A Clear-Headed Heroine in Palace and Household Intrigue 女主清醒，宫斗宅斗，

1. 1 继 The Second Empress 继后 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The Noble Consort was favored, the Worthy Consort bore a son, the Bright Etiquette was the emperor’s white moonlight, and the Beautiful Consort was his cinnabar mole. Every other concubine had her own talents and charms. It was a whole garden in full bloom. So who was our protagonist? The unfavored empress, with no children and no powerful family backing. Great. Why did this plot feel so familiar? Never mind. On the first day Zhao Wumian transmigrated here, she decided to lie flat. Compete for t 81.1kReads9.5Score9.1kShelves

   Reader note

   This is a must-read. The female lead is a time traveler, incredibly clear-headed, and not love-struck. Every sentence in it has profound meaning; it's definitely worth reading.

2. 2 只 As Long as I Act Well, the Empress's Throne Is Mine 只要演技好，娘娘的凤位跑不了 A Bird's Wing一只鸟的翅膀Ancient Romance260k WordsCompleted Red bricks and green tiles, beauty all around. One shower of imperial favor, and from then on she advances step by step, finally ascending the throne to stand alongside the emperor. Her family is in decline? Her brother's career prospects are uncertain? Her sister's marriage prospects have come to nothing? See how Wen Ruo keeps true to herself in the harem, rises step by step, leads her family back to the top, helps her brother advance his career, and finds her sister a fine marriage! “This hare 2.7kReads9.0Score298Shelves

   Reader note

   These novels are all good, they're very enjoyable ￣ ￣)σ

3. 3 娘 The Empress Is Exquisitely Charming: Winning the Palace Battles and Raising a Child to Become Empress 娘娘千娇百媚，宫斗养崽坐后位 Take Your Pikachu Away抱走你的皮卡丘Ancient Romance486k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Pure Palace Intrigue + Raising a Child + Clear-Headed Heroine + Focused on Her Career + Light Ensemble Cast] Xie Zhao transmigrates to the state of Beiqi, a country that has never existed in recorded history. When she learns she is to take part in the selection two years later, she begins diligently practicing all kinds of skills. After successfully being selected, her goal is to safely give birth to a prince, raise him into an outstanding crown prince, put him on the throne, a 374Reads7.3Score—Shelves
4. 4 靠EN Dominating the Harem by Bearing Children 靠生子称霸后宫 Wang Ziyun王梓芸Ancient Romance782k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Huameng's childhood sweetheart, the boy next door, betrayed her before their wedding. After watching him marry the daughter of a princess, she put on the bright red wedding dress she had spent two years embroidering and hanged herself. But her soul drifted through the world for twenty years after her death before she learned the truth: her childhood sweetheart had broken off their engagement after accidentally hearing that the childless emperor intended to adopt the princes 3.7kReads9.0Score471Shelves
5. 5 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 84.3kReads9.5Score9.6kShelves
6. 6 三 Three Bowls of Heart’s Blood for One Divorce Agreement 三碗心头血，换一纸和离书 All of You, Get Out of My Sight都给朕退下Ancient Romance227k WordsCompleted After the new emperor ascended the throne, the Prince Regent went away to guard the frontier. Two years later, he finally returned to the capital. Along with his impressive military achievements, he brought back a woman as delicate and frail as a sickly beauty. She had the face of a hibiscus blossom and was irresistibly charming, yet every gesture carried a fragile, sickly air. Simply standing there was enough to stir people’s tenderness and make them want to cradle her in their hands and cheris 4.4kReads8.7Score483Shelves

   Reader note

   After the marriage, the regent went to guard the border, leaving the princess alone in her empty house. When the regent returned, he was with a woman, gentle and frail, who moved into their residence. The days that followed were far from peaceful. She killed the princess's cat, a cat very important to the princess (I forget the details, but it seems the princess retaliated). Later, she claimed to be ill, saying the princess's heart's blood could cure her, so the princess allowed her to have it taken three times. Finally, heartbroken, she used the three bowls of heart's blood to exchange for a letter of divorce. The princess also had a story with the emperor; he loved her (there was a previous story). Later, the princess married someone who had loved her for a long time, and he forced her to choose between only one of them, wanting her to kill her new husband. Later, realizing he couldn't control her, he only said, "Uncle, you can't keep her" (the emperor said to the regent). You can learn more by watching the show.

7. 7 拽 The Feisty Consort Climbs to Power Through Palace Intrigue, Everyone Else Back Off 拽妃宫斗上位，闲杂人等退退退 Pine Blossom Candy松花糖Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama is out now. Search for it on Fanqie to watch. [Palace Intrigue Power Fantasy + Not a Clean Romance + Being the Emperor’s Mother Is Better Than Being His Consort] Every woman in the harem hopes to win Emperor Jingrong’s favor, but Yuan Yuntang sees the emperor only as a tool for having children. Women in ancient times had to marry sooner or later anyway, so she might as well marry the most powerful man of all. After all, Emperor Jingrong has a great figure, a handsome face, and a 16.6kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves

   Reader note

   The not-quite-pure female protagonist is clear-headed and single-mindedly focused on ascending to power. The emperor? He's merely a tool for procreation.

8. 8 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
9. 9 生 Childbearing System: The Royal Family’s Dwindling Heirs Are in for a Shock! 生子系统：惊呆子嗣凋零皇室！ Zhuning Bird of the Orchid Terrace兰台朱鸟Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [A childbearing System that rewards more children, more blessings] + [palace and household intrigue] + [everyday child-rearing] Chen Zhining is the legitimate eldest daughter of a declining earl’s household. Though she is the eldest legitimate daughter, her father favors his concubine and the daughter born to her, while her weak mother spends all day weeping. Chen Zhining is married off as the principal wife to the least favored prince in the imperial family, the Ninth Prince, Jiang Zhao. The ot 1.8kReads7.7Score164Shelves

   Reader note

   These books are seriously sobering!!! Such satisfying reads 🤤🤤🤤, the last one's plot is absolutely hilarious, it's absolutely amazing! [Full]

10. 10 穿 The Daily Life of a Laid-Back Concubine After Transmigrating 穿越之闲鱼妾室的日常 Tian Nanxing Nan天南星南Ancient Romance480k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + household and palace intrigue + no golden finger + devoted love later on] Zhang Xinian transmigrated into the body of a concubine in Prince Jing’s household. Above her was the princess consort, backed by powerful connections and ruthless in her methods. Beside her was a brainless side consort with overwhelming fighting prowess. Below her, a reborn woman and a transmigrated woman were locked in fierce competition. Zhang Xinian trembled with fear. She had no golden finger and did 105.4kReads9.4Score12.3kShelves
11. 11 德 Consort De Tears Up the Script: This Time, She’ll Raise a Child and Become Empress 德妃掀了剧本，这次养崽当皇后 Yiya Who Doesn't Like Pork Fat不爱吃猪肥膘的伊亚Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Completed. [Childbearing System, many children] + [Consort De works hard to become empress] + [Yinreng inherits the throne]. Not mutually chaste, but the bonus chapters are. De Wan transmigrates to the Qing Dynasty and becomes the historical figure Uya De Wan. She is also bound to a Childbearing System. The more children she has, the greater the rewards. But De Wan doesn't want history to repeat itself. Urging someone to become emperor is practically asking their whole family to be executed, she 568Reads7.2Score—Shelves
12. 12 团 The Beloved Princess Is Revealed by Mind Reading, and Then She Spills More Secrets! 团宠公主被读心后，又爆料啦！ Black Locust刺槐Ancient Romance301k WordsCompleted [Mind reading + hilarious + fictional setting + doted on by everyone + no romance] After Ye Shuang fails to ascend, she ends up back in an ancient world. Her powers haven’t recovered yet, but she can still read fortunes and tell people’s fate from their appearance. And so At court, the little princess in the emperor’s arms shakes her head. [Tsk, tsk. The moment they’re asked to donate money, the ministers claim to be broke. In reality, they sleep with their arms wrapped around gold every night!] 1.1kReads9.2Score155Shelves
13. 13 陵 Lingrong Returns Before the Selection and Chooses Consort Hua as Her Ally 陵容重返大选前，先选华妃当盟友 Xi Yi西忆Female-Channel Fanfiction1.5M WordsCompleted Life is like a game of chess. Once you make a move, there’s no turning back! As An Lingrong swallowed a bitter almond, she thought this as she lay dying. But when she woke again, she found herself back in Songyang County, bound to a more-children-more-blessings System (or so it seemed). Back in the imperial harem, she remained firm in her belief: If you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you! 4.4kReads8.7Score423Shelves
14. 14 阿 A Content Creator Becomes Consort Ling and Takes Down Ruyi's Sisterhood 阿婆主穿成令妃，怼死如懿姐妹团 A Vermilion Touch Between the Brows眉间点绛Female-Channel Fanfiction513k WordsCompleted Wei Yanwan accidentally transmigrated into the story of Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, becoming its greatest villain, Consort Ling. She also awakened the ability to read minds. Wei Yanwan is determined to show everyone that the life of Empress Xiaoyi Chun, Wei Jia, is the real power-fantasy story starring a strong female lead! As a modern person, Wei Yanwan was assigned the noble task of saving victims of Ruyi-syndrome brain rot by the System. But as for Hailan, that wicked lackey, Wei Yanwan 160Reads6.4Score—Shelves
15. 15 综 A Journey Through Film and TV: The Emperor Needs a New Look Again 综影视之皇上又该换个形象了 Tsukimino E月见里绘Female-Channel Fanfiction1.3M WordsCompleted Gu Yalan was born of a love between an orchid on a mountaintop and a clear cloud in the sky. But the flower on earth was bound to wither, and the cloud above was bound to scatter, leaving her alone in her father’s cloud palace, waiting to die... The An Lingrong arc has received a lot of negative reviews. You can skip it without affecting the rest of the story. 3.9kReads8.4Score178Shelves
16. 16 我 I Won the Harem With My Beauty 我凭美貌在后宫躺赢了 Ningning Lingqi柠柠零七零Ancient Romance782k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + System + slice-of-life harem intrigue + satisfying revenge + ruthless heroine + lovestruck male lead + not pure + devoted love later] Content warnings at the end! Gu Lingwen dies unexpectedly and meets a clumsy beginner System. The two are stranded in a cruel feudal era, trembling with fear. They can return to the modern world only by completing the final assigned mission… There are only two ways to finish the mission: start a rebellion or fight for power in the harem. Underach 3.7kReads8.5Score241Shelves
17. 17 青 The Day Qingying Entered the Palace, Wei Yanwan Became Langhua! 青樱入府当天，卫嬿婉成了琅嬅！ YH Young FishYH稚鱼Female-Channel Fanfiction285k WordsCompleted [An alternate-universe spin-off of Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. The main cast is portrayed in a negative light, and the heroine is a villainess. Early on, she sets the original story back on track; once Ruyi enters the Cold Palace, the wish fulfillment picks up the pace! This isn’t a traditional, direct face-slapping story, so read with care if that’s not your thing, darlings.] From a little palace maid hated by everyone to an imperial noble consort revered by all, Wei Yanwan spent more than 2.4kReads9.0Score267Shelves
18. 18 当 When An Lingrong Slays Her Way Through Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace 当安陵容杀穿如懿传 The Mulberry Glow of Old Age Is Never Too Late岁岁桑榆非晚Female-Channel Fanfiction381k WordsCompleted An Lingrong: The meticulous and ruthless Sister An is back! Going from palace maid to empress dowager will be a piece of cake! . After being reborn, An Lingrong never expected to end up in Qianlong's harem. But this place is nothing like she remembers! (The Story of Ruyi and Empresses in the Palace don't share the same continuity, so this is more like a parallel new world.) · The older sister she wronged all her life has been possessed by an old woman who does nothing but stir up trouble. Go en 12.6kReads9.1Score1.4kShelves
19. 19 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 3.6kReads9.3Score427Shelves
20. 20 太 The Crown Prince Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife: The Empress's Daily Life After Bearing Twins 太子宠妾灭妻，娘娘双胎上位日常 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance554k WordsCompleted [There are a few typos, so please skip this if that bothers you.] A deranged, ruthless heroine and an obsessive Crown Prince, with exclusive devotion later on, clear-headed palace intrigue, and multiple births. Jiang Shiruo is stunningly beautiful, but only a concubine’s daughter. Still, even a concubine’s daughter deserves to live. Jiang Shiruo has no interest in the other princes. She only wants to enter the Eastern Palace, because that’s the only way she can reach the highest position. After 7.7kReads8.9Score676Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonists are all incredibly clear-headed, using their intelligence to gain the emperor's favor and ultimately ascend to the position of empress.

21. 21 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 68.4kReads9.4Score8.7kShelves
22. 22 皇 The Empress Is a Max-Level Palace Intriguer, Crushing Everyone 皇后满级宫斗，嘎嘎乱杀 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + infidelity + fictional setting + a resourceful, money-loving, beauty-loving, life-loving empress ✖️ emperor] In her previous life, Hua Shu was a lowly palace maid. She schemed her way to the top of the political ladder, only to be condemned by everyone and branded a wicked woman who brought ruin to the nation. When she opens her eyes again, she finds herself in the unfamiliar state of Chu, as an unloved empress who’s also being made a scapegoat. As if she’d put up with that! S 14.2kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves
23. 23 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves

    Reader note

    No female protagonist in this book is more clear-headed; the ending is comparable to "Empresses in the Palace".

24. 24 如 Ruyi's Soul Transmigrates into Yixiu: Warm the Harem? Stir Up the Harem? 如懿魂穿宜修温暖？搅乱？后宫 Shu Qingqing书清清Female-Channel Fanfiction335k WordsCompleted [No OOC! The plot follows the characters' original personalities as much as possible. The focus is on the ensemble cast after Ruyi arrives and her delusions throw Empresses in the Palace off course.] Ruyi died in this life. Her childhood sweetheart betrayed her, so she died to make them all regret it, the whole world be damned! But, wait? Ruyi opens her eyes again, and has become her own aunt. Luckily, her uncle has only just ascended the throne, and her aunt is still Empress with real power in 626Reads8.8Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    Ruyi's soul travels into the world of Zhen Huan, and Meizhuang, Lingrong, and Zhen Huan all regain their senses 🤭 They saw through the fat orange early on, and the three sisters remained close and each found their own happiness.

25. 25 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 88.8kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves

    Reader note

    A thrilling palace intrigue novel! The female lead is definitely intelligent, not a saintly white lotus, no time travel or reincarnation, purely ancient Chinese, the plot is very logical, all the characters are smart, and the author's writing is excellent. My second best novel about a strong female lead's family and country through past and present lives! 👍👍👍

26. 26 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 32.9kReads9.3Score3.3kShelves
27. 27 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 118kReads9.5Score11.2kShelves

    Reader note

    It's not finished yet, but I can guarantee it's absolutely great. The male lead has a white moonlight (read at your own risk if you mind), and he falls in love with Yao Yao later on (even after realizing that Yao Yao isn't a simple, innocent girl, he still loves her). Yao Yao isn't love-struck; she prioritizes winning hearts before power, and loving herself comes first. She's beautiful, cunning, and resourceful. It will make the male lead suffer, but a little bit of angst is good for the soul. If you like that kind of thing, give it a try.

28. 28 帝 The Imperial Terrace's Charm: The Noble Consort Is Beautiful and Well-Behaved 帝台娇：贵妃娘娘她又美又乖 Mu Niannian慕年年Ancient Romance501k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + climbing the ranks and crushing the villains + doting romance. The male lead knows his own heart. He'll devote himself to her alone later on.] [The heroine rises through the ranks quickly at first, then more slowly later on.] [The heroine comes from a noble family, is the most beautiful woman in the harem, and already has two adorable children. The Emperor falls for her first and favors her from early on, before devoting himself to her alone in the middle and later parts.] By a 20.5kReads9.4Score2kShelves
29. 29 先 Love After Marriage: The Crown Princess Keeps Pretending to Be Good Again and Again 先婚后爱，太子妃又又又又在装乖 I Want to Be a Rich Lady我想当富婆Ancient Romance278k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance] Song Yao, who was born into this world, got married to Nangong Yi, the notoriously violent crown prince. After their wedding, they acted like a proper couple, treating each other with courtesy and respect. Gradually, Song Yao discovered that the crown prince was nothing like the violent man of the rumors. He was gentle, considerate, and easy to get along with. So she let her true nature out and started doing as she pleased. - At first, when facing the crown prince: Song Yao: gent 21.7kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    💗The female lead is a transmigrated assassin. She appears gentle and virtuous on the surface, but is actually ruthless and vicious. She uses this persona to engage in power struggles within the family, wielding her own influence and using others as fertile ground for her own gain. 💓The male lead is a prince, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and dotes on his wife. He enjoys pursuing her, even playing along with her in a charade. He has secretly loved her for over a decade and finally achieves his heart's desire. ❣️Note: If you prefer heartwarming family stories, this isn't for you. The female lead's parents are eccentric, but she'll deal with them and won't suffer in silence. 💕Plus, she has loving and doting older siblings. A worthwhile read! 👍👍👍

30. 30 旺 Bringing Fortune to Her Husband and Glory to His Clan! The General's Wife Is a True Lucky Star! 旺夫！兴族！将军夫人真锦鲤！ March Sluggishness三月意懒Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [A dangerously unhinged, handsome and tragic general × a delicate beauty who cries at the drop of a hat; marriage first, love later + sweet romance + age gap] Cheng Yang is the Liang dynasty’s greatest general: stern, ruthless, and utterly brutal in his methods. People in court call him the “Fourth Chancellor.” Despite his outstanding military service, he is cursed with the fate of a lone star. His father and brothers are all dead, his birth mother is gravely ill, and his sister-in-law has gone 12.4kReads9.2Score1.4kShelves
31. 31 咸 The Laid-Back Consort: Rising Step by Step 咸鱼娘娘：步步高升 Melancholy Cantaloupe忧伤的哈密瓜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + palace and household intrigue + childbirth + doted on exclusively later] Jiang Wan transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking palace consort of an emperor with no children. To protect the people around her, she has no choice but to compete for a little favor. Who knew she’d end up giving the emperor a chubby baby boy! Emperor: “She’s the birth mother of my only son. Of course I have to protect her.” Who knew that all that protection would turn into affection? As Jiang Wan ris 19.1kReads8.9Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This is really beautiful! 👍

32. 32 谁 Whose Favored Concubine Doesn't Get Herself Killed? 谁家宠妾不作死啊 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Pei Shiyuan had always thought that, as a concubine-born daughter, she thrived at her family home because she knew a little tea ceremony and all she had to do was flatter her father, the head of the household. She had been quite pleased with herself about it, right up until she entered the Eighth Prince’s household. The Eighth Prince’s mother, the Noble Consort, was so favored that the Empress had no room to stand. His maternal family wielded so much power that the court officials could barely b 77.9kReads9.5Score8kShelves

    Reader note

    In this book, the female protagonist is extremely clear-headed.

33. 33 绑 Bound to the System, the Empress Keeps Conceiving 绑定系统后，娘娘她好孕连连 Mu Ningxuan沐凝萱Ancient Romance621k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Yun Zhining was forced to enter the palace to save her legitimate elder sister from the Cold Palace. Her sister regained the emperor's favor and stepped over Yun Zhining's corpse to become empress. Unwilling to accept her fate, Yun Zhining bound herself to a System and was reborn anew. Ding! Congratulations, you've bound yourself to the System and gained exceptional talents. Ding! Congratulations, you've won the emperor's favor and received one fertility pill. Ding! Congrat 470Reads7.3Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is clear-headed and not driven by romantic feelings.

34. 34 娘 Your Majesty, More Children, More Blessings: Rising Through the Harem 娘娘多子多福，一路宫斗上位 Western Primrose西洋樱草Ancient Romance180k WordsOngoing [Historical romance + palace intrigue + sweet romance + clear-eyed heroine + exclusive devotion + powerful man humbled by love] When the new emperor ascends the throne, Liu Sangning is chosen to enter the palace. At first, she has no desire to fight for power and only wants to live in peace. But after going through a series of events, she realizes that even if she doesn't pick a fight, trouble will come looking for her. If that's how it is, then she'll use her beauty and cunning to carve out a p 2Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 35 名 Famed Throughout the Capital 名满京华 Mu Mu Mu Zhi木木木枳Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Rebirth + Revenge + Taking Down the Trash] Chu Muqing, the eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis Household, was raised from childhood by her second uncle’s family in Hezhou. After returning to the capital, she believed her stepmother was kind, her younger half-sister was good-hearted, and all her relatives in the marquis household loved her. Who would have thought that one day she’d wake up and realize the loving mother and daughter, the harmonious family, were all an illusion? Meanwhile, tho 5.5kReads8.9Score609Shelves

    Reader note

    To be honest, these two books are really great; the female protagonists are both very intelligent and clear-headed.

36. 36 嫁 After Marrying the Mad Crown Prince to Bring Him Good Fortune 嫁给疯批太子冲喜后 You Shi尤时Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The unfavored legitimate daughter of the Mu family is ordered by imperial decree to marry the crown prince, Zhou Jing, who is at death's door, to bring him good luck. Plenty of people wait to laugh at her, saying she might just end up bringing him luck by killing him in bed. When Zhou Jing opens his eyes, he finds himself with a fiancée. The young woman is clearly terrified of him, but still can't help swearing her loyalty. “Your Highness, I'll treat you very well.” “Your Highness, after you pas 33.4kReads9.4Score4.7kShelves
37. 37 夭 Good Grief! I Woke Up as the Traitorous Official's Wife, Destined to Die Young 夭寿啦！一睁眼穿成奸臣早死原配 Every Inch Is Gold寸寸金Ancient Romance679k WordsCompleted Shen Heng transmigrates into an alternate history as the secret first wife of Xie Jian, the most notorious corrupt chancellor of all time, and finds herself on the way to elope with someone. She doesn't even know where to begin complaining. This is what the Record of True Chancellors says about Xie Jian: Xie Jian, courtesy name Zixuan, was the last chancellor of the Great Cong Dynasty. Through his own efforts, he brought down the dynasty, which had stood for over six hundred years. His life: He 16.9kReads9.0Score2.1kShelves
38. 38 让 They Wanted Me to Be a Sacrificial Stepmother, but I Chose to Make My Own Way 让我当炮灰主母，我偏另谋高枝 Ji Yun霁妘Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Historical Romance / Household Intrigue / Sweet Romance / The Male Lead Is Head Over Heels] In Ruyi's Beloved Concubine, the heir apparent Xie Yunzhix is a brave and formidable warrior, always dashing across the battlefield in fine clothes, with no one able to stand against him. Sadly, he is only a supporting character. The story opens with him in a vegetative state, leaving behind three adopted sons. Xu Qingyi discovers that she has become the foil to the beloved heroine of a sweet romance. On 139.3kReads9.4Score20.5kShelves
39. 39 清 Qing Transmigration: The Side Consort Has an Assist System 清穿：侧福晋有助攻系统 Waiting for the Night in the Snow雪上等夜人Ancient Romance494k WordsCompleted A word of caution: This is a novel, not history, so don't scrutinize it. The names and anything else that differs from history are all invented for the story. If that's not your thing, read at your own risk. [Alternate Qing Dynasty + Assist System + Everyday Leveling Up + Raising Children] Song Shurou transmigrates and becomes a Song Concubine in the early years of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign. Song Concubine has a breakout? System: Don't worry, Shurou. Just say one sentence to Yongzheng, and w 14.5kReads9.3Score974Shelves
40. 40 穿 After Becoming a 200-Pound Princess Consort, She Became His Favorite 穿成二百斤的胖王妃后，她得宠了 Unmatched Beauty倾城不二Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, a frail prince who can barely care for himself + an ugly princess consort strong enough to move mountains + married first, love later + a groveling husband] A descendant of an ancient medical family, she transmigrates into the body of the ugliest woman in the land, with three chins, and marries a gravely ill war god of a prince. On their wedding night, she’s locked in the woodshed, where even the lowliest maid can torment her mercilessly! They call her a fatso and an ugly 1.9kReads9.1Score306Shelves
41. 41 恶 The Wicked Supporting Actress Is Reborn and Wins at Life 恶毒女配重生后躺赢了 Bei Xin贝芯Ancient Romance622k WordsCompleted The emperor has never touched anyone but the heroine! One beloved consort in the harem + 1v1 romance + fictional setting. Meng Yan only learns on the brink of death that she's a supporting character in a sweet palace-intrigue novel. In the story, she loves the emperor, Lu Haozhi, devotedly until the very end. She diligently competes for his favor and tirelessly fights the innocent white-lotus heroine, only to land herself in the cold palace and die miserably in the snow. After being reborn, she 21kReads9.1Score2kShelves
42. 42 惹 Offending the Imperial Daughter 惹金枝 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (Film and television rights have been sold. The physical book will be available for preorder on July 10 at 19:00.) Shi Buyu was born smiling. At that moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared, collapsing a row of outbuildings in the Shi family compound. Days of torrential rain brought devastating floods and countless victims. Rumors soon spread through the capital that she was a disaster star sent into the world. But she was as precocious as a demon, with a photographic memory, and learned bo 257.8kReads9.7Score30.2kShelves
43. 43 演 I Played the Emperor My Whole Life, and After Being Reborn, He Still Wants the Crown Prince 演了皇上一辈子，重生他还要太子 One Little Sweet Fish一口小甜鱼Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Original title: Only After His Death Did He Learn That the Empress Did Not Want to Be Buried With Him [The heroine transmigrates, the hero is reborn] As he lay dying, Emperor Tianhe looked back on his eventful life. He had risen from humble beginnings to become the founding emperor, and the world praised his achievements. In his fading consciousness, he saw his virtuous empress, his beautiful consorts, and his weeping children. He felt that his life had been complete. But after he died, his soul 31.7kReads8.9Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is clear-headed, understanding of the situation, adaptable, and meticulous.

44. 44 君 The Emperor Claims His Minister's Wife? After Our Divorce, I Take the Empress's Seat 君夺臣妻？和离后我入主中宫 Huang Dandan黄蛋蛋Ancient Romance503k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, devoted couple, palace and household intrigue, reborn male lead, heroine who grows stronger over time, gentle heroine in the early stages who rises to power later, male rival gets the girl] In accordance with her father's dying wish, Yi Huan married the young general Lin Qingpei. She was cautious at every turn, but her husband doted on his concubines and neglected his wife, making her the laughingstock of the capital. Yi Huan thought this was how her life would go, until she 4.8kReads9.2Score590Shelves
45. 45 御 The Censor's Playful Wife 御史大人的纨绔妻 That Chatterbox那个话痨Ancient Romance321k WordsCompleted He is a young censor, cold-faced and upright, who never gives anyone a kind word. She is a spoiled, pleasure-seeking young lady in Shengjing, always teasing cats and dogs. He is a trusted minister to two generations of emperors, while she is doted on by her parents. What happens when a man of such impeccable propriety meets a shameless woman? What happens when a woman with a serious weakness for handsome men meets a man of striking good looks? She was attracted to his looks on a whim, on a s 6kReads9.2Score745Shelves

    Reader note

    In the first book, the female lead is obsessed with good looks. In the second book, although the father remarried, the stepmother wasn't the kind of cruel stepmother I had imagined.

46. 46 满 Spring Over the City 满城春 A Copper Coin一枚铜钱Ancient Romance560k WordsCompleted [New Bonus Chapters] The Liu family of the capital is an illustrious noble house, so powerful that even the imperial clan treats them with deference. Liu Yan, the youngest legitimate daughter of the Liu family's second branch, is gifted and blessed with both wisdom and good fortune. When her stepmother joins the family as she turns five, Liu Yan expects a fierce battle. But her stepmother turns out to be quite unlike anyone expected. With her older brother looking out for her and her childhood s 15.5kReads9.4Score1.7kShelves
47. 47 绝 The Stunning, Fiesty Favorite Consort: The Tyrant Is Addicted to Spoiling Her 绝美宠妃太刁蛮，暴君自虐宠上瘾 Wenxin Ruoshui文心若水Ancient Romance747k WordsCompleted 708Reads8.9Score101Shelves
48. 48 谁 Who Says a Daughter Can’t Be the Only One Doted On? 谁说生女不得独宠？ Wang Yu望语Ancient Romance429k WordsCompleted She woke to discover she was the lowest-ranking concubine in the prince’s household. Su Lingxue was stunned. That’s right, she had transmigrated into a fictional dynasty, and into the most lowly concubine of all. Luckily, her original self was a merchant’s daughter, with plenty of money, shops, and farmland of her own. Faced with the undercurrents in the prince’s household, Su Lingxue decided to lie flat. Let whoever wanted to fight go ahead. She wouldn’t compete or draw attention to herself. Al 382Reads6.6Score—Shelves
49. 49 做 A Maid? The Prince Can't Live Without Her 做丫鬟？王爷离不开她了 Bright Colors亮彩Ancient Romance223k WordsCompleted She was the legitimate daughter of a marquis’s household, yet her life was worse than that of a concubine-born daughter. Her mother had died young. A former concubine became a co-wife, while the daughter born to a concubine took everything that should have belonged to her. Worse still, they schemed against her and made her the prince’s bedchamber maid! But fortunes change. She won the prince’s heart and finally turned her life around. 5Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 50 你 Didn't You Say She Was Old and Out of Favor? 你不是说她年纪大，不得宠吗？ I'm Xingxing Da我是星星大Ancient Romance590k WordsCompleted [Palace and household intrigue + raising children + food + everyday life + not chaste, but doted on] Su Tang transmigrated into the body of a concubine of Xiao Jingrong, Heir of the Prince of Zhaonan, with a two-year-old toddler in tow. The original owner had let herself go, behaved crudely, and was even older than the heir. He had long since forgotten her, leaving her to languish in a corner. Su Tang figured that was just fine. She wouldn’t compete for his favor or make the first move. But then 20.4kReads8.8Score2kShelves

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