Any Republic-Era Romance Novels with Male and Female Leads, Good Writing, and Realism? 有没有民国类的言情小说，男女的，文笔好且真实

1. 1 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 78.3kReads9.5Score9k14d adds

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   🌹🌹 ①✨️Ning Zhen, a wealthy heiress who studied abroad, is forced to marry a ruthless warlord🥰. From mutual dislike👀, to discovering each other's backstories, they gradually fall in love🌸. In the early episodes, the warlord is truly sharp-tongued👄, highly aggressive👊, and has several concubines, but in reality, he's still a pure-hearted little wolf🐶 and a pitiful little thing with no one to care for him. [Top Post]

2. 2 胭 Rouge and Rakes 胭脂与浪荡 Xu Qingduan许清端Modern Romance216k WordsCompleted She falls in love at first sight with her betrothed, so of course this is a marriage-before-love romance! Two families unite in marriage, bound by a pact beneath one roof. He is the young master of the Zhong family, just returned from studying abroad; she is the young lady of the Shan family, raised in Shanghai. One family is on the rise while the other is in decline. What sparks will fly between her, outwardly gentle but inwardly stubborn, and him, outwardly carefree but secretly calculating an 2kReads8.4Score18214d adds

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   It's a great show! The male and female leads are engaged. The male lead is a handsome, wealthy young master, and the female lead is a well-bred lady. The female lead initially dislikes the male lead, and he often gets jealous when he sees her with other men. To win her heart, he racks his brains and eventually wins her over. [Laughing emoji]

3. 3 疯 After Returning Home, the Madwoman Plotted to Marry the Handsome but Tragic Young Marshal 疯女回国后，蓄谋嫁给美强惨少帅 Cheng Jingzhi程璟知Modern Romance142k WordsCompleted [Alternate-history Republic of China setting, a beautiful, tragic, and unhinged male lead, a curvy beauty in a qipao who can interpret dreams, and a devoted couple] The provinces of Jiangbei all belong to the Huo family. The eldest young master of the Huo family is vicious and unhinged, with a dark disposition. He has been married twice, and both brides died on their wedding nights. Now he is marrying for the third time, and everyone is wondering how the bride, Rong Tangtang, will die on their w 19Reads6.8Score—14d adds

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   Of these four books, the first one I just finished reading is absolutely fantastic! Every character is brave and resourceful, and I especially loved the storyline between the male and female leads. The second one is a short story and also quite good. The third and fourth books are by the same author, and the fourth is my absolute favorite Republican-era novel. I highly recommend all four! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

4. 4 神 The Sweet and Sassy Fortune-Teller Is Too Tempting for the Abstinent Young General 神算美人甜又飒，禁欲战少不经撩 Cheng Jingzhi程璟知Modern Romance416k WordsCompleted [Modern Fantasy] A stunningly beautiful, hot-tempered little fortune-teller from the Nan family in Jiangcheng has become a sensation. Her values may be a little crooked, but her features are flawless. She can read the stars and tell fortunes, and she can also gather corpses and drive out ghosts. The only problem is that her birth chart is entirely yin, and her fate is plagued by every kind of clash and misfortune. She has a rock-hard destiny that brings disaster to men, and is fated never to hav 3.1kReads9.4Score45214d adds
5. 5 红 The Red Lanterns Hang High: My Brother and I Returned Home 红灯笼高高挂我和哥哥回了家 Qiqi Spring祺祺春9k WordsCompleted With red lanterns hanging high, my brother and I returned home. 53Reads—Score—14d adds

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   This is a very good redemption story.

6. 6 神 Reborn as a Master Fortune-Teller: The Young Madam Just Wants to Take It Easy 神算重生：少夫人只想当咸鱼 Cheng Jingzhi程璟知Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Modern romance, imaginative fantasy, goofy comedy, sweet pampering] The powerful, ascetic young marshal of Shunyuan City has actually married a little beggar who claims to be a fortune-teller. Everyone says his wife is ugly. The young marshal looks at the ragged, bruised little beggar before him and says, "Enough chatter. You're ugly, you don't fight over things, you don't pick fights, and you can take a beating. You don't look very smart, either. Fine, that's good enough. I'll take you!" But o 945Reads9.2Score16414d adds
7. 7 明 The Moon Never Shone on Qinghuan: Married to a Disabled Young Marshal 明月何曾照清欢：嫁给残疾少帅 Ximen Chuahua西门吹花Modern Romance376k WordsCompleted After her mother’s sudden, unexplained death, her father brought home a stepmother, along with two young children in tow. Tired of her making a mess of the household, he washed his hands of her and sent her overseas for three years. When she returned, she was forced to take her older sister’s place and marry the rumored cold-blooded, ruthless young marshal of the Yi family. She heard that he had lost both legs in the war three years ago, becoming a cripple, and that it had affected him in that d 2.5kReads9.3Score51714d adds

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   📖①, In my opinion, this is the best-written Republican-era novel!! The male lead is a warlord, a local tyrant 👑👑. The female lead is the youngest daughter of one of his subordinates. To save her father and brothers, she marries the male lead in a contractual marriage, without any romantic feelings. However, their relationship blossoms during their time together 🧡🧡. The emotional development is very subtle; even though the male lead initially doesn't love her, he treats her with the respect she deserves. 📖②, The female lead is an unloved youngest daughter, forced by her father to marry a disabled young marshal. She had previously saved the young marshal, and their frequent interactions led to feelings developing 🧡. It turns out the young marshal is the male lead ✨.

8. 8 少 The Young Marshal Rules His Wife: Even If the Forced-Melon's Not Sweet, It Has to Be 少帅霸妻，强扭的瓜不甜也得甜 Chu Diandian初点点Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Traditional household intrigue + revenge on scoundrels + fictional Republic-era setting + coercive pursuit + reborn heroine] Young Marshal Jing Yuanzhao is captivated by Yan Xin’s striking beauty and wants to keep her in a private residence, even though she is already married. “Stay with me for three months, and I’ll give you all the luxury and wealth you want. Your husband’s career will take off, too.” Yan Xin slapped him across the face. After he went to every length to get her, he asked with 27.3kReads9.5Score3.4k14d adds
9. 9 军 The Warlord's Cherished Bride: Marshal, Come Here! 军阀权宠：大帅，你过来！ Fan Sheng梵升Modern Romance708k WordsCompleted [The short drama of the same name, The Marshal, Come Here, is now streaming] In the years of the Republic, war and chaos swept the land, and each warlord ruled his own territory. The day Su City fell, Qiao Wan was treated like a piece of cargo and offered to the new ruler of the three northwestern provinces. They said Ninth Master Ji was cold-blooded and ruthless, and that he had caused the deaths of three wives. He was a man cursed by fate. Ji Shiyan strolled out from beneath the hanging-flower 9kReads9.4Score94714d adds
10. 10 少 The Young Marshal Is Arrogant by Day, but Begs for Kisses at Night 少帅不可一世，夜里求着要亲亲 Duck Butt鸭子屁屁Modern Romance659k WordsCompleted [Warlord’s son and Green Gang heiress] [Proceed with caution: not a virgin heroine] The first time young marshal Shen Yuqing sees Song Huiyi, he wants her. He wants to be her man. He’s never lost in the game of love, and every woman likes him. If he wants a woman, he gets her. He asks if she has a man. She points a gun at him. He kisses her. She slaps him right back. Song Huiyi is the third young miss of the Green Gang, a woman of lofty status whom every powerful figure in Nancheng tries to cu 6.3kReads9.1Score63314d adds

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    These three books are definitely top-tier; each one is excellent in terms of both writing style and storyline.

11. 11 锦 The Splendid Lady Doctor 锦绣女娇医 Lu Xiaoce鹿小策Modern Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Someone's newly issued rules for being a good husband: Listen when your wife speaks. Follow your wife when she goes shopping. Back your wife up when she gets into a fight. Wait for her when she goes out. Be willing to spend money on her. Let her have her way. Soothe her when she's angry. The rules spark an outcry from men everywhere: The whole world already knows you're henpecked, but don't drag the rest of us into it! Life's impossible in this world! The person proudly trots over with a newspa 393Reads8.9Score10014d adds
12. 12 旧 Old Dreams of 1913 旧梦1913 Shen Yuzao沈鱼藻Modern Romance159k WordsCompleted [Republican-era tragic romance + a love lost to regret + loving someone you cannot have] Three years in the Republic, and not a single rainstorm came. A whole lifetime, and not once did I hear you say, “I love you.” A sweet, spirited heiress × a devoted, restrained military officer. We lost each other in a time of turmoil, and after that brief farewell, we never met again. Repairing the roof with thatch for you and listening to the rain beside your bed were nothing but an old dream that could ne 2.9kReads9.4Score59514d adds

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    There are also the peony illustrations in "Ah-Chih, Ah-Chih" and "The Rebellion of the City." If you're interested, you can buy physical copies to read them, but these aren't available on foreign websites. (The following recommendations are mostly published books that I've personally read and found to be of high quality.)

13. 13 挚 Dearest 挚欢 Eleven Bridges Here此间十一桥Modern Romance524k WordsCompleted Wen Ci spent seven years abroad studying medicine, determined to return home and build her career. She never expected to come back and be forced to get a marriage certificate first. Her husband, Fu Jinghuai, is the Second Young Marshal of the Governor’s Mansion. Handsome, and ruthless. On the day they register their marriage, the man warns her with a vicious glare: “Don’t think that signing those papers makes you my wife. If you dare cause trouble, I’ll be the first to shoot you.” Later, he says 11.4kReads9.0Score1.2k14d adds

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    If you're looking for well-written novels, this is for you! You won't regret reading it!!! The female lead goes abroad to study medicine and returns home. She's very clear-headed and ambitious. The male lead is a veteran, haha. He's the second son of the governor's mansion, a ruthless character. It's a story of arranged marriage followed by love (both leads are virgins).

14. 14 顶 Utterly Arrogant 顶级狂妄 Chu Diandian初点点Modern Romance380k WordsCompleted Xu Bai's family fell on hard times. Her fiancé flirted with a woman from a prominent family, yet refused to let her go. “Wait until we're married. I won't hold it against you.” Because of their engagement, Xu Bai endured humiliation and harassment. To protect herself, she got involved with her fiancé's uncle, a notorious rogue in Nancheng. The man was debauched, brutal, and ambitious. Xu Bai and he each got what they wanted, and together they managed to find their footing amid the turmoil. “Come 23.7kReads9.4Score2.9k14d adds

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    Books on Ming Dynasty medicine from the Republican era are a must-read.

15. 15 小 The Little Beauty Came Knocking, and Marshal Nie Keeps Her in His Arms and Spoils Her Every Day 小美人送上门，聂帅护怀里日日宠 Fan Sheng梵升Modern Romance674k WordsCompleted [Fictional Republic of China setting, reborn, extremely powerful male lead, heroine who dares to kill] [Thank you for coming, for staying, for your recognition and appreciation, and for your kind reviews and support.] Yu Yin wrongly hated a powerful man she couldn't afford to offend, and held a grudge against him for the rest of her life. She spent her life feeling guilty, doing everything she could to make amends to the devoted husband who had treated her with unwavering love. Only when she'd e 4kReads9.2Score39514d adds
16. 16 全 The Whole Family Keeps Holding Him Back, Making It So Hard for the Marshal to Win His Wife Back 全家都在拖后腿，大帅追妻太难了 Jin Sansheng金三升Modern Romance1.2M WordsCompleted The first major thing Ji Hongzhou did after taking over as commander was arrange a marriage alliance with the warlord Qin family. The two armies would form an alliance and join forces. Qin Yin’s marriage to Ji Hongzhou was a perfect match of man and woman, and of equal status. It should have been a happy ending for everyone. But six months into the marriage, Qin Yin was left alone in an empty bedroom, disliked by her mother-in-law and at odds with her husband’s family. When Commander Ji returned 4.5kReads8.8Score41914d adds

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    A romance novel set in the Republican era. The male protagonist, Ji Hongzhou, is a warlord whose first major act upon assuming power is to arrange a marriage with Qin Jun. The female protagonist, Qin Yin, is a warlord's daughter, clear-headed and independent. Six months into their marriage, Qin Yin lives alone, disliked by her mother-in-law and at odds with her husband's family, thus residing alone in a separate mansion. When Ji Hongzhou returns victorious from battle and discovers Qin Yin's situation, he doesn't blame her for being disrespectful to her mother but instead stands up for her. Upon returning from the war, the male protagonist falls for Qin Yin at first sight and dotes on her, eager to consummate their marriage. However, Qin Yin doesn't let his initial infatuation cloud her judgment; she remains clear-headed, and only through spending time together does she begin to trust him. This warlord protagonist isn't the type to make empty promises or act irresponsibly.

17. 17 唤 I Summon the Moonlight to Fill My Heart 唤起明月照满怀 Bener Tower奔儿楼Modern Romance215k WordsCompleted Amid the flames of World War II, the land lies shattered as the Japanese army runs rampant across northern China. Yet in Shanghai, besieged by Japanese forces, the foreign concessions controlled by Britain and France become isolated enclaves, where people still indulge in a life of luxury and revelry. To provide for her younger brother, an orphaned girl steps into the Paramount Ballroom, beginning a life full of twists and turns and a complicated love story. In this tragic era, the heroine spend 3Reads—Score—14d adds

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    Shanghai and Hong Kong during the War of Resistance against Japan. A new book I'm following.

18. 18 亦 Yizheng Sheng 亦筝笙 Wind Gathers, Snow Dances风凝雪舞Modern Romance402k WordsCompleted Who promised a young man the sweetness of love, leaving behind a memory etched into his heart? Who envied the beauty and the famous general, composing a song of joy and sorrow, of partings and reunions? War rages in the north. Smoke and flames engulf a troubled age. Who will hold whose hand and grow old together? And who will be whose one and only, for a lifetime? Yi Sheng: Dad always says that girls who love to smile are sure to have good luck someday. Turns out he 568Reads8.4Score10814d adds

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    Tomato🍅's favorite Republican-era novels, I've read 25, 7, and 8 twice already, I get completely hooked every time I read them🥺

19. 19 弱 The Golden Pavilion of Weak Waters 弱水金阁 Peach Milk Cap桃子奶盖Modern Romance234k WordsCompleted They grew up at the same time, but were never childhood sweethearts. Their families lived next door, yet they barely knew each other. Chen Jiayang and Sheng Shi'an were the closest strangers in the world. Then, eight years ago, an accident befell Chen Jiayang's family, severing even the tenuous bond of living next door. Their only connection was the engagement their elders had jokingly arranged for the two children. Eight years later, Sheng Shi'an followed in Chen Jiayang's footsteps. At such a 660Reads9.1Score6614d adds

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    It's not melodramatic or angsty; instead, it uses the backdrop of the era to highlight tender love, making it a very comfortable and heartwarming old-fashioned romance set in the Republican era.

20. 20 半 Half a Lifetime of Enduring, Half a Lifetime Beloved 半生隐忍半生卿 Ling Luyao泠璐瑶Ancient Romance304k WordsCompleted When Gu Yan was nine, his dying father entrusted him to his old classmate, Shen Dean. From then on, he lived under the same roof as the Shen family, growing up alongside their daughter, Shen Wan. She was the cherished daughter of the household, while he was the child of an old friend. An invisible wall separated their stations in life. Yet she had warmed him with porridge on cold nights, and he had shielded her from the rain that poured across the city. Love took root in their everyday closenes 230Reads8.2Score10314d adds

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    A masterpiece set in the Republican era, the poignant portrayal of unrequited love is incredibly moving. Two lovers are oppressed by traditional societal norms, facing one crisis after another, yet with tender, unseen protection. After countless trials and tribulations, they finally confront their feelings and spend the rest of their lives together. A truly worthwhile read!

21. 21 少 Young Marshal, Your Wife Has Run Away Again 少帅你老婆又跑了 Ming Yao明药Modern Romance5.4M WordsCompleted “My wife is a country girl. She doesn’t know anything about fashion, so don’t bully her!” the Young Marshal declared. The socialites and noble ladies whom the Young Marshal’s wife had completely overshadowed wanted to cry: Who was bullying whom, exactly? The Young Marshal added, “My wife is gentle and quiet. She doesn’t know anything about Chinese medicine or marksmanship!” The patients cured by his wife and the enemies she’d shot dead wondered: Young Marshal, are you blind? “My wife is tend 16.7kReads9.3Score2.3k14d adds
22. 22 她 She Tore Up the Hand She Was Dealt in Love 她把爱的烂牌撕了 Oumige Er Ju Wen欧米格儿剧文Ancient Romance173k WordsCompleted The fourteenth year of the Republic, a rainy night. The young marshal’s wife watches her husband carry his sworn sister into the bridal chamber. He gently reassures her, “Don’t be afraid. This is our home.” “Our home? I’m the outsider now.” She neither cries nor makes a scene. She does only three things… Within three days, every step is marked by blood, and she backs the young marshal into a corner. He signs the divorce papers in tears. Pregnant, she boards a ship south with a rising star. At se 59Reads9.2Score—14d adds

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    On a rainy night in the Republican era, the young mistress caught her husband carrying his adopted sister into their bridal chamber! She didn't cry or make a scene, but instead, she drew blood at every turn for three days, driving the young marshal to the brink of despair. With her pregnant belly, she gracefully left with the newly rich man!

23. 23 鲟 Sturgeon Returns to Ning'an 鲟洄宁安 Ren Enshuo任恩硕Modern Romance345k WordsOngoing A Republican-era tragic romance, a woman's coming-of-age story, and two male leads. A sharp-witted, falsely disguised shaman PKs a rebellious dragon who slays gods. A sudden heavenly fire destroys a city, and the revered Hu Xuan shaman is wrongly blamed and made a scapegoat. With a colossal lie, Ge Wangshu rides alone for a thousand miles to escort the orphan Eyun home. It seems like a sturgeon swimming upstream to return to its birthplace, but in truth, it's the start of a journey with no retu 183Reads—Score16614d adds

    Reader note

    The novel is well-written and features a strong sense of national pride and a tragic love story set in the Republican era.

24. 24 穆 Marshal Mu’s Mysterious Wife 穆少帅的神秘夫人 Skimming Over the Waves轻舟踏浪Modern Romance227k WordsCompleted Set in the Republican era, this is an alternate history with its own unique world. The plot revolves around three nations and their three warlord rulers in Jiangnan, Jiangzhong, and Jiangbei. The three great warlord families have guarded their respective territories for generations. The Mu family of Jiangzhong is the most powerful, and has long sought to annex Jiangnan and Jiangbei and unify the land. Between Mu Chengyu and Chen Jingshu, the gulf is more than a difference in status. It is also t 4.8kReads7.4Score24514d adds

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    This is a story about a powerful young warlord in the Republican era who forces his way into a marriage with a woman. The male lead is a powerful warlord, and the female lead is a beautiful merchant's daughter with a childhood sweetheart. She kindly saves the warlord, who falls instantly in love with her at first sight. He uses his power to force her to stay by his side. The female lead appears docile but is actually very independent and secretly plots to leave the warlord. Then her childhood sweetheart appears and tries to take her away, but the warlord sees through his plan and imprisons him. To save her sweetheart, the female lead agrees to "exchange her life for his" by bearing him a child.

25. 25 穿 Transmigrated to Republican-Era China: The Marshal Wants Me to Stop, but I'm Building a Career 穿越民国之大帅求放过我要搞事业 Mu Yizi Jun木易子君Modern Romance287k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + fictional Republican-era setting + no System + no pocket dimension + no golden finger + career-focused + ensemble cast] One-line blurb: A family's story of resisting the Japanese invasion and saving their country. Full blurb: After a car accident, modern girl Lin Yi transmigrates to the Republican era and becomes the youngest daughter of the second son of the Xiang family, a major Shanghai industrialist. Her uncle and father have seven children between them. The six ahead of he 3kReads9.1Score28114d adds

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    The author's writing is so delicate, it brought tears to my eyes so much, waaaaaah! [Crying][crying][crying][crying]

26. 26 贪 Honey Thief 贪蜜 Silent Words默默無文Modern Romance248k WordsCompleted An alternate Republican-era setting, faithful to each other, slow burn, simmering tension, mildly sweet, no angst, romance-focused. · A restrained, proper, celibate patriarch, and an honest, timid beauty. · As a bride brought in to bring good fortune, Ye Zhaodi hoped she'd get the chance to leave the Fu household and live a quiet, respectable life on her own. She never expected to catch the attention of a man who seemed so virtuous and gentlemanly. From then on, she could never leave this place. 6.1kReads9.2Score72114d adds

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    I had to pull out this one; it's good.

27. 27 大 The Heiress Is Sweet but Ruthless, and the Young Marshal Is Obsessed 大小姐甜切黑，少帅追疯了 Sweet Seventh Night甜七夜Modern Romance129k WordsOngoing A Republican-era romance! A Republican-era romance!! A Republican-era romance!!!! A Republican-era romance!!!! A Republican-era romance!!!!! 3Reads—Score46814d adds

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    This is the first time I've read this type of book, and it's absolutely fantastic! The first one, in particular, left the deepest impression. It's so good, I highly recommend it!

28. 28 东 Tales of the Northeast: The Child Bride 东北往事之童养媳 Author Jiang Bula作者姜不辣Modern Romance918k WordsCompleted At ten years old, Chun Ni was forced to become a child bride at the Jing family compound. There, she witnessed the tragic lives of the Jing family’s women with her own eyes... During a crisis in the Jing household, bandits captured her. The Long family’s fifth young master rescued her from the mountains, and from then on, she and Long Wu joined the fight against the Japanese... The two of them would be bound together for the rest of their lives. 13.4kReads9.3Score1.7k14d adds
29. 29 独 The Young Marshal’s Cherished Darling, Spoiled and Teased 独宠掌中娇，少帅轻点撩 Light Peach Blossoms轻薄桃花Modern Romance179k WordsCompleted The first thing Shen Junjun did after transmigrating was eat ten roast ducks. Raised in the countryside, her mother dead, nearly assassinated, and then jilted: the original owner sure had bad luck, Shen Junjun thought as she ate. She used to be a mukbang streamer with a huge appetite. When she transmigrated, the heroine’s mother had just died, and she was being bullied. Shen Junjun clung to the trousers of her savior, managing to keep her newly acquired life. How was a young woman like her suppo 1.9kReads9.4Score24414d adds
30. 30 塞 Beyond the Great Wall, Beyond the Great Wall 塞北塞北 Liu Xinyao刘心尧Modern Romance488k WordsCompleted This novel tells the story of the feuds between the Wei and Gu families across four generations and more than a century of history, vividly portraying the customs and culture of the lands north of the Great Wall. Through the tangled relationships between the Gu family’s men and the Wei family’s women, it explores people’s passionate pursuit of true love and their unyielding struggle against fate. It won the Dajia Bronze Award at the first Cross-Strait Online Original Literature Competition. 1.5kReads9.6Score25014d adds
31. 31 长 The Long Night Is Like the Stars 长夜如星 Nowhere to Escape无处可逃Modern Romance255k WordsCompleted A masterwork of Republican-era romance from the “Queen of Healing Songs,” Wu Chu Ke Tao. A steel-willed young marshal versus an innocent, lovable military doctor. Inspired by real people! Through the endless night, you are my one and only starlight! He is the marshal’s orphaned son, cast out and weathered by hardship. She is the cherished daughter of the scholarly Liao family. They first met as children. A tiny red mole made him remember her. When they met again amid the chaos of war, he was tar 727Reads9.4Score11014d adds
32. 32 溺 Drowning in the Wind 溺风 No Parking Spaces Left车位已满Modern Romance105k WordsCompleted [Eldest young madam Shen Yuan × overseas-trained doctor Ye Cimian] [Modern romance + premium fiction + emotional drama + possessive love + reunion after years apart + Republican era + childhood sweethearts + amnesia + period setting] [The man Ye Cimian loves has forgotten him and married someone else, but that person is a faithless scoundrel...] If not for that rainy night, Shen Yuan’s life would have gone on just as it always had. Inside the high-walled, locked-down Du residence, she could neve 554Reads9.3Score10614d adds
33. 33 北 Spring in Beiping 北平春 Lan Ze兰泽Modern Romance489k WordsCompleted She is a poor young woman with her heart set on someone else, while he is high above everyone and has never been moved by love. A chance encounter, and her smile steals his heart. She is both his blessing and his undoing. 4.9kReads8.6Score45014d adds

    Reader note

    Everyone says that nine out of ten love stories set in the Republican era end in tragedy, but I'm totally hooked! It's so good!

34. 34 佳 A Wife Like a Dream: Mr. Gu's Beloved 佳妻如梦：顾少的心尖宠 Lan Ze兰泽Modern Romance700k WordsCompleted He is the young marshal of Jiangnan, commanding mighty armies and renowned throughout the land. She is a gentle young woman from a poor family, with her heart already given to someone else. In a single night, she becomes his wife. The vast gulf between their stations means she is destined to tread carefully around him. But when her childhood sweetheart returns and the truth of the past comes to light, what choice will she make? 2.8kReads8.6Score25014d adds
35. 35 我 I Am the Paper Doll Offered as a Sacrifice 我是被献祭的纸人 Pale Yisu苍白一夙Modern Romance139k WordsOngoing [A Slow-Burning, Carefully Savored Story | Fated by the Era | Entangled Feuds | A Devastating Aftermath] In the twentieth year of the Republic, Meixi Town in Jiangnan suffers a hundred days of drought, leaving thousands of miles of barren land. To consolidate its power and reassure the people, the powerful Chen family revives a century-old evil sacrificial rite. Seven-year-old orphan Shen Yangzi is treated as a stand-in for the drought demon. Bound like a paper effigy, she is sunk into the deep —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A tragic romance novel set in the Republican era. It's incredibly realistic, with a heartbreakingly tragic female protagonist. Perfect for those who are easily moved to tears.

36. 36 人 The Righteous Path of the World Is One of Vicissitudes: Adrift Across the Four Seas 人间正道是沧桑之四海飘零 Xiao Shandi晓珊迪Ancient Romance1.6M WordsOngoing Meng Jia wakes up one day in the body of a young student from a century ago, who opposed an arranged marriage and starved herself to death. To keep escaping marriage, she follows her cousin to Guangzhou to study. By chance, she meets Chu Cai, a secretary in the principal's office at the Whampoa Military Academy. He is a shadow operative behind the KMT's Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, a powerful division chief who pulls the strings. Cold, calculating, obsessive, and willing to do 21.4kReads8.9Score2k14d adds

    Reader note

    It's a particularly good Republican-era novel, quite realistic, not a wish-fulfillment story, without any cheat codes or systems, and the themes of patriotism and family affection are well-written.

37. 37 情 Deep Love and Heavy Rain: I’ve Taken the Spy Chief 情深深雨蒙蒙之特务头子我收了 Xiao Shandi晓珊迪Female-Channel Fanfiction559k WordsCompleted The new book has just received its first rating, so the score will rise over time. This is a fanfiction crossover between the TV dramas The Right Way of the World and Romance in the Rain. It focuses on romance rather than politics, telling the sweet-and-sour love story of a secret service chief and a charming young lady. Yang Liren is the intelligence chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation's Shanghai office. Lu Mengping is the Lu family's youngest daughter, a spoiled, sharp-tongued girl wh 1.3kReads8.8Score10114d adds
38. 38 少 The Young Marshal Spoils Her Rotten: His Adorable, Sassy Fortune-Teller Wife 少帅宠上天：神棍夫人萌又飒 Osmanthus Fragrance for Ten Miles桂香十里Modern Romance519k WordsCompleted [Republican-era setting + metaphysics + episodic ghost hunting + sweet romance] [A sweet, adorable little medium who loves to sass people VS her husky-like Young Marshal] She transmigrated into the Republican era with her memories intact and opened her own feng shui shop, Wuyou Hall. To break the curse that she wouldn’t live past twenty-five, she must send evil spirits to rest and light up thirty-six Nether Pearls. She’s a master diviner with an uncanny knack for catching ghosts and warding off 895Reads9.2Score10514d adds
39. 39 云 Where the Clouds Rise Over the Ferry 云起津渡 Jing Xing Eunice景行EuniceModern Romance379k WordsCompleted The “past-life arc” following His South of the Clouds. The rating has only just come in and will keep rising. All my published books are rated above 9, so feel free to dive in. He is a ruthless Green Gang boss in Tianjin, a favorite of the Japanese. Those who fear him in the underworld respectfully call him “Master Jiu”; those who hate him curse him behind his back as a “traitor” and a “lackey.” Every step is fraught with danger and fear. He perseveres through bloodshed and painstakingly plots b 1.1kReads8.5Score19614d adds

    Reader note

    This one has to be it!!!

40. 40 雁 The Record of the Returning Geese 雁归记 Sloppy Meow潦草的喵Modern Romance386k WordsCompleted In a nation engulfed by war, a lone wild goose takes flight. Yin Yan, who once studied medicine to save lives, has become a ruthless woman warlord in these turbulent times. Zhao Xun, a powerful and iron-fisted young marshal, fell for her at first sight and cannot let go of his obsession. Love and hate pull them in opposite directions, their loyalties clash, and every step of their deep love through these troubled times is fraught with danger. When peace finally returns to the land, may the wild 6Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Amidst the chaos and turmoil of the Republican era, a young girl travels east to study but unexpectedly falls into the abyss of a gang. Eight years of hellish trials shed her gentle nature, transforming her into the cold-blooded Master Yan. Fortunately, she finds redemption through family love, returning to the right path, and encounters and falls in love with a passionate young man who has studied abroad. Amidst the chaos of war, love and hate intertwine; redemption and warmth emerge from the darkness—a story both heart-wrenching and healing, revealing the deep emotions and destiny of those living in turbulent times. This is my first book; I hope to receive support. Are there any authors willing to encourage each other?

41. 41 人 The World Passes Through Dawn and Dusk, While I Live Forever 人间朝暮我长生 He Seems to Want to Lose Weight他好像要减肥Modern Romance975k WordsCompleted I've lived for so long that I've forgotten the people and events of the past. All that's left is an ageless body, yearning day and night for a peaceful, eternal sleep. Is this a gift from Heaven, or the cruelest curse of all? I want to know the answer, even if the price is... eternal loneliness. 1kReads7.2Score10214d adds

    Reader note

    Emmm, the beginning is a bit bland, but it gets more and more addictive as you watch it [awkward laugh][awkward laugh]

42. 42 清 Crossing Qingping 清平渡 A Coffee Rabbit一只咖啡兔Modern Romance499k WordsCompleted She was like a rootless duckweed, drifting through a turbulent age, forced to use love as bait and offer herself before the throne of power. He commanded a powerful army and had a heart of ice. Young Commander Shen Yicheng thought it was nothing more than a transaction in which both sides got what they wanted. He had no idea what kind of clever, patient soul hid behind each distant “Young Commander.” Behind towering walls, undercurrents surged; the names of true and false relatives, the tangled 13.7kReads8.6Score1.4k14d adds

    Reader note

    The reviews were generally positive.

43. 43 偏 Can't Help Falling for You: When Shadows Fall in Love 偏偏喜欢你之暗影倾心时 Carving a Boat to Find a Meal刻舟求饭Female-Channel Fanfiction707k WordsCompleted Beneath Longcheng’s glittering surface, undercurrents churn. Military officers are dying one after another under mysterious circumstances, and suspicion hangs heavy in the air. Shen Wentao, a military academy prodigy renowned for his upright, stiff demeanor and lack of interest in women, is ordered to enter the heart of Longcheng’s most decadent whirlpool: the Forget Worry Dance Hall. His mission is to track down a mysterious killer codenamed “Eleven.” There, he meets Qingqing, the dance hall’s 126Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This writing is so delicate! It's really good. The male lead is the son of a military commander, a military academy elite who doesn't get close to women. The female lead is a top dancer at a nightclub on the surface, but she has another identity. The two meet during a murder case, and their initial tug-of-war and testing of each other is very engaging. Later, the male lead breaks his principles for the female lead, and the two are both strong and virgins.

44. 44 春 Blood of the Spring Champion 春魁血 Born Under a Lucky Star八字过硬Modern Romance810k WordsCompleted [Republican-era setting + gloomy warlord male lead + earth-mother-style assassin heroine] [Happy ending + dark humor + ensemble cast + everyone is a little crazy] [Business before romance + no good men or women + high-stakes warning] Long Chun was delighted when she married Han Ziyi. At last, she thought, she was no longer the unlucky assassin who made a living taking lives. With Han Ziyi’s army protecting her, she could pursue lucrative ventures without holding back and become a respectable bus 10.5kReads9.3Score1.5k14d adds

    Reader note

    My favorite Republican-era novel is Mo Bao's "Twelve Years, Old Friends' Play". It is full of love, hate and grudges of ordinary people in the grand macro history. It is especially worth reading. This book is the same. After reading it, I have a deeper understanding of that era and I am grateful to those people who fought for the country. They all put the country first. Such feelings in such a chaotic world are all the more precious.

45. 45 潇 Memories of Xiaoxiang: The Golden Branch Rises from the Ashes 潇湘忆之涅槃金枝 Zither Echoes Through the Secluded Bamboo Grove琴啸幽篁Modern Romance867k WordsCompleted [Late Qing to early Republic | Strong female lead seeks revenge | Family intrigue and political schemes | Completed] On a blood-red autumn night, the entire Qian family is slaughtered, and Luan Ci, the pampered second young lady, becomes a lone fugitive overnight. She escapes over a pile of corpses and takes refuge in the Ling residence, her sworn enemy's home, carefully plotting each step as she endures humiliation to survive. Everyone thinks she is a pawn they can manipulate, but none suspect 30Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Recommended! (*≧∪≦)👍🏻

46. 46 只 Only the Fragrance Remains: The Young Marshal's Wife Is Actually a Man 只有香如故【少帅竟有男夫人】 A Little Chilly Today今天有点寒Modern Romance161k WordsOngoing [No transmigration, no rebirth. The turbulent Republican era: the fate of the nation and the bonds of love, with a strong heroine and a hero who may or may not be] He was a celebrated opera star, but one mistaken love left him destitute and on the brink of death. She was the warlord’s legitimate daughter, radiant with glory, decisive and ruthless. In 1932, warlord Ai Cheng rules Jiangsu and Zhejiang. His two sons and one daughter are drawn into a struggle for power. Yet at a crucial moment, the 11Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The author of the second-ranked novel is still serializing it. It's a male-female story, but the female lead is stronger, while the male lead's strength is uncertain. [Laughing]

47. 47 岳 Young Marshal Yue's Beloved Miss 岳少帅的卿卿小姐 Three Spring Peaches三春桃Modern Romance1.5M WordsCompleted (The animated series is now available) A love story between a military governor's son and a general's daughter~ He dotes on his wife without restraint in this sweet romance. In the turbulent Republican era, when warlords battled for power, Qin Qing only wanted a peaceful life: to protect her family and hold on to the family fortune. Young Marshal Yue lived for pleasure. He was a notorious playboy who treated women like clothes, always seeking someone new and never returning to an old flame. At t 12.4kReads9.3Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    I highly recommend a novel called "A-Zhi A-Zhi" (Quark Can See Past Lives and Present Lives) (The underground Communist Party in Nanjing, Shandong during the Japanese invasion of China in the Republic of China). Xie Chi/He Pei. I'm crying in the middle of the night on this day, feeling the tragedy of that time and paying tribute to the revolutionary predecessors. The next book is also about the Republic of China.

48. 48 少 The Young Marshal Gets Jealous Every Day 2: The Madam Is Back at a Crime Scene 少帅每天都在吃醋2：夫人又去命案现场了 Bashun八寻Modern Romance1.9M WordsCompleted [Exclusive premiere, 24 hours ahead of other platforms] [Non-members can claim two chapters daily; members can read ahead up to the latest update] A female forensic doctor who transmigrates to the Republican era after dying unjustly, an ambitious and dashing director in the military police, and a shocking massacre that rocks Shuncheng all become entangled in an extraordinary case spanning twenty years. See how the forensic doctor navigates the power struggles of the wealthy elite and joins force 93Reads9.2Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    🌷First Book: A female forensic doctor who died unjustly and transmigrated to the Republic of China era, and a handsome and ambitious police chief. A shocking massacre of an entire family in Shuncheng leads to a twenty-year-old unsolved mystery. Watch as the female forensic doctor navigates the power struggles within a wealthy family, and how she teams up with the handsome police chief to solve numerous bizarre cases. Together, they are invincible!

49. 49 寻 In Search of Treasures 寻臻记 VIVIBEARModern Romance302k WordsCompleted In the early Republican era, an idealistic woman with a doctorate from overseas returns to China, only to encounter a forced wedding orchestrated by the military governor's residence. Against her will, she is dragged into a conspiracy that has been in the works for a long time. The governor's adopted son is cruel by nature and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. A seemingly amiable scion of a distinguished but declining family is also a wolf in sheep's clothing. Even her biological brothe 127Reads9.1Score1914d adds
50. 50 民 Sweet Romance in Republican-Era China: The Hard-to-Woo Fourth Miss Duan 民国甜宠：难哄的段四小姐 Mu Qingci木清词Modern Romance550k WordsOngoing [Fictional Republican-era setting + handsome hero and beautiful heroine + devoted one-on-one romance + happy ending + intense romantic tension + the hero’s long road to winning her back] He is a cold-faced warlord with a vast army at his command. Half a year ago, he survived an assassination attempt on a snowy day. One day, on a train, he catches sight of a pair of eyes strikingly similar to those of the female assassin. The woman is breathtakingly beautiful, with a slender waist, and she is 286Reads8.5Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Recommended romance novels set in the Republican era [Admiration]: This first Republican-era warlord romance novel is absolutely amazing! It's incredibly sweet, the male lead is fiercely protective and doting on his wife, every character is vividly portrayed, and the writing, character development, and plot are all top-notch! 🔥 He is a powerful figure in the military, political, and business worlds; she is a beautiful and wealthy heiress. So captivating!

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