Looking for Ancient Settings, Political Intrigue, and a Highly Intelligent Protagonist 求古代，权谋，高智商

1. 151 千 The Thousand-Year-Old's Darling: Her Heart Belongs to You, Addicted to Loving Her 千岁掌中娇：独系卿心，恋她成瘾 Qi Yiyu七一妤Ancient Romance417k WordsOngoing The comic adaptation of The Fragrance Beneath the Tent is out. [1v1 + Both Pure + Sweet Romance + Childhood Sweethearts + Happy Ending + Kissing Fiend + Devoted Husband + Alternate Setting + Actual Eunuch] In a sentence: A man with an insatiable appetite for sex is castrated, but still desperately craves his wife. Since he was young, Jiang Youze had cherished a seed of love in his heart, one named Si Yan. He watered that seed with the innocent love of a boy, then nurtured it with a consuming, p 181.4kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves
2. 152 盟 The Mengjin Crossing 盟津渡 Facing South from the Mountain朝山南Historical267k WordsCompleted Also known as The Awakening of the Ferry Boy. Wu Heyuan, a young man from a Yellow River ferry crossing, suffers the massacre of his entire family, and his younger sister goes missing. After delivering a letter to the Weishui Alliance for a mysterious stranger, he becomes Jiang Shang’s disciple and embarks on a path of political intrigue. When his sister is trained to become an enemy nation’s assassin, when his beloved tastes poison to save him from the brink of death, and when his master gives —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   I recommend this book; the plot is full of twists and turns, and it's intellectually stimulating.

3. 153 女 A Woman in a Man's Body: The Concubine-Born Heir's Rise to Power 女穿男，庶房嫡子的逆袭 Liu Jilian刘忌廉Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing Now available as an audiobook with a full cast. [Alternate history] + [Woman transmigrates as a man] + [Born into this world] + [Imperial exams and business in the early story] + [Court politics later on] + [One female lead, with a relatively small role] + [A touch of ensemble cast] + [No golden finger] Xie Chengxi was born into another world as the sixth son of the Xie family, a minor family in Bianjing's Grain Transport Guild. His father was the clan's rejected son, kept under pressure for yea 33.9kReads8.3Score3.7kShelves

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   This book is quite good.

4. 154 医 The Divine Physician’s Hands Can Heal All: The Good-for-Nothing Legitimate Daughter Defies Heaven 医手遮天：废柴嫡女要逆天 My Heart Soars On and On悠悠我心飞扬Ancient Romance316k WordsCompleted Transmigration and rebirth + palace intrigue and household battles + two strong, calculating leads + face-slapping A modern doctor transmigrates into Tang Muxue, the legitimate daughter of the Duke's Estate. Carrying the grievances of her previous life and blessed with peerless medical skills, she leaves her former timidity behind and makes a place for herself through medicine. She saves lives and heals the sick, and unexpectedly meets the cold-faced Prince Jing, Xiao Mochen. Xiao Mochen suffe 6kReads8.8Score600Shelves

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   Rebirth and revenge, palace intrigue and power struggles, female protagonist's counterattack, tearing apart scumbag men and bitches, vengeful to enemies, no saintly heroines, male protagonist is a wife-protecting maniac, clearing obstacles all the way!

5. 155 魂 Awakening of the Soul: The Song of the Rift War 魂觉醒之裂合战歌 Treading on Flowers踏花郞Historical163k WordsCompleted On the eighth day of the ninth month, in the autumn of the late Tang, chrysanthemums bloom and all other flowers wither. The setting sun drips blood, smoke from the beacon fires blots out the sky, and horses trample the cracked earth amid utter chaos. Everywhere, blades flash and refugees roam... A down-and-out young man with nowhere else to turn seeks refuge with a fellow townsman, hoping to make something of himself. Instead, he stumbles straight into his enemies' den and nearly loses his life 212Reads9.3Score—Shelves

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   Strategies rarely last more than ten steps, but he crawled out of a pile of corpses, roared, and shattered all schemes and plots... It was incredibly entertaining! 👍

6. 156 女 The Disguised Dragon's Scheme: My Rogue Disciple Courts Me in His Dreams 女扮男装潜龙计，逆徒梦里泡为师 Mu Yanfeifei沐妍菲菲Ancient Romance607k WordsOngoing [Historical Intrigue + Female Spy in Disguise + Ensemble Mind Games + Martial Arts Mystery] [Female Martial Arts Master Disguised as a Man × Rebellious Disciple Who Defies His Teacher] The world is the board, and all living things are its pieces. Thirty years ago, a copy of A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains turned the tide during a palace coup. From then on, victory made kings and defeat made corpses, and the throne changed hands. Thirty years later, talents emerge across the nine regions, a 294Reads8.9Score—Shelves

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   She was the most brilliant and talented female disciple in her sect, disguised as a man to infiltrate a wealthy family. Ostensibly, she was taking on a disciple, but in reality, she was stealing maps, her sword aimed at the court and the emperor. He was the most inconspicuous good-for-nothing playboy under the shadow of his father and brothers, who unwittingly became her disciple, only wanting to lie low and do nothing. She taught him martial arts and military strategy, took him on adventures and solved cases, forcing him from a cute puppy into a ruthless general! But when he returned from his first command, he cornered her in his tent, his gaze burning: "Master... How many things have you been hiding from me?" She took the military tally from his waist with her left hand and offered him a cup of wine with her right: "My dear disciple, don't overthink it, go to sleep, you can have anything in your dreams."

7. 157 江 The River Moon Welcomes Spring Home 江月揽春归 Jiang Yulinglin江雨凌霖Ancient Romance190k WordsOngoing Not a palace- or household-intrigue story! The tags are incorrect; please follow the synopsis. For detailed guidance, see the end of Chapter 1. (Beautiful, strong, and tragic leads + healing + one-on-one, devoted couple + happy ending + political intrigue + ensemble cast) A young general who seems dark but is actually kind × a student from the Min History Research Society who seems kind but is actually dark Lu Yunyi is a staunch materialist. She never imagined that transmigration would happen to 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A new book, well-written, definitely worth following along with.

8. 158 穿 After Transmigration, Her Whole Family Are Villains 穿越之我全家都是反派 Song Xiangbai宋象白Ancient Romance832k WordsCompleted Content warning: Lots of crude bathroom humor. Don't read while eating. Version One: Jiang Mianmian transmigrates. Her father is a scheming scholar with the face of a kindly man. Her mother has the face of a bodhisattva and the heart of a ruthless killer. Her eldest brother looks simple-minded but is cunning at heart. Her second sister is selfish and sharp-tongued. They were born destined to be villains. To highlight the protagonist's justice, kindness, and greatness, they work hard to do all so 137.8kReads9.6Score16.6kShelves

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   Although it's not a perfect match, it looks great.

9. 159 科 Tempest at the Imperial Examinations 科场风云 Yan Yutong颜雨彤Historical278k WordsCompleted My new work is here! Come read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   The imperial examinations are a treacherous place, and the darkness of human nature is beyond imagination. An honest scholar is framed by a powerful woman, burdened with a stigma and suffering endless torment. He endures a long period of forbearance, waiting for a turning point, and eventually enters the court to seek justice step by step.

10. 160 永 Ballad of Yong'an 永安谣 Lin Buling林布凌Ancient Romance308k WordsOngoing Court intrigue and political machinations | A powerful heroine’s rise | A cast of clever characters | A torturous romance After thirteen years under house arrest, my gravely ill grandfather, the emperor, suddenly dumped a dilapidated Imperial Clan Court on me. He wanted me to be the scapegoat for the chaos at court? Sorry, but this dust-covered royal archive is the most formidable weapon in all of Daye: a treasure trove of leverage! The moment I open these classified records, I’ll have the fatal —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The deep-seated hatred of her family's wrongful death has weighed on her heart for many years, and this is her greatest motivation. She doesn't act rashly; she knows how to be patient and strategic, gradually dismantling her opponents' power, and patiently waiting for the moment of final reckoning.

11. 161 三 The Six Letters That Threw Xudu into Chaos 三国之六信乱许都 The Fox That Emerges at Night夜晚出洞的狐狸Historical143k WordsOngoing [Three Kingdoms Shadow War + No System + Clever Protagonist + Hard-Core Deduction + Death Row Breakout + Brain-Burning Mind Games] Autumn, Year Five of Jian'an. The hour of the tiger. Xudu. The officials of the Han capital have no idea that while blood is flowing freely on the Guandu front, the entire city of Xudu, left behind in the rear, has already slipped into an invisible killing game that threatens to devour everything. Six messages sent at once, trust shattered, assassinations and sile —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    I recently read a book that infuriated me. How dare this author write about the Three Kingdoms like this? The protagonist doesn't even have a time-travel element, no system, no combat power, no cheat codes whatsoever. A death row inmate, to be beheaded tomorrow, is brought out tonight to investigate a case. Guess what his equipment is? A bronze pass token, plus an old dagger borrowed from Sima Yi. That's it? He's going to save a city with that? Then the more I read, the more suspicious I became. This guy, just by crouching down and feeling the mud in the cart tracks, can deduce that a funeral carriage left through the side gate of the palace two hours ago. He glances at the angle of the knife wound on a dead body and immediately identifies the killer as the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry—Cao Cao's most elite personal guard. He stands on the city wall for a quarter of an hour and reads through the deployments, mentality, and weaknesses of all six factions in the city. Sima Yi doesn't say a word the entire time. The most outrageous thing is that he walked into Cao Hong's camp empty-handed, surrounded by hundreds of swords, and shouted out top-secret information in public—and Cao Hong actually didn't dare to kill him. I spent ages complaining about how "how can a protagonist survive without a cheat code," only to find that his brain is the biggest cheat code. I was proven wrong. I'm hooked. I'm going to go back to following the updates now.

12. 162 铁 The Ironclad Censor 铁律御史 Return to the Source, Know the Constant复命知常Historical304k WordsCompleted The Great Cheng Dynasty rules the realm by iron law. The Censorate hangs over the court like a sword, and beneath the Xiezhi totem stand eight stern-faced censors. Shen Ye is the youngest among them, and the most “insane.” He begins by investigating a corruption case, exposing a smuggling network on the frontier, unaware that he has stepped into a vast web of political intrigue that has ensnared the court for twenty years. Chief Grand Secretary Lin Ruhai holds absolute power, imperial authority 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Synopsis of *The Iron-Lawed Censor*: The Great Cheng Dynasty governs the land with ironclad laws. The Censorate hangs like a sword of Damocles, with eight unyielding censors standing beneath the mythical beast Xie Zhi—and Shen Ye is the youngest and most "mad" of them all. He begins his investigation with a case of embezzlement, tearing away the veil of smuggling in a border town, unaware that he has stepped into a vast web of power struggles that has gripped the court for twenty years. Grand Secretary Lin Ruhai wields absolute power, the imperial authority is weak, and all those who have touched the truth have become corpses in a deep pit in the Taihang Mountains. But Shen Ye refuses to believe in this evil. He carries a blue edict unearthed from the pit—a relic of the founding emperor, "whoever holds this edict shall patrol on behalf of Heaven." He knocks open the Desheng Gate under the blades of the Imperial Guards, forces the Grand Secretary to kneel before the iron stele in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and uncovers the mystery of a divine weapon spanning generations of emperors in a thousand-year-old underground palace. From a border town embezzlement case to a secret underground palace capable of destroying a dynasty; from a lone, courageous censor's pursuit of a criminal to three generations building a backbone of strength with their blood and flesh. This was a desperate battle fought by a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but also a relay race passed down through generations. "May those who come after have no regrets." He wasn't just investigating a case; he was investigating the backbone of Dacheng.

13. 163 重 Reborn: Qingqian Gives Up Revenge and Prays for Your Peace 重生之清浅不复仇，愿卿安 Clear Tea and Moon Shadows清茶月影Ancient Romance181k WordsOngoing In her previous life, she was Qingqian, the cherished daughter of the Meng family, and he was Yuanjun, a slave presented as tribute by the Yaoshen Tribe. She gave her heart to the wrong man and used the Meng family's power to keep him by her side. He endured and bided his time, using her help to become a blade that would bring down the dynasty. Only when the country fell and her family was destroyed did she understand: they had never been on the same path. In the end, they stood on opposite side 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead sides with the third prince, helping him and offering him advice. However, she doesn't help the third prince out of love; the male lead is someone else.

14. 164 大 A Stick in the Tang Dynasty 大唐一根棍 My Name Is Wang Dabao我叫王大宝Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Comedy + Suspense + Brainy Wish Fulfillment + Historically Grounded Tang Dynasty] A farm boy with a serious lack of virtue gradually grows into the Tang dynasty's number-one troublemaker (no, wait, strike that). He grows into a pillar that holds up the sky, a beam that spans the sea. If I'm having a good time and you're not, I'll beat you until you are. If I can't reform you, I'll cremate you. I crush foreign kingdoms, dissect the aristocratic clans, discipline princes, and slap emperors I can' 3kReads8.7Score235Shelves

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    This is Tomato's only novel set in the late Tang Dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong, Emperor Wuzong, and Emperor Xuanzong. It has no system, a lighthearted and humorous writing style, is entertaining, features realistic warfare, bizarre court intrigue, and is intellectually stimulating. [Top Post]

15. 165 错 A Mistake, A Meeting 错，相逢 Big and Little Orange Cats大小橘猫Ancient Romance573k WordsCompleted That year, I first came into the world, and the balance of power across the realm was suddenly overturned in silence. The new emperor of Xilu ascended the throne, determined to bring about reforms. In Xidan, the young Emperor Yuan Xi also inherited the throne that same year. They all said I smiled at everyone from the time I was little. Yet at the grandest of enthronement banquets, I looked up and saw a handsome young man in imperial robes, with clear, bright features, and burst into tears. He p 35Reads8.6Score—Shelves

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    Ancient times, fighting Japanese pirates, already completed.

16. 166 谋 Scheming for a Beauty 谋红颜 Big and Little Orange Cats大小橘猫Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted A flood swept away Ru Yu's mother. Everyone said it was a natural disaster, but she alone knew for certain that someone had lowered the iron floodgate with a sneer as the waters surged in. To uncover the mystery behind it, she resolutely descended from Mount Kuocang. Making herself a pawn, she stepped into the treacherous game of power unfolding across the land. 37Reads8.8Score—Shelves
17. 167 北 Old Dreams of Beiming 北冥旧梦 Xingwan Qingqing星晚青青Historical170k WordsOngoing A commoner rises to become a prince of a different surname? The court is full of pawns, while the martial world is brimming with loyalty and affection. At court, one step takes me to the summit. In the martial world, one step makes me a celestial being. My family's vendetta and the war for the nation are both tied to me. —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The plot moves quickly in the early stages, but the male lead is incredibly good at hiding his true intentions when it comes to power struggles in the middle! The calluses on his fingertips, his exceptional hearing, and his ability to control the situation with an air of nonchalance—every detail is a foreshadowing. He seems like a useless person, but he is actually unfathomable. This contrast is incredibly satisfying.

18. 168 蔷 The Rose Lord 蔷薇领主 Xiao Qi shaw萧奇shawAncient Romance337k WordsCompleted Wall Street wolf Sebastian Hale is caught in a thunderstorm during a private flight and crashes into a forest in northern England. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself the dying illegitimate son of a baron in Northumbria, with the same name but not a penny to his name. It is the twelfth century, where the law is the lord's will and a good sword is worth more than wealth. Using his modern financial knowledge, he wins a bet against the head of a knightly order at a lord's banquet and earns hi 7Reads—Score—Shelves

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    This is a medieval fantasy novel where the protagonist survives after transmigrating to another world, gets caught up in power struggles among nobles, uncovers treacherous plots, and wins trust through his knowledge. Highly recommended!

19. 169 我 I Only Wanted to Roam the Martial World, but You Insisted I Become a Marquis 我明明想混江湖，你非逼我当侯爷 A Parting Toast of Wine离别一坛酒Eastern Fantasy1.3M WordsOngoing No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger. An original fictional historical martial arts world, where the imperial court is not far above and the martial world is not far away. When Yi Yuntian was eight, he protected five-year-old Mu Xiaoxiao and was imprisoned by order of the foolish former emperor. After twelve years, the emperor’s wise son, Xuanyuan Yi, told me that his father had been somewhat out of line. He not only set me free, but also made me a marquis. What? You’re asking what I 554Reads6.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    An original, fictional martial arts world, not a reincarnation story, not a time-travel story, no cheat codes, the imperial court is not high and the martial arts world is not far away, the battlefield is full of passion!

20. 170 上 Last Season's Palace Intrigue Champion Is Now Ruling from Behind the Curtain 上一届宫斗冠军，现在垂帘听政了 The Visitor Sings of Yantai来者歌燕台Ancient Romance322k WordsOngoing [No System] [Political Intrigue with an Ensemble Cast] [Ascends the Throne] [Serious Drama] Xie Jin transmigrates, and before she can even celebrate becoming the champion of palace intrigue, she realizes she's become the previous champion! With his dying breath, the young emperor personally places the Imperial Seal in her arms. Xie Jin looks down at herself. The three-year-old crown prince is hugging her leg, drooling all over her sleeve. Good news: No more serving in the emperor's bed! Bad new 1.8kReads—Score146Shelves

    Reader note

    Everyone is highly intelligent, but the female lead is not omniscient; she learns from scratch to turn the tide.

21. 171 暗 The Shadow War Between the Eastern Jin and the Sixteen Kingdoms 暗战之东晋与十六国 The Serpent's Ritual in the Americas美洲的祭礼之蛇Ancient Romance1.7M WordsOngoing The title may not sound very much like a Tomato Novel, but the story is great. A descendant of the reborn Zhuge Liang marries a future female agent, a descendant of Sima Yi who has transmigrated into a woman with the same name? One of them goes undercover in Former Qin, while the other hunts spies in the Eastern Jin? And they have a female partner who transmigrated along with her body and disguises herself as a man to get things done? A villainess even brainwashes Xie Daoyun, the talented woman 27Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    How about a novel with two female protagonists, featuring a time-travel theme of espionage and political intrigue set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?

22. 172 女 A Woman Reborn as a Man: My Years as Emperor of Great Liang 女穿男：我在大梁当皇帝的那些年 The Rain Is Not Yet Late时雨未晚Ancient Romance241k WordsCompleted [Female soul in a male body + imperial examinations + infrastructure building + women in government + no romance + women's solidarity + women's growth] Shen Moyun died from overwork after pulling an all-nighter at a construction site. When she opened her eyes, she had become the poorest scholar in the Great Liang dynasty. A broken leg, debts, and an imperial examination career cut short by violence. Everyone said, “You're finished.” But one brilliant essay on statecraft stunned the examiners, ea 29Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In a sudden twist of fate, the once independent girl is transformed into a poor young man in ancient times, trapped in dire straits with no one to help her. She relies on her own abilities to overcome her hardships, dedicates herself to studying diligently, cultivates her knowledge, shines brightly on the path of the imperial examination, and gradually enters the officialdom. Through strategy and strength, she slowly rises to a high position of power.

23. 173 轻 Where Does the Light Boat Go? 轻舟何岸 Plain Colors, Chilly素彩寒Ancient Romance271k WordsCompleted Are the four princes of Rui Kingdom really going to marry four common women from Chan Kingdom? Could it be because every woman in Chan Kingdom is beautiful and fertile? She has the talent to be a chancellor in a matriarchal kingdom, yet marries the “intellectually disabled” prince of a patriarchal kingdom, entering the marriage as a spy under the pretense of a political union. He is a prince with exceptional intelligence who hides his true self. But even after he regains his true self, is that r 16Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A wise man navigates water and fire with ease. She, a woman of exceptional talent as prime minister of a female kingdom, marries a seemingly mentally challenged prince of a male kingdom, using the guise of a political marriage to act as a spy. He, a prince of extraordinary intelligence, hides his true form, but even if he regains his true self, is he truly himself? Will she become his imperial tutor, helping him conquer the world and become an empress for all time? Or will she follow her heart, simply wishing to live her own life…? Espionage, political intrigue, palace intrigue, business strategies, and battlefield tactics all unfold in the back-and-forth between these two powerful figures who admire each other…

24. 174 再 Meeting You Again: The General's Daughter and Her Lover 再逢君：将军之女与她的外室男 Zhao Rong昭融Ancient Romance47k WordsCompleted Meeting You Again: The General’s Daughter and Her Lover —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A political intrigue novel where the male and female leads work together to overturn a case.

25. 175 北 Return North: The Ashen Flame's Journey Home 北归：烬火归途 Liu Niu六妞Ancient Romance159k WordsCompleted A fire engulfed the imperial retreat, killing the emperor and the eldest prince. Prince Li Xiao of Funan enthroned the young emperor, seized power, and took sole control of the court. No one knew that the eldest prince, Luan Cheng (Li Cheng), had been saved at the cost of their lives by loyal retainers of the late emperor. He spent ten years in hiding on the northern frontier, operating an escort agency under an assumed name while secretly investigating the truth behind the fire. Princess Yue Xi 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Look at this! It has everything: the imperial court, the martial arts world, and more.

26. 176 楚 Chu Yuan: This Heir Is Impossible to Kill! 楚渊：这个世子真难杀！ Sugar-Free Ink墨水无糖Historical409k WordsOngoing Above Chu Yuan [No System + Political Intrigue + Mystery | Everyone has 800 tricks up their sleeve, and every step leads to a deadly trap] Jiang Mo, a mechanical engineer from the twenty-first century, becomes a hostage prince fleeing to Chu to escape the Great Zhou’s pursuit. The moment he opens his eyes, he faces murder in Blackwind Cave, a conspiracy to seek shelter with the Qu household, and the blood feud of a massacre… The brain-computer chip embedded in his temple is his only advantage, y 5Reads—Score—Shelves

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    At the heart of the power struggles in the Chu capital, the hostage prince is constantly embroiled in deadly dangers. The time-traveling protagonist, relying on a futuristic AI chip to foresee danger, avoids countless assassination attempts, develops industries using modern technology to win hearts and minds, navigates royal feuds, and steadily protects himself amidst complex power struggles, leaving the villains with no way to strike.

27. 177 凡 A Mortal Usurps the Gods: I Rise by Stepping on the Male Lead 凡人篡神：我靠踩着男主上位 Dingding Carddc叮叮车ddcFantastical Romance295k WordsOngoing [God-and-mortal romance + career-driven main plot + sweet on the outside, ruthless within + power-hungry + never takes a losing deal + clever heroine + a rare ensemble story featuring two women and one man] In the ancient Great Wilderness, gods, demons, and humans lived side by side. The gods ruled the land, while the demons held sway at court. Xiao Zhao was a human, the lowest of the low, and destined to be cannon fodder. She was also a 25-year-old mute. What? Old? I’m only 25. My life is ju 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a microcosm of the ensemble cast. The female lead is exceptionally intelligent, but she doesn't dominate the entire group; the villains are also intelligent. She doesn't win from beginning to end; the game has its winners and losers, and there are even shocking moments where all her scheming turns out to be for someone else's benefit. But the female lead has the courage to turn the tide and start over.

28. 178 商 A Comprehensive History of Commerce 商史通鉴 Mu Feng Wuchen, Branch Office沐枫无尘分号Historical1.5M WordsCompleted A sweeping historical novel that lays bare six centuries of power games in the Shang dynasty. No myths, no romanticized tales, only the truest human nature, the cruelest contests, and the deepest lessons of rise and fall. My writing on Shang history began with questions about the origins of Chinese civilization, and ended with a reunion with myself. The Shang dynasty was a pivotal era when the rites, royal authority, and divine power of Huaxia took shape together. Yet scarce historical records a 168Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This historical novel, set in ancient China and emphasizing political intrigue, is meticulously researched and authentic, recording the rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty over six hundred years.

29. 179 战 The God of War’s Beloved Is a Special Forces Soldier from Another World 战神的掌心娇竟是异世特种兵 Big Sister Ali阿狸姐姐Ancient Romance961k WordsCompleted The modern era’s top special forces soldier, “Night Phoenix,” dies on a mission. Her soul travels through time and she is reborn as Wei Shi, the infamous “spoiled and unruly princess” of Prince Jing’s manor in the Tianqi Kingdom. The moment she opens her eyes, she inherits the original owner’s painful memories of her past life: her father, Prince Jing, has rendered such great service that the emperor sees him as a threat. The incompetent and suspicious Emperor Jianwu joins forces with corrupt of 10.4kReads8.5Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The guard was critically injured with a punctured lung, and the palace physician was helpless. However, she used the simplest tools to perform a thoracentesis and suturing, calmly and efficiently saving his life. Even her father, who held military power, was surprised to find that his daughter had been completely transformed.

30. 180 何 Who Will Walk Beside Me Through the Night? 何人伴我夜间行 Raindrops Falling on the Eaves水滴落在屋檐上Ancient Romance880k WordsOngoing [Courtly schemes + wits and courage + fictional late Qing setting] Would you call her a ruthless, calculating schemer, or a refined young lady, educated and well-mannered? The unforgettable steward Jiao swears brotherhood with twelve heroes and establishes a stronghold. Hardship breeds hardship, but a chance encounter with spring can transform a fish into a dragon. Why did “Ji Liuniang” cast aside the “Liu” in her name, and what carried her to success? A shrewd and far-sighted minister of the co 7Reads7.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm desperate for a good book! No melodramatic misunderstandings, no awful family members, everyone is reliable, and the sibling relationship is both sweet and heart-wrenching!

31. 181 三 Three Years of Marriage, One Letter of Divorce Ends It All in the Capital 三年婚姻，一纸休书断京华 Raindrops Falling on the Eaves水滴落在屋檐上Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted Three Years of Marriage, One Divorce Decree Shatters the Capital 464Reads—Score103Shelves
32. 182 国 A Fallen Kingdom, a Peach Blossom Misstep 国破山河•桃花错 Raindrops Falling on the Eaves水滴落在屋檐上Modern Romance22k WordsCompleted A Fallen Kingdom, a Shattered Landscape, and a Peach Blossom Mistake 8Reads—Score—Shelves
33. 183 无 The Colorless Gate Opens 无色门开 Proud but Hollow空有傲骨Ancient Romance284k WordsOngoing Major revisions in progress. Please don't click. “You must remember their eyes. You must never become weak.” When she opened her eyes, she had become the Northern Frontier's God of Slaughter, whose sword had subdued all the realms. Before she could enjoy the thrill of wielding power over the court, she was plunged into a deadly trap: A hundred years of cultivation gone in a single day, with conclusive evidence of treason laid before the emperor. The entire court waited to see her beheaded, whil —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing is excellent, the game is a high-stakes intellectual battle with no idiots, there are many foreshadowing elements, and the male and female leads are not subservient; their values are very positive.

34. 184 藏 Thirteen Years Concealing My Edge 藏锋十三年 I Don't Like Egg Yolks不爱吃蛋黄啊Historical295k WordsOngoing The whole court laughs at me as a useless son-in-law, but behind the scenes, I move the pieces that control the realm. Top-tier political intrigue For ten years, he has lived as the adopted son-in-law of the Marquis of Huai'an. Everyone in the household thinks he's a useless freeloader. No one knows that the unremarkable old ledger he keeps close to his chest records the secrets every court official would most like to burn. When a Ministry of Revenue official dies under suspicious circumstances, 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient political intrigue, wielding power over the world.

35. 185 我 My Bandit Wife 我的土匪娘子 No Ordinary Fish非池物Ancient Romance246k WordsCompleted [Rough-and-tumble bandit magistrate × shamelessly tenacious, eccentric, crooked lawyer] Hua Xiaodao, the boss of Blackwind Stronghold, is ruthless and never wastes words. Halfway through a robbery, the county magistrate drops dead. To keep her brothers from having to beg for food, she grabs the official seal and stuffs it into her arms. “I’ll take the job!” But the waters of officialdom run deeper than she imagined. The art of governance? What the hell would a female bandit know about that? She 42Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No reincarnation, no time travel, no cheat codes. But the character setup is quite interesting. A rough-and-tumble bandit impersonates a county magistrate and pulls a ruthless lawyer from the county onto his pirate ship. The female lead is ruthless and doesn't talk much, while the male lead is a very funny character, a bit eccentric and cheeky, but he's reliable in crucial moments. It's rare to see this kind of "cheeky and strong" male lead.

36. 186 侯 The Sweeter the Marquis's Nemesis Smiles, the Harsher Her Blow 侯爷的死对头笑容越甜，下手越狠 pp Jiepp杰Ancient Romance237k WordsCompleted Enemies to lovers / Serious drama / Political intrigue and power struggles / One-on-one romance / Ambitious heroine / Power couple / Rise from adversity After Yan He slept with Taohua, he realized he’d been deceived, and that was when his hatred for her began. “Just looking at your face makes me sick.” “Then how are you still alive?” Later, Yan He realized what he cared about most was whether she had any room for him in her heart. Cunning, profit-driven heroine × ruthless, roguishly handsome he 7Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm recommending a political intrigue novel by a new author. The female protagonist rises from the bottom, climbing the ranks step by step with clear goals. In the end, it's revealed that she's playing a much larger game.

37. 187 吾 My Way Is Born in Silence 吾道生寂 Yu Yihuan鱼益欢Historical210k WordsCompleted The world is fickle, riches are nowhere to be found among men, and the common people are treated like dogs. Heaven is unjust, yet chaos gathers the gifted, and mighty generals rise to command the land. Imperial ministers, merchants, palace exam champions, treacherous officials... I have walked all these paths. What if the world despises me? I have my own plans. —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ascending to the throne, the world is but a chessboard. Yang Jianzhen, son of the richest man, achieves the highest rank in the imperial examination, yet secretly plots a shocking national strategy with the emperor: to remain behind the scenes, manipulating the underworld. Using his immense wealth as a weapon, he weaves an all-pervasive spy network; using the greed of the people as bait, he stirs up the winds of war among the seven kingdoms. In the open, he is a noble scholar; in the shadows, he is the mastermind behind the scenes. Witness how business battles subtly intertwine with military might, how espionage can reverse the fate of a nation, hear the thunder in the silence, and determine the fate of the nine provinces from outside the chessboard. This is a war without gunpowder, a minister supporting the emperor using his wisdom as a sword to break the deadlock of a trapped nation and step by step ascend to the throne.

38. 188 女 The Female General and the Emperor Are Both Reborn. I Don’t Want to Be Crown Princess Anymore 女将皇帝双重生这太子妃我不要了 I Am Xiran我希然Ancient Romance371k WordsOngoing Political intrigue + sweet-and-angsty romance | Two equally matched leads join forces | No foolish supporting characters | 1v1, two strong leads who dote on each other, no breakup ● Two strong leads: A forthright, spirited female general × a jealous, lovesick, earnest crown prince. A battle of love between equals. ● Intense emotional tension: Misunderstandings from their past life and a relentless pursuit of his wife in this life. Sweetness and heartbreak intertwine, keeping the emotional stakes 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Rebirth isn't about having a cheat code; it's about settling all the scores from your past life, one by one.

39. 189 风 The Winds Rise in Southern Guizhou: I Become Prince Mu in the Southern Ming 风起黔南，我在南明当沐王爷 A Smile from Jiangning江宁一笑Historical223k WordsOngoing A chemistry graduate student unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian in Guizhou at the end of the Ming dynasty! He opens his eyes to find himself in the empire’s final days. The southwestern frontier, guarded by his family for generations, is beset by internal strife and external threats, and he knows that unless he takes action, he is doomed to see his country fall and his family perish, with his blood spilled in a brutal sacrifice. Within the realm, there are ch 4Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'd like to recommend this book I've been reading recently. It's about a modern chemistry graduate student who transmigrates to the late Ming Dynasty and becomes Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian. The historical and military scenes are meticulously researched and realistic, making for a very immersive reading experience. The character development and political intrigue are also very skillful and don't feel cheap. It's definitely a rare gem in recent years. The protagonist's strategic maneuvering and scheming against the civil officials and the emperor is masterful!

40. 190 重 Rebuilding Germany: I Become Chancellor After World War II 重启德意志：我在二战后当总理 Between Ideas理念之间Urban1.8M WordsCompleted Lin Mo is a graduate student in history at a top-tier university in the 21st century. Specializing in modern European history, he has a solid theoretical grounding in World War II, Germany’s postwar reconstruction, economic policy, and international relations. He is empathetic, level-headed, and well versed in modern governance. In May 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered. Berlin lay in ruins, and Germany was divided among the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. People’s livelihoods 285Reads6.6Score125Shelves

    Reader note

    The author has a very precise timeline, clearly describing each stage of the Berlin blockade, which is consistent with historical facts.

41. 191 楚 The King of Chu's Beloved Concubine 楚王的宠妃 Cold Notes on a Rainy Night雨夜寒音Ancient Romance481k WordsCompleted [An INTP mastermind strategist helps an ENTJ short-lived tyrant defy fate. A meticulously researched, serious Spring and Autumn-era political drama, with no melodrama or harem intrigue, only the deep devotion of kindred spirits.] After a car accident, Ji Ruoxue transmigrates to the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period. She intends to rely on King Zhuang of Chu and live out her days in peace, but King Xiong Lü is deeply suspicious, and from their first meeting he marks her as a “poten 93Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    ✨ A story that transcends the limits of time! The female protagonist rises from a drowning orphan to Lady Qingyan, relying entirely on her intelligence to maintain her position! #ClearHeartedFemaleProtagonist #AncientRomance #HistoricalTimeTravel

42. 192 东 A Bastard Son in the Eastern Jin: From Dowry Servant to Rising Star 东晋庶子：从陪嫁仆从开始逆袭 Xingdong's Banhuan Longbing兴东的板桓龙兵Historical1.1M WordsCompleted The comic adaptation just came out. If you’re interested, go check it out. No System + political machinations + comeback + reform + aristocratic clan power struggles + plotting from behind the scenes In the first year of Jianwu, Sima Rui declared himself emperor, while the Langya Wang clan held the court in the palm of its hand. Under the Nine-Rank System, those from humble families had no way forward, as aristocratic clans monopolized the court generation after generation. Lu Heng, a tomb raide 4.1kReads7.7Score361Shelves

    Reader note

    I suggest you take a look; you don't need to look at the ratings.

43. 193 泣 Tears of Dew: Tang Branch Takes Revenge and Schemes for Power Behind Silk Curtains 泣露策：棠枝雪恨，锦帐谋权 Sparse Shadows 1717疏影1717Ancient Romance229k WordsOngoing [Ratings just released and still climbing | legitimate daughter + household intrigue + palace intrigue + political scheming] How deep the palace walls, where camellias weep cold dew; brocade curtains veil layers of screens, concealing plots and schemes. Yun Qingyuan, the general’s legitimate daughter, spent half her life plotting to protect her family. With deft hands, she set chaos right and watched the rise and fall of fortunes with a cool gaze. At the time, her birth mother had died suddenly 3Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Book recommendations for when you're experiencing a reading slump.

44. 194 梦 Tales of Ten Dream Kingdoms 梦十国记 Lost in the Green Wilderness碧野迷生Ancient Romance721k WordsOngoing [Transmigration + Powerful Female Lead + Six Male Leads + Alternate-History Political Intrigue + Conquest + Love-Triangle Drama + Spy Warfare + Forced Love + Imprisonment + Everyone Is Scheming] No System, no golden finger, and the heroine has no memories of the original host. She’ll have to rely on her own wits to get out of every predicament. . The first man to imprison her: “Let’s see whether I’m more impressive, or your romantic fantasies are.” The second man to imprison her: “Normal sex is 381Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A super captivating political intrigue novel. The female lead is incredibly intelligent and emotionally intelligent, and the six male leads are all very capable. They initially came to kill her, but ended up giving her valuable experience points instead...

45. 195 退 After Breaking Off the Engagement, the Foolish Princess Marries the Ninth Lord with Her Four Maids 退婚后，傻妃携四大丫鬟嫁九千岁 Clingy Little Tomato粘人小番茄Ancient Romance1.8M WordsOngoing [Palace Intrigue + Household Intrigue + Historical Romance + Princess Consort + Legitimate Daughter + Medical Skills + Two Powerful Leads + Cunning + Playing the Fool + Reborn + Fiercely Protective + Political Scheming] 99% of the comments are positive! Read with confidence! Su Qian, once the leader of a special forces unit in the apocalypse, died unexpectedly while carrying out a mission. With her portable medical space, she transmigrated to ancient times and into the residence of a great gener 22.8kReads8.1Score3.8kShelves

    Reader note

    It was absolutely stunning! The four maids descended from the sky, captivating the entire audience and displaying terrifying power. Su Qian immediately shattered her pretense, unleashing her full aura. She not only silenced the Crown Prince and her half-sister but also, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, turned around with domineering confidence and announced her intention to marry Xiao Yan, the powerful minister second only to the emperor and feared by all.

46. 196 阎 The King of Hell's Agent Takes It Easy in the Cold Palace 阎王特工在冷宫摆烂 Offline Romance离线风月Ancient Romance273k WordsOngoing Palace intrigue + transmigration + lighthearted + strong heroine + secret identity + satisfying read + sweet romance Shen Yuan transmigrated into the body of a disgraced consort banished to the Cold Palace and thought: Could there be any better luck? A top agent in her previous life and an abandoned consort in the Cold Palace in this one, Shen Yuan thought this was the most comfortable assignment she'd had in either life. A private room with meals and lodging included, zero socializing, zero dut 886Reads—Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    You can take a look.

47. 197 定 The Solitary Sword That Locks the Sea 定海锁孤剑行 A River of Clear Splendor一川霁华Mystery473k WordsCompleted Seventeen members of the Liu household were wiped out overnight. There were no wounds or blood, and they looked as if they were asleep. The authorities blamed a vengeful ghost. Su Wan didn't believe them. The Sea-Calming Lock around her neck had grown hot in front of the Liu residence. This wasn't a ghost. It was a person. A single dusky-blue poison needle led her to the massacre at Luoxing Village ten years ago. She used the lock to identify the culprit and her sword to investigate the case. Th —Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is worth reading.

48. 198 我 My Archrival and I Got Promoted Together 我和死对头一起升官 Shenwuzong, Who Loves Kulangteng喜欢苦郎藤的神武宗Ancient Romance235k WordsOngoing [Palace Court Lady's Daily Life + Office Worker in the Records Room + Ancient Text Authentication + Light Mystery + Two Heroines + Transmigration] Su Moyun, a PhD in archival studies, opened her eyes to find herself transmigrated into the lowliest female clerk in the Court of Palace Attendants. On her very first day, seven lines vanished from the register out of nowhere. The blame for a crime punishable by death landed squarely on her, and the supervisor immediately ordered her taken to the tort 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm a huge fan of novels with two female protagonists, and this is my current favorite. It's a historical romance novel with two female protagonists who are both involved in political intrigue. The female protagonist is a time-traveling treasure-appraising official, while the male protagonist is the daughter of a cold-faced criminal. From being wary of each other to being forced to join forces, they uncover a long-buried case. The plot is fast-paced and you won't drool. Don't miss this great book!

49. 199 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 244.1kReads9.2Score32.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Really good, hahaha, looks great!

50. 200 娘 The Empress Faked Her Death, and the Emperor Went on a Rampage 娘娘假死后，陛下杀疯了 Consort's Lucky Draw妃上签Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted What should you do after transmigrating into a book as a cannon-fodder heroine? Run! Jiang Qing fakes her death and escapes the palace, leaving the emperor heartbroken. When he discovers she faked her death, the emperor swears he'll catch her and make her suffer! But when he finally catches her, he shamelessly holds her in his arms and coaxes her gently. 817Reads8.9Score101Shelves

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