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. 351 贵 The Noble Consort's Cherished Days 贵妃娘娘娇宠记 o Two Lines of Tearso两行清泪Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance, everyone’s favorite, 1v1] Ye Menger grew up pampered and cherished. Her parents doted on her, her brothers adored her, and she even had an aunt who was the Empress Dowager and an imperial cousin who was the emperor to rely on. From childhood, everyone treasured her above all else. But then an imperial decree sent her into the palace. See how this noble-born young woman is coddled by an emperor and rises step by step to the highest position in the inner palace! 1.1kReads7.0Score105Shelves

   Reader note

   These books are all very good.

2. 352 宫 The Willow by the Palace Wall 宫墙柳 Dream Doll梦娃Ancient Romance166k WordsCompleted Why must the imperial consorts compete for the emperor’s favor? A smash-hit, heart-wrenching historical romance that burst onto the scene in 2019! Recommended by countless tearful readers, this unconventional palace-intrigue novel will stay with you long after you finish. In the lightest of styles, it captures everyone’s deepest regrets. In May of the year I turned fourteen, with the pagoda trees in fragrant bloom, I sat in Yong’an Palace, propping up my head as I dozed. The man’s laughter held 50.6kReads9.7Score7.4kShelves
3. 353 启 Your Majesty, the Emperor Has Asked for Your Favor Again 启禀娘娘：皇上又翻你牌子了 Envying Fish by the Water临水羡鱼Ancient Romance409k WordsCompleted Ning Xi, an all-around genius from a mysterious organization in the 21st century, retired with honors after completing her final mission. But on her way home, her cruise ship was blown up at sea, and she drowned. Her soul transmigrated to another world, where she became the legitimate daughter of the Prince of Zhenbei’s household in the Tian Sheng Kingdom. In this life, she grew up cherished by her parents and older brothers, enjoying a carefree and comfortable existence, until the new emperor 1.5kReads9.0Score146Shelves
4. 354 朝 The Turmoil of Chao Ge: The Story of the Demon Queen Daji 朝歌风云之妖后妲己传 A Pearl in Hand明珠在手Female-Channel Fanfiction256k WordsCompleted [Angsty at first, then sweet and satisfying + mutual devotion + mutual healing + happy ending] [Heartbreaking, thrilling, unbearably sweet, and impossible not to ship] Daji isn’t Su Daji, but Ji Daji. She isn’t a fox spirit, but a human! Daji’s beauty draws King Zhou’s covetous attention. Her first love, Su Quanzhong, dies in battle, and her beloved Boyi Kao dies tragically. Imprisoned deep within the palace and driven to desperation, Daji fights back. She and Su Qu Xiao remain devoted to each o 29Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Daji was not a fox demon, but a delicate and beautiful young woman. The palace intrigue wasn't about fighting in the harem; it was about seizing power from King Zhou. Her lover died in battle, her confidant perished tragically, and she was humiliated. In her desperate situation, she fought her way out, finding redemption in both directions, and ultimately achieving her own happiness.

5. 355 这 This Harem Is Poisonous 这后宫有毒 Fan Duo繁朵Ancient Romance4.9M WordsCompleted The Grand Empress Dowager sits high upon the phoenix throne, watching the winds of change. Empress Dowager No. 1, the late emperor's first wife, is wholly devoted to supporting her relatives. Empress Dowager No. 2, the emperor's former legitimate mother, is shrewd and bides her time. Empress Dowager No. 3, the emperor's birth mother, keeps to herself, her thoughts inscrutable. Three generations of empresses have presided over the central palace. The Noble Consort has the support of powerful eunu 9Reads6.8Score—Shelves

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   The first book was really good; it featured a cunning and ruthless emperor.

6. 356 重 Reborn as the Fourth Imperial Princess: Ready to Play Dirty 重生之四福晋准备玩阴的 User10377626用户10377626Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted (Not a wish-fulfillment novel + household intrigue + palace intrigue + adorable children + political schemes + succession struggle + wiping out Japanese pirates + wiping out Koreans) Also: This book takes history as its foundation and revolves around the Nine Princes’ Succession Struggle. It deals with the empire and its people, and with wiping out Japanese pirates and Koreans. It has absolutely nothing to do with Empresses in the Palace or any of those other novels. Empress Xiaojingxian, Ulan 1.7kReads9.0Score119Shelves

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   In a true palace intrigue drama, the female lead is intelligent and doesn't love the male lead, but she still can't escape his clutches.

7. 357 小 The Little Palace Maid's Thoughts Were Read 小宫女被读心了 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance254k WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the palace as a maid, Qin Jianjian works diligently, flatters those above her, and deceives those below her. In the end, she becomes the top-ranked maid serving the Empress Dowager. She has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of her profession. Money she’s openly entitled to, along with money she shouldn’t have, keeps flowing into Qin Jianjian’s pockets. Delighted, she just has to wait until she’s old enough to leave the palace and retire early. Who could have guessed the 15.3kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves
8. 358 药 The Delicate, Scheming Medicine-Jar Consort Has the Sickly Tyrant Begging for Mercy 药罐贵妃娇又作，病娇暴君乖乖认怂！ Tang Jiujiu糖酒酒Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Transmigrated into the role of a cannon-fodder concubine, Xiao Xiruo is destined to die of rage and leave her entire family dead? And she’s sickly, coughing up blood every day? Xiao Xiruo: Keep it together. Don’t panic! With powerful backing, I’ll take the court by storm and rule the imperial harem! Feng Wuyan, the puppet emperor of Great Yan, is a deranged villain who slaughtered everyone in the book until only its title remained. He does the cruelest deeds and strikes with the deadliest hand. 3.8kReads9.2Score406Shelves

   Reader note

   All are palace intrigue stories. The first one features a villainous emperor and a noble concubine. The second one is also good, with both the male and female leads being intelligent. The third one features a very clear-headed female lead who eventually becomes a noble concubine.

9. 359 演 I Played the Emperor My Whole Life, and After Being Reborn, He Still Wants the Crown Prince 演了皇上一辈子，重生他还要太子 One Little Sweet Fish一口小甜鱼Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Original title: Only After His Death Did He Learn That the Empress Did Not Want to Be Buried With Him [The heroine transmigrates, the hero is reborn] As he lay dying, Emperor Tianhe looked back on his eventful life. He had risen from humble beginnings to become the founding emperor, and the world praised his achievements. In his fading consciousness, he saw his virtuous empress, his beautiful consorts, and his weeping children. He felt that his life had been complete. But after he died, his soul 34.5kReads8.9Score2.6kShelves
10. 360 华 Consort Hua Reincarnates as Gua Liu 华妃娘娘她魂穿瓜六了 The Master and the Master's Husband夫子和夫子夫Female-Channel Fanfiction606k WordsCompleted Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, was a woman loved by Emperor Yongzheng. The daughter of a powerful official, she lost her child while still young because the emperor feared her family's influence. For decades, the man she loved most had her drink the incense-scented medicine known as Joyful Harmony, damaging her health and leaving her barren for life. Even so, in the end, she was condemned as having grown too powerful, and in a single night, every member of the Nian family was killed. Her soul is rebo 62Reads5.3Score—Shelves

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    Not only are they not virgins, but they also don't love each other. The Empress Hua's rebirth in "Empresses in the Palace" relies entirely on her intelligence; the entire cast is highly intelligent in palace intrigue.

11. 361 娇 The Pampered Little Noble Consort 娇养小贵妃 I Am Lingjun余曰灵均Ancient Romance379k WordsCompleted Shen Si was only the daughter of a fourth-rank prefect. The only reason Prince Kang took an interest in her was her beauty. When she refused to submit to him, he framed her father and brother. Just as she was about to take her own life, unable to bear the humiliation any longer, the emperor swept her into his arms. To avenge her father and brother, she joined the imperial harem and tried every means at her disposal, yet still met her end there. Reborn, she gained the ability to enter other peopl 1.8kReads8.9Score127Shelves

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    [Sending Heart] The first book's female lead is a palace maid who only wants to leave the palace and live a peaceful life. Unexpectedly, the male lead takes a liking to her, and after some back and forth, she enters the harem. The male lead guides her step by step, teaching her how to survive. At first, the female lead hates the male lead, but it's only for survival and to establish herself in the palace intrigue. Later, she reciprocates his feelings. [Sending Heart][Sending Heart] [Sending Heart] The second book's female lead had a difficult past life. Since a woman's fate is difficult to change, she chooses the most noble path to ensure she has a place and cannot be controlled by others. Her palace intrigue is very difficult, requiring constant planning and scheming. The male lead initially only feels a fleeting attraction, but gradually grows tired of her. It's amazing that the female lead isn't love-struck! [Shy][Shy][Shy]

12. 362 替 The Substitute Bride: The Mad Demon Emperor Is Provoked 替嫁狂妃：误惹病娇魔帝 Cinderella Wants to Become an Immortal灰姑娘要成仙Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [The short drama adaptation, Farewell to the Immortal Bone, is now streaming] She was poisoned by villains, left mentally impaired, and had her dantian shattered and her contract beast stolen. Then she was forced to take another woman's place in marriage to an old demon. When her memories return, she transforms into a little grandmaster who can conquer the heavens and earth in a flash. The Spirit Palaces of the Heavenly Realm revere her, the rulers of the Underworld fear her as a demon, and the 5.5kReads9.4Score782Shelves

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    🍀Wow~! Even though the male lead is in a vegetative state at the beginning, it doesn't stop the female lead from getting married on her own. She even takes the initiative to consummate the marriage on their wedding night, but she doesn't know the male lead is conscious! *Cough cough* The last book is absolutely amazing!

13. 363 宫 Palace Intrigue's Winner: I Rise to Power by Raising Kids 宫斗赢家：我靠养崽上位 Fu Qian Qian福千千Ancient Romance430k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue and childbirth, no golden finger, not a devoted couple] “Your Majesty, Ning Guiren's red mandarin-duck bellyband is still hanging from that scoundrel's belt!” Opening her eyes to such a shocking scene, Ning Yuxi immediately kicked the scoundrel aside and ran for it. Seriously, did she have a death wish, giving the emperor a cuckold's horns? An emperor who loves the throne more than beautiful women? No problem. Two children in three years? What's that? I'll have three in two! Wha 143Reads6.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are about the heroine's individual beauty and serious palace intrigue; they're incredibly good.

14. 364 钟 Conquest of Zhongcui Palace: Yu Ying'er's Road to Reversal 钟粹宫攻略，余莺儿逆袭之路 Pure Period纯纯的大姨妈Female-Channel Fanfiction593k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + no love-brain heroine + no saintly do-gooder] After an accident, the straight-laced Yu Ying transmigrated into the small world of Empresses in the Palace and became Yu Ying’er, a villain from the show. She activated Palace Intrigue System No. 007! It was even a System currently taking an exam for a government job! To return to the real world, she had no choice but to complete the System’s ultimate mission: kill Zhen Huan and become the ruler of the imperial harem! As the story 100Reads6.2Score—Shelves

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    Transformed into cannon fodder, step by step to become emperor

15. 365 宫 Palace Intrigue? It’s Just Building a Career Somewhere Else! 宫斗？不过是换个地方搞事业！ He Seems to Want to Lose Weight他好像要减肥Ancient Romance419k WordsCompleted Who says modern skills are useless in ancient times? When psychology helps her read people's minds, management helps her marshal resources, and crisis PR skills help her escape seemingly hopeless situations... The imperial palace becomes the stage where she shows off her top-tier professional skills! Everyone thinks she's a meek little concubine anyone can bully, but they don't know she's already sharpening her blade. How will this modern career woman use her superior knowledge to crush the comp 116Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Facepalm][Facepalm][Facepalm]

16. 366 清 Qing Transmigration: The Fertility-Blessed Imperial Noble Consort 清穿之好孕皇贵妃 From Today On, I'll Be a Godly Tycoon从今天开始当神豪Ancient Romance970k WordsCompleted Complete [Fertility System + amateurish palace intrigue + heroine doesn't love Kangxi + raising children to rise to power] (The timeline in this story does not match official history, so please don't overthink it.) Modern office worker Mingmei wakes up as Noble Lady Wanyan, one of Kangxi's consorts. At the same time, she gets a System and learns that she will be raising all nine of Kangxi's sons. After transmigrating, Wanyan Mingmei says, “System, let me say thank you.” Also known as The Rise of 2.7kReads8.5Score181Shelves
17. 367 谁 Who Put the Imperial Robe on Me?! 谁把龙袍披到本宫身上了？！ One Hundred and One Chi一零一尺Ancient Romance156k WordsCompleted (Female-led power fantasy + hiding one's strength + scheming in both court and harem + two strong leads + power plays) She thought she would never get the chance to turn things around, but unexpectedly became the daughter of her enemy. Sent into the palace as the prime minister's daughter, she became empress. He wants her to stabilize the harem and bear him a prince, but she would rather throw the harem into chaos. A child? Absolutely not! She leaks information on purpose and sabotages things be 2Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Calm, not a saint, and not indiscriminately killing, she meticulously plans her revenge (including the imperial court and harem), ultimately slaying a ruthless emperor. The female protagonist's soul transmigrates into the body of her enemy's daughter, sent to the palace (where the emperor is her ex-husband) to seize power and rise rapidly through the ranks.

18. 368 幽 Chronicles of the Hidden Palace 幽宫记 Clever Little Fish聪明的小fishAncient Romance341k WordsOngoing As a well-bred young lady carefully raised by the Qi clan, she was told by her mother from a young age, “The Qi clan has no high ministers at court from the previous dynasty, only women in the imperial harem.” From then on, Qi Yuesheng knew she bore a burden that had nothing to do with so-called “romance,” but rather “the glory of the family.” [Rank] Empress (one), Imperial Noble Consort (one), Noble Consort (two), Consort (four), Concubine (six), Noble Lady, First Attendant, Answering Attendan 2Reads—Score—Shelves

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    They're all pretty good-looking. [Kissing emoji]

19. 369 娇 The Spoiled Consort's Road to Glory 娇气包娘娘的荣华路 Qingxi Hexi清兮禾兮Ancient Romance385k WordsCompleted Sweet romance! Undivided love! She’s doted on to the max! [The heroine is cunning, a little black lotus hidden beneath a rabbit’s skin] [The hero has a harem and isn’t chaste, but once he meets the heroine, he devotes himself to her alone in a one-on-one romance] The third young lady of the Sheng’an Marquis’s household, born to his secondary wife, was as beautiful as a celestial maiden. Sweet and clever, she knew how to win favor. Her grandmother and father favored her, and even her legitimate 13.4kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves

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    🧸🧸①The female lead appears to be an innocent and naive girl, but she is actually very cunning. Framed by her elder sister, she retaliates by stepping on her to rise to a high position. She deliberately provokes her sister, causing her to lose the favor of the elders, and then orchestrates the emperor's heroic rescue. This strategic retreat leaves a deep impression on the emperor, and she is gradually elevated to a high position...

20. 370 从 From Palace Maiden to Empress Dowager: The Beloved Consort Rules the Realm 从秀女到太后：娇娇娘娘母仪天下 Holding the Wedding Candle秉花烛Ancient Romance693k WordsOngoing Jiang Wanzhen was merely the daughter of a minor sixth-rank official, forced by circumstance to enter the imperial harem. Luckily, the emperor was young and handsome, so he wasn't too hard to stomach. The women in the harem were all cunning schemers, but Jiang Wanzhen fought her way through every obstacle, tore down paper tigers, and took on the fake sweethearts. She nursed her best friend, had children, and before she knew it, she had risen from an insignificant low-ranking consort to the most 95Reads8.5Score—Shelves
21. 371 快 Quick Transmigration: The Alluring Concubine's Rules of Survival and Plunder 快穿之妾室妖娆，生存掠夺守则 Yan Fei Loves Braised Pork爱吃甏肉的焱妃Ancient Romance2.8M WordsOngoing A note about the content: not every story is about concubines. Some also take place in modern times. These tragic concubines want to survive, and to do that, they have to fight and seize what they can. Jiang Chunxi transmigrates into the bodies of these concubines to complete her missions. Morality means nothing to her; all that matters is getting the job done. So what if her methods are underhanded and shameless? Concubine in the Duke's mansion: She secretly gets together with the heir under th 19.9kReads8.4Score1.2kShelves
22. 372 九 Nine Layers of Spring Splendor Enshroud the Jade Hall 九重春色锁玉堂 Strange Guest in Brocade锦衣怪客Ancient Romance251k WordsOngoing One night, she wakes from a dream to find herself the most absurd footnote in the history books: Yang Qinglan, cousin to Yang Yuhuan. Beneath Chang'an's moon, deep within the Daming Palace, this should have been her cousin Yuhuan's fate: one performance of “The Rainbow Skirt” captivating the realm, and three thousand favors bestowed on one woman. Yet the imperial decree falls into her hands instead. Everyone says this is the Yang family's greatest glory. Only she knows the road ahead leads to an 3Reads—Score—Shelves

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    In the deep palace of the Tang Dynasty, she is a soul that unexpectedly stumbles in, carrying a thousand years of memories to face a life-or-death game. She battles the concubines, wins hearts and minds, and observes the court's affairs, calculating every move precisely, yet overlooking only the seemingly carefree Prince Qi. When he burns his reputation for her, using himself as a shield, this defying fate in a prosperous era will ultimately rewrite history!

23. 373 丈 Widowed for Five Years, the Widow is Pregnant with the Emperor’s Child 丈夫去世五年，守寡怀了皇帝的崽 Salty Fish Boss咸鱼头子Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Stunning widow vs. domineering emperor] [Not both virgins + forbidden tension + raising a child + old flames reignited] Everyone in the capital knows that the legitimate daughter of the Yun family and Third Young Master Lu are a loving couple, devoted to each other. But fate was cruel. Third Young Master Lu was cursed with a short life and died of a serious illness before reaching twenty, leaving behind a beautiful young widow and an unborn child. - Yun Wan has a secret she’s kept buried fo 28kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves

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    So pretty! [Already added to my wishlist][Already added to my wishlist][Already added to my wishlist][Sending hearts][Sending hearts][Learned it!]

24. 374 二 Two Boys and a Girl: The Lucky Maid Has a Feel-Good Novel’s Script 二子一女：好孕丫鬟手拿爽文剧本 Spring in My Sleeve袖里春Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (Extra chapters updating) [Fake sweet-and-innocent, truly villainous heroine + play the pig to eat the tiger + inner-courtyard intrigue first, palace intrigue later + not a perfectly faithful couple + all that matters is having fun + happy ending] Xie Linyuan, the Liang dynasty's nobleman of a different surname, was illustrious and unmatched in the world. While away on campaign, he was ambushed by treacherous men and saved from death by Yan Yiyu, the daughter of an imperial merchant. After retur 2.4kReads8.0Score221Shelves
25. 375 穿 I Became the Second Empress, and Suddenly the Empress Is Cold and Heartless Toward Me 穿成继后，皇后突然对朕薄情寡义 Star River Moon星江月Ancient Romance922k WordsCompleted She transmigrates into the emperor's second wife. Isn't that the empress? The highest starting point a woman could hope for in ancient times. Sounds great, perfect for lying flat, since she's already at the top. The emperor says she should be magnanimous. Sure, I'll let you take two beauties as concubines at once. No singles, absolutely. The empress dowager says the imperial family needs more heirs. So we'll encourage childbirth in the harem and introduce incentives: anyone who has a child gets 4.8kReads8.6Score417Shelves

    Reader note

    I've been following and watching it all, it's wonderful! Isn't Gong Douwen's purpose to become the queen mother for the heroine?

26. 376 都 I'm Already a Concubine, So How Could I Not Go Mad? 都做妾了，哪有不疯的？ Dreams on the Mountain山上有梦Ancient Romance762k WordsCompleted #She miscarries from the start. What's wrong with going a little crazy?# #The heroine isn't a good person, the hero isn't a good person, and nobody's a good person# Yuan Xiangxue transmigrates. Other heroines either become mothers without the pain or get an overpowered golden finger. She's the unlucky one who miscarries from the start... Then she takes a look at her new identity: she's become the concubine of Liang Yujing, the ninth prince of the Great Liang Dynasty. She was a perfectly good per 5.3kReads8.6Score500Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this palace intrigue/otaku novel! It's incredibly good, an underrated gem. You absolutely must read it; you'll find it captivating within minutes, and it's hilarious.

27. 377 嫡 My Sister Acts as Cool as a Chrysanthemum? I’ll Marry Her Husband Instead! 嫡姐人淡如菊？我改嫁她相公！ Jiu Zhi九枝Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted In her previous life, her elder half-sister was as aloof as a chrysanthemum and refused to seek favor with the imperial family. So her whole family urged me to marry the Heir of Prince An in her place. I became his plaything and eventually died a miserable death in the stable. But my sister and my brothers used my bones as stepping stones to win a reputation for virtue and uprightness. They enjoyed a life of wealth and glory, with a loving father and a filial daughter. Reborn, I returned to find 585Reads7.2Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    Substitute marriage, tragic death, rebirth, revenge, and stealing a husband—"My Eldest Sister is as indifferent as a chrysanthemum? I'll remarry her husband!" Has all the elements and is incredibly good!

28. 378 庶 The Daily Madness of a Lowborn Daughter 庶女发癫日常 Chu Shimei楚诗魅Ancient Romance888k WordsCompleted [Transmigrated into a book heroine vs. reborn heroine, one-on-one romance] Shi Yao transmigrated into a reborn, pampered heroine’s revenge novel and became an ignored, expendable illegitimate daughter. The one doted on by everyone was Shi Mingzhu, the original heroine. In her previous life, the moment Shi Mingzhu was born, the old master declared, “Dote on her! I want the whole family to spoil her rotten!” So all eight brothers became hopelessly devoted to their little sister. To help the heroi 34.4kReads9.2Score4.6kShelves
29. 379 暖 Fragrant Bedchamber: The Eastern Palace Concubine's Lie-Flat Life 暖帐香：东宫侍妾的躺平日常 Jin Yu锦喻Ancient Romance390k WordsCompleted [Raising a child + palace intrigue + ordinary transmigrator + not both leads’ first love, but doting romance] Xu Qinglu was transmigrated into the Xu family as their legitimate daughter. In the tenth year of Chengde, she was sent to the Eastern Palace as a concubine. After a year of cautiously serving the Crown Prince, walking on eggshells, she finally became pregnant. Having a daughter was all she needed. She would have been happy to live out her days peacefully in the palace. But when her daug 3.1kReads9.0Score242Shelves

    Reader note

    A true palace intrigue story; the male lead is impure and a complete jerk; the female lead isn't love-struck and has no romantic feelings. The female lead is a reincarnated character.

30. 380 没 What Do I Do If I Didn’t Finish the Show Before Transmigrating Into An Lingrong? 没看完电视剧却剧穿安陵容怎么办 Mo Yun Yao莫云谣Female-Channel Fanfiction287k WordsCompleted Li Xiaoli is an utterly ordinary office worker. So plain that she has never been in a relationship, she gets pressured to marry and accidentally falls from a building, only to transmigrate into An Lingrong in the TV drama Empresses in the Palace. How will she survive? Simple: cling to the heroine for dear life! 549Reads9.3Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    I'd forgotten the names of all the books I'd read before, but this is the only one I've recently read that's really a palace intrigue drama, and it's truly excellent. I recommend everyone check it out.

31. 381 穿 Reborn as a Dowry Maid, I Rise to Prominence in the Prince's Manor Through My Son 穿成陪嫁丫鬟，我在王府母凭子贵 Dragon Fruit Growing Toward the Sun火龙果向阳而生Ancient Romance443k WordsCompleted After being pushed off a cliff while trying to break up a fight, Tao Yaoyao takes her last breath and transmigrates, reborn in the vast Hao Han Dynasty in the body of a maid who has been the Princess Consort of Prince Chen's dowry for three years. A little background: On the day of their wedding, Qi Chenyuan left Fan Qianyao just after they had completed the wedding rites and headed south under imperial orders to wipe out river bandits. Three years later, Prince Chen returns victorious to the 9.5kReads8.9Score681Shelves

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    The female protagonist, Tao Yaoyao, unexpectedly transmigrates and is reborn as a maidservant accompanying the princess of the Chen Prince's mansion, embarking on a journey of revenge. The book contains 443,000 words, currently has 22,000 readers, a rating of 9.0, And 6,345 reviews.

32. 382 清 A Qing Dynasty Noble Consort's Glorious Reign 清穿贵妃荣宠记 Yu Zhiwei予之微Ancient Romance766k WordsCompleted A favored consort from the start? And the younger sister of Empress Xiaozhao, no less? Wasn’t she supposed to die young, with her daughter passing away in childhood? This time, she has both sons and daughters, and the emperor cherishes her like a treasure. Not only is he clingy, he has an overactive imagination, and Niu Hulu Baozhu is exhausted. After outliving Imperial Noble Consort Tong and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in the imperial harem. All she wants i 3.8kReads8.8Score265Shelves

    Reader note

    A truly amazing Qing Dynasty palace intrigue novel!!! It's incredibly good, I couldn't stop reading even though I was staying up all night! [Drooling][drooling][drooling]

33. 383 九 The Eunuch of a Thousand Years Is Bewitchingly Beautiful 九千岁他百媚千娇 Beautiful Lady美人娘Ancient Romance265k WordsCompleted (A deranged villain who is a real eunuch × a cat-demon empress, both inexperienced, happy ending) (A redemption story focused mainly on the romance. The male lead is a villain through and through, with no redemption. The female lead is carefree and oblivious. No pointless side characters. The storybook world isn't the real mortal realm. Some scenes are quite bloody, so read with care.) He had once been a demon living in hell, a maggot in filthy mud, a loathsome walking corpse, a killing machine 10.6kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    These are truly high-scoring palace intrigue novels!!! The female leads are intelligent, and everything they achieve is through their own hard work and effort. They're incredibly good!

34. 384 娘 Will Her Majesty Become the Empress Dowager Today? 娘娘今天当上太后了嘛 Seasonal Persimmon时令柿子Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + heroine born into the womb + transmigrated supporting actress + reborn supporting actress + black lotus + everyone is smart] Shen Guiyi had planned to lie flat and enjoy a comfortable life, but every eligible young nobleman in the capital had a house full of wives and concubines. Since she couldn't escape the struggle, she decided to enter the palace as a candidate for the imperial harem. She would climb the ranks step by step. If she had to fight, she'd fight for the very bes 1.7kReads8.4Score221Shelves

    Reader note

    [Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work] That's the book that truly embodies the essence of palace intrigue! I don't understand why such a good book isn't popular! 🌈🌈 The plot is novel, the writing is smooth, and the immersion is incredible. These three points alone put it ahead of most books. Read with confidence; you'll definitely be satisfied.

35. 385 和 On the Day We Divorced, a Mad Beauty Snatched Me Away 和离当天，我被疯批美人抢走了 Little White Pile白色小乌堆Ancient Romance311k WordsCompleted Mutual devotion + a rival who gets his comeuppance + happy ending Synopsis One: Jiang Xueci transmigrated into a book, becoming the brainless heroine who still loved the male lead even after he slaughtered her entire family. Jiang Xueci: “Ha...” How is that any different from falling in love with the prime minister of Japan in the real world? Suffer for the male lead and then get back together with him? No way. I'll cling to the antagonist's leg instead. With the story in my hands, either I live 1.4kReads9.2Score163Shelves

    Reader note

    These are the books I recently finished reading. Palace intrigue novels generally don't feature virgins. The first one wins the emperor's heart using Sun Tzu's Art of War [winking face]. The second one has a personal twist, featuring virgins [facepalm]. The third one is highly recommended! The author is so good at handling the characters; there was a scene at the end that almost scared me to death [rolling eyes]. The fourth one I just finished yesterday; I absolutely love the empress! The female lead is very "arrogant," seeking revenge directly and constantly requesting confinement just to avoid getting up early, hahaha [laughing]. The fifth one is a rebirth novel; the beginning is okay, but it doesn't become cliché later on and is worth reading [eating melon]. Now for the important part: the sixth one is highly recommended! The so-called loyal ministers and treacherous officials are just modern definitions. It has a bit of a "Little Prince Nanchen" feel to it. The female lead's father is the prime minister; she has power, connections, and money. The female lead is intelligent, develops her own power, and has a broad perspective. The romance between the male and female leads is also interesting, hahaha. This is the starting point for my return to ancient romance novels after many years. Highly recommend! Highly recommend! Highly recommend! Highly recommend! [Learned it][Learned it][Learned it][Learned it][Learned it][Learned it] If you don't like it, you can scold me [awkward laugh] Character traits: Not naive and innocent, they are all shrewd and intelligent, they are not love-struck, and they don't go digging for wild vegetables.

36. 386 重 Reborn in the Dragon Bed, the Beloved Consort Cries in the Emperor's Arms 重生在龙塌，宠妃抱着陛下哭 Staggering Along蹒跚行Ancient Romance461k WordsCompleted [A spoiled, sweetly obedient favorite consort VS a gentle, jade-like emperor who's sweet on the outside and ruthless within (they are not each other's first, but he dotes on her exclusively from the beginning to the end)] Jiang Shuyi's life as a favorite consort went smoothly for fifteen years. The emperor was gentle and benevolent, doting on her without restraint, and not a single woman in the harem dared challenge her. But she was blind to her own sister's treachery. In the end, her closest 100.8kReads9.2Score11.2kShelves
37. 387 天 Born with the Phoenix’s Fate, I Can’t Be Bothered to Be a Virtuous Empress This Time 天生凤命，这一世懒得做贤后了 Junior Attendant of the Court of Palace Attendants尚服局小内人Ancient Romance141k WordsCompleted I was reborn, and this time I’m not only going to be empress, but emperor too. I’ll rule the whole world, achieve great things, and build my own kingdom. Hahahahahahahahaha 12Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Rebirth/Wife-Chasing Cranefall—The female protagonist is a noblewoman from a prominent family. In her previous life, she was a victim of power struggles. Reborn back to her youth when she first entered the Eastern Palace, she faces a heartless and unfaithful husband again. Unwilling to let her gentle and virtuous nature ruin her life once more, she resolves to change things. She cultivates a good relationship with her mother-in-law, the Empress, learning her palace intrigue skills and strategies. She takes the initiative while secretly laying low, carefully planning her steps to embark on a life drastically different from her previous one. The story follows the protagonist's growth in a traditional ancient Chinese setting, set in a fictional Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties period. The references are meticulously researched, with clothing, food, and customs reflecting the characteristics of that era. It's a rebirth story about the life of a noblewoman in Jiankang, the capital city, as a Crown Princess. The ending sees the female protagonist triumph, while the male protagonist (the Crown Prince), who rose to power by scheming and stepping on others, is stripped of everything he cherishes—power and status—and dies a miserable death. A true "cranefallfall" story.

38. 388 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 25.2kReads9.5Score4kShelves

    Reader note

    This is truly a top-tier palace intrigue novel. 1. The female lead is intelligent, decisive, and passionate; the male lead is very discerning. In the early stages, the male and female leads test each other, but later the female lead dotes on the male lead exclusively.

39. 389 重 Reborn and Doted On: The War God's Brilliant Physician Wife 重生娇宠，战神王爷的医品悍妃 Jade Ink, Sparse Shadows锦墨疏影Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Super sweet, no angst + Reborn for revenge + Decisive and ruthless + Two strong leads, neither saintly] In her previous life, the Crown Prince schemed against her. On her wedding day, she went from being the legitimate princess consort of Prince Li to the Crown Prince’s secondary consort. She did everything she could to help him take the throne, only to see her entire family wiped out and die pierced by a rain of arrows. Reborn on the eve of her wedding, she won’t give the Crown Prince another 2.8kReads9.3Score465Shelves
40. 390 良 A Lovely Night 良宵好 Jing Ban静半Ancient Romance235k WordsCompleted Cheng Zhihe, a modern-day overachiever, suddenly wakes up in the Great Qi Dynasty, a realm absent from the history books. She has become the legitimate daughter of the second branch of a noble house whose title passes down through the generations. A life of wealth and luxury is within easy reach, so she plans to lie flat and enjoy the spectacle. What? You say the eldest branch's Earl Wenyuan has no son after years of marriage and plans to adopt the second branch's second son? The master of the s 36Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These two books are amazing! ① In the power struggle, your family is aligned with the crown prince. To secure military power for him, you must marry a military officer to pave the way for his ascension? A scholar's rebellion fails in three years. With troops at your disposal, what am I afraid of? Your family helps the crown prince seize the throne? Wouldn't it be better to kill the crown prince and take the throne yourself? ② Although it doesn't depict palace intrigue, it's still very good. The female lead is an older palace official who leaves the palace to marry. I especially loved the part where the male and female leads lead their families in fleeing famine; it was beautifully written, vividly portraying the desolation and despair of the lower classes. Then, the male and female leads painstakingly support the new emperor's ascension to the throne.

41. 391 整 Reforming the Harem, Starting with the Cold Palace’s Most Stubborn Resident 整顿后宫，从冷宫钉子户开始 One Dashing Stroke帅的一撇Ancient Romance258k WordsCompleted A lighthearted comedy. No need to think too hard. From the start, she lands in the Cold Palace. Out of my way! I'm taking the empress's guide to the top and whipping the harem into shape. A modern professional assassin, she is transported into the cutthroat imperial harem. She slaps the all-powerful seal-holding eunuch and makes bombs by hand. She gets the imperial consorts in line and leads the abandoned women of the Cold Palace to wealth. She believes that if you can settle things with y 228Reads6.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are super good, I highly recommend them to everyone.

42. 392 娘 The Empress Is So Sweet and Charming, Who Still Cares About a Lost Love? 娘娘又娇又媚，谁还稀罕白月光 Half a Month and the Fifteenth月半和十五Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted [Villainess Transmigrates into a Book + Top-Grade White Lotus + Winning Hearts and Minds + Not Both Leads' First Love] [The heroine looks like a pure, sweet little bunny, but she's actually a scheming temptress who knows how to play her cards.] When Xu Zhuohua is named crown princess, Crown Prince Qi Hecang and his secondary consort Lu Wanning are at the height of their love. As the hero of a male-oriented novel, Qi Hecang only cares about building his career, and his heart belongs solely to Lu 13.1kReads8.2Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    [Top-Rated Palace Intrigue Novels - Completed Selection] Six tales of scheming beauties rising to power, a must-read for those who stay up all night! Sisters, hurry up and check them out! 1. *The Empress is So Charming and Alluring, Who Still Wants the White Moonlight?* — I tore up the white moonlight script, and my charming and alluring nature became His Majesty's unforgettable love! Highlights: A scheming empress's revenge story; the white moonlight? I've already mastered that! 2. *After Substituting for Her Sister in the Palace, the Imperial Concubine Seduces the Emperor to the Throne* — A substitute bride turns the tables, using a carefully planned encounter to make the abstinent emperor completely fall for her! Highlights: A power struggle with unexpected twists; palace intrigue can be played like this? 3. *The Empress is So Charming and Alluring, Rising to the Throne Through Palace Intrigue* (The Imperial Concubine is So Charming) — Ascending to the position of Imperial Concubine, she carves her way through the harem with her tea-making skills! Highlights: 4. *The Story of a Black Lotus Heroine's Growth*, a showdown between two masters of tea ceremony. *The Charming Beauty's Deliberate Seduction Leads to the Cold Emperor's Fall* (Mingyue Dongjunxin) — A seemingly innocent but actually seductive beauty × a cold and abstinent emperor, a meticulously planned scheme of lust at first sight! Highlights: A two-faced beauty + the emperor's unexpected attraction; what he thought were coincidences were actually her premeditated plots. 5. *Palace Intrigue Begins Before the Selection* — The drama begins even before entering the palace? Seamless transition between domestic and palace intrigue! Highlights: A pre-selection palace intrigue tutorial, the eight hundred schemes of a young lady-in-waiting. 6. *Jiang Wan's Harem Promotion Diary* (Harem Step by Step Promotion) — A working-class woman transmigrates into a palace maid, using modern workplace rules to navigate the harem! Highlights: Palace intrigue + workplace philosophy, KPI-driven competition for favor that will have you laughing out loud. 🌟Reading Guide: ✅All completed, no pitfalls! It was so satisfying to binge-watch the entire series to the finale! ✅ All the female leads are career-driven, and palace intrigue without romance is what makes it so exciting. ✅ There are constant plot twists and reversals, with memorable scenes in every chapter.

43. 393 司 The Retired Life of a Female Court Archivist 司籍女官的退休日常 Jing Ban静半Ancient Romance561k WordsCompleted [Fictional setting, not a transmigration or rebirth story + household intrigue + lady of the house] [Early story: self-reliant junior female official x by-the-book prefect] [Later story: perceptive and sensible lady of the house x scheming grand secretary] Wu Xi has spent thirteen years in the palace, struggling her way up, cautious and restrained, dodging countless hidden attacks. At last, she earns the position of sixth-rank female official in charge of the palace library. But then the former 1.1kReads8.6Score105Shelves
44. 394 渣 You Can Keep That Trash King. I'll Marry His Imperial Uncle in Style 渣王你爱送给你，华丽转身嫁皇叔 One Dashing Stroke帅的一撇Ancient Romance297k WordsCompleted The rating has just come out a little low, but don't worry, it'll rise soon. [Both are pure] [He'll regret it endlessly] [Crush the scum] [Doted on by everyone] [Pin the Imperial Uncle against the wall] In her past life, she was an orphan who endured every hardship the world had to offer. No one cared for her or loved her. She had no friends or family, was utterly alone, and in an age when connections ruled, she could only struggle to make her way on her own. How unfortunate she was... After 773Reads7.7Score—Shelves
45. 395 精 The Refined Self-Serving Life of the Imperial Harem 精致利己的后宫生活 Extra Extra Extra Spicy微微微微辣Ancient Romance906k WordsCompleted Content warning: Good and evil are relative, human nature is complicated, and the heroine is an unapologetic self-interested pragmatist. As a low-ranking palace maid, she has hundreds, even thousands, of mountains bearing down on her. Life is truly miserable... Rather than toil away her whole life, become a eunuch's bedmate, and be cremated after death, with her ashes scattered into the Rebirth Well so that they become one with his... Ji Hansu decides to find herself a better place to end up. As 1.2kReads7.2Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    Not a clean romance novel, but a story of palace intrigue and domestic power struggles.

46. 396 假 What If An Lingrong Were Reborn Before the Selection 假如安陵容重生回了选秀前 Coco Nanan's Little Fox可可奈奈的小狐狸Female-Channel Fanfiction457k WordsCompleted An Lingrong was reborn at the inn where she had stayed before the selection of palace candidates. In that moment, the bitter taste of apricot kernels filled her mouth. Bitter, so bitter, unbearably bitter... In this life, she never wanted to taste bitter apricot kernels again. She knew she had neither grand ambitions nor lofty aspirations. All she wanted was to live a peaceful life. 431Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    An Lingrong was reborn and originally wanted to get along well with Zhen Huan and watch her survive to the end. However, Zhen Huan remained suspicious, and they eventually fell out. The writing is alright.

47. 397 岁 Years in the Palace 岁岁宫阙 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance706k WordsCompleted Liu Yuetang was sent to a country estate by her legitimate mother the day she was born. When she came of age, her older half-sister gave up her chance to enter the palace because of a dream, stole her match, and spent the night with her betrothed. Liu Yuetang went along with it and decided to enter the palace to carve out a bright future for herself. Once inside, she kept a low profile, learned the arts of the bedchamber, and mastered the art of playing hard to get, pouting coquettishly, and put 11.3kReads8.9Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    They are all very beautiful

48. 398 荣 Don’t Cling to Glory and Splendor; It’s Time to Go Home 荣华休恋，归去来兮 Mr. Fanyang范阳先生Ancient Romance416k WordsCompleted She was a modern high school history teacher who transmigrated by accident into the body of the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Princess Rongxian of the Great Liang dynasty. Her grandfather was a first-rank Grand Tutor, and her father was the Minister of Revenue. At sixteen, the emperor betrothed her to Prince Chen as his principal consort. He was the emperor’s fourth son, a celebrated God of War who had made his name in battle at sixteen. He could not forget his first wife, while she had neve 425Reads8.4Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female lead is of noble birth and is the male lead's second wife. After the male lead ascends the throne, she is made empress. The female lead has to deal with the male lead's first wife's substitute, the first wife's half-sister's palace intrigue, and the first wife's daughter's constant provocations against her...

49. 399 反 The Villain Transmigrates into a Psycho, and the Regent Blushes Red 反派穿疯批，摄政王被亲红温了 One Dashing Stroke帅的一撇Ancient Romance514k WordsCompleted [One True Love for Each + Conquering the World] She gave her heart to the wrong man! The man she loved most severed the tendons in her hands and feet, gouged out her eyes, and threw her off a cliff. She was dead! What kind of ridiculous melodrama was this? “Author, I’m sending you a box of knives! Can you even write? If not, let me take over!” The moment she finished commenting, she transmigrated. A major villainess transmigrated into the body of a cannon-fodder character and instantly became a 1.1kReads6.9Score118Shelves
50. 400 大 The Splendor of Great Zhou 大周风华录 Is Wasabi Spicy?芥末辣不辣Ancient Romance4.3M WordsCompleted After three years of drought, the land was strewn with the dead. Her parents sold Qin Fengyao as a “two-legged sheep.” Faced with certain death, she sold herself into servitude and escaped with the human traffickers. Sold to the Chang family, she accompanied their eldest daughter through confiscation of their property and desperate flight, then their restoration to favor. She helped the young lady establish herself in her husband’s household, became embroiled in the struggle for the throne, and, 21.7kReads9.2Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Check out this book! It features an ensemble cast, no time travel, palace intrigue, domestic power struggles, and a strong female protagonist who grows through character development. The main character is brave, resourceful, and witty. The pacing is tight, the author's writing is quite good, and it's a very interesting read.

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