Looking for Political Intrigue with a Ruthless, Cunning Heroine Who Focuses on Her Career 求权谋，女主心狠手辣算无遗策，主要搞事业那种

1. 51 人 A Frail Moonlight Beauty in Public, a Madwoman Who Slays Evil Ghosts in Private 人前病弱白月光，人后疯批杀恶鬼 Gentleman of Fading Warmth薄凉君子Ancient Romance302k WordsCompleted At twelve, Fu Ruzhi was a dazzling prodigy, renowned throughout the land. Who could have guessed that overnight her legs would become paralyzed, leaving her bedridden? Her little brother’s tragic death and her grandmother’s passing were both caused by her concubine-born mother raising a ghost to steal her fortune? She was born with the destiny of an Imperial Phoenix and could not die, yet villains had left her with only ten days to live! After returning from the dead, she holds the Book of Fat 79Reads8.2Score—Shelves
2. 52 凰 The Phoenix's Grand Design: The Empress Who Ruled the Realm 凰图霸业之奉天女帝 Bearing Glory in the North衔耀在北Ancient Romance242k WordsCompleted (Ambition and greed are the best cosmetics a woman can have. Only those who want everything can have it all.) “Jun Wuyi, are you waiting for me to die?” On the day of her coronation as empress, Feng Yuhuang asked him, dressed in a red-and-gold phoenix robe. She and Jun Wuyi had been childhood sweethearts. He had once promised to offer her the whole realm as her bride price and take her as his wife. Today, he had made good on that promise. Everyone said the current emperor was a hopeless romantic 4Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A ruthless and cunning female protagonist who murders her father and ascends the throne, strategizing and plotting her way to power.

3. 53 惊 Shocking! The Legitimate Princess Defies Fate Every Day! 惊！嫡公主她每天都在逆天改命！ Ran Qiqi冉七柒Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Female-led power fantasy + ruthless, unhinged heroine + an extreme “I’d rather betray others than let them betray me” mentality] Xuan Mingyao was reborn at the age of seven, back before anything had happened. Though she was the empress’s legitimate daughter, a princess treated like royalty, her younger brother, the crown prince, was about to die of illness. Her mother would soon be consumed by worry, grow estranged from the emperor, and eventually be deposed in the witchcraft scandal. Overnight 28kReads9.4Score3.8kShelves

   Reader note

   The female protagonist is a princess, a princess who aspires to be empress. "People praise women, but they inherently equate them with men as the highest honor. 'Women are not inferior to men'—such praise sounds laughable. Even when praising women, the focus is still on men. 'Not inferior to men'—that's what they consider praise." Fate should rightfully fall on women.

4. 54 重 After Being Reborn and Winning the Succession Struggle, I Spoiled the Sweet Young Heir 重生夺嫡后，我把奶乖世子宠上天 Bu Yuan Mu Dao不鸢木刀Ancient Romance973k WordsCompleted [Female disguise as a man + scheming, sharp-tongued heroine determined to ascend the throne + lovesick, clingy, tsundere hero + sweet and angsty, beware if you can't handle angst + happy ending, one-on-one romance, heroine must become empress] In her previous life, Chu Shitong used Si Jingli and then refused to see him ever again. Back then, she was His Highness Prince Qi, a woman wielding great power at court, while he was a young lord whose family had fallen from grace and who had lost his fat 738Reads8.9Score104Shelves

   Reader note

   This is so good! (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡ The female lead is disguised as a man and raised as a prince from a young age. In her first life, she was ruthless and schemed against almost everyone for the throne, including the male lead, but ended up being beheaded. The male lead went to save her but was pierced by a thousand arrows. In her second life, because she felt guilty towards the male lead, she didn't scheme against him and wanted to stay away from him, but the two still became connected.

5. 55 超 The Mighty Empress: The World Bows to Her 超强女帝，天下臣服 Red Leaves红叶Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Xiao Chan, who possesses qi cultivation skills, transmigrates into the body of a baby girl. Because her father, the emperor, favors her, he raises her from childhood as his successor. One after another, her half-brothers appear in the harem, all vying for the one throne, but each is crushed by her, the legitimate eldest princess. Her talent and reputation become the greatest in the land. As schemes gather around her, men even volunteer to become her secret lovers. Commanding power and rising to 33.9kReads8.8Score4.1kShelves

   Reader note

   It's really good, but it's still being serialized.

6. 56 大 The Official Has Been Demoted Again 大人又被贬官了 Li Hua璃华Ancient Romance926k WordsCompleted Originally titled The Official Has Been Demoted Again On the day the Left Chancellor's daughter was to be married, she was dismembered inside her bridal sedan in full view of the crowd. Everyone said the crime had to be beyond human capability. So the most famous Master He in Chang'an was thrown into jail. He Jingxin: ...But I'm not really a master of the occult! I'm just a con artist! He Jingxin couldn't tell fortunes. She'd never read the Book of Changes and didn't know how to read faces. Song 25.9kReads9.5Score4.5kShelves

   Reader note

   A great book whose title doesn't do it justice. The "strong female lead, even stronger male lead" trope doesn't exist; the female lead carries the entire story from beginning to end.

7. 57 重 Reborn as a Man: Feng Qiansui Rules the Court 重生女扮男装：凤千岁权倾朝野 A Duo Guli阿朵古丽Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Completed. Villainess + woman disguising herself as a man + reborn + strong heroine + no romance The heroine is a true villain: greedy, ruthless, highly skilled in martial arts, and sharp-tongued! Scene One: Asking the Emperor for money Emperor: “I appoint you imperial inspector for the south. Investigate the affairs in Xuzhou thoroughly. If you find anyone committing crimes and undermining the state, and verify the evidence, punish them according to the law! I grant you this golden badge. Whoev 982Reads9.2Score130Shelves

   Reader note

   This one book is absolutely amazing! [Sending heart] In her previous life, she devoted herself to the country but was poisoned to death by the emperor with a cup of wine. Reborn, she wants to be a treacherous villain, ruthless and cunning. It's really super good. Moreover, all the money she amassed was from the important officials in the court. In the end, she left a way out for everyone and led a donkey away slowly.

8. 58 系 The System Sheds Tears Every Day Under Its Host's Threats 系统每天在宿主的威胁下抹眼泪 Forever a Blossoming Beauty永远的人间富贵花Ancient Romance670k WordsCompleted The heroine is pure evil at heart, but she goes through a process of adapting to each world, especially in the first four or five. The farther the story goes, the more her true nature comes out. If you're looking for a satisfying read, it's recommended that you start with the world of the wastrel in the matriarchal society. [Absolute villainess heroine + strong female lead + antisocial personality disorder] The heroine is a calm madwoman. She doesn't care about anyone or anything in any world, n 208Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The eldest princess in the first world instigated a war to seize military power. She killed the emperor when he treated her poorly, and poisoned her husband when she didn't want to sleep with him. She was ruthless yet still valued her reputation.

9. 59 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 88.8kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves

   Reader note

   These books all feature intelligent and resourceful female protagonists who are successful career women.

10. 60 重 Reborn, I Become My Arch-Enemy's Living Widow Sister-in-Law 重生后，我成了死敌的活寡嫂子 Two Times Four Means Prosperity二四得发Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn + sister-in-law and brother-in-law + an aloof beauty brought down from her pedestal + emotional push and pull + winning her heart and her body + devoted couple] The Eastern Palace has no crown prince, and the princes are locked in a fierce struggle for the throne. Ning Miao and Yan Mobai are the top strategists of their generation, each serving a different master. They cross paths over a map of iron mines and kill each other. Only after her death does Ning Miao learn tha 39.2kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves
11. 61 异 The Gifted Empress Reigns Above, Her Ministers Kneel Below 异能女皇在上，众臣在下 Good Days, Safe Home良辰安宅Ancient Romance806k WordsCompleted The State of Mu enjoys favorable weather and bountiful harvests, while its old emperor indulges in wine and women, lives a life of excess, and has few heirs. The court is controlled by powerful factions. By the 327th year of Mu, the kingdom has been divided among four of them. The foolish Princess Mu Nanzhi is pushed onto the throne as an easily controlled pawn. But on the first morning court, the one who opens her eyes is an empress from another world. 1.9kReads8.9Score168Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm not sure if it's because it's a new book, but the rating is a bit low. It should pick up soon. The female lead is invincible; she has superpowers and is very intelligent. Her superpowers are unlike anything I've seen in other books that focus on superpowers. She gives her subordinates a drop of blood, and they can control and protect them from a thousand miles away. Moreover, anyone who receives her blood is virtually unkillable as long as she's safe.

12. 62 冷 The Cold King's Stolen Consort: His Side Consort Is No One's Plaything 冷王盗妃，侧妃不承欢 Moonrise in the Clouds月出云Ancient Romance544k WordsCompleted They were betrothed for eight years, and she waited in vain for four. When he finally came, he was holding another peerlessly beautiful woman in his arms. In a single night, she went from principal consort to secondary consort. Deep within the marquis's estate, she endured the loneliness in silence. She neither fought for his favor nor accepted his affection. She had thought that if she helped him and stood by him through every hardship, they would soar together as a pair, and in the end she wou 232Reads8.9Score156Shelves
13. 63 春 Spring Banquet 春日宴 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance664k WordsCompleted She kept male favorites and toyed with powerful ministers! For eight years, the arrogant and tyrannical Princess Danyang, Li Huaiyu, wreaked havoc across the court and country. She died on the day the new emperor ascended the throne, bleeding from every orifice in a truly gruesome death. The officials celebrated and the people rejoiced: Evil gets what it deserves! Good riddance! Yet on the seventh day after her death, Princess Danyang returned to life in the body of the Bai family’s Fourth Mis 13.6kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves
14. 64 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 24.7kReads9.5Score4kShelves

    Reader note

    ① This is the quote: "He taught me how to kill, how to wield power, and how to protect myself; I taught him what a weakness is." [Drama-oriented + plot-driven political intrigue + family and national portrait + inadequate synopsis] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth and pampered by her family, developing an innocent and spoiled nature. Only on the day her entire family was executed did she realize her utter foolishness! When she opens her eyes again, she is determined to turn the tide! And the only one who can save the Jiang family is the infamous "vengeful ghost" of the Great You Kingdom—the wicked prime minister Xie Chenyuan!

15. 65 快 Quick Transmigration: When Ying Zheng Gets a Worthy Heir 快穿：当嬴政有了合格的继承人 My Heart Is Bright昭昭我心Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted (Quick transmigration + System + no romance + female emperor) Zhiyu carries out countless missions and feels sorrow for the fate of women in feudal times. So in every mission, she does everything she can to become emperor and change the fate of women in that era. World One: The Ancestor’s Eldest Daughter Ying Zheng stood before Zhangtai Palace and proclaimed to the assembled officials with imposing authority, “My eldest daughter, Zhao Yuanman, is favored by Heaven and blessed by its protection. 3.9kReads9.1Score411Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a quick transmigration empress novel, a female-centric story where the female protagonist, in order to change the fate of women in feudal times, tries every means to become empress and improve the status of women. From then on, she rules the world, bringing peace and prosperity.

16. 66 穿 Transmigrating into a Chaotic Age, the Mad Princess Builds a Nation Through Robbery 穿乱世，疯癫公主她靠抢劫建国了 Turning Ink into Ink点墨成墨Ancient Romance2.7M WordsCompleted [Transmigrate + Struggle for Supremacy + Chaotic Era + Powerful Female Lead + Fleeing Famine + Infrastructure Building + No Romantic Pairing + Portable Space] Original title: Transmigrating Through Chaotic Times, the Mad Princess Builds a Nation by Robbing Others When Jiang Jin awoke, she discovered that she had become a princess of a fallen kingdom and was being sent to Liang City to become a plaything for the barbarian Jiao Liang. She thought about it and decided it would be better for others 148.2kReads9.5Score18.4kShelves
17. 67 杀 Kill Every Conqueror 杀死每一个攻略者 yyy Longan and Lotus Seed Soupyyy桂圆莲子羹Ancient Romance400k WordsCompleted “If the chosen woman cannot be killed, then kill every otherworldly soul that takes over her body.” On the night Wei Shulan died, she saw the truth of the world. She had lived for twenty-eight years, from being the apple of the Prince of Jing’an’s eye to becoming the only female prince of the Mingyao Dynasty. She held power over the court, yet it turned out she was merely a villain in a storybook who should have been written out long ago. The story’s heroine was called Luo Daien, an seem 258Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The villainous woman, the only queen of the dynasty, wielding immense power.

18. 68 快 Quick Transmigration: The Unhinged Host Runs Wild 快穿：疯批宿主她野翻了 Bunnies Love Peaches兔兔爱桃桃Ancient Romance829k WordsCompleted Shen Qi is a top-ranked mission-taker in the main world, but she's been dogged by bad luck. Unluckily for her, she's assigned to the small-world Golden Finger Recovery Center, renowned for its high difficulty and high rewards, where she must face the “protagonists” of various worlds, all equipped with cheat abilities. Heroine: I have a System that makes me the most beautiful woman in the world and makes the emperor obey my every word. I'm the most powerful person in the land! Hero: I have a Syst 5.7kReads9.2Score678Shelves

    Reader note

    In this ancient world, the female protagonist is mostly involved in political intrigue, but she's not exactly ruthless. It's incredibly captivating.

19. 69 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 118kReads9.5Score11.2kShelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female lead is indeed incredibly skilled in palace intrigue. How skilled? So skilled that even if you're completely manipulated by her, you'll still feel indebted to her. The female lead is focused on her career, manipulating people and navigating palace politics—it's very engaging. Especially noteworthy is the scene where the male lead, the Crown Prince, declares he will be with his Crown Princess for life, a promise that the female lead, a concubine, doesn't believe. How could he not love such a perfect woman?

20. 70 别 Don't Mess with Her: The Princess May Lie Flat, but She'll Still Crush the Scum 别惹她，长公主虽躺平，但狠虐渣 Flying Like Clouds如云飞扬Ancient Romance1.0M WordsOngoing [Transmigration, past and present lives, woman disguised as a man, political intrigue, sweet and satisfying] Yun Qing was a princess born of the emperor's elder sister. On the day she was born, she was switched, poisoned, and hunted down, ending up in the common world as a discarded daughter of the family who had to disguise herself as a man. Her heartless father, her vicious concubine stepmother, and all manner of monsters and demons wanted her dead. When she opened her eyes again, she had s 1.4kReads9.3Score173Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is unparalleled in strategy and tactics, a master of both medicine and poison, ruthless in her methods, and has many aliases—just read on!

21. 71 金 The Golden Palace Locks Away the Spring Breeze 金阙锁春风 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance757k WordsCompleted Her entire family perished, she was left dependent on others, the dynasty fell, and she married and divorced. In just eighteen years, Yu Zheng has endured things most people never face in a lifetime. A noblewoman of the former dynasty, all she wants now is to stay alive. She plans to enter the palace as a maid, then use her literacy to earn a post as a court official and support herself. She never imagined that the new emperor would send her to the Fourth Prince’s residence as a gesture of goodw 21.1kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist's entire family died, and she sought refuge with her fiancé. His mother disapproved of her, so she divorced him and entered the palace as a lady-in-waiting. She was betrothed to the fourth prince, choosing not to have children and focusing on her career. She helped the fourth prince ascend the throne, determined to become empress and empress dowager.

22. 72 她 She Just Wants to Lie Low, but They Keep Forcing Her to Rebel 她想咸鱼躺，非逼她造反 Warfires Stain All烽火尽染Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] Lu Songli transmigrated into a book and became the cannon-fodder first wife of Xie Zhan, the male lead of The Powerful Minister's Beautiful Young Second Wife. In the book, her friend Zhao Yutan, who returned in glory from a place of exile, would steal her husband. The two of them carried on behind her back while she was gravely ill, and their affair literally angered her to death. Lu Songli was about to roll up her sleeves and tear into the cheating scumbag and 107.4kReads9.5Score12.4kShelves
23. 73 开 From the Start, I Snatched the Embroidered Ball: Will Becoming a Live-in Son-in-Law Stop Her From Taking Power? 开局抢绣球，入赘影响她当权臣吗 Garlic Bamboo Shoots蒜香竹笋Ancient Romance749k WordsCompleted [Female-Supremacist World + Court Intrigue + Women Stronger Than Men + One-on-One Romance + Sweet Doting] [Refined Scoundrel, Scholarly Imperial Tutor × Lively, Proud Heiress to a Wealthy Merchant House] Before Lou Yushen became a live-in son-in-law, the standard for a good one was simple: don't covet the family's wealth, and don't take anyone's life. Lou Yushen thought, The people who came before me sure made the path easy! One day, while coaxing someone, she said, “Since the world is so lenien 16.8kReads9.4Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    It has to be this one; this author's books are brimming with political intrigue.

24. 74 逃 The Famine-Fleeing Grandmother: From Exile to Empress 逃荒祖母，从流放到女帝 Great Prajna大般若Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Synopsis: [No romance + golden finger + carving out territory in a chaotic age] Mu Wanqing, who was useless and only knew how to eat, transmigrates into the body of an elderly woman in exile. Not only does a golden finger bind itself to her like a bandit, it also ties itself to her lifespan, making it hard even to die. She takes on disciples and earns points, but inflation in the points shop is downright outrageous. All she wants is to keep her head down until she dies of old age, but the wicked 1.1kReads9.3Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is good; the female lead has a grand vision and there's no romantic relationship.

25. 75 惊 Shock! Reborn on the Eve of My Family's Execution, I Say Let's Rebel 惊！重生回满门抄斩前夜，造反吧 Yi Yangcheng衣漾澄Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Rebirth + feel-good story with a powerful heroine + family and country + political intrigue] A cool-headed, cunning heroine who plans several moves ahead + a brilliant, devoted yet restrained male lead who serves as a high-ranking official at the Court of Judicial Review In her previous life, the entire Ning family, loyal to the throne for generations, was slaughtered. To avenge them, Ning Zhiwei led an army of a hundred thousand to marry Su Mingjin, helping him with all her might as he rebelle 27.3kReads9.3Score3.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Rebirth, revenge, political intrigue, and rebellion – a thrilling and satisfying story! The female protagonist was betrayed and tragically killed in her past life. Reborn, she awakens two systems and refuses to be manipulated. She saves her father and brothers, tears apart scumbag lovers, supports a puppet emperor, and ascends to the throne of Empress within three years. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. The female protagonist is intelligent, and the male protagonist is equally cunning. Their collaboration in overcoming challenges is full of highlights, making it a must-read for fans of strong female protagonists and political intrigue novels.

26. 76 阎 The King of Hell Smiles: The Poison Doctor Rules the World 阎罗笑：毒医倾天下 Sleeve of Fragrance袖清香Ancient Romance77k WordsOngoing [Revenge and Political Intrigue + A Powerful Alliance + Duty to Nation and People + A Woman’s Perspective] A Poison Doctor Orphan vs. A Dashing Powerful Official Jiang Lifi died in the great fire of the fourth year of Yongzhao. Flames filled the sky. Her entire family was slaughtered, and the residence of the capital’s Minister of Revenue was reduced to rubble overnight. She was taken in and used as a human test subject for medicine. After ten years of enduring hardship, she changed her name to 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is so fitting! The female lead is ruthless, cruel to others and even more so to herself, and the interactions between the male and female leads are quite funny. When they went to gather herbs together, there was miasma in the mountains, so the female lead gave the antidote to the male lead (because she's a medicine person and doesn't need it). The male lead assumed she only had one dose and was willing to forgo it for his sake. But the female lead said, "Don't worry, sir, if one day I really only have one dose of the antidote, I will absolutely not care about you." This left the male lead speechless. It cracked me up!

27. 77 权 The Powerful Prince’s Spoiled Princess: Proud, Wild, and Unruly 权王溺宠：狂傲王妃野又撩 Green Plums and Bamboo Wine青梅竹酒Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Court intrigue + feel-good power fantasy + ruthless decisiveness + an incredibly badass heroine + face-slapping + a heroine with her wits about her] Bai Xuan, commander-in-chief of the Huaxia Special Forces Training Camp, transmigrates to the Great Zhou. She is a peerless beauty with exceptional martial skills. As a woman, she carves her own path through force of arms, establishes herself at court, and wields enormous influence. With a deft hand, she turns the tide of both schemes and open stra 16.4kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    A female protagonist's intrigue and power struggles. The story revolves around the nation and its people; the female lead possesses ability, strategy, wisdom, and cunning. The narrative is highly engaging and incredibly enjoyable.

28. 78 太 The Empress Dowager Reborn: A Phoenix’s Plot for the Empire 太后重生：凤谋天下 Gu Yu孤妤Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + ensemble cast + political intrigue] Reborn, she turns the world into a board and all living beings into pieces. She is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. Slender, pale hands, an icy gaze She moves her pieces, a faint smile on her lips Why should beauty worry? Reborn, risen from the ashes A phoenix’s schemes hide in her lotus-bloom bones Her name will live on in the annals of history Willow branches in her hometown, the moon a hook She watches generals and princes 1.3kReads9.0Score185Shelves

    Reader note

    A must-read historical romance novel focusing on political intrigue! The female protagonist is powerful and clear-headed, possessing a sharp mind. After her rebirth, she uses the world as a chessboard and all living beings as pawns; she is the one who plays the game and sets the stage. The male protagonist is a gentle and noble prince who dotes on her throughout, silently giving and protecting her. This book is not just about palace intrigue and domestic drama; it also incorporates crime-solving suspense, the struggle for the throne, national sentiment, brotherhood, the battlefield of officialdom, and conspiracies and intrigues—a grand and unpredictable epic novel.

29. 79 掀 Flip the Table! The Legitimate Daughter Returns to Make Her Mark! 掀桌子！归来嫡女要立威！ Xuan Ying Luo玄英落Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Political Intrigue + Feel-Good Story + Sharp Tongues + Ensemble Cast + Nation and Family + Two Strong Leads + Devoted Couple] The legitimate daughter of a general's household, who had been left to fend for herself in the countryside, was maliciously attacked. When she opened her eyes again, she had become Liu Qingyue, China's top special agent. Determined to repay her master's kindness in recognizing her abilities, Liu Qingyue accepted his dying wish, left the Taoist temple, and returned home t 8.8kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Strategy! These books are all great! Especially the first one, the female lead is so sharp-tongued, she's infuriating!

30. 80 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves

    Reader note

    These books are all authoritative and of high quality; highly recommended! [Heart emoji]

31. 81 羞 Humiliation? The Face-Slapping Began with the Imperial Betrothal! 羞辱？从赐婚开始便是打脸！ Xuan Ying Luo玄英落Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (Feel-good, two powerful leads, devoted couple, space, medicine, martial arts prowess, face-slapping) A top mercenary in the twenty-first century suddenly transmigrates to an alternate ancient world while on a mission, becoming an unloved illegitimate daughter of a general's household. A marriage contract and a deal transform the heroine into the wife of the “crippled prince”... With the two “princes” joining forces, the world is theirs! The Crown Prince stands in their way? Bring him down! Prin 4.8kReads9.3Score720Shelves
32. 82 反 The Villainess Raised the Heavenly Dao's Chosen One All Wrong 反派她养歪了天道宠儿 Lop-Eared Rabbit Who Loves Cilantro爱吃香菜的垂耳兔Ancient Romance693k WordsCompleted [Villainess heroine x devoted hero] [Both leads are sexually inexperienced] Reborn into a new life, Shen Yu still can't change her vicious nature. She toys with everyone around her as she pleases. One day, she picked up a mute child and kept him by her side. Everyone thought it would be a beautiful story of salvation, but in the end, they became two demons. “Shen Jue, become strong. Strong enough that no one can do anything to you. You can use anyone you need to.” Shen Jue knew he was nothing mo 728Reads9.2Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Political intrigue, scheming, wicked women, treacherous officials, villains, high intelligence ✓ Completed ✓

33. 83 长 The Grand Princess Was Banished to Her Fief, So I Became Empress 长公主被贬封地，我转身成女帝 Happy Little Crawler幸福的爬爬虫Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted [Strong Female Lead + Revenge and Regret + Empress + No Romance + War for Supremacy in a Chaotic Era] Chu Ning transmigrates into the Great Chu Dynasty as a princess who has been confined to her fief. Carrying the grudge of her mother’s murder, Chu Ning unexpectedly awakens the strongest Empress System, and begins a fiery journey to become an empress who conquers the realm. With a decisive hand, she takes control of Changle Commandery, her fief, and builds a solid power base. Declaring herself Q 672Reads—Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    This is for building a career.

34. 84 恶 Is the Villainess Still Causing Trouble Today? 恶毒女配今天也在作恶吗 Qi Guang祁光Modern Romance349k WordsCompleted [She is a hypocritical liar, a cunning villain. And I am her accomplice, her believer.] (yandere, unhinged heroine + devoted, loyal hero + a remorseful husband’s road to redemption) Wen Tang transmigrated into an old-fashioned romance as the villainous supporting female character. The original owner was wicked in every way, short of murder and arson. She bullied and framed the heroine, forcing the hero to marry her and becoming a massive obstacle in the couple’s path to love. Wen Tang: What a co 5.8kReads9.2Score417Shelves
35. 85 万 The Charismatic Villainess Has Turned Over a New Leaf 万人迷反派她从良了 Green Sea Cong Ning绿海从凝Ancient Romance574k WordsOngoing Gu Wange is a villain: vindictive, attracted to both men and women, and responsible for hurting countless people. Even Heaven seems to favor her, giving her chance after chance to start over no matter how recklessly she brings trouble upon herself. Fine! If Heaven is determined to make her a good person, what choice does she have? She'll turn over a new leaf! ╰(⇀‸↼)╯ 2.4kReads9.2Score199Shelves

    Reader note

    This is definitely it ↓ The female lead has been disguised as a boy since childhood, living a carefree life. The world sees her as a spoiled brat, and her father sees her as a rebellious son, but in reality, she's a powerful and ruthless boss who can manipulate events at will. No romantic pairing.

36. 86 十 Ignored for Eighteen Years, the Legitimate Daughter Returns to Deliver a Face-Slapping 十八年不闻不问，嫡女打脸回归！ Xuan Ying Luo玄英落Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Satisfying read + political intrigue + the fate of the nation + a pocket dimension + the martial world + medicine and poison + suspense] After accidentally transmigrating from a world polluted by nuclear fallout to an alternate realm, the heroine becomes an unwanted daughter of an official’s family. One day after transmigrating, she beats up a wicked servant and sells him off. From then on, the estate is her turf! Seven days after transmigrating, she becomes the leader of the martial world’s mo 4.3kReads9.1Score568Shelves
37. 87 卑 The Lowly Concubine-Born Daughter Turns a Losing Hand into a Winning Finale 卑微庶女一手烂牌打出王炸结局 Yi Mian Chun一眠春Ancient Romance815k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + growing heroine + marriage before love + palace and household intrigue + both leads grow powerful later + transmigrate into a book] Zhao Fangyu transmigrates into a book and lands in a deadly situation from the start: in a wealthy household, she has a fever of 104 degrees, but her mother refuses to let her see a doctor! She thought she’d landed in a living hell where neither parent cared for her, but the great household turns out to be full of hidden talent: T 6.3kReads8.7Score652Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book features a female protagonist who becomes an empress herself—a super satisfying read, and her father is quite funny. The second book features a very intelligent female protagonist who achieves what she wants through careful planning and scheming—not a story where the female lead is stronger than the male lead.

38. 88 臣 Above All Ministers 臣权之上 The Mountain Is Not Sad山而不悲伤Ancient Romance156k WordsOngoing [Woman Disguised as a Man + Aloof Young Emperor Adored by All + Political Intrigue + No Romance + Pure] Li Li transmigrates into Jinghe, a young emperor who is a woman disguised as a man. To her surprise, the Jiejing crystal merges with her soul, leaving her incapable of love or desire. Looking at a map of the Canglan Continent, Jinghe decides that her goal must be to unite the world. Xue Yan, the consort who initially tried to assassinate her, eventually weeps and begs, “Your Majesty, please ta 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The young emperor, disguised as a man, engages in a subtle power struggle with the empress dowager, scheming and plotting at every turn—it's incredibly entertaining!

39. 89 我 My Fierce Dog, My Horse: I Do Whatever I Want 我的恶犬我的马，我想咋耍就咋耍 Jiu Chuang九创Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong female lead, powerful heroine, reborn female general, woman disguised as a man, duty to family and country, serious alternate-history drama, ensemble cast in chaotic times. If you mind a weak romance, don't read.] She died in the very year she was ennobled and made a general, crowned with glory. It turned out that even someone with no lingering resentment could be reborn after reaching the top. In her previous life, because of something her mother said, she took on the burden of her fami 11.5kReads9.5Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    [Already hooked] Political intrigue, female lead focused on her career ‍🔥

40. 90 长 Your Highness, Please Don’t Spare Me 长公主您莫怜惜 That Tree on the Island孤岛那棵树Ancient Romance320k WordsCompleted [Both leads reborn + strong female lead + sexual tension + political intrigue + past and present lives] #Wild and aloof, ambitious and formidable princess × obsessive but restrained, lovesick and devoted shadow guard [1] The eldest princess of the Southern Kingdom wields power with ease and can charm anyone without even trying, but never gives her heart away. Who could have guessed she would be betrayed when she least expected it, only to discover that her sweet, obedient little shadow guard, wh 1.8kReads9.0Score237Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is clear-headed and career-oriented; she doesn't rely on any special abilities or men, and her political maneuvering is entirely based on her intellect. What others see in her is only what she wants them to see; her choices are always rational, and even the male lead has little influence over her.

41. 91 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter's Cunning, and Her Way with Husbands 嫡女善谋，御夫有道 Optimistic Sunflower乐天派向日葵Ancient Romance421k WordsCompleted [Calculating Earl’s Legitimate Daughter vs. Cold and Ruthless Heir to the Duke] [Power Couple, Sweet Romance] Shen Yunshu, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Earl of Xiting, is the only legitimate heir of her generation. But her father, Lord Shen, favors a beautiful young concubine who has both a son and a daughter, while her domineering grandmother can’t stand her either. Always calm and unruffled, Shen Yunshu only wants to live a quiet life with her mother. Yet people keep trying to disrupt 9.5kReads9.2Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Both books by this author are excellent. They don't feature time travel or reincarnation, demonstrate solid literary skills, and are purely historical romance novels!

42. 92 吾 My Wife Is Fierce: Enemy Emperor and Empress Kill Each Other in Two Lifetimes 吾妻蛮横：宿敌帝后两世互杀 Adorably Fat Shut-In可爱死肥宅Ancient Romance405k WordsCompleted (Just started) [Female lead with no C, male leads with C + 1Vn + Court Intrigue + Combative Couple + Scoundrels with Sincere Hearts + Love Amidst Bitter Hatred] [Emotionally Detached, Career-Driven Cui Lingyi X Passionate Dark Moonlight Qi Jingzhao X Crazy Younger Man Jiang Si X Dark, Clingy Love-Struck Qi Jingwang] “Damn you.” “My empress, you deserve to die.” “I gave you the highest status and my one-of-a-kind devotion, yet you don’t know what’s good for you. You want to leave me?” Two lifet 1.9kReads8.3Score226Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is truly excellent. Both the male and female leads have tragic backstories. The female lead was the male lead's wife in two lifetimes, but in her previous life, she was deceived by him. After being reborn, she chose to join the opposing side. The moment they met, the male lead wanted to kill her. Later, due to shared interests, the male and female leads formed an alliance, using their cunning to deal with other enemies. Besides the male and female leads, the other characters are also very intelligent. It's not that the protagonist wins the political intrigue, but rather that the winner becomes the protagonist.

43. 93 榜 Catch a Husband at the Results Board, and My Scheming Groom Is Irresistible 榜下捉婿，腹黑夫君太撩人 Optimistic Sunflower乐天派向日葵Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted [Clear-eyed, wealthy beauty VS scheming, devoted top scholar] [Marriage First, Love Later; Sweet Romance] Zhao Wanqing, the legitimate daughter of Prince An of the Great Yue Dynasty, was frail as a child. At the abbot’s guidance at Xiangguo Temple, she learned that she needed to marry someone whose Four Pillars of Destiny were purely yang. Prince An loved his daughter dearly. He followed every lead until he found her destined match, then shamelessly begged the emperor to arrange the marriage, fi 6.5kReads9.1Score822Shelves
44. 94 种 What’s Wrong with Being the Supporting Lady in a Farming Novel? Respect Fate 种田文女配怎么了？要尊重命运 Green Lotus Catches the Eye青荷入眼Ancient Romance771k WordsCompleted [Farming Fiction + Reborn + Transmigrate into a Book in the Apocalypse + Foil Character] Who says a reborn supporting villainess has to turn over a new leaf? After transmigrating into the story, Lou Tanyue decides to respect fate and become a wicked supporting villainess, a steadfast stumbling block on the heroine’s path to growth. 4kReads7.0Score235Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a different kind of ancient Chinese romance novel. Rebirth doesn't make you smarter, the system won't help you unconditionally, and things that don't belong to this era can bring disaster. You transmigrate into the body of a villainous female supporting character, start by changing your identity, then overturn the table to secure your survival. Don't limit your thinking, and don't underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Only with strong personal power and vested interests can you slay all obstacles, sit at the table, and become the player, not just a pawn.

45. 95 穿 Transmigrate into a Book as the Eldest Princess: Bold and Badass 穿书长公主，又飒又A Bewitching Rose妖染蔷薇Ancient Romance423k WordsCompleted (Transmigrate into a book + pocket dimension + devoted couple + satisfying revenge against scoundrels) Ye Qingyu, the foremother of the alchemical arts, was a master of medicine, poisons, and pill refinement. She died when her furnace exploded while she was refining a batch of life-extending pills for an old friend. When she woke again, she had become the doomed eldest princess in a book, a cannon-fodder character who wouldn't survive more than one episode. Her elder brother is the current emper 3kReads8.9Score260Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is focused on her career, while the male lead waits patiently for her to sleep with him, but he never gets a chance.

46. 96 追 The System Came to Kill Me, but I Became an Empress! 追杀系统，结果我成了女帝！ Yang Shu阳姝Ancient Romance672k WordsCompleted [Empress] [No romance] [Political intrigue and conquest] [Decisive and ruthless] [Livestreaming the past] Synopsis: Her mother, a former princess of the previous dynasty and empress, has disappeared. Her father, the current emperor, seems like a gold-digging husband. And there's a stupid System trying to kill her. She should have been a pampered noblewoman, but instead she became a minister's daughter, surrounded by mysterious court officials and enemy nations watching hungrily from every direct 158Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is incredibly capable and skilled in political maneuvering.

47. 97 权 The Alluring Powerful Minister 权臣妖娆 Minced Meat and Fried Egg肉沫跑蛋Ancient Romance960k WordsCompleted Also known as The Female Top Scorer and The Female Imperial Tutor. He was a celebrated, charmingly elegant top scorer, showered with every favor under the heavens. Only after the Du family was destroyed and he hanged himself in prison did the world learn that “he” was a woman! After her father's death, the family's good name was ruined. Dozens of loyal servants starved to death. The beautiful women of the household were either made into servants or reduced to playthings for officials. Reborn, Du 3.3kReads9.1Score435Shelves

    Reader note

    No romance [thinking][thinking][thinking] Also known as "The Female Scholar" and "The Imperial Tutor." He was a renowned and charming scholar, showered with favor and honor. Until the Du family was destroyed, and he hanged himself in prison, the world learned that "he" was a woman! After his father's death, his reputation was ruined; dozens of loyal servants starved to death; all the beautiful women in his family were either enslaved or became playthings of officials. Reborn, Du Wanfeng is determined to protect her family, turn the tide, and save the collapsing empire! She will forge her own path to becoming a powerful minister.

48. 98 穿 After I Transmigrated, I Doted on the God of War Prince 穿越后，我娇养了战神王爷 Singing to the Wind Beneath the Pale Moon浅月吟风Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + medicine + secret identity + special abilities + space + strong female lead + fleeing famine + sweet romance] Gu Qingyue, a super-agent and gifted healer with a healing ability, transmigrates. She wakes up in the body of Gu Qingyue, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. Since childhood, her aunt has schemed to sell her into a remote village, where she has suffered endless abuse. To resist being sold off as a young concubine to a lecherous old man, she runs 4.3kReads9.0Score497Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a spy-themed time-travel novel! The female lead is ruthless and intelligent throughout, with no melodramatic clichés. I only glanced at it, but I was completely hooked! The female lead is definitely not the submissive or saintly type; she has a free-spirited personality and encounters all sorts of things after her time travel. The plot is intricate and interesting, making it impossible not to keep reading. Most importantly, the writing is incredibly smooth and delicate, demonstrating the author's profound literary skills, yet it's also full of humor. Definitely worth reading.

49. 99 综 A Film and TV Crossover: Grant Me Three Thousand Wishes 综影视之许我三千心愿 Pipi Q皮皮QFemale-Channel Fanfiction984k WordsOngoing A different possibility for various film and television worlds, making up for all the regrets of the original stories. No lovesick protagonists, no golden finger, logical storytelling, not canon, parallel worlds based on film and television dramas, intelligent protagonists, political scheming, palace intrigue, strong female leads, the Republic of China era, equally matched couples... 1. Aisin-Gioro Yongqi and Xilin-Jueluo Linlang 2. Lu Mengping and Qin Shuo 3. Xiao Zhenying and Lin Xie 1.7kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Multiple worlds containing political intrigue; the latest world is the Three Kingdoms period, preceded by the Lotus Tower world. The female protagonist is Jiao Liqiao.

50. 100 穿 Transmigrated into an Otome Game Villainess, the Unwanted King Wrecks the Plot 穿越乙游恶女，寡王杀崩剧情 Water-Dipped Rice水点饭Modern Romance692k WordsCompleted Strong heroine + scheming + System + villainous female warlord + chaotic times + conquest + otome game A villainess transmigrates into another villainess. The heroine is a true antagonist. Qi Yi accidentally transmigrates into the villainous supporting character of an otome game, a character who keeps dying. The original’s enemies are too numerous for her to know who’s trying to kill her. The land is in chaos, with warlords carving up the territory and heroes vying for supremacy. Qi Yi had plann 1.5kReads9.0Score228Shelves

    Reader note

    I have to bring out my absolute favorite! A story of a strong female lead, a villainous woman, and political intrigue! The villainous woman is powerful, decisive, cunning, and strategic. The first book has a romantic partner, but the second and third don't. Enough said, just read it!

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