Proper Historical Romance: No Golden Fingers, Just High-Quality Stories with Sound Values 正经的古代言情，不要金手指，期待高质量三观正

1. 551 哄 A Guide to Winning Her Heart 哄娇记 Ru Wu如唔Ancient Romance359k WordsCompleted Loyal, cold-blooded, ruthless yet secretly tender Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard × Delicate, spoiled, proud and soft-hearted princess Everyone in the capital calls him the Living King of Hell. She fears him and even despises his bloodshed, keeping as far away from him as she can. But when the palace walls crumble, she can no longer see the road ahead or read people’s hearts. He tells her, “Your Highness, trust me.” As they flee for their lives, he becomes her rock. She asks him, “Xia 240Reads8.1Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A pure ancient Chinese romance, no time travel or reincarnation, a princess versus a member of the Imperial Guard. It's about unrequited love and redemption. Unlike the typical system-driven, fast-paced novels, this book has a gentle, flowing quality. The male lead's unwavering tolerance teaches her to be strong, brave, and to protect herself—this kind of love really resonates with me! The male lead only has eyes for the little princess, and their interactions along the way are incredibly sweet.

2. 552 重 After Being Reborn, My Elder Sister Wants to Trade Marriages with Me, and I Couldn't Be Happier 重生后嫡姐要和我换亲，求之不得 Proud Cotton傲娇棉棉Ancient Romance366k WordsCompleted [Twins + both reborn + swapped marriages + revenge on scumbags + mutual devotion + satisfying read + happy ending] A plot-driven story with plenty of substance and sound logic. Not mindless wish fulfillment! The heroine starts out at a disadvantage. If she draws too much attention, her enemies may see through her and the story could be over, so she has to plan carefully and seize the initiative step by step. The satisfying payback only really kicks in later. The hero, Xiao Ci: an innocent, sweet 721Reads8.0Score—Shelves

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   Here it is! If you like it, please give it a five-star review! [Note] The female lead initially pretends to be naive, but is actually very cunning. Later, she starts to reveal her true colors. The male lead starts as an innocent and adorable puppy, blushing at the slightest touch. After marriage, he transforms into a cunning and ruthless Shiba Inu; he's incredibly shrewd. In her previous life, Yun Shu was schemed against by her husband and elder sister, becoming a scapegoat and indirectly causing the death of the loyal and brave General Xiao Ci. Reborn, she returns to the day before her elder sister ran away from her arranged marriage. Unexpectedly, her elder sister, who has also been reborn, proposes to switch marriages with her! Yun Shu appears aggrieved, but is secretly overjoyed: In this life, it's your turn to deal with those wolves and tigers! She marries Xiao Ci as she wishes, embarking on a thrilling journey of revenge together!

3. 553 神 Mad Divine Doctor: Even the King of Hell Dares Not Take Her 神医狂妃：阎王不敢收 City Lightyears城市光年Ancient Romance389k WordsCompleted Rumor has it that Xiao Jingchen, the God of War of Great Chu and Prince Jing, is ruthless and violent, and has been struck by a strange poison. Lin Wan'er, an unfavored daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, is pushed into an icy pond by a vicious servant. When she opens her eyes again, she is a fully trained modern military doctor! With the silver needles in her hand and her unparalleled medical skills, she strikes back again and again. She even opens a clinic in the capital, making a name f 1Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This is destined to be the pinnacle of medical romance novels!! The female lead dominates the ancient world with her unparalleled medical skills. The story unfolds alongside palace intrigue and political maneuvering, as she tears apart scheming women, slaps down villains, and her powerful alliance with the cold-faced prince is incredibly captivating.

4. 554 庆 Born in the Second Year of Qingde 庆德贰年生 Tiger Mountain Won't Do虎山不行Mystery211k WordsCompleted [Ensemble Cast + Growth + A Group of Misfortunates Saving One Another + Historical Romance] Orphan Ye Gui is heading to the capital to search for her relatives. But why is the capital so hard to reach? One obstacle after another blocks her way. Luckily, she meets a few other youngsters who are just as clueless as she is. With no other choice, this bunch of rookies hurriedly prepare for the journey, overcome every obstacle, and make their way back to the capital! Ye Gui is curious to hear that th —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   No cheat codes, just a historical romance novel with a touch of the supernatural. Looking forward to your feedback!

5. 555 世 The Young Lord's Wife Is a Little Sweet 世子夫人有点甜 The Moon Hangs Over the West Tower明月挂西楼Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Shen Mian, the young lady of the Shen family, is unlike other girls. While they all dream of marrying the heir apparent Jiang, she thinks about going back to her hometown in Qingzhou to eat seafood every day. The heir apparent is on the verge of tears. “How am I worse than seafood? Tell me, and I'll change.” Shen Mian blinks. “You can buy seafood. I can't buy you.” The heir apparent says, “You can have me.” Shen Mian doesn't believe him, so he has to try every trick in the book, marry her first, 1.4kReads9.0Score177Shelves

   Reader note

   🌴No system, no rebirth, no time travel. A native-born noblewoman. The male lead falls for her first and tells his grandmother, who then requests an imperial decree for their marriage – an arranged marriage that blossoms into love.😜😝 🌴Pure ancient romance. No system, no time travel. The male and female leads are childhood sweethearts. The emperor directly issues an imperial decree for their marriage. Regardless of their past, they are now destined to spend their lives supporting each other.🤔

6. 556 汉 A Slow Spring in the Han Palace 汉宫春慢 All Forms Are Formless一相无相Ancient Romance521k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Palace Intrigue + Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law + Winning His Wife Back at Any Cost] In her previous life, Shen Rong left a remote mountain town and was betrothed to the crown prince at the emperor's behest, becoming the exalted crown princess. She thought her fortunes would rise from then on and that a sweet, happy marriage lay ahead. Instead, it was the beginning of a tragic life. Her husband loved someone else; her mother-in-law despised her for being ignorant; the palace servan 1.7kReads9.0Score218Shelves

   Reader note

   The Crown Princess, born into poverty, is reborn without any special advantages. She starts from the bottom and works her way up step by step, steadily and surely.

7. 557 清 A Qing Dynasty Rebirth: The Big Shot Helps Me Win Over Zhen 清穿复仇，大佬助我谋禛心 Jia Xiaoqi嘉小麒Ancient Romance672k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + historical setting + sweet romance + court intrigue + a little household and harem drama + brotherhood] (Completed) I crossed three hundred years of time just to meet you, while you endured three hundred lonely years, waiting in vain for my return... Jianing wakes up one morning to find that she has transmigrated, and is forced to inherit the tragic memories of the original owner's final moments. Bullied and abused! Her belly cut open to save someone else's unborn child! The or 701Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This book is based on solid history, without any embellishments. It's engaging and enjoyable, already exceeding 400,000 views – jump in without worry! A sweet but not cloying ancient romance, absolutely fantastic! A must-read for fans of time-travel stories!!! I'm currently binge-watching it. Both the male and female leads are intelligent, and their relationship develops gradually, delicately and naturally. It's not a whirlwind romance from the start; initially, the female lead is driven by revenge, but seeing the male lead's concern for the people, she gradually feels compassion. The male lead initially suspects, observes, and tests her, then discovers her intelligence and integrity, personally mentoring her. Along the way, he's unconsciously drawn to her and falls in love. The romance progresses layer by layer, and the Fourth Prince's character aligns with historical accuracy. Everything he does is to protect the female lead. In front of outsiders: cunning, deep, ruthless, and taciturn; in front of the female lead: unpredictable and capricious – that's just his true nature, and he's completely genuine with her! The brotherhood between the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince is also well-portrayed; that brotherhood aspect is very compelling!

8. 558 史 History's Pen Is a Blade, and the Live-In Son-in-Law Is a Tiger 史笔如刀，赘婿如虎 A Smile Erases Old Grudges 11展颜消宿怨11Historical352k WordsCompleted Lin Zhao, a history teacher, wakes up as the least respected son-in-law of the fourth branch of the Jing’an Marquis household. From the start, it’s hell: the legitimate heir frames him, and he’s about to be beaten to death. Lin Zhao stays calm, picks up the account books, and uses modern double-entry bookkeeping to expose every last bit of the heir’s embezzlement. The Marquis is stunned, and the entire household looks on in shock. Everyone thinks he is merely a prodigy at bookkeeping, unaware th 68Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Ancient Chinese romance + time travel + single female lead + arranged marriage to love + son-in-law/son-in-law. [Learned it]

9. 559 先 Love After Marriage: The Crown Princess Keeps Pretending to Be Good Again and Again 先婚后爱，太子妃又又又又在装乖 I Want to Be a Rich Lady我想当富婆Ancient Romance278k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance] Song Yao, who was born into this world, got married to Nangong Yi, the notoriously violent crown prince. After their wedding, they acted like a proper couple, treating each other with courtesy and respect. Gradually, Song Yao discovered that the crown prince was nothing like the violent man of the rumors. He was gentle, considerate, and easy to get along with. So she let her true nature out and started doing as she pleased. - At first, when facing the crown prince: Song Yao: gent 21.7kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book features a female protagonist who is reborn into another country. Her father is the Prince of Zhenbei, and her status is that of a princess. She appears physically weak, but is actually very skilled in martial arts. At the beginning, she wipes out the entire family of the Right Prime Minister's daughter who pushed the original owner of her body into the water. To find an ally to help her take revenge, the female protagonist uses various methods to seduce the male protagonist, who is the Regent Prince. Both the male protagonist and the female protagonist's father, the Prince of Zhenbei, are top-ranking princes. Anyway, it's a very good read! [Admiration][Admiration] The second book features a female protagonist who is reborn into ancient times as the second young lady of the Prime Minister's family. In modern times, she was an assassin. After transmigrating to ancient times, she established an assassin organization at the age of ten, which is extremely powerful. She is also very skilled in martial arts. She has an older sister and two older brothers, all of whom dote on her. Her parents are not very kind to her, but her siblings are very good to her. The male protagonist is the Crown Prince, who has liked the female protagonist for a long time and especially dotes on her. Welcome to the story! [Admiration][Admiration]

10. 560 摄 Regent, Your Princess Consort Has Arrived. Please Confirm Receipt 摄政王，您的王妃已送达，请查收 Shi Jiu莳酒Ancient Romance214k WordsCompleted [Transmigration into another body, both virgins, 1v1] Content warnings: No matriarchy, palace intrigue, power struggles, or scheming white-lotus rival. A light, simple story. If that's not your thing, please move along! The ministers pressured the regent to marry! No matter what, he had to take a principal wife this year. With no choice, the man spoke at the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony: “Then I ask Heaven to grant me a wife.” And so, a lucky woman fell from the sky straight into the regent's arm 2.9kReads9.0Score266Shelves
11. 561 榜 Catch a Husband at the Results Board, and My Scheming Groom Is Irresistible 榜下捉婿，腹黑夫君太撩人 Optimistic Sunflower乐天派向日葵Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted [Clear-eyed, wealthy beauty VS scheming, devoted top scholar] [Marriage First, Love Later; Sweet Romance] Zhao Wanqing, the legitimate daughter of Prince An of the Great Yue Dynasty, was frail as a child. At the abbot’s guidance at Xiangguo Temple, she learned that she needed to marry someone whose Four Pillars of Destiny were purely yang. Prince An loved his daughter dearly. He followed every lead until he found her destined match, then shamelessly begged the emperor to arrange the marriage, fi 6.4kReads9.1Score816Shelves
12. 562 战 The God of War’s Beloved Is a Special Forces Soldier from Another World 战神的掌心娇竟是异世特种兵 Big Sister Ali阿狸姐姐Ancient Romance961k WordsCompleted The modern era’s top special forces soldier, “Night Phoenix,” dies on a mission. Her soul travels through time and she is reborn as Wei Shi, the infamous “spoiled and unruly princess” of Prince Jing’s manor in the Tianqi Kingdom. The moment she opens her eyes, she inherits the original owner’s painful memories of her past life: her father, Prince Jing, has rendered such great service that the emperor sees him as a threat. The incompetent and suspicious Emperor Jianwu joins forces with corrupt of 10.7kReads8.5Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The Prince's mansion appeared peaceful, but it had long been infiltrated by spies. Even the purchasing servants were secretly colluding with the palace's powerful figures. She quietly purged the moles, with every step concealed by the observation and counter-reconnaissance of special forces members.

13. 563 千 A Thousand Miles Along the Xiaoxiang, Together 千里潇湘共同途 It's Weiyang是微阳呀Ancient Romance216k WordsOngoing [Concubine's Daughter] [Political Schemes] [Revenge] [Both Leads Are Inexperienced] A noblewoman who appears gentle and dignified but is secretly ruthless × a young nobleman who seems cold and heartless but ends up eating his words One day, a talented and beautiful illegitimate daughter of the Wen family suddenly appeared in the capital. Not only was she stunning, she was also gifted. She rose to fame at a poetry gathering, soon becoming the capital's most celebrated beauty. She also won the ard 37Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This female lead is intelligent and single-mindedly focused on revenge. She mostly uses the male lead, who initially doesn't like her but gradually falls for her. The satisfying comeback is when he gets his comeuppance! Warning: This is a pure historical romance, so the pacing might be a bit slow; enjoy it at your own pace. [Admiring][Admiring]

14. 564 被 After My Eldest Sister Swapped Our Marriages 被长姐换亲之后 Ink Brush Mints Gold墨笔生金Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [Farming + marriage first, love later + switched betrothals + contrast couple + business + transmigration] [Available as a full-cast audiobook and comic drama] Song He dies in an accident while saving someone and transmigrates to ancient times as an ordinary farm girl. Life is hard, and even having enough to eat and warm clothes is a struggle. As the second daughter in her family, the original owner is ignored by her father and scolded by her mother. Her eldest sister is fiercely competitive, an 54kReads8.7Score7kShelves

    Reader note

    [Ancient Chinese romance novel, top post], no special abilities or cheat codes, love-obsessed male lead x career-driven female lead, good read.

15. 565 缚 Bound by Gold 缚金枝 Chubby Childhood Sweetheart胖青梅Ancient Romance388k WordsCompleted [A bandit-born general + a royal princess] Princess Chu Yingluo gets married three times in her life. The first time, she is married off to Northern Rong after her country loses a war. The second time, Northern Rong’s throne changes hands, and the new king takes both the throne and her. The third time, her homeland’s army invades Northern Rong. Not long after returning home, she marries Helian Jing, a fierce general who was born a bandit. 593Reads8.4Score121Shelves
16. 566 失 After Losing My Job, I Became a Paparazzo in the Imperial Harem 失业后我在后宫当狗仔 Wild Rose of Murakami村上野玫瑰Ancient Romance102k WordsOngoing [Ancient-to-modern transmigration + comedy + sweet romance + getting rich] After losing her job, Lin Caiwei found an ugly man inexplicably lying in her bed. He said he was an emperor, and Lin Caiwei was dubbed his “bewitching consort.” She covered up his birthmark, and he became handsome. Then the entire harem went mad The consorts felt sorry for Lin Caiwei, stuck with an ugly emperor, so they lined up to send her men. The emperor was chased all over the palace, then hid there to avoid paying re —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The dual transmigration setting is really novel. It doesn't follow the cliché of a single transmigrator. Two modern working-class people unexpectedly end up in ancient times. One becomes a puppet emperor with nowhere to hide, and the other becomes a harem worker who desperately needs to make money. They rely on their modern thinking to help each other get by, changing their appearance and gathering intelligence in the harem. The plot is logically sound, lighthearted and without any angst, and it gets more and more addictive as you watch.

17. 567 当 When a Young Lady Stumbles Into a Military Camp 当千金小姐误入军营 Behave Yourself好好当当Ancient Romance456k WordsCompleted [Complete] [Gender Bender] [Female General] [Sweet Romance] What? My parents want me to marry a fool? A dashing young general, a stunning strategist with a sharp tongue and a scheming mind, and an emperor who promises to love only me for the rest of his life. Aren't these men all excellent choices? To escape an arranged marriage to a dim-witted young prince, she hides in a carriage headed for the military camp in the northwest. From that moment on, the gears of fate begin to turn. 8.2kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    The most serious ancient romance novel is undoubtedly the new work "Peach Blossom Horseman Asks for a Long Spear" released in June, which is memorable.

18. 568 小 Little Awan 小女阿晚 Yi He亦咊Ancient Romance641k WordsCompleted [Smart Leads + Devoted Husband + Devoted to Each Other + Happy Ending] She was a spirited young woman, carefree and bold on Tianji Mountain. He was a noble young lord in the capital, carefully plotting every move and arranging the game board as he pleased. By chance, she saved him. Who would have thought he would shamelessly cling to her afterward! She fled in a panic, deciding that running away was the best of the Thirty-Six Stratagems. But somehow, he still found her. His voice was calm. “Are 149Reads—Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    Purely historical romance, with both the male and female leads having sound values.

19. 569 这 This Empire Was Won in Battle by My Husband and Me 这江山，是我和夫君杀出来的 A Lampwick Wrapped in Fog雾裹灯芯Ancient Romance170k WordsCompleted A marriage contract turned me, Shen Yuan, into a pawn my family was willing to discard, marrying me off to a sickly prince said to die before turning twenty, to bring him good fortune. On our wedding night, my father handed me a packet of deadly poison. “Make him die of his illness. That is your only duty!” I poisoned him through my tears, thinking I would be a widow from then on. But my frail husband downed it in one gulp and flashed me a wicked smile. “My dear, this poison tastes pretty good.” —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The illegitimate daughter was used as a pawn by her family to be married off to bring good fortune. She was ordered to poison the sickly prince, but little did she know that he was just pretending to be weak. He saw through her scheme at a glance, drank the poisoned wine, and even smiled and said that it tasted good. The constant testing and the battle between medicine and poison in the prince's mansion were heart-wrenching to watch!

20. 570 娇 Cherished in His Wife's Arms, Her Husband's Stamina Is Unbelievable! 娇妻怀里宠，夫君腰太好！ A Yun阿雲Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted (Historical farming story, sweet romance, no awful relatives, just a quiet, ordinary life) Ling Wanqing, who couldn’t do a thing, joined the wave of transmigration. She had to be the most useless transmigrator of all. So the moment she opened her eyes, she found herself a powerful man to cling to and tried to marry him, but he coldly rejected her: “I won’t marry you. Miss Ling, please have some self-respect!” She immediately put on a heartbroken performance. “You’ve changed.” Yu Danian remained 83Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Whether you're looking for sweet slice-of-life stories set in ancient times or tales of rural life, come and check them out!

21. 571 盛 The Crown Princess Is Doted on, and the Crown Prince Truly Loves Her 盛宠太子妃，殿下他真爱 May the Tree Stay Evergreen树要常青Ancient Romance256k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + Palace and household intrigue + Both leads are inexperienced + No transmigration, no rebirth] [Cool, solitary young woman + Cunning crown prince] [Shen Shijin × Mo Lanxu] During the thirtieth year of the Zhaohua era, the loyal generals of the Shen family gave their lives to quell the border wars. Only Shen Shijin survived. The royal family decided to bring the last surviving Shen back to the capital as a commandery princess. They specifically sent the crown prince, Mo Lanxu 800Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a pure ancient Chinese romance novel, with no cheat codes, no rebirth, no time travel, etc. [Shy][shy]

22. 572 一 One Step into Longing 一步入相思 Zhu Si Xiao Li竹肆小黎Ancient Romance149k WordsOngoing The original text is undergoing extensive revisions... Please forgive any inconsistencies. [A powerful, seemingly naive but secretly calculating heroine vs. a loyal, seemingly indifferent but truly tender and devoted hero] A light ensemble cast, romance in the first half, strong female lead in the second half Adorable, sweet princess who dotes on her beloved (A Ruo/Changsun Mu) ✘ upright, sharp-tongued general (You Hua/You Ziyi) She wakes up, and it’s morning! She’s transmigrated! She’ll never h —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead seems to be a time traveler who has lost her memory. As a princess, she's showered with love and care, without any worries. She appears to know nothing, but in reality, she's incredibly intelligent and understands everything. The latest chapter stunned me. The female lead is in a superior position, actively flirting with the male lead. He seems insecure and constantly gives to her, like a loyal puppy. It's truly worth watching closely. The author is also very skilled; every description might be foreshadowing!

23. 573 嫡 Reborn, the Legitimate Daughter Mistakenly Flirts with a Scheming Official and Gets Spoiled Rotten 嫡女重生！错撩奸臣后被宠成宝 A Cup of Green Wine一杯绿酒Ancient Romance243k WordsCompleted She was the most beautiful woman in Shujing and the wife of the marquis’s heir, the most admired young nobleman in the city. While her maternal grandfather’s family was still around, her husband doted on her every day. “Wanning, let me take you to your grandfather’s home for a change of scenery!” She happily agreed. Before long, however, letters of treason were discovered in her grandfather’s study. The entire family was arrested, the men executed on the spot, and the women sent to the Imperial 455Reads—Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    The story of a legitimate daughter reborn is well-paced and well-written. Those who enjoy historical fiction should definitely check it out. 🙂

24. 574 瞎 My Blind Husband Is a Hopeless Romantic. I Can Lie to Him and Deceive Him, but He Won’t Leave 瞎子夫君恋爱脑，欺他骗他都不跑 Deer in the Deep Forest深林的鹿Ancient Romance357k WordsCompleted Shen Zhixi only wanted to have a child with Song Lianzhou, not take responsibility for him. Men were all worthless and could never be relied on. Their only use was helping women get pregnant. Her own father taught her the first lesson in hating men. She had never met her biological father. He got her mother pregnant out of wedlock, then abandoned them, leaving mother and daughter to endure everyone’s scorn. Later, her childhood sweetheart betrayed and set her up, making her give up on men for g 7.4kReads9.1Score882Shelves

    Reader note

    I was utterly shocked! The father was abandoned, the son kept—absolutely no hesitation. The plot moves at breakneck speed, no time travel, no reincarnation. The male lead is essentially playing the tragic heroine. Born into royalty, he was unexpectedly mortally injured and saved by her, only to lose his sight in the process. He thought she was his soulmate, but she cruelly abandoned him. He was heartbroken, he wept, he hated, but he loved her nonetheless. He regained his status as the emperor's brother-in-law. Wait, I will find you…

25. 575 不 Before Daybreak 不终朝 Leisurely Rain闲雨Ancient Romance218k WordsCompleted [Two Generals + Love of Country and Home + Long-Suffering Romance + Mystery and Investigation + Mutual Pining + Commander Couple] [A decisive, resilient, loyal and strategic female general vs. the steady, patient and far-sighted commander of the Yinchi Army] Shen Xun and Xie Jin are sworn enemies, bitter rivals whose relationship is common knowledge. They rose to fame in their youth and spent ten years at war, yet in the end, they could not escape becoming pawns. A single imperial decree marryin 2.1kReads9.5Score331Shelves

    Reader note

    I've recommended this book countless times; it's truly a treasure! The author is an amazing writer, effortlessly weaving in beautiful poems and phrases, and the descriptions are incredibly vivid and nuanced. It's not just a simple piling up of flowery language; the writing logic remains consistently strong, making it a delightful read. You can check out this book review in the image (click on the post to see the image); it's what prompted me to read it. There's also a version called "Not Until the End of the Day," but "The Wind Blows All Night Across the Mountains and Passes" has far more reviews.

26. 576 凤 The Phoenix-Eyed Curse 凤瞳劫 Figgy Boba Snowflake无花果啵啵绵绵冰Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted [A ruthless, sharp-minded tyrant * a coolheaded, golden-eyed blind woman] The Tyrant’s Golden-Eyed Blind Girl Has Tricked Him Again: A Real Tyrant, and a Heroine Who Is Neither Reborn nor Transmigrated into a Book Born with golden eyes, the blind girl can see the past, present, and future of all things, yet she cannot see her own fate! The moment Zi Fuying opens her eyes, Xiao Yanyu, the tyrant who seized the throne by murdering his brother, locks her inside the palace. He wants her to be a “hu 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Serious ancient romance novels, they're all good to read, I'm reading them all.

27. 577 皇 My Imperial Brother Imprisoned Me, So I Captured His Heart 皇兄囚我，我囚帝心 Yang Huai Ruxu阳淮如栩Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted Just started posting, hope the numbers go up [Ancient Romance, Both Pure + Forcible Possession + Fake Siblings + The Emperor Takes His Minister's Wife + Hero Deeply Ensnared by Love] The first thing the new emperor did after ascending the throne was seize his royal sister's husband, then wait for her to come to the palace and beg him. Domineering, obsessive, devoted emperor × beautiful, scheming, delicate princess On the broad imperial bed, the woman is forced into the farthest corner. The emper 3.7kReads7.5Score245Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist was originally the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. Orphaned at a young age, she was taken to the palace for upbringing and given the title of princess. In a palace dominated by concubines, the crown prince was arrogant, ruthless, and cold-hearted, yet he developed feelings for his younger sister. Then, a power struggle erupted. The crown prince's first act upon ascending the throne was to arrest the female protagonist's new husband. When she went to the palace to plead for him, the new emperor held her captive, forcing her to divorce her husband.

28. 578 长 A Long Farewell 长辞 Zhi Er织尔Ancient Romance102k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + tragic romance + both leads reborn] Another heartbreaking historical romance from Zhihu’s popular author Zhier, following An Ending at Dusk! Through a haze of consciousness, she relived her entire life, finally pausing on that sunny afternoon. He stood beneath a tree, his eyes covered with white cloth, smiling as he asked what she wanted. A young gentleman, handsome and refined as jade. One glance was enough to stay in her memory for years. If only she had known that meeting h 1.7kReads8.4Score213Shelves

    Reader note

    A classic historical romance novel; the female lead has no special abilities, it's purely about palace intrigue.

29. 579 椒 Jiaofang Palace 椒房殿 Bluebird of Love and Moonlight风月青鸟Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + legendary tales + female ensemble cast + imperial court and nobility + political scheming + tragic romance + episodic stories] Jiaofang Palace, a magnificent residence that represents power and status. The women of the imperial harem all vie for the chance to live there, A battlefield without gunfire, a silent struggle to the death. Over two hundred years, who has lived in Jiaofang Palace, and what kind of lives did they lead? Eighteen deeply moving stories, Taking you through 850Reads9.6Score104Shelves
30. 580 山 Spring Comes to the Mountain Woods 山木逢春 The Fly Doesn't Fly乌蝇不飞Ancient Romance263k WordsOngoing [Two formidable leads + court intrigue + kindred spirits + growing together + long live idealism] Censor Zhou Huaiyue is ordered to investigate a fire at the salt warehouse. A token belonging to the Fang family is found in the ashes. Armed with an imperial edict, he turns the Fang family’s estate upside down, determined to find the statue of an evil god rumored to be enshrined in their inner residence. He doesn’t find the statue. Instead, he brings out a young woman who seems detached in both 38Reads—Score135Shelves

    Reader note

    A traditional Chinese romance novel, the male protagonist is a well-read scholar, and the female protagonist is a seasoned traveler. Their love story, like a fleeting encounter, surpasses countless romances. There are no melodramatic plot twists or overpowered plot devices; the young couple focuses on building their careers and living a prosperous and fulfilling life.

31. 581 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. 8.5kReads9.2Score947Shelves
32. 582 重 Only After Being Reborn Did I Learn I Was the Cool and Aloof Minister's White Moonlight 重生才知，我竟是清冷权臣白月光 October Orange十月橙Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [Revenge on scumbags + sweet romance + switched marriages + reborn heroine vs. transmigrated heroine + a seemingly aloof, secretly twisted beauty] In her previous life, Chu Mingyuan learned only as she lay dying that the younger sister who had secretly been sleeping with her husband was not born to her late mother. She was actually a concubine-born daughter who had been switched at birth by a concubine. Chu Mingyuan died with regrets. Thankfully, Heaven took pity on her, and after her death she 9kReads8.9Score947Shelves

    Reader note

    The opening of this ancient romance novel about rebirth completely amazed me; it's definitely a high-quality novel! Absolutely fantastic! [Already hooked][Already hooked][Already hooked]

33. 583 佞 The Treacherous Minister's Beloved 佞臣娇宠 Flowers Flying Beneath the Moon月下飞花Ancient Romance240k WordsCompleted Su Wanwan came to the capital to get married, only for her cousin to cheat on her. The most powerful noble in the land, the emperor’s brother-in-law, was cheated on at the same time. That was a lot to take in. Her head was spinning. Su Wanwan thought, if that nobleman’s wife could seduce her cousin, why couldn’t she marry her ex-husband? Gu Chengchun thought, if that bastard could steal his woman, why couldn’t he marry his country cousin? “Lord Gu, can you blow out the candle now? Our wedding ni 1.7kReads8.4Score239Shelves

    Reader note

    Purely historical romance, no cheat codes, both characters are virgins, sweet romance/palace intrigue

34. 584 满 Spring Over the City: A Collection of Historical Romances by Yiyimaiqian 满城春（一枚铜钱古言精选） A Copper Coin一枚铜钱Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted A collection of classic historical romances by popular Jinjiang author Yi Mei Tong Qian. These three works are all timeless favorites, perfect for staying up all night to read: Spring Over the City, Poisoned Wine, and Strange Tales of the Eighth Day of the Twelfth Month. The Liu family of the capital is an eminent clan so powerful that even the imperial family treats them with respect. Liu Yan, the legitimate youngest daughter of the second branch, is brilliant and blessed with both wisdom and g 23.4kReads9.4Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Serious ancient Chinese romance novels, those without any overpowered plot devices.

35. 585 卿 Qing Chen's Scheme 卿宸谋 Southward, Where the Shepherd's Flute Plays南有牧笛笙Ancient Romance516k WordsCompleted [Not a virginal romance, not a wish-fulfillment story. Read with caution! A story that could loosely be called an ancient Cinderella tale] [Traditional Historical Palace Intrigue]+ [Rich Plot]+ [A Mix of Sweetness and Heartbreak]+ [Slow-Burning Happy Ending] Autumn, Year Seventeen of the Nanyan era. The late emperor passed away, and his eleventh son, Xiao Yuning, ascended the throne, ushering in the Minghe era. In the third year of Minghe, the court decreed that officials of the fourth rank and 1.1kReads8.9Score120Shelves
36. 586 不 Oh No! The Princess Ran Away with Her Young Guard! 不好啦！公主和小侍卫私奔啦！ Qin Moqian秦墨浅Ancient Romance542k WordsOngoing [This book leans toward wuxia adventure.] [One-line summary: The jianghu adventures of a little princess and her young bodyguard as they travel south in search of her mother.] The only princess of Da Qi has run away! In broad daylight, she crawled out through a dog hole! And she took the best martial arts bodyguard in the palace with her. Princess: Why do you like money so much? Young Bodyguard: Don't you like money? Princess: Well... money is just a worldly possession! After bandits steal h 11Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Despite being royalty, Princess Shen Jiajing, with her impeccable morals, successfully escaped the palace with her childhood friend and guard, He Yiqiao, by crawling through a dog hole! The first step of her plan to leave the palace was a success! Little did she know, this was an escape known to everyone! Her father, the Emperor, and the Empress Dowager all knew, and even the dog hole was dug by the Empress Dowager's orders! He Yiqiao couldn't help but sigh! Playing along with others! Earning money from the rich is no easy feat! After leaving the capital, their first stop was Fengdu! "Little He! We'll share a room tonight!" He Yiqiao, who initially wanted to refuse, could only reluctantly agree after learning that women had mysteriously disappeared there! Because he had never slept in a room with a girl before!!!

37. 587 暮 An Order in Late Spring 暮春之令 Sea Green Takes the Swan海青拿天鹅Ancient Romance332k WordsCompleted After the princess sent away for a political marriage passes away, Wang Huiyan, a palace historian, returns to her hometown after eight years away. Once a well-born young lady, she now faces a family fallen on hard times, creditors at the door, and the prospect of remaining unmarried well into adulthood. Determined to make something of herself and escape her predicament, Huiyan ventures into business. Her heart stirs at the sight of the excellent bachelor who was once her childhood friend, and 3.6kReads9.1Score480Shelves
38. 588 庶 The Concubine’s Daughter Takes Her Place: The Regent’s Beloved Princess Consort 庶女替嫁，摄政王的娇宠王妃 Ying Huan楹欢Ancient Romance225k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance]+ [Marriage Before Love]+ [The Regent Prince Dotes on His Wife] Rumor has it that Regent Prince Qin Jingxiao brings death to his wives. Three princess consorts have already died in succession. Now he is to marry again, and an imperial decree arrives at the home of a low-ranking official of the fifth rank. The legitimate daughter refuses to marry at any cost, so the official’s family dares to pass off a concubine-born daughter as legitimate. To save her mother, who is a servan 1.5kReads—Score166Shelves

    Reader note

    The story is about an arranged marriage that blossoms into love. The female lead marries the regent in place of her elder sister, expecting to die. However, after the marriage, the regent dotes on her immensely, and their relationship develops gradually and sweetly.

39. 589 闻 The Sound of Spring 闻春声 Evergreen and Everwhite长青长白Ancient Romance161k WordsCompleted [Taciturn, stammering country hunk VS vivacious, fiery widow. Farming romance, one-on-one, both leads’ first relationship] [She makes the first move, and the unyielding tree finally blossoms. A period farming romance] At the matchmaker's urging, young Yao Chunniang took her dowry and married into the Zhang family in Lishui Village. Who could have guessed that on their wedding night, her sickly husband would close his eyes and die? Before Yao Chunniang could even process what had happened, she ha 29.5kReads9.6Score3.5kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all high-quality articles, definitely worth reading! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

40. 590 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 71Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Take a look at these books; they don't have any cheat codes, they're not about rebirth, and they're not about time travel.

41. 591 重 Reborn to Marry an Older Man 重生之嫁给老男人 Luo Yu Qiu Han落雨秋寒Ancient Romance238k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she had no sense of her own limits. A mere maid, she became obsessed with the riches and splendor of a great household. She had ambition without the ability to match it, and she was poor at judging people. In the end, she met a tragic death. In this life, for her family's sake, she resolutely takes the old path of entering a great household as a young maid. All she wants is to do her job, stay safe until her term is up, redeem her freedom, and leave the household to reunite 5.9kReads9.1Score409Shelves

    Reader note

    No cheat codes, positive values, and excellent writing. It doesn't simply revolve around the romance between the male and female leads, nor does it rely on melodramatic plot devices. Sometimes, the gentle, warm, and enduring story is even more touching. 😘

42. 592 惹 A Springtime Temptation 惹春娇 Hua Queque华阙阙Ancient Romance86k WordsCompleted [Cold-Hearted Young Duke vs. Clumsy Beauty from a Military Family] [Bickering Couple + Love at First Sight + Shotgun Wedding + Sweet Romance, 1v1] Cui Ke came from a distinguished family and was every inch a noble young gentleman. He never imagined he would marry a woman like Zhen Zhu. She was born in the countryside, uneducated, greedy, lecherous, foolish, and vulgar. Worse, they were natural enemies. The first time they met, she flung a shoe in his face, then pushed him into a river and left h 7.1kReads8.8Score529Shelves

    Reader note

    They all look great! [Admiration]

43. 593 春 The Spring Breeze Blows Through Yumen Pass! 春风吹度玉门关！ Scallion Pancake with an Extra Egg手抓饼要加鸡蛋Ancient Romance409k WordsCompleted [They marry at the start + married life + sweet romance + native-born leads + mutually devoted] Gentle, tolerant, and magnanimous heroine & jealous, rough-around-the-edges puppy-dog hero The sixth year of the Zhending reign, spring. The old Duchess of Dingguo knelt before the Empress Dowager, asking for a marriage match for her grandson Yun Zheng, who was guarding the northwest. The emperor honored the Yun family’s generations of loyal service. Having also heard that the Cui family’s daughters 23.1kReads9.0Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a pure historical romance, and the male lead absolutely adores it!

44. 594 病 Spring Returns to the Branches of a Sick Tree 病树枝头又逢春 Sweet Melon甜甜的瓜Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted [Print edition now available] Sang Nian accidentally climbs into the world of cultivation and becomes the vicious supporting female character who meets a tragic end in the book. System: Your mission is to marry the male supporting character, Xie Chenzhou, abuse him, humiliate him, and then get killed by him. Sang Nian: OK (brandishes little whip) (hits herself) (collapses with a thud) System: (silence) (stares at the sky) System: Mission changed. Win him over, or go mine coal. Sang Nian: (smiles 196.2kReads9.5Score26.2kShelves
45. 595 昭 The Old Grass of Zhaoxi 昭奚旧草 Shuhai Cangsheng书海沧生Ancient Romance296k WordsCompleted Across the vast lands of Huangyan, more than a hundred states rose in Huaguo. The feudal lords were enfeoffed, and their domains became the nations of Zhaoming. The archives record more than three million books, each containing the lives of eighty million people. Among those countless lives, each person is little more than a speck. Turn the pages with one hand, and fifty years pass in the blink of an eye, like spring blossoms falling. In one of those books stood a begonia garden. Inside it was a 5kReads9.5Score1.1kShelves
46. 596 首 The Chief Minister's Beloved Concubine 首辅大人的宠妾 August Snow八月雪Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Siyue, a servant in the Gu household, has raven-black hair and snow-white skin. She is as enchanting as a lotus fairy, and her only wish is to save enough money to leave the estate. What she doesn’t know is that Gu Rongheng, the eldest son of the Gu family, has long had his eye on her and already considers her his own. Gu Rongheng, the Grand Secretary, lays trap after trap, leaving her no chance to escape. A lowly maid can never escape a nobleman’s grasp. When Gu Heng becomes engaged, she is for 7.1kReads8.3Score506Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing quality is guaranteed to be good.

47. 597 袅 Delicate and Enchanting 袅袅妖娆 Ying Xiang赢香Ancient Romance557k WordsCompleted [Satisfying power fantasy + seductive troublemaker heroine + face-slapping and tormenting scoundrels + love at first sight based on looks + love grows over time + ten-year age gap] A beautiful, sweet-voiced heroine who plays the fool: a cunning, foxlike, black-lotus beauty. A hero who says one thing and means another: a strict, upright royal uncle who works as a school disciplinarian. Everyone knows Prince Ying, Huo Yin, is handsome and refined, with a face like an immortal's. But he never smile 9.3kReads9.1Score1.1kShelves
48. 598 行 With Whom Will the Clouds Finally Rest? 行云终与谁同 Different Paths, Common Ground道不同理相通Female-Channel Fanfiction1.1M WordsCompleted [Three Kingdoms martial arts / two strong leads healing each other / ensemble of women / political intrigue and growth] She is Ma Yunlu, the wild rose of Xiliang. She draws her carved bow to its full moon, gallops thousands of miles across the yellow sands, yet her father and brothers promise her in marriage to a spoiled local tyrant. On the day she runs away from her wedding, she sheds her red bridal finery and dons armor. “A woman should be a sword, fighting on the battlefield and bringing pea 309Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Three Kingdoms Fanfiction, No System, No Time Travel, No Cheat Codes] Pure Ancient Romance! Ma Yunlu: All crows are black, I won't marry anyone! Zhao Yun: Marriage in chaotic times will only lead to betrayal, I won't marry anyone! [Martial Arts Style, Traditional Ancient Romance, Three Kingdoms Fanfiction: The Love Story of Ma Yunlu and Zhao Yun] [1v1, No Time Travel, No Cheat Codes, No System, A Match Made in Heaven, Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic X Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic Single Female Lead, Mutual Redemption] Also known as: "The Legend of Yunlu in the Three Kingdoms", "The Unofficial Biography of Zhao Yun in the Three Kingdoms", etc. The lonely moon shines only because I haven't seen it. The dim starry river only because I haven't seen you. This book shows the journey of Ma Yunlu, daughter of Ma Teng, the governor of Tianshui, sister of Ma Chao, and wife of Zhao Yun, from a young girl to a female general, and tells her love story with Zhao Yun. (This story employs a dual narrative: the romance unfolds when the male and female protagonists are together, while their growth and development, along with the historical events and wars, unfold when they are apart.) Most historical figures are covered in this book, but its unique feature is its female perspective, offering more insights and perspectives from a female viewpoint… It provides a fresh interpretation of the well-known stories of the Three Kingdoms period from a new angle. (There may be instances where the plot deviates from the timeline of either the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or "historical records" for plot purposes; the overall direction is similar to the novel. Readers who are sensitive to this should proceed with caution.)

49. 599 归 Clouds Return, Dreams Shatter 归云断梦 Lu Shuiling鹿水灵Ancient Romance261k WordsCompleted Prince Huai was the most notorious devil in the realm, the number-one tyrant in the capital, Shenjing. The only pity was that the tyrant had a pair of useless legs. Jiangxiang was Prince Huai’s personal maid. Everyone who knew her said she was a simple, honest, loyal servant. Unfortunately, honesty was all she had going for her, and to Prince Huai she was utterly dispensable. For various reasons, Jiangxiang had no choice but to sneak away from Prince Huai just as his legs were recovering. But fo 228Reads9.1Score—Shelves
50. 600 采 Picking Tang Pears 采棠梨 Waiting for the Fog to Dye等雾染Ancient Romance11k WordsCompleted Picking Tang Pears 1.1kReads—Score118Shelves

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