Palace Intrigue Stories Where the Emperor Favors Only the Female Lead, With Both Leads' First Love Intact!!! 宫斗文，女主出现独宠的 双洁! ! !

1. 1 原 I Thought the Imperial Palace Was a Prison, but the Emperor Held Me by the Waist and Spoiled Me 原以深宫似海，却被帝王锁腰娇宠 Ningning Zi柠柠梓Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + Empress + Devoted couple and sweet romance + Male lead has planned this for a long time + Not a serious palace-intrigue story] Lu Zhiyuan is the cherished youngest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo’s household. She is exquisitely beautiful, with an accomplished elder brother who supports the family’s prestige and a second elder sister skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting who brings the family honor. She has no need to contribute anything to the family, and 12.6kReads8.9Score1.2k14d adds

   Reader note

   The first book is about a female protagonist who believes she was pushed into the position of empress by the ministers, but it turns out the male protagonist had been plotting it all along. [Learned something] The second book is about a female protagonist who, from the moment she entered the palace, wanted to be a good helpmate to the male protagonist, but he actually wanted a wife with whom he could share a life of mutual support. The male protagonist even orchestrated her entry into the palace. [Learned something]

2. 2 皇 The Emperor Only Wants to Share a Splendid Realm with His Empress 皇帝只想和皇后娘娘共享锦绣山河 Cheng Nuo橙诺Ancient Romance346k WordsCompleted Qin Weimeng's grandfather was the reigning dynasty's chancellor and the emperor's mentor. Bearing the duty of staying by the emperor's side, she entered the imperial harem, determined to be a capable wife and a good empress. What she didn't know was that Emperor Yuwen Che wanted a wife who would share both hardship and joy with him, and that he had played a part in bringing her into the palace from the very beginning. 3kReads9.0Score18914d adds
3. 3 穿 After Becoming a Delicate Little Drama Queen, I Caught the Yandere Male Lead's Eye 穿成娇软小作精后被病娇男主盯上 Yoyo Chacha柚柚茶茶Ancient Romance887k WordsOngoing [Transmigrate into a book + sweet romance + historical setting + System + obsessive love] [Soft, delicate, spoiled sickly beauty vs. cool, noble male lead who is secretly obsessive and dangerously unhinged] Jiang Yunzhen transmigrated into a sweet historical romance novel, becoming a minor passerby who died young, received barely a mention, and had almost no presence in the story. All Jiang Yunzhen wanted was to live a good life in this new world. But she got bound to a Passerby System and had t 470Reads7.4Score11514d adds

   Reader note

   I recommend giving it a try! 😳😳😳

4. 4 怎 What Do I Do? My New Husband Saw Through Me on Our Wedding Night 怎么办，换亲当晚就被戳穿 Year After Year, Reborn年复生生Ancient Romance442k WordsCompleted The sun shone brightly on Shen Xuehe's wedding day, yet she broke out in a cold sweat. She knew she wasn't going to marry the man her family had chosen for her, her cousin's intended, Prince Lin'an, but her elder female cousin's fiancé, Lu Cun. Her cousin and she were getting married on the very same day. She didn't know what the future held, and she didn't care what kind of future awaited her. To her, it was only a question of where she would die. On their wedding night, Lu Cun reached out and 4kReads8.6Score29614d adds
5. 5 娇 After Her Beloved Becomes a Widow, the Chaste Governor Imprisons Her and Becomes Obsessed 娇娇守寡后，禁欲督主囚她上瘾 Xiao Yimian小亦绵Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted 5.3kReads9.0Score66814d adds
6. 6 诈 After Faking His Death, He Went Mad 诈死后，他疯了 Her Mountain她山Ancient Romance352k WordsCompleted The heroine was transmigrated into a book before birth + the hero is a native of the world + young love and marriage + rekindled romance + two hopeless romantics + always choosing each other To put her gravely ill father at ease, Jiang Wan married the man he had taken in. After her father passed away, the man said he would take her home. She never imagined he would take her straight to Prince Duan's residence in the capital. Only then did she learn he was Zhao Zhixing, the emperor's fifth son a 142.8kReads8.6Score12.8k14d adds
7. 7 娇 The Pretty Palace Maid's Step-by-Step Rise to Empress 娇娇宫女，步步为后 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance574k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue / not both partners’ first time / devoted love in the later story / not a strong heroine; the female lead cries easily and isn’t particularly clever, so don’t expect too much!] After three years in the palace, Yue Li has worked carefully and waited for a chance at promotion. Just before she is promoted, a palace maid sharing her room is sentenced to death for offending a consort. Thunder crashes and rain pours that night as blood spatters everywhere. Terrified, Yue Li cannot sle 25.1kReads9.3Score12.4k14d adds

   Reader note

   Both are good. The second one is about rebirth (the male lead only loves the female lead from beginning to end).

8. 8 帝 The Emperor's Love, the Princess's Fate 帝王宠，娇女命 Zhong Zhizhong钟之中Ancient Romance412k WordsCompleted [Both Pure + Obsessive, Devoted Emperor + Palace and Household Intrigue + Consorts in the Harem, None Later On, Skip If You Mind] In her previous life, Wei Yanran had barely transmigrated when her grandmother married her off to an old man. She asked countless people for help, but only Xiao Heng was willing to help her. What she never realized was that he had already set his sights on her. He was obsessive. He hated her looking at other people, smiling at other people, or stepping outside the cag 5.3kReads8.9Score65014d adds
9. 9 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 120.1kReads9.5Score11.3k14d adds

   Reader note

   If you're looking for palace intrigue, come check this out! ✅ Especially the first book—oh my god, the arguments are so good! After reading so many others, none of them compare to this one. Wow, it's even a double virgin story! The female lead's character is absolutely perfect for me! 😳

10. 10 救 Help! I Was Reborn, but I Still Have to Sell My Looks to Stay Alive! 救命！重生了还得出卖美色续命！ Money, Money, Get Rich钱钱暴富Ancient Romance412k WordsCompleted Reborn! To Stay Alive, the Consort Makes a Name for Herself with Her Audacity! [Transmigration + Reborn + System + Extend Her Life + Devoted Couple + Emperor’s Favor] [Delicate, sweet, seemingly innocent but secretly calculating beauty × powerful, domineering, scheming emperor] Gu Li had fought her way up from a C-list actress to stardom, only to be killed when a die-hard fan of her rival ran her over. She was reborn as another Gu Li, who had just entered the palace of the Great Xia Kingdom and 121Reads5.9Score—14d adds
11. 11 娘 The Empress Is Frail and Sickly, and the Emperor Spoils Her Without Restraint 娘娘体弱多病，皇上宠溺无度 Yuan Yuan原瑗Ancient Romance735k WordsCompleted [The Rise of the Empress] [A Consort Who Has Her Sights Set on Power and Court Intrigue X An Emperor Who Accidentally Falls into Love] [Palace Intrigue + Sweet Romance + Non-Exclusive Romance at First + Devotion Later On + Exclusive Romance in the Alternate Ending] The sickly legitimate daughter of the Duke of Rong's household entered the palace, and many people in the capital were waiting to see Ji Qing'ai make a fool of herself. The emperor had been on the throne for four years without giving 3.1kReads8.7Score27514d adds
12. 12 贵 The Alluring Imperial Consort Climbs to the Top by Winning the Emperor’s Favor 贵妃娘娘妩媚诱人，一路争宠上位 Cheng Shuang乘霜Ancient Romance400k WordsCompleted [A drama-loving, cunning heroine who puts on a beautiful act × a hero who falls for all her tricks] The heroine is spoiled by his affection, and the hero keeps lowering his standards for her Shen Yue knew from childhood that she had to fight for whatever she wanted. Having watched her concubine mother bow and scrape around the household, she wanted to win a respectable place in the world for them both. As a concubine-born daughter, no high-ranking family would take her as a principal wife. If sh 2.8kReads8.8Score24514d adds
13. 13 怎 How Can Anyone Resist the Noble Consort's Alluring Charm? 怎敌贵妃百媚千娇 Fish Carrying the Moon鱼衔月Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + sweet romance + heroine transmigrates] In the fifth year of Yongyan, the emperor ordered a selection of consorts. Wen Wanyu was the most beautiful among the candidates. With her charming looks and soft, lilting voice, she was as delicate as a flower and soon won the emperor’s favor. She had once been the apple of her father’s eye, but when he was framed and her elder brother humiliated, she defied her whole family and asked to enter the palace to protect them. From the darling 2.2kReads8.9Score19414d adds
14. 14 贵 The Imperial Consort Is Ravishingly Beautiful, but All She Wants Is Power and Wealth 贵妃千娇百媚，只求权势富贵 Fujiwara Tofu藤原豆腐Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [A mad, obsessive emperor with jealousy to spare x a consort who has renounced love and walled off her heart] [One-on-one romance + both reborn + devoted to each other in body and heart, in both lives] One-line summary: A story about an emperor who lost the love of his life, and how he slowly teaches the woman he loves to understand love, jealousy, anger, and longing. As the eldest son born to the empress, Qi Junyi was born to privilege. He seized power in his youth, was named crown princ 10.6kReads8.1Score64414d adds

    Reader note

    It guarantees both leads are virgins (clean/virgin). There are quite a few misunderstandings between the male and female leads in the beginning, but these are all resolved later. There's also a little bit of angst.

15. 15 疯 The Mad Emperor Cures Me, Then Becomes Obsessed with Keeping Me 疯批皇帝把我治好后囚爱成瘾 The Moon Speaks of Knowing the Stars月语知星星Ancient Romance308k WordsCompleted [Mutual Fidelity + Forced Love + Power Struggles + Marriage by Force] A frail, delicate princess and a madly devoted emperor. When Mu Zhecheng, ruler of Beihuai, announced that he would choose an empress from among the women of Nanyan, the entire kingdom was in an uproar! Only Princess Xinning, secluded in Anhua Palace, remarked, “He's spent ten years searching for the right woman and now flits about everywhere to find her. Should I call him devoted, or promiscuous?” Later, Mu Zhecheng, ruler of 31Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    One word: Absolutely amazing!

16. 16 娘 The Empress Is So Charming, His Majesty Is Reborn to Bend Over Backward for Her 娘娘多娇，陛下重生为其弯眉折腰 Muzi Yingbao木子颖宝Ancient Romance591k WordsCompleted He abused her, hurt her, and kept her imprisoned. When she had lost all hope, she resolved to take revenge on him... Didn’t he want her heart? Then she would give it to him! That day, she stood amid a sea of flames, beautiful and tragic, utterly resolute... “Your Majesty, these are all things you taught me. When facing someone vastly stronger than you, the best way to lie low is to disguise yourself and act obedient. To defeat someone, first attack their heart. The greatest revenge on an enemy i 4.7kReads8.8Score28314d adds
17. 17 综 Film and TV Crossover: I Dwell in Spring Mountain 综影视：我栖春山 Chunzhi Mu春枝暮Female-Channel Fanfiction1.6M WordsCompleted [Stunning heroine + protagonist's halo + Mary Sue + sweet romance + exclusive devotion + love at first sight + lovesick male lead + one-on-one] 1. Empresses in the Palace (original novel), pairing: Xuan Ling (completed) [The person before my eyes is the one in my heart] 2. Palace Lock Heart Jade, pairing: Kangxi (completed) [Question the Emperor, understand the Emperor, surpass the Emperor. At last, the First Prince of the Great Qing has arrived, though late.] 3. Custom commission: Liu Che (in 43.2kReads9.3Score1.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    A touch of palace intrigue, a sweet and doting romance novel, the male lead is incredibly doting.

18. 18 综 Film and TV Crossover: The Beauty Beyond the Clouds 综影视：美人隔云端 White Tea Wine白茶酿酒Female-Channel Fanfiction793k WordsCompleted [Empresses in the Palace arc ongoing] Si Yu is a beauty, an peerless beauty with the protagonist's halo shining above her head. 1. Empresses in the Palace (original novel): So what if I was born low? What I want will be handed to me willingly. (Complete) 2. The Story of Minglan: So what if I'm the vicious female supporting character? I'm her biggest backer, after all. (Complete) 3. Empresses in the Palace: Qing Dynasty Edition: Si Yu and Xuan Ling rekindle their romance, while the Fourth Lord wa 17.1kReads9.0Score64214d adds
19. 19 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 90.9kReads9.6Score12.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    ✨Both characters are virgins! The male lead dotes on the female lead exclusively! No childhood sweethearts, no scheming girls, it's super good!

20. 20 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 24.6kReads9.3Score1.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    [Learned it][Learned it] 1. Completely palace intrigue, the female lead is an absolute beauty, seemingly innocent but actually cunning, the emperor is completely devoted to her, and the extra chapters are super good, 😳😳😳

21. 21 快 Quick Transmigration: The Cunning Beauty Who Charms Everyone 快穿心机美人狠撩人 Black Tea Lady黑茶淑女Ancient Romance548k WordsCompleted [Quick transmigration + stunning female lead + no fixed CP] Immersive quick transmigration The male leads make the first move and fall for her on their own. The female lead quietly fulfills the wish-makers' wishes. There are no grand schemes or elaborate machinations. In each world, she completes her mission while staying true to the original character's established personality. To emphasize: the female lead won't break character after entering the original body's life. Miao Miao was once a tre 20.7kReads9.0Score1.1k14d adds
22. 22 重 Reborn, the Noble Consort Only Wants to Be the Villain 重生后贵妃她只想当反派 Love Sleeping In爱睡懒觉Ancient Romance351k WordsCompleted [Mutual devotion + sweet romance + no angst] After being reborn, Ye Jiujiu takes her brash, don’t-mess-with-me attitude to the extreme: She kicks the meticulously dressed Consort Li into the water; She slips laxatives into the tea of the coquettish Consort Yun; She wreaks havoc at the flower-viewing banquet the Empress painstakingly prepared; The consorts all rush to the emperor to complain: The cool, dignified emperor says, “I established this harem solely to give the Noble Consort something to 3.5kReads9.1Score34914d adds

    Reader note

    Both characters are virgins; the emperor builds a harem just for the female lead to play with. 🌷🌷🌷 It's a sweet romance novel where the male lead unconditionally indulges the female lead. You won't regret reading it! Sisters, go for it! 💐💐💐

23. 23 扶 Hold Me by the Waist! 扶细腰！ Fan Sheng梵升Ancient Romance720k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance + Comeback + Devoted Couple] Tao Yao has paid dearly for falling in love and suffered through the pain of deep devotion. She nearly lost all hope and died in prison. Then, for some inexplicable reason, the sect leader of the Qingli Sect saved her, making her his cherished concubine, doted on like a treasure in his palm. Since she can’t die, she’ll expose the man who betrayed her and make him pay. Then she’ll keep a clear head and never settle again. All she wants is to conque 754Reads9.0Score10014d adds

    Reader note

    The first book has a male lead who has been plotting to marry the female lead for a long time; it's super sweet and very good. The second book has a female lead who is hurt by a scumbag, but the male lead saves her; both are virgins, and the male lead gives the female lead a lot of security and dotes on her; definitely worth reading. The third book has both male and female leads from merchant families; the male lead is very humorous and treats the female lead very well; it's really good!

24. 24 嫁 Marrying into a Wealthy Family 嫁大户 Ji Qiushan积丘山Ancient Romance350k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + merchant couple + married life + sweet everyday romance + family and village life] The heroine is gentle, clear-headed, and never lets anyone push her around. The hero is considerate, witty, and resourceful. The younger daughter of the Shen family in Baihe Town marries the second son of the Xie family, who runs a medicinal herb shop in Ping County. She hears he spends most of his time away from home and that his family has fallen on hard times. She never expec 28.5kReads9.3Score3.9k14d adds
25. 25 乖 Be Good! Sweetheart, Don't Run! The Mad Tyrant Coaxes You in a Hoarse Whisper 乖！娇娇别逃！疯批暴君低哑缠哄 A Crescent Moon一剪月Ancient Romance272k WordsCompleted [Also known as The Phoenix Returns to the Luan] [Both Reborn + Both Transmigrate + Yandere + Power Couple + Everyone’s Favorite + Sweet Romance and Power Fantasy] After dying tragically in her previous life and transmigrating to the modern world, Yun Li unexpectedly transmigrates back. When she opens her eyes, it’s her wedding night! “A Li... why can’t you try to love me?” The yandere regent grips her waist, his eyes red-rimmed, and swears he’ll pamper his little darling with his life in this li 10.6kReads9.3Score1.4k14d adds
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 32.5kReads9.3Score3.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    Fate smiled upon her, and she was reborn as Princess Qingyi of the Northern Yao Kingdom, Jiang Yunxi. She possessed a noble status, exceptional beauty and talent, and was showered with the love and care of her parents and brothers. However, although she retained her martial arts skills, to outsiders she was merely a sickly beauty. To exact revenge, she needed a powerful ally. At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Jiang Yunxi raised her beautiful eyes slightly. The ruthless Regent, holding the Tiger Tally and second only to the Emperor, was a suitable candidate. So what if he was averse to women and ruthless? With a touch of seduction, he would fall for her charms.

27. 27 帝 The Emperor's Cherished Consort 帝王娇宠 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance417k WordsCompleted [Not a pure-love couple / not a strong heroine / weak heroine / little palace intrigue / slight angst early on, exclusive devotion later] Shu Li began having frequent dreams after she was transferred from the Hall of Sacred Books to serve the emperor. In them, a tall man stood not far from her. The first time their eyes met, she woke with a start. The second time she saw his face, he grabbed her by the throat and frightened her. The day after waking from the dream, she suddenly realized that 8.1kReads9.2Score86914d adds
28. 28 想 I Just Want to Lie Flat, but the Emperor Pushes Me into the Harem Battles 想躺平，皇上却push我宫斗 Wooden Raisin木提子Ancient Romance328k WordsCompleted [An unconventional palace-intrigue story + 1v1 later on + a love-triangle free-for-all] The emperor falls first, then turns dark later [A beautiful, easygoing sloth consort who just wants to lie flat x a hard-working emperor who is secretly scheming and potentially unhinged] “Me, Just Looking for a Basic Salary and Slacking Off, Got Promoted Thanks to the Emperor’s Help” / “The Emperor Fights Palace Battles for Me Behind My Back” / “Consort Yao Doesn’t Want His Favor or Love, She Just Wants to R 8.4kReads9.3Score73414d adds

    Reader note

    Ladies, these novels [Attention][Attention] are all palace intrigue + exclusive love stories, and they're all rated 9 points or higher! Ladies, hurry up and check them out! 😘😘😘

29. 29 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 37.3kReads9.4Score4.3k14d adds
30. 30 清 Qing Transmigration: Stay Calm, Princess Consort! The Fourth Prince Will Win You the Empress's Throne 清穿：福晋稳住！四爷给你挣后位 Willow Bank杨柳岸Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [An alternate Qing dynasty, unlike the historical one.] After transmigrating, Yun Qu swallowed nervously as she faced her complicated new circumstances. She had become the Fourth Prince's primary consort. What was she supposed to do? Could she ever go back? Once she learned that returning was impossible, Yun Qu accepted her fate. She decided to raise her son well and treat the Fourth Prince like her boss, serving him diligently. If he pointed east, she wouldn't go west. If he wanted to take a co 19.1kReads9.1Score1.5k14d adds
31. 31 诱 Luring Her into His Arms: The Boy Next Door Is So Good at Flirting 诱她入怀，邻家哥哥好会撩 Tea Brewed with Autumn Water秋水煎茶Modern Romance382k WordsCompleted Synopsis: [Reunion After a Long Separation + Childhood Friends + Long-Planned Romance + Both Pure + Mutual Secret Crushes + Sweet and Angsty] Song Tang knew from childhood that she and the boy next door had been betrothed before they were even born. When they grew up, she would marry him. But when she was a teenager, the boy next door, who had doted on her like a princess, suddenly started avoiding her as if she were a snake or a scorpion. That year, he was a sophomore in college, surrounded by 4.4kReads8.9Score27514d adds
32. 32 傲 The Haughty Empress's Concubine Conquest 傲娇娘娘的宠妃攻略 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance437k WordsCompleted Palace intrigue + historical romance + not mutually chaste + marriage first, love later She is the general’s younger sister, with an excellent family background and beauty to match. After she transmigrates, she wakes up caught in the schemes and betrayals of the imperial palace. To protect herself, she resolves to become the emperor’s favorite consort. When they first meet, he tells her, “I will never like a woman like you in this life.” Gu Qingyan successfully presents herself as somewhat 1.6kReads8.9Score14114d adds
33. 33 朕 The Emperor Finds His Consort Alluring; I Find His Majesty a Jerk 朕见贵妃多妩媚，妾见皇上甚是渣 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance458k WordsCompleted [No transmigration or rebirth] [Pure palace intrigue] [The heroine never falls in love] Jinyue, the legitimate eldest daughter of a general's household, is chosen in a selection for the imperial harem. The Empress appoints her as a spy and marries her off to the Crown Prince as a secondary consort. The moment she enters the Eastern Palace, she understands that she and Zhongli Jin are bound only by mutual interest. There can never be the slightest affection between them. After sixteen years in th 2.5kReads9.0Score24214d adds
34. 34 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 56.6kReads9.5Score7k14d adds
35. 35 卿 Qing Chen's Scheme 卿宸谋 Southward, Where the Shepherd's Flute Plays南有牧笛笙Ancient Romance516k WordsCompleted [Not a virginal romance, not a wish-fulfillment story. Read with caution! A story that could loosely be called an ancient Cinderella tale] [Traditional Historical Palace Intrigue]+ [Rich Plot]+ [A Mix of Sweetness and Heartbreak]+ [Slow-Burning Happy Ending] Autumn, Year Seventeen of the Nanyan era. The late emperor passed away, and his eleventh son, Xiao Yuning, ascended the throne, ushering in the Minghe era. In the third year of Minghe, the court decreed that officials of the fourth rank and 1.1kReads8.9Score13214d adds
36. 36 娇 After the Charming Consort Entered the Palace, the Cold-Faced Emperor Became Her Devoted Puppy 娇媚娘娘进宫后，冷面帝王变忠犬 Staggering Along蹒跚行Ancient Romance340k WordsOngoing [Palace Intrigue + Sole Favorite + Emperor With His Head in the Clouds Over Love (Not a Virgin, But Devoted Exclusively to Her After She Enters the Palace) + Ensemble Cast] When Su Yuewu was nearing her coming-of-age ceremony, her distant aunt, the empress, selected her to enter the palace as a potential consort to Crown Prince Shen Heng. As the two spent more time together in the Eastern Palace, their feelings deepened. Just when they had become utterly inseparable, Su Yuewu suddenly came to 47Reads6.5Score—14d adds
37. 37 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Delicate, and the Cold, Cruel Emperor Falls for Her at First Sight 娘娘娇娇媚，冷戾帝王一见倾心 The Star Among the Stars in the Sky天上星星的星星Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue and revenge, a slow-burn, slow-payoff story + stunning heroine + exceptionally clearheaded heroine with an unwavering goal] [The hero always favors the heroine + dotes on her exclusively in the middle + disbands his harem later] After Shen Qingtang’s aunt is schemed against and killed by Madam Shen, her goal becomes perfectly clear: she will enter the palace, become the most honored woman in the land, and make everyone who plotted against her aunt pay. She is also perfectly clea 5kReads9.1Score56414d adds
38. 38 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 87.1kReads9.5Score9.7k14d adds
39. 39 重 Reborn Palace Maid: She Only Wants to Fight for the Emperor's Favor 重生宫女之她只想宫斗 Lady Yejiu夜九娘Ancient Romance444k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Jiaoyun spent years confined in the Cold Palace before finally being released. What she got in return was a useless husband and a wicked mother-in-law. This time, she decisively betrayed her mistress and climbed into someone else’s bed, successfully rising in status. And then she became the lowest-ranking palace maid… When Emperor Jingheng first saw Jiaoyun, he was merely captivated by her looks. “How can this palace maid have fairer skin than the Noble Consort?” Jiaoy 710Reads9.1Score10214d adds

    Reader note

    These are all great reads. The early chapters feature palace intrigue, with the male lead initially favoring the female lead, but later showering her with exclusive affection. 😄 The female lead is very intelligent, a good actress, and always very clear-headed. 😊 (Although the second book doesn't have a high rating, the male lead is incredibly clever! Unlike other books where he doesn't see through the female lead's schemes, he knows her methods but still spoils and loves her! It's a great read.)

40. 40 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 4.1kReads9.2Score46714d adds
41. 41 娘 The Empress Is Otherworldly and Alluring: The Emperor's Exclusive Favorite 娘娘又仙又撩：陛下椒房独宠 Clouds Rise to the Ninth Heaven云出九霄Ancient Romance519k WordsCompleted [Not a first-love-only pairing; the heroine is no saint; the emperor favors her exclusively in the middle and later stages; fluffy, brainless sweet romance; silly and lighthearted, read with caution] Everyone says that a highborn legitimate daughter who enters the palace is doomed to a bad end, but Pei Jinyan refuses to believe it. Besides, she was once the emperor’s favorite consort in her previous life. She simply ruined a winning hand through her own arrogance and capriciousness. She gave bir 7.5kReads9.2Score86714d adds
42. 42 娘 The Empress Is Sweet and Alluring, Winning Favor and Rising to Power 娘娘娇软妩媚，一路争宠上位 Bell Meow铃铛喵Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (A pure palace-intrigue story, not a one-on-one romance, and not a mutually faithful pairing. Proceed with caution!) Bai Ruotang is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Right Chancellor’s household. At fifteen, just after coming of age, she is sent into the palace to bear a child for her legitimate elder sister and help her secure the emperor’s favor. Unwilling to be reduced to someone else’s pawn, from the moment she steps through the palace gates, she decides she will carve out 10.5kReads8.9Score1k14d adds
43. 43 骗 A Marriage Scam? The Consort’s Alluring Beauty Steals the Emperor’s Heart and the Empress’s Throne 骗婚？云鬓酥腰娘娘诱帝夺后位 When Fuyao Rises当扶摇上Ancient Romance553k WordsCompleted Mutual firsts, a tightly woven palace power struggle, and a sweet, delicate beauty who is doted on The young woman I’ve secretly loved for years is about to enter the palace as a selected consort. I’m so excited I downed three bowls of sweet rice wine dumplings. She’s a delicate beauty who needs protecting. After she’s made a consort, she starts acting up! Make her a Noble Consort and she lets her true nature loose; make her Empress... In her past life, Jiang Sheng was locked in a woodshed by he 746Reads7.4Score10114d adds

    Reader note

    This is a really good palace drama. I watched it from beginning to end without stopping. Every single volume is great.

44. 44 绝 The Beautiful Little Maid 绝色小婢女 Lin Chouer林丑儿Ancient Romance175k WordsCompleted [Mutual Firsts 1v1 + Sharp Tongues + Sweet Romance + Jealous Male Lead + Extreme Possessiveness + Comedy + Completed] Lin Xi accidentally transmigrates to the Dayu Dynasty and becomes a maidservant to the God of War prince! She hears he kills without mercy and uses ruthless methods. In the capital, he is a terrifying figure whose very name makes people tremble. But she has a mouth that could get her killed, and she can't keep it shut for a moment. She thought she might not last long, but she nev 115Reads8.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    In this book, the male lead falls in love with the female lead at first sight and is completely blind to everyone else; he only wants to be with her every day, haha.

45. 45 娇 The Reborn Beloved Consort and the Cold Crown Prince Who’s Impossible to Coax 娇妃重生，清冷太子超难哄 Black Crow Jili黑鸦几里Ancient Romance378k WordsCompleted [The main story is complete] [Reborn + sweet romance + winning back her husband + childbirth] [Versatile and sweet Crown Princess vs. aloof, hard-to-please Crown Prince] A little angst adds spice, but this is an irresistibly sweet story full of affection. No heavy angst, one-on-one romance, both leads have eyes only for each other! P.S. Next stop: all sorts of sweet bonus stories are on the way~ In her previous life, Wen Wuyue was a complete joke, blinded by love and too foolish to see the truth 7.1kReads9.1Score55114d adds

    Reader note

    They're all palace intrigue novels, featuring exclusive love and two virgins!

46. 46 娇 His Sweet Wife Coaxes Him Every Day, Turning the Sickly Treacherous Minister into a Simp 娇妻日日哄，病娇奸臣变舔狗 Ying Yeye樱也也Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted [A one-on-one romance: a delicate, gorgeous beauty who’s actually falling apart vs. a murderous, power-hungry minister who’s actually a total simp. Super sweet! Super steamy! Super swoon-worthy! Trust me!] Jiang Yuelian is fair-skinned, beautiful, and mischievous, but she is mute. And the Empress has betrothed her to Xie Jin, a treacherous minister. Jiang Yuelian laments her terrible luck in being born at the wrong time. To survive, she does everything she can to please the minister. But as she 2.3kReads8.7Score35014d adds
47. 47 一 We Transmigrated Together: My Sister Became the Empress, and I Became a Princess Consort 一起穿越：姐姐做皇后，我做王妃 Mr. Zhuozhou涿州先生Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Two couples + both inexperienced + sweet romance] Sisters Lu Wanxi and Lu Yanhua had just finished their college entrance exams and were waiting to start university when an accident sent them both transmigrating to a strange era: the Great Qi Dynasty, a time period neither of the two liberal arts students had ever even heard of. They transmigrate into the Lu clan of Fanyang, a distinguished family among the Five Surnames and Seven Great Clans, where they are also cousins. Surrounded by an unfam 1.7kReads9.1Score19514d adds
48. 48 后 Tales of a Harem Struggle 后宫奋斗记 Spring Has Filled the Blossoming Branches华枝春已满Ancient Romance674k WordsCompleted Sweet romance + palace intrigue + a slow, steady love story + adorable children + devoted love later on In the sixth year of Zhengli, Qu Su, daughter of the Imperial Medical Academy's director, was ordered to enter the palace. Many years later, Qu Su had risen from Junior Lady to Noble Consort. Her children surrounded her, and her Yuyan cosmetics shops had spread throughout the land. Looking back, she saw that the man had always been protecting her from behind. Qu Su: I love you, and I love myse 17.9kReads9.1Score1.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    All of these are highly recommended! They're all from my personal bookshelf, completely finished, and I've read them all myself. They're incredibly good!!! Highly recommended! 238

49. 49 宠 The Imperial Consort Has a Few Screws Loose 宠妃她脑子有病 One Duck at Ease一鸭悠Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted (Audiobook version now available) [Transmigrate into a book + not a mutually exclusive first-love relationship + heroine adored by everyone + redemption + devoted love from the middle to later stages] Just as Ji Yuehuan's life was about to reach its peak, she suddenly died. After death, she transmigrated into a book. Unfortunately, she became a cannon-fodder character who was destined to die two years later according to the original plot. What? You think she can rely on knowing the story in adva 3.3kReads8.9Score35614d adds
50. 50 贵 The Noble Consort's Thousand Charms 贵妃千娇百媚 Ji Nanzhi寄南枝Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Palace-intrigue novel + reborn black lotus heroine + exceptionally talented actress, rising through the ranks] [The male lead has consorts at first. After falling for the heroine, he favors her, makes her his sole favorite, and eventually dismisses his harem. One-on-one romance.] In her previous life, Shen Fu was a substitute for her elder sister. Her sister was the beloved Noble Consort, the most favored woman in the imperial harem, and lived in unmatched splendor. Shen Fu, timid and frail, ha 3.1kReads8.5Score36014d adds

Other lists with I Thought the Imperial Palace Was a Prison, but the Emperor Held Me by the Waist and Spoiled Me