Are There Any Similar Stories With Palace Intrigue, Child-Rearing, and Rational, Clear-Headed Leads? 有没有类似的书，宫斗，养娃，男主女主理智清醒

1. 1 皇 The Empress Leaped to Her Death, and the Mad Tyrant Wept Until His Eyes Were Red 皇后纵身一跃，疯批暴君哭红了眼 Huang Dandan黄蛋蛋Ancient Romance635k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, devoted couple + palace intrigue + regretful pursuit, clear-headed heroine, everyone's unattainable ideal] Meng Tang is a gracious, gentle empress who never competes for favor. Everyone thinks she is a true white lotus standing tall in the harem, and even the tyrant believes it. He takes a new concubine, and she smiles, congratulates him, and arranges for the newcomer to spend the night with him. He sends her restorative medicine, and she obediently takes it, knowing full we 21.5kReads9.3Score2kShelves

   Reader note

   Having read many palace intrigue novels, this one is definitely top-tier. The female lead is incredibly intelligent, and she's a time traveler who does everything to return to her original world, never wavering in her affections throughout.

2. 2 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 24.6kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves

   Reader note

   This one is the best: the female protagonist in this palace intrigue is clear-headed and doesn't love anyone, while her youngest son is clever and knows how to avoid conflict.

3. 3 死 After Faking My Death, the Male Lead I Raised Turned Dark 死遁后，亲手养大的男主黑化了 Wilderness Siren荒野塞壬Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (Sweet romance + devoted couple + healing + light political scheming + a touch of possessive romance + serious tone + two heroines) After a car accident, Wen Zhiyu transmigrates into a book. To get home, she accepts a mission: raise Xiao Ji, a future powerful minister who is currently a little beggar fighting wild dogs for scraps. Wen Zhiyu raises Xiao Ji with great care until he grows into a refined and elegant young man. Once he places first in the imperial exam and reunites with his birth fam 11.2kReads8.8Score1.2kShelves

   Reader note

   It's a very good watch; the once virtuous and upright male lead turns evil.

4. 4 小 Listening to Spring Rain All Night in a Small Tower 小楼一夜听春雨 Bright Moon Tilts明月倾Ancient Romance876k WordsCompleted A critically acclaimed historical romance ensemble that topped the annual charts! A calculating, lovesick beauty versus a dark, scheming top scholar! A historical take on Pride and Prejudice: life in the inner household isn't all scheming and rivalry, but also deep sisterly affection. The clever and capable Second Madam Lou takes the greatest pride in her life in having three beautiful daughters. To marry her three marriageable girls into “good” families, she travels a great distance to the capi 35.4kReads9.6Score5.8kShelves

   Reader note

   Worth staying up all night to read, this is a collection of books I've read over the years, and a 10/10 is no exaggeration. Every single one is a masterpiece.

5. 5 针 Honey on a Needle’s Point (Xin Yiwu’s Latest Contemporary Romance) 针尖蜜（辛夷坞最新现言） Xin Yiwu辛夷坞Modern Romance451k WordsCompleted The first time Chen Xi saw Wei Jia, she saw blue skies, white clouds, green grass, wildflowers, a gentle breeze, and a young man on horseback, straight and slender as a white poplar. Later, according to Wei Jia, all he could remember was the blazing sun, the scorching heat, horse manure, feed costs, a drunken companion causing trouble, and an annoying off-road vehicle rumbling past, kicking up dust that covered him from head to toe. Seventeen-year-old Chen Xi and Sun Jianchuan were inside. Love 1.2kReads9.6Score281Shelves
6. 6 他 He Is in the South of the Clouds 他在云之南 Jing Xing景行Modern Romance209k WordsCompleted When they first met, he was shrouded in shadow, reeking of blood and violence. He asked her, “Who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here?” It was a long time before she thought of the true answer: “I'm Shen Xun. I came from the far north to the south of the clouds, to meet the love of my life.” He was her Morpheus, giving her a poppy-like dream of love, bewitching and intoxicating. He captured her soul, clouded her mind, and made her addicted. Like a pawn crossing a river, she went 25.2kReads9.7Score4.8kShelves
7. 7 宜 A Good Match for Marriage 宜嫁宜娶 Wawa Is Not a Cabbage Heart娃娃不是菜心Modern Romance645k WordsCompleted Welcome, drama fans! Two storylines: [son of a bureau chief x daughter of a deputy director] & [high-ranking official’s family x heiress] Ji Yunjia found Song Jiming holding her camisole, looking puzzled. “How is this so padded when you haven’t even put it on?” His gaze drifted to her chest. It wasn’t big, but it didn’t look small either. He chuckled. “Ms. Ji, you’ve got quite a lot of padding there.” Ji Yunjia’s face burned. She hurriedly snatched it from him. “What do you know?” She was wearin 22kReads9.0Score1.8kShelves
8. 8 摘 Plucking Stars 摘星 Lin Di'er林笛儿Modern Romance769k WordsCompleted [Marriage First, Love Later + Sweet Military Romance + Love Grows Over Time + The Pinnacle of Powerful-Family Fiction] [Steady, brilliant young major general × National Defense University's genius hacker] He is a young major general: steady, learned, and imposing. She is a naive newcomer to society, fresh out of school: impulsive, loyal, and optimistic. An accident ruins his reputation and leaves him disgraced, branding him a heartless man condemned by everyone. She becomes the infamous other wo 20.9kReads9.6Score2.7kShelves
9. 9 温 Mr. Wen, Happy Married Life 温先生，婚后愉快 Tong Xiang桐香Modern Romance384k WordsCompleted [Long-planned romance + secret crush + slow-burn love + sweet pampering + both devoted to each other + no angst + age gap of about five years] [Not a strong female lead] [Short drama: As Tender as Before, now streaming] * [Gentle, elegant Jiangnan beauty & reserved, composed business tycoon] Rong Yan had lived with her maternal grandfather since childhood. When she heard that he had found her a match, she assumed it would be the second son of the Wen family, Wen, who was also a doctor. She had n 11.8kReads9.3Score1.5kShelves
10. 10 京 Full Moon Over Beijing 京夜月圆 Golden Banana金蕉子Modern Romance334k WordsCompleted [Good Girl x Bad Man] [Pseudo-Forced Romance, Reforming Playboy, Reconciliation, One-on-One Romance, Faithful to One Another, Happy Ending] Zhou Yuan is a good girl: obedient, sensible, and good at school. Her boyfriend gradually grows tired of her and complains to the woman he's cheating with: “She's too conservative. She's no fun at all.” After discovering her boyfriend's affair, Zhou Yuan gets into the car of her pursuer, Pei Ye, tears in her eyes. What kind of man is Pei Ye? His reputation i 8.7kReads9.2Score784Shelves
11. 11 玫 Rose Seduction 玫瑰诱宠 Golden Banana金蕉子Modern Romance371k WordsCompleted [Beijing's Rich Heir x Female Painter] [Mutual Flirting + Intense Push and Pull + Both Pure] Shen Ying's father died when she was young. When she was ten, her mother remarried into one of Beijing's most powerful families. Resentful toward her mother, Shen Ying didn't contact her for nearly ten years, much less set foot in that wealthy household. Then she got into a university in Beijing. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect that an ordinary car ride would bring her face-to-face with the “o 2kReads9.2Score280Shelves
12. 12 以 I Offer My Devotion to the Passing Years 以我深情祭岁月 Er Qiao二乔Modern Romance324k WordsCompleted [The physical book with the same title is now available] “I hesitated once. I turned back to face the slightest glimmer of hope, yet no one cared.” “Later, a thick fog rolled in. You said you loved me so much, but why was your love thinner than the fog, so faint I could barely see it?” Shen Nian 74.8kReads9.4Score6.8kShelves
13. 13 向 Born to Follow the Sun 向阳而生 Li Xiangxiang李想想Urban1.0M WordsCompleted [A new book from a veteran author] [Daily life] [Romance] [A little heartbreak, then overwhelmingly sweet] He Zhicheng gave his son He Shu a perfect demonstration of what a scumbag looked like, leaving He Shu terrified of marriage before he was even an adult. The little tree, withered before it had even grown, was chased by another stubborn little sprout who kept urging him to stand tall. Well, maybe it takes going through all that pain to appreciate the happiness of an ordinary life. Life comes 128kReads9.6Score14.3kShelves
14. 14 等 Waiting for the Wind to Arrive 等风降临 Zhou Wanyu周晚欲Anime Fanfiction209k WordsCompleted At 17, Lin Jiang first met Jiang Weifeng on an evening when "the rosy clouds flew alongside a lone wild duck." He was a wild weed growing as he pleased, while she was a greenhouse flower. So began her long, secret crush. She only dared to use the username 38.6°C to request songs for him, watching from afar and missing him in secret. Graduation came, and they parted without a single word of goodbye, each heading to a different city. While packing up, Jiang Weifeng saw Lin Jiang's QQ account on hi 1.9kReads9.5Score415Shelves
15. 15 解 Sheathing the Armor 解甲 Eight Strips Watch the Snow八条看雪Ancient Romance829k WordsCompleted “Legend has it that the sharpest weapon in this world is called Disarm. Born from the unwavering devotion of two people in love, it can break down anyone's defenses.” 825Reads9.2Score230Shelves
16. 16 予 I Give You Eternal Life 予你长生 Tu Shiqi兔拾柒Modern Romance173k WordsCompleted [Extra-Sweet Romance + One-on-One Love + Eight-Year Age Gap + Mutual Love + Jiangnan Aristocratic Family + Childhood Sweethearts] The short drama of the same name is currently airing! [Gentle and Refined Eldest Son of an Aristocratic Family x Lively, Clever, Beloved Beauty] Yu Ci was raised by Fu Zeyi. When she called him Uncle, he gave her all his gentleness and patience. She knew he was beyond her reach. He was the eldest son of the Fu family, eight years older than her, and engaged to her aun 11.1kReads9.4Score1.6kShelves
17. 17 影 The Movie Emperor Keeps Trying to Make a Move on Me 影帝他总想对我图谋不轨 An Suiyu安随遇Modern Romance321k WordsCompleted Shen Yi, stage name Wei Long, was an actor of superstar caliber who took the world by storm in the 1970s. But after he disappeared one day, he vanished from history without a trace, as if he had never existed. One day, Rong Qian spotted a photo of herself with Shen Yi, taken more than thirty years ago... This incredible discovery sent her on journey after journey through time, transmigrating into the past to save him! For Rong Qian, only a few days passed between each trip to the past. But for S 35.6kReads9.7Score5.6kShelves
18. 18 谁 Who Says Xizhou Doesn't Understand? 谁言西洲不知意 Zhong Er钟耳Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted When they first met, Gu Xizhou gave her a cold, mocking smile, with a hint of flirtation. “Miss Xu, your waist is so slender and soft. I wonder if it would break easily...” “Scoundrel!” Xu Zhiyi was furious. Later, he underestimated her and lost. “Of all the women I've met, Miss Xu is the most cunning, the most vicious, and the most ungrateful.” He gave her one last look, then disappeared into the vast snow. After many twists and turns, she eventually became his wife. After they married, he said 584Reads8.9Score103Shelves
19. 19 心 My Heart Flutters! There's a Beam of Moonlight in His Eyes 心动！他眼里有一束月光 Three Lives, Three Three叁生三三Modern Romance599k WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication] [Rebirth + School Life + Healing + Inspirational] Gu Hanzhang is reborn, returning to the beginning of her dark life. In her previous life, a devil set his sights on her and imprisoned her in a gilded cage where sunlight never reached, making her his plaything. Back then, she thought it would be worth it if sacrificing herself meant the people around her could live well. But in the end, she could never see her family again while they were alive; her mentor died in 30.7kReads9.5Score4kShelves
20. 20 我 Me and the One I Love 我和我喜欢的你 Snowy Little Blossom雪小朵Modern Romance392k WordsCompleted When they were young, Jiang Li hated Shen Xingfan for being as thick as a plank. He made his feelings so obvious, yet she still couldn't understand how he felt. When they meet again after years apart, he hates her for pretending not to know what she knows. She keeps flirting with him on the sly, but won't let him get close. Jiang Li: I never go back to an old flame. Jiang Ranran: Then why do you keep using my account to check up on Shen Xingfan? * * * In her second year at the architecture firm, 3kReads9.1Score351Shelves
21. 21 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score418Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is career-oriented and rational. She knows she cannot fall in love with the emperor and understands that his favoritism towards other concubines is to maintain political balance. She focuses on raising her child and eventually becomes the Empress Dowager.

22. 22 重 Reborn as the Fourth Imperial Princess: Ready to Play Dirty 重生之四福晋准备玩阴的 User10377626用户10377626Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted (Not a wish-fulfillment novel + household intrigue + palace intrigue + adorable children + political schemes + succession struggle + wiping out Japanese pirates + wiping out Koreans) Also: This book takes history as its foundation and revolves around the Nine Princes’ Succession Struggle. It deals with the empire and its people, and with wiping out Japanese pirates and Koreans. It has absolutely nothing to do with Empresses in the Palace or any of those other novels. Empress Xiaojingxian, Ulan 1.6kReads9.0Score128Shelves

    Reader note

    The male and female protagonists are all fairly normal, so there shouldn't be too much strange content. Besides, I've read quite a bit of the latter two books, and the content is pretty good.

23. 23 重 Reborn! A Son Makes the Father Noble, and Fourth Master Lifts Her to the Empress's Seat 重生！父凭子贵，四爷巴巴捧后位 Happy StellaLou快乐星黛露Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Palace Intrigue and Political Scheming + Cunning Little One] (Not a chaste romance. The heroine is the sole favorite from the middle onward. Read with care if this bothers you.) Heaven took pity on her. Reborn, Yijun returned to the day she gave birth to Honghui and swore she would protect the child who had died young. But who could have guessed that the icy Fourth Prince from her previous life would become captivated by the tenderness and liveliness in Yiju 6.4kReads9.4Score490Shelves
24. 24 重 Reborn: The Fourth Prince's Consort Must Change Her Fate 重生：四爷福晋要改命 Huan Ziyuan幻紫菀Ancient Romance814k WordsCompleted [A Qing-dynasty native woman is reborn; not a clean romance] In one moment, she is reborn. Yiermu goes from being Emperor Yongzheng's empress to the cherished daughter of the Ulanara household. Thinking of Yinzhen's attitude toward her in her previous life, then looking at all the things she did, she wishes she could slap herself! Heaven has taken pity on her and given her the chance to live another life, so she will seize it. Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen, in this life, I, Ulanara Yiermu, will become you 1.7kReads9.2Score129Shelves
25. 25 不 No More Slacking: The Prince’s Favorite Concubine’s Daily Grind 不当咸鱼，王府宠妾的内卷日常 Four Crescent Moons四弯月Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + cutthroat household competition + no slacking off + ambitious heroine] Shen Wei, a die-hard rat-race fanatic, transmigrated into the lowest-ranking maid in a prince’s manor. Prince Yan held a position of great prestige, but all his wives and concubines had given up trying. The princess consort, born to a prestigious family, was as aloof as a chrysanthemum. The secondary consort wanted lifelong monogamy. The reborn woman had lost all hope in Prince Yan and was content to lie fla 69kReads9.4Score8.7kShelves

    Reader note

    A novel with a fresh plot, a must-read for those who stay up all night.

26. 26 照 Dressed in Red: The Maid's Rise to Power 照红妆：通房丫鬟上位记 Sweet, Sweet Milk Candy奶糖甜甜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (New book updating) Haitang's rules for fighting in the inner household as a maidservant: First, be flexible. Second, don't let love cloud your judgment. Third, if a woman isn't ruthless, her position won't be secure. Haitang was breathtakingly beautiful but born into a lowly family. In her previous life, proud and unwilling to become a bedchamber maid, she was tortured to death by the principal wife. Reborn, she decided to live differently. Everyone thought she was reaching above her station ju 13.8kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves
27. 27 茶 She Exudes Tea, and He Spoils His Wife Without Limits 茶香四溢，爷他宠妻无度 Xi Zhinan希知南Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Qing Dynasty transmigration + Fourth Prince faction + Household and Palace Intrigue + Empress + Yinzhen + Sole Favorite + Multiple Births + Childbirth] Ultimate goal: Work to ensure English classes are never introduced in future generations. Lin Mingyan: “Wow, my lord, you’re amazing. I could never hit something that hard~~~” Inwardly: Amazing, my ass! This is the only decent outfit I own, and now you’ve splattered it with something unmentionable! Lin Mingyan: “As long as you visit me from tim 15.6kReads8.8Score1.5kShelves
28. 28 娘 The Empress Doesn't Want Palace Intrigue, but the Emperor Keeps Stirring Things Up 娘娘不想宫斗，奈何皇上带节奏 Geng Jiujiu耿啾啾Ancient Romance652k WordsCompleted [Transmigration, Palace Intrigue, Political Scheming, Not Both Pure, Absurd Comedy, Devoted Love Later On] Shen Jinruo transmigrated into the body of a low-ranking concubine who had no favor from the emperor. Having lost her freedom, she’d planned to keep her head down and quietly build up her strength. But she soon discovered that in this harem, even if you don’t go looking for trouble, trouble will find you. To survive, Shen Jinruo worked hard to adapt and officially joined the harem’s struggl 2.2kReads8.9Score220Shelves
29. 29 开 From the Start, I Smacked Fourth Master on the Forehead, and the Noble Consort Rose to Glory 开局狂拍四爷脑门，娘娘一路荣华 Fang Xiaoshu方晓书Ancient Romance4.6M WordsCompleted Completed [Old-fashioned, secretly passionate eighteen-year-old Fourth Master Yinzhen X bold, experienced, fake Li Gege] [Not a power fantasy!] The handsome young man she met during the day becomes the leading man in her dreams that very night. Weizhen is so delighted she’s practically bubbling over, and she enthusiastically gets down to business. Only, the handsome young man goes from flowing long hair to a bald head. What a startling transformation, though somehow it makes things even more exc 5.9kReads8.8Score611Shelves
30. 30 宫 Joy in the Palace: The Noble Consort Can Read Minds 宫中有喜：贵妃她有读心术 Qin Chu秦楚Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Gu Mianmian has a fiery temper and is not to be trifled with. She meets strength with strength, and after transmigrating into the imperial harem, she has mind-reading powers and no trouble fighting her way up. Only as he lay dying did Emperor Rong Xuan realize how ridiculous his life had been. The empress dowager, who had always shown him loving concern, could not wait for him to die so her own son could take his place. She had even personally fed him poison when he was little. And the women in 926Reads9.0Score103Shelves
31. 31 四 The Four-Year-Old Empress Dowager: She Had a House Full of Grandchildren from Day One! 四岁小太后：打小，就儿孙满堂！ Cat Qian Qiu猫千秋Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Short drama of the same name: Four-Year-Old Dowager Empress, Surrounded by Children and Grandchildren Since Birth. Watch on Hongguo or Tomato] [Beloved by all + mind reading + adorable four-year-old raising kids + born at the peak of her life] Yun Shu was made empress the moment she was born. The old emperor was so furious when she was carried into the palace that he died on the spot. When the new emperor ascended the throne, she was made empress dowager at just three days old. The emperor was 5.4kReads8.7Score437Shelves

    Reader note

    Adorably cute baby, so beautiful!

32. 32 不 I'm Done Sucking Up! The Little Junior Sister Ran Off with Seven Big Shots 不舔了！小师妹她跟七个大佬跑了 Changdong000长东000Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Cultivating Immortal Cutie + Everyone's Favorite + No Romance + Groveling Chase + Spiritual Energy Dwindling + Lucky Carp] In her previous life, after Chi Yao was brought back to Tianyin Sect, she gave everything she had to everyone around her. In the end, her sect leader father killed her with his own hands beneath the Qiankun Platform, without bothering to find out the truth. Only before she died did Chi Yao learn that, in her parents' eyes, she could never measure up to their adopted daughte 2.6kReads8.8Score452Shelves
33. 33 穿 Transmigrate Into a Book: The Cannon Fodder Starts Over in Exile 穿书之炮灰翻身从流放开始 Purple Zi Nuo Nuo紫紫诺诺Ancient Romance280k WordsCompleted Imprisoned right from the start. What do I do? As an unambitious office worker, her greatest hobby outside work was reading novels. That didn’t mean she wanted to transmigrate into a book she’d only skimmed, let alone become the original owner, a tragic cannon-fodder character who appeared in fewer than a hundred words! Yun Shu was done for! But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Her entire family would soon be exiled, and most of them would die. The survivors would return for revenge, and, as lu 3.8kReads9.0Score248Shelves

    Reader note

    🌿You should check this out! The female lead is clear-headed and rational, raising children, with a touch of palace intrigue later on. The pacing is fast, it's super engaging, the kind you'll reread. If you like that kind of thing, give it a try!😆😆😆 The female lead transmigrates to ancient times, her whole family is exiled, and her original husband favors his concubine over his wife. She takes the opportunity to divorce him, returns to her family home, and sets up a scheme. She joins the exiled group to care for children, nurturing the future winners in life, and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of success. The beginning is all about raising children, followed by palace intrigue. The daily life is heartwarming, the logic is sound, and the author's descriptions are very detailed. It's the kind of book you'll keep rereading!😆😆😆

34. 34 栖 Bough of the Phoenix Perch 栖凰枝 Lu Shiqi鹿时七Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Short drama now available. Search "A Sigh for Youth". Starring Mi Qi and Wang Kang] Also known as "I'm a Psychology PhD, and I'll Slaughter My Way Through the Palace" Palace intrigue + sweet romance + not both leads' first relationship + heroine focused on her career On her first day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue fell out of favor. Everyone said she was nothing but a pretty face, a vase. On her second day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue regained the emperor 36.9kReads9.4Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    These two books are really good 😭

35. 35 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 56.6kReads9.5Score7kShelves
36. 36 反 Is the Villainous Stepmother Having a Headache Again Today? 反派继母今天又头疼了吗！ yoo Qingjinyoo青衿Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a Book, Adorable Kids, Lighthearted, Feel-Good] At a critical moment in a corporate acquisition, Ruan Tao, who had been working through the night for several days, suddenly died. When she opens her eyes, she finds she’s transmigrated into a book and become the vicious stepmother villain. In the end, she’ll turn into a stumbling block in the romance between the male and female leads, and successfully get herself killed! Ruan Tao lazily crosses her legs and leisurely flips throu 3.1kReads9.2Score305Shelves

    Reader note

    Just finished reading it. It's a transmigration story with a captivating plot full of twists and turns. The female lead is very intelligent. The romantic subplot between the male and female leads is relatively minor. The female lead's efforts to raise her children are very entertaining, and her interactions with the kids are hilarious. The downsides are a few typos and the ending feels a little rushed. However, overall it's still worth reading.

37. 37 母 Don't Be Afraid, Mother. I'll Make You Empress Dowager 母后别怕，孩儿送你上太后之位 Kaka Ya咔咔丫Ancient Romance576k WordsCompleted Three years ago, Qin Shuran, the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s family, was granted an imperial marriage and named Crown Princess. Little did she expect to skip right past being Crown Princess and become empress instead. Qin Shuran smiled faintly. “Just what I wanted.” Now that she had taken the empress’s throne, how could she let anyone else sit on the empress dowager’s? The emperor said, “Shuran is gentle and kind to everyone. She is truly a virtuous empress, fit to rule the inner 525Reads7.0Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    I guess this counts. The female lead mainly wants to become Empress Dowager and raise her child, and the Emperor dotes on her to some extent, as long as it's not too excessive. Also, the Emperor is even more eager than the female lead for her to have a legitimate son in her womb. I haven't finished reading it yet.

38. 38 宠EN Favoring a Concubine and Disgracing Your Wife? I Quit as the Marquisate's Matriarch! 宠妾灭妻？这侯门主母我不当了！ Li Wu礼午Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted [Annual Top-Rated Novel Ranking] Voting has begun! Search for “Annual Top-Rated Novel Ranking” to vote for this book, A Return to the Boudoir. Thank you! [Traditional historical romance + inner-courtyard drama + reborn revenge and face-slapping + a prince pursues his wife] Lin Yunwan was the legitimate daughter of the prestigious Lin clan. When her Marquis household was on the verge of losing its title, she married Lu Zhengliu, the heir to the marquisate. On their wedding day, her husband coldly 53.2kReads9.3Score7.3kShelves
39. 39 智 Wise Men Avoid Love, and the Noble Consort Wants No Responsibility 智者不入爱河，贵妃不想负责 Uncle Luo洛叔叔Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Being a beggar would be better than being in the harem. Shen Qing is despairing over her current identity. The female lead won't appear for another two years, and Shen Qing is the lowest-ranking consort in the male lead's harem. Her father is useless, and she has neither money nor power. It seems her only option is to wait for the emperor's favor. To make matters worse, she has a face that attracts trouble. If she fights for influence, she has no leverage; if she doesn't, she'll just get bullied 47.7kReads9.5Score6.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A good palace intrigue novel, worth reading! 😄😄

40. 40 公 The Princess Is Stunning and Clear-Headed, but the King Pursues Her Day and Night 公主绝美清醒，大王日夜纠缠 Yao Yang遥飏Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted Neither the hero nor the heroine is a good person. Marriage first, love later; she tempts him; both are chaste; size difference; the hero is a hopeless romantic; romantic tension early on; a powerful heroine and political intrigue in the middle and later parts. More serious than a mindless feel-good story. Purely fictional ancient setting. Please don’t overanalyze. Liu Chuying is the ninth princess of Beixiang. While the other princesses study the Four Books and Five Classics, her mother teache 2kReads8.9Score194Shelves

    Reader note

    My collection 🥰🥰

41. 41 权 The Powerful Minister’s Concubine 权臣的瘦马通房 Orange Gummies橘子软糖Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted A devoted couple, sweet romance, and a wife-chasing journey of regret A Yuan was famous in Yangzhou as a slender beauty, with skin as smooth as jade and beauty as radiant as peach blossoms. Every frown and smile of hers could captivate the heart. Later, she was sold into the Marquis of Anning's household. The old madam took a liking to her and assigned her to serve as a bedchamber maid to Wei Xun, the heir to the marquis's title. Wei Xun was aloof and indifferent by nature. More than anything, h 3.9kReads8.5Score427Shelves
42. 42 美 A Beauty in My Arms 美妾在怀 Moon Rabbit Meat月兔肉儿Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [Marriage first, love later + devoted to one another + reborn + power struggle] Song Yinuang had finally been reborn, only to wake up after her family had been raided and just before they were all thrown into prison. Her fiancé’s father came calling again, wanting to change their marriage contract into a concubinage agreement. This time, she absolutely could not marry into that wolf’s den. What? Another matchmaker at the door? Her family had been raided. Who would dare come asking for her hand 76Reads7.3Score—Shelves
43. 43 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 87.6kReads9.5Score12kShelves
44. 44 娇 After His Sweet, Soft Wife Gives Up, the Coolheaded Powerful Official Wraps an Arm Around Her Waist 娇软夫人摆烂后，清冷权臣揽腰宠 Tan Yi檀意Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Rebirth / devoted couple / household intrigue / raising a child / regretful husband trying to win her back] Wen Jiayue was reborn, returning to the day she gave birth to her daughter. As the daughter of a modest family, marrying into a marquis's household was a step up for her. Her husband, Shen Fuhan, was exceptionally handsome and gifted, with a bright future in government. Although he was distant and cold toward everyone, including the woman who shared his bed, Wen Jiayue believed that after 14kReads8.7Score949Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is reborn; a domestic power struggle novel.

45. 45 急 Urgent! The Regent Needs a Good-Luck Wedding! 急急急！要给摄政王冲喜啦！ Yan Yuanyuan言圆圆Ancient Romance327k WordsCompleted [Animated comic adaptation now available] [Sweet romance + devoted husband + no angst + faithful couple + honest communication, no misunderstandings] Sweet and gentle princess consort vs. a regent who falls for her on his own Yan Mu was married off to the unconscious Regent in a marriage meant to bring him good luck. From then on, she gained a powerful weapon at her side. For the legitimate older sister who envied her: she flaunted her success and slapped her down at every turn! For the stepmoth 12.1kReads9.2Score888Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so beautiful! I want to sell my tablet and use the money to send gifts to the author, but the Haidilao (a famous hot pot restaurant) waiter absolutely refuses, saying it's for taking orders. [Extremely sad]

46. 46 宫 The Willow by the Palace Wall 宫墙柳 Dream Doll梦娃Ancient Romance166k WordsCompleted Why must the imperial consorts compete for the emperor’s favor? A smash-hit, heart-wrenching historical romance that burst onto the scene in 2019! Recommended by countless tearful readers, this unconventional palace-intrigue novel will stay with you long after you finish. In the lightest of styles, it captures everyone’s deepest regrets. In May of the year I turned fourteen, with the pagoda trees in fragrant bloom, I sat in Yong’an Palace, propping up my head as I dozed. The man’s laughter held 48.6kReads9.7Score7.1kShelves
47. 47 惜 Cherishing Flowers 惜花芷 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [The original novel behind the TV adaptation starring Hu Yitian and Zhang Jingyi] After keeping her talents hidden for fifteen years, Hua Zhi thought she could spend her life as a proper aristocratic young lady, living in peace. But when the Hua family’s fortunes collapse, she has no choice but to reveal her sharp edge and hold the storm-tossed household together. Being out in public becomes the norm, and so does galloping through the streets. When all else fails, she even carries a coffin on he 18.6kReads9.6Score4.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this one. The male and female leads are both rational, compassionate, and have strong moral values.

48. 48 我 I’m Sweet and Well-Behaved, So Why Am I the Harem’s Only Favorite? 我又乖又美，独宠后宫怎么了？ Yi Jiu Lu宜久录Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance + Harem + No Angst] A lively, stunning beauty + a devastatingly handsome, love-struck good emperor. (He’s love-struck but knows right from wrong) (No cutthroat palace intrigue) (Not a devoted couple) (Fast-paced) (Heroine’s halo) Ji Wanqing transmigrates into the harem of the Emperor of Yan and becomes a low-ranking concubine. The moment she arrives, the arrogant Consort slaps her. The Consort is bad enough, and the Empress is no better, using her to stoke the Consort’s anger. Wit 4.1kReads9.2Score467Shelves

    Reader note

    I have a lot of books on my bookshelf that I can read myself. They're categorized, and the recommendations below are all highly rated and highly recommended. Some of the books on my bookshelf originally had ratings of 9.5 or higher, but now they've dropped to 7 or 8. X.

49. 49 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Charming, and Covets the Empress Dowager's Seat 娘娘娇娆柔媚，觊觎太后宝位 Buddhist-Style Little Salty Fish佛系小咸鱼Ancient Romance570k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + palace intrigue + medical skills + no pairing + doesn't love the emperor] At the age of seven, she was kidnapped in her previous life and became the disciple of a genius physician. But her master coveted the peerless beauty she gradually grew into. After three years of planning, she struck a fatal blow, thinking she was finally free. Then she found the letter her master had left behind... Reborn in a single moment, she changed her fate of being kidnapped and entered the palace. She tr 1.3kReads9.1Score159Shelves
50. 50 撕 Tear Apart the Harem! Win Favor! She's a Lunatic, Who Dares Cross Her? 撕后宫！得恩宠！她是疯批谁敢惹 Cats Are Extra Sweet猫猫特别甜Ancient Romance683k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue Only + Concubine-born Daughter + Reborn + Revenge + Everyone Is Evil + Wish-Fulfillment] [The story begins before the heroine enters the palace] [The emperor favors no one at first, and the heroine doesn’t fall in love] Jiang Shiying had died once. She died in childbirth, after her own elder sister had her killed to keep the baby. Reborn, she had made up her mind: she would enter the palace and get revenge, but she wouldn’t suffer! Not her stepmother or her elder sister, not eve 7.5kReads9.3Score952Shelves

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