From Residence Intrigue to Palace Intrigue, No Need for Mutual Purity, With a Clear-Headed Female Lead Rising Through the Ranks 从王府宅斗到宫斗，不用双洁，女主清醒升职。

1. 1 王 A Concubine’s Daily Struggle to Stay Alive in the Prince’s Manor 王府侍妾的苟命日常 Panda Little Moneybags熊猫小财迷Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Intense Household Intrigue + A Touch of Ensemble Cast + Plot-Driven + Everyone Has Eight Hundred Schemes] After transmigrating into the body of a concubine in the Prince of Jing's residence, Xie Run only wants to live in peace and, ideally, reach a hundred years old. At first, everything in the prince's residence is orderly. The prince shares his favor equally, the princess consort's position is secure, and the secondary consorts and concubines know their place. Who could have guessed that ever 23kReads9.1Score2.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The female lead rises from a lowly concubine to the position of Empress Dowager. The supporting female characters are intelligent, but their intelligence remains high. The story is purely about palace intrigue, with no single favorite, and the male lead doesn't dismiss the harem. The female lead's rank changes as follows: Empress Dowager ← Empress ← Noble Consort Zhao ← Consort Zhao De ← Consort Zhao Shu ← Concubine ← Concubine (or lower-ranking concubine) ← Concubine

2. 2 穿 After I Transmigrate, the Prince Dotes on Me 穿越后，王爷宠我上天 Fragrant Sun香太阳Ancient Romance141k WordsOngoing Other people who transmigrate become princesses or commandery princesses, with endless wealth and luxury. But when it is her turn, she transmigrates into the body of a corpse covered in wounds! When she wakes, rats are still gnawing at her body! Her body's original owner was schemed against by her stepmother and stepsister, and nearly lost her life. Now that she has arrived in the original owner's body, she will settle the score on her behalf! The Li residence is a den of wolves. First, she has 46Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Take a look at this book.

3. 3 皇 Has the Noble Consort Left Qirong Palace Today? 皇贵妃今天出栖容宫了吗？ Xiaoman Crisp小满酥Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [☆No transmigration, no rebirth, and no pristine couples] [☆The romance develops gradually] Everyone in the palace knew that the person they must never offend was neither the pampered and fiery Noble Consort Hui nor the peerlessly beautiful Consort Cen, but Noble Consort Zhe of Qirong Palace, Lady Fucha. A consort's guide to survival: If you want to get ahead, never provoke the lady of Qirong Palace. She was the emperor's first woman, his companion and confidante since their youth; the mother 15.3kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves

   Reader note

   These two books, ranging from palace intrigue to family feuds, feature a clear-headed female protagonist who rises through the ranks step by step. [Heart][Heart] Both are completed. ① The female protagonist is acquainted with and acquainted with the male protagonist during his youth. As new people constantly enter the household, the female protagonist remains clear-headed and independent, raising flowers and children without needing to compete for favor. She rises step by step from Rongmu Studio to Qirong Palace, from a lowly lady to an Imperial Noble Consort. (Purely ancient romance) ② The female protagonist enters the Eighth Prince's harem as a concubine's daughter, causing trouble everywhere and showing no mercy to anyone, seeking revenge for every wrong done to her. From a favored concubine to Consort Chende, the female protagonist remains clear-headed and unrestrained.

4. 4 谁 Whose Favored Concubine Doesn't Get Herself Killed? 谁家宠妾不作死啊 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Pei Shiyuan had always thought that, as a concubine-born daughter, she thrived at her family home because she knew a little tea ceremony and all she had to do was flatter her father, the head of the household. She had been quite pleased with herself about it, right up until she entered the Eighth Prince’s household. The Eighth Prince’s mother, the Noble Consort, was so favored that the Empress had no room to stand. His maternal family wielded so much power that the court officials could barely b 77.9kReads9.5Score8kShelves
5. 5 为 The Professional Ethics of a Concubine 为妾的职业操守 Lin Wanzi林丸子Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Main Story Complete] Ye Qingzhi, an overworked office drone, transmigrates into the body of a concubine in the Jiangyang Marquis’s household. Since she’s here, she might as well go crazy. Being a concubine is just changing workplaces. She doesn’t need to get emotionally involved. She can simply treat herself like a tool. Ye Qingzhi’s career goal: convince both the marquis and the principal wife to take responsibility for her and protect her. Ye Qingzhi’s workplace motto: Life is short. We’re al 31.6kReads9.4Score3.8kShelves

   Reader note

   The first three are time-travel novels featuring concubines, where the mistresses are all quite magnanimous, and the female protagonist clings to these powerful figures, striving to rise in rank and improve her status and treatment. Coincidentally, they all have a 9.5 Rating, haha. The next four are crossovers of TV dramas, one a crossover novel offering a different perspective on the plot, which is quite interesting. The remaining three are about the rebirth of Yan Wan, the true "female lead" of Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, and her rise to power, reclaiming her destiny. Jin Zhong also follows Yan Wan closely. All three are novels with ratings above 9, very enjoyable.

6. 6 不 No More Slacking: The Prince’s Favorite Concubine’s Daily Grind 不当咸鱼，王府宠妾的内卷日常 Four Crescent Moons四弯月Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + cutthroat household competition + no slacking off + ambitious heroine] Shen Wei, a die-hard rat-race fanatic, transmigrated into the lowest-ranking maid in a prince’s manor. Prince Yan held a position of great prestige, but all his wives and concubines had given up trying. The princess consort, born to a prestigious family, was as aloof as a chrysanthemum. The secondary consort wanted lifelong monogamy. The reborn woman had lost all hope in Prince Yan and was content to lie fla 68.4kReads9.4Score8.7kShelves
7. 7 穿 The Daily Life of a Laid-Back Concubine After Transmigrating 穿越之闲鱼妾室的日常 Tian Nanxing Nan天南星南Ancient Romance480k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + household and palace intrigue + no golden finger + devoted love later on] Zhang Xinian transmigrated into the body of a concubine in Prince Jing’s household. Above her was the princess consort, backed by powerful connections and ruthless in her methods. Beside her was a brainless side consort with overwhelming fighting prowess. Below her, a reborn woman and a transmigrated woman were locked in fierce competition. Zhang Xinian trembled with fear. She had no golden finger and did 105.4kReads9.4Score12.3kShelves
8. 8 综 Film and TV Crossover: Empresses in the Palace: The Gentle Poisonous Woman 综影视甄嬛传：温柔毒妇 Sweet Candy卿卿奶糖Female-Channel Fanfiction598k WordsOngoing Transmigration + System golden finger + palace and household intrigue + childbirth A fanfiction based on the TV drama Empresses in the Palace. 1. Zhen’s Mother (transmigrates to before she was married) (Completed) 2. An Lingrong (A Poisonous Woman Never Walks Alone) (Completed) 3. Nian Shilan (Kangxi’s Beloved Empress of a Hundred Years) (Completed) 4. Shen Meizhuang (No One Makes It Out Alive) 5. Ying Noble Lady (A Game That Could Get Your Entire Clan Executed) 6. Huanbi (Endless Green Lotus Le 2.6kReads8.6Score121Shelves
9. 9 令 Empress Lingyi: Yanwan, Give Me Back the Fortune You Stole 令懿皇后嬿婉：夺走的气运还给我 Jing Ning婧柠Female-Channel Fanfiction707k WordsCompleted [Story of Yanxi Palace fanfiction + lots of Ying Zhong pairing + sweet, satisfying happy ending + angst for Ruyi] Formerly titled: Empress Lingyi Yanwan: Give Me Back the Fortune You Stole No rivalry between women. No Ruyi-syndrome, and there are also warm sisterly moments, but revenge will be served without mercy. Reborn, Wei Yanwan thrived, avoiding every mistake that had once given her away. Together with Jinzong, who had also been reborn, she tore away Ruyi's hypocritical mask and reclaimed 8.4kReads9.6Score1kShelves
10. 10 忠 A Lifetime of Loyalty and Grace: Rising to the Top Together 忠婉一世：携手登高位 Ailusa from Shannan山南的艾露撒Female-Channel Fanfiction413k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Wei Yanwan schemed her way up to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, only to make one wrong move and fall into hell. She was tormented in the palace for ten years. What a joke. Did she really think a mere prayer banner could frighten her? She had killed them already. Was she supposed to fear them crawling out of hell for revenge? She hated it. She hated that fate never seemed to be on her side, and that this ending was so unfair to her. “Heavens! You favor Yikun Palace this 1.3kReads9.2Score135Shelves
11. 11 如 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Lingfei Reborn 如懿传之炩妃重生 Mindless Fun无脑欢乐Female-Channel Fanfiction183k WordsCompleted Wei Yanwan: Before I was reborn, I worked diligently. After I was reborn, I pretended to be crazy and stupid while working just as diligently. Jin Zhong: Before I was reborn, I was utterly devoted to Mistress Ling. After I was reborn, I gritted my teeth and stayed utterly devoted to Mistress Ling. 3.8kReads9.4Score457Shelves
12. 12 满 The Entire Court Longs for the Empress to Attend Court and Rule 满朝文武盼着皇后娘娘上朝理政 Lantern Festival Dumplings元夕圆宵Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (The live-action series is out!) After her elder sister dies in palace infighting, Shen Shixi enters the palace by imperial decree to be selected as a consort. Within the palace are the powerful and virtuous Empress, born to the imperial in-laws; Consort De, born to an aristocratic family and exceptionally prolific; Consort Rong, the Emperor's favorite, with a strong artistic streak; Consort Qiong, whose superb cooking has won the Emperor's heart; and Consort Xiurong, known as a learned woman an 50.9kReads9.1Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is really good. The female lead is clear-headed, the writing style is light and funny, and it's very addictive. It shows favoritism in the beginning and exclusive love in the end, making it especially good.

13. 13 婕 The Jieyu's Survival Handbook: His Majesty Insists on Winning Me Over 婕妤保命手札：陛下偏要自我攻略 Yu Zhiwei予之微Ancient Romance313k WordsCompleted She has spent four years in the prince's manor, eating and drinking to her heart's content and enjoying a carefree life. She never expected a storm to rise and An Wang to ascend the throne, making her one of the emperor's concubines. The empress is devoted to prayer, and the emperor's most favored Consort Shu has a grudge against her. She is only a lowly Jieyu, and the emperor's favor seems out of reach. How can she stay alive? Emperor: I dote on you and love you. How could anyone else compare 242Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's good and worth watching.

14. 14 清 Raising Children in the Qing Palace: The Side Consort Wins by Taking It Easy 清宫养崽，侧福晋她躺赢了 Mango Sago, Yeah芒果西米露吖Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted An Ran spent more than a decade diligently serving as a palace maid in the Qing court. At long last, she caught the eye of Consort De of Yonghe Palace. She had hoped that, once she turned twenty-five, she could ask Consort De to let her leave the palace. Instead, she was assigned to serve as the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen’s, first woman. Wait, wasn’t that Song’s job in history? There was no defying an imperial decree, so An Ran arrived at the imperial princes’ residence in a small sedan chair. Since 16.8kReads9.0Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead was originally a palace maid, but was given to the Fourth Prince. She wasn't his exclusive favorite; she's a character who grows and develops, and now she's an Imperial Noble Consort.

15. 15 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves
16. 16 智 Wise Men Avoid Love, and the Noble Consort Wants No Responsibility 智者不入爱河，贵妃不想负责 Uncle Luo洛叔叔Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Being a beggar would be better than being in the harem. Shen Qing is despairing over her current identity. The female lead won't appear for another two years, and Shen Qing is the lowest-ranking consort in the male lead's harem. Her father is useless, and she has neither money nor power. It seems her only option is to wait for the emperor's favor. To make matters worse, she has a face that attracts trouble. If she fights for influence, she has no leverage; if she doesn't, she'll just get bullied 45.4kReads9.5Score5.7kShelves
17. 17 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score427Shelves
18. 18 帝 The Imperial Terrace's Charm: The Noble Consort Is Beautiful and Well-Behaved 帝台娇：贵妃娘娘她又美又乖 Mu Niannian慕年年Ancient Romance501k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + climbing the ranks and crushing the villains + doting romance. The male lead knows his own heart. He'll devote himself to her alone later on.] [The heroine rises through the ranks quickly at first, then more slowly later on.] [The heroine comes from a noble family, is the most beautiful woman in the harem, and already has two adorable children. The Emperor falls for her first and favors her from early on, before devoting himself to her alone in the middle and later parts.] By a 20.5kReads9.4Score2kShelves
19. 19 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 24.6kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves
20. 20 娇 A Scheming Childhood Friend Charms the Coldhearted Emperor into Surrender 娇媚心机青梅诱，薄情帝王沦陷深 Fu Yuan福媛Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Pure palace intrigue + the leads are not each other’s first + no saintly heroine] P.S. The heroine is a villainess who takes the initiative. A bewitching, scheming beauty × a cool, heartless emperor An imperial decree made Chu Miaowei the crown prince’s secondary consort. With the little affection her childhood friend, Crown Prince Xiao Jinghuai, had for her, she could have lived a smooth and happy life. But she had no interest in love. She only wanted power. How could the position of secondary 648Reads5.5Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead starts as a concubine of the crown prince, and gradually climbs the ranks to become the main wife.

21. 21 咸 The Lazy Concubine Just Wants to Cling to a Powerful Patron, but the Aloof Prince Is Hooked 咸鱼侍妾只想抱大腿，高冷王爷却被钓疯了 Seven An Coins七桉钱Ancient Romance589k WordsOngoing (Transmigration / palace and household intrigue / raising a child / doted on exclusively in the later stages / love grows over time / everyday life) Ye Qing, a notorious actress, transmigrates one day into the body of a concubine of Prince Jing, the fourth son of the Great Yue emperor. As a concubine, without the prince's favor, her status is even lower than a maid's. To live comfortably, she decides to cling tightly to the biggest pillar in the prince's manor: the aloof Prince Jing. Ye Qing pre 405Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead's acting was amazing in the early episodes of palace intrigue within the royal family.

22. 22 出 On the Night Before Leaving the Palace, She Is Forced to Become a Prince's Concubine 出宫前夜，她被迫成为王府侍妾 Songyu Fish淞雨鱼Ancient Romance339k WordsCompleted The story has only just started gaining traction, so its ratings will rise gradually~~ The main story is complete, and the extra chapters are being updated. [Household intrigue + devoted love in the middle and later stages + male lead has a romantic past + no abuse of the heroine] Yue Heng is an inconspicuous palace maid in the harem of the State of Zhao, and is about to leave the palace at twenty-five. She works diligently and saves her money, hoping to open a shop in the capital and live out t 2.6kReads7.3Score203Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead was supposed to leave the palace at the appropriate age, but due to a series of coincidences, she ended up in the prince's mansion. The male lead is not virgin and initially has a princess and concubines, but he quickly becomes the sole favorite, having children only with the female lead. However, the female lead is very clear-headed, and there's a later storyline where he pursues her. The pacing is fast, so it's worth watching.

23. 23 谁 Who Says Being a Concubine Means Fighting in the Household? The Prince Takes It All on His Shoulders 谁说做妾要宅斗，王爷他一肩挑了 Qian Jinlai千金来Ancient Romance811k WordsOngoing [Transmigrate into a book + doted on by one man + palace intrigue + sweet and soft on the outside, ruthless underneath + unconventional, ambitious heroine] Zhu Shande, once a ruthless overachiever, transmigrated into a low-ranking bedchamber attendant at the Third Prince's residence, with no title or status. She had been sent there by the prince's sworn enemy. After this disastrous start, she took one look at the attendants' meager monthly pay of two coins and five coppers. Zhu Shande put aside 731Reads9.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's really good, especially the second book.

24. 24 误 Mistakenly Entering the Palace: The Favorite Concubine Usurps the White Moonlight's Place 误闯天家：宠妾秒杀白月光上位 Ming Family Charcoal Fire明家炭火Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance + not each other’s first + childhood friends + clear-headed heroine] The glorious achievements of Emperor Jingwu of Great Yan have been praised throughout history, but what later generations envied even more was the deep devotion between the emperor and empress, who were perfectly matched in love. Bystander: “Wait, the historical records say the virtuous empress was chosen because she resembled Emperor Jingwu’s beloved.” Emperor Jingwu’s great-grandson: “How outrageous! How dar 864Reads6.4Score108Shelves

    Reader note

    In this story, from the royal palace to the imperial palace, the female protagonist gradually wins over the male protagonist, who ultimately helps her consolidate her family's power and elevates her to the position of empress.

25. 25 技 The Concubine with Maxed-Out Skills Is Turning Herself into an Empress? 技能拉满的侍妾，卷成皇后了？ White Peppercorn白藤椒Ancient Romance620k WordsCompleted Empress Wenzhao was a famously bewitching consort and the most talented empress. The way she has been judged and defined throughout her life has changed many times, but that has never diminished her status or the value of studying her. [System + Raising Kids + Relentless Competition] Thanks to being well fed at home, Qi Jiao was plump and rosy-cheeked. After a flood, she was sold into the palace as a maid, and when she got a little older, she was assigned to the empress’s palace. A few years lat 12.6kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    All three books depict a power struggle that begins in the Prince's mansion/Eastern Palace and extends to the imperial palace.

26. 26 娘 After the Empress Consort Closed Her Heart to Love, the Emperor Became Addicted to Begging for Her Affection 娘娘断心绝爱后，陛下跪舔上瘾了 Jie Chong解虫Ancient Romance435k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn] [Alternate history] [He pursues his wife after losing her; the hero is humble and devoted] [In her previous life, she was a love-struck fool; reborn, she is a clear-eyed and captivating consort × In his previous life, he loved her without realizing it; reborn, the powerful emperor eagerly becomes her devoted admirer] In her previous life, Su Yunning was infatuated with her cousin, the emperor, for over twenty years. She had no children of her own, willingly became his con 23.2kReads8.6Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Go see it, it's amazing!

27. 27 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Bewitching, and the Emperor Gives In to Pleasure 娘娘撩人魅惑，帝王纵情堕落 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The Tomato short drama Kun Yi is now streaming~ [Transmigrate into a book, male lead is not a virgin but female lead is, palace intrigue, psychological games, happy ending] The Crown Prince, Jun Zechen, has seen his fair share of calculating women, and loves only those who are pure and kind. While campaigning beyond the frontier, he meets Ling Yue and is captivated by her free-spirited kindness. He promises to spend his life with her alone. But two years pass, and the Crown Princess has yet to c 118kReads9.5Score11.2kShelves
28. 28 东 The Eastern Palace's Pampered Concubine: The Crown Prince Dotes on His Concubine and Neglects His Wife, and She Sets Her Sights on the Empress's Throne 东宫娇妾：太子宠妾灭妻目标后位 Han Qingxue寒清雪Ancient Romance229k WordsCompleted Not a pure pairing, not a pure pairing [The prince’s concubine is not a pure pairing at first + she enters the palace soon after, and becomes his sole favorite after the palace struggles] [The heroine is clear-headed and career-minded, working her way up to the empress’s position] Since I’ve been granted the title of Worthy Lady, my goal should be the empress’s throne. The Crown Prince has been married for two years, but the Crown Princess has yet to bear him a child. The Empress personally choo 2.3kReads8.9Score197Shelves
29. 29 送 You Offered Me Up to Win His Favor? Why Are You Crying Now That I'm Empress? 送我固宠？我当皇后你哭什么？ Moon Gummies月亮软糖Ancient Romance612k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book / palace intrigue / not mutually devoted / face-slapping feel-good story / sweet romance / historical romance] A beauty who keeps a low profile early on, then acts spoiled and arrogant under the emperor's protection / a cold, strict emperor who falls in love at first sight, favors her, and fiercely defends her *A transmigration trope, a chef slicing meat and tossing it in the wok. Come have a bite of this satisfying favoritism story! Chu Qingwan transmigrated into a boo 1.6kReads8.4Score225Shelves
30. 30 宠 The Consort's Business Venture Succeeded, Then She Suddenly Died 宠妃创业已成，却猝然崩殂 Messy 87糟87乱Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted [The Two Worlds' Beloved Consort] Liu Yao worked her way up from beauty to imperial consort, becoming the apple of the emperor's eye. One day, the emperor peacefully passed away in her arms, bound for the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. At last, all her hardships had paid off. On his deathbed, the emperor issued an imperial decree allowing her to live at Qionghua Mountain Villa, a palace retreat, instead of remaining in the palace. She now had wealth, status, and freedom. She had it all. A winner a 49Reads6.1Score—Shelves
31. 31 被 Abandoned by the Entire Household, I Let the On-Screen Comments Teach Me to Win the Emperor’s Heart 被全府抛弃后，弹幕教我勾帝心 Pineapple, Oh菠萝呀Ancient Romance304k WordsCompleted [On-screen comments + comparison heroine + palace intrigue + clear-headed beauty] Xu Lingyue had spent fifteen years as the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s household. When she was fifteen, the family’s true daughter came looking for her. Brainwashed by the marquis’s household, she devoted herself to making plans for the true daughter, helping her become a famous and celebrated beauty of talent over the next three years. She had thought the marquis’s household had raised her for years becau 65Reads5.7Score—Shelves
32. 32 乖 A Sweet, Obedient Woman Gets the Best of Life, and the Crown Prince Can't Get Enough 乖巧的女人最好命，太子欲罢不能 Mi Yiner弥音儿Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (P.S. Strong male lead, weaker female lead, pure historical romance, no transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger, sweet romance.) Wen Li'er is gentle and mild-mannered, the cherished darling of her parents. She thought she'd marry a man she loved and spend her life raising children and managing the household. But an imperial decree from the Empress made her the lowest-ranking consort in the Eastern Palace. Unable to bear the blow, Wen Li'er fell seriously ill and spent half a year bedridden. 46.3kReads8.8Score8kShelves
33. 33 穿 After Becoming the Crown Princess, I Do Nothing but Slack Off 穿成太子妃后，我每天都在摆烂 Beef Flatbread牛肉大饼Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Not a Devoted Couple, Palace and Household Intrigue, Marriage Before Love] With a single imperial decree, Cui Ying and the crown prince inexplicably become husband and wife. Neither of them knows the other. Cui Ying never expected that, as a modern woman transported to ancient times, she would become a crown princess. What a headache. But rumor has it the crown prince has a much-favored concubine by his side. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, she's also gentle and sweet, a true beauty. Cui 22.5kReads6.4Score866Shelves
34. 34 生 Three Sons and a Daughter? The Empress Reigns Supreme in the Harem 生育三子一女？娘娘她冠宠六宫 White Moon Bridge白月桥Ancient Romance324k WordsCompleted The story has just received its first rating, and it will gradually climb! [Calculating, seemingly frail and pampered maid × cold-hearted, deep-thinking emperor] [Reborn + power-up wish fulfillment + doting romance + not both virgins + his devotion to her later on] In a nutshell: His Majesty is absolutely smitten! Xue Yingzhu was born into humble circumstances and was easy prey for everyone, yet she possessed a breathtaking beauty. In her previous life, she cared nothing for power and acted with 522Reads6.8Score111Shelves
35. 35 直 The Bold Consort Flirts with the Emperor, and He Begs for Cuddles Every Day 直球贵妃撩帝王，他竟日日求贴贴 Baby Little Ball北鼻小丸Ancient Romance450k WordsCompleted [Just got a rating, and it’ll slowly go up from here~ Welcome, everyone!] [Palace intrigue, not an innocent romance] [Sweet romance; the male lead falls early and dotes on her exclusively after about ten chapters] [A clever, brave, strong, stunning beauty who speaks her mind × a clingy, love-struck puppy of an emperor] Shen Chaoying opened her eyes to find herself sitting in the sedan chair taking her to the emperor’s bedchamber. She looked around and nearly fainted on the spot. Thanks for askin 1.1kReads8.8Score133Shelves
36. 36 梦 Dreamed I Was Poisoned to Death? The Wicked Consort Goes on a Rampage 梦到自己被毒死？恶毒贵妃杀疯了 Pour Me a Glass of Green Plum Wine来一杯青梅酒Ancient Romance555k WordsCompleted [Not a pure romance + an all-villain cast + a heroine who kills + an indulgent hero + exclusive devotion from the start] [An aloof, ruthless, pleasure-seeking autocratic emperor vs. an arrogant, domineering, viciously cunning consort] Emperor Long'an had ruled for seven years. What people talked about most was his unusual hobby: keeping all kinds of fierce beasts and wild birds. Little did they know that the creatures who caught Emperor Long'an's interest were all in the harem's fighting ring. E 20.1kReads9.2Score2.2kShelves
37. 37 昭 Lady Zhaoyi Grows Arrogant on the Emperor's Favor 昭仪娘娘她恃宠生骄 Bada Beauty叭哒虞美人儿Ancient Romance400k WordsOngoing By imperial decree, Yu Qingyao, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an’s household, was given to Prince Jing as his wife. Her rank was a little low, but that was fine. Once she won Prince Jing over, her status would rise soon enough! Qingyao sharpened her knives and got ready to go all in on Prince Jing. The following year, the late emperor passed away, and Prince Jing ascended the throne. He made Qingyao a Zhaoyi and granted her the main hall of Guanju Palace as her residence. In Dec 270Reads6.6Score—Shelves
38. 38 丈 Five Years After My Husband Died, I’m Pregnant with the Emperor’s Child 丈夫去世五年，守寡怀了皇帝的崽 Salty Fish Boss咸鱼头子Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Stunning widow vs. domineering emperor] [Not both virgins + forbidden tension + raising a child + old flames reignited] Everyone in the capital knows that the legitimate daughter of the Yun family and Third Young Master Lu are a loving couple, devoted to each other. But fate was cruel. Third Young Master Lu was cursed with a short life and died of a serious illness before reaching twenty, leaving behind a beautiful young widow and an unborn child. - Yun Wan has a secret she’s kept buried fo 28.1kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves
39. 39 帝 The Emperor Is Aloof and Hard to Approach? He Lures Me to Share His Bed Night After Night! 帝王清冷难近？夜夜诱我共枕眠！ Thousand-Pool Moon千池月Ancient Romance549k WordsCompleted [Live-action audio adaptation available] [Reborn + Palace Intrigue, Not Both Virgins + Favored by the Hero Early On, His Only Love Later + Clear-Headed Beauty Rises to Power + Emperor Becomes Love-Struck Later] [Cool, Distant, Hard-to-Approach Emperor vs. Delicate, Soft, Clear-Headed Heroine] In her previous life, Lin Wanqing was kept outside the palace as the mistress of the younger brother of the reigning emperor. She thought they were in love and that she would become his princess consort. S 3kReads8.8Score339Shelves
40. 40 金 The Golden Palace Locks Away the Spring Breeze 金阙锁春风 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance757k WordsCompleted Her entire family perished, she was left dependent on others, the dynasty fell, and she married and divorced. In just eighteen years, Yu Zheng has endured things most people never face in a lifetime. A noblewoman of the former dynasty, all she wants now is to stay alive. She plans to enter the palace as a maid, then use her literacy to earn a post as a court official and support herself. She never imagined that the new emperor would send her to the Fourth Prince’s residence as a gesture of goodw 21.1kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Both are by the same author and are excellent! The first book features a very clear-headed female lead, and the interactions between her and the male lead are very interesting. Highly recommended!!! The second book is also very good, although I prefer the style of the first one. The female lead in this book is also very intelligent. Actually, I think the main focus isn't on palace intrigue, but rather on the female lead's ability to wield power.

41. 41 惑 Ensnaring the Eastern Palace: Tying the Mad Crown Prince to My Skirts 惑东宫，把疯批太子拴在裙带上 Ninefold Thousand Towers九方千阙Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted Originally titled Eastern Palace Erotic Picture. A madman and a madwoman, both clear-eyed about the world. [A delicate beauty with a ruthless streak × a deranged crown prince who takes what he wants, 1v1, both leads pure and Alpha] From the age of fourteen, when Ruan Qing arrived in the capital, she was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the city. Three years later, the unruly Sixth Prince had become the Crown Prince, while Ruan Qing had become a widow burdened with a monument to her chastity 33.8kReads9.3Score4.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This book features a prince who forcibly marries a widowed woman. The plot is not clichéd. The female lead has her own ideas and can be described as ambitious. The male lead is willing to be her support. The key is that their love story is very touching.

42. 42 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 12.2kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Every character in Cai Wangwang's books is vividly portrayed [a masterpiece by Que Shi].

43. 43 继 The Second Empress 继后 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The Noble Consort was favored, the Worthy Consort bore a son, the Bright Etiquette was the emperor’s white moonlight, and the Beautiful Consort was his cinnabar mole. Every other concubine had her own talents and charms. It was a whole garden in full bloom. So who was our protagonist? The unfavored empress, with no children and no powerful family backing. Great. Why did this plot feel so familiar? Never mind. On the first day Zhao Wumian transmigrated here, she decided to lie flat. Compete for t 81.1kReads9.5Score9.1kShelves
44. 44 攀 Ascending to the Dragon's Heights 攀龍 Kaji Yellow Peach咔叽黄桃Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted A flirtatious widow with a child ✖️ a reserved warlord who becomes the founding emperor [Complete] Lou Mizhi was born a woman who never learned to accept her lot in life. If she wanted something, she took it by her own merit, even if she had to snatch it away. Her first husband was short-lived and ill-fated, and his family wanted to burn her and her child to ashes? Bah! As if I’d let you! She hid her savings and took her child away from her late husband’s family. With no one to protect them in t 40.1kReads9.4Score5.7kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all shows I like; the female lead is a master strategist, let's go!

45. 45 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 41.5kReads9.6Score5.9kShelves
46. 46 清 A Qing Dynasty Rebirth: The Big Shot Helps Me Win Over Zhen 清穿复仇，大佬助我谋禛心 Jia Xiaoqi嘉小麒Ancient Romance672k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + historical setting + sweet romance + court intrigue + a little household and harem drama + brotherhood] (Completed) I crossed three hundred years of time just to meet you, while you endured three hundred lonely years, waiting in vain for my return... Jianing wakes up one morning to find that she has transmigrated, and is forced to inherit the tragic memories of the original owner's final moments. Bullied and abused! Her belly cut open to save someone else's unborn child! The or 701Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    From a concubine in a prince's mansion to an empress dowager, the female and male protagonists heal each other.

47. 47 错 After Mistaking the Prince for Her Husband, the Little Darling Holds Her Waist Every Day 错认王爷为夫后，小娇娇日日扶腰 A Leisurely Guest in the Mortal World闲情偶寄人间客Ancient Romance263k WordsCompleted Transmigration + overachiever + clear-eyed pragmatist + household intrigue + palace intrigue + satisfying wish fulfillment + face-slapping A top sales rep and relentless overachiever dropped dead at a signing dinner and transmigrated into Feng Jiao, an orphaned daughter of a merchant family. As Feng Jiao, she was married off by her greedy second aunt to a merchant, as his second wife. At the Yangzhou docks, her future husband stood tall and handsome. It was only after Feng Jiao boarded the b 49Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These books all fit the bill and are quite good.

48. 48 掀 Flip the Table! The Noble Consort Climbs to Power with a Bullet Screen System 掀桌！贵妃娘娘靠弹幕系统杀上位 Xiao Yan Wants to Get Rich小闫要暴富Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [The rewards from the scrolling comments all serve the story.] A month after entering Prince Rui’s manor, Ling Shuanghua declares: Life here is no walk in the park! Prince Rui himself is gloomy and petty. His princess consort rules the household and holds the purse strings. To her left is her cousin, Secondary Consort Miao, who raises the prince’s eldest illegitimate son. To her right is Secondary Consort Fang, who is deeply favored by Prince Rui. And that’s not even counting the Princess of Qin 599Reads6.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In the first book, Ling Shuanghua suddenly realized! She was just a minor character destined to die within three episodes. Watch as she seizes Qi Jin'an's favor and carves a bloody path through this cannibalistic inner court! From then on, the magical bullet comments appeared even more frequently, accompanied by random drops of special rewards: fertility pills, infertility pills, lucky charms… Thanks to these bullet comments, Ling Shuanghua not only escaped her original cannon fodder role but also rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming the Empress Dowager of the Great An Dynasty!

49. 49 东 The Eastern Palace's Beauty: This Favorite Consort Is Mine! 东宫姝色：这宠妃我当定了！ Sheng Qian笙浅Ancient Romance520k WordsCompleted [The heroine is doted on from the very beginning. The story focuses on sweet romance, not scheming palace intrigue. The hero adores the heroine and is even a little lovesick. If that's not your thing, please move along, and don't leave a bad review over it. The heroine rises from a junior consort to a favored consort, Crown Princess, and Empress. The hero is a crown prince at first and becomes emperor later.] Su Niannian has landed in a male-lead-centric novel! Her new identity is Su Ling, the 30.2kReads9.4Score2.9kShelves
50. 50 我 I Lie Flat on My Good Looks 我靠美貌躺平了 A Journey Through Mountains and Seas山海一程Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Both are devoted only to each other + sweet romance + marriage first, love later + mutual devotion] That day in the peach grove, it wasn’t the wind that stirred, but the heart… Song Zhaoyue was born into the body of an unfavored concubine-born daughter of a marquis’s household. Her stepmother forced her to marry a playboy who drank, gambled, and visited brothels, so she turned around and entered the palace selection instead! Who could have guessed she would be granted in marriage to Prince Yan, 35.4kReads9.1Score4.4kShelves

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