Book Recommendations, Please! Something Like The Xie Family's Short-Lived Ghost, with a Clever and Pure-hearted Female Lead! 求推书！类似《谢家的短命鬼》女主聪明且清！

1. 51 我 I Am a Lady Tutor 我是女先生 Xiao Xu小叙Mystery2.2M WordsCompleted I'm hard to kill. These were the words I heard from the moment I was born. A blind fortune-teller said I was a White Tiger Sha, a girl born with a boy's fate, innately tough and destined to bring misfortune to my husband, my children, and myself. Everyone in the village said I wouldn't survive. My yang energy was too strong. Even if they managed to keep me alive, I'd grow up to be an idiot. But my grandma, a spirit medium who presided over the altar, refused to give up. Every year, she burned a 3.3kReads9.4Score449Shelves

   Reader note

   These books are part of a series. My recommended reading order is: Yin Yang Ren, Female Physiognomist, Female Master, and Lifelike. I've finished these four; they're very good. I haven't had a chance to read Yingying Zhong Sheng yet, but since they're all part of the same series, it's great.

2. 52 我 I Am Intersex 我是阴阳人 Xiao Xu小叙Mystery2.2M WordsCompleted My mother said that when I was born, her first reaction was to strangle me, because it was impossible to tell whether I was male or female. My grandmother called me a freak and a jinx, saying I would only bring shame on the family. It was then that my maternal grandmother, who had traveled all the way from the countryside to visit my mother, adopted me. So, by chance, I got to enjoy a pure childhood, free from scornful looks. Following my half-immortal grandmother, I unexpectedly discovered how 8.5kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves
3. 53 我 I Am a Female Physiognomist 我是女相师 Xiao Xu小叙Mystery893k WordsCompleted I was born in the twelfth lunar month of 1991, and came into the world with six fingers. The saying that people born in the Year of the Sheep have bad luck somehow became attached to me. Before I could even speak, my family sent me to live with my grandaunt, who ran a shop selling paper offerings and burial clothes. My grandaunt said I had a star spirit in my fate, and the Vermilion Bird would come to my aid. What did it matter if my destiny was cursed? As the saying goes: The Azure Dragon and W 13.1kReads9.4Score1.4kShelves
4. 54 萤 A World of Fireflies 萤萤众生 Xiao Xu小叙Rural Life3.8M WordsCompleted When I was thirteen, I had an accident and nearly died. Everything I saw and felt was horrifying, and I could only keep company with bad luck. But I swore a solemn oath: I would not fail Heaven and Earth or my parents, nor harm my friends and family. I would hurt only myself, devote myself to goodness, and hold fast to sincerity! From then on, I walked between the realms of yin and yang, sought a master and learned the Dao, awakened my spiritual senses, and slew demons and evil spirits... I fear 8.1kReads9.2Score779Shelves
5. 55 穿 I Became Fang Xuanling's Jealous Wife 穿成房玄龄的醋精夫人 The Resurrected Mummy复活的木乃伊Ancient Romance198k WordsCompleted I’m a 21st-century PhD in law, transmigrated into the wife Fang Xuanling married before he became famous. When I read the historical record calling her a “jealous wife,” I slapped the table. She was clearly a pioneer defending monogamy! When sixteen-year-old Fang Xuanling stammered by lamplight that his mother wanted to take a concubine for him, I slapped the Tang Code in front of him. “Under Tang law, failing to distinguish between a wife and a concubine merits ninety strokes of the cane. Want 346Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's really good. The female lead is smart and emotional, and the male lead is wise. They're both strong.

6. 56 坑 Luring Ghosts and Catching Criminals: A Low-Ranking County Magistrate 坑鬼捉凶，一品小县令 Pipi Loves Tangerines爱吃橘子的皮皮Mystery1.2M WordsCompleted When Chu Ling opened her eyes, she had become the novel's number-one female side character, a troublemaker who ultimately got herself killed when the heroine shot an arrow through her heart. Knowing how the plot would unfold, Chu Ling spat in disdain, broke free of the story's control, and threw herself into building a career. But being a county magistrate is no easy job. One day, a ghostly maid comes to air her grievances; the next, a ghostly tutor shows up to reprimand her. Even stepping outsi 5.8kReads9.5Score988Shelves

   Reader note

   It's really good; it makes me feel like I'm watching a whole TV series.

7. 57 小 The Little Taoist Nun Has a Rebellious Streak 小道姑一身反骨 20/100 Vision视力零点二一Ancient Romance747k WordsCompleted “As a hired assassin, killing is my specialty. I make sure my clients go peacefully.” “Be good. You don't need to cover your head. I'd never ruin that pretty face of yours. That would make it harder to carry your head to the Judicial Office and collect the reward.” The moon slanted over the river as night settled in. Mist hung thick in the air, dreamlike and hazy. Only the dim oil lamp hanging from a covered boat on the Qiantang River cast a faint, wavering glow. A small gray-robed Taoist, impos 24.2kReads9.5Score3.6kShelves

   Reader note

   [Added to bookshelf][Added to bookshelf] Both of these books are great, especially the first one, which is very similar and very good! Super exciting! There are people, ghosts, love, hate, affection, and grudges; there is morality, responsibility, persistence, struggle, and effort. 💥💥🔥 The writing is so beautiful I can't find the words to describe it. The author creates each character with great detail, and the plot is absolutely brilliant. In short, it's extremely good! [Already added to my wishlist]

8. 58 夫 After His Wife Divorces Him, the Warlord Goes Gray Overnight 夫人离婚后，军阀大佬一夜白头 Chu Diandian初点点Modern Romance691k WordsCompleted The short drama of the same name, “Qi Mi,” is available by searching on Tomato. Ning Zhen is forced to marry the warlord Sheng Changyu. Sheng Changyu has a beloved first love, as well as two concubines, and the Sheng household is rife with danger. Ning Zhen is a young heiress who has returned from studying abroad. She can’t adapt to the infighting in the household, and everyone is waiting to see her make a fool of herself. Less than three years later, just as everyone predicted, Ning Zhen wants 78.3kReads9.5Score9kShelves

   Reader note

   A uniquely cool and capable female lead. I don't like losing, and neither do I. The female lead is absolutely intelligent, calm, independent, wise, and incredibly charming. The male lead has a fiery temper but never acts recklessly when it comes to profit. He's bold, ruthless, and a crack shot; without any of these qualities, she wouldn't have been able to recover that night. My wife is one in a million.

9. 59 布 A Commoner's Warmth Beneath the Heavens 布衣暖天下 Half a Scroll of Song Dynasty Paper半卷宋笺Ancient Romance313k WordsCompleted [In the war-torn years at the end of the Song and the beginning of the Yuan, discover how a former child bride used nimble hands as blades and cotton as her cutting edge to weave an immortal legend as the “Cotton Goddess,” who “clothed the world”!] At twelve, her family sold her for half a sack of millet. Her husband's family treated her like livestock, and when they tried to sell her again, she escaped. She hid in a Taoist temple and nearly got caught, then drifted to Yazhou, where she narrowly 33Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I highly recommend this novel—no cheat codes, no time travel, and a grand narrative! It focuses on the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, a time marked by the capture of Wen Tianxiang, the surrender of a city by Pu Shougeng, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the Battle of Yamen! Sold as a child bride, how did she rise to the pinnacle of power, becoming the revered "Goddess of Cotton," worshipped as the "Goddess of Cotton" by successive generations, with temples built in her honor? The protagonist is Huang Daopo, a great cotton textile innovator of late Song and early Yuan China, a UNESCO-recognized world-class scientist. She is the only woman among the four scientists featured on the 1980 commemorative stamps issued by the state for ancient Chinese scientists! Some of the cotton spinning tools she invented were nearly 500 years ahead of the West and are still in use today! She taught her neighbors how to grow cotton and weave cloth free of charge, making pure white cotton replace hemp and ramie as the mainstream, warming the hearts of the poor! She helped women from the lower classes break free from the shackles of fate, sparking a new wave of "women's economic independence"! She helped countless weavers weave their own beautiful lives!

10. 60 缚 Soulbinding Order 缚魂令 Jin Shaoren今绍人Ancient Romance517k WordsCompleted Also known as: Soulbinding Order The first time Fang Zhixia met the young lord Lin, every move was a killing blow, and she cut off his breath. The next time she saw him, she had prepared a golden-thread nanmu coffin for him, made of premium wood and carved with dragons and phoenixes. And now this man has arrived with sixty-six ships of betrothal gifts, banging gongs and beating drums, saying he wants to marry her? Fang Zhixia: “Are you insane?” Lin Buzhou: “A little. It’s been three years, and 4.1kReads9.2Score566Shelves

    Reader note

    This story is logically clear, using the Soul-Binding Decree as a clue to narrate the heroine Jiu Fang Lin Zhi's resistance against becoming a pawn in the royal family's quest for power. The climax is the Battle of Minzhou in over a hundred chapters, which is truly thrilling. I love the characters of the male and female leads: a calm and devoted prince and a strong and intelligent leader. The characters are portrayed through subtle details, and their relationship develops gradually, like a gentle stream, culminating in them becoming a couple.

11. 61 随 The Man Who Joined the Army Is Married, So I Turn Around and Marry His Commander 随军男人已结婚，转头嫁他首长 A Few Days of Spring Chill几日春寒Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted 1970s + period setting + substitute marriage + military marriage + devoted couple Qin Shu opened her eyes to find herself on a train, held hostage by a criminal with a gun pressed to her forehead. Her life was hanging by a thread. From the memories she inherited, she learned that the original owner had been sent to marry a soldier in someone else’s place. First, she beat the criminal senseless and secured herself a job at the Public Security Bureau. Then she went to the military base to find th 19.7kReads8.7Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended!

12. 62 娘 Wife, Are You Human or Ghost? 娘子你到底是人是鬼？ Chai Qiqi柴柒七Ancient Romance639k WordsCompleted [Neither ghost nor god, neither human nor demon + no romance + a girl squad + no love stories, just monster-hunting] A delicate young lady and a little maid travel through mountains and rivers. The half-human, half-ghost lady loves to eat ghosts. Her golden, one-eyed gaze sees through spirits and monsters, while her maid is a skilled ghost cook who takes meticulous care of her. The lady wanders the mortal world in search of the missing half-inch of her heart. Without it, she cannot be human. Wh 4.9kReads9.4Score805Shelves
13. 63 大 Ballad of Changle in the Great Capital 大都长乐谣 Dingdong Jiuj iu叮咚酒酒Ancient Romance630k WordsCompleted Until the age of ten, Yuan Wei was the apple of everyone’s eye in the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household in the capital. Her grandparents were kind, and her father often carried her on his shoulders as they played. After she turned ten, her mother died, and Yuan Wei was sent to Putuo Temple to recuperate. By the time she was fifteen, Yuan Wei wore prayer beads and lived freely, doing whatever she pleased. 3.5kReads8.9Score341Shelves
14. 64 幺 The Youngest Daughter, Changle 幺女长乐 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Miss Zhu Si’s rough fighting skills have always made her the laughingstock of the capital’s noble families. In everyone else’s eyes, that’s the sort of work meant for household guards. Zhu Changle, who considers herself invincible, isn’t ashamed of it. She’s proud. Not everyone can protect their own home, but she can! And then some! She’d even turn the whole capital upside down to protect it! Don’t believe her? Try her! 18.8kReads9.5Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all good. For suspense and mystery novels, I highly recommend "After Climbing Out of the Coffin, Digging Up Royal Soil Every Day," which I've read countless times. The female protagonist, Shen Guizhou, is murdered by her relatives and climbs out of a coffin to find the truth and seek revenge.

15. 65 重 After Being Reborn, My Elder Sister Wants to Trade Marriages with Me, and I Couldn't Be Happier 重生后嫡姐要和我换亲，求之不得 Proud Cotton傲娇棉棉Ancient Romance366k WordsCompleted [Twins + both reborn + swapped marriages + revenge on scumbags + mutual devotion + satisfying read + happy ending] A plot-driven story with plenty of substance and sound logic. Not mindless wish fulfillment! The heroine starts out at a disadvantage. If she draws too much attention, her enemies may see through her and the story could be over, so she has to plan carefully and seize the initiative step by step. The satisfying payback only really kicks in later. The hero, Xiao Ci: an innocent, sweet 685Reads8.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Here comes the sister! The female lead initially feigns naivety, but is actually incredibly cunning. Later, she reveals her true colors. The male lead starts as an innocent, adorable puppy, blushing at the slightest touch. After marriage, he transforms into a cunning and ruthless Shiba Inu—he's incredibly shrewd. In her previous life, Yun Shu was framed by her husband and elder sister, becoming a scapegoat and indirectly causing the death of the loyal and valiant General Xiao Ci. Reborn, she returns to the day before her elder sister ran away from her arranged marriage. Unexpectedly, her equally reborn elder sister proposes a swap marriage! Yun Shu feigns grievance, but inwardly rejoices: This time, it's your turn to deal with those wolves and tigers! She marries Xiao Ci as she wishes, embarking on a thrilling journey of revenge!

16. 66 后 A Spirit Medium Arrives in the Harem 后宫来了个降灵师 Revive a Little Angel复活一只小天使Ancient Romance256k WordsCompleted [Transmigration from ancient times + strong heroine + supernatural + devoted couple + sweet romance] Gu Changsi is a spirit medium who diligently banishes evil spirits and guides the dead to the afterlife. One day, she dies, and when she opens her eyes again, she finds herself in the Great Jing Dynasty. Seeing the palace brimming with ghostly energy, Gu Changsi’s occupational instincts kick in. She rolls up her sleeves and heads into the imperial harem. She plans to lie low and catch ghosts in s 1.7kReads8.9Score243Shelves

    Reader note

    The bag is beautiful; the female lead is clear-headed and strong.

17. 67 假 The Fake Heiress Tears Up the Script and Lazily Gives Up 假千金手撕剧本，沙雕摆烂躺麻了 Li Yaoyao梨窈窈Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama, The Fake Heiress Tears Up the Script, is now streaming [Showbiz + absurd humor and memes + everyone’s favorite + wild imagination + gossip + going off the rails] Chi Qian failed her tribulation and returned to the real world, only to discover she was the villainous fake heiress in a novel! The plot had already reached the point where the real heiress came back, and Chi Qian was about to be kicked out of the family home. A broken engagement, a wave of online hate, and a grueso 125.9kReads9.6Score13.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Similar metaphysical stories feature a female protagonist who, after being abandoned for many years, returns to the capital and begins a "family reform" mode in the face of her biased family: flaunting her wealth to intimidate her eldest brother, taking her second brother to see ghosts to cure evil, and using force to subdue her rebellious younger brother... The family drama is full of twists and turns, making it incredibly satisfying to read!

18. 68 玄 The Young Lady Presumed Dead Returns with Her Occult Powers 玄学死去的大小姐回来了 Pork with Green Peppers青椒炒肉Ancient Romance756k WordsCompleted [Mystical, plot-driven story + ghost hunting and demon-slaying + a few secret identities + punishing scumbags + heroine who grows over time] Twenty years ago, the crown prince plotted a rebellion, and tens of thousands were killed. Twenty years later, Song Qinghe, reduced to nothing but a head, was carried out of her coffin by grave robbers. The moment they opened the box, the robbers were frightened away by the smiling head inside. Song Qinghe: “I only wanted to thank him. I didn’t mean to scar 6kReads9.0Score773Shelves
19. 69 簪 The Record of Hairpins (Complete in 4 Volumes) 簪中录（全4册） A Chilly Breeze on Either Side侧侧轻寒Mystery992k WordsCompleted The little red fish Agashnie, which feeds on human blood; the mysterious talisman that had followed Li Shubai for years; Empress Wang, the peerless beauty of the Daming Palace; three clusters of doodles written by the late emperor himself before his death; a marriage contract made with Wang Yun in their youth... Every mystery returns to its point of origin. Every choice remains beyond anyone’s control, as impossible to resist or escape as fate itself. Yang Chonggu has returned to the palace and 17.3kReads9.7Score2.8kShelves

    Reader note

    I guarantee you'll love these four books. They all feature intelligent, clear-headed, and kind-hearted heroines, but each has its own unique charm and captivating plot. They're touted as a "you won't regret reading them" series! Give them a try!

20. 70 诡 The Eerie Case Coroner 诡案女仵作 Qie Qie Isn't Sleepy茄茄不困Mystery1.1M WordsCompleted A lazy salted-fish coroner who just wants to lie flat VS a workaholic commander who knows nothing about romance. They crack bizarre cases and fall in love over time. As religious sects rise to prominence, people commit murder in the name of gods and ghosts, and strange cases erupt throughout the Great Qing Dynasty. After dying from overwork, forensic pathologist Jiang Ning joins the Yuning Guard, an organization of imperial investigators, hoping to lie flat and coast along as a low-ranking nobod 1.7kReads9.2Score226Shelves
21. 71 太 The Crown Prince Is Infertile? Reborn to Marry His Brother and Usurp His Throne 太子不孕？重生嫁他哥，覆他皇权 May All Your Wishes Bring Fortune and Long Life如意得福万岁Ancient Romance801k WordsCompleted [A short drama of the same name is now available] Shen Mi, the most beautiful woman in Yanjing, is set up and loses her chastity. The Crown Prince of Great Yan comes to claim the child in her womb. She enters the Eastern Palace, only to fall into an abyss. The Crown Prince is a master schemer who uses her as a stepping stone to the throne. Once he gains power, he kills his wife and child and massacres her entire family. Her fake heiress of a younger sister has their father’s affection all to her 5.3kReads9.0Score614Shelves

    Reader note

    The legitimate daughter is reborn, and her intelligence remains intact—she's still sharp!

22. 72 满 The Court Hears My Thoughts: I Slack Off and Enjoy the Gossip! 满朝文武听我心声，我摆烂吃瓜！ Drinking Wine and Listening to the Rain饮酒听雨Ancient Romance738k WordsCompleted [Everyone Can Hear Her Thoughts + Goofy Comedy + Gossip + Doing the Bare Minimum] This is not a no-romance story! There isn’t much focus on romance, though, and the male lead isn’t human! If you’re okay with that, come on in! After finally becoming the daughter of a respectable family in ancient times, she’s determined to treasure this wonderful life! After transmigrating, Lin Mo spends over a decade living like a lazy fish, planning to keep it that way. But her father worries she’ll starve, so 59.7kReads9.5Score58.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Well written! The female lead is likable, the gossip-filled plot is entertaining without being melodramatic, and it doesn't belittle those being gossiped about; the pacing is excellent. Unlike other similar novels, which are full of annoying tropes and relentless "psychological attacks," this book, while containing a few unpleasant events, offers more entertaining gossip about court politics and family life, making it a pleasant read. The surrounding characters are also well-developed. Highly recommended!

23. 73 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all highly-rated, completed books with outstanding female leads! ① No male lead, introduces many medicinal herbs with pictures! ② The female lead is smart, capable, and reverses her fate! ③ Transmigrated into a book, mind-reading, and adored by her family—very cute! ④ Not cliché! A deeply moving and excellent story! ⑤ No romantic pairing, the female lead with a natural ability to see reverses her life! ⑥ A unique and outstanding queen! ⑦ A free-spirited and unrestrained female lead—very enjoyable!

24. 74 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 87.1kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Classic Chinese texts, super engaging, featuring high IQ and EQ, with meticulous attention to detail, including palace intrigue and political maneuvering—there's bound to be one that suits your taste! [Thumbs up]

25. 75 花 The Bridal Sedan Arrives, but She Refuses the Wedding, Hoping Only for an Old Friend's Return 花轿临门她拒嫁，只盼故人归 Xian Tan闲檀Ancient Romance960k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Revenge on Scumbags + Sweet Romance + Satisfying Payback] Shen Tang only learned on her deathbed that her elder legitimate sister, the empress, was not their parents’ daughter, but the murderer who had killed her entire family. Fortunately, Heaven took pity on her. After dying, she was reborn on the day before her sister was to marry a man as a good-luck bride. In her previous life, her sister feared being widowed and schemed to make Shen Tang take her place. Then, after the marriage b 43.3kReads9.1Score5.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Nothing surpasses "The Short-Lived Ghost of the Xie Family Lived to Be a Hundred Years Old," so I can only reread this high-scoring article.

26. 76 逆 Against the Meridians: Liar, Stop! 逆经：骗子住手 Ren Fanwuyin任梵无音Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsCompleted [Original novel for the animated series This Taoist Is Not Quite Right] Life is unpredictable. The fit thrive under Heaven's law, Those skilled in force become generals, those skilled in strategy become kings. Born into the lowest of professions, he refuses to live like a nobody, He waves the yin-yang banner and sees through the Six Lines of Divination. Watch him play at being a spirit medium, watch him swindle and deceive, Watch him make ruthless decisions, watch him rise like a hidden dragon f 43.1kReads9.4Score4.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Also known as *The Hidden Trap of the Six Lines*: A unique gambling king's struggle for supremacy begins with political intrigue, martial arts, suspense, crime-solving, genius, revenge, and humor! Beyond imagination, skillfully written, suitable for both male and female bookworms! You deserve it! [Explore][Salute]

27. 77 昭 Blazing Phoenix of Zhaoyang 昭阳烈凰 Pure Heart, No Questions素心无问Ancient Romance326k WordsOngoing The final years of the Sui dynasty were a time of chaos, with war raging everywhere. When Li Xiuning opened her eyes, she had returned to the age of fifteen. In her previous life, she was a heroine who helped found the Tang dynasty, fighting alongside her father and brothers to conquer the land, yet the history books devoted only a few scant lines to her. In this life, she swears to rewrite her fate. She will not only protect her family, but also claim a place of her own amid the turmoil. Under 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Against the backdrop of the chaotic end of the Sui Dynasty and the raging flames of war, a legendary woman—Li Xiuning—emerged. This new book, *Zhaoyang Liehuang*, takes you on a journey through history, witnessing the rise and struggle of a heroine. Li Xiuning, the daughter of a duke, should have been a delicate woman waiting to be married. However, fate sent her back to her coming-of-age ceremony, giving her a chance to rewrite her destiny. In her previous life, she assisted her father and brothers in conquering the world, yet she received only a few brief mentions in historical records. In this life, she vows not only to protect her family but also to carve out her own place in this chaotic world, writing her own legend. Political Intrigue: Undercurrents surge within Chang'an City. The Prince of Qi's schemes, the power struggle between the Eastern Palace and the Yuwen family, Emperor Yang's suspicions… all forces are eyeing the city covetously. Li Xiuning, a woman who should have stayed away from political struggles, quietly orchestrates her plans, becoming the one holding the pieces. Heroic Spirit: On the battlefield, Li Xiuning displays courage and wisdom no less than that of men. She not only preserved her family but also carved out her own place in the chaotic world. Love and hate intertwine: In turbulent times, love is especially precious. Li Xiuning's love and hate with various heroes adds a touch of tenderness and color to this book. Patriotism: Faced with a shattered land, Li Xiuning always held onto her patriotism. She fought not only for her family but also for the common people. Her legendary story will forever be remembered. *Zhaoyang Liehuang* is not only a historical novel but also a magnificent epic about courage, wisdom, and patriotism. This book will take you through the legendary life of a heroine, allowing you to feel her resilience and perseverance in a chaotic world. Let us follow in Li Xiuning's footsteps and witness her glory and honor in a turbulent era!

28. 78 斩 Exorcising Demons: A Priest, a Goose, and a Spirit 斩妖除魔：一道一鹅一只灵 Ancient Road Buried in Dust古道湮尘Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing An alternate ancient setting, supernatural mysteries, fantasy, the Heavenly Dao, and gods, ghosts, demons, and monsters. No romance, no transmigration, and no rebirth. The local heroine is a young Taoist priest with a mysterious background and an imperfect personality. Read with care if any of this bothers you. Xiyu is an orphan. The night she was found, the forest was silent and dark beneath a soft drizzle. The old Taoist priest who saved her life named her Xiyu, meaning “fine rain.” She reall 40Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's good, I recommend it.

29. 79 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 5.5kReads8.9Score547Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is smart, strong, and has a high IQ. She takes revenge on the villains and builds her career in a very satisfying way.

30. 80 天 Heaven Does Not Answer 天不应 The Sound of Wind and Rain at Night,夜来风雨声丶Eastern Fantasy1.7M WordsOngoing Three myriad mounds of yellow earth and white bones, a sword's light like a shadow, the moon like wine. The spring breeze cuts through all the world's troubles. Tell me, peach blossoms, will you turn white-haired too? In the year 547 of the Yong'an era, a pitch-dark snowstorm fell over Kuhai County, a border county in southern Qi. In a dilapidated temple outside the county, Wen Chaoshen found a crippled woman, gravely injured and on the verge of death. He thought she was merely a refugee in dist 84.5kReads9.1Score6.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Don't complain about the slow pace of the early chapters of "Heaven Doesn't Respond"! The setup is full of twists and turns! The protagonist, Wen Chaosheng, transmigrates to a chaotic world and spends three years as a refugee, hoping for a peaceful life. Only after saving Ah Shui does he discover that even the "sky" of this world is dark—the King of Pingshan is plotting a rebellion, the Celestials are manipulating the court, and the people of the four kingdoms are merely pawns! The author's writing is incredibly delicate, capturing the chill of a dilapidated temple on a snowy night, the thrill of a sword fight, and the suffocating atmosphere of political intrigue—the immersion is immediately captivating! The plot explodes in the middle chapters, with the protagonist awakening his martial arts and joining forces with Ah Shui to overturn the game. However, some readers say that the supporting characters and subplots contain foreshadowing; are those minor characters spies of the Celestials?

31. 81 别 Don't Be Weak, Don't Provoke Her: An Angry Palace Maid Can Restore a Fallen Kingdom 别太弱，别招惹，宫女发怒能复国 Ethereal Fairy霓裳妖妖Ancient Romance748k WordsCompleted [Unusual premise + assassin’s rise + strong heroine + political intrigue + cold and heartless + mildly yandere + cool-headed lunatic + male lead rises from the nth place] * Su Mian was just a palace maid serving a princess. On the day the Southern Yan Kingdom fell, she watched everyone die before her without a flicker of emotion. The princess gave her an even more perilous mission. Until it was done, she had to stay alive. But in a world thrown into chaos, she was sold as a slave and forced to e 25.6kReads9.5Score4.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I absolutely love the main characters in these few books; the female lead is so smart! [Drooling emoji]

32. 82 被 Driven to Death by Her Cultivator Mistress? I Take Up My Sword and Storm the Ninth Heaven 被修仙外室逼死？我提剑杀上九霄 Bian Lu边鹿Ancient Romance710k WordsCompleted [Power fantasy, a female lead who begins as a villain and turns righteous, no transmigration, no rebirth] Only when she was dying did Li Fu learn why she could never defeat her husband's mistress, Huayue. It turned out that beyond this world lay a realm of cultivation. Huayue had come from that realm. With Taoist magic at her command, there was no way Li Fu could ever beat her. Tortured, skinned, and dismembered, Li Fu was abandoned by everyone and died after enduring every kind of suffering. Ho 78.3kReads9.6Score10.3kShelves
33. 83 千 Record of a Thousand Lanterns 千灯录 A Chilly Breeze on Either Side侧侧轻寒Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Mystery solving + palace intrigue and household scheming + face-slapping and revenge + powerful families + court and kingdom] Fifteen prospective husbands are locked in a fight to the death in my family’s back courtyard, while all I want is to become a nun. Schemes and deceit, suspicion at every turn, bloodshed and tragedy piling up, a deadly battle in the back courtyard with no survivors allowed. [The high-born judge of the Court of Judicial Review, who loves wiping out entire households] x [T 22.7kReads9.4Score4.3kShelves
34. 84 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 90.9kReads9.6Score12.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Watching the rating steadily climb from 6.9 To 8.5 To 9.4! The writing is logically clear, the characters are vividly portrayed, and the story is tightly structured and well-rounded. The female protagonist doesn't flatter imperial power, dislikes cumbersome formalities, is self-reliant and fearless, and vividly portrays the torment of wanting to be a villain yet being bound by psychological and moral constraints. The author's premise is very reasonable; how could a modern person who travels to ancient times possibly outmaneuver the ancients? Modern people rely on advanced technology and are content with their lot, while ancient people are taught from childhood to strive for survival, favor, and status—how could a modern person possibly compete with that in the past?

35. 85 追 Pursuing You Is Like Taming a Hawk 追你跟熬鹰似的 I Took Great Pains我煞费苦心Modern Romance523k WordsCompleted [Sweet and Satisfying] [Brooding Boy x Martial Arts Girl] [Happy Ending] [Male Lead Is Crazy and Possessive] [Original title: Chasing You Is Like Taming a Wild Falcon] Quan Zhishui couldn’t understand why people from other schools beat up Wei Shixu every day, forcing her to rush in and save him from danger time and again. Later, she discovered that those people were being paid to do it. By Wei Shixu. “I’m done with you!” she said sternly, drawing a clear line between them. Wei Shixu grinned, utt 49.4kReads9.5Score7.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead's character is exceptionally well-written; I love her—she's both adorable and cool! The male lead is a bit obsessive, but he's also incredibly handsome. The female lead is highly skilled in combat and can even tell fortunes.

36. 86 纵 Even If Love Is Sweet, What Can Be Done About It? 纵是清欢何奈清欢 Nan Ye Niao南叶茑Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted The great clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty are deeply entrenched and greatly feared by the imperial court. To preserve their power, the noble families bind themselves together through marriages of convenience. Du Rongyin, the youngest daughter of the Du family, was betrothed in childhood to Yang Lang, the sixth son of the Yang family. Before she has even met her fiancé, Yang Lang bluntly tells her, “Please call off the engagement.” She hopes to break it off with dignity and walk away, but the en 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonists are all intelligent.

37. 87 探 So What If He's the Top Scholar? She Turns Around and Marries the Number One Scholar 探花了不起？她转身高嫁状元郎 The Flying Old Cabbage会飞的老帮菜Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [One-on-One Romance + Reborn in the Womb + Face-Slapping + Everyone's Favorite + Female General + Light Political Intrigue] She paid for her husband to sit the imperial exams, cared for his gravely ill mother, and supported his entire family. After two years of hard work, she was rewarded with his triumphant return as the third-place palace graduate, along with his new wife: supposedly the most talented woman and the highest-ranking female official in the dynasty, with a slight swell to her bell 1.2kReads9.2Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    A true childhood sweetheart story! Both the male and female leads are virgins with deep affection, yet they're both incredibly sharp-tongued. Very interesting, and the story is excellent. A fantastic read.

38. 88 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 5.8kReads9.3Score434Shelves

    Reader note

    A high-quality historical romance novel, highly recommended! The eldest daughter of a duke's family waited five years for the heir to a marquis's family, and finally died of anger! [Laughing][admiring]

39. 89 五 Records of Strange Cases in the Five Capitals 五京志怪探案录 Tipsily Leaning on the Green Paulownia浅醉依青梧Mystery211k WordsCompleted Mystery + crime-solving + transmigration + supernatural tales + mutual flirtation and sexual tension + sweet romance + personal growth + happy ending The Great Liao is a fictional world with five capitals: Shangjing, Nanjing, Xijing, Yanjing, and Bianjing (Dongjing). Shangjing is sinister, Nanjing is splendid, Xijing is rugged, Yanjing is bitterly cold and harsh, and Bianjing is elegant. Each holds its own secrets and hides its own strange mysteries. All five capitals are prosperous places, yet 11Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a suspenseful detective story set in ancient times, with a touch of the supernatural. The female protagonist is clear-headed and stunningly beautiful.

40. 90 替 The Replacement Bride Is Wild and Wanton, and the Disabled Heir Makes a Fortune 替嫁女又疯又色，残废世子赚翻了 Situ Lanluo司徒蓝落Ancient Romance234k WordsCompleted [Both leads are each other's only partners + adored by all + occult arts + medicine + goofy comedy] Su Qingwan was a female doctor in the Heavenly Court. After getting into a bit of trouble, she was punished by being sent down to the mortal world to undergo a hundred lifetimes of tribulation. Every time she was reincarnated, the old King of Hell interfered. After she could take it no longer and made a scene in the underworld, she finally got herself a good life: as a prince's wife. She thought s 4.3kReads9.1Score516Shelves

    Reader note

    This hilarious and absurd book is so good, I finished it before I knew it! 🍅🍅 Su Qingwan was originally a female physician in Heaven, but was punished by being sent to the mortal realm to undergo a hundred lifetimes of tribulations for committing a minor offense. Each time she was reincarnated, the King of Hell interfered. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she caused a ruckus in the underworld and landed a well-liked role—the Crown Prince's consort. But unexpectedly, not only was the royal palace poor, but the entire Northern Zhou Dynasty was starving…

41. 91 绑 After Binding the Underworld System, I Had a Blast Taking Down Scumbags 绑了冥府系统后虐渣爽爆了 Calamity of the Galaxy星河祸Modern Romance3.4M WordsCompleted [Metaphysics, supernatural, mutual healing, strong heroine, sweet romance, satisfying and smart] After Chi Zao is reborn and bound to a System, her daily tasks are to catch ghosts, guide souls, and stop powerful figures from turning evil. Mocked as a scarred beauty with a ruined face? She’ll grab a bottle of scar-removing elixir from the System shop. Born poor, with no power or influence? President Chi, your company has gone public. Feng shui masters chase after her, begging to take her as their 2.4kReads9.2Score521Shelves

    Reader note

    Having enjoyed Yan Sanhe's *The Sound of the Coffin*, here are four carefully selected metaphysical novels you absolutely can't miss—all highly-rated masterpieces! Especially the first one, where Chi Zao transforms from a ghost into a ghost messenger; the second, where Xu Xu's fate is altered, and in order to survive, she seeks a master, gradually uncovering the truth behind the altered destiny; and the third, where Gu Yousheng travels between the yin and yang realms with a retrograde umbrella. Each story is captivating and impossible to put down.

42. 92 玄 The Little Ancestor of the Mystical Sect Has Returned from Cultivation 玄门小祖宗修仙回来了 Rampaging Moon暴走月亮Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication]+ [Metaphysical fantasy, urban supernatural, mystery and crime-solving, ensemble cast, sweet romance, 1v1 (there is a male lead, but he’s basically just set dressing!)] After returning from the cultivation world, Yuan Jiu becomes the junior grandmaster of Guiyuan Temple. There are only two people in the whole temple, and it’s three hundred million in debt. After looking over the bills, Yuan Jiu just wants to give up on the spot. But if she doesn’t repay her debt 21.2kReads9.3Score3.1kShelves
43. 93 曝 Exposed! The Prince of Chu Has a Three-Inch Adorable Wife Hidden in His Sleeve 曝光！楚王袖里藏了个三寸小萌妻 Aow Big Meow嗷大喵Ancient Romance410k WordsCompleted (A fierce, soft-spoken, adorable heroine vs. a possessive, scheming, fallen hero; sweet romance + the occult + a touch of fantasy) Jiang Xiaoxiao, a master of the mystic arts, was born with an incomplete soul. On every full-moon night, she also turns into a tiny person just three inches tall. Her grandmaster said that when she turned sixteen, she would meet a benefactor whose purple-gold dragon aura could break her curse. The aura of Prince Chu, Xie Xun, was stolen when he was three. Plagued by 6.7kReads9.4Score949Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are somewhat similar

44. 94 绾 I'm Wanwan, Not Wanwan: We're All Reborn, So Why Should I Keep Indulging You? 绾绾不是晚晚：都重生了谁还惯你 Zi Wei He子薇河Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [Soul Swap] [Face-Slapping] [Spatial Spirit Spring] [Ensemble Cast] [Fantasy] On her wedding day, Shen Wanwan is brutally murdered, pierced through the heart by a blade. Her soul follows her body downstream along the river. Meanwhile, Pei Wanning, trying to escape a ghost marriage to the Prince of Qin, jumps into the river to fake her death, only to actually drown. A thousand miles away, their souls meet on a riverbank. Shen Wanwan is horrified. “...Are you human or a ghost?” Pei Wanning can't h 31kReads8.9Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    [Thumbs up][Already hooked] This is a super satisfying ancient Chinese romance novel about soul swapping and rebirth, where Wanwan and Wanwan team up to take down the villains. The hilarious face-slapping moments will drive everyone crazy and leave them completely bewildered. It's so entertaining, I was smiling like a proud aunt the whole time, I couldn't stop watching!

45. 95 忘 The Tribulation of the Forgotten River 忘川劫 Jiu Lu Feixiang九鹭非香Ancient Romance172k WordsCompleted [“Cold and ruthless God of War” Moxi VS “Heartless Stone Spirit” Sansheng] “If you can catch me, I’ll be yours!” She is the Three-Life Spirit Stone by the River of Forgetfulness, beside the other shore’s flowers, guiding souls through the consequences of their deeds. He is the renowned God of War of the Nine Heavens, with no room for personal feelings, devoted only to all living beings. A stone has no heart, and a warrior no tenderness. Though they are worlds apart, a casual remark binds them to 28.4kReads9.6Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    When it comes to a female protagonist who is intelligent and clear-headed, nothing beats "The Legend of the Pearl-Picking in the Tang Dynasty." It's a story of a princess and a chivalrous knight. The female lead is a princess, proud but not spoiled or arrogant. She transforms from a delicate princess into a powerful female ruler wielding life and death. The male lead nurtures and accompanies her, while she remains resilient and unwavering.

46. 96 夫 My Wife Marries Another, and I Meet You When the Flowers Fall 夫人另嫁，落花时节恰逢君 Peanuts of Every Flavor百味花生Ancient Romance314k WordsOngoing [Strong Female Lead + Wits and Willpower + Political Scheming] She was a business tycoon with underworld connections. Betrayed by her lover, she died beneath his cold gun. By a twist of fate, she was reborn in the body of the timid and incompetent Second Miss Su, and was forced to marry the paralyzed young master of the Marquis's household in place of her legitimate younger sister. All she wanted was to survive, yet the entire marquis's family wanted her dead! After fighting so hard to come back 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female protagonist is incredibly intelligent and clear-headed.

47. 97 妄 The Bell of Reckless Longing 妄生铃 Yu Li余俚Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Ghosts + occult arts + not reborn + one-on-one romance + revenge + one-sided salvation + not a power fantasy + personal growth] The Western Qi Dynasty is home to the mysterious Wanzhi clan of Huaizhou, who can command ghosts and soothe spirits. The Wanzhi family has two sisters, both renowned for their beauty throughout Huaizhou. The elder sister is charming, lively, and energetic, while the younger is intelligent and accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But for some unknown 3.5kReads8.6Score518Shelves

    Reader note

    The themes are all about demons and ghosts, and the characters are more unique and the themes are more novel. The female lead's weapon is the Bell of Delusion, and she is resurrected. The male lead is a very good person, and everyone is intelligent. It's definitely worth watching and highly recommended.

48. 98 帝 The Emperor's Ambition 帝王业 The Dream Speaker寐语者Ancient Romance367k WordsCompleted The original novel for the television series The Rebel Princess, starring Zhang Ziyi. A thousand miles of blood mark the road to the throne; holding hands for half a lifetime, a beauty brings ruin. She is the daughter the Langya Wang family is proud of, the deepest love of a great ruler, and the power behind the founding of a dynasty. She is a traitor to the aristocratic clans and the last protector of her family, a sinner who brought down the imperial house and an adviser who helped two emperor 911Reads9.5Score154Shelves

    Reader note

    A novel that can be read repeatedly, with beautiful writing, delicate descriptions, vivid imagery, and a tight, fast-paced plot.

49. 99 和 After Breaking Off My Engagement to Hong Kong’s Richest Man, I Became His Eldest Sister-in-Law 和香江首富退婚后，我成了他长嫂 Gu Ci故辞Modern Romance451k WordsCompleted A feel-good elite romance, 1v1, both leads are pure, strong leads. Everyone knows being the original wife in a wealthy family is a high-risk job. The moment a man makes it big, he dumps the wife who stood by him through thick and thin! Gu Mingzhen returned from the apocalypse only to transmigrate into the original wife of an 1980s Hong Kong tycoon, the sort of character who wouldn’t survive past three episodes. Looking at the delicate, pitiful heroine standing beside her fiancé, Gu Mingzhen wave 4.4kReads9.0Score493Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonists in these four books are all calm and intelligent, neither saintly nor naive. The first book is a period drama, the second is a Republican era novel, the third is a CEO romance novel, and the fourth is also a Republican era novel.

50. 100 鬼 Japanese Invaders, Don't Run! The Strongest Couple of the 1940s Joins Forces to Wipe You Out 鬼子别跑！四零最强夫妇联手歼敌 A Wisteria Vine一支藤萝Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Military marriage + fleeing famine + transmigrate into a book + war + an era-version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith + deadly combat + alternate Republic of China] Yun Chuyou has transmigrated into a book again, becoming the fake heiress and female supporting character in the male-oriented novel Beacon Fires Across the Land. With a face so beautiful she can get away with murder, she should have had every advantage from the start. Instead, her “landlord father” kicks her out, starving refugees try to rob 7.8kReads9.0Score790Shelves

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