I Want to Read a Novel Where the Female Lead Is a Cousin Who Lives With the Male Lead's Family, and He's a Young Lord 想看女主是表小姐寄住在男主家 男主是世子的

1. 1 表 The Cousin Is Going on a Matchmaking Date, and the Heir Is Panicking 表姑娘要去相看，世子他慌了 Yu Yu禹予Ancient Romance492k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance] [Both Leads Are Each Other’s First] [Happy Ending] [Both Leads Are Natives of the Era] [Gentle, Refined Heir Apparent × Cool, Elegant Cousin] Orphaned and without anyone to rely on, with wolves circling all around her, young Shi Jianli had no choice but to travel to the capital and seek refuge with her aunt. She became the second branch’s cousin, staying as a guest at the Duke of Anguo’s residence. When she came of age, her aunt found her a match. But the second branch’s concubin 33.8kReads9.3Score4.4k14d adds

   Reader note

   I just love reading these simple, understated stories.

2. 2 表 The Young Lady Is Being Matched for Marriage, and the Heir Drops His Act 表姑娘议亲，世子不装了 I Don't Use an Umbrella in the Rain雨天不打伞呀Ancient Romance356k WordsCompleted [Marriage before love + secretly planned for a long time + mostly domestic life + no rebirth or transmigration + the second male lead grows as a person, with no groveling redemption arc] Wen Shiyuan lost both her parents at a young age and had no choice but to go to the capital to seek refuge with 18.9kReads8.5Score2.5k14d adds

   Reader note

   These two books are really similar; both male protagonists come from wealthy families and there isn't much scheming or infighting.

3. 3 兄 My Brother Hidden in the Heart of Spring 兄藏深春里 Yuan Yi苑益Ancient Romance513k WordsCompleted The manhua is now available [Cool, Transcendent Minister and Chief Councilor * Sweet, Soft, Flirtatious Kitten] [Unrelated Adoptive Siblings * Deliberate Temptation * An Intense Push and Pull] Hua Qingchi, the legitimate son of the Hua family, rose to become Chief Councilor of the Cabinet. He kept his distance from women, cold and aloof as an immortal moon in the heavens. In her previous life, Hua Qingchi's wife, Shen Jiaoyue, feared that Hua Yan's stunning beauty would lure Hua Qingchi's heart 44.1kReads8.5Score6.4k14d adds

   Reader note

   I won't say much about these three books; they're all incredibly good. You won't regret buying them! The first one is still being serialized, and the other two are already finished!!! Super good!

4. 4 心 The Scheming Beauty's Tale of Climbing the Social Ladder 心机美人攀高枝记 Lionheart狮子心Ancient Romance490k WordsCompleted (The main story is complete; bonus chapters are being updated.) [Scheming beauty rises to power + Black lotus heroine + Male lead is an aloof paragon + Heroine stops at nothing + The male lead’s desperate pursuit] Su Wansi is an orphan living under the roof of the Duke of Xue’s residence. After losing both her parents, she endures cold stares, ridicule, and scorn, tasting all the bitterness of depending on others. It takes every ounce of her effort just to secure a foothold in the Duke of Xue’s 9kReads8.7Score85514d adds
5. 5 疯 The Mad Tyrant Wants to Steal Her: You’re the One Who Tempted Me First! 疯批权臣夺她，是你先勾我的！ Bright, Gentle Laughter笑语晏晏Ancient Romance429k WordsCompleted [Possessive pursuit + Untouchable beauty brought down from her pedestal + Scheming heroine + Both leads are pure] The eldest son of the Xie family was as refined as a gentle breeze beneath a clear sky, as elegant as an orchid or jade tree, and, more unusually, possessed the heart of a bodhisattva. A year ago, he had taken charge of sheltering a destitute cousin who had come to seek refuge. The rescued Wanruo was deeply grateful, and looked up to and adored her cousin. Their story of a loving bro 238.5kReads9.2Score31.1k14d adds
6. 6 勾 Seduce Her Body and Win Her Heart! The Cunning Heir Is Not to Be Trifled With 勾她身诱她心！腹黑世子不好惹 Jiang Xian Yuyu姜羡鱼鱼Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted A frail yet resilient orphan girl + a forceful, domineering young nobleman Secret romance + coercive seduction + a groveling chase to win her back + emotional push and pull + physical first, feelings later + sweet romance (not really) In a nutshell: Love is a war. Whoever takes it seriously loses. He is the hunter, and she is the prey caught beneath his claws. With no other choice, she is forced into a six-month arrangement with him. He wants her body, she wants his money. Nothing more. She sti 11.6kReads9.3Score1.2k14d adds
7. 7 揣 After Fleeing While Pregnant, the Mad Minister Sees Red 揣崽跑路后，疯批权臣怒红眼 Yu Shiyuan虞时鸢Ancient Romance522k WordsCompleted [The male lead has been plotting this for a long time + possessive coercion + a long road to winning her back + both leads are sexually inexperienced + cold, mad male lead + female lead plays the pig to eat the tiger] They say Lu He Ning, the legitimate daughter of the Lu family in Jiangnan, is like an orchid fragrant in solitude and fine jade without gaudiness, the undisputed most beautiful woman in Dongli. When she was sixteen, the Eastern Palace selected its consorts. Having heard of Lu He Ni 7.5kReads7.8Score69514d adds
8. 8 表 The Years of the Cousin and the Coldhearted Young Lord 表姑娘和清冷世子的那些年 Year After Year, Harvest After Harvest年年穗岁Ancient Romance635k WordsCompleted Timid, sincere cousin & cool, restrained young lord A devoted, sugary romance, with a completely traditional setting, an older man raising the heroine, a high-and-mighty beauty brought down from her pedestal, and the heroine's growth When Hu Qingjia first arrives at the Jinghai Marquis Manor as a young cousin, she is cautious at every turn, always on edge and never daring to overstep in the slightest. But as she spends her days with the family, she discovers that the Jinghai Marquis Manor is ac 9kReads8.9Score1.2k14d adds

   Reader note

   These three books take different paths. The first one features a female protagonist who isn't all-powerful or entirely outstanding at the beginning; she's brave and meticulous, a female lead who grows through experience. The male lead is gentle but also has a dark side. It's a very good read; Qingjia and Jiazhi are a match made in heaven. It's female-friendly; the female characters aren't simply bad, they're quite fleshed out. The second book is about forced marriage. The female protagonist is quite pitiful, living as a dependent in a mansion, having to plan for herself and her brother. She submits to the male lead, not wanting to live like this forever, and later makes many plans to escape. There's a forced love plot, which is quite good, but I feel sorry for the female protagonist. The female protagonist in the third book is clear-headed and intelligent, knowing how to conceal her abilities and act appropriately in different situations. She avoids stealing the spotlight and is almost omnipotent. She remains calm in the face of adversity, prioritizing self-preservation and paying close attention to detail. This aspect is quite touching. Before her parents were alive, she was a very lively little girl, but after becoming a "cousin" in the household, she rarely acted that way anymore. She gets along well with her older siblings and younger brothers and sisters, with both good and bad relationships, and some of them make mistakes and then realize their errors. Overall, the book is quite readable.

9. 9 藏 Hidden Away in His Embrace: The Cousin Doesn't Want to Be a Concubine 藏娇：表小姐她不想做妾 Dou Dou Xiong Xiong豆豆熊熊Ancient Romance852k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance with Angst] [Strong Hero and Heroine] [Pregnancy Escape] [Regret and Redemption] Though I am the marquis's niece, I live more cautiously than a maid. My aunt uses ointment every day to hide my looks, afraid I'll end up as a concubine like she did. I only want to marry an ordinary man and spend my life with just him. But one rainy night, I catch a glimpse of Xiao Yu, the heir to the marquis's title. He ruins my marriage prospects and cages me in a gilded prison. I hate him, 7.2kReads7.6Score71014d adds

   Reader note

   ✨A story of forced marriage, where the male lead initially doesn't understand love but later experiences a dramatic pursuit of his wife! The female lead possesses unparalleled beauty and lives in the home of the prince, yet she can only conceal her appearance daily with ointment. She only wants to marry an ordinary man and live a peaceful life, but unexpectedly becomes entangled with the prince...

10. 10 墨 Ink-Washed Orchid Pavilion 墨染兰亭 Going South Alone独独南行Ancient Romance415k WordsCompleted Her mother had only ever told Rong Yan that when she grew up, she must never choose a military man as her husband. If she married one, she would spend her whole life on tenterhooks. But her mother had never told her that civil officials might not be any better than military men. They delighted in manipulating the shifting tides of power, scheming and plotting, and putting themselves in the thick of it. Wasn't that just as dangerous as walking on a knife's edge? They might even draw you into thei 14.2kReads8.5Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    I recommend checking these out.

11. 11 温 My Gentle Cousin Turned Into a Madman? Cancel the Wedding, Now! 温润表兄变疯批？退退退退婚！ Layer Upon Layer, Like a Painting重重似画Ancient Romance246k WordsCompleted [Possessive pursuit + male lead is reborn] When Shen Lichu first arrives in Yanjing, she falls at first sight for the brilliant, refined Heir Ning, a man as bright and aloof as the moon. She hears that he is disciplined and courteous, gentle yet distant, like snow atop a lofty mountain: beautiful to behold but impossible to reach. Fortunately, her aunt does everything she can to bring them together, and Shen Lichu makes a careful effort to win him over. She gets her wish: Lu Shiji falls for her, 28.4kReads8.1Score2.9k14d adds
12. 12 娇 The Delicate Cousin, Loved by the Heir Apparent Against Her Will 娇软表姑娘，世子强制爱 Ling Xueyue泠雪月Ancient Romance351k WordsCompleted A beautiful, delicate young cousin vs. a cool, domineering heir (both leads are each other's first) Her story: Shen Shu is breathtakingly beautiful, with skin like ice and bones like jade. She's known as the greatest beauty in Huaizhou. But her mother died young, her father doesn't love her, and her background is full of hardship. With no choice, she fled to another place and sought refuge at the Duke of Dingguo's estate. An orphan living under someone else's roof, she only wanted to keep her h 3.5kReads8.8Score34414d adds
13. 13 表 My Cousin Is a Beauty, and the Dark-Hearted Heir Has Gone Mad for Her 表妹倾城，腹黑世子疯魔了 Red and Purple红与紫Ancient Romance341k WordsCompleted [Possessive pursuit + Secret romance + Physical first, emotional later (both virgins) + A groveling pursuit] [Cunning, clear-headed beauty + Scheming, domineering heir] Everyone said that Pei, heir to the Duke of Weiguo's residence in the capital, was handsome and accomplished for his age. Su Xiangwan had thought so too. That is, until she met him for the first time. His eyes were full of mockery, and she guessed he must despise her. After her family fell into decline, she had no choice but to 4.1kReads8.5Score40214d adds
14. 14 和 Sharing Dreams with the Cold and Aloof Heir, the Adorable Cousin Gets Kissed to Tears Night After Night 和清冷世子共梦，娇娇表妹夜夜被亲哭 Xi Moxi喜沫兮Ancient Romance681k WordsCompleted [Both Untouched + Only One He Loves + Mild Household Rivalry + Traditional Historical Romance] Shen Qingluo has an unspeakable dream every night, and she plans to keep it a secret for the rest of her life... After her family falls on hard times, she has no choice but to seek refuge at the Jing'an Marquis's residence in the capital. When she first arrives, she behaves modestly and follows the rules, focused on marrying her second cousin, to whom she was promised as a child, once her period of mou 705Reads7.0Score7914d adds
15. 15 表 The Cousin’s Daughter Has a Bewitching Charm, and the Chaste Heir Falls for Her 表姑娘媚骨生香，禁欲世子沦陷了 Hong Sheng Yan红笙颜Ancient Romance378k WordsCompleted [Soft, sweet little rabbit playing the pig to eat the tiger VS domineering big bad wolf, an intense push and pull] [Pure historical romance, no transmigration or rebirth ➕➕ madly in love ➕ doting husband ➕ satisfying wish fulfillment] An orphaned cousin lives under someone else's roof, yet possesses peerless medical skills. Her miraculous healing talents astound the capital. The cold, chaste, and immensely powerful heir of a marquis, a god of war, breaks his rules for her again and again, sweari 563Reads6.7Score—14d adds
16. 16 娇 The Pampered Cousin 娇宠表姑娘 Su Qianqian苏钱钱Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted Flirting and pampering + reborn + both leads are each other’s only love + sweet romance + household power struggles + later, she runs away while pregnant The unruly, rebellious heir to the marquis’s title x the silly beauty In her previous life, Wen Jinli lived under someone else’s roof, constantly on edge as she made her way through the Marquis’s household. She had heard all kinds of stories about Shen Jingchu, the heir to the marquis’s title, and what a bully he was. Terrified of him, she had 765Reads7.3Score10014d adds
17. 17 表 The Young Lady from a Side Branch Comes to the Capital 表姑娘进京了 Back and Forth Between Dreams梦间来回Ancient Romance474k WordsCompleted (Short drama rights sold. Stay tuned.) Clear-headed, level-headed heroine vs. proud, scheming hero (Devoted to one another + marriage before love + powerful man lowers his pride + coercive pursuit) With both her parents dead, Xu Shuyao had no choice but to go to the capital and seek support from her aunt, so that she and her younger brother could have someone to rely on. Her aunt’s husband’s family was the illustrious Duke Chengguo’s household. New to the capital, she planned carefully, remain 13.2kReads8.4Score1.5k14d adds
18. 18 每 Daily Question: Has the Heir Won His Wife Back Yet? 每日一问：世子今天追到夫人了吗 The Darling Held Close to the Heart放在心上的娇娇Ancient Romance431k WordsCompleted An ancient-era tale of ruthless pursuit A delicate, soft-bodied cousin who’s easy to overpower ✘ A dashing, amorous, domineering heir Ruan Qiao was a cousin of the Anguo Duke’s household, at least in name. In truth, she had no blood ties to the family at all. It was only because of her stepmother that the Anguo household grudgingly called her their cousin. Ruan Qiao knew her position in the household was awkward. As an orphan, she had to cling tightly to the Anguo Duke’s protection. She charm 96Reads6.2Score—14d adds
19. 19 勾 After Seducing the Cold, Powerful Official, the Young Lady Is Snatched Away 勾引清冷权臣后，表姑娘被强夺了 Jiang Hanuan江寒暖Ancient Romance542k WordsOngoing [Alluring, obedient temptress × cool, abstinent, cunning powerful official] (HE, possessive love + a scheming heroine who seduces him + an untouchable beauty brought down from her pedestal + devoted to each other) Ye Rou was reborn on the day her reputation was ruined, but she accidentally stumbled upon Pei Nianqing, eldest son of the Pei family, interrogating an assassin. The aloof, proud man seized her by the throat, pinning her in a corner and demanding to know what she had seen. The aphrodis 863Reads8.4Score10514d adds
20. 20 侯 The Marquis's Cousin 侯府表小姐 A Road Dyed in Splendor路染芳华Ancient Romance704k WordsCompleted Meng Chaoyan arrived at the marquis's residence with a fortune to seek treatment for her eye condition. But on her very first day there, she nearly lost her chastity. Her eldest cousin tried everything to win her over, even drugging her and ruining her reputation, but the male lead came to her rescue. They were only one move away from disaster, and nearly ended up calling each other uncle and sister-in-law. Then, after their wedding, her husband pinned her against the wall, his eyes red. “Zhaozh 687Reads—Score10614d adds
21. 21 娇 A Spring Nap Beneath the Begonia Blossoms 娇棠春睡 Tea Cakes Aren't Tea茶饼不是茶Ancient Romance715k WordsCompleted Original Title: A Spring Slumber in the Jade Hall "Delicate Beauty × Duke’s Heir" The male lead fights tooth and nail for her A delicate cousin with nowhere else to turn vs. a noble gentleman as bright and unblemished as the moon The heroine hides her true personality at first, playing the fool to outwit her enemies. As the story progresses, the male lead gradually discovers her true nature. The male lead, at first: My frail cousin who can’t even look after herself. The male lead, later: My del 10.1kReads8.5Score1.1k14d adds
22. 22 美 The Beauty Is Hard to Tame: I Won't Cling to the Heir's Favor 美人难驯：世子的高枝不想攀 Fish Song, Bird Trill鱼音袅鸟Ancient Romance346k WordsCompleted A scheming woman who clings to the powerful * A deep, cunning heir Coercive love + intense tension + an irresistible push and pull Her perspective: She seduced all the young masters in the capital, but never once thought to seduce him. She would marry anyone, just not him. He looked down on her and repeatedly thwarted her chances of marriage. His perspective: She seduced his brothers and friends, but acted as if he didn’t exist. He disliked her shameless flirting, hated her scheming and vanity, 23.2kReads9.2Score2.5k14d adds
23. 23 恶 The Wicked Supporting Lady Is Doomed to Live as a Widow? Brother-in-Law, I’m Scared 恶毒女配守活寡？夫兄，人家好怕 Ye Buhong叶不鸿Ancient Romance558k WordsCompleted [Elder Brother Steals Younger Brother’s Wife + Deliberate Seduction] (Black-hearted scheming villainess ✖️ abstinent, cold-hearted junior tutor) In her previous life, Pei Jingxu remained a widow for three years for her husband, Rong Xuanzhou, who had died in battle. But then he returned to the capital with Bai Shutong, the widow of his comrade-in-arms, and her two children. The Rong family elders said nothing, only urging Pei to be virtuous and magnanimous. The widow was peerlessly beautiful. No 109.1kReads9.3Score18.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    Hehehe, I love this kind of seemingly gentle and weak female lead who is actually quite different.

24. 24 惟 May My Dear Brother Be with You Year After Year 惟愿兄长岁岁与卿 Listening to Snow in the Mountain Breeze岚风听雪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Quirky, delicate younger stepsister × powerful, imposing older stepbrother] [One-on-one romance + no misunderstandings + simmering tension + age gap + height difference] Liu Jintang followed her mother into a second marriage and entered the Shen family, one of the most illustrious families in Shengjing. She hadn’t even enjoyed two days of the good life before she drowned in the lake behind the Shen residence. When she opened her eyes after being reborn, it was the very day her mother married i 4.7kReads8.8Score68714d adds
25. 25 春 Spring Tide Night Crossing, the Cousin Miss Is Clearly a Scoundrel 春潮夜渡，表姑娘渣得明明白白 Listening to Bamboo Whispers in the Mist听岚竹语Ancient Romance440k WordsCompleted Forbidden love #Intense Push and Pull #Beautiful and Broken #Mutual Redemption It wasn't love at first sight, nor was it planned from the start. It was love that grew over time, and love that grew over time! - Wen Yizhen, the jewel of a Jiangnan tea merchant family, is sold as a coveted courtesan in Yangzhou after her family is destroyed. After escaping, she takes her unmentionable skills and intoxicating, bone-deep fragrance to seek refuge with her aunt at the marquis's estate, only to become 79.9kReads9.2Score10.4k14d adds

    Reader note

    It's amazing! Highly recommended!

26. 26 穿 I Became the Second Female Lead in an Angsty Novel, So I'm Lying Flat 穿成虐文女二我躺平了 Purple-Robed Evil Emperor紫裳邪皇Ancient Romance408k WordsCompleted (Both leads are pure; the heroine is beautiful, sweet, and clever.) Cheng Qingqing is a modern young woman who transmigrates into a book as the doomed second female lead, a relative staying at the Duke’s residence. The second female lead is breathtakingly beautiful but brainless, spending all her time scheming to seduce the heir and the Third Prince. Cheng Qingqing is speechless at this plot. She isn’t boy-crazy, but she has no choice but to follow the story. While playing her part, she quietly 16.9kReads8.9Score1.8k14d adds

    Reader note

    The female protagonist transmigrates into the body of the male protagonist's cousin, who is living in his house. In the original story, she was a recklessly self-destructive second female lead. She decisively lays down her role, spending her days eating and sleeping at the male protagonist's house. She even trades the expensive hairpin he gives her for snacks. When questioned by the original male protagonist, she blinks and pulls out half a piece of mung bean cake: "Young master, want to try some? It's much tastier than the hairpin." When the real female protagonist tries to cause trouble, she turns the real female protagonist's "pure and innocent" script into a comedy, charming everyone in the male protagonist's household—the old lady treats her like her own granddaughter, and the original male protagonist, initially "disgusted," later sees her lying down with such confidence and even silently shields her from several plot-induced deaths…

27. 27 表 The Young Lady Seeks a Husband, and the Heir Can No Longer Play It Safe 表小姐相看夫君，世子他苟不住了 Mie Mie Yu咩咩玉Ancient Romance230k WordsOngoing (Starting in mid-July, there will be two chapters a day until the novel is complete. If you enjoy it, leave a comment and there may be bonus chapters. Includes multiple couples.) [Both leads are pure + one-on-one romance + love at first sight + happy ending] Cui Shanruan is just like her name: soft and sweet in appearance, but more determined than anyone when it comes to what she wants. The Duke’s household is no easy place to get by, but since her parents have been so upfront about it, she’ll m 2Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    It's a temporary stay, but the female lead isn't an orphan with no one to back her up. In the latest chapter, after realizing what's happening, she passionately launches an attack on everyone.

28. 28 穿 Transmigrated as the Pretty Cannon-Fodder Cousin of a Powerful Official 穿成权臣表哥的美貌炮灰表妹 Top-Tier Hubbub喧哗上等Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Jiang Sese transmigrates into a political intrigue novel and becomes the hapless cousin who is beaten to death with clubs before she can survive three chapters. They call her a distant cousin, but she has barely any connection to the Xie family at all. The original owner: hopelessly lovesick, constantly causing trouble, madly infatuated with the male lead, and ultimately meets a tragic end. Jiang Sese gazes at her face in the mirror, as bewitching as that of a villainous consort, then thinks of 58.5kReads8.4Score8.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    The story revolves around a pitiful female lead and a cold, aloof male lead. The female lead tries various ways to curry favor with the male lead, but always with proper decorum. The male lead isn't blindly in love; he's fiercely protective of his own, though this doesn't apply to the female lead initially. The story is emotionally nuanced, though there's a bit too much description of the leads' appearances, and some supporting characters have a lot of screen time.

29. 29 世 Young Lord, the Cousin Miss Wants to Get Married 世子，表姑娘要嫁人 Xiao Rabbit Baby肖兔宝贝Ancient Romance555k WordsOngoing In her previous life, she died in bitter regret after a difficult labor and a catastrophic hemorrhage. He despised her for currying favor with the powerful and watched coldly from the sidelines. In the end, his wife and child were both gone, and regret tore him apart. Given another chance at life, she wants only to keep her distance from him and live in peace: “Xie Yunzheng, could you stay away from me?” But the stone-faced young lord presses her at every turn, his gaze dark and intense: “Cousin 111Reads6.9Score—14d adds
30. 30 表 The Cousin Is Hard to Placate, and the Heir Has Other Designs 表姑娘难哄，世子他另有所图 A Glimpse of Beauty惊鸿意Ancient Romance337k WordsOngoing [A cool, seemingly gentle cousin who hides a dark side X a scheming, obsessive heir apparent [Stealing someone’s partner + love at first sight + pure historical setting + the hero has been plotting for a long time + mutually devoted 1v1] Xie Zhao travels to the capital to seek refuge with her aunt, and while she is at it, to meet the fiancé she was promised to as a child but has never seen: the second young master of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. But before she even catches sight of him, rum 127Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This book features a female lead who is a cousin and a male lead who is a prince. What makes it even more romantic is that the female lead was originally the fiancée of the male lead's cousin. (Sister-in-law, open the door, I'm your brother! Just kidding!) Anyone else like me who dislikes stories where characters suddenly get together or fall in love for no apparent reason? The female lead is cautious and prudent, driven by revenge. The male lead has secretly loved her for a long time and tries to seduce her multiple times, but she's incredibly clear-headed and doesn't fall for it! It's all about manipulation and revenge. The main characters aren't one-dimensional; the male lead is charming and a bit comical, the dashing type, while the female lead is calm and composed, but constantly gets pushed to her limits by him. They're practically on opposite sides. And the way the male lead asks the female lead, "What do you think of me?" While simultaneously making everyone laugh—who could possibly be interested in her? The younger brother doesn't have much screen time, but the famous scene in the synopsis is absolutely hilarious.

31. 31 表 The Cousin’s Pregnant Bride Fled, and the Cold Young Lord Went Mad 表姑娘挺孕肚逃走，清冷世子气疯 Xi Rou习柔Ancient Romance464k WordsCompleted [Reborn + seduction and climbing the social ladder + the male lead falls first and clears every obstacle for the heroine] Jiang Fu was the stepdaughter brought into the family by the Third Madam of the Duke of Wei's household. She was born alluring and soft, with skin as pale as ice and bones as graceful as jade, captivating every young man in the duke's household. In her previous life, her mother tried to secure a marriage for her stepsister by sending Jiang Fu to an old man over fifty. When th 6.7kReads8.9Score81514d adds

    Reader note

    This story fits the requirements perfectly; the female lead is reborn, and it gets even better later on.

32. 32 表 His Cousin Moves into the Estate, and After the Heir Rejects Her, He Pursues Her Relentlessly 表妹入府，世子嫌弃后狂追求 Zuì Lánshanshan醉阑珊珊Ancient Romance353k WordsCompleted Scheming woman vs. sly man (The rating just came out and is still rising) Mu Qingyao was the stunning legitimate daughter of a distinguished Jiangnan family. After her parents died in a business accident, all she had left was a vast fortune and breathtaking beauty. Her greedy uncle coveted both her inheritance and her looks. He secretly conspired with local thugs, planning to force her into becoming someone's concubine and seize all her family's wealth. With nowhere else to turn, Mu Qingyao care 5.1kReads6.6Score43014d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead goes to live with her aunt in the Duke's mansion, while the male lead is the Duke's heir. The two test each other, subtly manipulating each other, creating a strong sense of tension and suspense.

33. 33 表 After the Young Lady Chose a Match, the Unhinged Heir Went Red-Eyed and Claimed Her by Force 表姑娘选亲后，疯批世子红眼强夺 Half a Song半歌儿Ancient Romance345k WordsOngoing [Cool-Headed, Rational Cousin] x [Obsessive, Unhinged Heir] Pathological possessiveness, intense push and pull, two strong and devoted leads, strategic mind games and power struggles, sweet romance, happy ending At five, she was sent to live with her maternal grandmother at the Duke's manor. She hid her sharp edge, kept her feelings in check, and acted cautiously and patiently at every turn. Yet her striking beauty and cool, bookish elegance inevitably stirred jealousy throughout the household. 1.6kReads—Score10314d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead is very emotionally stable, intelligent, and has a powerful background; the male lead dotes on her.

34. 34 重 After Being Reborn, I Refused the Marriage, but My Tutor Cousin Could No Longer Hide His Love 重生拒嫁后，太傅表哥藏不住深情 Take a Bite of a Flower吃一口花Ancient Romance262k WordsOngoing [Mutually Faithful Couple] [No Blood Relation] [Reborn] [Fake White Lotus] [Face-Slapping] [Patient, Direct Pursuit] [Long-Standing Scheme] [Overbearing Possession] The gentle and refined imperial tutor cousin in public × a reborn fake little white rabbit Jiang Qiubai lives alone in the Duke’s residence. At long last, she marries a young general, only for him to leave for the battlefield before they can even drink their wedding wine. Who could have guessed that when he returns victorious, anoth 60Reads—Score11614d adds

    Reader note

    Who understands! I just love watching the cousin, who lives under someone else's roof and is always so careful, being doted on and adored by her powerful cousin!

35. 35 炮 The Cannon Fodder Fights Back! I Survive by Relying on the General's Deadly Aura 炮灰逆袭！我靠将军的煞气苟命 Little Potato in the Corner墙角小土豆Ancient Romance315k WordsCompleted (Also titled: Waking Up as the Doomed Cousin of a Cold, Powerful Court Official) A stunning little vixen, sweet on the outside and cunning within | She flirts, then runs A cold beauty who says one thing and means another | Bends for love * “You mean you killed yourself?!” Shen Mian transmigrated into a book on nightmare mode. Not only had she become the doomed, early-death crush of a prince in the story, she was also tormented day and night by the resentful spirit of the original owner’s past li 281Reads—Score10114d adds

    Reader note

    I recommend this book, go read it!

36. 36 将 The General’s Wife Is No Damsel 将军夫人不安分 Jin Ning'er槿宁儿Ancient Romance162k WordsCompleted [Devoted husband + possessive + domineering + sweet and heartbreaking + understanding confidante] [A heroine who is sometimes gentle and graceful, sometimes imperious × a domineering, devoted, and obsessive hero] The Shen family estate is ransacked by bandits, leaving the family destitute. Shen Xinyu brings her family's ancestral incense-making skills to seek refuge with her cousin Ning Zhenyuan at the Duke's estate. Everyone laughs at her, calling her a fallen merchant's daughter who clings to 112Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The male lead is the eldest son of a duke's family, while the female lead is a merchant's daughter who comes to the duke's mansion hoping to find a husband. Later, the cousin falls in love with his cousin and follows her all the way back to their hometown.

37. 37 落 Falling Blossoms Fill Chang'an 落花满长安 Jiahe Tiantian嘉禾田田Ancient Romance281k WordsOngoing [Women's redemption + female independence + strong female lead + political intrigue + marriage first, love later + domineering CEO + emperor's exclusive favor] Synopsis: Gu Jiangning, the only daughter of Jiangnan's richest man, Gu Shaoqing, is beautiful and brilliant. While trying to rescue Li Xiangjun, who is trapped in a brothel, she happens to meet Dou Bo'an, an official overseeing the Jiangnan textile industry. Her family then pushes her onto a so-called marriage alliance, all for her own g 5Reads—Score114d adds

    Reader note

    It's really good! [Admiration][Admiration] A carefree and unruly young master from a noble family falls in love with a notorious "witch," and in the end, he competes with the prince for his wife. I recommend it to everyone!

38. 38 掌 Paulownia in the Palm 掌中疏桐 Xin Moran心陌然Ancient Romance902k WordsOngoing The main story is complete. Originally titled A Paulownia in the Palm, the first chapters are free, but the price will go up later! [Mutual Devotion] [Fictional Setting] [Forced Possession] [Beautiful Wife] [Powerful Minister] [Adorable Baby] [Pregnant and on the Run] [Ancient-Era Court Intrigue] [Secret Marriage] Luo Shutong, the most proper young noblewoman in the capital, woke one morning to find Ye Chuan, the all-powerful chief minister, lying beside her. Trembling, she pulled out all the mo 10.9kReads8.0Score51014d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead is obedient, while the male lead is cold, cunning, and sharp-tongued. The female lead is engaged to the male lead and becomes pregnant with his child.

39. 39 表 After Her Cousin Faked Her Death, the Yandere Power Minister Pursued His Wife to the Crematorium 表妹死盾后，疯批权臣追妻火葬场 Luo Qi671雒柒671Ancient Romance110k WordsOngoing [Possessive pursuit + aloof beauty brought down from her pedestal + husband’s groveling redemption + both pure Unhinged male lead × resilient, gentle female lead] A carefully staged accident entangled Lin Ciying, a young lady living under the roof of others in the Duke of Guo’s household, with the heir, Jing Yanqing. Lin Ciying knew that this powerful minister, who held the court in his grasp, was cold-hearted and had never been moved by any woman. But she had no choice. The injustice done to he 15Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A cunning and obsessive young master meets a cousin living under someone else's roof; a story of secret lust, long-planned schemes, forced marriage, and extreme tug-of-war.

40. 40 我 My Brother and I Both Transmigrated 我和哥哥都穿越了 Xu Tinglan叙亭兰Ancient Romance503k WordsCompleted [Powerful hero humbles himself + Both leads are each other’s only one] You returned from a faraway place, your smile unchanged, as though it still carried the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms. I asked you, “The climate and customs there can’t have been very pleasant, can they?” But you answered calmly, “Wherever my heart finds peace is my home.” Zhang Heng looked at her intently and said, “Yuer, your tears are more precious to me than anything.” “Every drop feels like blood from my own heart.” 916Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Cunning and powerful minister vs. Innocent and obedient girl

41. 41 手 With the Notable Ministers System in Hand, I Disguise Myself as a Man in Ancient Times 手拿名臣系统，我在古代女扮男装 Tianyang Peak, Who Loves Handmade Wheat Dumplings爱吃手工麦饺的天阳峰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Xu Yue transmigrates into a book. She becomes the delicate, vulnerable cousin of the male lead in an examination-themed novel: her mother died young, she has no brothers and no one to rely on, and her family won't take her in, so she is awkwardly forced to live in the male lead's home. In her previous life, Xu Yue rose from being an orphan to earning a doctorate. She never believed in fate, and even though it was hard for women to get by in ancient times, she never stopped thinking about how to 119.8kReads9.6Score11.5k14d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead, a cousin staying at the male lead's house, disguises herself as a man and storms into the imperial examination hall. While at the male lead's house, she acts like a well-behaved cousin during the day, but at night she burns the midnight oil in the study, secretly altering the male lead's exam notes into a "study-obsessed crash course guide." The male lead, a sickly nobleman from the capital, once catches her reciting the Analects in the courtyard late at night, coughing as he offers her a hand warmer: "... It's cold reciting, warm yourself up first." Later, she passes the exam with top honors, revealing her true gender by lifting her headdress in the imperial palace, leaving the entire court speechless with astonishment. The male lead, however, smiles with red eyes below the stage: "I knew it, my cousin... No, my girl, is the most amazing." The entire family, initially "living under someone else's roof and needing to behave themselves," later transforms into her entire support team for the exam. Her eldest brother helps her build connections, her sister-in-law makes her brain-boosting soups—this plot of a cousin secretly building her career in the male lead's house and achieving a remarkable comeback to become the top scholar is incredibly satisfying!

42. 42 表 The Young Lady Can't Stop Throwing Up, and the Heir Pampers Her Day and Night 表姑娘孕吐不止，世子他日宠夜哄 Longevity Bell长生铃Ancient Romance432k WordsCompleted [No Rebirth or Transmigration, Pure Historical Romance + Both Pure + One-Night Stand + Adorable Baby] Jiang Jinyue, a down-on-her-luck cousin, was staying at the Duke’s residence. She was always proper and cautious, and never dared get involved with Lu Yanting, the most distinguished young lord, for fear of displeasing her elders. For some reason, however, the young lord always went out of his way to look after her. Jiang Jinyue simply took it for the ordinary care an older cousin would show a 11.5kReads8.7Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    The female protagonist was originally a palace maid who was pardoned and allowed to leave the palace. However, she was stopped by the crown prince who was investigating a case. He claimed that she could not leave the palace without a relative to pick her up, but it turned out that the relative was his cousin. The cousin had no choice but to stay at the crown prince's house and cooperate with him in the investigation while waiting for her aunt to find her a husband. During the investigation, the crown prince's impression of his cousin gradually changed...

43. 43 海 The Begonias Bloom for You Again 海棠今又为君开 Yi Shuang宜霜Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance + Sweet Romance + National and Family Feuds] In her previous life, Xiuyi trusted a scumbag and agreed to marry him, only to be pushed into a pond by a scheming white lotus and drown! Reborn, she opened a clinic, saved her father and brothers, kicked the scumbag to the curb, and schemed to have the white lotus die a gruesome death in prison. The cold-faced marquis, whose power held sway over the realm, drew her into his arms: “Don't worry! With me here, everything will be your 41.7kReads9.3Score4.5k14d adds

    Reader note

    These are several satisfying novels about getting revenge on scumbags and slapping them in the face. They feature unexpected plot twists and hilarious scenes, making you want to read more after finishing them.

44. 44 七 1970s Space: A Transmigrated Daughter and Her Reborn Mother 七零空间：穿越闺女重生妈 Transmigration and Rebirth穿越加重生Modern Romance394k WordsOngoing [Period] [The 1970s] [Transmigration] [Space] [Reborn] [Mutual devotion] [A touch of ensemble cast] [Educated youth] [Two worlds connected] She opens her eyes and has transmigrated into a book set in the 1970s. Even the paper character's slap across her face hurts like hell. She has become a short-lived cannon-fodder character. Damn it! This woman is going to defy fate and change her destiny! 48.5kReads8.9Score3.5k14d adds
45. 45 闯 Heading to the Northeast: Lin Erni's Bumpy Road to Happiness 闯关东：林二妮的颠簸幸福路 Liu Piao留飘Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [No contrived twists] [No cheat powers] [Traditional] [Realistic] [Period] [Rural] [Hardship] [Inspirational] Lin Erni was born in Heze, Shandong, and married into Harbin in the Northeast. She struggled to get by amid the freezing snow in the mountains, then later had no one to rely on and went alone beyond the mountains to make a living. The first time, she was tossed from one place to another like a bag of steamed buns, made a child bride, and beaten and cursed. The second time, her father sol 21.8kReads9.4Score2.1k14d adds
46. 46 郡 The Commandery Princess Is Reborn and Back for Revenge 郡主重生杀回来了 Yi Shuang宜霜Ancient Romance281k WordsOngoing Zhang Jiayue, the Princess of Yufang, was talked into visiting the Sure-Win Gambling House by her half-brother and the Third Prince. She brought along her childhood friend Jiang Yunzhao. After winning at first, she began to lose and got hopelessly hooked, borrowing a million taels of silver. The gambling house came after her to collect, bringing down both the Prince’s and Marquis’s households. She was killed, too. Unable to let go, she was reborn on the road as the gambling house’s collectors cl 409Reads8.1Score10014d adds
47. 47 谢 The Xie Family's Short-Lived Son Has Lived to a Hundred 谢家的短命鬼长命百岁了 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] The lid of a dead person's coffin won't lie flat because they had an unresolved longing in life. Given time, that longing turns into a demonic obsession, and unless it is resolved, their descendants will suffer. Yan Sanhe's job is to release the dead from their obsessions. One day, she gets hounded by Third Master Xie, who claims to have one. Yan Sanhe says she doesn't deal with the living. Third Master Xie replies, “Everyone says I won't live long. Just think of 124.8kReads9.6Score17k14d adds

Other lists with The Cousin Is Going on a Matchmaking Date, and the Heir Is Panicking