Are There Any Palace- and Household-Intrigue Novels That Set the Gold Standard, the Kind You Can't Put Down? 🌸 有没有宫斗宅斗的天花板。让人看了流连忘返🌸

1. 301 别 Come On, Surely the Whole Family Didn't Transmigrate 别闹，不会真有全家穿越这种事吧 The Butterfly Doesn't Want To蝴蝶不愿意Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted The Xia family had been looking forward to their self-driving trip along the eastern coast for ages. They never expected a typhoon to sweep all four of them back a thousand years. When they opened their eyes, the people were still the same four, but... the era was completely different! Come on! How can a whole family transmigrate together? Even worse, as soon as they arrived, they found themselves facing poor harvests and one disaster after another. Fleeing? No way. They were just following the 16.6kReads9.2Score2.1kShelves
2. 302 逃 After Running Away from My Wedding, I Became the Ruler of the World 逃婚之后我成了天下共主 Round Immortal圆润仙Ancient Romance241k WordsOngoing [Destroy every injustice under heaven, then rise from bandit to empress] [The legendary life of Emperor Xuanwu, the Shizong of the Great Jing Dynasty] Born a bandit, Sang Zhen had only two goals in life: get a proper household registration and find a steady job. More than anyone, she wanted to turn over a new leaf. So she obediently followed her brother’s arrangements, preparing to marry into a powerful family and live the comfortable life of a wealthy lady. But who could have guessed that she’d 2Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Sang Zhen's life plan: marry a playboy, obtain a household registration, and seek stability. Reality: sold into prostitution, forced to join the army. Result: fought her way to the capital, became emperor, and incidentally gained access to a court full of elites.

3. 303 替 A Substitute Bride Becomes a Stepmother: The Marchioness Raises Her Children to Defy the Odds 替嫁当后娘，侯门主母养崽逆袭 Sweet Bean Paste Dumpling豆沙团团Ancient Romance495k WordsCompleted [Reborn + transmigration + substitute marriage + marquis household matriarch + stepmother raising children + household and palace intrigue + raising talented children + feel-good novel] Her legitimate elder sister is reborn and does everything she can to avoid marrying into the marquis household, which she says is a living hell. Sheng Mimi is a transmigrated illegitimate daughter, and she's ordered to take her sister's place and marry into that supposedly hellish household. The moment she arrive 13.5kReads9.1Score1.7kShelves
4. 304 青 Qingli Plays Chess 青璃弈 Gu Qing古情Ancient Romance726k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace intrigue + political scheming + comeback + historical romance] After transmigrating into the body of a marquis's illegitimate daughter, Gu Qingli had hoped to keep a low profile and become a champion at household scheming. But a terrible hand was dealt right as the princes began fighting for the throne, and an imperial edict forced her into Prince Yong's household as a secondary consort. The principal consort smiled with a knife hidden behind her back, the concubines 1Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The author's writing is superb, depicting palace intrigue and power struggles with effortless grace.

5. 305 逆 You Brat, Just You Wait! 逆子，你给我等着！ Yue Jiu玥九Ancient Romance629k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace intrigue and household drama + romance + comedy + devoted couples] After marrying into the family to bring good luck, Chi Yue accidentally offends a whole crowd of powerful nobles and breaks up one couple after another. The Chancellor: Chi Yue is a heartless little schemer! She dared to talk my wife into divorcing me. I’m going to tear her apart! The Grand Marshal: Chi Yue actually taught my wife to trick me out of my money. She’s planning to swindle me out of every last 6.3kReads9.0Score784Shelves
6. 306 九 Nine Layers of Spring Splendor Enshroud the Jade Hall 九重春色锁玉堂 Strange Guest in Brocade锦衣怪客Ancient Romance251k WordsOngoing One night, she wakes from a dream to find herself the most absurd footnote in the history books: Yang Qinglan, cousin to Yang Yuhuan. Beneath Chang'an's moon, deep within the Daming Palace, this should have been her cousin Yuhuan's fate: one performance of “The Rainbow Skirt” captivating the realm, and three thousand favors bestowed on one woman. Yet the imperial decree falls into her hands instead. Everyone says this is the Yang family's greatest glory. Only she knows the road ahead leads to an 3Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Despite being harassed by Consort Wu Hui, tested by the Emperor, and resented by the Crown Prince, she thrived wildly in the cracks of the deep palace! She doesn't vie for temporary favor, but only acts as the emperor's "confidante," subtly manipulating events with her words and laughter. Even the warm mist of the hot springs in Huaqing Palace becomes a cover for her schemes!

7. 307 女 After Faking Her Death in Disguise as a Man, She Starts Playing the Frail, Scheming Green Tea 女扮男装死后，她开始演柔弱绿茶 Ye Buhong叶不鸿Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The print edition of [Playing Coy] is available on all platforms. [The heroine is everyone’s beloved, with maximum “moonlight in the heart” appeal + doted on by all + universally adored + strong female lead] Qin Buwen disguised herself as a man and played the part of a treacherous official for sixteen years. At the height of her infamy, everyone in Chang’an, even the dogs, would go out of their way to avoid her. Then she was betrayed and abandoned by everyone. She leapt from a tall building, onl 37kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

   Reader note

   Highly recommended!

8. 308 仙 The Immortal's Appearance 仙人状 Shi Jin是今Martial Arts313k WordsCompleted [Historical romance + mystery solving + male lead with a secret identity + lovers who fight as fiercely as they love] A dazzling, outspoken heroine and a seemingly gentle but secretly ruthless physician, locked in a battle of equals as they fall in love! A celebrated romance author's popular historical mystery! A relationship between equals, full of tension; heart-stopping court intrigue; and the shocking truth behind bizarre murders! A celestial being appears in a dream to help solve a case and 16.2kReads9.6Score2.7kShelves
9. 309 侯 The Marquis's Estate Honors Class 侯府重点班 Passion Fruit百香果果Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted The print edition of The Marquis’s Elite Class is now available [adorable children + parenting + doting in-laws + lighthearted + healing] Xu Wan becomes a widow the moment she marries into the family. All she wants is to keep her head down and enjoy the freedom of being a marquis’s wife. But on the very day she arrives, her stepson, a notorious little menace throughout the capital, gives her two nasty surprises in a row. Xu Wan grabs a knife and charges out, making a name for herself across the 61.1kReads9.6Score8.7kShelves
10. 310 战 The God of War’s Beloved Is a Special Forces Soldier from Another World 战神的掌心娇竟是异世特种兵 Big Sister Ali阿狸姐姐Ancient Romance961k WordsCompleted The modern era’s top special forces soldier, “Night Phoenix,” dies on a mission. Her soul travels through time and she is reborn as Wei Shi, the infamous “spoiled and unruly princess” of Prince Jing’s manor in the Tianqi Kingdom. The moment she opens her eyes, she inherits the original owner’s painful memories of her past life: her father, Prince Jing, has rendered such great service that the emperor sees him as a threat. The incompetent and suspicious Emperor Jianwu joins forces with corrupt of 10.7kReads8.5Score1.5kShelves

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    From the perilous modern battlefield to the treacherous world of an ancient noble family, she remained calm and composed, applying all the skills of a special forces soldier—reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, emergency response, and strategic planning—to her daily life. Facing the intrigues and power struggles within the household and the treacherous court, she remained humble and methodical, carving a path to survival for herself and her family in this ruthless and cutthroat world.

11. 311 孕 My Husband Wants a Divorce While I'm Pregnant? Fine, Whatever You Want! 孕期夫君要和离？随你都随你！ Fu Bao芙宝Ancient Romance331k WordsCompleted Shu Yuwan is the youngest legitimate daughter in her family. Her parents and elder brothers have cherished her since childhood, and her mother carefully chose a distinguished young gentleman from the capital to be her husband. After their wedding, the couple may not have been inseparable, but they treated each other with mutual respect. But while she was pregnant, her husband claimed he had met an extraordinary woman who had left him awestruck. He wanted a divorce so he could marry her. Shu Yuwa 10.9kReads8.9Score1.4kShelves
12. 312 太 So What If He's the Crown Prince? I'll Gladly Take Him 太子又如何？本宫笑纳了 People Walk on Green Bones人行骨青Ancient Romance86k WordsOngoing [A two-faced palace maid who adapts to whoever holds power vs. a ruthless, no-good crown prince] In the eleventh year of the Shuo Ming era, Consort Shen led a young palace attendant named Wen Yao into Chenghe Palace, cold and desolate for many years. She taught her to study, observe etiquette, and write essays on statecraft. In the fifteenth year of Shuo Ming, Wen Yao stole her mistress’s jade token, climbed into the imperial bed, and spent the night in the emperor’s arms. Chenghe Palace was a —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    I highly recommend this dark historical romance! The romance is exceptionally well-written. The crown prince's unwavering persistence despite knowing it's impossible, and the female lead's continued attraction despite knowing there's no future—their testing and tug-of-war on the edge of taboo vividly portrays the helplessness and beauty of love within the palace.

13. 313 姣 Jiaojiao's Joyful Years 姣姣岁欢 Little Yuanbao元宝儿Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Jiang Suihuan marries Qin Huaijing, a royal relative whose family has fallen on hard times, bringing a generous dowry with her. On their wedding night, before they can consummate the marriage, he leaves her to fend for herself in the manor. Two years later, Qin Huaijing is selected by the court to become the Crown Prince of Great Jin. Jiang Suihuan thinks that her husband’s rise will make her Crown Princess. Instead, her husband returns victorious from the battlefield and tells her that a lowbor 9.3kReads8.9Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Jiang Suihuan married Qin Huaijing, a member of the fallen royal family, with a generous dowry. On their wedding night, before they even consummated their marriage, she was abandoned in the mansion to fend for herself. Two years later, Qin Huaijing was designated by the court as the Crown Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty, and Jiang Suihuan believed she would become the Crown Princess through her husband's influence. However, her victorious husband told her that a lowly merchant's daughter was unworthy to be his wife. He not only forced her to demote herself to a concubine but also compelled her to relinquish her position as the principal wife to a renowned female general on the battlefield. Fine! A letter of divorce sealed their fate, and they parted ways. Before leaving, Qin Huaijing cursed her, saying that the only end for the woman he abandoned was death. When they met again, Jiang Suihuan had become the daughter of a high-ranking official. She had been demoted to a concubine, and he had forced her to relinquish her position as the principal wife to a renowned female general on the battlefield. The Prince of Qi, Feng Xijue, second only to the Emperor in power, defied societal norms and publicly proposed marriage. He swore an oath to marry only Jiang Suihuan in this life, and to make her the most honored woman in the Great Jin Dynasty! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

14. 314 霓 A Rainbow of Silks Before the Palace Gate 霓裳惊阙 The Owner of Wood Machine Dog木机狗的主人Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing Political intrigue + romance + strong female lead This is a slow-burn story, an extremely slow burn!!! If you like fresh, lighthearted jianghu adventures, start with Volume One. If you like the twists and turns of court politics, start with Volume Two. If you like domineering emperor + haughty consort + substitute romance, start with Volume Three. If you like an unconventional succession struggle, start with Volume Four. Everything else is in Volume Five. The story takes place in a fictional Eas 66Reads8.2Score—Shelves
15. 315 弑 The King's Daughter's Fight for Survival! The Bastard Is the Real Powerhouse 弑君之女求生记！孽种才是真大腿 Wu Gungun吴滚滚Ancient Romance154k WordsOngoing Fu Chunqing transmigrates into the moment her father murders the emperor and is scared to death. She thought that having a dead husband, money, and power would make life absolutely delightful, but then she gets hit with three shocks in a row. First shock: Her father murders the emperor. Second shock: “When are you going to join him in the grave?” Third shock: The child in your womb might not be the “heir to the throne.” Anything that fails to kill me will come back to kill me in another way. Rou 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Fu Chunqing transmigrates into the body of an empress. Her husband has just died, and her own father is the murderer. She only wishes to live a peaceful and wealthy life, but the powerful prince refuses to let her go, trapping her in the deep palace, leaving her in a dilemma.

16. 316 重 Reborn to Fame in the Capital 重生归来，我名动京城 Claiming All the Beauty of March独占三月芳菲Ancient Romance274k WordsCompleted Mu Lanxi: In my past life, I loved you like a speck of dust, yet couldn't earn even a shred of tenderness from you. In the end, I died a miserable death in the freezing snow. Thankfully, Heaven took pity on me and let me live again. This time, I don't want to lose myself loving you. I'll take on villains, establish schools, pass the imperial exams, and become an official... At last, I'll live as my own person! Xie Wanzhou: In my past life, I was blind and foolish, and I hurt you. Only after you 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This one's good; the clear-headed female lead fights the villains, it's very satisfying.

17. 317 龙 The Thief on the Dragon Throne 龙榻贼女 Mei Xin Yan Zi莓心妍子Ancient Romance332k WordsCompleted “Choose one: the emperor’s bed or the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon.” A mischievous female thief accidentally stole something right off the “tyrant” himself... Good heavens! Is it too late to say I’m the Grand Preceptor’s youngest daughter? “Kneel. Hold out your hand, ” “Hey, hey, don’t tie me up!” “Who told you to play ‘The King of Qin Circling the Pillar’ with me?” “Do you know how runaway slaves are punished?” A “bet” with her group of friends led her to steal the jade pendant of an empero 1.7kReads7.0Score146Shelves

    Reader note

    I had no expectations, but I got hooked after reading it; the quality is absolutely amazing.

18. 318 御 The Imperial Physician’s Shocking Secret Diagnosis: I Foiled a Major Rebellion 御医惊天秘诊：我反手平定谋反大案 Rainbow Little Tiger彩虹小老虎Ancient Romance23k WordsCompleted The Imperial Physician's Astonishing Secret Diagnosis: I Turned Around and Foiled a Major Rebellion 19Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is amazing! There wasn't a single dull moment; the story is full of twists and turns, with one suspenseful moment after another. I was so on the edge of my seat! 😂

19. 319 谋 Scheming for the Phoenix: The Empire as a Game, You as My Pawn 谋凰：江山为局，卿为子 Mo Bai Long Miao墨白陇喵Ancient Romance281k WordsOngoing [Reborn + political intrigue + palace and household drama + the hero's desperate pursuit of his ex + strong female lead] In her previous life, Shen Yu, an illegitimate daughter in the household of the Vice Minister of Personnel, suffered a cruel fate and watched her closest family die. She helped the Third Prince, Xiao Jue, ascend the throne, only for him to end her life with a bowl of lethal poison. Reborn with all her bitterness intact, she returns to three years earlier, when her adoptive mot 2Reads6.6Score—Shelves

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    Framed by her elder sister, rejected by her biological father, and sentenced to death by a prince, the illegitimate daughter is reborn with two deadly weapons: the ability to forge maps of the previous dynasty and the memories of her past life that allow her to see through the political situation! From a pawn in the inner court to a strategist for the prince, her path of revenge is fraught with danger, yet each step is also full of promise!

20. 320 低 The Swallow Beneath the Eaves: The Spoiled Darling of a Young Lord 低檐燕：纨绔世子的掌心娇 Optimistic Sunflower乐天派向日葵Ancient Romance249k WordsCompleted [“Sweet on the outside, ruthless within” concubine-born daughter vs. “hopeless romantic” young lord] No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger, and both leads are faithful to each other Everyone knows that Lu Jingyun, the only son of the Marquis of Wucheng, is a born villain. He bullies men and takes liberties with women, and his reputation is so notorious that noble young ladies avoid him at all costs. Yet at Guanyin Temple, Lu Jingyun meets a kind-hearted Bodhisattva. She lowers her eyes 458Reads8.4Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    This book truly has me in its grasp; the story of a persistent man pursuing his wife only to encounter a cunning and ruthless woman is incredibly subversive and brilliant.

21. 321 林 Lin Shu’s Fifteenth Century 林殊的十五世纪 Just Writing Whatever随便写点什么Ancient Romance281k WordsCompleted [Woman disguises herself as a man + multiple male leads + semi-fictional medieval setting + Western romance + all leads are faithful + no System + saints with selfish motives + scoundrels with true hearts + soulmates + powerful characters make everything by hand] I write with all my brain in the gutter and none of it up in my head. If you’re okay with all of the above, come on in. A female-led romance with a strong everyone-loves-the-heroine vibe. Whatever else happens, I want everyone to love 62Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    With its unique subject matter, unconventional ideas, and dramatic plot twists, it's a very enjoyable watch.

22. 322 医 The Healing Hand Turns the Tide: From Firewood Maid to Power Behind the Throne 医手破局：从柴房丫鬟到权倾朝野 I Thought and Thought, and Missed You想来想去想你了Ancient Romance158k WordsOngoing (All kinds of foreshadowing, all kinds of pieces on the board) Yan Lin, a modern medical student, transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking maid in a prince’s household. From the start, she’s locked in a woodshed and nearly dies, but saves herself with her medical knowledge. She then uses emergency treatment to save the cold-faced Prince Xiao Jue, drawing her into a maelstrom of political intrigue. She wields medicine like a blade to expose a poisoning conspiracy, and uses her wits as a shiel —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist possesses medical skills and is also the most intelligent character in the book.💕 She transmigrates into the body of a maid in the woodshed of a royal palace. On the verge of death, a modern medical student uses her medical skills to save herself and the cold-faced prince. From then on, she becomes involved in power struggles, using medicine as her weapon and intelligence as her edge to reverse her fate and change the era.

23. 323 重 Reborn, I Married My Playboy Brother-in-Law 重生后我嫁给了纨绔兄长 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹Ancient Romance24k WordsCompleted Reborn, I Married My Good-for-Nothing Brother-in-Law 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A brain-teasing, short story.

24. 324 嫁 I Married My Nemesis's Sickly Older Brother 嫁给了死对头的病秧子兄长 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹Ancient Romance35k WordsCompleted She Married the Sickly Older Brother of Her Archenemy 2Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 325 妖 The Enchanting Demon Minister: Your Majesty, Please Behave 妖臣撩人：皇上请您自重 Fu Yu芙鱼Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Woman disguised as a man] In her previous life, she suffered at the hands of a scumbag, watched her whole family drown in blood, and was literally angered to death. Reborn into this life as the capital's number-one wastrel, she sees all of Chang'an's splendor in a single day. Let the scumbags and shameless women come at her. If she can't make them cry, she loses. Her wicked stepmother and slutty stepsister? They can go find somewhere else to bother people. Fame, fortune, and a crowd of princes 2.5kReads9.0Score319Shelves
26. 326 朱 Ashes Behind Vermilion Walls: No Way Back to the Palace 朱墙烬：宫阙无归期 Wen Yanshu文砚书Ancient Romance24k WordsCompleted Ashes Behind Vermilion Walls: No Return to the Palace —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Can you take a look at mine? I'm a newbie and I wrote a short story.

27. 327 阎 The King of Hell's Agent Takes It Easy in the Cold Palace 阎王特工在冷宫摆烂 Offline Romance离线风月Ancient Romance273k WordsOngoing Palace intrigue + transmigration + lighthearted + strong heroine + secret identity + satisfying read + sweet romance Shen Yuan transmigrated into the body of a disgraced consort banished to the Cold Palace and thought: Could there be any better luck? A top agent in her previous life and an abandoned consort in the Cold Palace in this one, Shen Yuan thought this was the most comfortable assignment she'd had in either life. A private room with meals and lodging included, zero socializing, zero dut 963Reads—Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    She was delighted by the political intrigue and palace drama. She couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Hahaha... That's great!" Her laughter startled several crows. "Permanent position, room and board included, zero social interaction, zero tasks..." She lowered her hand, her eyes brimming with undisguised elation, and muttered to herself, "I... Got promoted?"

28. 328 我 I’ll Ruin Everyone Equally 我要平等地创废所有人 Bash Through the Southern Wall撞破南大墙Ancient Romance261k WordsCompleted [Angst] + [Suffering first, then sweet revenge] + [Character growth] + [No romance] Shen Yunzhi has lived in the Shen household for fifteen years. Being the eldest legitimate daughter is her only claim to dignity, yet it is utterly useless. Her father treats her coldly, her birth mother bleeds her dry, and her father’s concubines hide knives behind their gentle smiles. She endures hunger and cold in a leaky side room, saving a few coins stitch by stitch, hoping she can marry once she comes of ag 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This ancient Chinese romance novel, a coming-of-age story filled with heart-wrenching moments, begins with the protagonist, a legitimate daughter, facing hardship and destitution after her family's decline. She struggles to survive by doing handicrafts, while also enduring her birth mother's indifference and exploitation.

29. 329 不 No Eavesdropping on the Emperor 不许偷听朕说话 Yin Zaishui尹在水Ancient Romance925k WordsCompleted An Jiu transmigrated into the body of a young palace maid who wanted to climb into the emperor’s bed. The moment she opened her eyes, the tyrant ran his sword straight through the maid who had tried to seduce him. The next day, the tyrant killed a senior maid who served one of the consorts. On the third day, a maid who tasted the emperor’s food died from poison. Being a palace maid was a high-risk job. An Jiu decided to work hard, save up, cherish her life, and stay away from the tyrant. But the 78.7kReads9.4Score13kShelves

    Reader note

    These!!! 🤭🤭🤭🤭

30. 330 新 On Our Wedding Night, the Wrong Sedan Brought Me to the Right Groom 新婚夜！抬错花轿，嫁对郎 Er Lulu二鹿鹿Ancient Romance273k WordsCompleted [Sister-Centered Girl + Sisters Who Never Compete for Men + Beloved by Everyone] On the eve of her wedding, Wen Yao had a terrible dream. Beautiful and delicate, she married up into a prince's household, becoming one half of a useless, lazy pair with the playboy heir. Not long afterward, the Wen family was framed and executed. She died in the household intrigues, while her older sister, who had married down into a weak family with no power to avenge them, died with regrets. When she woke, her si 3.3kReads8.1Score390Shelves

    Reader note

    The elder sister is in charge of building the business (overthrowing the royal palace and ancestral hall), while the younger sister is in charge of attracting men (winning over a future powerful minister). The sisters are swapping spouses, each with their own strengths. Are the scumbags ready for a devastating blow?

31. 331 前 Dismembered by Five Horses in My Past Life, Reborn and Out for Blood 前世被五马分尸，重生后她杀疯了 Xiaoxiao Qi筱筱柒Ancient Romance512k WordsCompleted [Rebirth, revenge, medicine and poison, spatial powers, light fantasy] Bai Ruoxi is a mysterious maiden who has spent a thousand lonely years in the Ninth Heaven. She is a master of both medicine and poison. By chance, she glimpses the secrets of heaven and sees that in her previous life, she was brutally torn apart by five horses. When the old man of the Heavenly Dao catches her, he kicks her straight down to the mortal world. She dusts off her clothes. After a thousand years of loneliness, sin 1.3kReads8.9Score184Shelves
32. 332 娘 Will Her Majesty Become the Empress Dowager Today? 娘娘今天当上太后了嘛 Seasonal Persimmon时令柿子Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + heroine born into the womb + transmigrated supporting actress + reborn supporting actress + black lotus + everyone is smart] Shen Guiyi had planned to lie flat and enjoy a comfortable life, but every eligible young nobleman in the capital had a house full of wives and concubines. Since she couldn't escape the struggle, she decided to enter the palace as a candidate for the imperial harem. She would climb the ranks step by step. If she had to fight, she'd fight for the very bes 1.7kReads8.4Score221Shelves

    Reader note

    Trust me, sisters, this book is absolutely amazing! It's the pinnacle of palace intrigue where everyone's brains clash! The female lead, reborn, storms into the harem, the empress holds twins, and a reborn female supporting character harbors murderous intentions. Forget about the white moonlight and the black lotus; the female lead either doesn't fight for power or she fights for the top!

33. 333 和 On the Day of Her Divorce, the Tragic Heroine Turned Around and Married the Tyrant 和离当天，虐文女主转身嫁暴君 Mu Xiaoyue木小玥Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama is now online: [A laid-back, lie-flat, black-hearted legitimate daughter X a crazed, gloomy, pure-hearted tyrant] [The other man wins her over] [Original title: The Day We Divorced, the Tragic Novel's Heroine Turned Around and Married the Tyrant] At the royal autumn hunt, Song Yaozhi argues with the woman her husband brought back from the borderlands. Song Yaozhi scolds her, saying she's nothing but a concubine. Just then, her husband, Xiao Ziqian, kicks the door open and points 41.4kReads9.1Score4.5kShelves
34. 334 新 On Our Wedding Night, My Substitute Bride Doctor Pulled a Bomb from Her Bodice 新婚夜，替嫁医妃从怀里掏出一枚炸弹 Feng Yi枫怡Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Murong Wan, a top physician of the twenty-first century, transmigrates and finds herself with a father who doesn't care for her and a stepmother who doesn't love her. The emperor thinks she's stupid and ugly, so he grants her a blind prince instead, calling them “a match made in heaven”! But with a mysterious pocket dimension at her disposal, the world is hers! He thinks she's stupid? No matter. One day, she'll have him wrapped around her little finger. He thinks she's ugly? No worries. One day, 1.5kReads9.0Score178Shelves

    Reader note

    It was so-so at first, but after reading a few more chapters, I decided to keep reading.

35. 335 起 Raising a Tower 起高楼 Ze Shi则时Ancient Romance125k WordsOngoing An imperial decree grants Xiang Xingyi the title of First Prince’s Consort. Though she is a princess consort of lofty status, Xiang Xingyi knows that she and the Xiang family are nothing but pieces in the struggle between the emperor and his powerful ministers. Yet her grandfather died in bitter hatred after being persecuted by the Zhongkang Duke’s clan, and the injustice still fills her with rage. She would gladly brave fire and sword if it meant bringing down the Pang clan, the Zhongkang Duke’ —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is quite good; it's especially cinematic, perhaps because of a good script.

36. 336 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 87kReads9.5Score9.8kShelves
37. 337 凤 The Phoenix Returns to Court: Healing the Great Zhou Dynasty 凤还朝医定大周 Cen Yin岑洇Ancient Romance158k WordsCompleted After transmigrating, Lin Wei finds herself in the war-torn chaos of the Five Dynasties period. As a female physician, she enters the palace and crosses paths with Chai Rong, the great ruler known to history as Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou. Chai Rong governs with diligence and devotes himself to unifying the land. He once declared his grand ambition: “Ten years to expand the realm, ten years to nourish the people, and ten years to bring lasting peace.” Sadly, fate had other plans. He died of il 3Reads7.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is incredibly good; everyone in the cast is intelligent. Sisters looking for something to read, don't miss it!

38. 338 殿 Your Highness, I Just Want to Slack Off 殿下，微臣只想摸鱼 Mengxi Sifan梦溪思凡Ancient Romance662k WordsOngoing A modern musical prodigy opens her eyes to find she’s become the daughter of a surrendered minister in the Southern Yue kingdom. She joins the Northern Lin Dynasty’s Bureau of Music, hoping to coast on her knowledge of music theory, collect her salary, and live a peaceful life. But every step within the palace walls is a trap, and she’s soon swept into a whirlpool of political intrigue! The Crown Prince’s faction gives her a hard time and lays traps for her; Regent Xiao Jue is a mystery; the ba —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm going crazy with a reading slump! Avoiding all the palace intrigue and domestic drama tropes, this ancient romance novel featuring a powerful ruler and his minister, and a desperate attempt to break free from defilement, is absolutely heart-wrenching! His Highness Xiao Jue fights to the death on the city walls, his armor soaked in blood, while the entire court is frantic with worry. But then, the humble minister Shen Qianyin, who's most eager to slack off, opens her eyes and unleashes a powerful attack—a pillar of azure light shoots to the heavens, instantly turning filthy tentacles into charcoal, even purifying the fiery monsters until they scream in agony! She just wants to relax, but His Highness spoils her like a "guardian of the kingdom." They bicker and fight side-by-side, packed with thrilling scenes, hilarious and addictive—why isn't anyone recommending this?!

39. 339 克 After My Husband's Death: I Set My Sights on the Marquis's Youngest Brother 克死丈夫后：对侯府小叔子下手了 Crimson Songbird绯色鸣雀Ancient Romance119k WordsOngoing On the night the Jing'an Marquis's household held a wedding to bring good fortune, the heir coughed up blood and died. The new bride, Shu Yixiao, was thrown into the woodshed by the Marchioness, who gave her seven days before she was to be buried alive with her dead husband. Dragging her injured body, she escaped her cage. At the last possible moment, she ran into Wen Jin, the household's second young master, a notorious playboy in the capital, a despised illegitimate son and good-for-nothing. B 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A palace intrigue story with brilliant logical thinking; both the male and female leads are adept at infiltration, and the female lead is particularly cunning and manipulative.

40. 340 疯 The Mad Commandery Princess Watches Four Maniacs Chase Her Half Sister 疯郡主笑看四只癲批踩着她追庶妹 Eighty Degrees八十度Ancient Romance124k WordsCompleted [Wildly unhinged, funny, and lighthearted. Other heroines have poems; this heroine has unhinged quotes. A lively ensemble cast and plenty of food. Mid-story, construction and development take center stage, with a little farming on the side.] In this vast sea of people, meeting some folks feels like karmic retribution! The farming princess everyone looks down on is actually the eldest daughter of the capital's richest family. After a great fire three years ago, she woke up with a new soul. When s 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is truly captivating! [OK] 🥰 The more you read, the more addictive it becomes. The female protagonist, Hua Zhichu, transmigrates into the body of a wealthy heiress. Due to a fire, she undergoes a heart transplant and is left to farm in the countryside. She is summoned back by the emperor and granted the privilege of choosing a prince as her husband. However, the crown prince, the third prince, and the fourth prince all express their disdain and harsh words, while only the eldest prince, the Prince of Zhennan, proposes marriage... But! The key point is that these four "crazy" men are all in love with the female protagonist's half-sister, and their desire to marry her is merely a scheme to "step on her to pursue her half-sister"! Watch the female protagonist go from being confused to realizing the truth, subverting expectations and exposing their ulterior motives. Her sharp wit and witty comebacks are superb ("Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror and see if you are as lovable as gold?"). Amidst the chaotic love triangle, there's farming, infrastructure development, and everyday delicious food. It's crazy yet lighthearted. Those who enjoy unconventional ancient romance novels and chaotic love triangles shouldn't miss this! [You should savor it!]

41. 341 得 If Justice Won't Be Served, I'll Find It Myself 得不到的公道那便自己寻 Liu Qian六乾Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted If no one will give you justice, go find it yourself. —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This one is good too; the female lead is a sorceress.

42. 342 我 I Went on a Rampage in the Imperial Harem Using My Medical Skills 我靠医术在后宫杀疯了 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹43k WordsCompleted I Take the Harem by Storm with My Medical Skills —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A truly satisfying story of slapping faces.

43. 343 穿 I Became a Discarded Consort, and the Empress Dowager Rescued Me 穿成废妃，我被太后捞走了 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹Ancient Romance46k WordsCompleted Transmigrated into a Disgraced Consort, I Was Rescued by the Empress Dowager —Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 344 高 The Highborn Matriarch Drops the Act 高门主母她不装了 The Crab from the Conrad Family康拉德家的螃蟹Ancient Romance32k WordsCompleted The Matriarch of a Powerful Family Has Dropped the Act 2Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 345 穿 Reborn as a General's Legitimate Daughter, I Slay with the Voices of Objects 穿成将门嫡女，靠器物心声杀疯了 Qing Jiu x卿九xAncient Romance248k WordsOngoing Su Yanqing can hear objects speak. Not prophecies, but memories: objects remember everything they've witnessed. The jade pendant her mother left behind says that there was more to the incident back then. Beside her brother's letter, there's a wax seal that has been broken and resealed. The capital's noble families are all waiting to see the legitimate daughter of a military house make a fool of herself. Only she knows: Behind every compliment lies a blade, and behind every "coincidence," someone —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Su Yanqing, who transmigrated into the book, possesses a special ability: she can hear the memories of objects. Beneath the flattery of the entire capital lies a blade, and every coincidence is a carefully orchestrated scheme. She calmly gathers clues, sets up her game, and waits for her opponent to enter the fray.

46. 346 开 From the Start, I Sent My Boss to Be Castrated and Became the Qing Dynasty’s CEO 开局送老板去净身我成大清CEO Mr. GG先森Ancient Romance151k WordsOngoing [Transmigration] [Comeback] [Political Intrigue] [Strong Female Lead] [History] Ye Hua, a modern history graduate stuck in a dead-end job, transmigrates into the Qing Dynasty during the Xianfeng Emperor’s reign as Noble Lady Lan, later known as Empress Dowager Cixi. She thinks she’ll have to struggle to survive in a palace-intrigue drama, then turns around and discovers that Li Bo, the sharp-tongued, exploitative boss who used to make her work overtime every day, has transmigrated too! But he’s 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A history major, a working-class woman, is reborn as Consort Lan, only to encounter her former boss, who was supposed to be castrated and enter the palace, right from the start. Superior and subordinate in their past lives, partners in the inner palace in this one. One wields the historical script and rules from behind the curtain, while the other transforms into a powerful eunuch, manipulating capital, violently reorganizing the Qing Dynasty, and confronting foreign powers head-on, thus rewriting modern history to a completely new ending!

47. 347 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter Is Reborn: Uncle, You Spoil Me to Death! 嫡女重生：皇叔，你宠死我算了！ Yuan Ai Sheng袁爱生Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Reborn + Strong heroine and hero + Satisfying romance with lots of sweetness] In her previous life, Gu Yuechao was framed by her scumbag husband and his mistress. She watched her son torn apart by chariots, her family executed, and her personal maid mutilated into a human stump. She was reduced to living like an animal, eating alongside pigs and dogs, and wishing she were dead. But her scumbag husband’s uncle defied public condemnation and an imperial edict to take her in, a woman whose reputat 3.4kReads9.0Score664Shelves
48. 348 谈 Explosives Under the Negotiation Table: The Young Lady Storms the Imperial Court 谈判桌下埋火药，大小姐入朝杀疯 Yu Fu余弗Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The heroine’s creed: Power and money are what let a woman live freely and boldly!] [Strong heroine + satisfying story + vying for the finest men in the realm] Jiang Yu thought she’d be content with a modestly comfortable life. But when she turned eighteen, one ridiculous twist after another came her way. First, the husband she had supported with her own money for years passed the imperial exams at the top of his class, then demanded a divorce so he could marry a noblewoman. Then the Duke’s mans 37.9kReads9.2Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The famous young lady who planted explosives under the negotiating table

49. 349 等 Wait, What Do You Mean the Homeroom Teacher Transmigrated into the Empress? 等等，什么叫班主任穿成了女帝？ Locust and Sweet Potato蚂蚱红薯Ancient Romance242k WordsCompleted [A no-nonsense girl-emperor with a tough teacher streak x a shrewd, smooth-talking imperial uncle + no System] [Two powerful leads + forbidden tension + constant twists + a stellar ensemble cast + court intrigue] Empress from the start? Her elder brother dies of illness, her father passes away, and she’s practically handed the throne! Not a single official at court truly accepts her? No problem. In her previous life, she was head teacher of an honors class! She puts her classroom management skil 81Reads—Score108Shelves

    Reader note

    Warning: Unusual character setups ahead! A female empress who tames troublemakers versus a shrewd and charlatan imperial uncle who stole the job from the Imperial Observatory. The court officials are dissatisfied? They're simply transformed into obedient children! This power reversal is so satisfying!

50. 350 我 After I Rebelled, the Emperor Fainted on His Dragon Throne 我造反后，皇帝哭晕在龙椅 Qiqi JiuW9琪琪九W9Ancient Romance14k WordsCompleted After I Rebelled, the Emperor Cried Himself Unconscious on the Dragon Throne 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is great!

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