I’ve Been Obsessed with Palace-Intrigue Stories Lately. Ladies, Hand Over Your Books! 本宫最近迷上宫斗文 各位娘娘把书都交出来吧

1. 1 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 23.3kReads9.1Score2.3kShelves

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   This book is quite good; I've already read it three times. A friendly reminder: the female lead's boyfriend is not a virgin. If you can't accept that, then don't bother reading it.

2. 2 入 Entering the Imperial Harem 入春宫 Kun Yuan坤垣Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + villainess with a career-driven mind + fluffy mind-reading + men competing for her] Su Fuqu was the legitimate youngest daughter of the Grand Preceptor. She and the Crown Prince, Qin Zhaolin, grew up together and were deeply in love. But after she came of age, Qin Zhaolin abandoned her, chose her cousin as his wife, and asked Su Fuqu to become his concubine. She turned around and schemed her way into the emperor's bed, sowing discord between father and son and throwing the pal 64.7kReads8.9Score8kShelves

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   This book is absolutely amazing! (Although it's still ongoing.) The female lead fakes a pregnancy to win the emperor's favor and even gets sent to the cold palace, but she's determined to get revenge for all the mistreatment! The female lead is incredibly clear-headed and engages in a life-or-death struggle with the emperor.

3. 3 龙 The Dragon Heir Is No Dragon: Consort Chen's Path to the Empress's Throne 龙嗣非龙，宸妃的夺后之路 Fireflies by the Inkstone砚边萤火虫Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted [Harem Intrigue + Regent Prince + Fake Imperial Heir + Seizing the Empress's Throne] Within six months of entering the palace, Ye Wan Qin climbed from a county magistrate's daughter to Consort Chen, becoming the emperor's favorite above all others. But Empress Qin Zhi Mo came from a powerful family, the Empress Dowager watched her like a hawk, and the emperor had no heirs. With another palace selection looming, she panicked. A frank remark from her childhood friend, an imperial physician, made h 684Reads—Score109Shelves

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   Palace intrigue, female-centric, no male lead, career-oriented 😆

4. 4 娇 The Sweetheart Deliberately Seduces the Cold Emperor, and He Falls for Her 娇娇蓄意勾引，清冷帝王沦陷了 Mu Niannian慕年年Ancient Romance651k WordsCompleted Palace intrigue + push and pull + seduction and rising to power + falling deeper at every step + devotion to one woman in the later story Loving her and knowing it + a man in power bowing his head for love * The short drama is out now. Search for “The Sweetheart Deliberately Seduces Him, and the Cold Emperor Falls” on Fanqie or Hongguo to watch the full series. * Pei Tingyue transmigrated into a book. She became a disposable consort in The Palace in Power. In the original story, she was simple-m 38.3kReads9.3Score4.4kShelves

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   My favorite is the third book, because it's the one that made me obsessed with palace intrigue.

5. 5 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 57.2kReads9.5Score7.1kShelves
6. 6 一 A Lifetime of Tender Love 一世娇宠 Banyan Leaf榕叶子Ancient Romance535k WordsCompleted Gu Qingzhi has never suffered the slightest injustice in her life. Born to a concubine, she should have been sent away from the household with a marriage contract. But she was extraordinarily lucky: her father had her, his only precious daughter, in middle age. Gu Yuan is clever and calculating, and spent the first half of his life chasing fame and success. In the second half, his only concern is this innocent, naive daughter. He dotes on her, holding her in the palm of his hand and granting her 11.4kReads8.8Score739Shelves

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   The first book features a female lead who is a villain and doesn't try to whitewash herself; she's very good at pretending to be a scheming woman. The second book features a female lead who starts as a palace maid and gradually rises to become empress. The third book features a female lead who transmigrates into a book. The fourth book features a female lead who is the male lead's white moonlight, the person he loved in his youth; both are very good at acting. The fifth book features a female lead who has been pampered since childhood; she's a bit mischievous but not overly so, and the male lead adores her.

7. 7 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 116.7kReads9.5Score11.1kShelves
8. 8 皇 A Royal Concubine 皇家妾室 A Bottle of Milk with Wangzai一瓶牛奶加旺仔Ancient Romance242k WordsCompleted [The heroine does not transmigrate, has no golden finger, and is not the sole object of the prince’s favor. He may favor her more later on. Read with care if that bothers you.] Qiao Weiyue was born into a merchant family. Because of her beauty, she was presented to Prince Jin as a concubine. She knew her place. The prince would never favor her alone, and she couldn’t compete with noblewomen who had powerful families and plenty of tricks up their sleeves. So she could only cling tightly to Prince 7.1kReads8.4Score850Shelves

   Reader note

   1, 3, And 4 are the best!! They're all palace intrigue novels, and the female leads are all very clear-headed and resourceful, ultimately reaching the top!!

9. 9 听 Rumor Has It the Noble Consort Alone Enjoys the Emperor's Favor in the Deep Palace 听说贵妃在深宫独得圣上恩宠 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance568k WordsCompleted When they were young and love stirred in his heart, he took her in. Once he held power, he had no choice but to hide her away. In the lonely inner palace, she waited quietly, day after day and year after year. For power and status, he feared nothing. He overcame every obstacle and held her close. Behind layer upon layer of palace gates and red walls, a dream within a dream awakened the lovers from their reverie. 9.2kReads9.0Score593Shelves

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   Both are good, but I prefer episode 128 because I always have a soft spot for the female lead.

10. 10 贵 The Noble Consort Is Cool and Aloof, and the Emperor Yearns for Her Night After Night 贵妃清冷，圣上夜夜相思 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance448k WordsCompleted Shen Qinghe was in the bloom of youth when she entered the palace, where she weathered its intrigues for more than a decade. She had hoped to leave with a reward one day, or perhaps spend her whole life peacefully as a palace official. But then an order came down, and one day she unexpectedly became an imperial consort. She watched these women fight day after day, never expecting to become entangled in their schemes herself. Shen Qinghe could only sigh. He was the emperor, and she was a palac 13.3kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves
11. 11 匠 Crafting a Phoenix: From Consort Jin to Empress Dowager 匠心谋凰：从瑾嫔到太后 Round and Round转转转圈圈Ancient Romance915k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue, alternate setting, a vast harem with many ranks, not a one-on-one favorite, most characters are clever and ruthless, a few are reckless fools, and the heroine stays clear-headed from beginning to end. A satisfying story with a touch of ensemble cast.] Tang Yuan is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Works, sent into the palace by her father as a lucky charm to prove his loyalty. But that’s fine by her: Her ambitious and capable father earns her steady promotions in the e 1.3kReads8.0Score149Shelves
12. 12 娘 Her Grace Is Cool and Gentle, and Everyone Loves Her 娘娘她清冷温柔惹人爱 Yue Xiao悦肖Ancient Romance404k WordsCompleted A pure palace-intrigue story, in classical style. No transmigration, no rebirth. The fate of a noblewoman has never been hers to decide. She is Yun Wan, the Chancellor's only legitimate daughter. Her destiny was set from birth: everything she learned was solely to prepare her to enter the palace. Would she willingly enter the palace and fade into obscurity, becoming a pawn the emperor could use to keep the Yun family in check? Or would she carefully maneuver her way into becoming the favorite co 1.4kReads8.4Score118Shelves
13. 13 中 The Empress of the Central Palace 中宫元后 King Smile笑笑大王Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + marriage before love + palace intrigue] (This is a fictional setting, written as I please. Please don't hold it against me if it doesn't fit history.) Qiao Shanshan, who lived to thirty on Blue Star, died while saving a child. Only after reaching the underworld did she learn that it wasn't her time to die. The soul reaper had taken the wrong person. To make it up to her, the King of Hell promi 15.3kReads8.2Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist transmigrates into a book and becomes an empress (she's pregnant at the start). Originally, she thought she could just live a peaceful life as an empress, but she's constantly forced into palace intrigue.

14. 14 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

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    Your Majesty, please check this.

15. 15 娇 A Scheming Childhood Friend Charms the Coldhearted Emperor into Surrender 娇媚心机青梅诱，薄情帝王沦陷深 Fu Yuan福媛Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Pure palace intrigue + the leads are not each other’s first + no saintly heroine] P.S. The heroine is a villainess who takes the initiative. A bewitching, scheming beauty × a cool, heartless emperor An imperial decree made Chu Miaowei the crown prince’s secondary consort. With the little affection her childhood friend, Crown Prince Xiao Jinghuai, had for her, she could have lived a smooth and happy life. But she had no interest in love. She only wanted power. How could the position of secondary 668Reads5.5Score101Shelves
16. 16 囚 The Tale of Imprisoned Jade 囚玉传 King of Rock Sugar Pork Knuckles冰糖肘子大王Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing 196Reads8.1Score101Shelves
17. 17 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
18. 18 蠢 The Adorably Clumsy Imperial Consort Is the Emperor's Sole Favorite 蠢萌帝妃，陛下独宠 Fish in the Sea海里鱼Ancient Romance2.3M WordsOngoing Not faithful to each other! Sweet and angsty! No rebirth, transmigration, golden finger, or wish fulfillment! [Palace Intrigue + Political Scheming + Age Gap + Ensemble Cast + Healing + Family and Country + Slow-Burning Romance + A seemingly silly, adorable, pitiful heroine who's actually wise and perceptive vs. a clear-headed, rational emperor who dotes on her] Su Chao is sent into the palace as the family's “little pebble,” and things go disastrously from the start. Her paternal aunt is the em 4.2kReads8.7Score218Shelves

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    🌹Jiang Hui is the emperor's white moonlight. She enters the palace as a concubine, feigning weakness and carefully maneuvering her position. She gives birth and gradually rises to the position of empress.🎉🎉 🌹The second Yue Li, as a palace maid, originally only wanted to diligently perform her duties and save money to leave the palace. However, fate led her to become a concubine, thus embarking on a path of palace intrigue.🎉🎉 🌹Because her cousin in the palace died, the somewhat naive Xiao A Chao was sent into the palace as a test, gradually winning the emperor's heart. The heroine's family is powerful and ruthless, but the heroine herself is somewhat foolish due to being framed.🎉🎉

19. 19 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 23.9kReads9.3Score1.8kShelves
20. 20 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
21. 21 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

    🍅This palace intrigue novel is incredibly captivating. The female leads are all exceptionally intelligent and emotionally intelligent, cunning, and not saintly figures. It's not a story of double purity (no reincarnation or transmigration), it's purely about palace intrigue, and it's a high-level palace drama. Later on, some of them become the emperor's favorites (manipulating the harem), while others directly rule from behind the curtain (holding the reins of power).

22. 22 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 90.8kReads9.5Score12.4kShelves
23. 23 满 The Entire Court Longs for the Empress to Attend Court and Rule 满朝文武盼着皇后娘娘上朝理政 Lantern Festival Dumplings元夕圆宵Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (The live-action series is out!) After her elder sister dies in palace infighting, Shen Shixi enters the palace by imperial decree to be selected as a consort. Within the palace are the powerful and virtuous Empress, born to the imperial in-laws; Consort De, born to an aristocratic family and exceptionally prolific; Consort Rong, the Emperor's favorite, with a strong artistic streak; Consort Qiong, whose superb cooking has won the Emperor's heart; and Consort Xiurong, known as a learned woman an 49.7kReads9.1Score5.4kShelves

    Reader note

    I was really into palace intrigue novels for a while, and these are the ones I stayed up all night to finish!! 2.6 Is a bit lighter and funnier. The rest are all palace intrigue novels, and they're all great!! [Drooling][drooling]

24. 24 失 A Lost-Memory Noble Consort’s Story of Winning the Emperor’s Favor 失忆贵妃承宠记 Xi Die汐蝶Ancient Romance288k WordsCompleted [Harem romance + aloof beauty + historical coming-of-age + worlds apart in status + devoted in body and heart, one-on-one] Kang Yuyi was born a hereditary servant of the Prince of Qin’s household. Because of her extraordinary beauty, the princess consort took a liking to her and sent her to serve as a bedchamber maid to the heir, Li Yuanheng. But the heir turned out to be cold and distant, with no interest in women. After Kang Yuyi’s attempts to flirt with Li Yuanheng repeatedly failed, his cous 18kReads9.3Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist rises through the ranks from a lowly maidservant to a concubine, then a secondary consort of the crown prince, a noble consort, and finally the empress! At the beginning, she's already a noble consort, but wakes up with amnesia, only remembering her days as a maid. The domineering noble consort becomes adorably naive, and the emperor is completely captivated.

25. 25 蓄 Long-Planned: The Chief Councilor’s Daily Devotion to His Wife 蓄谋已久：首辅大人的宠妻日常 I Am the Blooming Prosperity花开富贵本花Ancient Romance566k WordsCompleted “The rating just came out, so it’ll go up later.” Sweet, delicate beauty × scheming powerful official. A marriage that turns into tooth-achingly sweet love! “The aloof beauty comes down from her pedestal of her own accord.” A spring palace painting leads to “bedroom lessons,” and the heart-fluttering moments just won’t stop! Reading guide: Both leads are virgins, happy ending, sweet romance with no angst, sugar from beginning to end! Qin Nuan married Shen Yanqing, the Chief Minister who was the 31.3kReads8.9Score2.9kShelves

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    I am also obsessed with this book: Double Cleanliness, Marriage First, Love Later, Long-Premeditated, and Cookies After Wedding! The pure and unmistakable ancient sayings are so fragrant ✨ What Qin Nuan thought was a coincidence was all Shen Yanqing's "plan" - secretly hiding the sachet, painting her portrait, learning to draw eyebrows, the flower of the high mountain took the initiative to step down from the altar to pamper his wife!,,,~,! [Lick screen]

26. 26 深 A History of Rising Through the Harem 深宫上位史 Que Ling Yan Zi雀翎宴子Ancient Romance401k WordsOngoing Her father asked her, “If you enter the palace as a Talented Lady, isn’t that enough for you?” She smiled. A Talented Lady was a rank anyone could trample on. If she was going to enter the palace, she might as well do everything she could to climb higher. She would be satisfied only when she reached the position she wanted. Xiao Lin had many women in his harem, but one day there was someone he wanted to favor above all the others. Since he had already chosen to favor her, he might as well indul 1.6kReads6.5Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead starts as a lowly concubine, with clear goals and a calculated approach, neither reckless nor naive. The male lead's affection develops gradually, not blindly doting. The palace intrigue and romance intertwine, making for a very engaging read.

27. 27 重 Reborn: I Became Crown Princess by Stepping on His Moonlight 重生后，踩着白月光成了太子妃 Tian Nanxing Nan天南星南Ancient Romance239k WordsCompleted In her previous life, the empress harmed the entire Xie family for her own selfish desires, sentencing them all to execution. Only Xie Shuhua managed to escape by sheer luck. To get revenge, Xie Shuhua entered the palace as a maid. She spent fifteen years navigating its treacherous waters before finally killing the empress herself and avenging her family. She, too, was pierced by a thousand arrows. When she opened her eyes again, Xie Shuhua discovered that she had returned to the age of sixteen, 2.8kReads8.6Score268Shelves

    Reader note

    It started with the Crown Princess... And then in the end, after the female lead had enough children, she directly gave the male lead a drug that would prevent him from having children [smirk] and framed his mortal enemy for it.

28. 28 娇 So Pure and Innocent as a White Lotus, How Could She Be Scheming to Seduce Him? 娇娇纯净似白莲，怎会心机引诱？ Melon Egg瓜蛋Ancient Romance536k WordsCompleted [A femme fatale schemes for power, leading the hero step by step into ruin.] Jiang Yueyao is ruthless and destined to become empress. She first meets the emperor at a palace banquet. She is the most favored concubine of a minister, and after a palace consort publicly humiliates her, she drops to her knees and pleads for mercy, looking heartbreakingly beautiful beneath the dazzling palace lanterns. She meets the emperor for the second time in the study at her residence. Frantically fleeing her hu 4kReads9.0Score423Shelves

    Reader note

    Strong female lead / From lowly to the highest rank + palace intrigue + multiple children + exclusive favor + no romance (completed)

29. 29 生 Have a Child! Get a Raise! Become Empress Dowager! 生子！加薪！当太后！ Wangshu and Xihe望舒共羲和Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Palace Intrigue + A Heroine Who Treats the Concubine Harem as a Career and Becomes Empress Dowager + Support-Only System + Lighthearted Daily Life] One day, Xunzhen transmigrates into the body of a concubine-in-waiting and is utterly apprehensive. The harem is a place where those with low status have no say over their lives, while those with high status become targets for everyone. So she can only set herself one goal: climb to the rank of consort and at least make it into midd 13.7kReads8.7Score791Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel just finished airing today. The author portrays Xiao Xun as lively, interesting, and quite strong. It's not a very intense palace intrigue story, so reading it isn't oppressive. What I admire most about the author is that she never missed a single day from the beginning to the end, updating promptly at midnight every day.

30. 30 原 I Thought the Imperial Palace Was a Prison, but the Emperor Held Me by the Waist and Spoiled Me 原以深宫似海，却被帝王锁腰娇宠 Ningning Zi柠柠梓Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + Empress + Devoted couple and sweet romance + Male lead has planned this for a long time + Not a serious palace-intrigue story] Lu Zhiyuan is the cherished youngest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo’s household. She is exquisitely beautiful, with an accomplished elder brother who supports the family’s prestige and a second elder sister skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting who brings the family honor. She has no need to contribute anything to the family, and 12.7kReads8.9Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is about the emperor gradually falling for the female lead. The second book is similar, with a very clear romance, but a few typos. Those who can tolerate that can take a look. The third and fifth books are by the same author and are really well-written. In the third book, the female lead is exceptionally clear-headed, and both she and the male lead gradually develop feelings for each other, making the romance very distinct. The fifth book is similar to the third, but it's the author's first work, so there's a slight lack of experience, but it's still okay. The fourth book is about an emperor who has long plotted to marry the female lead, even going so far as to scheme against her best friend, who is also her brother. The sixth book is a pure palace intrigue novel with no romance. The female lead is exceptionally clear-headed and insightful. The seventh book is a bit silly, but still quite good. The third book is also very well-written. I highly recommend the third book; it's truly excellent.

31. 31 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 5.9kReads8.5Score564Shelves

    Reader note

    I read both books cover to cover, chapter by chapter. The female leads are very likable; they're vengeful but not saintly, and both stories feature characters who are exclusively loved. The villains are quickly defeated. [Eating popcorn][eating popcorn]

32. 32 绿 The Green Tea Extra's Palace of Peril Diary 绿茶龙套的祸宫日记 Third Lady三娘子Ancient Romance213k WordsCompleted [A bewitching, scheming, drama-loving actress and a restrained emperor whose old flame reignites] [No System, no pocket dimension. She rises to power solely through beauty and cunning.] [The emperor is far from chaste, but he absolutely dotes on her alone.] A B-list actress known for playing bit parts gets exposed as a fake sweetheart and is struck by lightning. When she opens her eyes, she has somehow become an all-powerful female lead. The problem is, she's a conniving fake sweetheart who can' 15.5kReads9.1Score2.3kShelves
33. 33 辛 Empress Xin 辛后 A Little Qixi一只七喜Ancient Romance733k WordsCompleted She once saved him from the snow. Later, she became the calamity he pushed into hell with his own hands. (Her point of view) Nan Xin is the most beloved youngest daughter of Nan Xun, the powerful chancellor of the Guo Kingdom. She is stunningly beautiful, yet innocent as snow. In the winter of the twenty-third year of Yongchang, she finds a mute boy in the snow and saves him, tending to him with care and cherishing him as her only refuge. But then she stumbles upon her father’s secret and is loc 1kReads8.2Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend! I'm currently following the fourth book; it's really good.

34. 34 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 42.1kReads9.6Score6kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonists are all very clear-headed and don't love the emperor; they are intelligent and resourceful.

35. 35 娇 The Sweet Little Promise Who Rose Through the Ranks by Bearing Children 娇娇小答应靠生子一路晋升 Purple Cat紫色猫Ancient Romance355k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + System golden finger + multiple births + silly beauty + laid-back palace intrigue + doted on exclusively later + not a pure romance] Guys, how is this fair? Other women fight for favor with their family background, beauty, and talents... Qing Luo does it by getting pregnant. She spends her days having babies, raising them, and doting on them, gradually earning the emperor's exclusive favor. With her children by her side, she climbs to the top of life... 10.3kReads9.1Score960Shelves
36. 36 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 116.2kReads9.6Score16.7kShelves
37. 37 宫 Palace Intrigue Simulator: From Palace Maid to Empress Dowager 宫斗模拟器：从宫女到太后 Dye a Thousand Mountains染千山Ancient Romance168k WordsOngoing Pure palace intrigue, with no exclusive favor for the female lead. The heroine has little regard for morality and great ambition, and has many children. There may be a dragon-slaying plotline. Xie Zhiyuan transmigrated into the lowest-ranking palace maid in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Palace Service Office was a dead-end department: the heaviest work and the least perks. Her monthly allowance was docked by the senior maid, the other palace maids bullied the original owner, and a lecherous old eu 46.6kReads7.6Score13.3kShelves
38. 38 女EN The Heroine’s White Moonlight: The Emperor and His Dark Moonlight Are Already Intimate 女主白月光，陛下和黑月光熟透了 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance447k WordsCompleted [Cold, ruthless emperor vs. crazy, adorable heroine] She transmigrates into the legitimate daughter of Prince Jin'an, a cannon-fodder character who dies early in the book. Arrogant and extravagant? She'll own it. Crazy and vicious? That too. But sit around and wait to die? Not a chance. The male lead, who comes to Jinzhou to find evidence that her father, Prince Jin'an, is plotting a rebellion, is none other than Zong Zhengheng, emperor of Great Zhang. If he wants to be her kept man for a mon 117.4kReads9.0Score19.6kShelves

    Reader note

    It's super good, although the rating isn't high yet and it's not finished updating.

39. 39 成 On Our Wedding Night, the Obsessive Crown Prince Took Me to the Eastern Palace 成亲当晚，偏执太子夺我入东宫 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted The aloof, possessive Crown Prince × the dazzling beauty who loves money Everyone in the Eastern Palace knows that the Crown Princess was snatched away from someone else by the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince, as elegant as jade and as clear as moonlight, fell into the sea of love, there was no climbing back out. He Yue transmigrated to ancient times and became the owner of a rouge shop. She wasn’t rich or powerful, but her life was peaceful and carefree. Then one day, the woman she liv 35.3kReads9.0Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Book 1: Ning Shuyan is very clear-headed; what she wants is wealth, status, and the Emperor's favor. Xiao Yu was immediately interested in her upon their first meeting. Everyone said the Emperor's interest in her was only temporary, but that very interest led him to spoil Ning Shuyan for a lifetime… Book 2: At first, Shen Jingzhi treated her like a little toy, not bothered by it. It wasn't until Su Nanchu became increasingly arrogant that Shen Jingzhi wanted to end the game, only to realize he had unknowingly fallen deeply in love. Initially, he said, "Is a palace maid worth all this trouble?" Later, he said, "I'm willing to bow down and be with you, to share this life with you; I'm willing to share my empire with you." Book 3: In her past life, Shen Fu was a substitute for her elder sister. She conceived a dragon child for her infertile elder sister. But the moment she gave birth, her usually gentle and virtuous elder sister turned on her. Reborn and back on the dragon throne, she desires the greatest power and the most prestigious status in the world. As long as she firmly grasps the emperor's heart, everything will be hers. The fourth book: This isn't a sweet romance novel; neither the male nor female lead has perfect personalities. The female lead, He Yue, is a transmigrator whose life is changed by a man her neighbor rescued. She dislikes power because she finds the palace a cannibalistic place that terrifies her, and she has someone in her heart—her modern boyfriend, who later disappears. (This might be a bit unclear; to clarify, her boyfriend also transmigrated to this era, but he was already dead when she arrived.) The male lead grew up in the cannibalistic palace, where imperial power is supreme. They first meet when the male lead abducts the female lead back to the palace. Although he treats her well, she dislikes the palace and constantly thinks about escaping. With the help of the male lead's father, she takes a fake death potion and escapes the palace. (The female lead's sweetheart, who transmigrated to this world, is the head of the Duan family, who once helped the male lead's father. He had a premonition that Yueyue would also come here and arranged everything before his death.) A year later, she was still discovered by the male lead and brought back to the palace… Later, the male lead gave the female lead a drug that would make her forget her past life; I forgot the name. During this time, they were sweet for a while, but I've forgotten the specifics. Later, it seems the male lead learned how to love the female lead, and the female lead let go of her past life. In the end, they lived together perfectly (this is just my personal summary…). …I'm tired. If anyone wants to know what happens next, I'll tell you.

40. 40 退 After Breaking Off the Engagement, the Foolish Princess Marries the Ninth Lord with Her Four Maids 退婚后，傻妃携四大丫鬟嫁九千岁 Clingy Little Tomato粘人小番茄Ancient Romance1.8M WordsOngoing [Palace Intrigue + Household Intrigue + Historical Romance + Princess Consort + Legitimate Daughter + Medical Skills + Two Powerful Leads + Cunning + Playing the Fool + Reborn + Fiercely Protective + Political Scheming] 99% of the comments are positive! Read with confidence! Su Qian, once the leader of a special forces unit in the apocalypse, died unexpectedly while carrying out a mission. With her portable medical space, she transmigrated to ancient times and into the residence of a great gener 22.8kReads8.1Score3.8kShelves

    Reader note

    No more feeling lost in a reading slump! This book is definitely worth following. The plot is engaging, the characters are compelling, and there's no disappointing ending. You won't regret reading it; you'll want more after you finish! A highly recommended gem! The plot is tight and fast-paced, with plenty of exciting moments that don't feel frustrating. The writing is smooth and immersive. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked and won't want to put it down! I've discovered a treasure of a novel, with likable characters, an explosive plot, and not a single dull moment. If you like this genre, don't miss it! [Shy]

41. 41 作 The Spoiled Consort Holds the Emperor’s Heart All to Herself 作精娘娘她独揽圣心 Yi Jiu Lu宜久录Ancient Romance167k WordsCompleted (Don't click in if you want to avoid this: the heroine is a silly, naive sweetheart, she's stupid, and this is a practice piece. It's not good.) Nalan Cairen, spurned by the emperor for two years, has won his favor again! The news sent porcelain crashing in the harem for an entire day! (Any similarities are purely coincidental.) Nalan Huiyin accepts her transmigration without a fuss. The original owner was abused, left hungry and poorly clothed. But now that she's transmigrated here, she's liv 245Reads9.2Score—Shelves
42. 42 我 My White-Eyed-Wolf Sister and I Were Reborn and Swapped Souls 我和白眼狼妹妹重生后灵魂互换了 Luo Zhi落之Ancient Romance178k WordsOngoing A cunning, ruthless heroine versus a twisted, obsessive hero In her previous life, Su Yu'er enjoyed the emperor's favor without end, until Shen Ningyue and the empress conspired to frame her. Reborn, she and Shen Ningyue switch souls. Now in Shen Ningyue's body, she initially plans to pretend they've made peace and team up with Su Yu'er to get revenge. But that plan falls through, so she lies low at Lady Zhaohua's side and stokes conflict in the harem, sowing suspicion between the empress and L 8Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's still being serialized, and it's really exciting!

43. 43 前 My Ex-Husband Gets to Be a Dad? I'll Marry a Rugged Man Who Can't Have Children and Carry Twins 前夫喜当爹？我嫁绝嗣糙汉怀双宝 Ke Xin柯新Modern Romance211k WordsOngoing [Period] [Second Marriage] [Rugged Husband Dotes on His Wife] [Twins] [Brutal Revenge on the Scumbags] [Size Difference] Zhao Qingqing had been married for seven years without a child. Her mother-in-law beat her and drove her out, while her ex-husband rushed to marry a widow carrying another man's baby. Qingqing immediately turned around and married Han Tie Zhu, the ferocious butcher rumored to be unable to have children, whom no one in the commune dared to cross. Han Tie Zhu seemed cold and sho 576Reads—Score106Shelves
44. 44 贤 The Worthy Consort Is Still Taking It Easy Today 贤妃今天也在咸鱼 Misty Clear Melody渺渺清音Ancient Romance625k WordsCompleted In the harem of Emperor Chenyuan of the Great Jin, there is a dignified and gentle empress, a charming and lovely Noble Consort, a peerlessly beautiful Consort Li, and a clever, kindhearted Consort Hui. Talented women abound, and the competition is fierce. Han Shuyi looks left and right, but can't find a niche for herself as Worthy Consort. Oh, well. Competing for favor now and then while choosing to lie flat the rest of the time: that's the real truth of life in the harem. * As emperor, Meng Ti 22kReads8.2Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book even had the emperor helping with the power struggle.

45. 45 静 The Prince Jing’s Consort: Master, Save Me 静王妃之师傅救我 Murong Yiyu慕容忆鱼Ancient Romance807k WordsOngoing Originally titled The Princess Consort of Prince Jing, this novel was renamed The Princess Consort of Prince Jing: Master, Save Me in memory of a departed friend. It tells the story of Princess Murong Jingwen of Beiping. After descending from Yuntai Mountain, she misses her chance to marry Lin Yutai and is sent far away to the Chen Kingdom to wed Prince Jing as part of a political alliance. She is abducted along the way, and meets Li Chaoyang, a villager of the Chen Kingdom. Thus begins the stor 63Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This recommendation is verified.

46. 46 娘 The Consort Is Alluring and Seductive, and the Cold, Cruel Emperor Can't Resist Her 娘娘妩媚妖娆，冷戾帝王不禁撩 Xu Xiao Yuan许小圆Ancient Romance362k WordsCompleted With an imperial decree, Gu Wanying, daughter of the Marquis of Guangping, is betrothed to the Prince Regent. The night before the decree arrives, she learns that the world she's in is the setting of a novel she read in modern times. The male lead in the book is a prince. He and the heroine, Meng Xin, have loved each other since they were young, but Meng Xin is taken into the imperial harem and becomes a favored consort. From then on, Feng Yuzhao goes to war, conquering new territory and buildin 6kReads8.9Score452Shelves
47. 47 贵 The Delicate, Soft-Bodied Imperial Consort Turns Her Obsessive Emperor into a Devoted Puppy 贵妃身娇体软，偏执帝王变身忠犬 Tang Ling sally棠泠sallyAncient Romance385k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Unreasonable, Exclusive Devotion + Scheming Green-Tea Heroine + Obsessive, Love-Struck Hero] In the first year of Yongzhao, the new emperor ascended the throne and issued an edict summoning the former crown prince's betrothed concubine to serve in the palace. The world could not understand it, and the court historian condemned him, but Xiao Yu remained determined. * Yun Miao had seen the harshness of the world from a young age. All she wanted was wealth, status, and supreme po 2kReads8.8Score215Shelves

    Reader note

    Sigh, the second book is the absolute best!

48. 48 娘 The Empress Commands the Realm 娘娘母仪天下 Blazing Peach桃桃灼Ancient Romance107k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + heroine stands on her own + mild angst, aimed at the emperor] Jiang Wanxi and Xiao Yunsong were once childhood sweethearts, innocent and deeply in love. But in the end, their feelings couldn’t withstand the fickleness of the human heart. Time passed, their love changed, and one beautiful woman after another appeared in the palace. Their promise to stay together for life had long since faded away. Jiang Wanxi has already let go. She only wants to spend her life protecting her po 18Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female and male leads are childhood sweethearts. The female lead is the empress from the beginning, but later the male lead forgets that the person he loves is the female lead because the transmigrated woman alters his memories. However, the female lead doesn't care who the male lead loves; she only wants to keep her position as empress and her child's position as crown prince. So, she gives the male lead a drug that prevents him from having children. In the end, the female lead successfully becomes the empress dowager. Those who are interested can take a look (it's only about 100,000 words [laughs][laughs]).

49. 49 我 After I Rebelled, the Emperor Fainted on His Dragon Throne 我造反后，皇帝哭晕在龙椅 Qiqi JiuW9琪琪九W9Ancient Romance14k WordsCompleted After I Rebelled, the Emperor Cried Himself Unconscious on the Dragon Throne 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is highly recommended, you absolutely must buy it!

50. 50 我 I’m Fighting for Favor in the Palace, and You’re Watching the Show??? 我在宫斗，你在看戏？？？ Dreams on the Mountain山上有梦Ancient Romance492k WordsCompleted A no-holds-barred harem showdown. Got the guts to join? ^_^ [Pure palace intrigue + characters who aren't dumbed down + clear-headed heroine + no pointless self-torment + cheerful and lighthearted] After Qiu Ju dies, she transmigrates to the Qianyuan Dynasty and becomes a low-ranking palace maid. Because she doesn't want to get up at three in the morning to work, she decides to seduce the emperor... Her modest goal: become a consort who has to get up no earlier than five in the morning... 5.4kReads9.0Score492Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a pure palace intrigue novel. The female protagonist is clear-headed, not love-struck, and not a saint. The plot is reasonable and lighthearted.

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