Pure Palace Intrigue, From Palace Maiden to Favorite Consort and Empress: A Highly Intelligent, Ruthless Female Lead Who Isn't a Doormat 纯宫斗，从秀女到宠妃皇后，有高智商不圣母，心狠

1. 101 当 When An Lingrong Slays Her Way Through Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 当安陵容杀穿如懿传 The Mulberry Glow of Old Age Is Never Too Late岁岁桑榆非晚Female-Channel Fanfiction381k WordsCompleted An Lingrong: The meticulous and ruthless Sister An is back! Going from palace maid to empress dowager will be a piece of cake! . After being reborn, An Lingrong never expected to end up in Qianlong's harem. But this place is nothing like she remembers! (The Story of Ruyi and Empresses in the Palace don't share the same continuity, so this is more like a parallel new world.) · The older sister she wronged all her life has been possessed by an old woman who does nothing but stir up trouble. Go en 12.5kReads9.1Score1.4k14d adds

   Reader note

   Slaying the dragon is the ultimate goal of palace intrigue!

2. 102 咸 The Laid-Back Consort: Rising Step by Step 咸鱼娘娘：步步高升 Melancholy Cantaloupe忧伤的哈密瓜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace and household intrigue + childbirth + doted on exclusively later] Jiang Wan transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking palace consort of an emperor with no children. To protect the people around her, she has no choice but to compete for a little favor. Who knew she’d end up giving the emperor a chubby baby boy! Emperor: “She’s the birth mother of my only son. Of course I have to protect her.” Who knew that all that protection would turn into affection? As Jiang Wan ris 18.8kReads8.9Score1.7k14d adds

   Reader note

   Pure palace intrigue, no angst, only the female lead can give birth to sons, she is the only one favored by the female lead later on, and both princes are incredibly cute.

3. 103 谁 Whose Favored Concubine Doesn't Get Herself Killed? 谁家宠妾不作死啊 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Pei Shiyuan had always thought that, as a concubine-born daughter, she thrived at her family home because she knew a little tea ceremony and all she had to do was flatter her father, the head of the household. She had been quite pleased with herself about it, right up until she entered the Eighth Prince’s household. The Eighth Prince’s mother, the Noble Consort, was so favored that the Empress had no room to stand. His maternal family wielded so much power that the court officials could barely b 77.1kReads9.5Score7.9k14d adds

   Reader note

   The first and second are the rise of palace maids.

4. 104 细 After Being Reborn, the Slender-Waisted Beauty Is Lavished with the Chaste Crown Prince's Affection 细腰美人重生后，被禁欲太子狂宠 Que Yin雀隐Ancient Romance651k WordsCompleted [Completed] [Cool, celibate Crown Prince x Sweet, slim, easygoing concubine] Lin Jinxu is as lovely as a hibiscus, her beauty impossible to hide. Her slender waist, delicate enough to fit in one hand, is famed throughout the capital. Sadly, in her previous life, she trusted the wrong person and married her hypocritical cousin. She died before turning twenty, and took the entire Lin family down with her. Reborn, Lin Jinxu wants nothing more than to coast through life, eat well, and grow old in pe 4.7kReads8.5Score41714d adds
5. 105 劫 The Stolen Bride: The Obsessive Emperor’s Darling 劫娶：偏执帝王的掌中娇 Zhi Xiaoyuan知小元Ancient Romance355k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, both leads pure; The Emperor Steals His Minister's Wife; childhood sweethearts; second chance romance; palace intrigue early on; romance-focused] Lu Wan and Xie Zhan grew up together. Just as Lu Wan happily prepared for her wedding, Xie Zhan became the Crown Prince overnight. The very next day, he came to break off their engagement and marry someone else. After Xie Zhan ascended the throne, the noblewomen all lamented that Lu Wan had been unlucky and missed her chance to bec 1.4kReads8.4Score10114d adds

   Reader note

   The first book features a very alluring female protagonist, Shen Fu, whose older sister is a concubine (the sister is an adopted daughter). The protagonist is the true legitimate daughter. Because her sister cannot conceive, the protagonist is brought to the palace. Every day, the emperor summons her sister to his bedchamber. However, because they look very similar, her sister tricks her into having Shen Fu (the protagonist) take her place. Shen Fu eventually becomes pregnant, and the protagonist dies in the end. In this new life, the protagonist is reborn! It's very good! The characters are intelligent! The second book features Lu Wanwan, who is engaged to the male protagonist when he is the crown prince. However, she doesn't marry him, seemingly due to her grandfather's influence. Later, when the male protagonist becomes emperor, he brings her back to the palace.

6. 106 甄 Empresses in the Palace: The Ladies Ride the Wind and Break the Waves 甄嬛传之乘风破浪的娘娘们 Yu Shiyi芋十一Female-Channel Fanfiction1.2M WordsCompleted [Everyday food, besties being affectionate, a plan to raise a future empress dowager] What should a clear-eyed, clueless college student do after landing in the world of Empresses in the Palace as the timid, insecure An Lingrong? The An Lingrong from her previous life says, “You have to help me live with dignity!” But the Empress is sweet-tongued and treacherous, Consort Hua is arrogant and overbearing, and the Emperor is cold and heartless. How can she live with dignity? If she can't keep up wi 2.3kReads9.0Score19714d adds

   Reader note

   This should also be considered a palace intrigue drama, right? 🤣 It's really good; it took me three days to finish reading it, so I had to share it right away.

7. 107 冉 The Empress Ran 冉后 Nai Nai J奈奈JAncient Romance376k WordsCompleted Ran Hu was made a Jieyu concubine as soon as she entered the palace. On her very first day, she was summoned to the emperor’s bedchamber and granted the title of Chen, cherished like a rare treasure. Her peerless beauty and her younger brother’s illustrious military achievements as Marquis of Chang’an gave her the confidence to act as she pleased in the harem. The two souls who had come from a later age ultimately left a lasting mark on this strange world. 4.6kReads9.0Score47914d adds

   Reader note

   She would become a Jieyu upon entering the palace. Her younger brother was a confidant of the emperor, and the emperor also liked the female lead.

8. 108 人 Life Is a Play, and the Empress Is All About Her Acting Skills 人生如戏，娘娘她纯拼演技 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + witty banter + sweet, delicate beauty + calculated mind games] The leads are not each other’s only partners. If that bothers you, don’t read. Be prepared for suspicion in the early chapters, followed by affection later. The pacing is slow, so proceed with caution if you prefer fast-paced wish-fulfillment stories. As a double award-winning actress and a seasoned star of palace intrigue dramas, how could Shi Yan possibly lose her nerve after transmigrating into the imperial hare 4.9kReads9.4Score54914d adds

   Reader note

   The female lead is rational and clear-headed throughout her journey from a palace maid to a favored concubine. The male lead is a good emperor, and even though the female lead doesn't love him, she still respects and admires a monarch.

9. 109 這 Is This Right? Forbidden City: The Countercurrent Spy Sings on the Strings 這對嗎紫禁城：逆流密探吟弦 Ling Yuyu令燏燏Ancient Romance126k WordsOngoing Being the legitimate second daughter was only a title, it turned out. The blue agate bracelet was mottled and dull, its color faded. “How tragic! I happen to know a little about what went on behind the scenes, too... Not long after your mother entered the palace, several palace maids died in strange incidents in the Forbidden City... I don’t know who let the secret slip, but a message was sent to the prince’s household saying your mother...” “Enough!” “I can’t skip the imperial selection. Re —Reads—Score—14d adds

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   You guys can't ignore this...😭 A lot of people in this topic are just spamming😭 This is a pure palace intrigue historical novel, you'll cry if you don't read it🤣 The writing is better than a bunch of elementary school kids trying to ride the wave!!! 🤣

10. 110 宫 Palace Intrigue's Winner: I Rise to Power by Raising Kids 宫斗赢家：我靠养崽上位 Fu Qian Qian福千千Ancient Romance430k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue and childbirth, no golden finger, not a devoted couple] “Your Majesty, Ning Guiren's red mandarin-duck bellyband is still hanging from that scoundrel's belt!” Opening her eyes to such a shocking scene, Ning Yuxi immediately kicked the scoundrel aside and ran for it. Seriously, did she have a death wish, giving the emperor a cuckold's horns? An emperor who loves the throne more than beautiful women? No problem. Two children in three years? What's that? I'll have three in two! Wha 145Reads6.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Everyone talks about palace intrigue, but what's the point of fighting if both characters are virgins and the emperor is the only one favored? In this book, the female lead doesn't love the emperor, and the emperor doesn't love her either. There's a bit of trust and a bit of familial affection. The emperor is a good emperor; a stable empire is more important than anything else.

11. 111 贵 Is the Noble Consort the Most Favored in the Harem Today? 贵妃今天宠冠后宫了嘛 Yu Liang鱼梁Ancient Romance629k WordsCompleted [The Noble Consort is the reborn empress. Liang Jiayi = Zhou Jinghe. A clever, brave, strong-willed little troublemaker × a diligent, virtuous, wise, and benevolent ruler] Rumor had it that the newly arrived Noble Consort was the empress’s double. The Noble Consort had never put up with such an insult in her life, so she turned around and raised hell in the entire harem. The concubines competed for the emperor’s favor? She drove them out of the palace. The Empress Dowager made things difficult f 435Reads9.2Score10214d adds

    Reader note

    These are all palace intrigue stories. The female leads are very intelligent, not overly saintly, and extremely strong. They all receive exclusive favor in the later stages, and every single one of them is captivating. I highly recommend giving them a try; every single one is excellent.

12. 112 坤 Secrets of Kunning Palace 坤宁宫秘录 sridaAncient Romance127k WordsOngoing In the tenth year of the Jiajing reign, Fang Jingshu, a young woman from a humble family in Jiangnan, entered the palace with two things clenched in her hands: a wooden plaque bearing the word “Endure,” given to her by her father, and a plain silk handkerchief embroidered with the same word, given to her by Consort Cao Duan. The asters in Kunning Palace withered alongside the late empress, while Noble Consort Li’s golden pheasant-patterned robes flaunted their splendor in the candlelight of Che —Reads—Score—14d adds
13. 113 风 Willows in the Wind 风中柳 Yu Ling雨泠Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Ruthless heroine➕female-lead power fantasy➕light ensemble-style palace intrigue➕face-slapping and scum-bashing➕primarily focused on building her career] (Female lead is a virgin; male lead is not) Jiang Fu, the Jiang family’s fifteen-year-old illegitimate daughter, was lovely and graceful. Unfortunately, her stepmother was cruel and her father was heartless. As an illegitimate daughter, she had no say even in the marriage that mattered most to a woman. Her family could manipulate her as they p 2.1kReads8.8Score29214d adds

    Reader note

    The female protagonist rises from a palace maid to a favored concubine to the Empress, ruthless in her methods, not a saint, and without excessive compassion. She believes that as long as she's happy, the well-being of others is irrelevant, and she genuinely doesn't fall in love with the Emperor; it's all just an act, maintaining her original intentions and integrity. After reading the entire book, I feel only one word can describe it: "crazy" [laughing and crying emojis]. It really is "crazy," but I actually finished it; maybe I've gone crazy too [laughing and crying emojis].

14. 114 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 3.6kReads9.2Score30214d adds

    Reader note

    This is a rebirth palace intrigue novel. The female lead is an illegitimate daughter who obtained her place in the palace by poisoning and disfiguring the legitimate daughter. After entering the palace, she is very good at pretending and doesn't fall in love with the male lead. She is skilled in palace intrigue, not a saint, and not brainless.

15. 115 宠 The Beloved Consort's Rise to Power 宠妃升职记 Qing Ling卿绫Ancient Romance399k WordsCompleted When faced with the selection, An Ruyi is merely a low-ranking daughter of a noble family. To avoid the marriage arranged by her legitimate mother, she has to choose between becoming another man's concubine and becoming the emperor's. Without hesitation, she chooses the latter. Backed by a golden finger in the form of a pocket dimension, she originally only wants to retire in the imperial palace. But even the harem is unsafe, and everyone can bully her. The emperor's favor only puts her in the s 2.8kReads8.9Score20114d adds

    Reader note

    That has to be the first one. The female protagonist travels to ancient times, but instead of showing off her uniqueness, she integrates herself and eventually rises to power through palace intrigue. The second book will have a bit of fantasy because it features space.

16. 116 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 15.3kReads9.0Score2.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    These are some of my favorite palace intrigue novels. The first one features a very intelligent and beautiful female lead, and it seems the male lead doesn't have a particular fondness for her. Although it's not the kind of exclusive favoritism, it's still very good. The later ones all have a bit of that exclusive favoritism feel to them. [Heart][heart][heart][bump][bump][bump]

17. 117 不 No Eavesdropping on the Emperor 不许偷听朕说话 Yin Zaishui尹在水Ancient Romance925k WordsCompleted An Jiu transmigrated into the body of a young palace maid who wanted to climb into the emperor’s bed. The moment she opened her eyes, the tyrant ran his sword straight through the maid who had tried to seduce him. The next day, the tyrant killed a senior maid who served one of the consorts. On the third day, a maid who tasted the emperor’s food died from poison. Being a palace maid was a high-risk job. An Jiu decided to work hard, save up, cherish her life, and stay away from the tyrant. But the 78.3kReads9.4Score13k14d adds
18. 118 清 A Qing Dynasty Transmigration: The Life Player 清穿之生活玩家 Cat Butterfly猫蝶Ancient Romance465k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + lots of childbirth + clear-headed, decisive black-lotus heroine + managing the harem + slow transmigration] World One: Kangxi, complete. World Two: Yongzheng, complete. She transmigrates into the Qing palace. Starting out in modern times as a hairpin maker, Jiang Mengyu puts every skill at her disposal to work. She's already started hustling, thanks! No feelings, just technique. Her intelligence stays sharp, and she's a born workaholic. Content warning: When faced with life-or 4.1kReads9.2Score29514d adds
19. 119 无 The Saltless Empress 无盐为后 Don't Ask莫问Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted She was the only empress personally appointed by the Wanli Emperor. History describes her as gentle, virtuous, and dignified, with the bearing of an empress. She passed away in attendance in the forty-eighth year of Wanli. Five days later, the emperor fell ill and died in July of the same year. At last, the couple were reunited. According to rumor, the household of Wang, a thousand-household commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had a daughter as beautiful as a celestial maiden, with deli 486Reads8.8Score13014d adds

    Reader note

    [Shy][Shy] These books are all super good! In the first one, the emperor is incredibly protective of the female lead, arranging everything for her. [Laughing][Laughing][Laughing] The last one is also very good and funny. [Laughing and crying][Laughing and crying][Laughing and crying]

20. 120 朕 I Think You’re After Me, Not the Throne! 朕觉得，你就是图朕这个人！ Cat Qian Qiu猫千秋Ancient Romance311k WordsCompleted [Both leads are inexperienced + the heroine can read men's minds + the hero wins himself over + plenty of silly fun] In her previous life, Yu Huan spent three years in the imperial palace fighting to win and keep the emperor's favor. She tried every trick in the book, but still couldn't get the attention of the emperor, who cared only about gold, silver, and jewels and was endlessly greedy. In this life, she just wants to keep her head down in the harem and stay out of trouble. When the empero 3kReads9.0Score42714d adds
21. 121 报 Your Majesty, the Tyrant Can Read Minds 报告娘娘，暴君他有读心术 Three Two Five三二五Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After she touched the tyrant’s skull, which had been polished into a wine bowl, she unexpectedly transmigrated into the empress who died the most gruesome death in history. Every day, she plotted to kill the tyrant and become empress in her own right, unaware that he could read minds. When the tyrant fell gravely ill, she wept and begged Heaven to let her trade her own years of life for his safety. The tyrant was deeply moved, until he suddenly heard her thoughts: [If he’s so sick, hurry up and 6kReads9.3Score99414d adds
22. 122 入 I Took Power the Moment I Entered the Palace: As the Imperial Consort, What Could I Fear? 入宫即掌权，我是贵妃我怕谁 Lily YaLily娅Ancient Romance513k WordsCompleted The rating has just been released, so it’ll go up later! [The male lead favors his first love early on, but devotes himself exclusively to the heroine later. She’s clearheaded and no love-struck fool. What she wants isn’t affection, but power.] Scheming Emperor × Alluring Noble Consort On her first day in the palace, Jiang Shuning understood one thing: in this harem, the sincere are all dead, and the survivors are all putting on an act. The Emperor’s first love steals the spotlight from her. Sh 5.2kReads8.2Score66014d adds

    Reader note

    The story begins with the imperial concubine, the plot is fast-paced and enjoyable from start to finish.

23. 123 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 115.1kReads9.6Score16.6k14d adds

    Reader note

    🍒🍒🍒Ancient Chinese romance, palace intrigue. In the first book, the female lead wished the emperor dead, but in the second book, she wished to be with him forever. [Laughing and crying emojis]

24. 124 病 The Possessive Tyrant Is Cold by Day but Wants Kisses at Night 病娇暴君他白天冷冰冰晚上要亲亲 Song of the Ages千秋岁引Ancient Romance562k WordsCompleted [Possessive love + strong heroine + everyone's darling + devoted couple + secret identities + reborn + a mutually devoted, powerful couple in a satisfying 1v1 romance] In her previous life, she was deceived and manipulated into calling off her wedding, then died in a terrible fire. Only the violent emperor rushed into the flames to protect her, his eyes bloodshot. He avenged her, held her old clothes, and followed her in death. After being reborn, she kicks aside the scumbag man and the vile wom 1.9kReads9.1Score26114d adds
25. 125 入 After Entering the Palace, the Obsessive Emperor Wouldn’t Let Me Leave 入宫后，偏执帝王不许我出宫 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance509k WordsCompleted [Not both virgins, not a strong heroine, a little angst early on, devoted love later] In the fourth year of the new emperor’s reign, Consort Duan died suddenly of an illness in the palace. At the time, Shen Jiafu was not yet fifteen. The Empress Dowager was from the Shen family. Half a year later, she summoned a Shen daughter to the palace to attend to her, claiming to be ill. Shen Jiafu traveled from Quzhou to the imperial capital. In public, she was gentle and well-behaved, like a charming flo 14.1kReads9.0Score1.3k14d adds
26. 126 甄 Empresses in the Palace: Soft as Jade, Gentle as a Flower 甄嬛传之玉软花柔 Meng Shiqi梦诗祺Female-Channel Fanfiction321k WordsCompleted My father is a high-ranking second-grade official, and my several older brothers are all prominent figures of the Qing Dynasty. As a modern-day corporate drone, Ye Qingran couldn’t be happier. But disaster strikes from above, and Qingran has no choice but to obey an imperial order and enter the palace. If she’s going in, then Niohuru Qingran is determined to make her mark. Yixiu, sweet-tongued but venomous; Nian Shilan, arrogant and domineering; Zhen Huan, dripping with false sweetness... They’l 4.9kReads9.0Score27114d adds
27. 127 并 Twin Black Lotus Sisters Run Riot in Empresses in the Palace 并蒂黑莲花杀疯甄嬛传 A Crispy Little Fish一条酥小鱼Female-Channel Fanfiction720k WordsOngoing Jiang Shu's soul transmigrates into Empresses in the Palace, where she joins forces with An Lingrong to carve out a path to survival in the cannibalistic imperial harem. A pair of sisters who rule the palace through intrigue: concubines become empress dowagers! By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jiang Shu, daughter of Jiang Tingxi, Vice Minister of Rites, is hereby conferred the rank of Fifth-Rank Noble Lady. So ordered! Jiang Shu: Everyone says Lingrong is sensitive, insecure, suspi 1.2kReads8.7Score12514d adds

    Reader note

    Raise your hand 🙋‍♀️ The female lead and An Lingrong team up

28. 128 皇 The Empress Is a Max-Level Palace Intriguer, Crushing Everyone 皇后满级宫斗，嘎嘎乱杀 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + infidelity + fictional setting + a resourceful, money-loving, beauty-loving, life-loving empress ✖️ emperor] In her previous life, Hua Shu was a lowly palace maid. She schemed her way to the top of the political ladder, only to be condemned by everyone and branded a wicked woman who brought ruin to the nation. When she opens her eyes again, she finds herself in the unfamiliar state of Chu, as an unloved empress who’s also being made a scapegoat. As if she’d put up with that! S 13.8kReads9.4Score1.8k14d adds

    Reader note

    In her previous life, Hua Shu was a lowly palace maid who climbed to the top of power, only to be condemned by the public and called a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the unfamiliar Chu Kingdom, as an unfavored empress, and a scapegoat; how could she tolerate this! To clean up the chaotic harem, Hua Shu said, "Nothing special, just a few tricks to win people's hearts." The emperor, eavesdropping, dared not speak out, filled with resentment, "Isn't this the time when you said you loved me?!" In short, a once-femme fatale accidentally became a wise empress.

29. 129 娇 The Spoiled Consort's Road to Glory 娇气包娘娘的荣华路 Qingxi Hexi清兮禾兮Ancient Romance385k WordsCompleted Sweet romance! Undivided love! She’s doted on to the max! [The heroine is cunning, a little black lotus hidden beneath a rabbit’s skin] [The hero has a harem and isn’t chaste, but once he meets the heroine, he devotes himself to her alone in a one-on-one romance] The third young lady of the Sheng’an Marquis’s household, born to his secondary wife, was as beautiful as a celestial maiden. Sweet and clever, she knew how to win favor. Her grandmother and father favored her, and even her legitimate 13.3kReads9.2Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue novels are practically my comfort zone! High-quality palace intrigue stories are all here, all 9️⃣ points or higher. Pick any of them, no duds! The first one, which I just finished recently, is amazing! I've seen this one many times, but the title never really interested me. I opened it when I was looking for something to read, and it was surprisingly good!! The female lead is extremely cautious and vigilant; trying to harm her? Impossible! The male lead is a typical career-driven individual who uses and suspects the female lead. This one isn't super sweet, but the evenly matched, back-and-forth atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟 (out of 3) The second one is all about how to manipulate men and gradually lower their standards. It's the best, with the female lead becoming the sole focus of his affections later on. Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟 The third book features a female protagonist who is a master of infighting, competing for everything from her figure to her time. She's ambitious and incredibly hardworking. I discovered this book through a short drama on Douyin (TikTok), and it was truly amazing. Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟🌟 The fourth book is for those looking for super sweet romance. After meeting the female lead, the protagonist is basically the only one who dotes on her. She's a "fishing" type of female lead, and relatively clear-headed. Recommendation rating: 🌟🌟 The fifth and sixth books are by the same author. They feature a female protagonist who transmigrates into a novel, and she's definitely not a kind soul. After reading these two books, I became obsessed with palace intrigue, and I read all my other books after these two. Recommendation Index 🌟🌟🌟 The seventh book, a doting romance, is quite sweet, but there are a few plot points that make the male lead seem a bit tasteless. I still finished it, so I included it. Compared to other books, it's slightly inferior, but overall it's good. Recommendation Index 🌟 The eighth book, which I just finished yesterday, is a clean romance, not realistic. After reading so many scheming and intrigue stories, reading a lighthearted one like this was quite enjoyable. Warning: The female lead is naive and sweet, and the male lead is quite controlling. It's a super sweet story with a tiny bit of palace intrigue. It's not really suitable for this category, but I found it while searching for palace intrigue novels. Tired of scheming and intrigue? This is a good way to unwind. Recommendation Index 🌟🌟

30. 130 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 82.1kReads9.5Score9.3k14d adds
31. 131 为 The Concubine's Guide to Self-Cultivation 为妾的自我修养 Yu Jian郁见Ancient Romance429k WordsOngoing Zhu Yan transmigrates as a merchant's daughter and becomes a pawn her family uses to avoid disaster. Her father sends her to Changning Marquis Xie An as a concubine. As a concubine, Zhu Yan stays true to herself. She doesn't compete, make a fuss, or draw attention. Who could have guessed that the Marquis of Changning would be so fortunate? When something happens to the royal family's only two heirs, the emperor chooses Xie An, a member of the imperial clan, to inherit the throne. If a concubine 6.2kReads9.2Score45014d adds

    Reader note

    A Buddhist-style palace intrigue story. The female lead is a concubine who accepts reality, stays close to the main wife, and lives a peaceful life. Later, they raise a child. The male lead is also a normal, clear-headed person who values ​​rules. I'd give it four stars. The only downside is that it's not finished yet [crying emoji].

32. 132 中 The Empress of the Central Palace 中宫元后 King Smile笑笑大王Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + marriage before love + palace intrigue] (This is a fictional setting, written as I please. Please don't hold it against me if it doesn't fit history.) Qiao Shanshan, who lived to thirty on Blue Star, died while saving a child. Only after reaching the underworld did she learn that it wasn't her time to die. The soul reaper had taken the wrong person. To make it up to her, the King of Hell promi 15.4kReads8.2Score1.4k14d adds

    Reader note

    It's really good! The rating isn't high yet since it just started airing, but the plot is original and really engaging. Both the male and female leads are very clear-headed. Highly recommended.

33. 133 菀 Wanfeng Palace 菀凤宫 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance282k WordsCompleted [Doesn’t love the emperor + aims to become Empress Dowager + wants her own child to be crown prince + later receives exclusive devotion + palace intrigue, eliminates every consort in the harem] Note: They are not mutually faithful at first. The heroine gradually wins the emperor over with her schemes and tactics. Jiang Zhiwan was a general’s daughter who studied the art of poisoning, then accidentally poisoned herself to death. She transmigrated into a different fictional era, only to 299Reads8.8Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    They're all different; some rose from the ranks of maids, some through the imperial concubine selection, and some even from the position of male lead or crown prince.

34. 134 娘 The Empress Is So Delicate, the Emperor Falls for Her Every Day 娘娘一身娇骨，惹的皇上日日沦陷 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance236k WordsCompleted [Scheming concubine-born beauty + sinister crown prince + multiple pregnancies and palace intrigue + no one with a soft spot for wicked women or murderous heroines] Liu Yunyan had the face of a seductress, but the lowly status of a concubine-born daughter. Yet even in the palace, a girl of low birth could still rise to become empress. So what if she was a concubine? Raised by her legitimate mother to be delicate and alluring, she turned her charms into a weapon to control the Crown Prince. Reven 292Reads8.4Score—14d adds
35. 135 你 Didn't You Say She Was Old and Out of Favor? 你不是说她年纪大，不得宠吗？ I'm Xingxing Da我是星星大Ancient Romance590k WordsCompleted [Palace and household intrigue + raising children + food + everyday life + not chaste, but doted on] Su Tang transmigrated into the body of a concubine of Xiao Jingrong, Heir of the Prince of Zhaonan, with a two-year-old toddler in tow. The original owner had let herself go, behaved crudely, and was even older than the heir. He had long since forgotten her, leaving her to languish in a corner. Su Tang figured that was just fine. She wouldn’t compete for his favor or make the first move. But then 21.2kReads8.8Score2.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    I read all of these myself. I highly recommend books 1 and 3. The first one features a female lead who is a psychologist. Both the female and male leads are incredibly talented, with high emotional and intellectual intelligence, making for a very enjoyable read. I've read the third one twice, and I never get tired of it.

36. 136 宫 A Heart Caged Behind Palace Walls: Consort Yuan Is Promoted Again 宫墙锁心宠，元妃娘娘又晋位了 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance320k WordsCompleted No one is completely devoted to one person in the early part of the story, so don’t read if that’s a dealbreaker. The emperor is a scoundrel at first, but utterly doting later. More sweet than angsty. [Palace intrigue and rising to power + many children + absolute favor + climbing to the top one step at a time] Su Zhitang, the daughter of a general, enters the palace as a beauty after the selection. Her father is already a second-rank official, so she only wants to heed her mother’s advice, keep 610Reads9.0Score10114d adds
37. 137 娘 After the Empress Consort Closed Her Heart to Love, the Emperor Became Addicted to Begging for Her Affection 娘娘断心绝爱后，陛下跪舔上瘾了 Jie Chong解虫Ancient Romance435k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn] [Alternate history] [He pursues his wife after losing her; the hero is humble and devoted] [In her previous life, she was a love-struck fool; reborn, she is a clear-eyed and captivating consort × In his previous life, he loved her without realizing it; reborn, the powerful emperor eagerly becomes her devoted admirer] In her previous life, Su Yunning was infatuated with her cousin, the emperor, for over twenty years. She had no children of her own, willingly became his con 23.5kReads8.6Score1.7k14d adds
38. 138 重 Reborn to Discover I Was the Tyrant's Beloved White Moonlight 重生发现我是暴君心尖白月光 Jiu Shushu九书书Ancient Romance151k WordsCompleted [Both Chaste, One-on-One Romance + Reborn for Revenge + A Villainous Tyrant Dotes on His Wife + She Dotes on Him + Satisfying and Sweet + Second Chances] Bai Qingge was reborn. She returned to the imperial palace three years in the past, back to the side of Xiao Jinglan, the tyrant everyone avoided. In her previous life, she thought Xiao Jinglan had forced her into marriage and claimed her against her will, and she hated him with all her heart. But she never imagined that the ones who had truly 87Reads—Score—14d adds
39. 139 华 Consort Hua Reincarnates as Gua Liu 华妃娘娘她魂穿瓜六了 The Master and the Master's Husband夫子和夫子夫Female-Channel Fanfiction606k WordsCompleted Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, was a woman loved by Emperor Yongzheng. The daughter of a powerful official, she lost her child while still young because the emperor feared her family's influence. For decades, the man she loved most had her drink the incense-scented medicine known as Joyful Harmony, damaging her health and leaving her barren for life. Even so, in the end, she was condemned as having grown too powerful, and in a single night, every member of the Nian family was killed. Her soul is rebo 60Reads5.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Pure palace intrigue novel, no saintly characters, ruthless and cruel, Consort Hua reborn.

40. 140 嫁 After Marrying the Crown Prince, the Emperor Seized Me by Force 嫁给太子后，我被皇帝巧取豪夺了 Is the Peach Branch Sweet?桃枝甜不甜Ancient Romance275k WordsCompleted In the tenth year of the Qianzhi reign, the Crown Prince and his consort were at odds and had not consummated their marriage in the two years since their wedding. Later, the Crown Prince’s consort got drunk. The emperor and the consort spent a passionate night together in Zihua Hall, and she became pregnant. The Crown Prince plotted to usurp the emperor, but the emperor deposed him and then made the former Crown Princess his empress, shocking the entire court. Xie Yanzhi was the emperor of Gr 1.1kReads6.4Score10414d adds
41. 141 绾 Cloud-Woven Hair: After I Died, My Sickly Husband Was Reborn Too 绾云鬟：我死后病娇夫君也重生了 Yu Turnip钰萝卜Ancient Romance244k WordsCompleted [Both leads reborn + face-slapping + punishing scumbags + one-on-one romance + both leads devoted only to each other + System + weapons vault] “Someone, strip off her clothes, scrape out her bones, tear out her tendons, smash her head, and cut her open!” Ye Wanyin was probably the most miserable person in the whole transmigration crowd. She was even more love-blind than Wang Baochuan, so she had it coming! She thought she was headed for the eighteenth level of hell, never to be reborn. Little di 60Reads8.4Score—14d adds
42. 142 宠 He Spoils His Favorite Consort and Destroys the Harem, While the Biased Emperor Decrees Her Empress 宠娇妃灭后宫，偏心皇上下旨封后 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance309k WordsCompleted [The emperor falls in love at first sight + the heroine isn't the only one for him at first, but later receives all his favor + the emperor helps her fight in the harem and makes her empress + the heroine fights in the harem and kills] A low-ranking concubine? I want to be empress. No, no, I want to be Empress Dowager. What? The emperor saw Han Qianning kill someone, and still wants to keep her by his side... Once I'm in the palace, I'll climb my way up to the phoenix throne and kill them all. 1.1kReads9.0Score10614d adds
43. 143 重 Reborn to Switch Marriages: I Won't Marry a Playboy, I'll Marry the Tyrant! 重生换亲：不嫁纨绔，嫁暴君！ Daylily萱草Ancient Romance236k WordsCompleted [Sisters reborn and switching marriages + noble ladies battling a transmigrator + an elegant, old-fashioned palace life] In her previous life, Shen Qinghua married the good-for-nothing young master of a duke's household. After their marriage, her husband rose rapidly through the ranks and came to wield power across the court, while she became a noblewoman honored with titles and wealth. Her stepsister married the tyrant Rong Che and became empress. But Rong Che never touched her, instead spendin 1.1kReads6.8Score12414d adds
44. 144 奉 After I Was Ordered to Protect His Beloved, She Rose to the Top 奉命保护白月光后，她一路高升 Watch the South, Ask the Boat观南问舟Ancient Romance408k WordsCompleted (Nobody’s reading this, so the rating is low) [Beautiful, Clever Young Concubine VS Emperor Who Falls for Her at First Sight] [Palace Intrigue + Starts at the Bottom and Climbs Up + Emperor Slowly Falls for Her] The first time Shu Juexia sees the emperor after entering the palace, she makes a deal with him. Yu Zhaoheng gives her power and status, and she protects his beloved from the rest of the harem. It’s a perfectly fair bargain. She knows exactly what she wants and is happy to fight her way 1.1kReads8.2Score15214d adds

    Reader note

    The palace intrigue plot is entertaining, and sometimes even a bit funny.

45. 145 被 After Being Sent to the Palace, I Win All the Emperor’s Favor 被献入宫后，我夺尽恩宠 Qin Yao沁摇Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted 🌟The drama adaptation, Qin Meiren’s Rise to Power, is now streaming!🌟 [Palace intrigue / not both virgins / devoted love later on. This isn’t a mindless indulgence story. If you’re looking for pure doting after just two or three chapters, you should leave now.] In her previous life, Qin Liuse entered the palace in place of a noble daughter of the Qin family. In the end, she was left with nowhere to call home, forced to watch the man she loved marry someone else. Reborn, she is still the neglect 3.3kReads8.8Score36914d adds

    Reader note

    It's so good!

46. 146 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 32.5kReads9.3Score3.3k14d adds
47. 147 娘 The Empress Is Sweet and Alluring, Winning Favor and Rising to Power 娘娘娇软妩媚，一路争宠上位 Bell Meow铃铛喵Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (A pure palace-intrigue story, not a one-on-one romance, and not a mutually faithful pairing. Proceed with caution!) Bai Ruotang is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Right Chancellor’s household. At fifteen, just after coming of age, she is sent into the palace to bear a child for her legitimate elder sister and help her secure the emperor’s favor. Unwilling to be reduced to someone else’s pawn, from the moment she steps through the palace gates, she decides she will carve out 10.5kReads8.9Score1k14d adds

    Reader note

    It's a very good watch. The female lead is very clear-headed and insightful, and the storyline is very engaging and captivating.

48. 148 小 The Little Palace Maid's Thoughts Were Read 小宫女被读心了 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance254k WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the palace as a maid, Qin Jianjian works diligently, flatters those above her, and deceives those below her. In the end, she becomes the top-ranked maid serving the Empress Dowager. She has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of her profession. Money she’s openly entitled to, along with money she shouldn’t have, keeps flowing into Qin Jianjian’s pockets. Delighted, she just has to wait until she’s old enough to leave the palace and retire early. Who could have guessed the 14.7kReads9.4Score1.2k14d adds

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue is all about scheming against the emperor; scheming against the concubines is too low-level. Watch as the female lead turns the emperor into a dog!

49. 149 甄 Empresses in the Palace: The Splendor of the Empress Dowager 甄嬛传之元后风华 Duhu Leng Nan都护冷难Female-Channel Fanfiction473k WordsCompleted Completed. [The heroine is a villainess, not a good person. There are some deliberate deviations from history, a touch of Mary Sue, and everyone, men and women alike, falls for the heroine. If that's not your thing, don't read. Consider yourself warned!] Looking back on her life, Ulanara Yixiu had three great regrets. First, her father feared the power of the Jueluo clan and callously gave the position of principal wife, which he had promised to her mother, to Jueluo. As a child, Yixiu suffered 2.2kReads8.8Score16314d adds

    Reader note

    The first book is amazing, you absolutely must read it. After you finish it, you'll discover just how powerful the female lead is. Thanks to her acting skills, the emperor trusts her implicitly. Under her management of the six palaces, none of the schemes in movies and novels have ever succeeded. Moreover, whether it's caring for pregnant women or going out, she has established over a hundred flawless management rules. Watching her is definitely worthwhile; it will sharpen your mind. Plus, the female lead's sisters are all quite hilarious.

50. 150 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 40.8kReads9.5Score5.4k14d adds

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