Can You Recommend the Ultimate Palace-Intrigue Story? Nothing with Sweet Romance or Undivided Devotion 推荐一本宫斗类天花板好吗 不要甜宠独宠之类的

1. 1 倚 Leaning on the Perilous Pavilion 倚危庭 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Just how hard is it to raise an outstanding young woman? That depends on who’s raising her. If an entire clan, or even a whole country, throws its support behind her, that’s another matter entirely. Ye Qingjiu is a woman with all sorts of jumbled memories and a knack for baffling people with her behavior. She thinks she’s clever, until she somehow gets married and finally realizes Li Tingye has been playing her all along... 6kReads9.4Score597Shelves

   Reader note

   Such palace intrigue is quite exciting.

2. 2 绝 The Peerless Little Princess Consort 绝世小俏妃 Dog Thirteen狗十三Ancient Romance575k WordsCompleted [A funny, charming princess consort + a scheming prince who fiercely protects his own + a manipulative woman + a wickedly seductive and mysterious Holy Lord, and more...] [Sweet romance + comedy + from scum to love + perfect ending] What does it feel like to fall in love with your enemy? The day he led his troops to invade her country, the sun shone brightly. The seventh prince of Beijiang, Mu Beiming, cut an imposing figure in his black armor. Even with a fearsome mask hiding his face, his shar 5.6kReads9.5Score668Shelves
3. 3 穿 Transmigrated as the Villainess, I Reborn the Obsessive Male Lead as a Hostage 穿成恶毒女配，重生偏执男主为质 Qing Man Wu Sha轻嫚武纱Ancient Romance581k WordsCompleted A possessive, brooding hostage prince with a yandere streak + a spoiled, arrogant, willful Grand Princess + a cold, aloof young chancellor + transmigration into a book + System + raising a villainous male lead + defying fate College student Zhang Susu transmigrated into a book as Su Yingxue, the vicious female antagonist and Grand Princess. In the original novel, Su Yingxue met a tragic end. She abused and tormented Chu Xingchen for years, turning the male lead into a cold-blooded, cruel, and si 1.8kReads9.3Score198Shelves
4. 4 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

   No saccharine romance, a clear-headed and intelligent protagonist, no female rivalry or romantic entanglements, no love-struck madness, logical and not intellectually deficient. The low rating is due to fewer reviews. A good story that doesn't glorify feudal society! A female protagonist who doesn't fall in love, a humanoid emperor who grows through life, female mutual support, slice-of-life palace intrigue, ensemble cast, and decent writing. I wrote this myself; no debut, no traffic, I can only promote it myself. Life is tough, writing is hard, so please support and understand! The title is a bit cliché, but it's definitely not a melodramatic story. Two updates a day, please take a look, thank you!

5. 5 清 The Tale of Empress Tong Jia of the Qing Palace 清宫之佟佳皇后传 Yan Xiwan言西晚Ancient Romance278k WordsOngoing Also known as The Empress’s Professionalism: A Half-Day “Elder Sister, are you getting married?” “No, that’s called entering the palace.” Tongjia Qingyue was a woman who served as empress for just one day. She was known as the shortest-lived empress in Qing history: Empress Xiaoyiren. She was the niece of Empress Dowager Cihe, mother of Emperor Kangxi, the daughter of Imperial Uncle Tong Guowei, and Kangxi’s own cousin. She was Kangxi’s third empress, as well as his last. He never appointed anot 500Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's not a sweet romance, not a story of exclusive love, and not about two virgins. The male lead is Emperor Kangxi, and the female lead is a native. It follows a historical timeline, so it has a strong sense of realism. Therefore, if you can't accept this kind of realistic approach, don't watch it.

6. 6 开 The Emperor Forced Me to Marry from the Start, So His Lazy Palace Maid Lies Flat 开局被皇帝强娶咸鱼宫女躺平了 Jiu Bie九别Ancient Romance238k WordsOngoing [An ordinary-looking girl in the palace intrigue + scheming + favor + love triangle] On the fifth day after transmigrating into the palace maid Chun Zhan, Shen Que figured out three things: First, she was too ordinary-looking. Becoming a favored consort was basically out of the question. Second, the Empress was love-brained and wanted to kill anyone she laid eyes on. Third, the Emperor was using her as a pawn to spite the Empress Dowager. Once he was done with her, he could toss her aside. She o 6.3kReads—Score814Shelves

   Reader note

   Confinement, framing, and sisterly betrayal unfold one after another. There are no permanent allies in the harem; a change in interests can immediately lead to a shift in allegiance, resulting in a constant stream of plot twists.

7. 7 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

   The rise of the empress, who defeated both the emperor and her son.

8. 8 大 The Ming Emperor's Beloved Consort, Wan Zhen'er 大明宠妃万贞儿 Mad Twenty-Four Snake疯廿四蛇Ancient Romance745k WordsCompleted 7.7kReads9.4Score700Shelves

   Reader note

   So beautiful! So beautiful!

9. 9 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

   Step by step 🍉

10. 10 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 56.9kReads9.5Score7.1kShelves
11. 11 娘 The Empress Is So Sweet and Charming, Who Still Cares About a Lost Love? 娘娘又娇又媚，谁还稀罕白月光 Half a Month and the Fifteenth月半和十五Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted [Villainess Transmigrates into a Book + Top-Grade White Lotus + Winning Hearts and Minds + Not Both Leads' First Love] [The heroine looks like a pure, sweet little bunny, but she's actually a scheming temptress who knows how to play her cards.] When Xu Zhuohua is named crown princess, Crown Prince Qi Hecang and his secondary consort Lu Wanning are at the height of their love. As the hero of a male-oriented novel, Qi Hecang only cares about building his career, and his heart belongs solely to Lu 12.8kReads8.2Score1.2kShelves
12. 12 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

    "Comparable to a 9.9-rated romance masterpiece," this novel boasts a tight plot, a fast pace, and no fluff—just pure thrills. Featuring a blend of court intrigue, two strong protagonists, high intelligence, and humor, each dramatic turnaround is sure to leave readers breathless. The descriptions of the theme of "love" are exceptional; the reading experience resonates deeply, evoking a profound emotional connection that lingers long afterward. The only way to describe the feeling after finishing the book is with a sense of awe. Highly recommended.

13. 13 绝 The Stunning Outcast Tames Her Men, Captures Their Hearts, and Sparks a Rivalry 绝色万人嫌训狗，勾君心，引雄竞 Little Gingerbread Person姜饼人儿Ancient Romance283k WordsOngoing [Everyone's Least Favorite + Male Rivals Competing for Her + Taming Dogs + Forced Love + Calculated Moves] Song Qin has barely transmigrated into a book when she finds herself staring at a very large bed. Three powerful men, their faces flushed, beg her for an antidote. Only then does she realize she's become a flirtatious woman hated by everyone, and the original character is responsible for the three men being drugged. In the book, the original character is exiled for harassing high-rankin 96Reads—Score242Shelves

    Reader note

    The powerful figures each have their own trump cards and are wary of each other, but a single action by the female lead can instantly ignite a fierce conflict.

14. 14 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

    Absolutely brilliant

15. 15 跑 I Failed to Escape, and Now a Possessive Tycoon Coaxes Me Night After Night 跑路失败，被偏执大佬夜夜诱哄 Sparrow Song Lantern雀鸣灯Modern Romance369k WordsOngoing [A Clingy Sweetheart x A Refined Scoundrel | Marriage First, Love Later] On her first day after transmigrating into a book, Ruan Yuzhen knew she wouldn't live to see the ending. She had become the villainess who stole the male lead's life-saving credit, then wreaked havoc after their marriage. Once the truth came out, He Xun would throw her into a crocodile pond, where she would die without a bone left behind. So she made three ironclad rules: don't act like a villainess, pretend to be obedient 769.6kReads9.3Score148.2kShelves
16. 16 穿 The Transmigrated Female Assassin's Seventh Way to Die 穿越女杀手的第七种死法 Traveler of Qingya青崖时客Ancient Romance741k WordsCompleted Twenty-six-year-old office worker Qin Yan is practically a walking “Do Not Disturb” sign at work. Thanks to the “loving care” of her narcissistic parents, she’s unlocked the permanent “emotional detachment” skin, and even office gossip in the break room automatically triggers her soundproofing barrier. She survives each day on black coffee, and her cup even bears the haughty slogan, “Bitterer than life, and purer too.” Who could have guessed that her life-sustaining coffee would become her ticke 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    We must come and see.

17. 17 寂 The Silent Night Speaks 寂夜有声 Traveler of Qingya青崖时客Mystery6k WordsCompleted A Voice in the Silent Night 4Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 18 织 Weaving Dust in the Phoenix Palace: Lady Pan of Eastern Wu 织尘凤阙：东吴潘后 Little Lotus Among the Stars繁星小荷Female-Channel Fanfiction46k WordsCompleted Weaving Dust into the Phoenix Palace: Pan, Empress of Eastern Wu 31Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Broken yet breathtakingly beautiful, her allure was breathtaking. Old Chen, a physician and painter for half his life, had seen countless noble ladies and beautiful women of Jiangdong, but never before had he seen such a strikingly beautiful face—gentle as a misty rain, serene as a cold pool concealing a sharp edge. A single glance made one forget her lowly status as a slave, remembering only that she was a rare and exquisite beauty. "No wonder you dared to set up such a perilous scheme," Old Chen sighed, spreading out a clean white silk scroll, grinding ink, and beginning to paint. "Your beauty, hidden in the weaving workshop, would be wasted; presented to the emperor, it is the greatest opportunity to defy fate." The visitor was Old Chen, the court painter, and also the only old friend who had spoken up for Pan's father. For three years, bound by palace rules and power, he dared not rashly help, and could only silently watch the Pan sisters sink deeper into the mire.

19. 19 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, sweet and hilarious ① A strong female protagonist transmigrates into a novel with a spatial ability, enjoying the thrill of punishing scum and building her career ② A goddess-like doctor transmigrates into a coffin to be buried with the emperor, only to discover that she can still save him, sweet and hilarious ③ A laugh-out-loud story of mind reading and gossip, where the emperor is so angry he vomits while eating gossip ④ A laugh-out-loud story of mind reading, where the tyrant's two personalities are jealous of each other, making you laugh like a pig.

20. 20 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
21. 21 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
22. 22 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
23. 23 黑 The Black Lotus Consort: My Acting Reigns Supreme in the Harem 黑莲花宠妃，本宫演技冠绝后宫 Waiting for the Flowers' Strings待花弦Ancient Romance247k WordsOngoing Palace intrigue + black lotus + crushing scumbags and rising to power + everyone is evil + favored consort Other transmigrators become daughters of noble families, raised in luxury and blessed with lives free of hardship. Xia Jinhua, however, transmigrated as an impoverished concubine-born girl, adrift like a duckweed and forced to scheme at every step to secure her future. From her first dazzling encounter with the emperor at a country estate to taking the phoenix seal and firmly claiming the t 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a rare and excellent novel. The story is captivating, the overall plot is well-structured, and there are few typos. Highly recommended.

24. 24 你 You and I, Heart to Heart 你侬我侬 Smiling Eyes Amid Peach Blossoms桃花深处眉眼弯弯Ancient Romance322k WordsCompleted A hazy dream left Qiaoqiao unable to see things clearly, but one thing was certain: Mo Henghuan was a massive scumbag! So why wait? She should dump him! But why did trouble follow right on his heels, and why was it so hard to deal with? Well, having an ally was important, and the heir of the Bai family seemed like a good choice. But I’m only joining forces with you, not marrying you. How about we renegotiate the terms? The Bai heir: “Qiaoqiao, whether we’re cooperating or plotting together, you 1.9kReads9.5Score243Shelves
25. 25 退 After Breaking Off the Engagement, the Foolish Princess Marries the Ninth Lord with Her Four Maids 退婚后，傻妃携四大丫鬟嫁九千岁 Clingy Little Tomato粘人小番茄Ancient Romance1.8M WordsOngoing [Palace Intrigue + Household Intrigue + Historical Romance + Princess Consort + Legitimate Daughter + Medical Skills + Two Powerful Leads + Cunning + Playing the Fool + Reborn + Fiercely Protective + Political Scheming] 99% of the comments are positive! Read with confidence! Su Qian, once the leader of a special forces unit in the apocalypse, died unexpectedly while carrying out a mission. With her portable medical space, she transmigrated to ancient times and into the residence of a great gener 22.8kReads8.1Score3.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist, subjected to extreme humiliation and a broken engagement at the start, is filled with hatred, but her four maids come to the rescue, instantly turning the tide and delivering an incredibly satisfying experience. On the surface, she appears to be a foolish and useless legitimate daughter, but in reality, she's a cunning and ruthless post-apocalyptic special agent and leader. 🤭

26. 26 二 The Emperor Sees Red After I Remarry and Wed the Regent 二婚嫁摄政王后，皇帝红了眼 Guardian of Kitties咪咪保护神Ancient Romance232k WordsCompleted She transmigrates into a book as the empress, but she has only three months to live? No problem. As a corporate drone, she’s an expert at sucking up. As long as she gets the original male and female leads together, she’s sure to survive. But as the plot unfolds and one sacrificial character after another dies horribly, she finally realizes the truth. She, too, is destined to become a stepping stone for the heroine. She’s done with that. Are sacrificial characters really supposed to die? She’s ha 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    "Late-blown affection is worthless." The emperor's belated feelings are useless; the regent is the true beneficiary!

27. 27 团 After Becoming the Family’s Darling, I Exposed the Villain’s Secret Identity! 团宠后我把反派大佬的马甲扒了！ Wan Duoduo万朵朵Ancient Romance946k WordsOngoing Transmigration + two formidable leads + secret identities exposed + everyone’s favorite + romantic push and pull Ruthless hostage prince x princess skilled in medicine and poison (Three Kingdoms intrigue, battles of wits, sweetness intertwined with heartbreak) Mo Qingqing: Transmigrated as the most doted-on seventh princess of Beilin, she breaks off her engagement from the start and is coveted by various factions for her status and beauty. Dugu Yunche / Xiao Yun: A hostage prince from Xiqi, cold 20.2kReads8.9Score5.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Her medical skills are not only used to treat illnesses and save lives, but also an important trump card for self-protection, intelligence gathering, and stirring up the situation, making her a very eye-catching character.

28. 28 静 The Prince Jing’s Consort: Master, Save Me 静王妃之师傅救我 Murong Yiyu慕容忆鱼Ancient Romance811k WordsOngoing Originally titled The Princess Consort of Prince Jing, this novel was renamed The Princess Consort of Prince Jing: Master, Save Me in memory of a departed friend. It tells the story of Princess Murong Jingwen of Beiping. After descending from Yuntai Mountain, she misses her chance to marry Lin Yutai and is sent far away to the Chen Kingdom to wed Prince Jing as part of a political alliance. She is abducted along the way, and meets Li Chaoyang, a villager of the Chen Kingdom. Thus begins the stor 47Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is intelligent and the story is very good.

29. 29 静 On the Ridge of Jingling 静岭上 Mo Tianyan, Who Loves Shrimp and Loofah爱吃虾仁丝瓜的莫天焱Ancient Romance306k WordsOngoing Jingning has a dream in which she sees another life she once lived. To escape the predicament in her dream, she writes a book warning of natural disasters, saving an entire county. She also hints at the fate of a famed general, never realizing that he had long since put life and death out of his mind. But this makes the emperor wary. An imperial edict decreeing their marriage binds her to the crown prince from then on... —Reads8.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ceiling, no arguments allowed 😆😆

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