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. 201 重 Reborn Empress Opens Her Eyes, Torments Her Scum Husband and Seizes the Empire 重生皇后一睁眼，虐死渣夫夺江山 Phoenix Rules the Land凤点江山Ancient Romance523k WordsCompleted A power-hungry, unhinged empress takes on the world vs. her fiercely loyal shadow guard / strong heroine + unhinged female lead + satisfying read + villains get humiliated throughout + devoted guard In her previous life, she died pregnant, full of hatred. In this life, she has sworn off love and wants only power. The puppet emperor is nothing but a stepping stone. Her maternal grandfather is the chancellor, her uncle is a general, and her brother commands the Imperial Guard. With such powerful c 5.6kReads9.1Score558Shelves

   Reader note

   The first book is about a woman who becomes empress step by step with exceptional clarity of mind; the second book is about her directly seducing the emperor and taking the throne herself.

2. 202 摆 After My Slacker Plans Failed, the Regent Set His Sights on Me 摆烂失败后，被摄政王盯上了 SQrationAncient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The female lead isn't all-powerful, and this is not a story about a strong female lead!!!] [The leads are only master and disciple. There will be no romance between them. This isn't a mindless power fantasy, and there are plot twists. Please don't complain if it's not your thing~] [The female lead is capable, but her heart is set on a life among mountains and rivers, so at first she only wants to keep a low profile and lie flat. Please stop asking!!!] Mu Yunsheng is born as the twin younger sis 3kReads9.0Score464Shelves

   Reader note

   The male and female protagonists have a purely teacher-student relationship, and the author's writing is excellent. The phrase "Those I teach naturally bear my mark" perfectly encapsulates this sentiment.

3. 203 重 The Reborn Empress Looks Up, and the Entire Court Falls to Its Knees 重生女帝一抬眼，满朝大臣全跪了 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance441k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Strong heroine + Yandere + Both are virgins + Satisfying read + Obsessive to the core] Yan Qing was supposed to be a princess of the imperial clan, but she was born cursed as an ill-fated loner. Her father kept his distance, her mother loathed her, and her family and subjects all saw her as a venomous snake, avoiding her at all costs. In the prime of her life, she died because of her family’s schemes. Even the powerful young nobleman she had personally trained and nurtured betrayed her 2.7kReads9.2Score283Shelves

   Reader note

   Rebirth and revenge story, read it for yourself, I won't say more, once you start reading, everyone will be silent.

4. 204 梦 A Dream Falls on the Capital [Historical Romance] 梦落京华【古言】 Stand with Your Heart向心而立Ancient Romance176k WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + historical political intrigue + ensemble cast] A powerful general's daughter × a young lord who can be both sweet and fierce Cleansing the emperor's court and eliminating traitors had always been her lifelong ambition. The path of the civil official, the path of the warrior, the path of the crown prince, the path of the emperor. Born with a mortal body, forced to forge immortal bones. Pacify the realm, read people's hearts, seek a way to survive, glimpse long-held wishes, break 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A historical romance novel featuring a strong female lead. The protagonist is a political strategist who fights on the front lines and eliminates corrupt elements within the family. She holds a high position, has a powerful background, and is ruthless and decisive. She never hesitates to take action when she feels she can't do something. A promising historical romance novel recommendation.

5. 205 锦 Splendid Colors of the Embroidered Robe 锦衣卿色 The Lazy Cat Who Plants Trees种树的懒猫Ancient Romance707k WordsOngoing A composed young female commander VS a cold-tongued Eastern Depot Vice Commissioner She is the first woman to become a Commander of the Embroidered Guard. Still young, she enters the imperial court and faces endless doubts. On her first day back in the capital after taking up her post, she crushes a rebellion jointly plotted by the capital’s secret police and the Embroidered Guard, leaving the entire court red-faced. But the clues that emerge from the case send a chill down her spine: Corrupt of 11Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The female lead is the commander of the Imperial Guard, ruthless and cunning, yet also compassionate towards the world. The story is well-rounded, with political intrigue, martial arts skills, and romance all contributing to a compelling narrative. A worthwhile investment!

6. 206 人 In the Great Ming Dynasty, I Rose to Power Through Immortality 人在大明，从长生开始权倾天下 Scorned by All千夫所指Ancient Romance2.1M WordsOngoing [Court intrigue, everyone’s favorite, princess, immortal, no romance, world conquest] Ye Lingxi accidentally transmigrates to Mount Wudang in the twenty-fifth year of Zhizheng, where the immortal Zhang Sanfeng takes her in as his disciple. She obtains an elixir of immortality. Without a second thought, Ye Lingxi takes it herself. From then on, her appearance is frozen at eighteen, her Ren and Du meridians are unblocked, and she begins her path of cultivation. In the chaotic final years of the Yu 2.7kReads7.5Score137Shelves

   Reader note

   The female protagonist, a political intrigue story, rises from commoner to duke to princess to wield immense power.

7. 207 长 Let the Long Winds Carry Me to You 长风渡我 Yulia Yuyulia妤Modern Romance59k WordsCompleted At university, Chen An was the law school’s shining star, sunny and outgoing, the sun in everyone’s eyes. Lin Wei was the art department’s quietest, most solitary girl, always painting alone in a corner. No one knew how two people from such different worlds had ended up together. A sudden family upheaval knocked Chen An from his pedestal, leaving him gloomy and withdrawn. Everyone gradually drifted away. Only Lin Wei stayed firmly by his side, using her clumsy yet heartwarming brushstrokes to s —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   In high school, she was an ugly duckling bullied to the point of developing PTSD, publicly humiliated by him—he "never looked at her properly." Years later, they meet again; she is now the stunning founder of a national style brand, and he has become his most important partner. Watching him gradually become infatuated with her, she only sneers inwardly—she has waited five whole years for this revenge game in the name of love. When the arrogant bow their heads, when the abuser repents, she is no longer the little girl who could be manipulated at will. The female lead is extremely proud, possessing multiple masks such as aloof elegance, delicate allure, and innocent kindness. She not only obtains resources but also manipulates the male lead and others, captivating a large group of people to serve her with her personal charm.

8. 208 惊 The Astonishingly Cunning Poison Consort Has the Imperial Uncle Falling Hard 惊世毒妃手段高，皇叔狠心动 Lucky Persimmons and Peanuts好柿花生Ancient Romance3.7M WordsCompleted In her previous life, she trusted the wrong people, and her entire clan was slaughtered. In the end, she sacrificed herself to drag the scumbag and wicked woman down to hell with her. Reborn, she strides confidently through life and makes a flawless comeback. More delicate than a green tea girl, more ruthless than an assassin, she slaps scumbags into the dirt without hesitation. She has miraculous healing skills and an uncanny knack for reading faces and telling fortunes. In short, the eldest da 176Reads8.3Score102Shelves

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   🍭🍭A web of political intrigue, one scheme after another, shrouded in mystery🍄🍄, fraught with danger, her identity shrouded in mystery. The female protagonist, Yun☁, is reborn and returns only to discover the secrets of her past. She embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, but what she believes is the beginning of something far more sinister🍀🍀🍀🍀

9. 209 综 Film and TV Crossover: The Workaholic Empress Relies on Her Beauty to Get Her Way 综影视：卷王娘娘她恃美行凶 Yogurt with Grapes酸奶配葡萄Female-Channel Fanfiction746k WordsOngoing [Original historical settings + TV dramas, slow transmigration with a fast pace. The female lead is a villainess and a yandere, not a saintly do-gooder who saves everyone. It’s a power-struggle story, but you won’t need to rack your brains; explanations will be provided as the story goes on.] [TV dramas whose plots have been heavily altered to fit their respective historical dynasties will use those dynasties’ historical backgrounds for their settings and details. If that’s not your thing, feel 93Reads9.1Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Book 1: As the King of Scrolls, I'm single-mindedly focused on my career, only wanting to be number one. Book 2: I was born a queen, how could I be content to be someone's subordinate? Book 3: As a princess, I only want to be queen; participating in the struggle for the throne, I will only ascend to the throne. Book 4: Traveling to the Qin Dynasty, if I can't change history, then my journey will have been in vain. Book 5: In the warring states period, I will participate in the power struggles of men as a woman. Book 6: Although I am a woman, I will still rise to a position second only to the emperor. Book 7: Since women can take the imperial examinations, I will surely be among those who ascend to high positions. Book 8: The Republic of China was a special period; since I have one ability, I will make it tenfold.

10. 210 穿 I Transmigrated Into the Daughter of a Treacherous Official 穿成奸臣之女 Peach Soda桃子汽水Ancient Romance787k WordsOngoing The whole capital is beside itself with joy: the foolish daughter of its foremost treacherous minister has bashed her head in and died! What? It was a fake, and she didn't die? Her personality has completely changed, as if she's become someone else! Su Nian is in a complicated state of mind. She's transmigrated into a book, and she's the daughter of the story's big bad, destined for a truly gruesome death! My fate is mine to control, not heaven's. She refuses to believe she can't change the plot 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Personally, I think this is the best, especially the first book with the female lead. She's ruthless and reborn as a villain, disliked by the sweet ones. She uses her dead body as a campfire to fight for survival, taking every step with trepidation. In the end, she proves through her own efforts that "my fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven."

11. 211 他 He's a Fool, She's Loaded. What's It to You? 他人傻，她钱多，关你什么事 Mianmian Gao绵绵羔Ancient Romance206k WordsOngoing (A sickly but absurdly powerful heroine x a clingy, loyal, green-tea schemer of a hero who goes insane for her; two strong leads, both devoted only to each other, and plenty of sweet romance) Content warning: The story starts slow, then features a lot of political intrigue later on, so proceed with caution! The hero is genuinely an idiot at first, but he gets better. If that's not your thing, don't read. - She gets caught in a last-minute marriage swap, and the concubine still has her eye on the 109Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The plot is fast-paced with light political intrigue. The female lead is a clear-headed and strong-willed woman; she's not only ruthless but also capable of instilling fear even in the emperor when she's infatuated. [I highly recommend it.] Warning: The female lead may be sickly.

12. 212 惨 Reborn After a Horrific Death, I Drove Every Villain Crazy 惨死重生后，我把反派都逼疯啦 Yan Fei颜翡Ancient Romance1.9M WordsCompleted Reborn + household and palace intrigue + strong heroine and hero + revenge and taking down scumbags + satisfying read In her previous life, Shen Shuyi schemed and plotted at every turn to secure the crown prince's position for Xiao Tingshan. But he repaid her by turning his back on her, despising her for being calculating and deep-minded, and not gentle and demure enough. He not only took her life, but also caused countless friends and family members to die unjustly. Fine. Given another life, 15kReads8.9Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Don't be fooled by the title; it's absolutely ruthless. The female protagonist, after her rebirth, shows no mercy and is genuinely indifferent to romance. Highly intelligent, with a broad perspective and great compassion, it's definitely worth reading.

13. 213 综 Film and TV Crossover: The Ultimate Winner 综影视：最终赢家 YoubiLee悠比LeeFemale-Channel Fanfiction1.9M WordsOngoing It's all right. I'll be the final winner. Main fandoms: Empresses in the Palace and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. First world: Ulanara Yixiu (complete) Second world: Fucha Langhua (complete) 22.6kReads9.3Score727Shelves
14. 214 娇 Doting on the Villain: My Husband Is Half-Demon 娇养反派：我的夫君是半妖 Mao Wu猫妩Ancient Romance335k WordsCompleted On the continent of Nineteen Provinces, Jiang Luo, unaware that she was the big boss, picked up a fox-eared boy. Soft, sweet, and fluffy, he could even embroider beautifully. Jiang Luo was very satisfied and chose to lie flat for all eternity. Who could have guessed a prophecy would appear: “A great demon is coming. The Nine Provinces are in danger.” A great demon? Where? Where? The fox in her arms smiled innocently, the corners of his narrow eyes lifting. “Luoluo, do you know that all the demon 467Reads8.7Score103Shelves
15. 215 被 The Hundred Officials Go Crazy After the First Emperor Hears Their Thoughts! 被始皇读心后，文武百官卷疯了！ Gu Qijin顾七堇Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Mind Reading + Developing the Qin Empire + Feel-Good Power Fantasy + Infrastructure Building + No Romance + Everyone’s Favorite + A Cast of Smart Characters] The genius PhD Gu Lingxue woke up one day and transmigrated to the Qin dynasty! With a wave of her little hand, she decided to become an official! If she became an indispensable favorite of Qin Shi Huang, wouldn’t she be able to make the rules? Just as she was drawing up all kinds of development plans, she never expected Ying Zheng to hear 16.1kReads9.2Score2.1kShelves
16. 216 重 A Handsome Young Man Reborn into a Dark Matriarchal World 重生黑暗流女尊世界的美少年 Bro, Don't Look Back, I'm the Mischievous Cat兄弟别回头我是捣蛋猫Eastern Fantasy1.2M WordsCompleted After waking up, Lohr transmigrated to the Rose Continent, where women held power, and became the heir to a borderland noble family. Before she could even begin enjoying life in another world, she realized something was terribly wrong: Her parents had died young, and her aunt held the family reins. Was she planning to groom Lohr into a gift for some powerful figure? Was the only maid she could trust actually a cultist, planning to use her as a sacrifice to summon a demon? Was the goddess-worship 11.1kReads9.2Score951Shelves
17. 217 这 This World Is on the Brink of Ruin 这个天下，危在旦夕 Iced Sweet Tea冰甜茶Ancient Romance275k WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue + No Romance + Strong Female Lead + Disguised as a Man, Later Reclaims Her Identity] Original title: This Realm Is on the Brink of Ruin One-line summary: Transmigrate, become emperor, and figure out how to be a useful emperor. Full summary: “The deer has fled Yan, and all the realm pursues it.”, The Hunt for the Deer She transmigrated into a book and became emperor overnight. It should have been a joyous occasion. But this Great Yan dynasty was beset by natural disasters. The 549Reads9.3Score104Shelves
18. 218 五 Five Years of Waiting Came to Nothing: My Husband Brings His New Love to Demand a Divorce 五年痴等成空，夫君带女逼我和离 Cang Yuesheng仓月生Ancient Romance604k WordsCompleted [Both Chaste] [Romance with His Older Brother's Wife] [Male-Male Story] [The Male Lead is repeatedly seen completely naked but stays faithful. Later, what looks like infidelity is actually a guard in disguise; the male lead remains devoted to the female lead throughout.] [Dear readers, we're very sorry! When you reach Chapter 139, please skip straight to Chapter 146. Chapters 140 to 145 are inconsistent and can be ignored.] On their wedding night, unrest broke out at the border, and her husband 5.9kReads9.3Score443Shelves

    Reader note

    The plight of female protagonists in ancient times was truly tragic! They suffered endless humiliation! (This refers to novels featuring strong female leads and those with a "feel-good" or "powerful" feel.) I'm a champion for the female lead! [Smirking]

19. 219 嫡 My Reborn Younger Sister Stole My Husband? The Marquess’s Wife Laughed Herself Silly 嫡妹重生抢夫君？侯门主母笑疯了 Liu Yueshao柳月韶Ancient Romance362k WordsCompleted Yun Qingyao and her legitimate younger sister were both reborn. Her sister snatched the scumbag husband Yun Qingyao had married in her previous life and entered the Su family, where danger lurked on all sides. Yun Qingyao watched coldly as her sister basked in success, boasting about her unwavering love for Mr. Su. As for Yun Qingyao, she wielded power and focused on making money, fulfilling the wish she had left unfinished in her previous life. Clear-headed Yun Qingyao knew that nothing was mor 42Reads8.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead focuses on her career

20. 220 我 I Was Reborn, and This Time I'm Going on a Rampage 我重生了，这一世我嘎嘎乱杀 Cang Yuesheng仓月生Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted In my past life, I was schemed against and killed by Bai Lianhua and Liu Ruyan! This time, I'll send every one of the people who hurt me straight to hell! Seeing them hate me to the bone yet be powerless to do anything about it is so satisfying! This time, let me weave the path that sends you all to hell! I'm the head of the Wen family business. Watch me put men aside and focus on my career. I'm the leading lady of my own story! I just love building my business! When I try to put men aside, they 1.8kReads9.4Score185Shelves
21. 221 山 Peace Across the Land 山河无恙 Minced Meat and Fried Egg肉沫跑蛋Ancient Romance511k WordsCompleted A companion volume to The Alluring Minister, also known as The Female Emperor’s Tutor. Political intrigue + a woman disguised as a man + battles of wits at court! He was a dashing, romantic top scorer in the imperial examinations, famous throughout the land! He was also a brilliant strategist who stepped up when the nation was in peril, planning far ahead. A master of both letters and arms, his genius astonished the world, and his elegance was unmatched. He left countless legends and stories beh 485Reads8.9Score101Shelves
22. 222 盛 A Conquest in a Golden Age: The Cannon-Fodder Emperor Wants a Restart 盛世攻略：炮灰皇帝要重开 July Season七月时节Ancient Romance107k WordsCompleted [Dark and ruthless heroine + lovestruck hero gets put through the wringer] The heroine has one clear goal: to raise the first woman in history to become empress by right. Her mother couldn't do it, and she couldn't do it, so her daughter absolutely must! So the heroine poisons the hero to death in the very first chapter. Can starting over change the course of the story? In a chaotic age, three people join forces to vie for the realm and create a golden age: Ling Tianxi, with the finest intellige 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    What a coincidence! There's a ruthless female lead here; she poisons the male lead to death in the very first chapter! [Cool] The female lead can predict celestial phenomena; she's a strategist who plans from afar. The second female lead can survey gold mines, and her family is incredibly wealthy. As for the male lead, let's just consider him a tool for fighting. Once the war is over and he's no longer needed, he'll… be poisoned…

23. 223 农 A Country Girl’s Daily Life of Preparing for the Imperial Exams 农家女的科举日常 Panda Loves Life胖达爱生活Ancient Romance780k WordsOngoing [System + No CP + Women's Imperial Exams + No Cross-Dressing as a Man + Academy Life + Slow Pace + Alternate World] In her previous life, as an orphan with no family to support, Zhuge Yunshu lived an utterly carefree, lazy life. Perhaps even Heaven couldn't stand to see it anymore. It killed her with a piece of falling debris, and she was reborn as a farmer's daughter in ancient times. In this agrarian society, men and women alike had no choice but to work in the fields once they reached the app 22.6kReads8.9Score2.7kShelves
24. 224 桃 Ride Out to Battle, Peach Blossoms in My Wake 桃花马上请长缨 June六月Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted The short drama adaptation of June's novel, Power and Favor 3: Power and Favor in the Capital, is now available on Hongguo App. She cared for her in-laws and used her dowry to support the General's household, only for him to use his hard-won military achievements to ask for the female general's hand as his equal wife. Zhan Beiwang mocked her. “Song Xixie, do you know that your fine clothes, rich food, and glittering jewels all come from General Yi Fang and me fighting bloody battles to hold back 15kReads9.5Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Why isn't this book listed? I'm very picky about books; I won't read those with poor writing, those that drag on and on, or those that are constantly filled with sentimental love stories. This book saved me! Waiting for updates every day was exhausting! [Sad emoji]

25. 225 大 The Female Emperor of Great Zhao 大昭女帝 Young Cry稚唳Ancient Romance538k WordsCompleted She transmigrates from another world and becomes a figure who stirs up the entire realm. “They can sit on the throne as ruler of all under heaven. Why can't I?” “I want you to become my sword.” 1.4kReads9.1Score128Shelves
26. 226 华 Hua Fei Reborn: I Teach My Daughter to Seize the Throne 华妃重生：我教女儿夺皇位 Spending My Life in Joy且以欢愉度平生Female-Channel Fanfiction101k WordsCompleted Everyone says Consort Hua is arrogant and jealous, throwing her family's influence around in the harem. Only she knows that her naivete in her previous life cost the entire Nian family dearly. Returned to the past, she plans her every move and raises an extraordinary young woman who hides beneath men's clothing. There are mighty troops guarding the border and schemes unfolding deep within the palace. Princes battling for power, officials tearing each other down? None of it can stand in the Nian 12Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this one; the female lead is focused on her career throughout.

27. 227 间 The Spy's Daily Life After the System Dumped Me in Republican-Era China 【被系统坑到民国的】间谍日常 Listening to Rain in the Night Wind夜风听雨Urban1.3M WordsCompleted An ordinary office worker gets a System, but before she can enjoy any of its benefits, it dumps her into a parallel-world version of Republican-era China. That's where her life as a spy begins. From an ordinary field operative to an undercover agent, from a regular spy to a triple agent, she goes from reluctant to willing, writing her own legend in the great metropolis of Shanghai... Check out the new book next door: The Village Girl, the Grand Diviner, also known as After Getting a Puppet Space 45.9kReads9.5Score4.8kShelves
28. 228 疯 She's Gone Mad! The Day She Transmigrated, the Sickly Young Lord Vowed to Give Himself to Her! 疯了!穿越当天，病娇世子爷他要以身相许! Han Mianmian韩绵绵Ancient Romance868k WordsCompleted Original title: After the Heir’s Consort Turns Dark, All the Gods Fall at Her Feet [Transmigration + two scheming minds locked in a battle of wits + obsession + political intrigue + bickering couple] Yun Jincheng transmigrates and, the moment she opens her eyes, strips the sickly heir of his clothes and stumbles upon a secret he has kept hidden for years. Rumor has it that the heir of the Prince of Zhennan, who has been frail for years and gasps for breath after just a few steps, isn’t sick at a 2kReads9.3Score529Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book was absolutely amazing, and the last one had a few minor flaws, but they weren't many; it was pretty good.

29. 229 公 After the Princess Refused a Political Marriage, She Conquered the Empire 公主拒绝和亲后，称霸了江山 Evening Ripples晚漾Ancient Romance395k WordsCompleted [No rebirth or transmigration + powerful female lead + nation and family + court politics and ambition + light, stress-relieving power fantasy] Princess Chaohuang, daughter of the late crown prince, is deeply beloved by the emperor and the most exalted princess in the Kingdom of Xining. But the great clans consider her a thorn in their side and are constantly trying to drive her out. The daily question: Has Princess Chaohuang been kicked out of the Eastern Palace yet? Envoys from enemy states: W 315Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A satisfying female-centric power struggle novel where the protagonist focuses entirely on her career; it's very enjoyable to read, and the length is just right, making it a pleasant read.

30. 230 变 Transformed into a Southern Song Princess, I Become an Empress for the Ages 变身南宋公主，朕为千古女帝 Bright Moon, Dreaming of Beauty明月梦婵娟Historical739k WordsCompleted [Gender Swap] [Single] [Southern Song Empress] [Reclaiming Lost Territory] [Building the Great Song Empire] A history enthusiast transmigrates to the Southern Song Dynasty and becomes Princess Qi, who was originally destined to die at six months old. She is given the name Zhao Lingsheng. After living a peaceful life as a princess for fourteen years, she recommends to Emperor Ningzong that Zhao Lingsheng be named Crown Princess when his adopted son, the Crown Prince of Great Song, Zhao Xun, falls 2.1kReads8.7Score172Shelves
31. 231 缺 After Skipping the Family Banquet, I Became a National Treasure Scientist 缺席家宴后，我成了国宝科学家 The Stars Tell Dreams星辰说梦Modern Romance358k WordsCompleted [Alternate World + Period Setting + Reborn + Real and Fake Heiress + Building the Nation Through Science] (Reborn in the 1980s, she devotes herself to scientific research for her country. While the fake heiress is still fighting for status at home, she's already rewritten the fate of the nation's chip industry.) After dying on the operating table with her kidney cut out, Su Wan is reborn at the family recognition banquet in 1985. The fake heiress, Song Yurou, takes her hand and smiles sweetly. “ 168Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    My friends, we've struck gold! This sci-fi novel is absolutely addictive! The female lead is looked down upon by her entire family and subjected to all sorts of harassment at a family dinner, leading her to storm out in a huff! No one expected that she would turn around and plunge into the research lab, using her advanced knowledge to conduct research and break through technological blockades, transforming herself from an ordinary, disliked girl into a national treasure-level scientist whom the country protects! The entire journey of her career is high-energy and without any heartbreak, showcasing a strong sense of patriotism. The female lead is beautiful, cool, intelligent, and not a saint. Once you finish reading, you'll want to binge-read to the very end! A must-read for anyone looking for something to read—it's incredibly addictive!

32. 232 在 Scheming and Fighting to Be the Villain in Ancient Times 在古代又争又抢当坏蛋 Osmanthus Blooms Vigorously Without a Word桂花不语猛猛开花Ancient Romance349k WordsOngoing At birth, simply because she was missing a certain part, her own parents abandoned her in a mass grave in the dead of winter. [No romance! No System! No transmigration! No rebirth! Mostly feel-good, with all the sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and satisfying parts of life! A female lead's coming-of-age story ❤️ Everything else is just part of life's scenery, not the main plot.] [Local heroine + sister-complex + girl disguises herself as a boy + imperial examinations + career-building + returns to 8Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is very intelligent, she is a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, and she and her sister escaped their original home.

33. 233 反 The Villain's Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old: If Dad Won't Rebel, I'll Do It 反派幼崽三岁半，爹不造反我来干 The Moon Falls into a Dream月亮跌入梦Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Adored by everyone + feel-good power fantasy + gloomy antagonist gets remade into a doting dad + daughter sweet-talks her villain father into spoiling her + female supporting character has a System] Wen Ruan was an evil villain who dreamed of ruling the world. The good news: she transmigrated as the three-and-a-half-year-old biological daughter of Qin Jiuzhou, the ultimate villain. The bad news: she’d landed in the epilogue, where the gloomy villain who could crush the heavens and earth had los 34.3kReads8.9Score4.2kShelves
34. 234 女 The Tyrannical Empress and the Chaste Heir Whose Beauty Bewitches All 女帝暴虐，禁欲世子他美色撩人 Yu of the Three-Tiered Tower三重楼喻Ancient Romance396k WordsCompleted [Completed ❤️] Transmigration + 1v1 + strong female lead and weaker male lead + coercion + woman disguised as a man + decisive and ruthless heroine vs. restrained, reserved, beautiful but tragic hero [Warning: strong female lead and weaker male lead!!!] Feng Jin, an executive at a publicly listed corporation, suddenly died and transmigrated into the body of a tyrannical, cruel, mentally unstable crown prince who was a woman disguised as a man. From the start, a beautiful man offered himself to h 6.3kReads9.3Score691Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are all good, especially the first one.

35. 235 云 Clouds Veil the Crescent Moon 云掩初弦月 Caffe Chino咖咖奇诺Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Romance takes a back seat to ambition, an exceptionally powerful heroine] On their wedding night, in the stillness of deep night, she heard him say, “I can give you the title of my wife, but not my heart or my body. I hope you'll live out your days peacefully in the Liu household.” Yun Xuanyue became the Liu family's wife in name only. When he climbed the social ladder and wanted her to share the title of wife with a noblewoman, she dusted herself off and prepared to leave. But the Liu family c 2.8kReads9.2Score353Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel spans from domestic intrigue to political maneuvering, from strategizing in the mundane affairs of the inner court to ruthless tactics on the battlefield, culminating in decisive action upon regaining one's true identity. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging and satisfying. You won't regret reading it!

36. 236 我 I Only Want to Be a Military Doctor, So Why Are You Making Me Empress? 我只想当军医，你们让我当女皇？ I'm Starving我超饿Ancient Romance965k WordsCompleted [Feel-good revenge + transmigration + System + medicine + nation-building + conquering a chaotic age + empress + cheat powers] Medical student Liu Yi transmigrates into a war-torn age. The world is in chaos, the imperial court has fallen, and ordinary people can barely survive. But she brought along her all-purpose doctor System. System: “I can give you medical equipment.” System: “I can give you medical books.” System: “I can give you an entire modern hospital.” System: “Your goal is to becom 10kReads9.5Score2.3kShelves
37. 237 风 Through Wind and Rain, the Wild Geese Return 风雨雁归来 Jiang Xiaoyu江小雨Ancient Romance499k WordsCompleted Cao Jinghe was one of the best spies in Jianzhang Palace, code-named Snow Goose. She entered the palace at eight. At sixteen, her homeland fell and Chang’an was lost. She spent eight years undercover in enemy territory, until the bandits surrendered, the lost lands were recovered, and peace returned to the realm. But she waited where she was, and the order to end her mission never came. Even her handler, “Mountain Ghost,” who had sent her secret reports all along but whom she had never met, vani 441Reads8.5Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    All three female protagonists are focused on their careers, with very little romance. The entire cast is local, there's no time travel or reincarnation, it's pure historical fiction, and the supporting characters are all intelligent; there's no forced descent into stupidity. [Smirk]

38. 238 娇 So Pure and Innocent as a White Lotus, How Could She Be Scheming to Seduce Him? 娇娇纯净似白莲，怎会心机引诱？ Melon Egg瓜蛋Ancient Romance536k WordsCompleted [A femme fatale schemes for power, leading the hero step by step into ruin.] Jiang Yueyao is ruthless and destined to become empress. She first meets the emperor at a palace banquet. She is the most favored concubine of a minister, and after a palace consort publicly humiliates her, she drops to her knees and pleads for mercy, looking heartbreakingly beautiful beneath the dazzling palace lanterns. She meets the emperor for the second time in the study at her residence. Frantically fleeing her hu 4kReads9.0Score425Shelves

    Reader note

    It's been a long time since I've read such a good palace intrigue novel. The female lead rises to power with exceptional cunning and strategy, and she knows how to win a man's heart, making the emperor fall for her step by step.

39. 239 山 How Many Autumns Have Passed Over These Rivers and Mountains 山河几度秋 Jiang Xiaoyu江小雨Ancient Romance572k WordsCompleted In the first half of Zhao Lanxi's life, three men mattered most to her. One was her master, who had raised her; another was Yan Mo, the Vice Minister of Justice, who had recognized her talent; and the third was her full-blooded older brother, Zhao Jin, Duke of Zhenguo. Later, her master died, and Yan Mo died too. Zhao Jin, however, did not die. Not only was he alive, he also brought her a fourth man. One more thing: why does the heroine of a historical romance have to be a girl of fourteen or fi 55Reads6.0Score—Shelves
40. 240 京 The Capital's Most Notorious Beauty 京城第一祸水 Stars Fill My Eyes满眼星宸Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Currently being published [rival suitors in a dramatic love triangle + top-tier schemer + supporting villainess fights back + everyone comes around] [Historical romance + told entirely from the wicked supporting female character’s perspective] ❣️Blurb One Qiao Wanyan learned from a storybook that she was nothing but a wicked supporting character who abandoned her childhood sweetheart and chased after wealth and status. She sowed discord, poisoned her elder sister, and committed every imaginable 58.5kReads9.3Score7.7kShelves
41. 241 不 I Won't Be the Minister's Wife 不做尚书夫人 Pink Fairy粉仙Ancient Romance438k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she was the daughter of the Huo family, the wife of the Minister of Rites, and a mother. Her father, brother, and daughter were all dead, and she was a prisoner condemned to exile. She was also a general on the battlefield, and came within a hair's breadth of ascending the supreme throne. In the end, she died on the battlefield, pierced by a thousand arrows. When she opens her eyes again, she is back on the eve of her daughter's accident. She races against time, thinking sh 3Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No romantic pairing, female lead focuses on her career, no female rivalry, completed series, worth watching.

42. 242 与 A Splendid Letter to You 与卿书华章 Jiang Xiaoyu江小雨Ancient Romance601k WordsCompleted Since ancient times, historical records have had very little to say about women. And when they do appear, it is rarely because of their own achievements. Those few lines of ink usually tie them to the men in their families. Can women ever make a name for themselves in the history books? Before returning to the Central Plains, Zhou Shaojin was a noblewoman raised in the Western Regions. Her father died when she was thirteen, her mother when she was fifteen, and her husband when she was twenty-t 27Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 243 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score427Shelves

    Reader note

    The first one is really good.

44. 244 重 Reborn with a Bewitching Allure, I Claim the Seat of Power 重生后娇骨魅心，坐高位 My Peaceful Self我之安然Ancient Romance324k WordsOngoing In her previous life, she gave him everything she had. She even had her father use his influence to help him secure a position of honor. In the end, he repaid her by having her entire family arrested and their home confiscated, leaving her to die a tragic death. Reborn, she would never again let herself become a laughingstock. She swore to make her enemies pay for their crimes in blood. She trained hard, studied military strategy, and mastered the art of scheming and manipulating people. She wou 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Absolutely amazing, incredibly good, absolutely fantastic. The female lead isn't love-struck, she's incredibly career-driven, and a total madwoman.

45. 245 快 Quick Transmigration: The Demon King Wrecks the Plot 快穿之大魔王崩坏剧情 Mist Rising Through the Long Forest雾起长林Modern Romance428k WordsCompleted (No romance, brainless wish-fulfillment.) The heroine is an overbearing, chuuni, unhinged supervillain. She isn't human! She has no human morality and is rotten to the core. Anyone seeking justice or a saintly heroine should stay away. She takes the scumbag's path and leaves scumbags nowhere to go. If she can solve something with violence, she won't waste a word. She's a master of every kind of scheming green tea and black lotus trick: if you can imagine it, she can do it. A mama's boy ends up w 29.4kReads9.5Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist, Chen Yan, is a villain in a quick transmigration story, and her methods are extremely simple and brutal. In a farming-themed world, she pushes an injured prince, carriage and all, into a swamp and buries him alive; facing a prince who favors his concubine over his wife, she directly poisons him to death, becoming a carefree widow herself; in a Qing Dynasty transmigration world, she copies thousands of copies of the "Nine Princes' Succession Struggle" script and distributes them throughout the streets, causing all the princes to distrust and kill each other. The system's evaluation of her mission completion specifically notes: "Not recommended for beginners to imitate, as it may easily cause the collapse of the small world."

46. 246 穿 Transmigrated to a Year of Famine, I Accidentally Became Empress 穿越荒年，一不小心我成了女帝 Confused Jingjing迷糊的静静Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted Transmigration + fleeing famine + infrastructure building + war + contest for the throne + no storage space, just pure wish fulfillment Transmigrated? Of all places, why did she have to land in the middle of a famine migration, with corpses everywhere and war raging on all sides? She, Shen Xi, woke up in a chaotic age as a beauty. She had only wanted to live comfortably and keep her family safe. Who could have guessed that, somewhere along the way, she would become an empress? 211Reads6.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    She's all about building her career, becoming an empress, wielding power and ruthlessness in war.

47. 247 国 The Imperial Tutor Pursues His Wife: His Beloved Only Wants Revenge 国师追妻，掌中娇她一心只想复仇 Yu Ye Mo雨叶陌Ancient Romance171k WordsCompleted Wei Chen was the tyrant’s most ruthless enforcer. Cold and taciturn, distant and aloof, he struck without hesitation, sentencing entire families to execution and staining his hands with blood. But Mu Yaoyao never expected this cruel, vicious man to be so gentle in private. He gave her a rare tenderness and trust, stirring the darkest, most frenzied possessiveness within her. Everyone who had harmed the Mu family had to die. Anyone who dared compete with her for Wei Chen had to die, too! To keep 11Reads6.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is truly a seemingly innocent but actually cunning and ruthless character. She imprisons the male lead when he disobeys her and seizes power to become the empress.

48. 248 无 The Path of the King of the Infernal Realm 无间王途 Mi Li Ka Mang米理卡忙Ancient Romance214k WordsOngoing [Transmigrated into a Book + Everyone Is Clever + Devoted to Each Other + Political Intrigue + Feel-Good Power Fantasy] Song Li transmigrates into a book as a cannon-fodder spy. She only wants to survive, and thinks she accidentally changed the plot, but discovers that other transmigrators are behind the changes. The gears of fate push her forward, one step at a time. She wins people over, makes a fortune, and develops explosives... In the end, unable to win love, she has no choice but to sei —Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 249 穿 Transmigration: My Best Friend Is a Princess 穿越之闺蜜是公主呀 Bodhi Nine Demons菩提九妖Ancient Romance193k WordsOngoing What a shock! Lin Kong, a prospective corporate drudge, transmigrated after taking the subway on her way to a job interview... Even worse, she went from a prospective corporate drudge to a genuine unofficial worker without social insurance! She became a covert guard in Prince Yong's residence, serving the current Emperor's sixth son under the codename Bing Er´_>` But there is always a way out Because Lin Kong looked just like the Left Chancellor's daughter, she was given poison and sent to the C 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend! This book features a female protagonist and her best friend who travel through time in different eras; it's a story of deep sisterly love. [Learned something new]

50. 250 明 I Could Easily Rely on My Martial Skills, but My Wife Insists on Using Her Brain 明明可以靠武力，娘子非要靠脑子 Kimchi Jar泡菜坛子Ancient Romance634k WordsCompleted [Modern woman in ancient times + transmigration with her body + love after marriage + sweet and satisfying] [A male lead who never stops rescuing his wife + a mindless heroine who kills at the slightest provocation] Jiu Yue, the greatest assassin of the twenty-second century, is blown off a cliff while carrying out a mission. With a splat, she lands in the backward Great Qi Dynasty. The wicked step-grandmother finds Ji Yiqing a wild girl she picked up and makes her his bride, hoping the marriage 36.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The eldest daughter-in-law's strategic planning and tactics were flawless, her wisdom and resourcefulness unparalleled.

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