Pure Palace Intrigue, with Cutthroat Scheming. The Female Lead Must Be Clever 纯纯宫斗文，斗得死去活来的那种。女主一定要聪明

1. 101 穿 The Transmigrator Was Killed by This Princess 穿越者被本宫反杀了 Tang Bu Tian唐不甜Ancient Romance583k WordsCompleted The breathtaking Princess Sheng'an married a little-known adviser, and everyone in the realm laughed that such a pearl had been hidden in the dust, accusing her of having no taste. Only when Qinglu's iron cavalry had crossed every inch of the land and brought the whole realm under its rule did people realize that Princess Sheng'an was a fox and her adviser a tiger. He had the talent to shape the world, yet willingly bowed his head and let the young lady run wild over him. After a lifetime of bei 310Reads9.0Score10314d adds

   Reader note

   It doesn't feel like it's a life-or-death or life-or-death situation, but the male and female leads have a pretty sweet relationship with no setbacks or misunderstandings. The female lead is also strong-willed and assertive, and she's just as capable as the male leads.

2. 102 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 12.7kReads8.2Score1.2k14d adds
3. 103 综 Comprehensive Qing Dynasty Transmigration: The Idle Consort Is Bound to Two Systems 综清穿：咸鱼娘娘绑定了两个系统 Little Falling Leaves落木小小Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The Qing-dynasty transmigration setting in this story is bizarre and bears no relation to actual history. It is entirely fictional!] World One: The Noble Lady Makes a Comeback (Complete) World Two: Consort Zhao Dies of Old Age (Complete) World Three: Consort Ping Livestreams Her Qing-Dynasty Life (Complete) World Four: Consort Cheng Has Multiple Births (Complete) World Five: Fleeing with Fourth Master (Complete) World Six: Taking the Nine Princes into the Apocalypse (Complete) World Seven: Cons 6.5kReads9.0Score41214d adds

   Reader note

   I really enjoy reading palace intrigue novels set in the Qing Dynasty. Some of the books below feature characters who travel directly to the Qing Dynasty for palace intrigue, but my favorites are crossover Qing Dynasty transmigration novels where I become minor characters and participate in palace struggles, such as An Lingrong, Xia Dongchun, Huanbi, Su Xin, Jin Yuyan, Wei Yanwan, and so on, as well as the concubines...

4. 104 快 Quick Transmigration: I Become a Favored Consort in the Qing Dynasty 快穿：我在清朝当宠妃 OofyAncient Romance3.2M WordsCompleted [Qing Dynasty transmigration + quick transmigration + golden finger + raising children + selfish heroine + heroine becomes emperor + female emperor] The working life of Yu Suisui, a laid-back second-generation employee at the Quick Transmigration Bureau. She starts transmigrating into the roles of Qing palace consorts who love but cannot have, and desire but cannot obtain. [Warning: Fans of the Fourth Prince, Eighth Prince, and a 3.4kReads8.2Score18814d adds
5. 105 毒 The Poisonous Consort Goes on a Killing Spree: The Tyrant Begs Her to Go Easy 毒妃杀疯了：暴君求轻虐 Qin Qin Can't Write秦秦不会写Ancient Romance112k WordsOngoing [Strong heroine + revenge + palace intrigue + satisfying read] Six years ago, Qin Qingqian's father stumbled upon a scandal in the imperial palace, and the Empress ordered his entire family wiped out. That night, flames soared into the sky, and blood stained the place where she had grown up. She narrowly escaped, but from then on carried an overwhelming grudge of blood and vengeance. She concealed her identity and lay low in the darkness. Six years later, the Emperor fell gravely ill and took to —Reads—Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   These two books are so good! The female lead in the first one is a bit of a scheming woman, not a naive and innocent one, and the female lead in the second one is quite ruthless.

6. 106 宫 Palace Beauty 宫姝 Clear Summer Xixi清夏兮兮Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted She dared not love too deeply, afraid it would all turn out to be nothing but a dream. She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, scheming every day to win the emperor's favor; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, with invisible blood staining her hands; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts. In the end, it was only what she had imagined. 8.3kReads9.2Score95314d adds

   Reader note

   The novel tells the story of Su Jingxi, who enters the palace at the age of fourteen through the imperial concubine selection. She initially thought that entering the palace would mean vying for favor and having blood on her hands like other concubines. However, because she met Emperor Zongzheng Jin, she remained as pure and beautiful as she was at fourteen for the next several decades. The novel is purely about palace intrigue, without any domestic drama, and is a sweet romance. The female lead is not a Mary Sue or a naive character, but rather someone a little smarter and luckier than average. The book depicts a series of events in the palace, such as Consort Zhen giving birth to twins and the changing fates of palace figures. Finally, on the third day of the seventh month of the thirty-seventh year of the Zhou Yuan era, Empress Su died, and the Emperor was deeply grieved. On the sixth day of the fourth month of the thirty-ninth year of the Zhou Yuan era, the Emperor abdicated in favor of the Crown Prince and then passed away.

7. 107 综 Crossover: A Harem’s Daily Survival 综影视之后宫生存日常 Warm Sunny Sunny Sunny Sunny暖阳阳阳阳Female-Channel Fanfiction2.0M WordsCompleted A day-to-day story about either slacking off, striving, or stirring up trouble in the imperial harem. 1. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Jin Yuyan (Consort Jia, completed) 2. Empresses in the Palace: Guaerjia Wanrong (Auntie Gua Liu, original character, completed) 3. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Lu Muping (Consort Qing, completed) 4. Empresses in the Palace: Su Mei (original character, completed) 5. Scarlet Heart: Fourth Prince's Consort (completed) 6. Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Shui 284Reads8.3Score—14d adds
8. 108 清 A Qing Dynasty Transmigration: The Life Player 清穿之生活玩家 Cat Butterfly猫蝶Ancient Romance465k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + lots of childbirth + clear-headed, decisive black-lotus heroine + managing the harem + slow transmigration] World One: Kangxi, complete. World Two: Yongzheng, complete. She transmigrates into the Qing palace. Starting out in modern times as a hairpin maker, Jiang Mengyu puts every skill at her disposal to work. She's already started hustling, thanks! No feelings, just technique. Her intelligence stays sharp, and she's a born workaholic. Content warning: When faced with life-or 4.1kReads9.2Score29514d adds

   Reader note

   College students don't lie, these six are my favorites. They're not like the kind of books that Tomato could write. They're fan fiction, but they're really exciting. Pure palace intrigue, no saints, high IQ, and the ruthless side is so satisfying. I love that ruthless flavor.

9. 109 大 Three Thousand Dreams: Empresses in the Palace 大梦三千甄嬛传 Chasing Dreams in the Stream of Light流光寻梦Female-Channel Fanfiction1.3M WordsCompleted This is the author’s third novel, and after the first two, this one should be a bit more polished as well. The idea suddenly came to me while I was putting my daughter to bed. By the time I’d mostly figured it out, she still wasn’t asleep, so I picked up my phone and wrote the outline. I hope you all enjoy it. 1.5kReads6.9Score10214d adds
10. 110 我 My Years as a Benevolent Mother in the Qing Palace 我在清宫做圣母的那些年 Tsukimino E月见里绘Female-Channel Fanfiction2.5M WordsOngoing [A vengeful ghost from a mass grave × a scheming palace-conquering beauty × a golden finger bigger than the sky] Shanyue, a ghost from a mass grave, is reborn in the worlds of Empresses in the Palace and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace as a “living bodhisattva,” carrying a body full of resentment. Save the consorts? Soothe the children? She turns the consorts against one another and uses others to assassinate royal heirs. Beneath the compassionate guise of Guanyin lurks a demon from the depths o 31.3kReads8.7Score1.3k14d adds
11. 111 从 Starting with Empresses in the Palace 从甄嬛传开始 Third Watch Night Rain三更夜雨Female-Channel Fanfiction1.4M WordsOngoing The autumn-night waters of the Thirty-Six Palaces, dew glistening on the lofty parasol trees. The jade clepsydra drips steadily, while the bright moon rises above the gilded gate. Red carpets, a Boshan incense burner, fragrant breezes stirring the tassels in secret. The sheep-drawn carriage has gone, leaving only green weeds and a lonely phoenix reflection in the dusty mirror. 4.6kReads7.9Score10814d adds
12. 112 快 Quick Transmigration: The Frail Darling Everyone Adores Is Caught in a Ruthless Struggle 快穿：病弱万人迷在疯狂内卷中 Biology Nerds Never Give Up生物狗永不认输Ancient Romance385k WordsOngoing [Quick transmigration + sickly beauty heroine adored by all + unconventional strong heroine + both 1v1 and 1vN romances + men competing in a battlefield of love + the heroine does not compete with other women!!!] Currently updating: Princess Anding Ruan Rouqi is a perennial bottom-ranker in the Rules Department. Without fail, her missions always end with the male lead imprisoning her yet again. Her System can't stand it anymore and requests her transfer from the Rules Department to the Supportin 4.2kReads8.6Score19314d adds
13. 113 安 An Lingrong Transmigrates Into Qingying: Me? Her White Moonlight? 安陵容穿越成青樱：我？白月光？ Lin Youuu林佑uuFemale-Channel Fanfiction147k WordsOngoing [Harem] [White Moonlight] [A Touch of Strategy] [Affection-Building System] [Black Lotus Heroine] [Multiple Love Interests] [Includes Empresses in the Palace Content] The rating just came out, so it's a little low! Also, this book doesn't ship Zhen Huan with anyone, but it won't vilify her either. Feel free to skip it if that bothers you~ The main framework is Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, with content from Empresses in the Palace woven in. The characters' intelligence will gradually rise to 71Reads6.9Score—14d adds
14. 114 综 Film and TV Crossover: The Ultimate Winner 综影视：最终赢家 YoubiLee悠比LeeFemale-Channel Fanfiction1.9M WordsOngoing It's all right. I'll be the final winner. Main fandoms: Empresses in the Palace and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. First world: Ulanara Yixiu (complete) Second world: Fucha Langhua (complete) 22.3kReads9.3Score72614d adds
15. 115 娘 The Empress Is So Cunning, Her Political Rivals Are Doomed 娘娘心机太深，政敌要被玩死了 No Worries, No Worries无烦无烦Ancient Romance416k WordsOngoing [Female-Led Political Intrigue, Workplace Power Fantasy, Ruthless in the Later Stages, Interlocking Cases] Just how satisfying is a truly career-driven female lead? She takes an eighth-rank county deputy and raises her to a third-rank official, and turns a palace maid who swept floors into the head of the Six Bureaus. A maid in her service is getting married? She gets a lavish wedding outfit and a procession stretching ten miles! Want to build a career? Pick any prime shop in the capital! The he 98Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    It's more than just palace intrigue; it's pure political struggle. There are no fools, no filler, no clichés—it's all about fighting from the moment you open your eyes. The scheming is incredibly deep; you can see it in the chapter titles. The Thirty-Six Stratagems are all being employed.

16. 116 娇 The Sweet, Beloved Consort Who Bewitches Hearts 娇娇宠妃惑人心 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance425k WordsCompleted [Not a pure couple; he dotes on her exclusively later on; a little palace intrigue; the heroine is a master flirt; story complete] She transmigrated from the modern world. Quirky and clever, she was also a brilliant actress. Emperor Shengwu could govern with effortless command, bring peace and stability to the realm, and win battles from a thousand miles away, striking fear across the four seas. He was an emperor who held all power in his hands and ruled over all beneath the heavens. Yun Mengq 56.6kReads9.3Score6.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    Ladies, everyone go watch this! It's a story of a clear-headed, strong female lead. She's intelligent, resourceful, and cunning, single-mindedly focused on climbing the social ladder. Go watch it! [Upvote]

17. 117 借 Surrogate Motherhood? The Second-Time Bride and Beloved Consort Insists on Rising to the Top 借腹生子？二嫁宠妃偏要步步高升 Silver Terrace and Golden Palace银台金阙Ancient Romance626k WordsCompleted [A gentle, kind widow and an arrogant, biased emperor. Sweet, doting everyday romance, with little palace intrigue (the emphasis is on little).] The Yu family had three daughters, all beautiful. The eldest became a countess, the youngest became a consort in the palace, and only the second daughter returned home a widow less than five years after her marriage, with a little girl in tow. One day, the palace consort suffered a miscarriage and was told she would have difficulty bearing children in t 21.5kReads9.3Score3.2k14d adds
18. 118 谢 Empress of the Xie Family 谢家皇后 Song of the Yue People越人歌Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted In her first year in the palace, she is a Talented Lady. In her fifth, she is a Jieyu. In her tenth, she wants to become empress. As empress, she can hold on to everything she treasures and keep it from being taken away. She can protect herself and her child, and she can... stay by his side. This is a road with only one direction: take a single step back, and all will be lost. The bright yellow ceremonial parasol moves forward, and the emperor's procession slowly enters the city gate. A yellow p 8.8kReads9.2Score1.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    I highly recommend these palace intrigue and domestic drama novels!!! I've been reading for about ten years now, and apart from the last one, which is an unconventional palace intrigue/domestic drama, the rest are all top-notch in their genre.

19. 119 笑 Laugh at Her Divorce? After She Marries the Emperor, You'll All Kneel Before Her 笑她和离？改嫁帝王后都给她跪下 Guest from the Immortal Realm仙中客Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted The heir of the Duke of Qingguo doted on his concubine and neglected his wife. The emperor felt sorry for the man’s wife and brought her into the palace to look after her. The result was the birth of several little princes and princesses. Full synopsis: Yun Qing’s father commanded a powerful army. Several princes wanted to marry her to gain control of his troops, which aroused the emperor’s suspicions. To protect both her and the Yun family army, her father had no choice but to petition the empe 14.8kReads9.0Score2.1k14d adds
20. 120 一 Part Ways in Peace, General, Let Me Be Beautiful on My Own 一别两宽，将军自重，妾身想独美 Lu Li路鲤Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted 67.6kReads8.9Score15.6k14d adds
21. 121 贵 The Noble Consort Is Stunning, and Both Emperor and Empress Fight to Spoil Her 贵妃娘娘真绝色，惹得帝后争相宠 Returning South南归Ancient Romance600k WordsCompleted Yao Ying saves a stranger, never expecting him to be Ying Heng, the emperor’s eldest son. After waking, Ying Heng falls for Yao Ying at first sight. He showers her with concern day after day, and eventually wins her heart. Then he comes to the Yao residence to ask for her hand as his principal consort. Her mother tells her he is no good for her, but she ignores the objections and insists on marrying him. Yet just before he is due to marry her, he takes Su Wanrou, the eldest daughter of Chancello 5kReads9.2Score60314d adds
22. 122 响 Echoes Across the Empty Mountain 响空山 Lu Shuiling鹿水灵Ancient Romance307k WordsCompleted [One-on-One, Lighthearted Comedy, Happy Ending, A Scheming but Cowardly Beauty vs. a King Kept as a Canary, Both Chaste, Joyful Reunion and Happy Ending] Liu Shaosheng, the second young lady of the Minister of Rites' household, is unpopular and considers herself wicked and spiteful. But she's too timid and cowardly to act on her bad ideas, so not one of them has ever come to pass. For all her unlikeable failures, she once managed to do something remarkable. She hid Qi Shuo, a wanted criminal of 2.5kReads8.8Score24414d adds
23. 123 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 5.1kReads9.0Score58714d adds
24. 124 娘 The Empress Is Sweet and Alluring, Winning Favor and Rising to Power 娘娘娇软妩媚，一路争宠上位 Bell Meow铃铛喵Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (A pure palace-intrigue story, not a one-on-one romance, and not a mutually faithful pairing. Proceed with caution!) Bai Ruotang is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Right Chancellor’s household. At fifteen, just after coming of age, she is sent into the palace to bear a child for her legitimate elder sister and help her secure the emperor’s favor. Unwilling to be reduced to someone else’s pawn, from the moment she steps through the palace gates, she decides she will carve out 10.5kReads8.9Score1k14d adds
25. 125 妃 A Consort's Scheme for the Emperor's Heart 妃谋帝心 Falling Ashes坠落的灰Ancient Romance527k WordsCompleted With her father turning a blind eye and her stepmother throwing her weight around, Mu Li is ordered to marry an old prince as a concubine. They tell her this is her fate. Mu Li refuses to believe it. She has never believed in fate… Just then, the imperial household holds its selection of consorts. Daughters of officials of rank eight or above who are of suitable age may participate. Mu Li thinks: Since I’m to be a concubine, why not become the concubine of the most powerful person in the realm? 9.1kReads8.9Score1k14d adds
26. 126 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 60Reads5.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The pure palace intrigue, the life-and-death struggle, the rebirth of Consort Hua

27. 127 蕊 Ruican 蕊灿 Liu Lianzi流潋紫Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted After a century of turmoil and endless warfare, everyone thought Su Xinyuan had traveled through several kingdoms and finally found safety and good fortune. She had lived through two dynasties, enjoyed unbroken favor, and was destined for greatness. The former dynasty's ruler valued her deeply: while the empress was alive, Su held authority over the six palaces, and the empress scarcely concerned herself with palace affairs. In the new dynasty, the ruler's heart belonged to her alone. Only she k 1.5kReads8.1Score24714d adds

    Reader note

    Liu Lianzi's new book, "Rui Can," has a word count exceeding that of "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace." It's a grand story about a strong female lead with a very rich detail.

28. 128 穿 Transmigrated as Hoifa-Nara: I Slack Off and Still Get Promoted at Every Turn 穿成辉发那拉，摆烂升职一路开挂 Qi Shaojun柒少君Ancient Romance372k WordsOngoing Transmigrate + intelligent inner-court and palace intrigue + carefree farming and dog-raising + face-slapping and crushing scum + no romance-brained heroine + carefully plotting her way to cheat-level success and rise to empress (The early plot is a little slow to warm up, but it gets exciting later, so feel free to skip ahead. Palace intrigue is the main focus, with a romantic storyline involving Emperor Qianlong woven in. The heroine isn't blinded by love and has a clear goal: climbing the ran 7Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A Qing Dynasty time-travel story about palace intrigue and power struggles. Watch as Consort Hui-fa-na-la uncovers the mastermind behind everything in the inner palace, and see Consort Xian rise from humble beginnings to become Empress. The story is a bit slow-paced at the beginning, but the later plot is exciting. You can also skip around. The female lead is not love-struck; she is clear-headed, intelligent, and not a saint.

29. 129 累 I'm Exhausted! To Fool Him, I Pretend to Be Sweet and Innocent Every Day 累死！为了骗他，本宫日日装娇纯 Deer in the Deep Forest深林的鹿Ancient Romance455k WordsCompleted “If you want to win, you have to learn how to lose first.” Meng Xianxiang lost a life, and learned to struggle, to seize what she wanted, to scheme and plan, and to claw her way up. Looking back on her previous life, she had lived in a stable, eaten pig slop, served tea and emptied chamber pots, enduring abuse and humiliation at every turn. Each memory was a stab to the heart. Given another chance, she wants status and power, and a world where no one dares bully her again. Behind the palace’s re 3.5kReads9.2Score30214d adds

    Reader note

    These are all palace intrigue novels I read from beginning to end. The female leads are all incredibly intelligent and emotionally astute; they know exactly what they want and how to deceive everyone else. 😎😳

30. 130 栖 Bough of the Phoenix Perch 栖凰枝 Lu Shiqi鹿时七Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Short drama now available. Search "A Sigh for Youth". Starring Mi Qi and Wang Kang] Also known as "I'm a Psychology PhD, and I'll Slaughter My Way Through the Palace" Palace intrigue + sweet romance + not both leads' first relationship + heroine focused on her career On her first day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue fell out of favor. Everyone said she was nothing but a pretty face, a vase. On her second day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue regained the emperor 36.9kReads9.4Score4.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    This is truly a fantastic read! The female lead is incredibly insightful and intelligent! And the author is a guy! I've recommended it countless times! Reading the whole book left me feeling completely drained, and it was incredibly educational.

31. 131 撕 Tear Apart the Harem! Win Favor! She's a Lunatic, Who Dares Cross Her? 撕后宫！得恩宠！她是疯批谁敢惹 Cats Are Extra Sweet猫猫特别甜Ancient Romance683k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue Only + Concubine-born Daughter + Reborn + Revenge + Everyone Is Evil + Wish-Fulfillment] [The story begins before the heroine enters the palace] [The emperor favors no one at first, and the heroine doesn’t fall in love] Jiang Shiying had died once. She died in childbirth, after her own elder sister had her killed to keep the baby. Reborn, she had made up her mind: she would enter the palace and get revenge, but she wouldn’t suffer! Not her stepmother or her elder sister, not eve 7.5kReads9.3Score95214d adds

    Reader note

    All three books received high scores and were incredibly good. I started reading the first one because the author had finished another book, but it turned out to be just as good. The female lead is always very clear-headed and has a very clear goal. The second book is a bit more fantastical, but it's still very fun, interesting, and funny, though it also has some angst. The third book was also excellent, but it's been a while, so I've forgotten a bit.

32. 132 朕 The Emperor Finds His Consort Alluring; I Find His Majesty a Jerk 朕见贵妃多妩媚，妾见皇上甚是渣 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance458k WordsCompleted [No transmigration or rebirth] [Pure palace intrigue] [The heroine never falls in love] Jinyue, the legitimate eldest daughter of a general's household, is chosen in a selection for the imperial harem. The Empress appoints her as a spy and marries her off to the Crown Prince as a secondary consort. The moment she enters the Eastern Palace, she understands that she and Zhongli Jin are bound only by mutual interest. There can never be the slightest affection between them. After sixteen years in th 2.5kReads9.0Score24214d adds

    Reader note

    The third book is truly unbeatable.

33. 133 疯 Mad Empress: I’ll Be the Harem’s Number One White Lotus 疯批皇后，争做后宫第一白莲花 Luo Zhi洛枝Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Transmigration into a fictional setting + highly intelligent heroine in palace intrigue + face-slapping + a volatile, multifaceted personality + not a clean romance] Lin Junxue transmigrated to the Xie Dynasty, an era that had never existed in history, and ended up as an unloved empress who had no idea how she died. She’d thought she was a powerless, unloved empress, but it turned out the original owner’s father was a first-rank military marquis, a loyal servant of the court for three generatio 24.4kReads9.1Score2.8k14d adds

    Reader note

    (Time travel/alternate universe + high-IQ female lead in palace intrigue + face-slapping + crazy, multifaceted personality + not a clean romance) Highly recommended.

34. 134 侯 The Marquis's Estate Honors Class 侯府重点班 Passion Fruit百香果果Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted The print edition of The Marquis’s Elite Class is now available [adorable children + parenting + doting in-laws + lighthearted + healing] Xu Wan becomes a widow the moment she marries into the family. All she wants is to keep her head down and enjoy the freedom of being a marquis’s wife. But on the very day she arrives, her stepson, a notorious little menace throughout the capital, gives her two nasty surprises in a row. Xu Wan grabs a knife and charges out, making a name for herself across the 58.7kReads9.6Score8.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    The novels I recommend all have extremely high ratings; they're pure mind-bending stories, all palace intrigue, and very engaging.

35. 135 太 The Crown Prince’s White Moonlight Can’t Compare: The Soft, Sweet Girl Is His True Love 太子白月光不香，软娇娇才是真爱 October Brocade Deer十月锦鹿Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted Sweet romance! Palace and household intrigue + reborn heroine + transmigrated rival + face-slapping the beloved white moonlight The Crown Prince has a beloved woman. She's beautiful and talented, forthright by nature, and the orphaned daughter of a loyal martyr. She and the Crown Prince grew up together, yet she claims to see him as an older brother and refuses to enter the Eastern Palace and share a husband with the other women. The Crown Prince is utterly devoted to her and has turned down th 5.7kReads8.5Score54214d adds

    Reader note

    I'm currently following both of these myself, and they really suit my taste. The first one is a serialized novel; if you can't wait, you can stock up on it. The female lead is murdered and is reborn to take revenge on her enemies. The second one is a transmigration novel; the female lead is ruthless and has very high standards for herself, which is very satisfying to read 🥰🥰

36. 136 清 Qing Transmigration: The Poisonous Beauty's Path to the Top 清穿：毒美人的晋级路 Midnight Stars深夜星辰Ancient Romance573k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Su Jianjian was a lowly Han Chinese maid in the Qing palace. Her entire family was killed for no reason. In this life, Su Jianjian has returned as a Golden Core Grandmaster... And of course, she intends to repay every grudge and avenge every wrong! She'll also use Kangxi to forge her heartless Dao foundation, comprehend the Dao, and ascend to immortality. At first, the consorts thought: “She's just a Han woman. She's no threat.” Not long after: “...That lowborn Han wom 1.2kReads8.2Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    This is my beloved book 😋

37. 137 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. 3.8kReads9.2Score40914d adds
38. 138 清 Qing Transmigration: With a Pocket Dimension, the Emperor's Sons and Grandsons Fall for Me 清穿：空间在手，龙子龙孙爱上我 Spreading Fire蔓生火Ancient Romance999k WordsCompleted [Qing Dynasty time-travel + adored by everyone + Mary Sue + light, feel-good wish fulfillment + nontraditional harem + sweet romance + both leads are devoted to each other (in my opinion, so those with intense purity concerns, stay away) + petite and soft, easy to sweep off her feet] Nan Xun obeys her mother’s orders and heads south to find her father. She doesn’t find him, but accidentally falls into a lake. When she opens her eyes again, she’s in the Qing Dynasty. Armed with a pocket dimension 107Reads9.2Score—14d adds
39. 139 皇 Your Majesty, I Think Your Palace Maid Is Cursing You Again 皇上，你家宫女好像又在骂你 Six Yuan六元钱Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The irresistible appeal of what you once rejected + powerful men bowing their heads + a double-standard male lead + raising her before a story of power and statecraft + romantic push and pull + he truly doesn’t love her at first, but gives his all once he does] Su Nanchu is unruly. Shen Jingzhi has always known that. But life in the palace is dull, and he doesn’t mind having a little plaything who can kick and scream. She becomes his daily amusement: reading memorials, practicing calligraphy, a 11.6kReads9.2Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    The first thirty or forty chapters might make you feel the female lead is too wronged, but the further you read, the more addictive it becomes. The male lead is truly a qualified emperor, and he even has a guiding, romantic feel to him, though it's very well hidden and hard to notice until later. The female lead isn't a pushover either; she's very astute and knows how to assess situations. Under the male lead's guidance, she becomes increasingly outstanding. The only downside is the male lead's impurity; I actually disliked him somewhat in the early chapters, but after reading further, especially when he says, "An official should not pursue profit with the people," my admiration for him skyrockets. He has a grand vision for the nation, loves his son and his people, and is truly suited to be an emperor. He also gradually learns to love through his daily life with the female lead, and later you realize that it's a mutual process of taming each other! It's so good! There are too many merits to list. Read it all! If you still don't like it after reading the first hundred chapters, feel free to criticize!

40. 140 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. 424Reads8.9Score—14d adds
41. 141 综 A Comprehensive Qing Dynasty Journey: Splendid Elegance 综清穿：锦绣风华 Drunk in the Flower Fields花田醉Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted (Alternate Qing Dynasty setting + Space + System + Slow Travel Through Worlds + Strong Female Lead + Feel-Good Story) Her golden finger is seriously overpowered. She can torment anyone she likes, but never the heroine. There may not be a love interest in every world. (A quick heads-up: this is a Qing Dynasty crossover story. The heroine will transmigrate into all kinds of roles. If that's not your thing, feel free to leave. There's no need to tell the author you're dropping the story, or to stic 12.8kReads9.2Score72614d adds
42. 142 重 Reborn: Cao Qinmo Battles Her Way Through Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 重生之曹琴默斗穿如懿传 The Spinning Mad Bellflower悬转的疯铃草Female-Channel Fanfiction383k WordsCompleted 645Reads8.9Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    These three are truly the best palace intrigue novels I've ever read. The female protagonists are clear-headed, strong, and intelligent, with values ​​that really appeal to me. They climb step by step from a lowly position to the highest, ultimately having children and allies. I think I've given the positive characters a good ending. The villains are also intelligent and well-developed, making them both hateful and pitiful. The plots are full of twists and turns, and the author is very good at keeping readers hooked. After finishing one chapter, I just wanted to read the next; I couldn't put my phone down at all! [Frustrated][heart emoji]

43. 143 被 The Truth Came to Light After My Lingchi Execution, and the Whole World Wept for Me 被凌迟后真相大白，天下为我哭疯 Three Two Five三二五Ancient Romance541k WordsCompleted A transmigrator stole her body, and she could only watch helplessly as the interloper poisoned her husband, abused her own child, returned to the General's Residence as the true heiress, poisoned the false heiress, and committed one wicked deed after another. Everyone turned against her, and she was sentenced to death by a thousand cuts... Three years later, she reclaimed her body and walked down from the execution platform in blood-soaked clothes. She swore to take back everything she had lost 905Reads8.9Score10514d adds

    Reader note

    They're all incredibly beautiful, so beautiful I don't even want to say anything. Anything that stays on my bookshelf is absolutely top-notch!! 🤔

44. 144 娇 With the Adorable Beauty at His Side, Even the Cold-Blooded Powerful Official Is Stirred by Mortal Desires 娇娇在侧，冷戾权臣也被撩动凡心 Floating Snow Returning飘飘回雪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Mutual devotion, sweet romance] Su Jiaojiao transmigrates with no grand ambitions. She only wants to make money, enjoy life, and be free. But her stunning looks catch the eye of Song Chi, the Prince of Jiangnan. He falls for her at first sight, and has only one thought when he sees her: I want her! “You're a merchant's daughter. It's your honor to be my concubine.” “I want to be your girlfriend.” “Your girlfriend? What's that?” “We can kiss, cuddle, and sleep together. No titles, no strings att 56.3kReads9.0Score6.8k14d adds
45. 145 舔 Three and a Half Years as a Simp, Then the System Told Me I Had the Wrong Target 舔狗三年半，系统说我攻略错对象 Beauty Zhang Sanfeng美女张三疯Ancient Romance386k WordsCompleted [The physical edition of Abandon the Dark and Join Him, Volume One, is now available for purchase online] [The Second Male Lead's Redemption Arc] 1. Qiao Yin spent three years and eleven months fawning over Lu Jinzhi. Everyone in the capital knew she would marry no one but him, yet the System told her: She had pursued the wrong target. Qiao Yin: ... 2 Qiao Yin suddenly vanished from Lu Jinzhi's side. On the first day of her disappearance, Lu Jinzhi sneered: Just a little game of playing hard to 48.4kReads9.4Score5.9k14d adds
46. 146 诱 Tempting the Villain 诱反派 Queen Julian朱莉安女王Ancient Romance198k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication] After transmigrating into a book as the cannon-fodder princess who dies tragically on her wedding night, Shen Ruan takes the initiative to seduce her husband, the Prince Regent, to stay alive. The Prince Regent has the face of an immortal, but he's ruthless, murderous, and volatile. He's the story's greatest villain. Shen Ruan goes to great lengths to tempt him, using both her beauty and clever schemes. From time to time, she also has to moonlight as the villain's bedmat 6.1kReads9.1Score65414d adds
47. 147 可 Damn! Why Is the Crown Princess Surrounded by Suitors Everywhere? 可恶！怎么到处都是长公主的鱼！ What Did I Do Today今天我干嘛了Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Short drama of the same name] [The Princess's World of Flowers] Now streaming [Content warning: The female lead is not exclusive, but all the men are, so read with caution] [Schrodinger's playgirl × a whole lot of men] [Lighthearted, not a serious historical drama] [Original title]: Too Many Men Are Such a Hassle. Who Should I Spoil? Wen Yu transmigrates into the Great Sheng Dynasty as its beautiful, useless, brainless eldest princess. After learning that the original owner drowned by accident 47.6kReads9.5Score6.4k14d adds
48. 148 王 A Concubine’s Daily Struggle to Stay Alive in the Prince’s Manor 王府侍妾的苟命日常 Panda Little Moneybags熊猫小财迷Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Intense Household Intrigue + A Touch of Ensemble Cast + Plot-Driven + Everyone Has Eight Hundred Schemes] After transmigrating into the body of a concubine in the Prince of Jing's residence, Xie Run only wants to live in peace and, ideally, reach a hundred years old. At first, everything in the prince's residence is orderly. The prince shares his favor equally, the princess consort's position is secure, and the secondary consorts and concubines know their place. Who could have guessed that ever 22.7kReads9.1Score2.2k14d adds

    Reader note

    They fight to the death, some time-travelers, some reborn, some transmigrated into books, some holding the script of a powerful female lead, all killing each other indiscriminately, all for the sake of promotion rather than becoming emperor.

49. 149 熙 The Daily Records of Consort Xi 熙贵妃起居注 Mo Mo Bu Ting莫莫不停Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Shen Tingnian has nothing going for her except a pretty face. As the Grandson's Concubine, she always wore a cold, world-weary expression around everyone, saying only that the days and nights in the Palace of Guanghan were endless, and that the human world would remain the same with or without her. As the Crown Prince's Concubine, she brazenly did as she pleased with the Crown Prince during the late emperor's mourning period, causing endless strife and bloodshed. As Noble Consort Xi, she set her 65Reads8.6Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    How good is it? It's the only book I could enjoy reading during a creative block! It's not tiring to read at all, the writing is smooth, and the female lead is very intelligent.

50. 150 宫 A Palace Maid’s Daily Struggles 宫女奋斗日常 Phantom Beneath the Moon月下幻影Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ling Huan has skin as smooth as ice and looks like a goddess, yet she has no interest in power and thinks only of leaving the palace. In the end, neither she nor her child meets a good end. Given another chance, her goal is to raise her child well and become Empress Dowager herself. A palace-intrigue story with a strong female lead. The heroine is ruthless and clever. A thoroughly satisfying read. 5.9kReads9.2Score84614d adds

    Reader note

    This is a truly pure and straightforward female protagonist novel.

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