Looking for Pure Palace Intrigue: The Heroine Only Wants to Rise in Rank and Doesn't Love the Emperor 求纯宫斗文，女主一心一意升高位，不爱皇帝

1. 1 穿 The Book Transmigrator Tears into the Reborn Woman, Even Ripping Out Her Hair Ornaments 穿书女手撕重生女，头花都扯掉了 Camellias and Wine茶花与酒Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted (Don’t worry about the rating. New books have few readers at first, but it will rise.) [A transmigrated woman takes on a reborn woman] [Fictional ancient setting, no need to nitpick] Gu Qingli transmigrated into a satisfying revenge novel about a woman reborn. She wasn’t the heroine, but the wicked supporting character who had killed her, and the first person the heroine would take revenge on after being reborn. Gu Qingli herself had been born into a political family. She was gentle, quiet, an 13.1kReads8.9Score1k14d adds

   Reader note

   Both books have a romance, but the female lead is career-oriented. You could give them a try.

2. 2 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
3. 3 不 No More Slacking: The Prince’s Favorite Concubine’s Daily Grind 不当咸鱼，王府宠妾的内卷日常 Four Crescent Moons四弯月Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + cutthroat household competition + no slacking off + ambitious heroine] Shen Wei, a die-hard rat-race fanatic, transmigrated into the lowest-ranking maid in a prince’s manor. Prince Yan held a position of great prestige, but all his wives and concubines had given up trying. The princess consort, born to a prestigious family, was as aloof as a chrysanthemum. The secondary consort wanted lifelong monogamy. The reborn woman had lost all hope in Prince Yan and was content to lie fla 69kReads9.4Score8.7k14d adds
4. 4 公 The Princess Holds Sway Over the Court, and Her Harem Is Full 公主权倾朝野，鱼塘挤不下了 Old Yellow Rabbit老黄兔Ancient Romance3.4M WordsCompleted Original title: The Princess Holds Sway Over the Court, and Her Fish Pond Is Full [Historical Romance + Scheming + Everyone’s Darling + Reincarnation Before Birth + Favorite Concubine + Harem Intrigue + Wish Fulfillment + Alluring Heroine + System + Rise to Power] One day, after transmigrating, Liang Yue became the apple of her favorite concubine mother’s eye. The three thousand imperial consorts could not match her mother’s radiance, and the entire Great Xia treasury could not rival her uncle’s 21.6kReads7.4Score6.1k14d adds
5. 5 皇 The Empress Leaped to Her Death, and the Mad Tyrant Wept Until His Eyes Were Red 皇后纵身一跃，疯批暴君哭红了眼 Huang Dandan黄蛋蛋Ancient Romance635k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, devoted couple + palace intrigue + regretful pursuit, clear-headed heroine, everyone's unattainable ideal] Meng Tang is a gracious, gentle empress who never competes for favor. Everyone thinks she is a true white lotus standing tall in the harem, and even the tyrant believes it. He takes a new concubine, and she smiles, congratulates him, and arranges for the newcomer to spend the night with him. He sends her restorative medicine, and she obediently takes it, knowing full we 21.5kReads9.3Score2k14d adds

   Reader note

   The female protagonist in this book transmigrates into the body of an empress. In order to return home, she tries to win over the emperor, the male protagonist. She is rational and clear-headed, and not at all love-struck.

6. 6 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

   One look and one silence

7. 7 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 79.6kReads9.5Score8.9k14d adds
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 25.1kReads9.3Score2k14d adds
9. 9 在 A Hundred Ways to Win the Emperor's Heart in the Harem 在后宫征服皇帝的一百个技巧 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ever since entering the palace, Yun Li has become a shameless schemer. Two-faced and insincere, she puts on an act every day. When dealing with the emperor’s favorite consort, she tears into her until she’s furious, then clutches her chest with a wounded look and says, “I’m so envious that His Majesty dotes on you.” When someone tries to frame her, she casually slaps them, then bursts into tears. “Why would you treat a kind person like me this way?” When speaking with the empress, she nods absen 12.3kReads9.5Score1.4k14d adds
10. 10 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 3.6kReads9.3Score41814d adds

    Reader note

    It's really good! The first book is pure palace intrigue; the female lead's goal is to get her son on the throne, and she's not stupid at all—her intelligence is on point throughout. The second book is a rebirth story, but the male lead isn't the emperor 😏. To find out what happens next, go read it yourself! No need to worry about anything 🤭 Feel free to follow along!

11. 11 宫 A Palace Maid’s Daily Struggles 宫女奋斗日常 Phantom Beneath the Moon月下幻影Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ling Huan has skin as smooth as ice and looks like a goddess, yet she has no interest in power and thinks only of leaving the palace. In the end, neither she nor her child meets a good end. Given another chance, her goal is to raise her child well and become Empress Dowager herself. A palace-intrigue story with a strong female lead. The heroine is ruthless and clever. A thoroughly satisfying read. 5.9kReads9.2Score84614d adds
12. 12 九 The Nine-Phoenix Hairpin 九凤钗 Apples Don't Like Meatballs苹果不爱吃丸子Ancient Romance778k WordsCompleted Song Zhu was once a lost royal treasure hidden in the forest, but fate sent her by a twist of circumstance into the palace of her enemies. On one side were the hatred and grievances between their countries; on the other, she found herself slowly sinking deeper and deeper into Mo Jingyuan’s love. Mo Jingyuan drank the plum blossom wine Song Zhu had brewed with her own hands. Dark red blood welled from the corner of his lips. “Azhu, let the grudges of the previous generation end with us. Give bir 47Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Song Zhu was originally a royal jewel lost in the forest, but fate led her by a twist of fate into the palace of her enemy. Torn between national and personal hatred and her own slow, descent into love with Mo Jingyuan, she was caught in a dilemma. Mo Jingyuan drank the plum blossom wine brewed by Song Zhu herself, dark red blood welling from the corner of his lips. "Ah Zhu, let the grudges of the previous generation be settled between us. Give birth to the child, and I will hand over my empire to him." (Super good read)

13. 13 娘 The Consort’s Laid-Back Daily Life 娘娘的佛系日常 Springtime Sweet Orange春日甜橙Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [A lazy, carefree little schemer who just wants to lie flat + historical fantasy + palace intrigue + heroine devoted to one man, hero not devoted to one woman] The charming and clever favorite consort Lin Jingran refuses to work herself to the bone. She’s got the Noble Imperial Consort position lined up, and plans to enjoy the drama and lie flat her way to becoming Empress. Family? She’s a treasured darling of her family, too. The emperor? He openly favors her and helps her navigate palace intr 1.6kReads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A delicate yet cunning and mischievous concubine, a beautiful and clever imperial consort who just wants to enjoy life. Both are intelligent. A slow-burning, lighthearted story; the female lead is clear-headed, not love-struck, has strong morals, and isn't intellectually challenged. A palace intrigue novel where the female lead is loved by her parents and family, not the male lead.

14. 14 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
15. 15 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 41.2kReads9.6Score5.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    Please reserve a spot. It's a really good novel.

16. 16 深 Palace Intrigue: The Story of Qing Zhi 深宫策·青栀传 Qing Zhi Wei Bai青栀未白Ancient Romance882k WordsCompleted Her eyes can see through sinister tricks and schemes, but she cannot fully see the changes in people's hearts. His hands hold the fate of all under heaven, yet all he wants is to hold on to the few who truly care for him. How far is it from being the daughter of a powerful official distrusted by the emperor to becoming a virtuous empress remembered throughout history? Once she enters the imperial palace, her past ties are severed. Half a lifetime of ups and downs conceals the green of the garden 1.9kReads9.2Score29514d adds
17. 17 冤 What a Pair We Make, Your Highness 冤家啊，王爷 Sa'er撒珥Ancient Romance445k WordsCompleted [Historical romance, no transmigration, enemies reunited, plot-focused, secondary couple] [One-on-one romance, both leads untouched, forced marriage swap, love after marriage, devoted husband, medical skills, powerful leads, a strong team.] Male lead: Shui Muqian, Prince Chu'an, who commands a powerful army and was once the second prince, is a casualty of the power struggle. Though his legs are crippled, he isn't brutal, brooding, or sly. He's optimistic and determined! “I don't want to be crown 4Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Try this one.

18. 18 撕 Tear Apart the Harem! Win Favor! She's a Lunatic, Who Dares Cross Her? 撕后宫！得恩宠！她是疯批谁敢惹 Cats Are Extra Sweet猫猫特别甜Ancient Romance683k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue Only + Concubine-born Daughter + Reborn + Revenge + Everyone Is Evil + Wish-Fulfillment] [The story begins before the heroine enters the palace] [The emperor favors no one at first, and the heroine doesn’t fall in love] Jiang Shiying had died once. She died in childbirth, after her own elder sister had her killed to keep the baby. Reborn, she had made up her mind: she would enter the palace and get revenge, but she wouldn’t suffer! Not her stepmother or her elder sister, not eve 7.5kReads9.3Score95214d adds

    Reader note

    It's so good! The female lead is truly awake in the real world, and I've never seen the male lead die so bizarrely before 🤭🤭 The palace intrigue in the beginning is really exciting.

19. 19 继 The Empress Dowager Starts Taking Them Out 继后开始刀人 Meng Ri Wan梦日万Ancient Romance491k WordsCompleted The empress consort wants no part in the fight for favor. She just wants to kill people. Wei Xiangwan entered the palace with three things to do. First, uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance. Second, avenge her best friend, who died unjustly. Third, give birth to the crown prince. As for the emperor's affection, it was the least important thing of all. In the resplendent harem, where false affection bloomed everywhere, some people still yearned for true love. Qi Zhao fel 6.3kReads8.8Score65914d adds
20. 20 有 What Is Wrong with You? Why Does the Obsessed Emperor Fall Harder the More We Fight? 有病吧？偏执帝君怎么越打越爱？ Mo Mo Mo Xu You默莫莫须有Ancient Romance161k WordsCompleted The rating just opened, so it's low for now. It will rise. [Mutually Faithful 1v1 + Equally Matched Leads + Sweet on the Surface, Dark Within + Mad Dog + Possessive Love + Love-Struck Male Lead] Everyone believed that Zeyuan, the Immortal Realm's cool and dignified Lord, was a lofty, untouchable figure who cultivated the path of emotional detachment. But the Demon Lord Shen Baiyu had this to say: “Rumors! It's all damn rumors! Zeyuan is actually a real lunatic who likes locking people up and has 72Reads8.2Score—14d adds
21. 21 宜 Yixiu Reborn: Cutting Off Love and Becoming a Virtuous Wife! 宜修重生之断情绝爱成贤妻了！ Yan Zhuo Shaomi燕啄绍米Female-Channel Fanfiction2.0M WordsOngoing Empresses in the Palace: Ula-Nara Yixiu After Yixiu died, her spirit drifted for many years. The moment Qingying cut off her hair, Yixiu let go of her obsession amid resentment and bitterness, and had a sudden realization: she was reborn! Stroking the child in her belly, the reborn Yixiu laughed coldly and put love behind her for good. She plotted and schemed her way to power, turning others’ strength to her advantage. First, she cut off her birth mother’s last hope of survival. Then she made Ro 145Reads9.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This is something you can watch even if you haven't seen "Empresses in the Palace" (甄嬛传). It's just a rehash of the original story. It updates twice a day, with extra updates on weekends.

22. 22 综 Film and TV Crossover: The Workaholic Empress Relies on Her Beauty to Get Her Way 综影视：卷王娘娘她恃美行凶 Yogurt with Grapes酸奶配葡萄Female-Channel Fanfiction746k WordsOngoing [Original historical settings + TV dramas, slow transmigration with a fast pace. The female lead is a villainess and a yandere, not a saintly do-gooder who saves everyone. It’s a power-struggle story, but you won’t need to rack your brains; explanations will be provided as the story goes on.] [TV dramas whose plots have been heavily altered to fit their respective historical dynasties will use those dynasties’ historical backgrounds for their settings and details. If that’s not your thing, feel 91Reads9.1Score114d adds

    Reader note

    The contemporary queen of the book, the female lead is extremely clear-headed.

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