Smart Palace Intrigue, No One Gets Dumbed Down, and the Heroine Is Clearheaded and Cunning 有脑子的宫斗文，全员不降智，女主清醒有手段

1. 51 开 From the Start, I Tore Apart My Treacherous Sister. The Fourth Miss Is Done Pretending 开局手撕渣姐，四小姐她不装了 The Pen Name That Doesn’t Need Zhouzhou不用周周的笔名Ancient Romance254k WordsCompleted Lin Suisui is the illegitimate daughter of a duke’s household. In her previous life, she finally clawed her way up to the position of Noble Consort, only to get killed by someone? She didn’t even know how she died. Can you imagine anything more frustrating? Now that she’s living again, of course she’s going to find out exactly what happened. From the start, she tears into her treacherous stepsister... She lays traps at every turn, first saving her family, then the crown prince... After entering 43.1kReads8.1Score1.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The female lead sets traps one after another, driving the scheming woman to the brink of despair; it's incredibly captivating.

2. 52 我 My White-Eyed-Wolf Sister and I Were Reborn and Swapped Souls 我和白眼狼妹妹重生后灵魂互换了 Luo Zhi落之Ancient Romance178k WordsOngoing A cunning, ruthless heroine versus a twisted, obsessive hero In her previous life, Su Yu'er enjoyed the emperor's favor without end, until Shen Ningyue and the empress conspired to frame her. Reborn, she and Shen Ningyue switch souls. Now in Shen Ningyue's body, she initially plans to pretend they've made peace and team up with Su Yu'er to get revenge. But that plan falls through, so she lies low at Lady Zhaohua's side and stokes conflict in the harem, sowing suspicion between the empress and L 8Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's really gorgeous!

3. 53 宫 Schemes of the Palace, Strategies of the Emperor 宫谋帝王计 Clear Wind, Snowy Shadow清风雪影Ancient Romance257k WordsOngoing The year the begonias first bloomed, she took off her gold hairpin and asked only to be rejected and sent out of the palace. But after she declared before the throne that “a woman should be like a pine or cypress,” the emperor personally selected her to stay. On her first day in the palace, she saw through this place that devoured people. From then on, in this cage built of tenderness and lies, she used illness to survive and wit to win love, advancing carefully at every turn. Everyone laughed a 1Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I haven't read novels in a long time, especially online novels, which I find rather difficult to read. However, I'm currently following this one every day. It's a pure palace intrigue novel, full of scheming and cunning. Each character has an independent personality, and it's not the kind of mindless, feel-good drama.

4. 54 误 Mistakenly Entering the Palace: The Favorite Concubine Usurps the White Moonlight's Place 误闯天家：宠妾秒杀白月光上位 Ming Family Charcoal Fire明家炭火Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance + not each other’s first + childhood friends + clear-headed heroine] The glorious achievements of Emperor Jingwu of Great Yan have been praised throughout history, but what later generations envied even more was the deep devotion between the emperor and empress, who were perfectly matched in love. Bystander: “Wait, the historical records say the virtuous empress was chosen because she resembled Emperor Jingwu’s beloved.” Emperor Jingwu’s great-grandson: “How outrageous! How dar 864Reads6.4Score108Shelves

   Reader note

   Everyone remains intelligent; the female lead is clear-headed; the palace intrigue is clever; everyone knows how to gradually win over the male lead, understands what they want, and works towards it step by step.

5. 55 谢 The Xie Family's Older Spinster Becomes Empress 谢家的大龄剩女做皇后了 The Dream Wanderer回梦人Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted The short drama adaptation, "You Pretend to Be a Playboy, I Pretend to Be Blind. Let's See Who Can Keep Up the Act," has surpassed 2 billion views. Go check it out, everyone! [Female-oriented fiction. Male readers, enter at your own risk.] The Sixth Prince has no interest in fighting for the throne, so he decides to become a playboy. To convince everyone, he even deliberately marries a blind woman and proclaims it far and wide: A blind woman can't become empress, so rest assured, I have absolut 35.7kReads8.9Score4.8kShelves

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   This is a novel worthy of a high score, easily a 9.5. The author's plot and writing are superb, and the royal characters are vividly portrayed. We not only witness the old emperor's governing prowess but also his deep affection and wisdom in arranging things for the empress and his eldest sons, truly embodying the principle that parental love leads to far-reaching plans for one's children. Through the interactions and dialogues between the old emperor, his eldest son, the crown prince, and his youngest son, the sixth prince, the rare father-son and brotherly bonds within the royal family are vividly depicted—a rare element in many royal palace dramas. Every character in the book is well-developed, and the emotional experiences of both protagonists and supporting characters are realistically and movingly depicted. It truly deserves a place among the top ten best books I've read on Tomato Books. Every chapter is captivating, and I get up early every day to catch up on the latest chapters. Absolutely fantastic!

6. 56 帝 The Emperor Has No Heart, Yet His Cool and Elegant Noble Consort Has Her Ways 帝本无心，怎奈清冷贵妃手段高 My Cat Is Called Huabei我的猫叫花呗Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Cool, seductive fox beauty vs. a carefree, womanizing emperor] [The heroine is the true daughter, driven by revenge and ambition: a scheming beauty, sweet on the outside but ruthless within, and far from virtuous. This is an unconventional palace-intrigue story focused on winning hearts. The hero is not chaste. Later, he desperately tries to win her back. The overall tone is sweet, and the romance becomes one-on-one in the latter half.] Until the age of five, Changyu Jiao was the legitimate da 9.2kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

   Reader note

   It's really good! I didn't delete the book after finishing it the first time.

7. 57 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

   It's really good. I really like this book because the male lead is impure. If you mind that, don't read it.

8. 58 深 The Deep Palace: Locked in Autumn's Clear Embrace 深宫，锁清秋 Mian Qin娩衾Ancient Romance162k WordsCompleted Jiang Yingxue is the most beautiful princess of the Li tribe. She grows up leading a carefree life and is in love with her childhood friend, Wen Zhuqing, the young master of the Wen family. But when the new emperor ascends the throne, Jiang Yingxue is forced to marry the current sovereign, Dugu Jionghua, and even the person dearest to her is killed as a result. No matter how unconditionally Dugu Jionghua dotes on her, Jiang Yingxue still hates him and resents him, refusing to grow close to him. 16Reads—Score113Shelves

   Reader note

   Hehehe

9. 59 野 Ambitious and Ruthless, the Consort Runs Wild in the Harem 野心勃勃，娘娘在后宫杀疯了 Qi An A七安啊Ancient Romance841k WordsCompleted The rating has just been posted and will gradually rise. Jiang Qingci, the legitimate daughter of a Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, accidentally enters the palace and becomes one of the emperor's consorts. Since she has no choice but to stay in the palace, Jiang Qingci sets her sights on one clear goal: never fall in love, climb to the top, and become untouchable. Song Jingyao is drawn to Jiang Qingci's beauty at first sight, then finds her fascinating. By the time he realizes wh 964Reads7.2Score101Shelves

   Reader note

   Jiang Qingci, the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, accidentally enters the palace and becomes the Emperor's concubine. Having no other choice, Jiang Qingci sets a clear goal: remain unmoved by emotions and climb to the top, where no one dares to bully her. Song Jingyao is initially attracted to Jiang Qingci's beauty, but later finds her quite intriguing. By the time he realizes this, he has already lost his heart… PS: Fictional setting! Traditional palace intrigue novel; the male lead is not chaste. Promotion is relatively fast in the early stages, gradually slowing down later. Readers who mind this should proceed with caution! The female lead is vengeful, decisive, and intelligent; she doesn't procrastinate or act like a saint.

10. 60 凤 Phoenix's Cry Across the Nine Heavens: The Poison Queen's Plot to Topple the Palace and Usurp the Throne 凤唳九霄：毒后谋宫覆皇权 The Polite Meow有礼貌的喵Ancient Romance486k WordsCompleted The worst thing I ever did was fall in love with the enemy who wiped out my entire family. The best thing I ever did was dare to stake my life on the hope that he would turn back. I am Chu Wan'er. On the surface, I am the empress of Mo Jingyuan. In truth, I am a avenger who infiltrated his side. I hate him for allowing Pei Dezhen to slaughter my Lan family. I hate him for keeping me caged in a gilded prison. I hate him because, even though his heart was moved, he never once spoke honestly to m 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The book I'm currently reading is truly excellent! I highly recommend it! It's pure palace intrigue, a complex web of conspiracies and power struggles, with no fantasy or cultivation elements, no modern elements, everyone is incredibly intelligent, there are no idiotic supporting characters, everyone is a villain, everyone is armed, even breathing is part of the plot, every action is a trap. There's no dragging plot! You can read it from beginning to end! Experienced bookworms understand what that means!

11. 61 卿 My Beloved, You Bewitch My Heart 卿卿惑君心 Bei Xingyi北行易Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [A bewitching fox-like beauty schemes to make the hero fall deeper at every turn + palace intrigue + transmigrated heroine VS reborn heroine] A Wall Street queen of finance dies in a plane crash and becomes Mu Qingli, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister of Dongli, who died unjustly. She inherits all of the original owner’s memories and bloody grievances: the humiliation of spending her wedding night alone, the despair of being framed for adultery, and the tragic leap from the Star-Gaz 854Reads8.9Score116Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead seduces her way to power, yet she's clear-headed and intelligent. She flirts in the early stages, but later the male lead personally intervenes in the palace intrigue. The plot is fresh, unconventional, and engaging—definitely worth watching.

12. 62 宫 Ashes Behind Palace Walls: I Refuse to Be the Emperor's Prisoner 宫墙烬：不做帝王掌中囚 Xiao Hu Qingya小虎青崖Ancient Romance156k WordsOngoing On my first day as an imperial palace slave, I brought Noble Consort Hua to heel. Later, I outlasted Noble Consort Hua, two empresses, a prince, and a dowager empress. When the new emperor ascended the throne, he wept and begged me to stay. I said, "No. These palace walls are too low to contain my freedom." On the day I left the palace, the moon was full over Jiangnan. At last, I was my own person. —Reads—Score—Shelves
13. 63 知 Tell Me, Tell Me, Will History Remember Her Beauty? 知否，知否，青史载红妆 Xiao Hu Qingya小虎青崖Female-Channel Fanfiction1.2M WordsCompleted In The Story of Minglan, how did the concubine-born girl who lost her mother at five learn to hide her talents and survive amid bloodshed? No transmigration, no golden finger, no cheat codes. With nothing but patience and restraint, she navigates the rivalry between the legitimate and concubine-born children, plotting her mother's revenge without getting blood on her hands; With nothing but her keen eye, she rises from a back courtyard in the Sheng household to become the matriarch of a marquis' 974Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 64 知 Do You Know? Do You Know? The Green Should Be Plump and the Red Lean 知否！知否！应是绿肥红瘦 Little Cat Qingya小猫青崖Female-Channel Fanfiction1.4M WordsCompleted The Story of Minglan: Her birth mother was murdered, her legal mother suppressed her, and her half-sister framed her! As Sheng Minglan, a concubine-born daughter trapped in a deep inner household, she had no golden finger or miraculous opportunity. She survived in the narrow cracks of a cruel family through her keen intelligence and unyielding spirit! While keeping a low profile and biding her time, she exposed embezzlement in the accounts and foiled a poison plot at a banquet, crushing those w 5.7kReads7.7Score778Shelves
15. 65 重 Reborn and Done with the Scumbag Crown Prince, I Threw Myself at the Imperial Uncle 重生弃渣太子，我扑倒皇叔啦 It's Your Mianmian是你的绵绵呀Ancient Romance112k WordsCompleted [Reborn, imperial uncle, sweet romance, princess consort, taking down scum, age gap] [The scumbag crown prince's desperate pursuit of love x the whole family's desperate regret] [A short story, complete. Please leave a good review!] # 💔 **In her previous life, Jiang Jiu was killed by her elder sister and the scumbag crown prince. The first thing she does after being reborn: dump the scumbag and get out!** 💔 What? Breaking off her engagement to the crown prince? That's far too easy on him! J 8Reads—Score—Shelves

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    💔 **In her past life, Jiang Jiu was murdered by her elder sister and the scumbag crown prince. The first thing she did after being reborn was: dump the scumbag! Quit! Quit! Quit!** 💔 What? Breaking off the engagement? That's too easy on him! Jiang Jiu declares: No, something even more exciting is coming! She's going to seduce the crown prince's aloof, ruthless, and bloodthirsty little uncle—the War God Prince Jin! Crown Prince: "Jiang Jiu! You're insane! That's my royal uncle!" Eldest Sister: "Sister, don't debase yourself!" Jiang Jiu (pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away non-existent dust): "Oh? Compared to you two, my royal uncle is at least handsome, and... Strong." First attempt: "Royal Uncle, this twin lotus is for you, may you find your perfect match soon." (Inner monologue: Tsk, ice-cold face.) After numerous attempts: Prince Jin cornered her against the wall, his dark eyes reddening: "Jiang Jiu, I told you not to mess with me, now, take responsibility." Jiang Jiu: "?" What happened to the cold-faced war god? Why is he being so clingy!

16. 66 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 115.2kReads9.6Score16.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Very beautiful, a masterpiece

17. 67 做 Be a Concubine? You're Not Worthy! I'll Find a Better Match, and You'll Beg Me to Stay 做妾？你也配？另谋高嫁你下跪 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted This book is now available as a full-cast audio drama, and it’s hilarious! Give it a listen! [Hilarious Transmigration + Medical Space + Sweet, Satisfying Romance + Power Struggles + Palace and Household Intrigue + Mutual Devotion and Strength] A genius in medicine and poison transmigrates to ancient times with a medical space. She wakes up in a coffin, only to have a bewitching man try to steal it? Her ex-husband favors his concubine, abuses his wife, and shamelessly claims her dowry? Her fathe 5.6kReads8.9Score554Shelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue and domestic power struggles, all with sharp intellect and strategic thinking. ① A strong female protagonist transmigrates into a novel with a spatial ability to take revenge on scumbags and build her career. ② A goddess-like doctor transmigrates into a coffin to be buried with the prince, but saves him with a passionate kiss. Sweet, doting, and hilarious. ③ A hilarious story featuring mind-reading and a gossip-eating system, where the prince is so busy eating gossip that he'll vomit. ④ A hilarious story featuring a tyrant with two personalities who are jealous of each other.

18. 68 陪 On the Night of My Burial, I Brought the God of War Prince Back from the Dead 陪葬夜，我让战神王爷起死回生 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors" Animated adaptation: "A Doctor’s Graceful Colors: The Prince’s Beloved" [Hilarious + Transmigration + Sweet romance + Obsessive love + Devoted pairing + Imperial physician heroine + Palace and household intrigue + Inspirational] I was a military doctor with a PhD when I transmigrated, only to find myself about to be buried alive as a sacrifice for the dead God of War, the Prince? I grabbed the burial offerings and ran, planning to live in luxu 20.9kReads9.3Score2.4kShelves
19. 69 爆 Hilarious Mind Reading: The Prince Eats Gossip Until He Throws Up 爆笑读心术，王爷吃瓜吃到吐 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance452k WordsCompleted Short drama adaptation: The Hilarious Mind-Reading Art: The Prince Laughs at Gossip Until He Chokes Manhua adaptation: The Princess's Inner Thoughts Are Full of Gossip, and the Prince Is Hooked; The Princess's Inner Thoughts Can't Be Hidden [Historical fantasy + mind-reading + gossip System + silly comedy + System space + sweet romance + feel-good revenge + transmigration to an alternate world + palace and household intrigue + devoted and powerful couple + marriage before love + healing a posses 24kReads9.1Score2kShelves
20. 70 有 With the Tyrant’s Mind-Reading Ability, I’m Slaying My Way Through the Imperial Palace 有了暴君读心术，我在皇宫杀疯了 Young Master Lan公子兰Ancient Romance384k WordsCompleted [Hilarious Transmigration + Historical Romance + Mind Reading + Pocket Space with a Spirit Spring + Healing a Yandere + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggles + Sweet, Devoted Romance + Medical Skills] Modern miracle doctor Ye Li dies suddenly and transmigrates, becoming the neglected consort of a deranged tyrant. The tyrant is a madman, a complete lunatic, and every night he goes on a killing spree. The original heroine is blinded by love and gullibly trusts Prince Jin's vows. She helps him kill t 276Reads6.5Score—Shelves
21. 71 后 The Harem's Number One White Moonlight: Winning Her Way to the Heavens 后宫第一白月光，步步为赢登云天 Yu Jiuzhao御九昭Ancient Romance376k WordsCompleted [Pure palace intrigue + ruthless female lead with great acting skills + clear-headed career-minded heroine + fighting for fame and power + high IQ] ※ The Empress was gravely ill. The consorts in every palace were mobilizing their forces, pulling out every trick, and harboring great ambitions. Mu Mingyue, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke’s mansion, was also ordered to enter the palace and help her own sister secure the position of Empress... But who would willingly serve as a stepping s 730Reads—Score122Shelves
22. 72 毓 Secrets of the Yukun Palace 毓庆宫秘闻 The Oranges Are Ripe橙子熟了Ancient Romance885k WordsCompleted Shi Wanyu was about to get a promotion and a raise when she was born into the Qing Dynasty. Not only did she miss out on a transmigration starter pack, she also lost her golden finger, the ability to read minds! And yet... When she was born, Crown Prince Yinzreng, who had contracted smallpox, began to recover. From then on, he gained the ability to see into people's hearts... A high monk gave this prediction: The crown prince accidentally took someone else's opportunity and incurred a debt of ka 4.3kReads8.6Score369Shelves

    Reader note

    You can take a look.

23. 73 粗 A Lowly Palace Maid's Rise to Power 粗使宫女升职记 Coconut Seal Candy椰子海豹糖Ancient Romance982k WordsOngoing [A new writer and a new novel. The rating has just appeared, so it’s quite low. My family is struggling, and writing isn’t easy. I hope you’ll be patient with me. I’m deeply grateful to you all.] [This story features a large ensemble] [No rivalry between women, no love-brained heroines, and no adoration of men] [Women supporting women] [An unconventional palace drama] [A heroine who grows] Please note! The emperor in this story is extremely [human] (bolded for emphasis!), and lacks basic moral 585Reads8.8Score112Shelves

    Reader note

    This book! It's logical without being mindless, not love-obsessed, and doesn't involve any female rivalry. It's really good!

24. 74 南 South Branches Toward Dusk, The Regent Has Been Plotting This for Ages 南枝向晚，摄政王他蓄谋已久 Doudou from Zhongyue Province中月省的逗逗Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted [Just received a rating] Complete ◎ [Revenge after being reborn + mastery of medicine and poison + powerful leads who cherish each other + everyone’s a schemer + palace intrigue and political machinations] Important: No stupid villains. Everyone has eight hundred tricks up their sleeve, and the battle of wits is at its peak! In her previous life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s family, was blind to the truth. She used a forbidden technique to save a scumbag man, dr 22.6kReads8.8Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    A female-centric power struggle novel, everyone is cunning and scheming, a top-tier battle of wits ◔.̮◔✧. Completed, Rebirth and Revenge + Healing and Poisoning Mastery + Two Strong Couples Mutual Pampering + Everyone is Cunning + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggle] Highlight: No villains with low intelligence, everyone is cunning and scheming, a peak battle of wits! In her past life, Shen Nanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, was blinded and used forbidden techniques to save her scumbag husband, exhausting her life force. In return, she found him secretly having an affair with her scheming cousin, causing her entire Shen family to perish! Reborn, she holds silver needles, returning to the day she used poison to prolong her husband's life. Facing her husband's expectation and her cousin's feigned tears, Shen Nanzhi coldly withdrew her needles: "I won't cure the poison. Since my cousin is so deeply in love, why don't you bleed her flesh?" In this life, she tears off the disguise, possessing unparalleled healing and poisoning skills, able to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded! Xiao Duo, the Regent of Dayuan, a powerful and invincible ruler, was suffering from a rare poison. Shen Nanzhi threw down the antidote, her voice cold and arrogant: "I will extend Your Highness's life. Lend me your blade to slaughter all the demons and monsters, how about it?" The world believed the Duke's daughter was merely a delicate canary in the palm of the Regent's hand. Only when powerful officials took center stage, and deadly schemes unfolded one after another, did everyone realize with horror—the seemingly fragile Shen Nanzhi was actually a master strategist, a woman of unparalleled wisdom and skill! She entrusted her life to him back-to-back, slaying gods and demons alike, manipulating the entire court with ease! When the bloody path was cleaved through, the world was at peace. The ruthless regent, who struck fear into the hearts of all under heaven, shed his menacing aura and held her tightly in his arms, his voice low and hoarse with madness: "Zhizhi, the realm is settled. This vast and beautiful land is my dowry; when will you finally give me a title?!" —A ruthless and decisive medical and poison queen × A crazed regent who bows down to her; together, they join forces to slaughter all demons and monsters!

25. 75 娘 The Empress Is So Cunning, Her Political Rivals Are Doomed 娘娘心机太深，政敌要被玩死了 No Worries, No Worries无烦无烦Ancient Romance416k WordsOngoing [Female-Led Political Intrigue, Workplace Power Fantasy, Ruthless in the Later Stages, Interlocking Cases] Just how satisfying is a truly career-driven female lead? She takes an eighth-rank county deputy and raises her to a third-rank official, and turns a palace maid who swept floors into the head of the Six Bureaus. A maid in her service is getting married? She gets a lavish wedding outfit and a procession stretching ten miles! Want to build a career? Pick any prime shop in the capital! The he 98Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It would be hard to survive more than three episodes if you were transported into this world. It's a true female protagonist, independent of men, a female-centric power struggle, not about fighting for men, where everyone is vying for power and status. It gets better and better as you watch.

26. 76 为 Ten Years as a Consort 为妃十载 A Little Plum一枚小李子Ancient Romance224k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + ruthless, formidable female lead and unhinged villainess + no golden finger, no System] Dongfang Li has always been a femme fatale. “If someone hurts me once, I’ll make them pay a hundred or a thousand times over.” “If I were plain-looking, that would be one thing. But Heaven gave me a beauty unlike any other. Why shouldn’t I fight and seize what I want?” Dongfang Li is an unfavored daughter born to a concubine, so from the moment she enters the palace, she treads carefully, r 16Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is a cunning and beautiful woman, clear-headed and resourceful.

27. 77 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 lead is in control of everything, and everyone remains intelligent; it's worth staying up all night to watch.

28. 78 宠 The Consort Rises to Power! Her Majesty Only Wants to Rule the Realm 宠妃上位！娘娘她只想母仪天下 Dusk Falls on Huai Mountain暮落淮山Ancient Romance186k WordsOngoing Neither lead is sexually inexperienced. No rebirth. No golden finger. The heroine is kind but not weak, and everyone has their own path. The moment she enters the palace, she realizes she has become a substitute for the white moonlight. The emperor's favor and the deep affection he shows her are all for that face of hers, so similar to another's. After the white moonlight enters the palace, everyone wonders how much longer she can remain in favor. The palace concubines: Wait, why are you still m 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so beautiful!!

29. 79 咸 The Laid-Back Consort: Rising Step by Step 咸鱼娘娘：步步高升 Melancholy Cantaloupe忧伤的哈密瓜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace and household intrigue + childbirth + doted on exclusively later] Jiang Wan transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking palace consort of an emperor with no children. To protect the people around her, she has no choice but to compete for a little favor. Who knew she’d end up giving the emperor a chubby baby boy! Emperor: “She’s the birth mother of my only son. Of course I have to protect her.” Who knew that all that protection would turn into affection? As Jiang Wan ris 19.1kReads8.9Score1.7kShelves
30. 80 宫 Palace Beauty 宫姝 Clear Summer Xixi清夏兮兮Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted She dared not love too deeply, afraid it would all turn out to be nothing but a dream. She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, scheming every day to win the emperor's favor; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts, with invisible blood staining her hands; She thought that once she entered the imperial palace, she would be like the other consorts. In the end, it was only what she had imagined. 8.4kReads9.2Score950Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are all very good; the female lead is intelligent, and the supporting characters aren't stupid either.

31. 81 宫 Palace Schemes: My Best Friend Died from Poisoned Tea 宫心计：我的挚友死在毒茶里 Moonlight Barley月亮大麦Ancient Romance160k WordsOngoing When they first met, he was the Crown Prince, and she was the confidante at his side. From the Crown Prince's residence to the palace's towering halls, she stood by him through storm and uncertainty until he ruled the realm. He once promised to love her deeply for a lifetime and give her a life of peace, but once he had secured the throne and seized imperial power, their old affection could not withstand an emperor's suspicion. Countless beauties filled the harem, where schemes to win favor neve 7Reads—Score—Shelves
32. 82 凤 Radiant Phoenix: The Favored Noble Consort's Fearless Path 凤仪灼华：恃宠无恐贵妃路 Jiang Sui Sui姜岁穗Ancient Romance545k WordsCompleted In the end, childhood promises could not withstand the cold machinations of imperial power. Wen Jinshu, the second daughter of the current prime minister, Wen, was once the emperor’s favorite. Because of their childhood bond, she willingly accepted the position of Noble Consort, believing they would travel the vast kingdom hand in hand. Only after the child in her womb quietly slipped away did she realize what a snake lay beneath the empress’s gentle, virtuous mask, and that the emperor she had 2kReads8.1Score157Shelves
33. 83 荣 Glory for the Empress 荣女为后 Jiang Sui Sui姜岁穗Ancient Romance81k WordsOngoing Not a one-man-one-woman romance, and includes a harem. Enter at your own risk. In the year of the imperial selection, Rong Xingwan, the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter, enters the palace by imperial decree and is named a Fifth-Rank Beauty. On her first night in the palace, Rong Xingwan says, “Now that I've entered the palace, naturally I intend to rise above everyone else.” From then on, the inner palace gains a seemingly innocent and vivacious Beauty Rong. With her guileless eyes and charm —Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 84 太 The Crown Prince’s One and Only: The Bewitching Consort Captures His Heart and Claims Her Place 太子独宠，尤物娘娘缚心上位 YQ Lazy Little CatYQ小懒猫Ancient Romance730k WordsOngoing [Unhinged, Ruthless Heroine + Cold, Scheming, Obsessive Crown Prince + Palace Intrigue] [Before the heroine entered the palace, the hero already had wives and concubines, but the emperor had forced them on him for political reasons. He only went through the motions with them, and their relationships were in name only.] [Readers who mind this should proceed with caution] She was the legitimate daughter of the Luo family, breathtakingly beautiful. But when her father demoted her mother to a concub 2.4kReads—Score171Shelves

    Reader note

    A pure palace intrigue thriller. The female protagonist enters the Eastern Palace through the imperial concubine selection. She is unassuming, adept at feigning weakness, but in reality, she is highly skilled, insightful, and clear-headed. She is not a saintly figure. She and the Crown Prince test each other, with the Crown Prince showering her with affection. Every step is carefully planned and executed. The plot is fast-paced and very enjoyable to read.

35. 85 明 [Palace Double] The Bright Moon Shines on Qingci 【深宫替】明月照清辞 Qingqing Jiangjiang卿卿酱酱Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted Shen Qingci, the least remarkable daughter of the General's Mansion, became the talk of the entire capital after nothing more than a Qixi lantern festival. The second legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion, her birth mother died when she was young. She endured life in the shadow of her stepmother and elder sister. A faint shadow of a girl, she seemed destined to be no more than a humble footnote in her sister's dazzling life. Her elder sister, Shen Mingyue, was peerless in both beauty and 25Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'll have to check this out! It's incredibly clear-headed and logically sound. [Note]

36. 86 反 Villain, Stop Making Trouble: The Royal Family Is on My Side 反派别折腾了，皇家都是我的人 Orange First Rises橘初上Ancient Romance357k WordsOngoing [Reincarnated in the womb + adored by everyone + decisive female lead + affectionate, obedient puppy-like male lead + two powerful leads + court intrigue + mutual devotion + loyal love + happy ending] After living out her natural lifespan, modern woman Zhao Rui never expected to be blessed with good fortune and reborn in the womb as Shangguan Zhaorui, Princess of Yun'an in the Great Jing Empire. The young princess was exceptionally clever from childhood, far surpassing children her age. So her m 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is in control of everything, and everyone respects her.

37. 87 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
38. 88 纾 Shuyu's Scheme: Your Majesty, My Daughter Wants the Throne 纾玉谋：陛下，这皇位我女儿要了 Time Is Graceful时光有斐Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Raising an empress + two strong leads + palace intrigue + political scheming + revenge + second chance at love + the fate of the nation] [Clear-headed, tenacious, ambitious favored consort x calculating, suspicious, devoted emperor] A love-hate relationship, an intense game of push and pull! The day Cheng Shu entered the imperial palace, she knew she was the sharpest blade in the emperor's hand. Xiao Jing bestowed on her a favor that made the entire harem look on with envy, yet hid all his susp 117Reads6.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's the latest completed series, and it's really great.

39. 89 偏 After the Biased Old Madam Is Reborn, the Marquis’s Household Is Turned Upside Down 偏心老夫人重生后，侯府变天了 Jing Mo Yi京墨一Ancient Romance514k WordsCompleted [Published in print under the title: Weaving Splendid Misfortune] Original title: After the Biased Old Madam Was Reborn, the Marquis's Household Changed Wei Zhaorong, the old madam of the Mingde Marquis household, contracted smallpox and died miserably in the household's servants' courtyard. As she lay dying, her favorite eldest son, Xie Chuan, had been indulging his concubine, neglecting his wife, and carousing for days without coming home. Her second son, Xie Sheng, whom she had been so proud 6.8kReads8.5Score836Shelves

    Reader note

    Reborn into this life, the favoritism of the old matriarch has completely changed her heart! In her previous life, when she died tragically, only her most despised daughter and illegitimate son were there to see her off. In this life, she showers all her affection on these two "ungrateful wretches," coldly watching her legitimate son and daughter kneel and beg, "Mother, we are your children too!" Watch as the old matriarch overturns the Marquis's mansion, staging a thrilling and satisfying domestic power struggle! Rating 8.2, A critically acclaimed work.

40. 90 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

    A palace intrigue and domestic power struggle game with brains!

41. 91 太 The Crown Prince Is a Treasure Trove, but She Flirts and Runs 太子浑身是宝，但她撩完就跑 Nine Strokes, Then a Horizontal Line九笔横才Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Clever revenge + ensemble court drama + male lead fakes his death and reveals his identity, then goes mad + heroine is his one true love] [Power couple comedy | Strategic mind games | All the right ingredients | Fictional setting] Axiang, a huntress, bought herself a live-in husband. He was handsome, with a fine figure and a noble, radiant air, like an immortal crane descended from the heavens, or a jade-faced gentleman from a storybook. But he had no idea how to show affection. When she offer 1.5kReads9.2Score185Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a very well-written piece. It's just about power struggles.

42. 92 谍 The Spy Phoenix: Always One Step Ahead 谍凰，防不胜防 Old Qinggan老青柑Ancient Romance378k WordsOngoing She was once the most dangerous intelligence chief in the modern world. In a single moment, she transmigrates and becomes the daughter of a tenant farmer, invisible to everyone in an ancient dynasty. An adult’s wisdom is trapped in a frail young body. The chaotic world is a web, yet she quietly becomes the one weaving it. From rural fields to the turbulent imperial court, no one knows that behind those clear eyes she is spinning an intelligence network vast enough to overturn the world. In a wor 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's good, I recommend it.

43. 93 薄 The Coldhearted Empress: Her Royal Husbands Marry Her, but Don’t Love Her 薄情女帝，皇夫们只娶不爱 Meng Ai Yuqi梦爱宇琦Ancient Romance604k WordsCompleted [Strong female emperor]+ [Ancient-style political intrigue]+ [Palace intrigue with twists]+ [An entire cast of unhinged beauties]+ [Male leads are virgins] She is Xiao Jingli, the female emperor of Great Zhao, with the realm in her hands and the power of life and death at her command. Her harem is a chessboard. The three thousand beautiful men are not the emperor's prisoners, but living pieces on her political game board. The refined and gentle young nobleman; The proud, untamed son of a militar 1.1kReads9.3Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Devotion is the best chess piece, and lust is the strongest chain, binding wolves to fight for her.

44. 94 退 I Broke Off the Engagement and Married Someone Else, Now the Crown Prince Begs for a Hug 退婚另嫁，太子红眼求抱抱 Chubby Little Cloud胖嘟嘟的云朵Ancient Romance235k WordsCompleted [Political Scheming + Household Intrigue + Reborn + Reborn + Satisfying Revenge] Before Feng Wan'er married, she had been pampered like a little princess. After the wedding, she lived a life worse than death, dragging down the entire General's residence and everyone around her as well. On her wedding day, her husband brought his concubine into the household at the same time as her and stripped her of her authority over the household. She was framed for treason, and one by one, the people in th 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is intelligent and resourceful, and the male lead dotes on her endlessly. Reborn, she must marry someone else to escape the man from her previous life. She chooses her own partner, gradually dismantling her rivals' power and ultimately protecting her family. She always suspected her brother's death wasn't as simple as her parents claimed, only realizing at the end that her thinking was somewhat simplistic. The entire dynasty is a huge mystery, and the truth behind it is horrifying.

45. 95 甄 Empresses in the Palace: Yunli, the Reborn Tsundere Young Prince 甄嬛传之允礼重生傲娇小王爷 Lemon Blossom Is a Little Sassy柠檬花花有点拽Male-Channel Fanfiction371k WordsOngoing “One lifetime, one generation, one pair of hearts. Why must fate keep us apart? We yearn for each other, gaze at each other, yet cannot be together. For whom does spring bloom?” In my previous life, I was parted from Huan’er by death. In this life, I wish to win one person’s heart and stay together until our hair turns white. Prince Guo is reborn beyond the Great Wall, where he finds the treasure left behind by Li Zicheng. Fortunately, he is rescued by Princess Qiluoge... “I hope everyone gets a 164Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Everyone's using their brains, it's great! [Kissing emoji]

46. 96 我 I Conquer the Entire Dynasty by Pretending to Be a Goddess 我靠伪装神女攻略整个皇朝 Yu Xiao虞笑Ancient Romance443k WordsCompleted [System + No Secret Identity Reveals + Divine Goddess Persona + No Romance] After Jiang Wu is bound to the System, money clouds her judgment. The System takes her to some obscure dynasty in the middle of nowhere to complete a mission. Only then does she learn that she is an ordinary commoner, while her targets include the emperor, empress, crown prince, princess, general, marquis, heir to a noble title... Great. Her targets include fathers and sons, husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters. 20.1kReads9.1Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A unique palace intrigue story, pitting the protagonist against the world's most powerful figures. The female lead is intelligent, and the supporting characters are clever and have their own followers. Highly recommended!

47. 97 暴 The Tyrant’s White Moonlight Is a Black-Hearted Lotus 暴君的白月光是朵黑心莲 Li Qingzhao李青照Ancient Romance653k WordsOngoing The ratings have only just come in, and they’ll go up! The original title was Snow Seeping into the Bones of a Beauty. Updates are very slow. [A young emperor who is cruel, suspicious, and full of schemes × a bewitching, calculating villainess who ensnares his heart and plots to seize the throne | He has other women; she is faithful] “I am a demon who devours flesh and bone; you are a prisoner who drinks poison to quench your thirst.” The daughter of a powerful minister wears a beauty’s face as 18Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The scheming concubine is intelligent; she enters the palace to plot for her family's sake, and the story involves a power grab. The plot becomes increasingly tragic as it progresses.

48. 98 她 After She Ascends the Throne, She Takes a New Husband, Leaving Her Ex to Weep 她登基后换了夫，新夫不见旧夫哭 Rabbit Purple Moonrise兔紫月上Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (Power! It's a woman's second face! She loves it!) (1V2 + advancing the nation through technology + two men competing for her, only to end up regretting it) Lu Jichen: He is an ill-omened man. On the day his elder brother got married, they smeared dog blood all over his face and locked him in a cellar. Later, she brought him out, washed his hands, let him sit at the table, fed him, and paid for his education. Wei Chiyuan: He is the young lord of an aristocratic clan; she is a young widow. One sc 17.2kReads9.3Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    🥳🥳🥳These books are all quite good.

49. 99 帝 The Emperor and Empress Fight Every Day to See Who Dies First 帝后每天互殴，看谁先死 Qian Ran Jun Xiao千苒君笑Ancient Romance2.3M WordsOngoing Feng Xing is the daughter of Chu Xi’s Grand Marshal, who commands an army of four hundred thousand. Shen Feng has been emperor for just two years. Shen Feng is utterly depraved, ruthless, and cruel. To secure his throne, he decides to marry Feng Xing and make her empress. First, he will fake her death to lure her father to the capital for the funeral. Then he will wipe out her entire family and take control of the Chu Xi army. Feng Xing is a fierce, accomplished warrior who takes whatever she wa 35.3kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves
50. 100 土 The Native Matriarch Makes a Bold Entrance and Takes on Everyone 土著主母霸气侧漏，单挑全场 First-Rate Red Chamber一品红楼Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted [A strong heroine at heart + mature adults building their careers] He Fangting was the quintessential noblewoman, with no flaw beyond being despised by her imperial uncle, the emperor. After marrying, she became a capable lady of the house, using her generous dowry to support her husband's family and finally give them a solid foundation. One day, her husband returned from disaster relief with a female physician who had received the emperor's commendation. He Fangting admired the woman and prepar 19.9kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves

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