Proper Historical Fiction, No Transmigrate, No Reborn, No Romance Drama 正正经经的古代文不要穿越不要重生不要恋爱闹

1. 1 雪 Snow Falls on Youyan 雪落幽燕 Helian Chengcheng赫连澄澄Ancient Romance176k WordsCompleted Li Mei, courtesy name Shuyuan, is the legitimate daughter of Prince Yongping’s household. At seven, she was granted the title of County Lady Jing’an. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she nevertheless had an unreliable mother. Her mother was a fiery-tempered daughter of a military family, fiercely jealous by nature. In a fit of rage, she killed Su Su, Prince Yongping’s favorite concubine, and was stripped of her title, expelled from the household, and sent to live in seclusion on Mount Nan, 1.1kReads—Score102Shelves

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   A pure historical romance, featuring a warm and caring male lead. The female lead is a county princess, and the male lead is a young general. The female lead's family suffers misfortune, and she and her mother flee to Youzhou. In Youzhou, the female lead and the male lead meet by chance, surviving together in the wilderness and falling into an ancient cave. The male lead takes great care of the female lead. After returning to the capital, their marriage is ruined, and the female lead is forced to become a nun. Life is very hard for her, and the male lead cooks for them.

2. 2 北 A Song Dynasty Civil Servant’s Guide to Slacking Off 北宋文官摸鱼手册 Green-Robed Clerk青衫吏213k WordsCompleted This is a laugh-out-loud history of the Song dynasty. It's hilarious, but meticulously researched, packed with solid material from official histories. And although it's rigorous, it's never dull: it brings the real Northern Song to life in the most humorous, funny, down-to-earth language. How could people from humble backgrounds turn their lives around? What wisdom can we draw from the turbulent careers of top-tier star scholar-officials? What was it really like to be a civil official in the Nor 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A Hilarious History of the Song Dynasty. While laugh-out-loud funny, it's also rigorous, filled with essential historical facts. Rigorous yet never dull, it uses the most humorous, funny, and down-to-earth language to present a true picture of the Song Dynasty. How did a poor family rise to power? What insights can we gain from the life wisdom of top-tier civil officials navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom? How glamorous was it to be a civil servant in the Northern Song Dynasty? What were their daily lives like? How outrageously high were the salaries of Northern Song civil servants? How much would those ranks be worth in today's RMB? What dishes did colleagues and friends eat at gatherings? What fun games did they play? What fashionable attire did they wear? What was the overall structure of the Northern Song Dynasty, from the national level to the local level? What was the core secret behind the rise and fall of the Northern Song Dynasty?… All these questions are answered in this book. If you enjoy it, please give it a 5-star review!

3. 3 兄 Elder Brother, You Mustn't 兄长不可 Ning Qingxuan, Who Likes Geng Sai Niu喜欢更赛牛的宁清璇Ancient Romance406k WordsCompleted Shen Yanci is the envy of everyone in the capital: the refined and upright heir of the Shen family, with a bright future ahead. Yet his family also takes in Su Wanqing, an orphan girl with no one to rely on. An elder's words, "Raise her by your side and treat her as your own younger sister," become an invisible shackle between them. He watches her grow from a timid little girl into a graceful young woman, cherishing and protecting her at every turn. But as they spend day after day together, he d 4.5kReads8.1Score508Shelves

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   A genuine ancient Chinese romance novel, the plot is absolutely captivating! The author is destined for stardom! [Masterpiece by Que Shi][Masterpiece by Que Shi][Masterpiece by Que Shi][Masterpiece by Que Shi]

4. 4 深 Late Nights in the Deep Estate 深宅晚 Ning Qingxuan, Who Likes Geng Sai Niu喜欢更赛牛的宁清璇Ancient Romance742k WordsCompleted Her husband, Song Hemian, died young, leaving Jiang Wanyin alone in a desolate mansion, surrounded by endless gossip. Her late husband's younger brother, Song Heran, returns from afar. He is refined and handsome, yet reserved and inscrutable, treating her with a tenderness that constantly oversteps the bounds of propriety. As they spend their days together, Jiang Wanyin gradually realizes that this “younger brother-in-law” is nothing like the Song Heran her husband described, in either his habit 2.1kReads7.3Score201Shelves
5. 5 娶 Marry a Wife to Cut My Taxes? I Started by Supporting My Beautiful Bride 娶妻抵税？从养活美娇媳妇开始 Last Night's East Tower昨夜东楼Historical1.8M WordsOngoing [No System + alternate world + farming + hunting + slow burn + not a wish-fulfillment story + political intrigue and warfare + competing for supremacy in troubled times] “Yucheng, do you want a wife or not? Just say the word and I’ll send one over.” “Then go ahead and send her over.” Shen Yucheng thought it was just a joke, never expecting to actually end up with a beautiful wife. The dynasty is in its final years. Warlords carve up the land, and refugees are everywhere. With nothing but bare wa 26.9kReads8.2Score2.1kShelves

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   Historical fiction + alternate history + farming + political intrigue + power struggles – this book is worth reading! "Want a wife? The government will assign one, and it'll even be tax-deductible!" A poor hunter casually agrees, and unexpectedly, he receives a beautiful and wealthy wife. With no surplus food, he braves the snow to hunt deep in the mountains to ensure his wife's survival. With the help of his hunting dogs, he reaps a bountiful harvest, but on his return journey, a snow leopard blocks his path. This thrilling yet sweet farming life is simply nonstop! Highly recommended! [Thinking]

6. 6 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

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   The female lead, a top-tier character, starts by humiliating herself with a broken engagement, instantly drawing hatred. Her four maids come to the rescue, turning the tide in a blaze of glory – a truly exhilarating experience. On the surface, she appears to be a foolish and useless legitimate daughter, but in reality, she's a cunning and ruthless post-apocalyptic special agent and the head of a secret service. [Admiration]

7. 7 涅 Reborn From the Ashes, I’ve Returned to Settle Every Score 涅槃重生归来有仇报仇有怨报怨 Author Tao Yaoyao作者逃妖夭Ancient Romance627k WordsCompleted “Reborn after returning from Nirvana, she settles every score and repays every grievance. A bond from a past life becomes a fate in this one.” Eight hundred years ago, she and he vowed to be husband and wife in their next life, promising to love each other for all eternity. Centuries passed, the world changed, and the past faded like smoke. Eight hundred years later, she was reborn, but fate had other plans. It was as if she'd been born into the wrong family. Her father showed her no affection, 3.3kReads8.6Score204Shelves

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   Losing his beloved from both past and present lives, he turned white-haired overnight. "In this life, I clearly met her first, we clearly fell in love first, how could I have lost her?" Bai Jingxuan hated himself, pounding his head in frustration. Thinking of the loving moments they shared in both lives, the longing and pain of those two lifetimes intertwined, forming a river of grief. He was heartbroken, his heart aching so much he could hardly breathe. Unable to suppress the overwhelming sorrow, he wept uncontrollably, his anguished sobs echoing through the courtyard. The once dignified and refined young master Bai, unable to bear the blow of losing his beloved, turned white-haired overnight. He trudged through the snow-covered courtyard towards the gate, his robes fluttering, his silver hair flying, the snow swirling around him, he seemed to merge with the icy landscape, indistinguishable from it all. He left the mansion and headed directly towards the Prince of An'nan's residence, An'nan silently following not far away.

8. 8 落 You Can't Bring Back a Runaway Bride 落跑娘子追不回 Author Tao Yaoyao作者逃妖夭Ancient Romance523k WordsCompleted I make my own fate, not heaven. She is no innocent little flower, no frail girl everyone can bully and trample on. If someone takes a swing at her or sets her up, she'll pay them back twice over. Su Wan, a merchant's daughter full of schemes, defies fate, plots her escape, and seeks refuge with one of the capital's most powerful families. Using their influence, she secures a good marriage prospect and gives her whole heart to her fiancé's family. But things don't go as planned. A spiteful woman 1.5kReads8.6Score101Shelves
9. 9 前 You Doted on Me in My Past Life, So Why Make Me Your Concubine in This One? 前世宠我入骨今生纳我为妾？ Author Tao Yaoyao作者逃妖夭Ancient Romance337k WordsCompleted Several hundred years later, she is reborn as a human. After more than a decade spent in a fog of madness, she returns to her own body with memories of her past life and searches among the masses for the lover she once cherished above all. But he wears a mask, consumed by a deep hatred and forced to bide his time as he seeks revenge. The lovers meet for the first time in this life, and one look spans a thousand years. She recognizes him, but he treats her as a pawn in a beauty trap. With the ene 1.1kReads—Score—Shelves
10. 10 疯 The Mad Emperor’s Captive: His Empress Has Run Away Again 疯帝囚宠，朕的皇后又跑了 Soaring Over the Southern Mountain跃南山Ancient Romance800k WordsOngoing [The title couldn't be changed in time. A female-led story: a princess of a fallen kingdom becomes an empress. She never bows to pressure and dares to flip the table, literally! No female suffering, no women fighting each other, but plenty of men fighting over her. They're all handsome, and they compete and vie for her!!!] [Political intrigue and tragic romance + captive pampering + love and hate + taking by force + two strong leads + a broken relationship beyond repair + possessive, cunning mal 719Reads9.4Score134Shelves

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    A historical romance novel featuring two powerful protagonists embroiled in power struggles and angst. The new emperor of Da Yao destroys Dayue and kidnaps the legitimate princess. The two are imprisoned and entangled in the deep palace day and night. The heroine sheds her innocence and hides her sharp edge as she seeks revenge step by step. The obsessive emperor is ultimately trapped in his own obsession.

11. 11 青 Childhood Sweethearts to Lovers: Returning with a Jade in His Arms 青梅变竹马，朝阳抱玉归 Widowed, But Not Lonely鳏寡非孤独Ancient Romance397k WordsOngoing [Female Disguise, Iron-Blooded Heir × Male Disguise, Downtrodden Sixth Prince] [Historical Romance, Alternate Setting | Pure Historical Romance, no transmigration, no System | Both are chaste in body and heart, each other's first and only love | Includes war and court intrigue. The plot is fictional, so please don't nitpick the details.] Xie Yu is the "only son" of the Marquis of Dingyuan's household. She has disguised herself as a boy since childhood and is destined to defend the northwest in 767Reads—Score109Shelves

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    This book has no time travel, no system, no rebirth—it's purely a historical romance. And I think the premise is quite appealing! [Laughing][laughing]

12. 12 雪 The Snowbound Blade 雪藏刃 Xie Xue Hanyan邪雪寒嫣Ancient Romance894k WordsCompleted One is a cold-faced constable who disguises herself as a man. The other is the Prince of Xichuan, a foreign nobleman said to have brought about his wife's death. When these two meet, an extraordinary story is bound to unfold. Passing herself off as a man to serve as a constable in the Six Fan Gate is no easy task. Dao Xueshan even changed her name to Dao Sanxue. To make it in a crowd of men, she has only one choice: be crueler, fiercer, more ruthless, and better at killing than they are. But she 353Reads—Score152Shelves

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    Completed, a completely handwritten novel. The female lead disguises herself as a man, working in the government and navigating the political arena. It features martial arts detective work, suspense, political intrigue, and female-led cooperation. The female lead has exceptional combat skills and is completely devoid of romantic ambition. ٩(๑^O^๑)۶😁

13. 13 浮 A Glorious Dream, Mountains and Rivers Far Away 浮华梦山河远 Angelica Grows by the Southern Shore白芷生南浦Ancient Romance521k WordsOngoing Is marrying up into a noble family a ladder to the clouds, or a blade at your throat? Everyone envies a merchant’s daughter who marries into a marquis’s household. But after a torrential rain in Huazhou, everything changes. Her husband gets caught up in the succession struggle, and she’s abducted by human traffickers... Even her family thinks she’ll never come back. But she not only returns, she also becomes the owner of Baoxing Trading House. Every time you think she’s finally found her foo 87Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a long-form historical romance novel, without a time-travel system or any cheat codes. There's no poisoning, slapping, miscarriage, or being pushed into the water throughout. The relationship between the male and female leads is sincere and pure, without any hidden agendas, scheming, or clichés. It couldn't be more serious. The "palace intrigue" and "domestic drama" tags are just labels added by the system; the system is probably an AI.

14. 14 论 Why Vampires Need to Read Their Blood Test Reports 论吸血鬼看血检报告的重要性 Angelica Grows by the Southern Shore白芷生南浦36k WordsCompleted On Why Vampires Should Pay Attention to Blood Test Results 246Reads—Score—Shelves
15. 15 白 The White Rose and the Vampire 白玫瑰与吸血鬼 Angelica Grows by the Southern Shore白芷生南浦29k WordsCompleted The White Rose and the Vampire 64Reads—Score—Shelves
16. 16 月 There Is No Door to the Moon Palace 月宫没有门 Angelica Grows by the Southern Shore白芷生南浦7k WordsCompleted The Moon Palace Has No Doors 61Reads—Score—Shelves
17. 17 舔 Two Years as a Doormat, Then One Heavy Rain Woke Me Up 舔狗两年，一场大雨浇醒了我 Angelica Grows by the Southern Shore白芷生南浦11k WordsCompleted After Two Years of Chasing Him, a Downpour Woke Me Up 47Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 18 一 I Transmigrated and Became the Beloved Bride of a Crippled Marquis 一朝穿越，替嫁残侯成团宠 Chen Jiu辰九Ancient Romance230k WordsCompleted [Historical transmigration + medical skills + marriage before love + two strong leads who dote on each other + suspense and court intrigue] Shen Qingci, a top surgeon, transmigrates into the body of a bride forced into a marriage swap. She becomes the new bride meant to bring good fortune to Xiao Yan, the blind and crippled Marquis of Dingbei. On their wedding night, she takes his pulse and immediately sees through it: “My lord, you’ve been poisoned. Someone wants to keep you in darkness forever 116Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Serious ancient romance novels

19. 19 与 Coexisting with a Big Shot, I Became Unstoppable 与大佬共生，我强到飞起 Chen Jiu辰九Modern Romance284k WordsCompleted One day, I woke up with a man in my head. It wasn't a hallucination or a split personality. He was the real deal, a top-tier boss: Lu Yunzhou. The ruthless business tycoon who ruled the corporate world was now nothing more than a ghost trapped in my mind. And so, things started looking like this: When someone gives me a hard time, he scoffs in my head: [Third file from the bottom left. Throw it in his face.] When someone frames me, he directs me remotely: [The recorder's in the right-hand drawe 140Reads—Score—Shelves
20. 20 快 Quick Transmigration: The Second Personality 快穿第二人格 Chen Jiu辰九Modern Romance216k WordsCompleted Female lead + dual personality + no saintly martyrdom + takes down scumbags regardless of gender or age + lighthearted and funny Synopsis: Jiang Yan, a female cultivator, was bored when she happened upon a System. She transmigrates through three thousand worlds, disguising herself as the original host's second personality to help them change their personalities and escape their tragic fates. She takes down scumbags, delivers face-slapping comeuppances, completes missions, and explores the myster 41Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 21 大 The Benevolent Ancestor of the Tang Dynasty 【大唐仁祖】 Tang Renzu of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors三皇五帝唐仁祖Historical973k WordsCompleted [Golden Finger] [Transmigration] [Li Ke] [Political Intrigue] [History] From the start, he transmigrates into Li Ke. Facing certain death, he uses Li Shimin as a chess piece and goes head-to-head with the Changsun clan and the Guanlong aristocratic families, deftly resolving the struggle over the crown prince's succession. From the start, he is trapped in a dead end: Changsun Wuji has already begun plotting to frame him, and the deadly purge of Zhenguan Year 17 is less than six years away. He 5.5kReads—Score494Shelves

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    It's here! "Emperor Renzu of Tang" has reached the quality of both historical fiction and serious drama, possessing the potential to become a timeless classic. This novel is high-quality, intellectually stimulating, not mindless, logically sound, and features brilliant character portrayals! "Emperor Renzu of Tang" was completed in mid-September with nearly a million words, resolving all foreshadowing, filling all plot holes, and avoiding a disappointing ending. The author released a masterpiece in November, comparable to a legendary playwright, a work of art that could be described as divine in ten days! 666! The author's writing style, word choice, plot structure, imperial strategies, political maneuvering, emotional nuances, military warfare, court intrigue, and governance are all top-notch. His writing is astonishing, his scope grand, his themes lofty, his thoughts profound, his knowledge solid, his cultural background deep, and his political maneuvering top-notch. If you don't like it after reading it, you can slap me in the face!

22. 22 你 You Seduced My Husband, I’ll Seduce Your Son. Fair’s Fair 你吊我夫君，我诱你儿子，不能亏 Thirty Thousand Gold三万金Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Song Xuwan had the husband everyone envied: he was chaste and had never even taken a concubine. But his handsome facade was ripped away in bloody fashion after one drunken night... Zhou Minghai was hardly chaste. He simply had a first love in his heart and wanted to remain faithful to her. Now he had even hidden his first love at a hot-spring villa, sneaking off to meet her every few days. Enough was enough! Whoever wanted that old geezer in his thirties could have him. She had no interest i 13.8kReads8.9Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    This is an ancient Chinese novel, the first one I've ever read in this genre. The female lead discovers her husband is having an affair and decides to take revenge on them, which involves seducing the son of the other woman [laughing emoji]. I thought she was very clever, but... The male lead is young, but cunning and intelligent. The characters' thought processes are quite unique. This novel was adapted into a short drama [you'll see].

23. 23 京 The Sinful Sea of the Capital 京门孽海录 Green Grass from the Middle从中绿草Historical365k WordsOngoing The enmity between the Zhao family and the Emperor, the Chancellor, and the Empress has always been a thorn between them. They must trust and work together, yet they keep rubbing against that thorn. Can a unity born of pain endure into the next generation? 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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    #FemaleLeader #PeakOfPoliticalIntrigue #HappyEnding #BadEraAesthetics❓ The Seventh Prince ascended the throne, promising Empress Zhao Tianxue a lifetime of monogamy. But the following year, the Emperor began frequently taking concubines. The girl who once danced on the edge of a knife for revenge now sat high on her throne, looking down at the throngs of concubines, her smile bitter. "Brother, we made a promise: if the imperial power couldn't tolerate us, we'd overturn the chessboard." The young prince was intelligent and knew how to conceal his abilities. But on that snowy night, Gu Changping volunteered to go on a mission to Beishuo. "I'll go to my death, inciting national anger; you help your nephew ascend the throne." On the border stone tablet, the brother and sister left their final testament.

24. 24 双 A Blood-Soaked Reckoning: Twin Sisters Return for Vengeance 【血色满门】双生姐妹踏血归来 Xiao Xiao Ran Zi萧萧然子Ancient Romance606k WordsOngoing An entire family of loyal officials is framed, and a century-old marquis’s estate is turned into a living hell. Twin sisters plunge from a cliff into the water, surviving against all odds. Once cherished young ladies who lived behind closed doors, they now tread a thorny path through the world. One struggles to survive on a sheer cliff, honing her edge; the other wanders in a foreign land, maneuvering at every turn. The court is rife with deceit and schemes, while the martial world flashes with 1.8kReads6.6Score189Shelves

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    No reincarnation, no time travel, no supernatural intervention—this is a genuine ancient Chinese romance drama of power struggles and revenge! "A Bloodstained Family" tells the story of twin sisters whose family was wiped out overnight, leaving the entire clan stained with blood. The two sisters survived by a hair's breadth and endured hardship. They carefully navigate the complexities of the court and powerful families, unraveling the layers of conspiracy behind the massacre. There's no mindless romance; the sisters are united, outwitting treacherous officials. Every battle is intricately linked, full of twists and turns. If you enjoy intellectual power struggles and satisfying revenge, and want to read about women fighting side-by-side in a bloody quest for retribution, don't miss this book!

25. 25 抗 War of Resistance: I Go It Alone 抗战：我单干 Skinny Pig瘦子猪Urban1.2M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into a war against the Japanese, Zhou Chengyu refuses to side with the South or the North. He operates independently. This is my territory and my army. I'll build a vast base of operations and raise hundreds of thousands of elite troops. When I'm poor, I'll look after myself. When I prosper, I'll help the world. Whoever fights the Japanese, I'll lend a hand. Navigating political schemes and official rivalries is like walking on thin ice. No opportunism, no shortcuts, just a 23.9kReads7.6Score991Shelves
26. 26 东 Eastern Han: My Life of Rising in Rank, Making a Fortune, and Killing My Father 东汉：我升官发财死亲爹的一生 Mint Health Is Ridiculous薄荷健康离谱Ancient Romance353k WordsCompleted [The female lead is not a good person. Not a good person. Not a good person! That’s important, so I’m saying it three times!] [Mostly focused on the female lead’s growth, with a somewhat slow pace.] This story has a little crossover with Love Like the Galaxy, and there’s also a character similar to Shaoshang. I really love Shaoshang, but the fanfiction elements are minimal. Here’s the actual synopsis: March of the twenty-fourth year AD. Amid the rumble of thunder and a woman’s cries from inside 60Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Please, everyone, come check out this one! I'll really feel bad if no one reads it. The author updates twice a day, she's super active! It's from the female lead's perspective, set in ancient times. Fans of historical romance shouldn't miss it! The protagonist's first thought every day is to restore the Han Dynasty, two hundred years before Liu Bei! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

27. 27 举 After Reporting My Mentor, I Uncovered a City Defense Map Hidden in a Painting 举报恩师后我查出画中城防图 Listening to the Rain聽雨瀟瀟Ancient Romance128k WordsOngoing Seven years of injustice and a blood-written letter have imprisoned Shen Lingzhao’s entire life. The Imperial Weaving and Painting Academy seems elegant, but under its surface, dark currents swirl. To uncover the truth about her father’s murder, she conceals her identity and becomes an apprentice painter, hiding every clue among ink and brushstrokes. When she discovers that a tribute painting conceals coded markings of the city’s defenses and publicly exposes the secret language used in smuggli —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead doesn't have the protagonist's halo; she has to weigh the pros and cons at every step, feigning compromise and biding her time before ruthlessly plotting a counterattack against her opponents. The portrayal of the intricacies of officialdom and human relationships is realistic and highly immersive.

28. 28 千 A Thousand Miles Along the Xiaoxiang, Together 千里潇湘共同途 It's Weiyang是微阳呀Ancient Romance222k 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 26Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Wow, this one has a brilliant female lead who's single-mindedly focused on revenge. She mostly uses the male lead, who initially isn't interested but gradually falls for her. The satisfying comebacks are so satisfying! Warning: This is a pure historical romance, so the pacing might be a bit slow; you'll need to savor it.

29. 29 江 Jiang Yan’s Dream: Flowers Bloom from His Brush 江淹一梦笔生花 Gurgling Spring泉之淙淙Historical505k WordsCompleted In the winter of the seventh year of the Daming era (463 AD), Jiang Yan was gathering firewood in the biting wind by the Qingxi River. Suddenly, he spotted a young woman stumbling along the main road, clutching her wounded left arm, with three constables from the Court of Justice in hot pursuit. Jiang Yan pulled her into a reed bed, helping her evade the officials’ deadly grasp. It turned out she was Xie Wei’s daughter. Xie Wei had been implicated in the Fan Ye case because of his poetry and pro 126Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A proper historical novel, without any system or time travel elements, based on authentic historical materials and meticulous writing.

30. 30 朕 I, Empress Hexi, Reborn and Done Saving the Ungrateful 朕，和熹女君，重生不扶白眼狼 Miss Xingci星辞小姐Ancient Romance329k WordsOngoing At fifteen, Deng Sui entered the palace. At twenty-two, she was made empress, and at twenty-five, she ruled as regent. For sixteen years, Deng Sui safeguarded the Han empire, only to be sent to her death by the young emperor she had personally supported. Her entire family was purged, and her loyal confidants died tragic deaths, full of resentment. Reborn, she returned to the year of the selection. In this life, Deng Sui seeks only to defy fate and change her destiny: Protect the emperor, who is 976Reads—Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    It features rebirth, but the historical fiction is imaginative and the author handles it with ease, employing a fresh writing style that makes it increasingly addictive.

31. 31 戏 A Tale of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties 戏说魏晋南北朝 Qin Xue Wuhen琴雪无痕Historical808k WordsOngoing Telling real history in a playful voice, this book paints a sweeping portrait of the turbulent years of the Two Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties. This period of history was practically a real-life, large-scale farce worthy of Game of Thrones. Not long after Sima Yan, who had unified the country, died, a foolish emperor and his ugly empress turned the realm into a slaughterhouse during the War of the Eight Princes. Liu Yuan, Shi Le, and others invaded the Central Plains, plunging the north 6.5kReads7.2Score318Shelves

    Reader note

    You might want to check out the lesser-known Northern and Southern Dynasties period; it's all based on historical records.

32. 32 倾 The Fallen Palace 倾圮的皇宫 Helian Chengcheng赫连澄澄Ancient Romance261k WordsCompleted Fictional history Ji Zizhen is the third daughter of Ji Xingyuan, emperor of Wu in a war-torn age. Her mother is Empress Li, and she falls in love with Xu Lin, her father's adopted son. When Xu Lin asks to marry her, the emperor considers the matter from every angle, revokes Xu Lin's status as his adopted son, and has him take the powerful minister Xu Ru as his adoptive father. He approves the marriage and holds a grand engagement ceremony for them. Just as Ji Zizhen is immersed in the sweetness 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The love story between a princess and a prince in a chaotic world is one in which neither of them can control their own destiny.

33. 33 宜 Yifang Ci 宜芳辞 Chang Ye Feng长野风Ancient Romance237k WordsOngoing [Serious Drama] [No Mindless, Clichéd Angst] [Not a Wish-Fulfillment Story] [Carefully Crafted] [Slow Burn] She is the widowed daughter-in-law of the prestigious Pingchang Marquis household. Brought into the family with a marriage contract, she suffers neglect and scorn. Though skilled at arranging flowers and as lovely as a pearl or jade, she becomes a stepping stone for the Marquis household's second young lady to win a reputation for herself. He is nearly thirty and holds the highest minister 3.8kReads—Score365Shelves

    Reader note

    Pure ancient words and fine chaff, no time travel and rebirth, the heroine's IQ is online

34. 34 月 After I Danced with a Sword Under the Moon, the Prince Mistook Me for His White Moonlight 月下舞剑后，王爷认错白月光 Lan Zhijin澜知锦Ancient Romance204k WordsOngoing She took beatings in her elder sister's place for seventeen years, then was sold into the prince's manor as a servant. The prince gazed at her face, longing for his unattainable beloved, never realizing that the woman who danced with a sword beneath the moon that night was her. 609Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In the residence of Gu Chongwen, the Second Grand Secretary, his wife Wang Wanru and concubine Liu Yunniang gave birth on the same day, resulting in the birth of their legitimate daughter Gu Qingyi and illegitimate daughter Liu Weiyue. A fortune teller predicted that the two girls would resemble each other, one paving the way for the other, while the other was destined to grow up amidst hardship…

35. 35 天 The Sky Screen Reveals My Loyal Bones, and the Court Begs Me to Return to Life 天幕揭我忠烈骨，满朝跪求我复活 YingYing YingYingYing滢Ancient Romance513k WordsOngoing I, Qin Yun, have been dead for ten years. The grass on my grave is already three meters tall. Who would have thought a sky screen would suddenly appear and expose everything about me? The whole country watched me disguise myself as a man and enlist in my brother's place. The emperor and every official at court were left speechless. The old ministers who once cursed me as a "demon empress who brought ruin to the country" now cling to my memorial tablet and sob like two-hundred-pound children. And 308Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient political intrigue novels, modeled after those of the Song and Ming dynasties, with a focus on realism.

36. 36 悔 I Broke Off Our Engagement When He Was Poor, but Now He's a Powerful Official Who Keeps Me as His Darling 悔婚穷书生他成权臣囚我做掌中娇 Yan Jingzhen盐景珍Ancient Romance881k WordsOngoing Historical fiction History seen through a young couple’s love and heartbreak The Xining and Yuanfeng Reforms of the Northern Song Dynasty, the fall of the Northern Song + the history of Zhejiang celadon (Yue kiln to Longquan kiln) 1. The New Policies among the people (the Song-Jiao war) 2. The Yun case in Dengzhou 3. Infighting among supporters of the New Policies (the Zhang Ruoji case in Xiuzhou) 4. The Chen Shiru case (the Yuanfeng reforms) 5. Su Shi’s poetry case at the Crow Terrace 6. Longqu 32Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In ancient times, against the backdrop of Wang Anshi's reforms in the Northern Song Dynasty, the saying went: "There are no real winners in this world. The inability to obtain what one desires is a cruel twist of fate."

37. 37 细EN A Slender Waist, a Hidden Beauty 细腰藏娇 Pikachu Out of Power没电皮卡丘Ancient Romance472k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + marriage before love + devoted couple HE + sweet romance + children later on + both leads speak their minds] Su Luoqian was the daughter of the richest family in the Great Jin Dynasty, cherished by her parents from the day she was born. She was lively and clever, bright and openhearted. But after a natural disaster exposed the Su family’s wealth, their prominence attracted envy and greed. Surrounded by wolves, Su Luoqian gritted her teeth and accepted the emperor’s arranged 26.9kReads9.3Score3.1kShelves

    Reader note

    No rebirth or time travel, pure ancient romance, extremely intense plot twists.

38. 38 替 A Substitute Bride as Bait: The Imperial Uncle Seizes the Throne and Makes Me Empress 替嫁为饵：皇叔夺嫡立我为后 Wan Mingyue宛明月Ancient Romance254k WordsOngoing A tale of control and discipline at first, then a pawn who becomes a wife, with palace and household intrigue in full swing. [The gloomy, ill-omened Seventh Royal Uncle & the cautious little maid just trying to stay alive] Is it exploitation or true affection? Will they drag each other into the abyss, or risk their lives to protect one another amid danger and turmoil? He is a discarded prince, infamous and burdened with a fearsome reputation, from a desolate wasteland reduced to ashes. She is a 689Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The Prince and His Little Spy: A palace intrigue novel, no time travel, no rebirth, no cheat codes, purely historical romance.

39. 39 我 My Childhood Friend Is a Royal Consort. What Can the Princess Do About Me? 我的竹马是驸马，公主奈我何？ Bridge of the Islet屿之桥Ancient Romance469k WordsOngoing [Pure historical romance | Reunited after years apart | Devoted, sweet romance with mutual fidelity | Ensemble coming-of-age] After their entire village was massacred, six young friends were scattered to the ends of the earth. Years later, Yun Sheng, now going by Qin Sheng, had made a life for herself in the capital. Xiao Hechen, the childhood friend she had never stopped thinking about, returned to the capital too, but fate had other plans. For the sake of his scheme, he had no choice but to m 181Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Purely historical romance! A revenge story with strong moral values! Logically sound!

40. 40 锦 Adding Heart to Brocade 锦上添心 Books and Ink, Deng Deng书墨登登Ancient Romance299k WordsOngoing During the ten years she lived as a guest in the Duke of Zhenguo's residence, Jiang Jinrong never forgot that she was a “jinx.” All she wanted was to live peacefully in the Pei household, and when she found a suitable place to settle, Jiang Jinrong made her move without hesitation. The gentle Second Young Master gave her a cold look for the first time. “You actually think he could be the one for you?” The usually overbearing Third Young Master pinned her against the wall, his eyes bloodshot. “J 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I've recently been reading this book, [Learned], a pure ancient Chinese romance novel, the kind with a classic, antique feel, and lots of dramatic love triangles.

41. 41 哀 A Mourning Goose Fan Story: Pomegranate Red 哀鸿二创：榴红 Lao Mu Ah牢沐啊Anime Fanfiction580k WordsOngoing Teacher Ji Ling’s original work is ambitious and cleverly crafted. But after getting both true endings, the author was left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. I understand that he wanted to express the cruelty of history and the fickleness of fate, but as a player, what I saw was more like an exhibition: suffering turned into spectacle, consumed, and presented with arrogance. Fang Zhiyou is a hypocritical bystander, Lin Pianpian is a symbol saddled with tragedy, Su Lianyan is a lof 111Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The business battles depicted in "Lament for the Fallen" are not aided by magic; the Wang family's cloth shop relied entirely on hard work and perseverance to establish itself. The struggles against competitors and difficult customers are portrayed with remarkable realism.

42. 42 三 Three Kingdoms: From the Start with Qin Qiong's Template, the Top General in Cao Cao's Camp 三国：开局秦琼模板，曹营第一将 Tricking Lame People into Earning Money with Their Step Counts骗瘸子运动步数能换钱Historical1.5M WordsCompleted [A general-focused story, a general-focused story, a general-focused story, not a lord-focused story!] [The System runs away from the start] [Cao Wei] [Three Kingdoms] [Generals] [The top enforcer in Wei] [Traits] (The first thirty-three chapters feature many characters because of the campaign against Dong Zhuo, so there are more traits. There are fewer new characters later on, so there won’t be as many.) Su Yi transmigrates to the war-torn final years of the Han dynasty, only for the System to 67.2kReads8.1Score9.2kShelves
43. 43 朕 I Am Hongli, Building a Golden Age for the Qing Dynasty 朕是弘历打造大清盛世 Third Aunt from the Farm农家三姑Historical1.4M WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue + Harem Rivalries + Factional Strife + Romance + Emperor] Hongli ascended the throne at twenty-five and ruled for sixty years, making him the longest-reigning and longest-lived emperor in history. He governed with diligence, excelling in both civil and military affairs, and led the Qing to the height of its golden age. Yet factional strife raged through the court, conflicts in the deep palace never ceased, and danger lurked behind the splendor. In the end, the golden age ga 15.7kReads8.3Score435Shelves

    Reader note

    It's absolutely amazing! So wonderful! I could watch it over and over again!

44. 44 慈 Empress Dowager Cixi and Her Three Favored Eunuchs 慈禧皇后与她的三个宠爱太监 Farmer Third Young Master农家三少Historical3.7M WordsCompleted [Eunuchs + Palace Secrets + Empress Dowager Cixi + Court Intrigue] From the time Empress Dowager Cixi entered the palace to the day she ruled from behind the curtain, she shared an unusual relationship with three eunuchs: An Dehai, Li Lianying, and Xiao Dezhang. They were like master and servants, like friends, and more than anything, like old companions. She doted on the three eunuchs, who relied on her favor to do as they pleased, throw their weight around, and take part in court affairs. This 51.3kReads9.0Score3.2kShelves
45. 45 风 Through Wind and Rain, the Wild Geese Return 风雨雁归来 Jiang Xiaoyu江小雨Ancient Romance499k WordsCompleted Cao Jinghe was one of the best spies in Jianzhang Palace, code-named Snow Goose. She entered the palace at eight. At sixteen, her homeland fell and Chang’an was lost. She spent eight years undercover in enemy territory, until the bandits surrendered, the lost lands were recovered, and peace returned to the realm. But she waited where she was, and the order to end her mission never came. Even her handler, “Mountain Ghost,” who had sent her secret reports all along but whom she had never met, vani 441Reads8.5Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    It's here! No time travel, no rebirth.

46. 46 岁 May Every Year Bring Peace and Lasting Serenity 岁岁安澜绵长 Zhu Aiqi朱艾奇Ancient Romance561k WordsOngoing A modern police detective was killed in a car accident while on a mission, only to transmigrate into the youngest daughter of the eldest branch of the loyal and brave Earl’s household. Her biological mother had also switched her at birth, making her the family’s adopted daughter. How will she survive in ancient times? This is my first time writing, so please be kind, everyone! I don’t know the platform’s rules either, and the first chapter turned out too long! 13.1kReads8.2Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This was originally a pure ancient romance novel where the characters were three-dimensional and delicately detailed.

47. 47 沉 The Sinking Carp Startles the Cattails 沉鲤惊蒲 Seven Inkstones七砚书Mystery442k WordsOngoing He calculated that today was “a day to avoid people in red.” Chi Jingpu immediately pulled out his red undershirt. “You’ve been standing there in a red undershirt this whole time, and now you’re telling me to avoid people in red?” Scientific-minded constable × Feng Shui master × little princess lost in the human world Hilarious mystery romance, one-on-one pairing, both leads pure and devoted, incredibly sweet 342Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Thumbs up][ ...]

48. 48 王 The Prince Offered Himself to Her, and She Took Him Up on It 王爷以身相许，她要了 Seven Inkstones七砚书57k WordsCompleted The Prince Offered Himself to Her, and She Accepted 228Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 49 侯 My Lord, Your Dog Can't Come In! 侯爷，您的狗不能进！ Seven Inkstones七砚书Ancient Romance40k WordsCompleted My Lord, Your Dog Can't Come In! 224Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 50 下 I Came Down from Heaven and Gave the Wrong Medicine, and the Matchmaker God Exploded 下凡喂错药，月老炸了 Seven Inkstones七砚书Marriage & Romance7k WordsCompleted I went down to the mortal world and gave someone the wrong medicine. The Matchmaker God is furious! 96Reads—Score—Shelves

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