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. 401 抽 The Lottery System: The Green Tea Consort's Daily Balancing Act 抽奖系统：绿茶娘娘的端水日常 Senior Brother Is Right大师兄说的对啊Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Alternate setting, not an exclusive romance, and they are not each other’s first and only. The heroine doesn’t love the emperor; she’s only doing her job.] From palace kitchen maid to empress Everyone thinks Ye Yu owes her success to the emperor’s devoted love. Alas, love that runs too deep never lasts… [Your remaining days of survival are running low. Please recharge.] Ha. As if there’s any true love in an imperial household. She has her transmigration-awakened Empress Growth System to th 485Reads7.1Score100Shelves

   Reader note

   Starting as a lowly palace maid, the story rises step by step through various ranks; it's very captivating.

2. 402 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score435Shelves
3. 403 太 The Empress Dowager's Retirement Life 太后的退休生活 Zhou Xinhan周信含Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + female lead is the mastermind behind the scenes + no romance + plot-driven + ensemble cast] After transmigrating to the Great Jing dynasty, Su Minqing entered the palace as the empress. She worked tirelessly at palace intrigue for over a decade and finally fought her way to becoming the Empress Dowager. The only catch was that there was another Empress Dowager in the palace besides her. As the emperor’s adoptive mother, she was named the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces. The 6.1kReads8.4Score352Shelves

   Reader note

   This is an incredibly satisfying and enjoyable novel! The female protagonist's life after retiring as an empress dowager is described at the beginning. Highly recommended! It's a fantastic read!

4. 404 清 The Noble Consort Rong’s Daily Life Raising Children in the Qing Court 清穿荣妃娘娘养娃日常 Silver Candles in Autumn Light银烛秋光Ancient Romance560k WordsOngoing (Qing dynasty transmigration + System + raising children + palace intrigue) Other people’s leveling-up strategy is to start with a bowl and scavenge everything else. She starts with nothing but herself, and has to give birth to everything else. Yunchu’s first assignment after transferring to the Qing Dynasty Transmigration Department is to have babies and raise children. 429Reads8.9Score—Shelves
5. 405 我 I’m Sweet and Well-Behaved, So Why Am I the Harem’s Only Favorite? 我又乖又美，独宠后宫怎么了？ Yi Jiu Lu宜久录Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance + Harem + No Angst] A lively, stunning beauty + a devastatingly handsome, love-struck good emperor. (He’s love-struck but knows right from wrong) (No cutthroat palace intrigue) (Not a devoted couple) (Fast-paced) (Heroine’s halo) Ji Wanqing transmigrates into the harem of the Emperor of Yan and becomes a low-ranking concubine. The moment she arrives, the arrogant Consort slaps her. The Consort is bad enough, and the Empress is no better, using her to stoke the Consort’s anger. Wit 4.1kReads9.2Score450Shelves
6. 406 清 Qing Transmigration: The Side Consort Has an Assist System 清穿：侧福晋有助攻系统 Waiting for the Night in the Snow雪上等夜人Ancient Romance494k WordsCompleted A word of caution: This is a novel, not history, so don't scrutinize it. The names and anything else that differs from history are all invented for the story. If that's not your thing, read at your own risk. [Alternate Qing Dynasty + Assist System + Everyday Leveling Up + Raising Children] Song Shurou transmigrates and becomes a Song Concubine in the early years of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign. Song Concubine has a breakout? System: Don't worry, Shurou. Just say one sentence to Yongzheng, and w 14.9kReads9.3Score967Shelves
7. 407 嫁 Marrying the Tyrant Male Lead to Become a Laid-Back Empress 嫁给暴君男主当咸鱼皇后 Dudu读读Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Dongli Hua has a little mishap and ends up in a novel for male readers, as an ugly woman with a birthmark on her face. But because of her good deeds, an imperial decree names her empress. The emperor ascended the throne at twenty, and is now thirty-two. He once had a beloved first empress who has since died; now he has two favored consorts, Shu and Li, as well as several powerful consorts with large families who have borne him princes and princesses. And soon, another large group of beauties wil 6kReads9.0Score504Shelves

   Reader note

   The female protagonist transmigrates into a novel as an ordinary passerby, but ends up becoming the empress in the palace. It's super good!

8. 408 后 The Harem: Consort Hua Reborn 后宫之华妃重生 Shi Liu Sparkling Water石刘气泡水Female-Channel Fanfiction887k WordsCompleted Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, died with a heart full of resentment in her previous life. Unexpectedly, she was reborn. When she woke again, she knew that Consort Duan had not harmed her child. She still both hated and loved the emperor. She hated him for using her feelings and devotion to bring down the entire Nian family, but loved the man she had sincerely given her heart to when they were young. But if she hadn’t been so foolish in her previous life, how would she have made so many enemies? When 11.7kReads9.4Score1.6kShelves

   Reader note

   Both have palace intrigue elements; the second one is about Consort Hua's rebirth, and it's more interesting!

9. 409 娘 The Empress Is Determined to Rise to the Top 娘娘她立志登高位 The Moon Has Set in the West月已西Ancient Romance679k WordsCompleted Scheming beauty x stern, cold emperor (soul transmigration + palace intrigue + not mutually devoted + eventually his one and only) In the third year of Zhaowu, Wen Zhuohua abandoned the path laid out for her and entered the palace as a palace-selection candidate. She loves wealth, splendor, power, and status. All under heaven belongs to the sovereign, and nothing in this world is more exalted than imperial authority. Once in the palace, she treads carefully in the harem and puts on an act for th 15.3kReads9.0Score2.1kShelves

   Reader note

   The first one requires a lot of brainpower to watch; it has tons of plot twists and the ending is that the female lead becomes empress. If you want to know more, check it out. The others are also very good; the female leads are all intelligent.

10. 410 清 Spoiled in the Qing Court: She Becomes the Fourth Prince's Beloved 清穿娇宠：她成了四爷的心上宝 Yu Zhiwei予之微Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted Transmigrate to the Qing dynasty and become a concubine? And a concubine in Fourth Prince’s household, no less? Concubine Li is overbearing, Concubine Song is honey-tongued but treacherous, and even the lofty Princess Consort is kind-faced but hard-hearted. Not to mention the yet-to-appear Niohuru and Nian. Oh my God, how is she supposed to survive in this den of wolves? Act sweet, play cute, coax Fourth Prince, kick the other concubines, and be fierce. Little by little, she melts his heart, unt 4.9kReads8.9Score351Shelves
11. 411 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
12. 412 公 The Princess Is Fierce and Beautiful, and Her Shadow Guard Keeps Crossing the Line 公主暴戾绝色，影卫日日以下犯上 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + Feel-good power fantasy + Yandere + Devoted loyalist] Fate played a cruel trick: the most powerful imperial princess on the Jiuzhou Continent was reborn in the body of a lovesick little princess from Western Qi. The moment she awoke, the world was shaken. A scumbag points at her and curses? She orders coldly, “Drag him out and give him fifty more lashes!” The overlord of the business world is her subordinate, the most revered emperor in Jiuzhou is her older brother, the mighty 16.6kReads9.4Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The third book is incredibly good! Song Yao transmigrates into the body of a treacherous minister's widowed sister-in-law. On her way to elope, she's caught red-handed. The future powerful minister is now just a sickly man. Remembering the original owner's extremely tragic end, Song Yao immediately decides that elopement is out of the question; clinging to a powerful figure is the only way! But halfway through diligently building up her relationship with him, the minister is reborn. A quick calculation tells her she's doomed! Song Yao decisively packs her bags and runs away, but her body starts to feel increasingly unwell. ... One rainy night. Rong Jie kicks open the door, his long sword dripping with blood. Staring at the panicked Song Yao and the child behind her, he angrily spits out blood, giving a cold smile: "Why don't you keep running?"

13. 413 母 Mother of the Nation? No, I Want to Rule the World! 母仪天下？不，我要权倾天下！ Dreams, How Many?梦几何Ancient Romance986k WordsOngoing [Alternate-World Palace Intrigue + No Romance + Raising Children + Never Falls for the Emperor] Content warning: The male lead is not chaste. Palace intrigue runs throughout, and the emperor never favors just one consort. After a car accident, Chu Ningzhi was pulled into the alternate world of Great Zhou. She had to become Empress Dowager to survive. To stay alive, she entered the palace through the selection and gave birth to a child. She planned every move carefully and defeated all her enemie 175Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This one is about a female lead who only wants to be the Empress Dowager and doesn't like the male lead. It's really a pure palace intrigue novel.

14. 414 行 Late in the Day 行止晚 Zhi Er织尔Ancient Romance138k WordsCompleted [Devoted love + emperor and empress + tragic palace romance] 145,000 readers gave it top ratings, and countless readers cried their way through it! The year’s breakout historical romance, a heartache readers can’t forget. A clear-eyed, sweet empress VS a proud emperor whose love never wavers. Born into the imperial family, how can everything ever go as you wish? May we remain together forever, and may I keep you safe and at peace. A gentleman’s word is his bond. In a daze, I saw the moon rise. 25.2kReads9.6Score3.3kShelves
15. 415 新 On Our Wedding Night, the Reborn Prince Knocked Over Her Contraceptive Soup 新婚夜，重生王爷打翻她的避子汤 A Hand That Can Reach the Sea手可探海Ancient Romance541k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + Sweet Romance + Feel-Good Wish Fulfillment + Devoted Couple] Ye Chen is reborn on his wedding night with his Qiu'er. In his previous life, he couldn't even keep his Qiu'er's remains safe. This time, he will stay by her side every moment. Her greatest regret in her previous life was never having children of her own. This time, he will have lots of children with her. She was trapped in the capital all her life before. This time, he will travel across the land of the Nine Provinces with 20kReads9.0Score1.9kShelves
16. 416 好 Good Fortune Is Always on the Way 好孕常在 Wang Lanhua Manlou王兰花满楼Ancient Romance277k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + no System + childbirth + devoted love in the later story + male lead is not a virgin] [Female lead keywords: stunning beauty + drama queen + clear-eyed realist] After transmigrating, Lin Wan became a low-ranking concubine. Everyone said Emperor Hongjing's lack of sons was divine punishment. Lin Wan, a genius medicine master: Yeah, right! You want a beauty as light as a swallow, and lots of children and grandchildren too? As if you can have it both ways! With her medical skills 695Reads8.8Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    I've also become obsessed with palace intrigue and domestic power struggle novels these past few days! These few are all incredibly good!!!

17. 417 陛 The Emperor's Cherished Consort: The Noble Consort Is Acting Up Again 陛下娇宠：贵妃她又闹了 Jiao Lv Mao 7焦绿猫7Ancient Romance408k WordsCompleted [Both leads are devoted to each other + Nurturing romance + Spoiled and willful consort + Only one he loves + Happy ending] A steady, devoted emperor × a spoiled, willful consort Fu Jingheng raised Jiang Jinxi from the age of twelve to seventeen, turning a timid princess sent away in a political marriage into the most indulged Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace. Then he ascended the throne and issued an edict naming her Imperial Consort, not Empress. Jiang Jinxi refused the edict and turned ar 16.7kReads7.9Score1.4kShelves
18. 418 寡 The Widow's Sister-in-Law Has Nowhere to Run, and the Mad Chancellor Vomits Blood Again 寡嫂无处逃，疯批丞相又吐血了 Folded in the Mist折雾里Ancient Romance634k WordsCompleted [Beautiful, decisive young widow vs. refined, deranged villainous minister] [System + fleeing while pregnant + transmigrate into a book + male lead reborn] Song Yao transmigrated into a book as the villainous minister’s widowed sister-in-law. She was caught red-handed while eloping with another man. The villainous minister, who would one day hold power over the entire court, was currently nothing but a sickly young man. Remembering the tragic fate of the original owner, Song Yao immediately deci 9.5kReads9.2Score1.2kShelves
19. 419 替 After Taking Her Sister's Place in the Palace to Win Favor, She Turns Out to Be the Emperor's Beloved 替姐入宫争宠后，竟是帝王白月光 Jie Chong解虫Ancient Romance694k WordsCompleted (A short drama adaptation with the same title is now available) [A timid, cowardly little beauty who only wants to keep her head down VS a ruthless, solitary emperor who indulges the heroine without limit] [Palace intrigue, love at first sight, a gradual romance, doted on from the start, the hero is completely devoted to her] Song Wu was the illegitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue in the Great Yan Dynasty. From birth, she was branded as an ill omen and sent away from the capital. When s 21.3kReads8.5Score2.5kShelves
20. 420 掌 The Delicate Beauty in His Palm 掌心娇她娇美且柔弱 Plum Blossom Wine梅花酿酒Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (Sweet Romance + Beloved by Everyone + Male Lead Reborn) Ruan Qin had been frail since childhood and was disliked by her family, spending her days shut away in a cramped courtyard. An imperial edict brought her out of that courtyard and bound her closely to the most honored young heir in all of Great Yin, Prince Yu'an. After that, she was cherished for the rest of her life. Rong Zhuo was reborn. After losing his Qin Qin so tragically in his previous life, he had given everything to earn the cha 4.6kReads9.1Score397Shelves
21. 421 清 Consort Hui of the Qing Dynasty: After Bearing the Fourth Prince, I Became the Emperor's Favorite 清穿惠妃：生下四阿哥后独宠了 Hui Ning橞宁Ancient Romance464k WordsCompleted Wu Jingwan has been dreaming about Yinzhi every day lately. One day, after dreaming that Yinzhi was imprisoned, she transmigrates into the body of Consort Hui, one of Emperor Kangxi’s consorts. Well, she isn’t Consort Hui yet. She’s only Noble Consort Hui. Whenever Wu Jingwan wakes in the middle of the night and thinks of Yinzhi’s fate, her heart aches. How could the dashing, beloved eldest prince have ended up like that? Now that she’s here, she won’t let that tragedy happen again. She thought 9.4kReads9.2Score881Shelves
22. 422 太 Crown Princess, You’ve Been Faking Your Love for Two Lifetimes! 太子妃，她骗宠了两辈子！ Encounter遇见Ancient Romance360k WordsCompleted [A villainess takes the legal wife's place + faithful to each other + stopping at nothing to achieve her goals + ensemble cast of powerful women + both reborn] Merchants prize profit and are skilled at scheming. As for me, Qian Yueshu, I'm among the very best at it all. In my previous life, I was a concubine, yet I schemed to make the Crown Prince lose his virginity to me. I entered his household five years before the Crown Princess. After that, I fought and clawed my way forward, bearing his 4.6kReads7.2Score226Shelves
23. 423 吾 My Wife Is Truly Bewitching 吾妻甚是迷人 Lemon Aqi柠檬啊七Ancient Romance263k WordsCompleted [Sweet, soft enchantress x aloof Crown Prince, faithful to each other in both lives / reborn / super sweet! Super sizzling! The male lead knows exactly what he’s doing! Strong support from her brother, a story within a story] Main story complete Wen Ruochu, the fourth legitimate princess of Tianhuang, was renowned for her breathtaking beauty, both fairy-like and bewitching. She excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was a rare beauty, delicate and sweet. What no one knew was th 4.8kReads9.0Score486Shelves
24. 424 报 Report: The Noble Consort Eloped with the Empress, Guidebook in Hand 报告，贵妃带着攻略和皇后私奔了 The Fish’s Search知鱼之寻Two Female Leads479k WordsCompleted [Dual Rebirth + No Male Lead + Sweet Romance, One-on-One] Two female leads, both devoted, with mutual trust and a love that goes both ways. Neither heroine is a saint. If you like silly, sweet heroines, this isn't for you. There are scenes involving manipulation, so if you can't stand that, move along. A calculating empress who hides her dark side versus a tea-talking consort on quick-transmigration missions When Jiang Qingwu first transmigrated into a book, she thought she could rely on her gol 7.3kReads9.5Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    It's super good-looking, highly recommended!

25. 425 乖 The Dutiful Palace Maid Rises to Empress 乖乖宫婢，一路封后 Yuanyuan Isn't a Crybaby元元不是小哭包Ancient Romance452k WordsCompleted One promise: If it’s not sweet, you don’t pay! Sweet romance! Sweet romance! Sweet romance! [Beautiful, gentle little palace maid × cold, ruthless, obsessive emperor] [Palace intrigue, neither lead is inexperienced | Possessive pursuit | Devoted from the start | Hero worships the heroine to the extreme] Chu Linyuan is a tyrant in the eyes of the world, cruel in his methods and unpredictable in his moods. Zhizhang is merely an ordinary palace maid. Delicate and lovely, she wants no wealth or stat 7.2kReads8.8Score901Shelves
26. 426 清 The Palace Nobody: A Qing Dynasty Reversal Story 清穿之后宫小透明翻身记 What Mu Xi Seeks沐兮所求Ancient Romance281k WordsCompleted The heroine only loves wealth and status. She will never fall in love with an emperor. At most, she might like him, but she will never be his one and only. She has both acting skills and cunning. The heroine is no lovesick fool. She sees the world clearly. She won’t pine for an emperor’s love, but she isn’t cold-hearted either. She’s rational about love. 1. Wan Liuha, an obscure member of Kangxi’s harem 4.6kReads8.4Score274Shelves
27. 427 入 A Palace Maid: The Noble Consort and Empress's Entire Families Are Executed 入宫为婢：贵妃皇后满门抄斩 Lu Ganren路赶人Ancient Romance73k WordsCompleted A Palace Maid: The Noble Consort and Empress's Entire Families Are Executed 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Consort Lin never knew until her death that the moment she grinned and trampled Yun Shuyin under her feet was the first step she would take to the Yellow Springs.

28. 428 穿 After Becoming the Crown Princess, I Do Nothing but Slack Off 穿成太子妃后，我每天都在摆烂 Beef Flatbread牛肉大饼Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Not a Devoted Couple, Palace and Household Intrigue, Marriage Before Love] With a single imperial decree, Cui Ying and the crown prince inexplicably become husband and wife. Neither of them knows the other. Cui Ying never expected that, as a modern woman transported to ancient times, she would become a crown princess. What a headache. But rumor has it the crown prince has a much-favored concubine by his side. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, she's also gentle and sweet, a true beauty. Cui 22.6kReads6.4Score876Shelves

    Reader note

    These are some pretty good books.

29. 429 重 Reborn on My Wedding Night, the Sickly Prince Regent Warms My Feet 重生新婚夜，病娇摄政王给我暖脚 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Reborn + sweet romance + obsessive love + mutual devotion + secret identities, one couple] Nan Xi, the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, was a fool in her past life. She fell for a treacherous scumbag who was handsome on the outside but full of sinister schemes within, and ended up abandoned by everyone, dying miserably at the hands of him and his mistress. Given a second life, she gets her brains back! Looking at the powerful, handsome regent by her side, she cannot help questioning h 10.9kReads9.1Score3.7kShelves
30. 430 清 Qing Dynasty and Dream of the Red Chamber: The Crown Princess's Fortunate Pregnancy 清穿红楼：太子妃好孕日常 Ruo Hongru若鸿如Female-Channel Fanfiction1.0M WordsCompleted System + Magnolia Treasure Flower + Magnolia Spirit Dew + Multiple Births + Lin Daiyu's Cousin Also known as: After Becoming Lin Daiyu's Cousin, I Became the Crown Princess After Ruoshui transmigrates into a world combining the Qing dynasty and Dream of the Red Chamber, she is named Crown Princess. Becoming Crown Princess is great, but hold on... The Crown Prince is Yinreng, the famous deposed heir of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Ruoshui is on the verge of tears. She doesn't want to be deposed al 6.2kReads7.7Score577Shelves
31. 431 浣 Huan Bi Becomes a Consort 浣碧为妃 Ye Yongsi夜永思Female-Channel Fanfiction250k WordsCompleted When Huanbi was reborn, she no longer lost herself in the lonely waiting of her previous life. What would her future hold? Would she leave the palace with her elder sister, as she had in her previous life? Her greatest wish was to become a daughter of the Zhen family openly and honorably, and to have her mother’s memorial tablet placed in the ancestral hall. After careful thought, Huanbi decided to stay in the palace and find a chance to get close to the emperor. She would use his power to prote 2.6kReads9.1Score227Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all pretty good-looking, and they don't make you feel stupid.

32. 432 疯 The Mad Crown Prince Claims Her, Where Can You Run? 疯批太子占她，你要往哪里逃？ Shattered Glazed Stars琉璃星星碎Ancient Romance555k WordsCompleted [A beautiful, scheming transmigrator vs. a refined, unhinged crown prince] [Both are virgins + possessive love + the powerful yielding to love + a groveling pursuit after the breakup] Ruan Jinhe transmigrates into the body of Fuso's eldest princess, sent as a hostage to the kingdom of Hengchu. On her first night in the palace, she hears that a hostage prince from another kingdom was beaten to death. To avoid being targeted, she hides her true nature and plays the role of a frail, sweet girl. Sh —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    1. The first one is a new work and hasn't been rated yet. If you prefer completed works, I suggest you give it a try. The plot is about a woman who transmigrates into the body of a hostage and is forced into marriage by the crown prince of a powerful country. Palace intrigue is currently less prominent, but it should increase later. 2. The second one is a lighthearted story about an empress scheming against the emperor. She is a pure and innocent girl in the emperor's eyes. It's completed and has epilogues. 3. The third one is about a palace maid climbing the ranks step by step: beauty, concubine, consort, imperial concubine, and empress. The female lead is cunning and power-driven, but it's not finished yet, so please proceed with caution. 4. The fourth one is about a female lead who uses three years of careful planning to rise to the position of imperial concubine. The male lead isn't just blindly doting on her; he fits the emperor's character perfectly. The female lead is shrewd and skillful. It's a palace intrigue story in the beginning, but she becomes the emperor's favorite later. There are epilogues. 5. Why did I put this book last? Because it was the first palace intrigue novel I read, and it has profound significance. Of course, it's also the most important thing to recommend it as the final book. This book is divided into four volumes. The first volume is the main story of the female protagonist's arduous journey to the position of empress. As a transmigrator, she accidentally discovers the novel she has read and follows her as she climbs the ranks from the position of a concubine to the crown prince. The original female lead (the crown princess) later awakens to her true nature, and the two sides scheme against each other. The following three volumes are all side stories, each based on the first volume, satisfying the fantasies of those who want to continue the story! All five of these books are highly recommended; don't miss them!

33. 433 农 A Peasant Girl's Survival Guide to the Harem 农女后宫生存手札 Under the Southeast Bridge东南桥下Ancient Romance623k WordsCompleted (Just started ranking, so the numbers will rise) [Transmigration to ancient times x System x do-nothing heroine x halfheartedly lying flat x progression fantasy] Chen Wei, a college student, transmigrates into Chen Fenglian, a palace maiden born to a poor family of ordinary farmers with no money or influence. After entering the palace, she must survive and find a way to advance under the pressure of high-ranking noblewomen. In the end, unable to lie flat completely yet unwilling to work herself 3.3kReads8.4Score312Shelves
34. 434 步 Step by Step to Glory 步步荣宠 Mu Ziyang木子阳Ancient Romance202k WordsCompleted Mingyue was sold as a child and became a maid in a marquis’s household. After the young master took an interest in her, she was sent to the palace and became a low-ranking palace maid. Step by step, she rose from palace maid to empress. 10kReads9.0Score884Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book was rather bland; the female lead rose through the ranks after being favored by the emperor. It was quite good. The second book was very good; the male and female leads relied on each other from childhood and were each other's salvation. The female lead didn't want to be empress, and the male lead, feeling sorry for her, didn't want her to be empress either, so he made her an imperial concubine. They had two sons and a daughter. The third book was a bit melodramatic, but still okay. It was relatively short. The female lead went from maid to empress. Initially, she was a maid in a family in the city, where she caught the eye of the young master, but the mistress disapproved and sent her to her daughter in the palace. Because of her delicious cooking, she caught the emperor's attention. Then the emperor discovered that she resembled an old friend. He kept her by his side and bestowed upon her a title. It was later confirmed that she was indeed the daughter of an old friend, the granddaughter of his maternal grandfather's family. She had been lost since childhood. In short, one word: melodramatic. The fourth book was a rebirth story. After being reborn, the female lead was favored by the emperor, who was forced to find someone to serve him due to drugging her. She then gave birth to a son and was highly valued by the emperor. Then you'll rise through the ranks. In short, I highly recommend the first and second books.

35. 435 昭 The Rise of Consort Zhao 昭贵妃上位记 Love Runs Deep, Yet I Stay Slim情深也不瘦Ancient Romance575k WordsCompleted Chu Yun is the illegitimate daughter of Chu Xiong'an, Minister of Rites. After the legitimate daughter, Chu Yunxi, entered the palace and became pregnant, she sent Chu Yun to the palace to secure the emperor's favor. Knowing how beautiful Chu Yun was, Chu Yunxi had her mother force several large bowls of safflower tea down Chu Yun's throat before she entered the palace. After narrowly escaping death, Chu Yun took part in the selection and was chosen as a palace maid. A palace maid? Perfect! Now 131Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 436 累 I'm Exhausted! To Fool Him, I Pretend to Be Sweet and Innocent Every Day 累死！为了骗他，本宫日日装娇纯 Deer in the Deep Forest深林的鹿Ancient Romance455k WordsCompleted “If you want to win, you have to learn how to lose first.” Meng Xianxiang lost a life, and learned to struggle, to seize what she wanted, to scheme and plan, and to claw her way up. Looking back on her previous life, she had lived in a stable, eaten pig slop, served tea and emptied chamber pots, enduring abuse and humiliation at every turn. Each memory was a stab to the heart. Given another chance, she wants status and power, and a world where no one dares bully her again. Behind the palace’s re 3.7kReads9.2Score325Shelves

    Reader note

    Here it comes! [Sending heart] A super good palace intrigue novel, highly recommended!!

37. 437 将 Liu Qianqian, the Legitimate Daughter of a Military Family 将门嫡女柳浅浅 Late Autumn on South Mountain南山暮秋Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Historical romance, palace intrigue, sweet and angsty, strong male and female leads, mutual devotion] The Liu family had earned great military honors. To avoid provoking the emperor’s suspicions, they had their legitimate daughter, Liu Qianqian, obey the imperial decree and enter the palace for selection, thus securing the family’s prosperity. Liu Qianqian’s beauty and gentleness won the emperor’s favor, and within three months she was elevated to Noble Consort. But the path to advancement in 559Reads8.9Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is one I've been following since the beginning, it's still ongoing, but it's really good! The female lead's deep affection for the male lead and his unwavering devotion to her in the later stages are truly captivating! The second book is about an emperor who falls for the female lead first. She was originally a palace maid serving the Empress Dowager, but the male lead "invited" her to become a concubine. The emperor is the kind who really wants her to develop feelings for him, it's quite a tug-of-war! It's already finished. The third book is about a female lead who was originally a palace maid and slowly schemes to win the emperor's heart, she's very cunning! The fourth book is about a female lead who has been in the palace for a year but hasn't received any advances from the emperor, so she takes measures, using her alluring demeanor and personality to seduce the male lead. The male lead is completely hooked! Although it's only a few dozen chapters, I myself found it incredibly addictive, it's truly unbeatable! Highly recommended!

38. 438 恶 The Wicked Servant's Step-by-Step Strategy 恶奴之步步为营 Wen Shan雯山Ancient Romance317k WordsOngoing [Black Lotus] [Transmigration] [Revenge] She transmigrates into the body of the most inconspicuous palace maid. The original owner had only recently been promoted to consort when the empress beat her to death, leaving her no chance to survive. To avenge her, she hides all her talents in this life, swallows every insult, and claws her way up from palace maid to the highest ranks. Only she knows how much blood she has spilled along the way. Everyone else thinks she is gentle and pitiful. Only she —Reads—Score—Shelves
39. 439 粗 A Lowly Palace Maid's Rise to Power 粗使宫女升职记 Coconut Seal Candy椰子海豹糖Ancient Romance982k WordsOngoing [A new writer and a new novel. The rating has just appeared, so it’s quite low. My family is struggling, and writing isn’t easy. I hope you’ll be patient with me. I’m deeply grateful to you all.] [This story features a large ensemble] [No rivalry between women, no love-brained heroines, and no adoration of men] [Women supporting women] [An unconventional palace drama] [A heroine who grows] Please note! The emperor in this story is extremely [human] (bolded for emphasis!), and lacks basic moral 542Reads8.8Score112Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is great! It's about palace maids rising to power, but without any loss of intelligence, romantic angst, or intense competition between women. The premise is also very interesting; it's more of an ensemble piece. ヾ(^▽^*)))

40. 440 开 A Palace Maid from the Start, Rising to Empress 开局宫女，稳坐后位 A Cluster of Flowers一丛花令Ancient Romance530k WordsOngoing [Female-led power fantasy + pure palace intrigue + not both virgins] Yun Luo was born into poverty and endured cold looks and humiliation from a young age. Then, after catching a glimpse of wealth, boundless ambition sprang up in her heart. Yun Luo was fortunate enough to have a face of breathtaking beauty, giving her the courage to set herself the goal of “better to be a rich man’s concubine than a poor man’s wife.” At first, she had her sights set only on the young lord of the Duke of Guo’s es 6Reads8.1Score—Shelves
41. 441 嫡 My Half Sister Is as Calm as a Chrysanthemum? After Switching Marriages, She Becomes the Harem's Favorite 嫡妹人淡如菊？换嫁后她宠冠后宫 Wind Chime Leaf风铃叶Ancient Romance585k WordsCompleted [Reborn and switched marriages | Palace intrigue | Not a pure romance | He dotes on her exclusively later on | Clear-headed heroine with a scheming, black-lotus nature] Shen Yuntang and her legitimate younger sister were both reborn. In her previous life, her father married her off to a poor scholar. Her younger sister entered the palace through the selection and was swiftly made a Baolin. Everyone said her sister had made the better match and was the future hope of the Shen family. But who coul 43.4kReads8.5Score9.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue, rebirth and arranged marriage, later exclusive favor, the female lead is clear-headed and rational.

42. 442 炮 Scapegoat Matriarch? After Slaughtering Her Way Through, She Buries the Whole Household 炮灰主母？杀疯后给全府上坟 Fish Without Words鱼非语Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Lin Wanyi comes from a family of physicians, yet on her wedding night, her husband sends her to another man’s bed! Her mother-in-law, uncles and aunts by marriage, and sister-in-law all look down on her, while her husband takes one concubine after another to humiliate her. In the end, he has her legs broken and her tongue cut out. Then he sets the courtyard on fire, and she burns to death! Reborn, she vows that this time she won’t take things lying down. Everyone who hurt, harmed, or humiliated 6.4kReads9.4Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    This is the one! The female protagonist is reborn on her wedding night, only to be sent to the bed of a powerful eunuch by her husband. Reborn, she's determined to be vengeful. But how come this eunuch is so good at flirting? He visits her boudoir every night! [Eating melon seeds][Eating melon seeds][Eating melon seeds]

43. 443 催 Urging the Empress to Have a Baby: The Female Lead Is an AI 催生皇后，当女主是个AI Go Eat a Giant Watermelon去你个大西瓜Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [AI Empress] [Ridiculous palace intrigue] [All about raising kids] “Empress Ai.” “I... am... here...” The woman's voice is stiff, each word spoken separately. An AI from the year 3026, seeking to prevent humanity from dying out, travels through a parallel timeline to... The year 1132, when human reproduction is at its peak, during the Great Ming Dynasty, known as the “Golden Age of the Great Ming.” She becomes Empress Ai of the Great Ming. The little AI's mission is simple: get people to have ch 426Reads9.1Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    I've read all of these books multiple times; each one is exceptionally good. Especially the first one—everyone in the entire book is incredibly intelligent.

44. 444 我 I Won the Harem With My Beauty 我凭美貌在后宫躺赢了 Ningning Lingqi柠柠零七零Ancient Romance782k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + System + slice-of-life harem intrigue + satisfying revenge + ruthless heroine + lovestruck male lead + not pure + devoted love later] Content warnings at the end! Gu Lingwen dies unexpectedly and meets a clumsy beginner System. The two are stranded in a cruel feudal era, trembling with fear. They can return to the modern world only by completing the final assigned mission… There are only two ways to finish the mission: start a rebellion or fight for power in the harem. Underach 3.6kReads8.5Score244Shelves

    Reader note

    Here are some books I've finished reading and am currently reading: 1️⃣ I personally think this one is very interesting. It's not a clean romance novel, you know? The female lead is quite bold, relying on her "golden finger" (a special ability to manipulate women), she flirts with eunuchs, imperial physicians, and guards 💛, hehehe, isn't that satisfying? If you like this kind of thing, hurry up and read it! 2️⃣ As you can tell from the title, the characters are incredibly refreshing. She can slap whoever she wants 👋. The female lead is super beautiful, and the male lead is super obsessed with looks, hahaha. 4️⃣ There's no system, but the female lead is a modern transmigrator. I don't know if that counts as a "golden finger." I feel like this book is suitable for those who hate strong personalities, it's specifically designed to shatter the "gentle and aloof" type.

45. 445 贵 The Noble Consort Is Determined to Bring Down the Eastern Palace 贵妃她偏要折东宫 Gu Beiqiao顾北乔Ancient Romance558k WordsCompleted [Chasing His Wife to the Crematorium | Mad Emperor | Noble Consort × Emperor × Crown Prince | Taking Her by Force] Shen Shuyan had been in the palace for five years, reigning supreme among the six palaces. She was willful and flamboyant, bold enough to compete for favor and provoke the empress. She had always believed that Emperor Xiao Chengyin truly favored her. Until she overheard the truth: the empress had caused each of her miscarriages, and the emperor had known all along but concealed it f 3.2kReads5.6Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    Awesome! 🤔🤔🤔🤔

46. 446 帝 The Emperor and Empress Fight Every Day to See Who Dies First 帝后每天互殴，看谁先死 Qian Ran Jun Xiao千苒君笑Ancient Romance2.3M WordsOngoing Feng Xing is the daughter of Chu Xi’s Grand Marshal, who commands an army of four hundred thousand. Shen Feng has been emperor for just two years. Shen Feng is utterly depraved, ruthless, and cruel. To secure his throne, he decides to marry Feng Xing and make her empress. First, he will fake her death to lure her father to the capital for the funeral. Then he will wipe out her entire family and take control of the Chu Xi army. Feng Xing is a fierce, accomplished warrior who takes whatever she wa 35.8kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves
47. 447 靠EN Dominating the Harem by Bearing Children 靠生子称霸后宫 Wang Ziyun王梓芸Ancient Romance782k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Huameng's childhood sweetheart, the boy next door, betrayed her before their wedding. After watching him marry the daughter of a princess, she put on the bright red wedding dress she had spent two years embroidering and hanged herself. But her soul drifted through the world for twenty years after her death before she learned the truth: her childhood sweetheart had broken off their engagement after accidentally hearing that the childless emperor intended to adopt the princes 3.6kReads9.0Score455Shelves
48. 448 将 A General's Daughter's Comeback: No More Coddling, It's Time to Rise 将门逆袭：不要娇宠要上位 Sweet Potato with Plum Powder甘梅地瓜Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted When her aunt was on her deathbed, she entrusted her child to Wanqing. Out of gratitude, Wanqing became the concubine of the general’s eldest son. The rules for concubines in the general’s household: be dutiful and proper, and have no children. The household had no need for children born to concubines. Yet Wanqing bore four sons and a daughter, then took her place as the eldest son’s principal wife. The Empress Dowager personally bestowed on her the title of First-Rank Lady of Virtue. Someone sc 41.3kReads9.5Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue is all about scheming against the emperor, of course! Scheming against the concubines is too low-level. Watch how the female lead turns the emperor into a dog!

49. 449 读 After Reading His Mind, the Mad Tyrant Decides to Turn Over a New Leaf 读心后，疯批暴君决定洗白 Picking Flowers in the Wind风中折花Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration into a book + woman disguised as a man + mind reading + wish fulfillment + two powerful leads + both leads are devoted to each other] Song Yunchu transmigrates into the tragic villainous chancellor from a melodramatic novel, who dies horribly. According to the original story, she will first be dismissed from office and imprisoned by the villainous emperor, then shot through the heart with a rain of arrows by the male lead, Prince Yi, whom she loves. After weighing her options, So 29.6kReads9.3Score4.2kShelves
50. 450 快 Quick Transmigration: She Wins the Hearts of Powerful Men by Bearing Their Children! 快穿：她靠生子成为大佬心尖宠！ A Big Old Monster一个大妖怪Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Quick transmigration + multiple pregnancies + punishing scumbags + palace and household intrigue + no fixed couple + satisfying revenge] She is a rabbit spirit who has cultivated for a thousand years. With too little fortune, she nearly loses her soul while ascending. Fortunately, an ancestral reincarnation artifact lets her complete missions in different worlds and gather fortune. World One: [Crown Prince with no heir for years x palace maid who hides her looks and only wants to leave the pala 15kReads9.3Score1.4kShelves

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