destined to enter the palace. To put the emperor at ease, Su Rongyi doesn't mind playing the part of a woman deeply in love with him. But lately, the emperor has bee 3kReads8.2Score273Shelves
11. 161 千 Cherished and Adored: The Emperor's Sweet, Adorable Little Wife 千娇百宠：皇上的娇软小萌妻 Shi Yiyuan十一源Ancient Romance310k WordsCompleted 1v1, sweet romance, growing-up romance (Comic adaptation signed) Everyone knows that Little Commandery Princess Shen Ruyue is the beloved treasure of the Yuan palace, pampered beyond measure. Her father is the Prince Regent, feared throughout the land. But most importantly, Emperor Yuan, Pei Jingxuan, has kept the soft-spoken little girl in his heart for years. Since childhood, the little princess has climbed onto the dragon throne and slept in the dragon bed. Every time she calls him "Imperial 5.8kReads9.2Score677Shelves

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    They're all palace intrigue novels, the female leads are very shrewd and intelligent, and the last one has a male lead who's not pure, but it's really good.

12. 162 后 The Harem: Empresses in the Palace 后宫·甄嬛传 Liu Lianzi流潋紫Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Exclusive Consort Hua bonus chapter now available!] The original novel of the TV series Empresses in the Palace She enters the palace and wins the emperor’s favor, but every step is fraught with danger. The palace is deep as an ocean, and though Zhen Huan has no wish to enter and become the emperor’s consort, fate pushes her into the cruelest of harems. The women in the palace are as radiant as flowers, with lovely brows and eyes, yet every one of them conceals her own schemes and plots agains 12kReads8.9Score1.7kShelves

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    I absolutely have to watch "The Legend of Zhen Huan" (甄嬛传). I only recently discovered that the original novel of "The Legend of Zhen Huan" is available on Tomato (番茄).

13. 163 做 To Be a Favorite Consort, You Have to Be Arrogant and Overbearing 做宠妃，就是要嚣张跋扈 Idle Talk浮言Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [A supremely self-serving, spoiled princess + a calculating, proud, even-tempered emperor + neither lead is chaste + he dotes on her exclusively later on] Chu Feiyu, a princess of the Great Chu, is struck by unforeseen misfortune and sent to Great Ye in a bride exchange. As a foreign princess, she can neither become empress nor empress dowager. There is no room left for her to climb in the imperial harem. All her boundless energy has nowhere to go. What can she do? Make trouble, of course. 9.7kReads8.8Score961Shelves

    Reader note

    [Laughing][Laughing] The female protagonist is reborn as the little princess of Da Chu. After growing up, she becomes a princess sent to Da Ye as part of a political marriage. The female protagonist is very clear about her position and is not the type to suffer losses. If anyone offends her, she will directly scold them. She is very insightful and has a unique way of thinking when she confronts people. The dialogue between the male and female protagonists is also particularly quirky and funny, often leaving the male protagonist speechless with anger. At the beginning, the two of them were using each other. They were able to see through each other's intentions and used the art of balance very well. The female protagonist is very clear-headed and did not lose herself in the male protagonist's so-called favor. She is confident, strategic, and intelligent. Both of them are also ruthless and domineering. When they scheme against each other, they are ruthless. The female protagonist advances by retreating, taking control of every step and hitting the nail on the head amidst the truth and falsehood. The male protagonist goes from favoring her to loving her exclusively. He gradually sees through his own heart. The novel is humorous and funny, and the palace intrigue plot is full of ups and downs and is exceptionally exciting.

14. 164 带 Days in a Palace Drama with a System 带着系统在宫斗剧里的日子 Love Purple Rice Yogurt爱吃紫米酸奶Female-Channel Fanfiction1.1M WordsCompleted With a reincarnation System from the underworld, Shu Ning has no choice but to fight to survive through each mission. P.S. Everyone has their own writing style. This story is based on TV dramas, and the author’s writing may not suit everyone’s tastes. I hope every reader finds a story they love! This is the everyday life of a wage worker in a palace-intrigue novel. Primarily set in Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and Empresses in the Palace... (It’s a slow transmigration story.) 3.1kReads8.5Score130Shelves
15. 165 综 Qing Dynasty Crossover: When a Femme Fatale Becomes a Cannon Fodder 综清穿：当祸水穿成炮灰后 Biology Nerds Never Give Up生物狗永不认输Ancient Romance536k WordsCompleted [This story is complete. The new story, The Frail, Bewitching Favorite with the Cannon-Fodder Heroine’s Script, is now underway.] [Everyone’s darling + alternate history + System + wish fulfillment + romantic rival showdown. This is not a pure Qing Dynasty story, and history will change!!!] After dying as Zhao Hede, beloved consort of Emperor Cheng of Han, she entered the Quick Transmigration Bureau and made deals with figures from history in hopes of bringing her elder sister back to life. Worl 16.1kReads9.3Score942Shelves

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    In this romance novel, the female lead is both charming and alluring, making her unforgettable at first glance. Moreover, she's intelligent and resourceful, and her actions are incredibly elegant and captivating, leaving readers mesmerized and unable to put the book down!

16. 166 穿 Transmigrating into Empresses in the Palace: A Life of Easy Wins 穿越甄嬛传之躺赢人生 Snowflakes Fall in Flurries纷纷寒酥落Female-Channel Fanfiction626k WordsCompleted , , , , [Story Description] Staying up late is risky. Be careful not to drop dead from overwork! Sun Miaoqing, a fresh-faced young professional just starting out in the working world, dies suddenly after pulling an all-nighter. When she wakes up, she discovers she’s transmigrated! She’s b 1.2kReads8.7Score107Shelves
17. 167 咸 The Lazy Noble Consort Is Forced into Palace Intrigue 咸鱼贵妃被迫宫斗 Jun Zhenmian君枕眠Ancient Romance615k WordsCompleted Lu Jiu does everything to become a lazy, carefree fish: she volunteers for the Cold Palace, gives up on herself, and makes it on her own! Yet somehow, she still earns the title of the harem's number-one scheming green tea! The Empress Dowager says, “This girl is alluring. You can tell at a glance she won't stay chaste!” The consorts say, “Little sister, your methods are impressive. We admit defeat!” Her father says, “Well done! Keep it up! Great success is just around the corner!” The Emperor sa 146Reads8.8Score—Shelves
18. 168 汴 Spring Deepens in Bianjing 汴京春深 Wheat小麦Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted [Audio version now available, welcome to listen] Madam Rongguo, Wang Fu, devoted herself to her family until she fell gravely ill and died. She was reborn in the body of Meng Jiuniang, a foolish illegitimate daughter who was only seven years old. In her previous life, her husband became her uncle in this life, and her son became her cousin. In this life, Meng Wan had a simple wish: to live peacefully and watch her son, her cousin Su Fang in this life, grow up safe and sound. But as she and a gro 18.9kReads9.5Score2.4kShelves

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    These books are all really good! [Heart emoji]

19. 169 弃 The Reckless Abandoned Daughter: The Poisonous Consort Strikes Hard 弃女轻狂：毒妃狠嚣张 Seven Sunflowers七葵Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted A 21st-century all-around agent transmigrates and nearly falls victim to her own mother’s murderous hand. They call her a good-for-nothing who can’t cultivate, worse than a beggar? Bai Huang gives a cold laugh. With a rare treasure in hand, all five of her elemental talents are unleashed. Even the War God has to step aside if he wants to take her as a disciple. She adopts adorable spirit pets, and all beasts bow to her as a crowd of underlings eagerly awaits her favor. A master of both medicine 18.6kReads9.5Score3.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is excellent. The female lead is incredibly clear-headed; she transmigrates and becomes empress, instantly reaching the top tier of status. It's the most captivating palace intrigue book. The second book is also about palace intrigue; the female lead is intelligent, beautiful, and cunning, with a good family background. She gradually wins over the emperor and is also incredibly clear-headed. Highly recommended! The third book isn't by Tomato, but it's still super good. The empress is always unambitious, but the female lead is extremely clear-headed, rising step by step from a concubine to a noble consort, gradually winning over the emperor. It's incredibly good.

20. 170 穿 Transmigrated as a Bedclimbing Palace Maid in a Palace-Intrigue Novel 穿成宫斗文里的爬床宫女 Red Wolf Doesn't Eat Meat红太狼不吃肉Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted No prestigious family background, no peerless beauty. After transmigrating, film queen Li Songyue finds herself cast as the most expendable bed-climbing maid in a palace intrigue novel. The transmigrated heroine is ahead of her, the reborn supporting female lead is behind her, and there’s also a demanding emperor to contend with. From bed-climbing maid to empress dowager of the realm. She won’t know how cold it is at the top until she climbs there. 227Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 171 贵 The Noble Consort Gains Mind-Reading Powers and Uncovers a Shocking Secret 贵妃有了读心术后吃出惊天大瓜 Flowing Clouds in Flight流云飞度Ancient Romance638k WordsCompleted [Historical romance. Mind-reading. Face-slapping. The heroine awakens. She shines on her own. The hero is barely involved. Later, the consort will leave the palace and take her child to make her way in the world. Please don’t complain if it’s not your thing.] After taking a tumble in the imperial gardens, the arrogant and overbearing Noble Consort Yu, who reigns supreme over the harem, wakes up to discover that she can hear other people’s thoughts. It turns out the emperor’s affection is an illu 5.2kReads9.2Score714Shelves
22. 172 念 Fragrant Thoughts Beneath the Silk Quilt 念香衾 Companion in the Mist烟霞侣Ancient Romance963k WordsCompleted 5.5kReads8.9Score499Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book features a very clear-headed female lead who prioritizes self-love over others—super good! [Heart emoji] The second book features a female lead who uses a life simulator system to gradually transform from a peasant girl into a noble concubine (to avoid dying at thirty). It's not a wish-fulfillment story, but the writing is meticulous. [Heart emoji] The third book features a female lead who becomes an empress—quite satisfying. Later, the male lead falls for her, but it's not a double virgin story; the female lead treats being empress as a job. [Heart emoji] The fourth book features a double virgin story where the male and female leads are not related by blood, and it's a palace intrigue story. The fifth book features a stunningly beautiful, self-disciplined, and intelligent female lead who holds her own in her interactions with the male lead—super good! [Masterpiece emoji] [heart emoji]

23. 173 宫 Palace Rose 宫蔷 Off to Boil Wine with Green Plums青梅煮酒去Ancient Romance311k WordsOngoing Her grandfather said she could soar through the sky like a bird or swim through rivers, lakes, and seas like a fish. In short, she should be free, carefree, and happy. Her father said she was the apple of her family's eye, and that even after she married, her family would always be there to support her. The people said she was born into a noble family and later became a revered empress. Her grandfather and father had rendered great service to the country and its people, securing her a lifetime o 23Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a noblewoman who becomes empress from the start. The male lead is the emperor, who has genuine feelings for her. However, he is a rather naive emperor; while he has true feelings for the empress, he also favors other concubines. Each woman who enters the palace harbors her own agenda, none of whom are truly devoted to the emperor.

24. 174 从 From Talented Lady to Empress: Your Consort Knows Court Intrigue Best 从才人到皇后，爱妃最懂宫斗 Lu Wen路文Ancient Romance271k WordsCompleted The author's first book, so please don't mind the low rating. Zhao Xiyao is a fashion designer. Maybe she'd watched too many palace-intrigue dramas, because she actually transmigrated to an ancient imperial harem and became a low-ranking concubine. The palace intrigue she faced was far crueler than anything she'd ever seen on television. A death sentence from the start, all kinds of plots against her, and endless scheming... As someone from the modern world, Zhao Xiyao could write poetry and mak 29Reads6.6Score—Shelves
25. 175 咸 The Laid-Back Consort: Rising Step by Step 咸鱼娘娘：步步高升 Melancholy Cantaloupe忧伤的哈密瓜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace and household intrigue + childbirth + doted on exclusively later] Jiang Wan transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking palace consort of an emperor with no children. To protect the people around her, she has no choice but to compete for a little favor. Who knew she’d end up giving the emperor a chubby baby boy! Emperor: “She’s the birth mother of my only son. Of course I have to protect her.” Who knew that all that protection would turn into affection? As Jiang Wan ris 19.4kReads8.9Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    [Time Travel + Palace Intrigue + Childbirth + Later Exclusive Favor] [Heart][Heart] Jiang Wan transmigrated, becoming a concubine of a childless emperor. To protect those around her, she had to compete for the emperor's favor, only to unexpectedly give birth to a healthy baby boy!

26. 176 清 Qing Transmigration: Consort De Chooses the Easy Life 清穿：德妃选择咸鱼 Stillness止息Ancient Romance530k WordsCompleted Yuan Yuan, a lifelong single woman who firmly believes that staying unmarried and child-free is the key to a peaceful life, transmigrates into the mother of one of the most famous emperors in history: the Yongzheng Emperor. Yuan Yuan thinks, isn’t this the perfect setup for an easy win? Note: Kangxi will not love only the heroine, and the heroine will not fall in love with Kangxi. 13.5kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female protagonist had six children at the beginning, but the male protagonist didn't care about her at all. The female protagonist could only rely on her own scheming to gain a good position for herself and her children.

27. 177 尤 The Alluring Consort Climbs to the Phoenix Throne and Captures the Emperor's Heart at First Sight 尤物娘娘爬凤位，让皇上一见钟情 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance228k WordsCompleted [Devoted love + the emperor falls at first sight + palace intrigue and rising to power through favoritism + heroine’s acting skills + strong, clever heroine] Wen Shuyao loved only herself. Only losers loved men. Now that she had been granted the title of Attendant and ordered into the palace, she would make use of the emperor’s love at first sight. The emperor was merely a stepping stone for Wen Shuyao. It wouldn’t be hard to act like someone deeply in love with him. Wen Shuyao was the legitimat 5.1kReads9.0Score620Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead, Wen Shuyao, didn't want to enter the palace through the imperial concubine selection, so she took medicine and fell ill. She thought she had escaped the selection and was preparing to marry someone, but then the emperor unexpectedly visited her residence. She inadvertently went on a blind date with the emperor, saying, "Entering the palace? I don't care. At worst, I'll just get sick again. The emperor certainly won't want a sickly woman," which caught the emperor's attention. He summoned her to the palace and made her a concubine, thus beginning her life of palace intrigue. The male lead falls in love with the female lead at first sight, and the female lead's acting skills and intelligence are both excellent.

28. 178 悟 Awakening to Longing 悟相思 It's Osmanthus, Not a Ghost是桂不是鬼Ancient Romance388k WordsCompleted The Palace Eunuch Falls for a Transmigrated Woman 1V1 Born into poverty, with a father who died young and a mother gravely ill, Wei Lanren became a eunuch. Wei Lanren knew Heaven had never favored him, so he had always lived cautiously, swallowing every insult. He was as soft as the grass by the roadside, someone anyone could trample underfoot. He had no lofty ambitions. All he wanted was to survive in the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs, with food to eat and clothes to wear. But life is unpredict 5.2kReads9.0Score633Shelves

    Reader note

    Two new books I've read. The first one features a eunuch and a palace maid who transmigrated from modern times; they've already escaped the palace, so it's a semi-palace intrigue story. The second one is more of a power struggle/palace intrigue tale? The female lead is the emperor's daughter, has suffered a lot, and has now personally killed two people. The plot is intricately woven, featuring an ensemble cast of villains.

29. 179 父 If Father Doesn't Die, How Can His Daughter Ascend the Throne? 父皇不死女儿怎么登基 Xuxu Jiaqi栩栩佳期Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Court Intrigue + Ensemble Cast + Villainous Heroine + Dark Younger Brother, a Powerful Team] A scorpion and a venomous snake carve out a path through the treacherous imperial harem. When Li Ruyue was seven, she watched helplessly as the people from the Court of Judicial Review fabricated evidence to frame her mother. Her mother was sent to the Cold Palace, the Qin clan was charged with treason, and all 142 people in Zhaoyang Hall were slaughtered before her eyes. She sat in the blood, watching 3.6kReads9.1Score2.3kShelves
30. 180 太 The Crown Prince Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife: The Empress's Daily Life After Bearing Twins 太子宠妾灭妻，娘娘双胎上位日常 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance554k WordsCompleted [There are a few typos, so please skip this if that bothers you.] A deranged, ruthless heroine and an obsessive Crown Prince, with exclusive devotion later on, clear-headed palace intrigue, and multiple births. Jiang Shiruo is stunningly beautiful, but only a concubine’s daughter. Still, even a concubine’s daughter deserves to live. Jiang Shiruo has no interest in the other princes. She only wants to enter the Eastern Palace, because that’s the only way she can reach the highest position. After 7.7kReads8.9Score671Shelves

    Reader note

    The story revolves around a ruthless female lead and a paranoid crown prince. The initial power struggles and later the prince's exclusive favor are constant. The female lead, a concubine's daughter, is vengeful and single-mindedly focused on climbing the ranks to become the crown prince. She is cunning and capable. The male lead, the crown prince, is also ruthless and often helps the female lead clean up her messes. During the imperial concubine selection, the crown prince deliberately sends the female lead to the crown prince's palace to watch her fight with the other concubines. Both the empress and the crown prince show favoritism towards the female lead.

31. 181 深 Palace Intrigue: The Story of Qing Zhi 深宫策·青栀传 Qing Zhi Wei Bai青栀未白Ancient Romance882k WordsCompleted Her eyes can see through sinister tricks and schemes, but she cannot fully see the changes in people's hearts. His hands hold the fate of all under heaven, yet all he wants is to hold on to the few who truly care for him. How far is it from being the daughter of a powerful official distrusted by the emperor to becoming a virtuous empress remembered throughout history? Once she enters the imperial palace, her past ties are severed. Half a lifetime of ups and downs conceals the green of the garden 1.9kReads9.2Score296Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue novels where everyone is incredibly intelligent: 1. Childhood sweethearts' relationship is shattered by an imperial decree; a powerful minister's daughter, initially viewed with suspicion by the emperor, gradually wins his heart. 2. A concubine's daughter, hidden away and suppressed by her stepmother, enters the palace with the sole aim of achieving a high position. 3. Possessing both martial prowess and intelligence, she enters the palace solely to avenge her elder sister. Even if you're reborn or transmigrated, watch me climb step by step to the pinnacle of power.

32. 182 清 The Noble Consort Rong’s Daily Life Raising Children in the Qing Court 清穿荣妃娘娘养娃日常 Silver Candles in Autumn Light银烛秋光Ancient Romance560k WordsOngoing (Qing dynasty transmigration + System + raising children + palace intrigue) Other people’s leveling-up strategy is to start with a bowl and scavenge everything else. She starts with nothing but herself, and has to give birth to everything else. Yunchu’s first assignment after transferring to the Qing Dynasty Transmigration Department is to have babies and raise children. 429Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A time-travel story set in the Qing Dynasty! It features a system, palace intrigue, and child-rearing. The female protagonist transmigrates into the body of Consort Rong in history, single-mindedly focused on having and raising children to complete her mission. She is intelligent, rational, and very clear-headed, detached from romantic love and never letting emotions cloud her judgment. She is also exceptionally skilled at educating children, teaching them through example and letting them learn through practice! Her cheat-like abilities are significant; the system is incredibly powerful, making her not only a top-tier palace intrigue expert but also a top-notch royal translator, a gossip enthusiast, and a sharp-tongued, insightful, and adorable commentator!

33. 183 绝 The Unparalleled Little Scapegoat 绝世小冤种 I Took Great Pains我煞费苦心Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Also known as: I Pay, You Risk Your Life, and We Both Go Crazy; The Ultimate Scapegoat; Power Over All, Sword to the Heavens Someone has set a trap to make everyone turn against me. "It's fine. I have a System..." Luo Yinyou comforted herself. "Even if the System is a total troll!" The world order had changed drastically, and the flow of destiny had been redistributed. Countless geniuses emerged, but the most dazzling of them all was the young lord Ye Ci of Dragon Island, hailed as the greatest 32.4kReads9.6Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is exceptionally intelligent and meticulous, but a conspiracy draws her into the power struggles of the imperial harem. Facing the Empress's suppression and the concubines' scheming, she must not only navigate the various factions but also survive amidst the Emperor's favor and suspicion. 💔 Within the palace walls, there are no permanent enemies or friends. The female protagonist struggles between power and love, each step fraught with peril. Her path to rise is fraught with thorns, yet it also shines with the brilliance of wisdom and resilience. ✨ The characters are vividly portrayed, the plot is tightly woven, the political intrigue is gripping, and the romance is bittersweet. Whether it's the open and covert struggles among the concubines or the complex emotional entanglement between the female protagonist and the Emperor, it's all captivating! 🔥 Fans of palace intrigue, political intrigue, and romance shouldn't miss this! #PalaceIntrigue #PoliticalIntrigue #Romance #HeartbreakingRomance #FemaleProtagonistRise

34. 184 错 After a Mistaken Marriage to the Heir, She Spends Every Day Showering Him with Sweets 错嫁世子后，她每天都在撒糖 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance370k WordsCompleted [Reborn + mutually devoted sweet romance + revenge and household intrigue] Jiang Rong was deceived her entire life, and only learned the truth when she was on the verge of death. Returned to ten years earlier, she found herself fleeing an arranged marriage to elope. Jiang Rong gave the scoundrel a thorough beating, then turned around and went back to the prince’s manor to marry. The husband she had run from was Xie Lingxi, heir to the Northern Prince. In her previous life, he had protected he 35.7kReads9.5Score4.6kShelves
35. 185 朕 I Think You’re After Me, Not the Throne! 朕觉得，你就是图朕这个人！ Cat Qian Qiu猫千秋Ancient Romance311k WordsCompleted [Both leads are inexperienced + the heroine can read men's minds + the hero wins himself over + plenty of silly fun] In her previous life, Yu Huan spent three years in the imperial palace fighting to win and keep the emperor's favor. She tried every trick in the book, but still couldn't get the attention of the emperor, who cared only about gold, silver, and jewels and was endlessly greedy. In this life, she just wants to keep her head down in the harem and stay out of trouble. When the empero 3.3kReads9.0Score479Shelves

    Reader note

    [Laughing][Laughing] A masterpiece of palace intrigue novels, worth collecting and slowly reading [Heart][Heart] Top 1: A villainous woman transmigrates into a book, scheming and seductive. The female lead is self-respecting, does as she pleases, and remains unmoved by temptations. Jiang Chuji, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, was betrayed by her aunt and half-sister and died with resentment. Now she is reborn... Top 2: A charming and favored concubine vs. A seemingly innocent but actually cunning emperor

36. 186 岁 Spring's Joy, Year After Year 岁岁春欢 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance669k WordsCompleted [The print edition of Years of Spring Joy is now available on all platforms] [Heroine and scumbag reborn + male lead transmigrates + mutual salvation + play the pig to eat the tiger] At seventeen, Shen Jiasui married Lu Yunzheng. The Shen and Lu families were both military dynasties, making them a formidable match. Two years into their marriage, Lu Yunzheng defeated the enemy kingdom and won renown across the land. But the Shen family was condemned for treason and executed to the last member. On 266.5kReads9.6Score31.1kShelves

    Reader note

    It's beautiful, no need to say more.

37. 187 明 Schemes in the Ming Palace: A World Without Beauty 明宫谋：无颜天下 Don't Ask莫问Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In the unforgiving world of imperial power, Wang Rongyu has no choice but to enter the palace. She keeps her head down, hoping only to leave, not to rise through the ranks. But she has two mothers-in-law to contend with, the emperor’s favored concubine ahead of her, and a palace full of women selected and enfeoffed six months ago, yet still no children have been born. Knowing that emperors are heartless, Wang Rongyu has already made up her mind to simply do her job as empress. She won’t compete 2.9kReads9.0Score314Shelves

    Reader note

    Overall, the first book was quite good. I shared the Empress's opinion that the Emperor was filthy and disgusting. The second book, needless to say, was a very peaceful read; those who prefer more dramatic plots might find it difficult to enjoy.

38. 188 娘 The Empress Is Otherworldly and Alluring: The Emperor's Exclusive Favorite 娘娘又仙又撩：陛下椒房独宠 Clouds Rise to the Ninth Heaven云出九霄Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted [Not a first-love-only pairing; the heroine is no saint; the emperor favors her exclusively in the middle and later stages; fluffy, brainless sweet romance; silly and lighthearted, read with caution] Everyone says that a highborn legitimate daughter who enters the palace is doomed to a bad end, but Pei Jinyan refuses to believe it. Besides, she was once the emperor’s favorite consort in her previous life. She simply ruined a winning hand through her own arrogance and capriciousness. She gave bir 7.6kReads9.2Score856Shelves

    Reader note

    [Kiss] The following ten are all completed palace intrigue novels, and I've read each one from beginning to end. [Heart][Heart] Because I rewatched "Empresses in the Palace" for a while, I became particularly obsessed with palace intrigue novels, so I read a lot of them. There are still more than ten I haven't recommended yet, but I'll recommend these for now. [OK] These heroines are all highly intelligent and beautiful, and they are all drama queens. They enter the palace with ulterior motives, gradually winning the emperor's heart and status, and ultimately becoming winners in life. [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

39. 189 论 How Does a Strong Concubine Maintain Her Self-Respect? 论大力小妾何如保持自我修养 Madam Wang王方氏Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted The heroine, Wen Xuerou, nicknamed Zhuangya, is the second daughter born to a concubine in the Wen family. She is plump and charming, so the Empress Dowager thinks she looks strong and will have an easy time bearing children, and assigns her to Prince Cheng as a concubine. On her first day in the manor, Wen Xuerou says, “I’m so nervous. What should I do?” She pulls out a few bricks and squeezes them. “Ah, much better.” On her second day, she hears Side Consort Li making snide remarks about her o 9.8kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
40. 190 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
41. 191 卿 My Beloved, Through Every Dawn and Dusk 卿是朝朝暮暮 Sugar-Roasted Little Deer糖炒小鹿Ancient Romance332k WordsCompleted Shen Yunshu studied archaeology and had been working for just two years. She loved history, and her favorite dynasty was the Rong Dynasty. A few days ago, she had read an unofficial history of the Rong Dynasty's royal family. Little did she expect that after falling asleep, she would wake up in the Rong Dynasty, sent there by the heavens, as Shen Yunshu, the legitimate daughter of the Shen family of Prince Zhenbei's residence. She had transmigrated to her favorite dynasty and become a descendant 24.4kReads9.4Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    You can watch it! You can watch it! You can watch it!

42. 192 重 After Being Reborn, My Five Brothers Beg Me in Tears to Return Home 重生后，五个哥哥哭着求我回府 Mu Mianmian慕绵绵Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Currently being published] [She chases him after the breakup + sweet romance + satisfying read] In her previous life, Jiang You'an was a cannon-fodder side character in a novel where the whole family doted on the heroine. Her entire family favored her younger sister, and she was beaten to death with clubs. After being reborn, she refuses to repeat her past mistakes, only to discover that her family regrets everything and begs for her forgiveness. Everyone wants to make amends? Hah, I’m not int 7.8kReads9.4Score1.3kShelves
43. 193 甄 Empresses in the Palace: The 250 System's Daily Madness 甄嬛传：250号系统的日常发癫 A Potato That's Not a Potato不是马铃薯的土豆Female-Channel Fanfiction312k WordsOngoing Warning: The values expressed in a work are not necessarily the author’s own. System No. 250 was the last System created by the God of Systems. No one knew what had gone wrong during its creation, but the God of Systems, who should not have had a physical body, mysteriously sneezed while making System No. 250. As a result, System No. 250 went completely bonkers, turning the System Space upside down. So System No. 250 was kicked out and told to improve itself by completing missions. “Missions? E 113Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In the third world, with the help of the system, Consort Hua is reborn before the imperial concubine selection. She also has the ability to be a vampire and can give birth, but not to the eldest son, but to the fourteenth prince. When Zhen Huan's mother enters the palace to visit Zhen Huan, the emperor sees her and notices that she looks exactly like the late Empress Chun Yuan. She is then made a concubine by the emperor.

44. 194 拽 The Dashing Consort Makes Her Entrance 拽妃出世 Old Ghost 921老鬼921Ancient Romance144k WordsCompleted He was the exalted emperor of the realm. She was a chivalrous woman raised in the mountains. “Become my consort!” “Never!” “Your Majesty, the imperial consort has run away again!” “I know. Bring her back.” 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A palace intrigue novel featuring a strong female protagonist who is destined to be pampered, loved, and protected! The plot is full of twists and turns, and the sweet romance is irresistible! Highly recommended!

45. 195 穿 After I Transmigrated to the Qing Palace, I Got a Suspect-Tracking System 穿越后我竟在清宫手握嫌疑人系统 Wooden Man Who Doesn't Eat Bitter Melon不吃苦瓜的木头人Ancient Romance1.7M WordsOngoing [Alternate Qing Dynasty + Unreliable System + Ensemble Cast + Foster Sons and Daughters] Lin Ling transmigrates for no apparent reason and runs into an unreliable System: the Suspect System. She has to earn suspicion points through various incidents, which means she keeps showing up at events big and small. The people in the imperial harem can’t help but wonder: Why are you everywhere? Lin Ling says: It’s not like I want to be. I just keep getting dragged into things for no reason… 10.2kReads8.7Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A Qing Dynasty time-travel story with a child! High-level palace intrigue! An ensemble piece! The female lead is intelligent, cautious, and shrewd, with a meticulous mind and an ability to read people's hearts. She has no love for Emperor Kangxi and is constantly putting on an act, using the suspect system to exploit loopholes and continuously improve her abilities. Emperor Kangxi is also a master of deception, feigning deep affection while secretly scheming, playing both sides perfectly! The palace intrigue is brilliantly written, often depicting a classic case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; behind the oriole is another hunter, shrouded in mystery, with everyone harboring their own schemes. This battle of wits between masters is fantastic!

46. 196 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 87kReads9.5Score9.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book features an afterlife, which is very novel. The second book has a female protagonist who transmigrates into the book; she's very clear-headed and enjoyable! The third book isn't really a palace intrigue or domestic drama, but it's still very good. The characters are all well-developed, and both the main and supporting characters are intelligent; the supporting characters don't feel artificially stupid. Highly recommended!!!

47. 197 宠 The Favored Consort Is Barren? I Was Born into My Mother’s Womb as Her Precious Daughter 宠妃绝嗣？我胎穿做娘的宝贝女儿 Braised Beef Brisket Rice牛腩焗饭Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Historical romance + everyone’s favorite + born in the womb + beloved consort + palace intrigue + feel-good + adorable baby] After transmigrating, Gu Xuan becomes the unborn eldest princess of Great Yan. Her mother is Consort Xie Ziyue, the emperor’s favorite, who had believed she would never have children. Her father is the current ruler, Emperor Han Xianzong. Emperor Han Xianzong and Consort Xie share a deep and devoted love. But after the imperial physicians diagnosed her as unlikely to con 12.8kReads7.9Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    The first and third books are both ancient romance novels featuring a pampered princess, a rebirth, and palace intrigue. Gu Xuan transmigrates into the body of the unborn eldest princess of the Great Yan Dynasty. Her mother, the favored Imperial Noble Consort Xie Ziyue, is destined to be childless. Her father, the Emperor, is deeply in love with her, but due to the imperial physician's diagnosis, she is unlikely to conceive. The Imperial Noble Consort had already given up hope of having children. However, she unexpectedly becomes pregnant and gives birth to a beautiful little princess! As the Imperial Noble Consort's precious daughter, Gu Xuan is showered with love and affection from birth, receiving everything she desires. The Imperial Noble Consort cherishes her like her own life, and the Emperor loves her even more. He even takes the little princess with him to the Imperial Study. The second book is a sweet, romantic, and alternate history novel where the emperor of Yunxi Kingdom, having had ten sons, longs for a daughter. When the empress gives birth, Yunxi Kingdom welcomes its first princess in a century. The princess will do anything for him, even pluck the stars from the sky. Spoiled rotten, Yunxi Kingdom grows increasingly wealthy, conquering neighboring kingdoms, unifying six kingdoms, and becoming the most powerful. The third book is a completed transmigration novel featuring a princess, a sweet romance, and a romantic pairing. Gu Hui, a descendant of a family of acupuncturists, accidentally transmigrates into the body of a little princess and discovers he can see through people's hearts. His father is the emperor, and his mother is a scheming concubine. Using his superpowers, he becomes the emperor's darling, the crown prince's precious treasure, and a thorn in the side of many. "I want to rule the world and no one dares to mess with me. I like them, and they can't do anything to me even if they don't like me."

48. 198 下 After Descending to Earth, the Lucky Baby Girl Becomes the Darling of the Entire Imperial Clan 下凡后，锦鲤奶包被整个皇族团宠 Meow Jinjin喵金金Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Everyone’s darling + sweet romance + alternate-world setting + mutual devotion + lighthearted style] The emperor of Yunxi has ten sons in a row, and he longs for a daughter more than anything. When the empress goes into labor, Yunxi welcomes its first little princess in a hundred years. The emperor of Yunxi issues an order: “Dote on her! All of you, dote on her!” Whatever the little princess wants, even if it’s a star in the sky, they must pluck it down for her. As they spoil her, Yunxi grows r 11.1kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves
49. 199 风 Willows in the Wind 风中柳 Yu Ling雨泠Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Ruthless heroine➕female-lead power fantasy➕light ensemble-style palace intrigue➕face-slapping and scum-bashing➕primarily focused on building her career] (Female lead is a virgin; male lead is not) Jiang Fu, the Jiang family’s fifteen-year-old illegitimate daughter, was lovely and graceful. Unfortunately, her stepmother was cruel and her father was heartless. As an illegitimate daughter, she had no say even in the marriage that mattered most to a woman. Her family could manipulate her as they p 2.1kReads8.8Score297Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended for its genuine palace intrigue. The female lead schemes against everyone, thinking, "Since everyone else is going to be someone else's concubine, why can't I, Jiang Fu, be a royal concubine?" She treats the emperor like a dog, ruthlessly eliminating anyone who stands in her way. Midway through the story, she consciously cultivates her power in the court and expands her network, ultimately rising step by step to the position of Empress Dowager. Even on his deathbed, the emperor is still struggling with whether the female lead truly loves him.

50. 200 团 The Three-Year-Old Princess, Doted on by All 团宠公主三岁半 March Evening Primrose三月夕颜Ancient Romance2.7M WordsCompleted Gu Hui, heir to a family of renowned acupuncturists, accidentally transmigrated as a tiny princess and discovered that she could read people’s minds. Her father was the emperor, and her mother was a scheming imperial consort. Using her superpower, she became the apple of the emperor’s eye, the crown prince’s darling, and a thorn in the side of countless people. Gu Hui: “I want to rule the world, with no one daring to mess with me. I love seeing them hate me but be powerless to do anything about 13.5kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves

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