Looking for Historical Romance with Expert-Level Push and Pull and Leads Who Are Both Scheming 求古言，满级拉扯，男女主八百个心眼子

1. 101 娘 The Empress Has Had Enough and Flips the Table: Why Are You Crying, Tyrant? 娘娘掀桌不干了，暴君你哭什么 Mo Ning漠宁Ancient Romance583k WordsCompleted [Both leads are pure + Later forced possession and obsessive pursuit + Love and hate + Transmigration + The powerful one bows down] Resilient beauty vs. brooding crown prince The Crown Prince, Dongling Jing, is of noble birth and the highest-ranking commander of the Su Bei Army. But fate is cruel: after he is left with a leg injury in the war against Nan Yue, his position as crown prince hangs by a thread. An imperial decree arranges a marriage, and Su Jin, who has transmigrated here, is chosen 4.5kReads8.7Score424Shelves
2. 102 诱 Seduce the Eastern Palace: Make Him Kneel Beneath My Skirt 诱东宫：凌他裙下 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance735k WordsCompleted [Both leads are devoted only to each other] [Political intrigue] [Love and hate] [Rivals fighting for her] [Black-lotus heroine, unhinged hero with a sweet facade and a dark heart] On the eve of her wedding, Mu Qingruo, daughter of the prime minister, is falsely accused of losing her virginity and cruelly jilted. Overnight, she goes from being the most beautiful woman in Tianchu to its biggest laughingstock. Who would have thought that the Third Prince, Chu Yunheng, rumored to prefer men, would 1.5kReads8.3Score146Shelves
3. 103 笼 The Caged Prize: The Alluring Concubine 笼中之物之尤物小外室 Blue and Purple Never Part蓝紫不相离Ancient Romance438k WordsCompleted 1.5kReads8.1Score—Shelves
4. 104 书 Trapped in a Book as the Demon Queen: The Sickly Regent Is No Gentleman at Night 书穿妖后：病娇摄政王每晚不当人 Ran Aran冉阿冉Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the Great Zhou’s most notorious empress, Su Ruo barely has time to enjoy herself before her life is in danger. A patriotic System comes knocking, asking her to support the young emperor and change the fate of the Great Zhou’s fall. ??? She’s the wicked empress everyone wants dead! Never mind that the young emperor is hopelessly incompetent. Picking a fight with the regent, who holds all the power at court, is just asking to die young, isn’t it? Patriotic System: The reg 2.2kReads9.4Score301Shelves

   Reader note

   The Empress Dowager and the Regent, both male and female leads are incredibly cunning. The female lead isn't love-struck, and the male lead didn't fall for her immediately; their relationship develops gradually. Both are also very intelligent. A perfect couple on the road to romance! [Kissing emoji]

5. 105 同 Alongside the Ruler 同君临 Ji Yu姬育Ancient Romance127k WordsOngoing A heroine who is sweetly awkward and reserved in everyday life, but sharp and quick-witted in battle, paired with a suspicious, scheming prince who has to dress as a woman once a month to save his life Abandoned after eloping, she turns around and marries a prince, joining forces with him to claim the realm. Chu Rong owes a debt of gratitude to the general’s household. But to help Wu Jiang, the general’s son, escape his father’s control and pursue his dream of becoming a famous performer, she 2Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A seemingly naive and dull female warrior who becomes clever and quick-witted in battle, and a suspicious and cold-blooded prince who has to disguise himself as a woman once a month to save his life. At first, they use each other and both want to kill the other. Later, they are caught in a fierce struggle, and the male lead is extremely jealous.

6. 106 千 Qian Jinhuan 千锦欢 Yun Lingge云翎歌Ancient Romance229k WordsCompleted Completed · [A highly intelligent amnesiac fake princess x a cold, scheming prince] [Not a mindless power fantasy] [Both devoted to each other + classic historical romance + no transmigration, rebirth, or System + political intrigue + doting romance + reunion after a long separation + devotion to country and family + exclusive devotion + the one who got away + happy ending] For twenty years, the second prince of Nantang, Chu Jinyuan, has kept his guard up and trusted no one, until Hua Qianmei ar 501Reads8.1Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A pure historical romance novel with elements of political intrigue and sweet romance. The male and female leads are both exceptionally intelligent, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and engage in a battle of wits and courage, constantly testing each other. It touches upon matters of national importance as well as romantic love; the female lead is the male lead's ideal woman. [Heart emoji]

7. 107 新 Newlywed Unmasked: The Top Tycoon Disguised as a Crown Princess 新婚掉马：顶级大佬伪装太子妃 Three Claws三只爪Ancient Romance393k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later + equally matched powerhouses + disguises + slow burn + wits and courage + mutual healing + palace intrigue] Rumor has it that the Crown Prince of Chu is blind, his internal organs are failing, and he will not live to see winter. The princess sent to marry him is said to be a weakling who does nothing but cry. On their wedding night, assassins sneak in. The princess is so frightened that she drops her teacup, but a shard happens to slice an assassin’s throat. The Crow 2.1kReads—Score312Shelves

   Reader note

   A marriage of convenience that blossoms into love, featuring two strong, slow-burning protagonists, a battle of wits and courage, and mutual redemption. Rumor has it that the Crown Prince of Chu is blind and his internal organs are failing, not surviving past winter; while the princess sent for a political marriage is a weak and useless woman who only knows how to cry. On their wedding night, an assassin sneaks in. The princess, terrified, smashes a teacup, a shard of which accidentally cuts the assassin's throat; the Crown Prince weakly shrinks into the bed, but a silver needle on his fingertip accidentally pierces the assassin's vital point. The entire court awaits the spectacle of this short-lived couple's downfall. Until one dark and stormy night, the world's greatest poison doctor, Yaksha, and the leader of the Assassin's Guild, Yama, fight fiercely for the divine elixir. As they tear off each other's masks, both fall silent. Chu Mochen approached, his voice low and deep: "My beloved consort, your night attire is far more beautiful than your phoenix coronet and wedding robes during the day." Yan Yunqi sneered, brandishing her poisoned needle: "Your Highness, even with your eyes still open and your temper flaring, you're still much more pleasing to the eye than during the day!" When a dramatic princess with a built-in armor that reflects physical attacks tenfold meets a powerful, sickly tycoon, the entire capital is left in tears!

8. 108 本 I, the Prince, Fear My Wife 本王，惧内 A Promise Worth a Fortune一诺重金Ancient Romance263k WordsCompleted [No Transmigration + No Rebirth + No Golden Finger + Victory Through Strength Alone + Fictional History That Cannot Be Verified] He is the Prince of Yan of the Great Liang, returning from campaigns in the northwest, weather-beaten and battle-hardened. She is the Chief Minister's daughter, delicate as a willow, arriving from the misty rains of Jiangnan. The Prince of Yan and the Chief Minister are bitter enemies, constantly at each other's throats. At first, he sneers, “What good could come from 4.8kReads8.8Score434Shelves
9. 109 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 15kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

   Reader note

   A clash of titans, top-tier tug-of-war, it's truly spectacular!

10. 110 守 Widowhood Is Surprisingly Damn Sweet! 守寡的滋味竟该死的甜美！ Rice Candy米糖糖Ancient Romance433k WordsCompleted [Empress Dowager + enemy emperor turns into a cat] On the first day after Feng Zhao transmigrates, she’s told her husband is dead, and they’ve even given her a child. Feng Zhao thinks she’s managed to skip the man and get herself a child anyway. She thought she’d landed in a widow’s story, where she could become empress dowager and coast to victory. Instead, the System wants her to reclaim wasteland, raise a child, and rule from behind the curtain. Being a villainous empress dowager is hard, rai 11.8kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves
11. 111 欲 A Scheme of Desire 欲成谋 Fisherman's Song at Dusk渔舟唱晚Ancient Romance458k WordsCompleted They say the chief of Qingzong Stockade is a scoundrel who does whatever he pleases and has a twisted temperament. Tan Yin deliberately fell into his hands. It was a dangerous gamble from the start. Inside the hall, the bonfire blazed as he drank and joked with the others. Outside, the autumn wind howled, and her life hung by a thread. She lay prostrate on the ground, enduring the pain, then reached up and wrapped her arms around his ankle. “Please, have mercy on me.” In the bitter depths of win 148Reads8.8Score—Shelves
12. 112 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 8.7kReads8.9Score901Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a historical romance novel featuring two strong leads who are straightforward and morally upright. The male lead is exceptionally talented, henpecked yet fiercely protective of his wife. The plot is thrilling, highly immersive, and vividly descriptive. You won't regret watching it!

13. 113 被 After the Mad Imperial Preceptor Took Me by Force 被疯批国师强取豪夺后 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance783k WordsCompleted Based on the original novel of Youku’s web drama Eternal Night’s Long Dawn [Mad Male Lead VS Stubborn Female Lead] [Both Pure and Faithful + Traditional Historical Romance + Love by Force + Sweet and Angsty + Happy Ending] Xie Wanyin, the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, lost her mother at eight. Her father remarried, and she was sent to grow up in her maternal grandmother’s home. Years later, she returned to the Xie household, wanting nothing more than to avoid conflict and focus on g 3.1kReads9.4Score394Shelves

    Reader note

    Extreme ambiguity, overflowing with immorality, everyone remains silent upon seeing it.

14. 114 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 6kReads9.3Score996Shelves

    Reader note

    🍊They all treat each other like "one person" to be tormented. Neither is willing to submit to the other, and each tries to prank the other before comforting them! Later, to test whether the male lead can hear her inner thoughts, the female lead gives him a crab drug. She also tells him her inner thoughts to see if he will drink it. The male lead says, "If I drink it, I'll feel terrible; if I don't, people will find out."

15. 115 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 7.4kReads9.1Score870Shelves
16. 116 桃 Peach Blossoms Topple the River and Mountains 桃花折江山 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance712k WordsCompleted The TV drama Peach Blossoms Reflecting on the Mountains and Rivers, starring Liu Xueyi and Meng Ziyi. Zhao has a beauty named Taohua. Her fate is full of hardship, and she is married off to Wei far away. All she wants is to stay alive and climb her way up. Wei has a handsome chancellor who is ruthless and sharp-tongued, sweet on the surface but treacherous within. He cares nothing for anyone's life, so long as he gets what he wants. Taohua thinks everyone loves beautiful things. Surely he can't 395Reads9.0Score114Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are strong, with extremely high emotional and intellectual intelligence. The male and female leads are in a tense tug-of-war, initially developing genuine feelings from pretense, but eventually becoming completely devoted to each other.

17. 117 不 Impossible! My Arrogant Husband Is Actually the Big Bad 不可能！傲娇夫君竟是大反派 Persimmon Blossom Blue柿子花蓝Ancient Romance833k WordsOngoing [Not a Wish-Fulfillment Story] [Daughter of a Cultivation Clan × Proud Young Master of the Demon Clan] Jiang Zhitang is the pampered, spoiled daughter of a prominent cultivation family. Liu Xiaoman is destined to become the demon clan’s commander. The first cultivation family he will wipe out is Jiang Zhitang’s. When they first meet, Jiang Zhitang has no idea that this boy, with a smile on his lips and delicate features, is the story’s greatest villain. After she falls for him, Liu Xiaoman smile 912Reads9.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a spoiled and willful young lady from a family of cultivators. The male lead will become the future leader of the demon race, and his first target will be the female lead's family. At their first meeting, the female lead never imagined that this handsome young man with a smile on his lips was actually the biggest villain. After she falls for him, the male lead smiles and says, "Demons have no hearts."

18. 118 穿 Reborn as the Unfulfilled Daughter of a Marquis, the White Moonlight Turns the Tables 穿成侯府意难平，白月光掀桌了 Meow Meow Fish喵喵鱼Ancient Romance101k WordsOngoing Female lead is not a virgin; male lead is. [Transmigrate Into a Book] [Sweet Romance] [Takes Down Scumbags] Chi Yaoyao transmigrates into a book, becoming the white moonlight in a period costume melodrama. The story’s hero is Marquis Xie Jingxuan, with a red-rose younger sister, Lin Zhi, and a white-rose Lin Qing. Chi Yaoyao is the unlucky white moonlight. Her younger sister is bound to a crazy System, while Chi Yaoyao, despite her fertile constitution, suffers a miscarriage. Her younger sister —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Check out this book! It has both revenge and sweet romance!

19. 119 女 Disguised as a Man in Court, I Became the Tyrant's Beloved 女扮男装上朝堂，成了暴君白月光 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance385k WordsCompleted [Hilarious transmigration into a book] [Historical romance] [Woman disguised as a man] [Palace and household intrigue] [Imperial examinations and political strategy] [Sweet, doting, and satisfying] [A devoted, powerful couple] Modern-day genius physician Ye Wan transmigrates into a book, becoming the useless eldest legitimate son of the Ye family, a powerful minister. The original owner was raised as a boy, and the whole family are villains. In three months, the entire family will be executed. A 1.2kReads6.7Score151Shelves

    Reader note

    Hilarious time-travel romance novels with sweet and fluffy plots, full-level entanglements, and countless schemes. ① Hilarious time-travel story: A goddess-like doctor transmigrates into a coffin to be buried with her lover, then awakens a war god prince – sweet and funny. ② Hilarious mind-reading + gossip system: The prince gets so angry while eating gossip that he faints – laugh from beginning to end. ③ Strong female lead with a space to punish scum and build her career – incredibly satisfying. ④ Funny time-travel story: A woman disguises herself as a man and is forcefully pampered by a tyrant, becoming empress – laugh until your stomach hurts. ⑤ Silly and hilarious story: A powerful female lead swaps bodies with a demon lord – laugh non-stop.

20. 120 皇 Your Majesty, I Think Your Palace Maid Is Cursing You Again 皇上，你家宫女好像又在骂你 Six Yuan六元钱Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The irresistible appeal of what you once rejected + powerful men bowing their heads + a double-standard male lead + raising her before a story of power and statecraft + romantic push and pull + he truly doesn’t love her at first, but gives his all once he does] Su Nanchu is unruly. Shen Jingzhi has always known that. But life in the palace is dull, and he doesn’t mind having a little plaything who can kick and scream. She becomes his daily amusement: reading memorials, practicing calligraphy, a 11.3kReads9.2Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Without any cheat codes or special abilities, the female lead relies on her wisdom and resilience to advance step by step; without any melodramatic or forceful plots, the two go from flirting and bickering to mutually falling in love.

21. 121 外 The Illegitimate Daughter 外室女 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance808k WordsCompleted Before she transmigrated, Shen Yi had lived through one hardship after another. Then she was reborn as a baby into a happy family. What could be more carefree? She never imagined it was all a lie. Her father’s love for her mother was fake, and so was the marriage contract he gave her. He had merely come to the Duke’s household to experience life, while Shen Yi, her brother, and her mother were just byproducts of that experience. That would have been bad enough, but her scumbag father also had a 7.8kReads9.3Score869Shelves

    Reader note

    These books should meet your requirements, right? [Laughing][Laughing] The first one: The female lead is an illegitimate child, mistreated by the mistress, and determined to take revenge. The male lead is an illegitimate son, but no one knows he is the emperor's illegitimate son. So the two cooperate, the female lead manages the household, and the male lead manages the court. They work together seamlessly, and in the end, the male lead becomes the emperor, and the female lead becomes the empress. [Shy][Shy] The second one: The female lead's parents have passed away, and she works hard to support her family. To prevent her grandmother from controlling her marriage, she flirts with the male lead, who is the emperor's younger brother. He is powerful and also has his eye on the female lead, offering her only as a concubine. The female lead refuses, and the back-and-forth struggle is quite exciting. [Kiss][Kiss] The third one: The female lead transmigrates to the execution ground. The male lead only saves her because he is after the original owner's family's wealth. To survive, the female lead negotiates with the male lead, engaging in various confrontations and offering him advice. The male lead thinks the female lead is very capable. The two initially scheme against each other but later cooperate in a mutually beneficial way, which is quite exciting. [Smirking][Smirking]

22. 122 学 A Top Student Transmigrates and Wins the Heart of a Great War God 学霸女穿越，撩到战神大佬一枚 Mu Liuliu沐六六Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [One devoted couple + sweet romance + gentle humor + transmigration + plot twists + happy ending] Top student Fei Jingjing never expected to transmigrate to an ancient execution ground where her entire family was about to be executed. Bound hand and foot, she couldn't move. Luckily, a powerful man was so broke he robbed her along with her valuables. Her life is safe for the moment, but it seems she's been handed a short-lived character's script, with pitfalls at every turn. With no other choice, 442Reads9.0Score103Shelves
23. 123 破 Cloud-Breaking Branch 破云枝 Pine Soot on the Inkstone松烟落砚Ancient Romance315k WordsCompleted [Legitimate Daughter Reborn] [Black Lotus] [Household Rivalry and Revenge] [爽爽 Story] A decisive heroine × A spirited young general Jiang Zhaohua, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Anguo's household, was born breathtakingly beautiful and of noble birth, yet was nothing more than a pawn the Jiang family could discard at will. In her previous life, she believed her half-sister Jiang Xi's provocations and fell hopelessly in love with Prince Qi. She married into his household full of joy, only 76Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You won't regret getting into this book.

24. 124 弃 Reborn to Win Back My Wife: Dump the Deadbeat, Climb to the Top 弃妻重生攻略：弃渣夫扶高枝 The Jianghu Is Like a Dream江湖似梦Ancient Romance887k WordsOngoing A discarded wife is reborn and plots her revenge + the aloof beauty descends from her pedestal for love + a newly appointed prefect from a noble family + a hidden benefactor's ruthless enforcer + a love-triangle showdown In her previous life, Mu Yanshu cooked for Shen Mobai, cared for his mother-in-law, raised his stepson and stepdaughter, and managed the Marquis of Anning's household. She spent her whole life serving Shen Mobai. Only as she lay dying did she discover that her children were the 2.6kReads9.5Score344Shelves

    Reader note

    A list of good ancient Chinese romance novels for a ten-year bookworm

25. 125 倚 Leaning on the Perilous Pavilion 倚危庭 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Just how hard is it to raise an outstanding young woman? That depends on who’s raising her. If an entire clan, or even a whole country, throws its support behind her, that’s another matter entirely. Ye Qingjiu is a woman with all sorts of jumbled memories and a knack for baffling people with her behavior. She thinks she’s clever, until she somehow gets married and finally realizes Li Tingye has been playing her all along... 6kReads9.4Score597Shelves
26. 126 绝 The Peerless Little Princess Consort 绝世小俏妃 Dog Thirteen狗十三Ancient Romance575k WordsCompleted [A funny, charming princess consort + a scheming prince who fiercely protects his own + a manipulative woman + a wickedly seductive and mysterious Holy Lord, and more...] [Sweet romance + comedy + from scum to love + perfect ending] What does it feel like to fall in love with your enemy? The day he led his troops to invade her country, the sun shone brightly. The seventh prince of Beijiang, Mu Beiming, cut an imposing figure in his black armor. Even with a fearsome mask hiding his face, his shar 5.6kReads9.5Score668Shelves
27. 127 和 After a Political Marriage, I Became the Desert King's Most Treasured Love 和亲后，我成了漠王的心尖宠 Modern-Day Know-Nothing当代九漏鱼Ancient Romance303k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later + love grows over time + sweet romance + lighthearted + exotic setting + both leads are virgins + happy ending] [Mischievous little princess × scheming, devoted king] Once the beloved daughter of a general’s household and the “Little General” who ruled the capital, she had been considered the crown prince’s future wife. But after her father and brother died on the battlefield, she was granted the title of Princess Jiahe. She thought it was a mark of the imperial famil 1.5kReads8.8Score130Shelves

    Reader note

    [Shy][Shy][Shy] You should check this out!

28. 128 胭 Rouge and Warhorses: A Plot to Rule the World 胭脂烈马谋天下 The Landlord Plants Trees东家种树Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Rebirth + political intrigue + two powerful leads + both morally upright + mutual devotion] At fifteen, Wen Chuyan is betrothed to Xiao Yi. She is the Duke’s legitimate daughter, and he is a prince. Everyone says they are a match made in heaven. Little do they know how much suffering and injustice she endures in this marriage! After the wedding, she accompanies Xiao Yi to defend the northern frontier, living day after day amid sandstorms and bitter winds. She even loses all her martial arts abi 2.6kReads8.8Score316Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm currently obsessed with this book

29. 129 夺 Stealing the Third-Ranked Scholar 夺探花 Bei Mi ssw北觅sswAncient Romance893k WordsOngoing Not a feel-good power fantasy with a female lead! [Disguised as a man + coercive seduction + born into a new life + groveling redemption + angst before romance + court politics] Cool, beautiful top scholar * dark, scheming prince Wen Zhiyu is from the respectable Wen family of Jiangnan, the eldest legitimate son of its main branch. He has lived in the capital since childhood and has always been remarkably bright. He began studying at three, sat the preliminary exams at eight and ranked first, pa 2.4kReads8.7Score142Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is perfect for readers who enjoy historical romance and political intrigue. The cross-dressing premise breaks away from the cliché; the female lead was raised according to masculine standards, and her actions, strategies, and logical thinking are all exceptionally impressive. She firmly maintains the aura of a talented scholar, and her character is well-developed. Although, as you read on, you might even forget the male lead exists!

30. 130 曝 Exposed! The Prince of Chu Has a Three-Inch Adorable Wife Hidden in His Sleeve 曝光！楚王袖里藏了个三寸小萌妻 Aow Big Meow嗷大喵Ancient Romance410k WordsCompleted (A fierce, soft-spoken, adorable heroine vs. a possessive, scheming, fallen hero; sweet romance + the occult + a touch of fantasy) Jiang Xiaoxiao, a master of the mystic arts, was born with an incomplete soul. On every full-moon night, she also turns into a tiny person just three inches tall. Her grandmaster said that when she turned sixteen, she would meet a benefactor whose purple-gold dragon aura could break her curse. The aura of Prince Chu, Xie Xun, was stolen when he was three. Plagued by 6.3kReads9.4Score852Shelves

    Reader note

    🍑A masterclass in emotional turmoil! The female lead is a naive, idealized version of herself, while the male lead relentlessly pursues her, leading to a dramatic and heartbreaking situation. The female lead is incredibly perfect! So perfect that I even started imagining her as intelligent, virtuous, and cunning. Although the male lead has concubines, he only has eyes for her… The female lead's attempts to please the male lead are purposeful; she needs to reach the maximum affection level before she can return to the real world. And then she keeps trying to please him… Watching the beginning, I was really looking forward to the tragic ending, anticipating the female lead's leap, but seeing the ending made me so sad to see her go. The world is so beautiful!! The two are truly locked in a complex emotional struggle, and both are incredibly intelligent!

31. 131 病 A Fragrant Illness, a Sickly Beauty, and Her Spoiled Husband Can’t Keep Up the Act 病骨生香，纨绔夫君他装不下去了 Wei Liao苿燎Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Complete] Mutual first-timers, happy ending [Scheming playboy. Secret crush turns mutual × lazy, sickly beauty × devoted husband] Wen Qionghua is the only legitimate daughter in three generations of the Xuanhe Prince's household. She is breathtakingly beautiful, yet frail and sickly from birth. Betrothed by imperial decree to the aloof Buddhist devotee Xie Linfeng, she is publicly humiliated by him for the sake of a woman who sells noodles. She raises her weary eyes. “Let’s break off the engage 9.3kReads8.7Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This!! The male and female leads, both made of black sesame dumplings!!

32. 132 灯 When the Lanterns Fade, the Calamity Ends 灯明劫尽 Rui Xuan睿暄Ancient Romance859k WordsOngoing [Two strong leads, brilliant strategists, devoted only to each other, revenge, dual identities, dual personalities, an alternate world not based on any historical dynasty, plenty of witty flirting] She is the eldest princess, rumored to be cherished by all, yet she witnessed her mother spend her life being manipulated by the man she loved. Gentle and composed on the surface, she excels at reading people and understands human nature. To stir up the court, she will stop at nothing. She will destro 1.9kReads9.3Score270Shelves

    Reader note

    This ancient Chinese political intrigue story is written with delicate and mature prose, creating well-rounded characters. Both protagonists are strong, thoughtful, strategic, and profound, carefully navigating the complexities of the game, manipulating the opponent's own path to defeat before turning the tables. The male and female leads share a tacit understanding and strategic thinking, mutually redeeming each other without dependence. Their strategies reflect their humanity, not their morality; they know each other's true selves and love each other's complete souls.

33. 133 你 You're Marrying Someone Else? Then I'm Leaving! But the Mad Young Lord Kneels 你另娶？那我跑！疯批世子却跪了 Guang Jun's Promise广君一诺Ancient Romance553k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + marriage before love + mutual devotion + mind games + love that grows over time] Mu Yao is an assassin in the rookie camp of Hidden Moon Pavilion. Before she can even take a mission, the entire pavilion is wiped out, bringing her assassin career to an end. With her martial arts completely ruined, she lies low in a fishing village, making a living by treating the sick. One day, she rescues a handsome man who is gravely injured and, following the usual romance-novel plot, pre 213Reads6.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is great, highly recommended, definitely worth reading.

34. 134 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 77.9kReads9.5Score8kShelves

    Reader note

    [Ancient Romance] 🍉Family, this one is absolutely amazing! 🍉An ancient concubine, a cunning and scheming concubine who becomes more and more favored the more she acts up – a unique domestic drama! 🌽The male and female leads are both incredibly cunning!

35. 135 生 After Giving Birth, the Cold and Aloof Demon Emperor Begs Me to Stroke His Tail 生崽后，清冷妖皇哭求我摸他尾巴 Big Tangerine, Big Fortune大橘大利Fantastical Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Cool, aloof seductress VS domineering female demon] The female demon Chu Qun was reborn. A thousand years had passed, yet her legends still covered the continent. The Saint of the Pill, the world-destroying Marquis Chu Yi, the sword-forging patriarch... They were all her secret identities! In her previous life, her siblings betrayed her. She was torn apart by chariots, and her soul was sealed beneath the abyss. This time, she returned in triumph, slaying prodigies, killing her enemies, and supp 39.1kReads9.6Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese romance + rebirth + both leads are virgins + "filial piety" + ensemble cast. The story features the aloof, seductive fox-like male lead (originally a fox) Di Guilan vs. The domineering, devilish female lead Chu Qun. The most memorable characters are the two lively and lovable brothers, Xiao Shaxi and Fugui, who are devoted to their siblings. One is a brother-obsessed brother, the other a sister-obsessed brother. The male and female leads are cunning and resourceful, and the female lead has an enviable friendship with her seven subordinates. Every character is well-developed. It's a typical ensemble piece, with no bad endings and extra romantic pairings. It's the kind of story you can reread without getting tired of it. (Note: The title "After My Death, the Demon Emperor's Single Father Raised His Child for a Thousand Years" has been changed to "I'm Just Reborn for Revenge, Why Are the Gods Kneeling?")

36. 136 重 Reborn as the Beloved of Everyone: The Movie Emperor's Wife Is Poor and Fierce Again 重生团宠：影帝夫人又穷又凶 Not Dim-Witted After Waking Up睡醒不呆Modern Romance2.6M WordsCompleted [Print edition signed for publication] [Insanely outrageous wish-fulfillment + a few secret identities + savage online roasts + devoted romance with both leads’ first love + dazzling the world] In her previous life, she died with regrets. Now she has been reborn in the middle of a massive online hate campaign! If they’re going to hate on her anyway, she might as well stop pretending! Her scumbag fiancé gets shoved into a cold pool, then coughs and blames her? Sheng Wenyin: “What, caught a cold? 137.3kReads9.6Score14.4kShelves
37. 137 茶 The Tea-Playing Little White Flower Is Sweet and Obedient 茶艺小白花，她又乖又软 Grapes Are Quite Sweet葡萄挺甜的Ancient Romance344k WordsCompleted A new story is here! You can read my work on Tomato Novel. I hope you'll enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 1.7kReads8.9Score113Shelves

    Reader note

    Female Lead: Lin Wuxi Male Lead: Chu Yan 🍭🍭🍭 The female lead, Lin Wuxi, is an orphan who transmigrated from another world. She's a typical "innocent flower" character—outwardly delicate and beautiful, gentle and quiet, but inwardly strong. 📘📘 The novel focuses heavily on the female lead's romantic relationships. The emotional entanglement between Wuxi and her cousin, Chu Yan, occurs during her stay with her aunt. 😜😜 🎗️🎗️ The novel is currently being serialized. Add it to your bookshelf and let's follow the "innocent flower" image of the female lead and her growth experience together! 🎗️🎗️

38. 138 女 The Disguised Dragon's Scheme: My Rogue Disciple Courts Me in His Dreams 女扮男装潜龙计，逆徒梦里泡为师 Mu Yanfeifei沐妍菲菲Ancient Romance607k WordsOngoing [Historical Intrigue + Female Spy in Disguise + Ensemble Mind Games + Martial Arts Mystery] [Female Martial Arts Master Disguised as a Man × Rebellious Disciple Who Defies His Teacher] The world is the board, and all living things are its pieces. Thirty years ago, a copy of A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains turned the tide during a palace coup. From then on, victory made kings and defeat made corpses, and the throne changed hands. Thirty years later, talents emerge across the nine regions, a 294Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book might be a bit mentally taxing to read. Volume One is about mentorship and apprenticeship, Volume Two is about political intrigue and crime-solving, and Volume Three is about masterful stratagem and power struggles!

39. 139 美 The Beauty Is Hard to Tame: I Won't Cling to the Heir's Favor 美人难驯：世子的高枝不想攀 Fish Song, Bird Trill鱼音袅鸟Ancient Romance346k WordsCompleted A scheming woman who clings to the powerful * A deep, cunning heir Coercive love + intense tension + an irresistible push and pull Her perspective: She seduced all the young masters in the capital, but never once thought to seduce him. She would marry anyone, just not him. He looked down on her and repeatedly thwarted her chances of marriage. His perspective: She seduced his brothers and friends, but acted as if he didn’t exist. He disliked her shameless flirting, hated her scheming and vanity, 23.1kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves
40. 140 祝 Madam Zhu, Your Dead Husband Is Back 祝娘子，你死掉的夫君回来了 Zha Xiaogua扎小瓜Ancient Romance482k WordsCompleted Original title: Lady Zhu, Your Powerful Official Husband Has Come to Collect [Clear-headed, rational heroine × a powerful official who turns dark] (Political intrigue and an ensemble cast + rekindled love + mutual healing + happy ending) Zhu Hange is a pretty young widow who makes a living running a bookshop in Taohua Town. One day, a handsome man appears in her bedroom, pressing a dagger to her neck. Blood stains the blade. Instead of retreating, she steps closer and rises on her toes to kiss h 3kReads8.9Score344Shelves

    Reader note

    A broken mirror mended, the female lead infiltrates the male lead's inner circle as a spy. Even after he discovers this, he refuses to let go. Their reunion at the very beginning creates a strong sense of tension, the political intrigue is captivating, and everyone is intelligent, even the villains are not fools.

41. 141 疯 The Mad Minister’s Obsessive Love Overwhelms His Cousin’s Daughter 疯批尚书强制爱表姑娘她受不住了 Urgent火急Ancient Romance537k WordsCompleted [Forced love, both leads are virgins, don't read if that's not your thing] One day, she transmigrates into the body of a cousin who has come to stay with relatives and sponge off them. Before Qin Xiangyu can figure out what to do with her future, she is forced to become Qin Zhi's caged songbird. She acts compliant on the surface, but secretly gets up to mischief. After discovering Qin Xiangyu's two-faced nature, Qin Zhi twirls a lock of her hair and murmurs softly, “Cousin, have I not treated yo 3.3kReads8.2Score364Shelves

    Reader note

    The male and female leads are quite a pair, both are very cunning.

42. 142 虐 Tortured into a Locked Love 虐锁清欢 Already Exists 11已存在的11Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted Leng Qinghuan was forced to marry the notorious Prince Yan. But she wasn't some naive, helpless girl. Crying and accepting her fate just wasn't in Leng Qinghuan's nature. She seized every opportunity, with the courage to burn her bridges, fought scheming women, fought the empress, opened shops, learned to solve cases, and more... Through her words and deeds, she proved herself. The woman Prince Yan had once sneered at ultimately became someone far beyond his reach! 293Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    With a cunning and shrewd mind, an imperial decree shattered Qinghuan's childhood romance with the Crown Prince, forcing her to marry the ruthless Prince He, Ning Zechen. The eavesdropping under the pear blossom tree, the maliciously spread rumors, and the resentment of the arranged marriage all became Qinghuan's sins! The humiliation of her wedding night, the touch of blood—all only served to spur Qinghuan to live! For the sake of the Leng family, she had to survive! A series of bizarre murders drew her into the fray, and the deaths of bystanders filled Qinghuan with guilt... Through this shared experience, Ning Zechen rediscovered...

43. 143 烬 Ashen Tresses 烬绾 A Xin, Always New阿新常新Ancient Romance404k WordsCompleted Dual rebirth | A battle of identities | Possessive obsession | Mutual salvation | Light political intrigue in an ancient setting | Rekindled love | Quiet depths | Fated sweet romance | Noblewoman of a great clan × Prince of a fallen kingdom In their previous life, he traded his life for her chance to survive. She turned back halfway and burned with his body atop the palace hall. Xie Yu is reborn in the fifth year of Yuankang. On a snowy night in Yandu, she takes in a lone courtier from a fallen 11Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Twin births, the ultimate tug-of-war between a ten-year couple.

44. 144 重 I’ve Been Reborn So Many Times, Even the General Can’t Figure Me Out 重生太多次，连将军都看不懂我 Broke My Promise to the Moonlight失信于月光Ancient Romance218k WordsOngoing [Life-conscious, sharp-tongued heiress x outwardly warm, inwardly aloof young general] [Both pure, 1v1 + endless rebirths + one night of chaos + slow-burn romance + lighthearted comedy + bound to go crazy eventually] Shen Zhiwei, an overworked wage slave from the twenty-first century, dies suddenly and wakes up to find she’s skipped the tutorial stage and become the kidnapped heiress of the Shen family. To stay alive, she decides to lie flat and wait for her ransom to be paid. But someone else t —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead just wants to lie down and relax, while the male lead keeps testing her feelings. Sometimes it's hilarious, and sometimes it's a little heartbreaking.

45. 145 求 Begging for Love 求娇 Three Lives, Three Three叁生三三Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Strong Heroine and Hero] [Love-Hate Relationship] [Defying Fate] [Print edition signed with a publisher] Gu Miaoyin always thought she was the pampered darling her emperor treasured most, until the Great Jin fell and the Northern Hu cavalry smashed through the palace gates. Only then did she realize how tragic her life was. Ten years of the emperor's favor could not withstand a sudden change of heart. In the end, she and her mother were trapped in the imperial city and burned alive. Reborn into 36.3kReads9.5Score4.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Each character is incredibly cunning and manipulative, making it a real brain teaser. The initial battles are incredibly drawn-out, and the later ambiguous phase is even more complex, with multiple traps hidden within a single sentence.

46. 146 绝 A Perfect Match! She’s Impossible to Handle, and the Emperor’s Fate Lacks Love 绝配！她五行欠揍，皇上命里缺爱 Shu Xin舒欣Ancient Romance538k WordsCompleted [Marriage before love, bickering couple + empress with a secret identity + cold-hearted emperor + political intrigue + pocket dimension + adorable child] A handsome, tragic, fake-sick but truly scheming new emperor joins forces with a bold, cool, fake wastrel but truly cunning empress. At home, they crush the powerful maternal relatives and take on the empress dowager; abroad, they defend the borders and uphold the nation’s prestige. Su Jiangyue gets lucky the moment she transmigrates: she makes 132Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is hilarious! The male and female protagonists are both incredibly cunning. There are so many funny moments in the book. The male and female protagonists fight as soon as they meet. After the female protagonist suffers a loss, she digs a pit to bury the male protagonist alive to cure his illness. And when the male protagonist learns that he was impotent because of the female protagonist's acupuncture treatment, he forces the female protagonist to take a bath and makes her lift the ban. These scenes are so funny that you can't stop laughing!

47. 147 临 Lin'an, Gaze North 临安北顾 Lu Qiao芦樵Ancient Romance864k WordsOngoing (All chapters are complete. The novel is currently being revised, so it may appear to have stopped updating.) (Feedback and suggestions are welcome.) [Set in the mid-to-late Southern Song dynasty + ensemble cast of young characters + central couple’s push and pull + a touch of wuxia + long timeline] The emperor’s adopted son x daughter of a military family // Some background and plot elements are based on historical figures (no transmigration + no rebirth + no golden finger + plenty of heartbrea 4Reads6.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Take a look at this book; the male and female protagonists have genuine feelings for each other, but they also each get what they want.

48. 148 糟 Oh No, I Bought a Crown Prince to Have My Baby 糟糕，买了个太子来生娃 Luo Chunshui洛春水Ancient Romance379k WordsCompleted [Lighthearted Comedy + Wits and Willpower + Theatrical Couple] [Candid, capable big-sister merchant heroine x Pure-hearted, passionate wolf-dog Crown Prince] Meng Weiyu wanted a child. As soon as her mourning period ended, she went to her live-in son-in-law’s room to consummate their marriage, only to find him fooling around with a maid. Sure enough, taking in a son-in-law was worse than having a child and keeping the father out of the picture. She divorced him on the spot and went straight to t 61.9kReads8.8Score13.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! It's currently only short on text, but the quality is very high, and the plot doesn't drag. You'll definitely be satisfied.

49. 149 错 After Flirting with the Wrong Person, I Became the Villain’s Beloved 错撩后，我成了反派心头朱砂痣 Qu Zhiyi曲知意Ancient Romance691k WordsCompleted [Brothers Fighting Over One Woman | Taking by Force | Forbidden-Romance Warning] The score was just posted, so it’ll go up, sob sob. With her devastating beauty, Song Nihuan was cast into the pleasure quarter overnight. Surrounded by wolves, she caught sight of Young Master Xie, heir to a prestigious clan. She wanted to seduce him. Even if she couldn’t make him fall for her, she could use his influence to escape her lowly status. She stopped resisting the drug’s effects and collapsed weakly into 237Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing is good; it's not a sudden infatuation, but a slow and steady development of budding romance between the male and female leads.

50. 150 嫡 The Phoenix Brocade of the Legitimate Daughter 嫡女凰锦 Nine Phoenixes Purple九凰紫Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Strong female lead + reborn + household intrigue + mystery + satisfying read In her previous life, Qin Jinxuan was forced to marry Shen Muchen, heir to the Marquis of Yongding, to protect her mother. Over the seven years of their marriage, she devoted herself heart and soul to the marquis's household, only to end up disgraced, cast aside, and murdered. She never imagined that it had all been part of a scheme by him and the woman he loved. Reborn, Qin Jinxuan returns to seven years earlier, befor 84Reads7.1Score—Shelves

Other lists with The Empress Has Had Enough and Flips the Table: Why Are You Crying, Tyrant?