Palace Intrigue, with the Female Lead Rising Step by Step, Not Romance-Obsessed 宫斗，女主一步步往上爬，不是恋爱脑

1. 101 大 The Splendor of the Ming: Defeating the Demon Empress Sun and Kicking Out the Gate-Crashing Emperor 大明凤华：除孙妖后，踹叫门天子 Lucky Little Sweet Wine幸运小甜酒Ancient Romance601k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + fictional Ming dynasty + no pocket dimension or System + a prince’s favorite concubine + harem and household intrigue + male lead has had previous partners + clear-headed heroine, no angst + he only dotes on her in the middle and later parts] Content warning: Zhu Zhanji is reborn as the heroine’s son; Wang, the Noble Consort, is villainized; Zhu Qizhen is abused; Empress Dowager Sun and others get taken down. Don’t read if that’s not your thing. Li Changxi came across a video a 1.7kReads9.0Score121Shelves
2. 102 想 You Want Me to Be a Widow? I'll Wipe Out Your Whole Clan Without Hesitation 想本宫守活寡？干翻你全族没商量 Meow Meow Loves Cats喵喵爱猫猫Ancient Romance503k WordsCompleted Original novel for the short drama Her Heart in the Painted Scenery. The eldest princess was betrayed and killed by her husband. Reborn, she climbed over the wall into Grand Tutor Lu’s estate, hoping to team up with him to punish the scum. But... the Grand Tutor ended up climbing into her bed instead! Full synopsis: Zhao Jiuyuan was the most beloved eldest princess of the Li Kingdom, yet she fell hopelessly in love with Xu Huaiyuan, the impoverished heir to the Marquis of Changning. She helped h 1.7kReads8.9Score226Shelves
3. 103 被 The Tyrant Dragged Me Back 18 Times, and I'm Pregnant Again 被暴君抓回去18次，我又怀上了 Ninefold Thousand Towers九方千阙Ancient Romance534k WordsCompleted The short drama My Heart Is Weary, the Villain Only Wants Cuddles Every Day is now online. [Unhinged, tyrannical dog emperor] x [sweet, fierce, adorable heartthrob] After Su Ci transmigrates into a book, the mad emperor forces her to absorb his good luck, locks her in his bedchamber, and makes her sleep in his imperial bed. By day, she's a prisoner; by night, she's treated like an empress. She pretends to go along with it, then runs away. By day, the mad emperor is a dog: “Bring that wretched wo 6.9kReads9.4Score865Shelves

   Reader note

   Perhaps afraid of disturbing her mother's rest, he remained quiet, only staring intently with wide eyes. Seeing her awake, Zhan Ge'er immediately pointed to the cradle. "Mother, little brother and sister..." Su Ling couldn't help but smile. "Yes, our Zhan Ge'er has a little brother and sister." Zhan Ge'er grinned, his joy almost like receiving a golden tiger. The Crown Prince had someone take his son back to the room first. He personally brought her a warm bowl of nourishing soup. Before giving birth, Su Ling had eaten quite a lot. Not much time had passed, and she wasn't hungry at all. She only ate two bites before she couldn't eat anymore. But the Crown Prince personally fed her, and he frowned if she didn't open her mouth. It seemed he wouldn't stop until she drank the entire bowl of soup. She forced herself to drink a few more sips, but still couldn't finish. Seeing that she truly had no appetite, the Crown Prince didn't force her. He put down the bowl, sat behind her, and let her lean against him. "Is anything hurting?" His question revealed a hint of anxiety. Su Ling was slightly taken aback. Then she found it amusing. "Your Highness, this is my second pregnancy. I told you I'm in good health; I didn't experience much pain during my first pregnancy." "No need to show off in front of me, you little brat. The imperial physician and Fushu both said that childbirth is several times more painful than being stabbed in the bone." Recalling her first pregnancy with Zhan Ge'er, this woman didn't seem to have complained of pain in front of him. The Crown Prince felt increasingly uneasy. She must be afraid of worrying him. So understanding that she made him unsure how to handle the pain. Consort Su knew the Crown Prince had misunderstood. Even if she told him, he wouldn't believe her. So she let the Crown Prince imagine it. Although there was a spiritual spring, making childbirth less painful than imagined, the suffering of ten months of pregnancy was real. "Do you want to sleep a little longer?" "I don't want to sleep anymore; I want to see the baby." The Crown Prince got up, kissed her forehead, and pulled a soft pillow behind her.

4. 104 冲 Marriage for Good Fortune: One Fit of Anger from the Heir’s Wife, and He’s on His Knees in an Instant 冲喜：世子妃一生气，世子秒下跪 March Heiress三月千金Ancient Romance388k WordsCompleted Fate decrees a destined match, and one dream draws us together across worlds. You often appear in my dreams, and one glance was all it took for me to fall for you. Scene: Woman: “I just transmigrated, and now you're making me marry you to bring you good luck? Why should I?” Man: “I'm in this state already. I shouldn't drag an innocent girl into this.” A few days later Woman: “Wait... I'll take this man.” Man: “Now that you're here, don't even think about running away.” As the heir to a family of 7.1kReads9.3Score930Shelves
5. 105 乱 After Fleeing the Chaotic Era, I Became the Founding Empress 乱世逃亡后，我成了开国女帝 Nan Wanxu南婉徐Ancient Romance4.1M WordsCompleted [Publication rights signed] [Strong heroine + political intrigue + turbulent times + power struggles + ensemble cast] She’s fleeing from the start, a female warlord in a chaotic age. Lin Zhihuang, originally named Lin Zhihuan, transmigrates as a county magistrate’s daughter, only to find tens of thousands of refugees attacking the city from the start! While others transmigrate into palace or household intrigue, she transmigrates straight into a chaotic age and a desperate flight from famine. The 93.2kReads9.4Score12.8kShelves
6. 106 娘 The Empress Is So Charming, His Majesty Is Reborn to Bend Over Backward for Her 娘娘多娇，陛下重生为其弯眉折腰 Muzi Yingbao木子颖宝Ancient Romance591k WordsCompleted He abused her, hurt her, and kept her imprisoned. When she had lost all hope, she resolved to take revenge on him... Didn’t he want her heart? Then she would give it to him! That day, she stood amid a sea of flames, beautiful and tragic, utterly resolute... “Your Majesty, these are all things you taught me. When facing someone vastly stronger than you, the best way to lie low is to disguise yourself and act obedient. To defeat someone, first attack their heart. The greatest revenge on an enemy i 4.7kReads8.8Score283Shelves

   Reader note

   Just you wait and see!

7. 107 吃 The Foodie Empress: The Imperial Kitchen Never Closes 吃货皇后：御膳不打烊 Traces of the Past旧时微末Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted In her previous life, she was appointed a princess, married into the royal family, entered the imperial court, and reached the pinnacle of success, only to starve to death in the end. Reborn, she resolves to keep a low profile and live for food, but fate has other plans. There are schemes in the inner palace, and an emperor with an unusual appetite. At least the Imperial Kitchen’s delicacies can comfort her fragile heart. “Your Majesty, Her Highness has been poisoned again.” “…” He originally m 71Reads8.8Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It seems none of them climbed up from the bottom; they prefer 1v1 stories. You can browse through the following ones when you have some free time; those you've already seen are probably alright.

8. 108 恶 The Wicked Empress Returns: Your Majesty, the Empress Is at It Again! 恶后归来：陛下，娘娘又动手啦！ Half a Cigarette Butt半支烟头Ancient Romance3.7M WordsCompleted “Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has been locked in the rear palace for three days!” “Has she repented?” “She burned the entire rear palace down...” The legitimate daughter of Prince Mu's household is reborn. One thought: revenge. One target: the current Fourth Prince. Rumor has it the jade pendant at the Fourth Prince's waist can command a mighty army and is worth countless gold taels. Mu Cen merely glanced at it, and the Fourth Prince gave it to her. Rumor has it the Fourth Prince is a l 471Reads8.2Score110Shelves
9. 109 我 My Princess Consort Is a Goofball 我家王妃是逗比 Bei Jiu Zhu北九竹Ancient Romance4.5M WordsCompleted Overnight, she transmigrates into the body of a minister’s daughter. Her father doesn’t care for her, her mother doesn’t love her, and now they’re forcing her to get married! She hears she’s to marry the emperor’s most favored prince? She likes princes: they’re loaded! She hears the prince she’s to marry is crippled? She likes crippled men: they’re easy to boss around! With her remarkable medical skills, she cures the prince’s legs. She originally planned to keep him around as her backer, but wh 898Reads8.9Score343Shelves
10. 110 皇 The Emperor's Uncle Dotes on His Consort 皇叔宠妃悠着点 Zhu Jiule竹九乐Ancient Romance4.0M WordsCompleted They say the Nineteenth Prince is cold, proud, and indifferent to women. Shang Liangyue stares at her round belly. If he’s indifferent to women, whose baby is she carrying? They say the Nineteenth Prince has the face of a god, and the threshold of his residence has been worn down by visitors. Shang Liangyue scoffs. “What a flirt!” They say the Nineteenth Prince has won countless battles and stands second only to the emperor, above everyone else in the Empire of Diling. Shang Liangyue looks 1kReads8.9Score609Shelves
11. 111 冷 The Cold King's Stolen Consort: His Side Consort Is No One's Plaything 冷王盗妃，侧妃不承欢 Moonrise in the Clouds月出云Ancient Romance544k WordsCompleted They were betrothed for eight years, and she waited in vain for four. When he finally came, he was holding another peerlessly beautiful woman in his arms. In a single night, she went from principal consort to secondary consort. Deep within the marquis's estate, she endured the loneliness in silence. She neither fought for his favor nor accepted his affection. She had thought that if she helped him and stood by him through every hardship, they would soar together as a pair, and in the end she wou 232Reads8.9Score156Shelves
12. 112 这 This Princess Consort Is a Force to Be Reckoned With, and She Deserves to Be Spoiled! 这个王妃路子野，得宠！ Noble Title for a Meal封侯拜饭Ancient Romance2.2M WordsCompleted The Prince Regent says, “My princess consort is of royal blood, a delicate flower who can't lift a finger.” Meanwhile, the Prince Regent's consort, a whip in her left hand and a blade in her right, beats a gang of rebels until they flee in terror. The Prince Regent says again, “My consort only knows how to sew. How would she know anything about the occult?” A century-old ghost, sewn up like a kite by the Prince Regent's consort, weeps as it flies through the sky. The Prince Regent sighs again. “ 7.8kReads9.3Score1.2kShelves
13. 113 妖 The Enchanting Demon Minister: Your Majesty, Please Behave 妖臣撩人：皇上请您自重 Fu Yu芙鱼Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Woman disguised as a man] In her previous life, she suffered at the hands of a scumbag, watched her whole family drown in blood, and was literally angered to death. Reborn into this life as the capital's number-one wastrel, she sees all of Chang'an's splendor in a single day. Let the scumbags and shameless women come at her. If she can't make them cry, she loses. Her wicked stepmother and slutty stepsister? They can go find somewhere else to bother people. Fame, fortune, and a crowd of princes 2.5kReads9.0Score313Shelves
14. 114 全 All of the Capital Hopes the Princess Consort of Prince Chu Will Fall from Favor 全京城都在盼着楚王妃失宠 Young Master Jin锦公子Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted After Lu Yao was reborn, she married the foolish tyrant who had ruled in her previous life. She thought she was doomed, but instead he spoiled her rotten. A minister troubled by his marriage asked Prince Chu for advice. “Your Highness, do you and the princess consort ever argue at home?” Prince Chu puffed out his chest. “Argue? We get into fights all the time.” “Then... doesn’t the princess consort cry?” She didn’t look like she could take much of a beating. “She’s the one who hits me. What woul 3.3kReads9.0Score450Shelves
15. 115 世 The Young Lord's Wife Is a Little Sweet 世子夫人有点甜 The Moon Hangs Over the West Tower明月挂西楼Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Shen Mian, the young lady of the Shen family, is unlike other girls. While they all dream of marrying the heir apparent Jiang, she thinks about going back to her hometown in Qingzhou to eat seafood every day. The heir apparent is on the verge of tears. “How am I worse than seafood? Tell me, and I'll change.” Shen Mian blinks. “You can buy seafood. I can't buy you.” The heir apparent says, “You can have me.” Shen Mian doesn't believe him, so he has to try every trick in the book, marry her first, 1.4kReads9.0Score163Shelves
16. 116 圣 The Mischievous Little Princess of Prince Shengqing 圣卿王的作妖小王妃 Liqueur-Filled Candy酒心味糖果Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Luo Yan woke up from a nap to find that she had transmigrated into a book, and not just any book, but one so heart-wrenching it made every organ ache! She had become the heroine, a girl with no family or background who had been picked up off the road and kept imprisoned by a violent prince for five whole years. When she was eighteen, he touched her... From then on, she broke with him completely. She hated him more and more, biting, hitting, grabbing, scratching him, and smashing vases at him... 405Reads8.7Score101Shelves
17. 117 重 Reborn on My Wedding Night, the Sickly Prince Regent Warms My Feet 重生新婚夜，病娇摄政王给我暖脚 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Reborn + sweet romance + obsessive love + mutual devotion + secret identities, one couple] Nan Xi, the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, was a fool in her past life. She fell for a treacherous scumbag who was handsome on the outside but full of sinister schemes within, and ended up abandoned by everyone, dying miserably at the hands of him and his mistress. Given a second life, she gets her brains back! Looking at the powerful, handsome regent by her side, she cannot help questioning h 10.7kReads9.1Score3.7kShelves
18. 118 拐 I Abducted a Sickly Little Eunuch 拐了个病娇小太监 Weary Birds, a City Left Behind倦鸟余城Ancient Romance613k WordsCompleted A police officer from the 21st century was reborn in ancient times with her memories intact. She was the daughter of Prince Xianwu, the niece of Emperor Tiancheng, and the only princess of Zhao. With her noble status, she could throw her weight around in the capital, and no one dared cross her. This little menace feared no one, not even the emperor. The only person she was afraid of was the sickly little eunuch by her side. Whenever he coughed, the princess's haughty swagger vanished in an insta 493Reads9.0Score103Shelves
19. 119 乱 Choosing a Consort at the Mass Grave: She Crashes Right into the Prince's Heart 乱葬岗选妃：撞到王爷心巴上 Meng Qianxi萌千喜Ancient Romance3.6M WordsCompleted [Bold, decisive catlike princess consort VS frail hostage prince who falls for her on his own, political intrigue and sweet romance] What? I, a renowned evil physician, transmigrated, only to find a prince choosing a consort at a mass grave? And he chose me because I was the only one still alive? As it turned out, he was close to death too. Ming Ruoxie decided they should work together and pretend to be husband and wife. Some time later, Ming Ruoxie glanced at the man lying beside her. “My lord, 5kReads9.2Score722Shelves
20. 120 她 She’s Soft-Waisted and Playful, and the Chaste Imperial Uncle Bewitches Her Every Day 她腰软灵趣，禁欲皇叔日日勾心魂 Cloud Brocade Magpie云锦鹊Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Word has it that Prince Rong has specifically asked to marry the Taifu’s infatuated legitimate daughter. The whole city says it’s downright shocking! Just a few months ago, hadn’t Prince Rong threatened to kill that lovesick fool? At the Taifu’s residence, a certain lovestruck young woman looks at a room full of betrothal gifts and pulls a long face. “Someone, please! Can you send all this back?” The noble young ladies of the capital burst out swearing. “Have some shame, will you?” 19kReads9.4Score3.1kShelves
21. 121 重 The Reborn Take the Stage: A Lowly Concubine's Daughter 重生者当道，卑微庶女 Walking Against the Light逆着光行走Ancient Romance562k WordsCompleted [Angsty + reborn + multiple male leads + no romance + no stupid characters + no love-brained heroine + taking by force] The heroine is a frail, innocent beauty of humble origins whose fate is full of misfortune. In every life, she is repeatedly tormented by a person who keeps being reborn. Yet each time the wicked reborn tormentor starts over, they ultimately fall at the heroine’s hands. And in every life, the more they torment her, the more horribly they die! In the first life after the rebirth 286Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Not brain-dead, not love-struck.

22. 122 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 31.5kReads9.4Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    "The Empress Is Always Unambitious" is not a romance novel. The following books left the deepest impression on me: some I've finished, some I've read halfway through, and some are supposedly good but haven't started reading yet. For more details, please check the homepage.

23. 123 妄 Daring to Break Off a Charming Branch 妄折一枝妩 Ashes Mixed with Toilet Paper烟灰拌卷筒纸Ancient Romance513k WordsCompleted [Strong heroine] [No making the hero even stronger than the heroine] [Heroine serves as the hero's bodyguard] [Historical setting] [Female physician] [A top-tier powerhouse from her very first appearance] [The heroine has unmatched combat skills] [Both leads are faithful in body and heart; the author knows exactly what that means, so keep reading.] [Older woman-younger man romance] She was imprisoned in the Earth Store Palace for ten years. It was hell. To survive, she killed without mercy. At t 15.8kReads9.2Score1.9kShelves
24. 124 福 The Sweet and Beautiful Imperial Concubine: The Abstinent Fourth Prince Dotes on Her 福晋娇又美：禁欲四爷宠上瘾 Wan Bao妧宝Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted [One devoted couple + sweet romance] Tong Jia Ning Chuge, the legitimate daughter of Longkodo, was getting married. But on her wedding day, a princess snatched her groom right off the street. The poor girl fell out of her bridal sedan and died on the spot! The woman protested, “I just got here, and a bunch of people are already laughing at me for being a discarded wife. I can’t stand for this!” Just as she was racking her brains for a way to put them in their place, an imperial edict from Empero 24.1kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves
25. 125 惹 Offending the Imperial Daughter 惹金枝 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (Film and television rights have been sold. The physical book will be available for preorder on July 10 at 19:00.) Shi Buyu was born smiling. At that moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared, collapsing a row of outbuildings in the Shi family compound. Days of torrential rain brought devastating floods and countless victims. Rumors soon spread through the capital that she was a disaster star sent into the world. But she was as precocious as a demon, with a photographic memory, and learned bo 254.1kReads9.7Score29.8kShelves
26. 126 抱 She Was Returned to Her Sect by Mistake, Only to Freeze to Death 抱错被接回宗门，她却被活活冻死 Nan Yunzhu南云珠Ancient Romance717k WordsCompleted [Everyday life + farming and cultivation + healing + not a strong female lead] In her previous life, Wen Zhizhi was switched at birth and eventually returned to her real family. She poured her heart and soul into her first half of life, only to freeze to death on a snowy night while everyone in her sect doted on the impostor and rejected the real heiress. Reborn at the age of seven, she decisively left them behind. But she had barely escaped the deadly cave of the blind before she was picked up 17.5kReads9.5Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Xiao Junchu hadn't noticed while in the fire, but now that he'd calmed down, he saw that Su Ci's entire body was burning hot, like a piece of charcoal. "Chonghua—!!!" He roared, leaping from the rooftop with Su Ci in his arms. "Chonghua's here! Chonghua's here!" Chonghua, leaning on his staff, squeezed through the crowd. He quickly grabbed Su Ci's wrist to check her pulse, then glanced at her, sighing in confusion, "What did Miss Su eat...?" "Just tell me how to save her!" Xiao Junchu snapped. Chonghua thought quickly, "Ice water...! Quick! Ice water to lower the temperature first. She's so hot; if we delay any longer, she'll burn herself out!" In the ensuing chaos, Xiao Junchu rushed into the Zichen Palace with Su Ci in his arms. A bath and ice water were already prepared. He hesitated as he was about to put her in. A sudden shift from extreme heat to extreme cold—no body could withstand such stimulation. Su Ci was so hot; suddenly being thrown into ice water would likely kill her. He thought for a moment, then prepared to step into the icy water first, hoping to transfer the coolness to her. "Wolf Lord!" Chonghua hurriedly stopped him, "Wolf Lord, you mustn't! It will harm your health." In the Heavenly Wolf Palace of Nuxuechuan, there was a snow prison specifically used to imprison rebellious officials and traitors. Prisoners were imprisoned there, their lower bodies constantly buried in the snow. Extreme cold is extremely harmful to the body; over time, even the strongest constitution would inevitably become infertile. Without killing, the offspring would be gone, the future troubles would be gone, and the heart would die. "I am not that weak."

27. 127 修 Cultivating Immortality by Raising a Horde of Monsters: What Are You All Panicking About? 修仙，我就养群妖怪，你们慌什么 Last Night's Tea昨夜的茶Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Transmigration! Reborn! Lighthearted + lively + satisfying + funny + leveling up and fighting monsters!] Lin Chuyi failed her tribulation and was reborn in a tiny mountain village where they ate just two meals a day. With her soul damaged, she spent years in a daze. Then she suddenly rose to prominence, leaving everyone dumbfounded! She raises spirit beasts, takes in monsters, and leads her family in leveling up as they fight monsters! When her adoptive father returned from the army, he stared 48.1kReads9.5Score6.8kShelves
28. 128 毒 Poisonous Love, Ruling the World 毒宠倾天下 Xuanyue Jing玄静月Ancient Romance559k WordsCompleted [Devoted one-on-one romance + equally powerful leads + sweet romance + satisfying read + space + lighthearted daily life + court intrigue] With the wedding between the Marquis's household and Prince Ye of the current dynasty fast approaching, an imperial decree throws the entire household into chaos. No one could have imagined that the marriage arranged by the late emperor would turn into a death sentence: the bride would be buried alive as a sacrifice. The marquis's wife does everything she 5.9kReads9.1Score824Shelves
29. 129 凡 A Mortal's Ascension to Immortality 凡人飞仙 The Road Goes On路长在Eastern Fantasy4.2M WordsCompleted [Mortal Cultivation] He tossed an immortal herb into a black jar, and it kept pouring out more! A village boy accidentally obtained a black jar that could duplicate supplies, and so began his journey to immortality. Is cultivating immortality difficult? I have mountains of pills to help me! Are powerful enemies everywhere? I’ll wipe them out with handfuls of talismans! Born with a useless spirit root, he defies fate and becomes an Immortal Ancestor! Shu Han proves the Great Dao to the world, bec 56.3kReads9.1Score5.3kShelves
30. 130 小 My Little Martial Uncle Really Doesn't Push Herself. She Just Wants to Kill the Female Lead 小师叔真不卷，她只想杀女主而已 Mo Caiwei莫采薇Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Ensemble cast] [People say the blurb did this book a disservice. I'm no good at writing blurbs, so just read the story.] Reincarnated as a doomed female supporting character destined for a gruesome death? No problem. Kill the heroine from the start, wreck the plot, and reset everything. This time, I'm the heroine. The original heroine was a pitiful girl born to a concubine. She had a lowly start but a powerful protagonist's aura. No matter what danger she faced, she always escaped disaster, ros 96.6kReads9.5Score15.7kShelves
31. 131 穿 Passing My Days in the Imperial Palace 穿到皇宫混日子 Xiaoxiao Nishang筱筱霓裳Ancient Romance270k WordsCompleted A beautiful university lecturer accidentally falls into the water and transmigrates to the imperial palace, where she becomes a lowly palace maid. To enjoy a comfortable life in the palace, she draws on the memories and talents of her past life and makes a name for herself. 8Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Please feel free to point out any errors. This is a different kind of time-travel palace intrigue novel, where the female protagonist remains clear-headed throughout.

32. 132 娘 The Beautiful Consort Loves to Put on a Show, and the Sly Emperor Loves Watching 娘娘貌美又爱演，皇上腹黑很爱看 Wang Guiyi, Who Loves Lemon Yogurt爱吃柠檬酸奶的王归一Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Willful legitimate daughter + loves acting + favored by the emperor + his one and only + palace intrigue + becomes empress] Having learned from her mother's example, Gu Yanran never showed anyone her true feelings. She relied on her acting skills to navigate those around her, escaping one den of wolves only to enter a tiger's lair. Helpless, she ended up in the palace... The emperor loved watching her act, but not when she acted for him. At their first meeting, the emperor looked at her and 204Reads6.9Score—Shelves
33. 133 剑 The Sword-Hiding Heroine Han E 剑隐红装女侠韩娥 Author Gu Du Huagui作者古都华桂Ancient Romance807k WordsCompleted Han E, an orphaned girl from Shu in the late Yuan dynasty, disguises herself as a man and eventually joins the army of Ming Yuzhen’s Great Xia Kingdom. She fights against Yuan rule and takes Luo Jia as her adoptive father, only to become separated from him on the battlefield. With Ma Fuzong’s help, Han E distinguishes herself in battle and rises to the rank of Great Xia’s top general. When her identity as a woman is exposed, Ming Yuzhen instead takes a liking to her and appoints her as a palace 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The story follows the female protagonist's journey from an ordinary civilian to a chivalrous woman, from joining the army to resist the Yuan dynasty, and from fighting countless battles to becoming a general.

34. 134 想 I Just Want to Lie Flat, but the Emperor Pushes Me into the Harem Battles 想躺平，皇上却push我宫斗 Wooden Raisin木提子Ancient Romance328k WordsCompleted [An unconventional palace-intrigue story + 1v1 later on + a love-triangle free-for-all] The emperor falls first, then turns dark later [A beautiful, easygoing sloth consort who just wants to lie flat x a hard-working emperor who is secretly scheming and potentially unhinged] “Me, Just Looking for a Basic Salary and Slacking Off, Got Promoted Thanks to the Emperor’s Help” / “The Emperor Fights Palace Battles for Me Behind My Back” / “Consort Yao Doesn’t Want His Favor or Love, She Just Wants to R 8.4kReads9.3Score734Shelves
35. 135 重 The Night I Was Reborn, I Kicked the Coldhearted Emperor Out of Bed 重生当晚，娇娇美人踹冷戾帝下榻 Zhuchuan Xue竹川雪Ancient Romance541k WordsCompleted [Rebirth, Palace Intrigue, The Emperor’s Groveling Pursuit, A Beautiful and Cunning Heroine Who Seduces the Ascetic Emperor Until He Falls for Her] Lin Xiyu was born with an alluring nature and was forced on the emperor as a gift. In her previous life, she loved him. Even after a palace coup left him a prisoner, she willingly stayed by his side and endured hardship with him. Later, he reclaimed the throne, but someone close to him tortured her to death. She died with twins in her womb. Reborn a 486Reads8.5Score—Shelves
36. 136 出 Born Humble? Made Noble Consort Three Months After Entering the Palace 出身低微？入宫三月封贵妃 Immortal Osmanthus Pudding人仙桂花酪Ancient Romance209k WordsCompleted [A stunningly beautiful heroine + ruthless revenge + palace intrigue + both leads' first love, don't ask me how it works, the emperor has his ways] Ten years ago, the Tang clan was framed by villains and sentenced to execution, their blood flowing for miles. No one knew that beneath the mountain of corpses, the youngest daughter of the Tang family was still alive. Ten years later, Tang Wanhua changed her name to Ning Sitang and entered the imperial harem on the strength of her unparalleled beaut 604Reads8.9Score104Shelves
37. 137 外 The Outer Wife 外室之妻 Every Inch Is Gold寸寸金Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Gu Zheng was at her wit’s end with the way her stepmother kept causing trouble. Even though the man looked down on her, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and marry him. She thought she was destined to be a supporting female character in this world, so she lived by the rules and knew her place. Then, in the blink of an eye, her husband turned out to be the Duke’s illegitimate son! He was about to be acknowledged by the family and become the young duke, but the ducal household looked down on 1.1kReads9.0Score361Shelves
38. 138 王 The Princess Consort Has Arrived, and the Arrogant Prince Is Hard to Handle 王妃嫁到，傲娇王爷难伺候 The Cat Says It's Doing Great猫猫说了它很好Ancient Romance149k WordsCompleted Tan Lingyu died! Then Tan Lingyu transmigrated again. She had been an ordinary university student in 22nd-century China. An archaeology major, she had only gone to the antique market to buy an ordinary jade pendant. She never expected a street thug to target her over the worthless trinket, costing her her life. She transmigrated into the body of a young lady from a general's family who shared her name. As a devoted foodie, she decided to use the cooking skills she'd inherited from her parents in 2Reads—Score—Shelves
39. 139 妃 A Consort's Scheme for the Emperor's Heart 妃谋帝心 Falling Ashes坠落的灰Ancient Romance527k WordsCompleted With her father turning a blind eye and her stepmother throwing her weight around, Mu Li is ordered to marry an old prince as a concubine. They tell her this is her fate. Mu Li refuses to believe it. She has never believed in fate… Just then, the imperial household holds its selection of consorts. Daughters of officials of rank eight or above who are of suitable age may participate. Mu Li thinks: Since I’m to be a concubine, why not become the concubine of the most powerful person in the realm? 9.1kReads8.9Score1kShelves
40. 140 别 Don't Be Weak, Don't Provoke Her: An Angry Palace Maid Can Restore a Fallen Kingdom 别太弱，别招惹，宫女发怒能复国 Ethereal Fairy霓裳妖妖Ancient Romance748k WordsCompleted [Unusual premise + assassin’s rise + strong heroine + political intrigue + cold and heartless + mildly yandere + cool-headed lunatic + male lead rises from the nth place] * Su Mian was just a palace maid serving a princess. On the day the Southern Yan Kingdom fell, she watched everyone die before her without a flicker of emotion. The princess gave her an even more perilous mission. Until it was done, she had to stay alive. But in a world thrown into chaos, she was sold as a slave and forced to e 25.6kReads9.5Score4.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly rated palace intrigue novel. 1. Strong female lead: intelligent, resolute, and decisive; a princess of a fallen kingdom rises step by step to power. 2. The female lead transmigrates into a palace maid and gradually rises to the Empress Dowager's side. As a palace maid, she earns money for her retirement, but ends up being controlled by the Emperor. 🤭

41. 141 小 The Little Palace Maid's Thoughts Were Read 小宫女被读心了 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance254k WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the palace as a maid, Qin Jianjian works diligently, flatters those above her, and deceives those below her. In the end, she becomes the top-ranked maid serving the Empress Dowager. She has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of her profession. Money she’s openly entitled to, along with money she shouldn’t have, keeps flowing into Qin Jianjian’s pockets. Delighted, she just has to wait until she’s old enough to leave the palace and retire early. Who could have guessed the 14.7kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves
42. 142 鬓 Hairpins and Beauty 鬓花颜 Peach Who Doesn't Slack Off桃子不摸鱼Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Main story complete] [Maid + sisters in the inner palace + ensemble-focused story] [The heroine is a native of this world, with no transmigration, rebirth, or hidden identity] After her mother dies of illness, Meng Shu’s father takes a new wife almost at once. She endures years under her stepmother’s hand, but in the end, she cannot escape being sold. A trafficker’s rope drags her away from her homeland and casts her into the fabulously wealthy Tang household. Her exceptiona 35.1kReads9.2Score4.5kShelves
43. 143 庶 The Concubine's Plan for the Legitimate Daughter 庶女嫡谋 Bei Mu Nan Qiao北木南乔Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted The Grand Empress Dowager, who had ruled the court for more than a decade, passed away. Reborn as the unloved, impoverished daughter of a marquis’s concubine, she had no desire to strive in this life. All she wanted was to marry a husband with a short life expectancy and enjoy widowhood after he died. Yang Yue died in battle. After death, his soul lingered on, witnessing the shifts of power in the Great Qing dynasty and watching the Grand Empress Dowager be poisoned by her own grandson. When he 9.1kReads8.9Score1.2kShelves
44. 144 锁 Locked in the Spring Night 锁春宵 Banana Pizza香蕉披萨Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + reborn + revenge on scum + sweet romance + mutually faithful] In her previous life, Su Qingyu had been married for three years without ever consummating the marriage. Then her cousin suddenly appeared before her with a child, and Su Qingyu finally learned that the man wasn't impotent. He just couldn't perform with her. Her cousin stripped off Su Qingyu's face, took her place as the legitimate daughter of the marquis's household, and became the matriarch of the S 32.8kReads9.3Score5.5kShelves

    Reader note

    🌈Palace intrigue and domestic power struggle novel😎The female lead is clever and resourceful in this life, taking revenge on the scumbags😏You'll gain a lot when you see the world clearly🍉😘

45. 145 长 The Eldest Brother Is in Charge 长兄在上 The Ancient Dragon Clan in Shades of Green and Purple青青紫紫的荒古龙族Ancient Romance629k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + rebirth + sweet romance + one-on-one] Yuzhu was an orphan who had always lived cautiously, putting everyone else first for fear of upsetting them. After she married, this only earned her husband's disdain and her mother-in-law's abuse. In her previous life, her husband's concubine pushed her into a river. Freezing water surged at her from every direction, but what drove her to despair most was her husband. He stood expressionless on a high platform, watching her 3.7kReads8.8Score369Shelves
46. 146 日 Drunk on the Road Home at Dusk 日暮醉归途 Mu Qiqi暮萋萋Ancient Romance2.2M WordsCompleted The cool, intelligent beauty Shui Qiaoyou, a general of the former dynasty, and the pure-hearted, reserved prince Chu Moli, a prince of the current dynasty Historical romance, no transmigration, no palace intrigue, no household drama, one-on-one romance, strong female lead. Shui Qiaoyou felt as though she’d merely fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes again, a hundred years had passed. Her homeland, family, and friends were like smoke, long since vanished into the river of time. Fate had left 13.2kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves
47. 147 一 A Lifetime of Rong An 一世容安 Qing Xueyao卿雪瑶Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Li Rongan’s husbands, both in this life and her previous one, were peerless warlords. At first, they all loathed her, despised her, and wanted nothing more than to kill her. Later, they all fell for her... * After being reborn, Rongan fled her former husband’s clutches by marrying far away to Yanbei, where she became the wife of a prince. She knew the Prince of Yan would rebel in two years. When he did, he would divorce the princess consort appointed to him and marry his childhood sweetheart, hi 10.5kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves
48. 148 野 Wild Bodhisattva 野菩萨 Zi Lu子璐Ancient Romance264k WordsCompleted [A bold, brazen minister’s daughter who’s not what she seems vs. a cold-faced, ruthless, powerful prince who has renounced desire] [Rebirth + Palace Intrigue + Sweet Romance + Political Scheming] Until the age of seventeen, Meng Qianzi was the legitimate daughter of a general’s household, highly skilled in martial arts and a veteran of the battlefield. After seventeen, her father was executed unjustly, and she became the daughter of a condemned minister, falling into the hands of the Directorate 2.7kReads8.9Score350Shelves
49. 149 清 In the Still Night, Spring Wine Stirs 清夜沉沉动春酌 Little Conch Shell小小螺号Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Marriage Before Love]➕ [Everyday Household Intrigue]➕ [The Hero Falls for Her Looks First, Then Falls in Love]➕ [The Concubine Has a Hidden Story] In her previous life, Shen Sui'an devoted her entire clan's resources to helping Lu Heng rise to power and securing a century of prosperity for the Lu family. In return, the Shen family fell into decline and met a tragic end. Lu Heng watched coldly from the sidelines, keeping a beautiful mistress and her illegitimate child in luxury. Her husband achi 15.5kReads9.0Score2.1kShelves
50. 150 天 The Spirit Consort of Tianlan: A Tale of Strange Dreams 天澜灵妃之异梦传奇 Ultraman Kaman奥特卡曼Ancient Romance371k WordsCompleted [Historical palace intrigue | Strong heroine | Quick transmigration | Three golden fingers | Agent transmigrates | Rise to godhood] Top agent Murong Lingxi transmigrates into the body of a disgraced consort banished to the Cold Palace and unexpectedly unlocks three top-tier golden fingers: mind reading to see through every act of hypocrisy and every scheme, an endless supply of pills and weapons from her portable space, and a life simulator that predicts every mortal crisis. The villains are cr 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The ultimate in imaginative ancient Chinese romance! The female lead is incredibly intelligent, navigating every suspenseful situation with incredible skill, ultimately achieving a miraculous rise to power! 👍👍 These female-centric storylines are so beautiful and cool! 😎😎😎

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