A True Aristocratic Lady as the Household Matriarch: Historical Romance and Family Intrigue 真正的世家小姐，当家主母，古代言情，宅斗

1. 1 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 33.7kReads9.3Score3.4kShelves

   Reader note

   These two books are absolutely amazing! I'm someone who never reads historical romance novels, but I'm completely hooked! I love them so much!

2. 2 上 Spring Poems from the Capital 上京春赋 Shi Munan十木南Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication under the title Spring Rhapsody in the Capital] [Pure historical romance, not reborn + a long-planned scheme + a touch of coercive seduction + devoted pampering and flirting + emotional push and pull] [Completed; the original title was Spring Rhapsody in the Capital] [Sweet romance, both mutually inexperienced: brave and gentle young princess x sinister, fanatical powerful minister] A conspiracy landed Mo Yuan’s father and brother in prison, their lives at the mercy 71.8kReads9.3Score5.7kShelves
3. 3 虎 The Tiger Wife 虎妻 Lotus Flower藕花Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted The Great Qi Dynasty’s foremost God of War, the ruthless, hideous common-born general Yuchi Gui, was granted a marriage by the emperor to the capital’s greatest beauty, Princess Xu Xiyan. Then his high-born fiancée looked down on him, and the wedding was called off. Three years later, after suppressing a rebellion, the handsome and dashing general returned to the capital, becoming the hero every noblewoman in Great Qi wanted to marry. Then his former fiancée clung to him and forced him into marr 8.4kReads9.3Score1kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book features a noblewoman who is betrothed to a general who rises from humble beginnings. She helps the male lead establish himself in the capital. The second book involves the male and female leads swapping bodies, with the male lead assisting the female lead in scheming within the household. The third book features a refined noblewoman who, after being reborn, begins her own scheming within the household.

4. 4 身 Body Swap: The God of War Prince Takes Over My Household Battles 身体互换：战神王爷替我宅斗 Clear Breeze Begonia清风海棠Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted [1v1, Fun Romantic Comedy, HE, Wise and Cool-Headed Young Lady vs. Adorable God of War Prince, Both Chaste, Happy Ending] The people of the Jiang household notice that their young lady has been acting strangely lately. The young lady used to be quiet and gentle. Now she’s still quiet, but there’s a murderous aura about her. In the garden, her sweet-talking younger sister affectionately reaches to link arms with her. Ye Zhan dodges at once, her voice full of disdain. “If you want to talk, then ta 11.5kReads9.1Score1.7kShelves
5. 5 宠EN Favoring a Concubine and Disgracing Your Wife? I Quit as the Marquisate's Matriarch! 宠妾灭妻？这侯门主母我不当了！ Li Wu礼午Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted [Annual Top-Rated Novel Ranking] Voting has begun! Search for “Annual Top-Rated Novel Ranking” to vote for this book, A Return to the Boudoir. Thank you! [Traditional historical romance + inner-courtyard drama + reborn revenge and face-slapping + a prince pursues his wife] Lin Yunwan was the legitimate daughter of the prestigious Lin clan. When her Marquis household was on the verge of losing its title, she married Lu Zhengliu, the heir to the marquisate. On their wedding day, her husband coldly 56.5kReads9.3Score7.7kShelves
6. 6 重 Only After Being Reborn Did I Learn I Was the Cool and Aloof Minister's White Moonlight 重生才知，我竟是清冷权臣白月光 October Orange十月橙Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [Revenge on scumbags + sweet romance + switched marriages + reborn heroine vs. transmigrated heroine + a seemingly aloof, secretly twisted beauty] In her previous life, Chu Mingyuan learned only as she lay dying that the younger sister who had secretly been sleeping with her husband was not born to her late mother. She was actually a concubine-born daughter who had been switched at birth by a concubine. Chu Mingyuan died with regrets. Thankfully, Heaven took pity on her, and after her death she 9kReads8.9Score947Shelves

   Reader note

   I've already read this three times! It's absolutely, positively good! I almost wish I could lose my memory! Extremely high quality, superb writing, an incredibly exciting plot, intricately woven together, the kind that gets you hooked the more you read! 💯💯💯

7. 7 回 Beloved by All Again After Coming Home 回家后又成团宠 Rice Rice Rice Straw稻稻稻草Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + sweet romance + lighthearted comedy] Given a second life, Meng Nanyang doesn’t want to work herself to death and drop dead from exhaustion. She just wants to be a carefree slacker with plenty to eat and drink. Unfortunately, her biological aunt is the empress and is deeply favored, while her cousin is the crown prince, a capable ruler admired by all. As a little fish caught in the crossfire, she is destined to have anything but a peaceful life. So what can she do? Get on with i 7.8kReads8.7Score710Shelves
8. 8 笑 Laugh at Her Divorce? After She Marries the Emperor, You'll All Kneel Before Her 笑她和离？改嫁帝王后都给她跪下 Guest from the Immortal Realm仙中客Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted The heir of the Duke of Qingguo doted on his concubine and neglected his wife. The emperor felt sorry for the man’s wife and brought her into the palace to look after her. The result was the birth of several little princes and princesses. Full synopsis: Yun Qing’s father commanded a powerful army. Several princes wanted to marry her to gain control of his troops, which aroused the emperor’s suspicions. To protect both her and the Yun family army, her father had no choice but to petition the empe 13.8kReads9.0Score2.1kShelves

   Reader note

   This is so beautiful! [Kissing emoji]

9. 9 逞 Indulging 逞娇 Yuan Yuan原瑗Ancient Romance683k WordsCompleted [Rugged Hero and Sweetheart, A Princess's Devoted Suitor] [Marriage First, Love Later, One True Pairing, Sweet Romance] As the most honored princess of the Great Yi Dynasty, Pei Heyu was raised from birth in a world of wealth and luxury. When she grew up, she associated only with princes, nobles, and members of eminent families. Those young ladies and gentlemen all came from households of immense wealth, dressed in bejeweled finery. They drank Mingqian Longjing tea worth a fortune, ate tribute p 11.8kReads8.9Score1.1kShelves

   Reader note

   This is a really good read. The female lead is a princess, and the male lead is a bit rough around the edges. It's a pure historical romance, and I especially love the female lead's personality. It's a great read!

10. 10 土 The Native Matriarch Makes a Bold Entrance and Takes on Everyone 土著主母霸气侧漏，单挑全场 First-Rate Red Chamber一品红楼Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted [A strong heroine at heart + mature adults building their careers] He Fangting was the quintessential noblewoman, with no flaw beyond being despised by her imperial uncle, the emperor. After marrying, she became a capable lady of the house, using her generous dowry to support her husband's family and finally give them a solid foundation. One day, her husband returned from disaster relief with a female physician who had received the emperor's commendation. He Fangting admired the woman and prepar 19.8kReads9.2Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    He Fangting was a quintessential noblewoman, flawless except for being disliked by her uncle, the emperor. After marriage, she was a competent matriarch, using her substantial dowry to support her husband's family and eventually giving them some financial stability. One day, her husband returned from a disaster relief mission with a female physician praised by the emperor. He Fangting admired her and prepared to treat her well, only to hear her husband announce that he would be taking two wives, marrying her deceased elder brother as his principal wife. For the sake of her two children, He Fangting resolved to save her marriage. Later, however, she realized that it was better this marriage didn't matter. Her ex-husband was heartbroken and filled with remorse, but what did that have to do with her? Her path to glory had only just begun.

11. 11 花 The Bridal Sedan Arrives, but She Refuses the Wedding, Hoping Only for an Old Friend's Return 花轿临门她拒嫁，只盼故人归 Xian Tan闲檀Ancient Romance960k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Revenge on Scumbags + Sweet Romance + Satisfying Payback] Shen Tang only learned on her deathbed that her elder legitimate sister, the empress, was not their parents’ daughter, but the murderer who had killed her entire family. Fortunately, Heaven took pity on her. After dying, she was reborn on the day before her sister was to marry a man as a good-luck bride. In her previous life, her sister feared being widowed and schemed to make Shen Tang take her place. Then, after the marriage b 45.8kReads9.1Score6kShelves

    Reader note

    A true ancient noble lady, a sweet and doting romance novel, with incredibly satisfying revenge against the villains—it's addictive!

12. 12 青 After Losing Her Memory, the Childhood Sweetheart Became the Young General's Cherished Love 青梅失忆后成了少年将军掌中娇 Kelisiting克莉斯汀Ancient Romance223k WordsCompleted [Clever, Cunning Foxlike Heroine VS Steady, Stern, Humble Hero] [One-on-One Romance, Sweet Pampering, Adorable Child, Childhood Sweethearts] [The Hero Suffers] The night before, Shen Zuihuan was still preparing for her engagement ceremony. The next morning, she woke up in shock to discover she had been married for five years already! Her fiancé was nowhere to be found, and her current husband was the childhood friend she had hated most of all. He was even holding a child who looked exactly like 26.1kReads9.3Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    See? See? Everyone's silent. [Upvote][Upvote]

13. 13 盛 The Beloved Cousin 盛宠表姑娘 Lazy Breeze Returning Late懒风晚归Ancient Romance582k WordsCompleted When Jiang Yunting first arrived in Bianjing, all she wanted was to be a well-behaved young cousin at the Duke of Dingguo's residence, enhance her standing, then marry her childhood sweetheart and live a smooth, happy life. But later, her fiancé turned his back on her for wealth and status, while the refined, aloof second cousin in the household began looking at her strangely, as if he wanted to devour her. When Shen Yu first met Jiang Yunting, he had one erotic dream after another. In his d 17.3kReads9.0Score2.2kShelves
14. 14 守 Widowhood Is Surprisingly Damn Sweet! 守寡的滋味竟该死的甜美！ Rice Candy米糖糖Ancient Romance433k WordsCompleted [Empress Dowager + enemy emperor turns into a cat] On the first day after Feng Zhao transmigrates, she’s told her husband is dead, and they’ve even given her a child. Feng Zhao thinks she’s managed to skip the man and get herself a child anyway. She thought she’d landed in a widow’s story, where she could become empress dowager and coast to victory. Instead, the System wants her to reclaim wasteland, raise a child, and rule from behind the curtain. Being a villainous empress dowager is hard, rai 12.3kReads9.2Score1.4kShelves
15. 15 气 Blessed by Luck? The Reborn Legitimate Daughter Still Crushes the Scum 气运加持？嫡女重生照样虐渣 The Eighteen-Year-Old Girl Called Eighteen十八姑娘叫十八Ancient Romance227k WordsOngoing [Traditional household intrigue + reborn + face-slapping and scum-bashing + satisfying read] Reborn in the Marquis's household, Song Yuan'an discovered that her younger sister had used a "Fortune System" to steal everything that belonged to her. In her previous life, she had been framed, pushed into the water, and left to die. This time, she sent her eldest male cousin straight to hell from the start! Her sister loved stealing? Then Song Yuan'an would take back her fortune and make her lose ever 23Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Good reads, all are satisfying stories about power struggles within a wealthy family.

16. 16 嫡 The Reborn Legitimate Daughter: I'm the True Heiress 嫡女重生，我才是真千金 Fuli Strawberry芙力草莓Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Reborn + Taking Down Scumbags + Revenge + Sweet Romance She was the real heiress, yet the fake heiress, a scheming white lotus, kept her cowed and meek, forcing her to grovel while she endured cold looks and ridicule. She thought marriage would finally set her free. Instead, her husband despised her and her mother-in-law made her life difficult. Her wholehearted love was trampled into the dirt, leaving her with nothing but schemes. Reborn into a new life, she finally breaks free of her shackles. 5.5kReads8.9Score762Shelves
17. 17 错 After a Mistaken Marriage to the Heir, She Spends Every Day Showering Him with Sweets 错嫁世子后，她每天都在撒糖 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance370k WordsCompleted [Reborn + mutually devoted sweet romance + revenge and household intrigue] Jiang Rong was deceived her entire life, and only learned the truth when she was on the verge of death. Returned to ten years earlier, she found herself fleeing an arranged marriage to elope. Jiang Rong gave the scoundrel a thorough beating, then turned around and went back to the prince’s manor to marry. The husband she had run from was Xie Lingxi, heir to the Northern Prince. In her previous life, he had protected he 35.7kReads9.5Score4.6kShelves
18. 18 让 They Wanted Me to Be a Sacrificial Stepmother, but I Chose to Make My Own Way 让我当炮灰主母，我偏另谋高枝 Ji Yun霁妘Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Historical Romance / Household Intrigue / Sweet Romance / The Male Lead Is Head Over Heels] In Ruyi's Beloved Concubine, the heir apparent Xie Yunzhix is a brave and formidable warrior, always dashing across the battlefield in fine clothes, with no one able to stand against him. Sadly, he is only a supporting character. The story opens with him in a vegetative state, leaving behind three adopted sons. Xu Qingyi discovers that she has become the foil to the beloved heroine of a sweet romance. On 136.5kReads9.4Score20.4kShelves

    Reader note

    In terms of content, this is a very traditional transmigration novel, but it's also full of modernist themes of human rights, education, and romance. It avoids the traditional male chauvinism; the female protagonist isn't oppressed by fate but chooses a different, more self-serving path. As a mother, she educates her children according to their individual needs; as a wife, she's an invaluable helpmate; as a best friend, she's not burdened by her husband and bravely makes friends she likes. Ultimately, under her leadership, the dynasty is overthrown and replaced; the Jade-Faced General awakens and rises to power; her adopted sons achieve success; and their happy married life is truly enviable… including the children's marriages, childhood sweetheart relationships, and the return to the modern world—all leaving the reader wanting more! Definitely worth reading!!!

19. 19 救 Help! What Happened to My Gentle Husband? 救命，我那么一个温柔夫君呢？ A White White One at Home家有白白一只Ancient Romance639k WordsCompleted Li Xiaoyu transmigrated into the body of a little rascal who'd stolen a bride, then used her dowry to throw herself at another man and marry him. After the rascal was beaten with a shoulder pole by her own father, she was sent back to the Gu family, whose house was bare of everything but its walls. Everyone was waiting for a laugh. They wanted to see how she'd bully the unlucky groom, who was not only blind but also missing one hand and one leg. Day after day went by. They never saw the unl 9.4kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I don't want to sleep every night after watching it.

20. 20 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 15kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all good books; the female leads are all from wealthy families, and they're not time-travelers.

21. 21 世 Heir, Your Wife Says It’s Time to Come Home 世子，夫人喊你回家了 Susu Qian Ci酥酥芊瓷Ancient Romance237k WordsCompleted [Marriage First, Love Later; Devoted Couple; Sweet Romance] [Proud, Sharp-Tongued Heir vs. Beautiful, Cunning Young Madam] For generations, the Duke of Dingguo’s family has loyally guarded the frontier, keeping the realm at peace for decades. If you asked the women of the capital whom they most wanted to marry, the answer would be Ning Ye, the Duke of Dingguo’s heir. Noble by birth, handsome, and skilled in both letters and arms, he makes the hearts of young ladies from every family flutter. But 13.2kReads9.2Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A real heiress will guide you through the power struggles within the household; all sweetness and no angst.

22. 22 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 93kReads9.6Score12.4kShelves
23. 23 夫 Her Husband Took a Second Wife, So She Cleared Out the Entire Back Courtyard 夫君前脚抬平妻，她后脚搬空后院 One Zi一个子Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace and household intrigue + No transmigration + He pursues her, but they don’t reconcile] The Grand Preceptor’s household and the Great General’s household, two of the most powerful families in the capital, arranged a marriage. Yun Yu, the Grand Preceptor’s legitimate daughter, had barely come of age when she married into the Great General’s household as its mistress. She devoted all her talents to the general’s household and spent two years caring for her unconscious, disabled husband with 8.2kReads9.0Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This novel features no rebirth or time travel elements, and portrays a model of a noblewoman. The female protagonist is remarkably clear-headed, remaining calm and composed in the face of adversity, handling problems with ease. It's quite good and worth reading.

24. 24 报 Your Majesty, the Tyrant Can Read Minds 报告娘娘，暴君他有读心术 Three Two Five三二五Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After she touched the tyrant’s skull, which had been polished into a wine bowl, she unexpectedly transmigrated into the empress who died the most gruesome death in history. Every day, she plotted to kill the tyrant and become empress in her own right, unaware that he could read minds. When the tyrant fell gravely ill, she wept and begged Heaven to let her trade her own years of life for his safety. The tyrant was deeply moved, until he suddenly heard her thoughts: [If he’s so sick, hurry up and 6kReads9.3Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    These movies are really good.

25. 25 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 57.2kReads9.5Score7.1kShelves
26. 26 和 After Their Divorce, Her Stand-In Ex-Husband Cried Himself to Death at the Crematorium 和离后，替身前夫哭死在火葬场 Beauty Zhang Sanfeng美女张三疯Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted [A double-substitute story where “you think I'm your substitute, but you're actually the real substitute.” The ex-husband chases his wife, but this time he truly gets his comeuppance. Both leads are first-timers. An obsessive, possessive heroine x a flirtatious, self-destructive hero. Older woman/younger man romance.] Ye Qingying fell in love with Shen Xu at first sight and did everything for him. She even emptied the Ye family coffers to shower the Shen family with gifts. Everyone in the capita 596Reads8.5Score103Shelves
27. 27 满 Spring Over the City 满城春 A Copper Coin一枚铜钱Ancient Romance560k WordsCompleted [New Bonus Chapters] The Liu family of the capital is an illustrious noble house, so powerful that even the imperial clan treats them with deference. Liu Yan, the youngest legitimate daughter of the Liu family's second branch, is gifted and blessed with both wisdom and good fortune. When her stepmother joins the family as she turns five, Liu Yan expects a fierce battle. But her stepmother turns out to be quite unlike anyone expected. With her older brother looking out for her and her childhood s 15.5kReads9.4Score1.7kShelves
28. 28 穿 Transmigrated as a Treacherous Minister's Legitimate Daughter, She Plays the Part to Perfection 穿成奸臣嫡女，她本色出演 Garlic Bamboo Shoots蒜香竹笋Ancient Romance565k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + Career-focused early on + Sweet romance + One-on-one romance + Both leads are devoted to each other] [Two-faced, ruthless minister's daughter × Wild, formidable iron-faced general] The ruler of the business world transmigrates into a book overnight, becoming the daughter of the treacherous chancellor. She throws her weight around and commits every kind of evil, with the label “vicious supporting female character” practically branded onto her. She's madly pursuing the 86.5kReads9.6Score11.3kShelves
29. 29 娇 After His Sweet, Soft Wife Gives Up, the Coolheaded Powerful Official Wraps an Arm Around Her Waist 娇软夫人摆烂后，清冷权臣揽腰宠 Tan Yi檀意Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Rebirth / devoted couple / household intrigue / raising a child / regretful husband trying to win her back] Wen Jiayue was reborn, returning to the day she gave birth to her daughter. As the daughter of a modest family, marrying into a marquis's household was a step up for her. Her husband, Shen Fuhan, was exceptionally handsome and gifted, with a bright future in government. Although he was distant and cold toward everyone, including the woman who shared his bed, Wen Jiayue believed that after 14.2kReads8.7Score959Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all about the male lead being stubbornly arrogant, and then it's a nightmare of chasing after his wife. [Making faces][making faces][making faces][making faces][making faces][making faces]

30. 30 抄 After the Confiscation, the Most Beautiful Woman Is Seized by a Powerful Minister 抄家后，第一美人被权臣强取豪夺 Yang Si Si杨姒姒Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted [Political Intrigue + Romance + Coercive Love + Powerful Male Lead and Vulnerable Female Lead + Obsessively Possessive Hero] A resilient, beautiful heroine versus a calculating, ruthless hero An imperial edict sends Chancellor Qing Heng to prison, where he dies by suicide, supposedly out of guilt. His entire family is executed, and his only daughter, Qing Yan, is forced into servitude and sent to the Entertainment Bureau. Those of servile status are made to serve and entertain others, as prostit 33.6kReads8.8Score4.5kShelves
31. 31 性 The Sassy Childhood Friend Kicks the Crown Prince to the Curb and Flirts with Her General Sweetheart 性感青梅踹飞太子，狂撩竹马将军 Purple Haze Bubbles紫雾泡泡Ancient Romance227k WordsCompleted [New novel, so the initial rating is low | Sweet romance, no past relationships, happy ending | Love-struck male lead | Slightly possessive romance | Childhood friends | Unrequited love becomes mutual] Shen Zhi Yi, the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, did everything she could and finally became the crown princess of Zhao Yan, just as she'd always wished. But on the long-awaited night she was supposed to share his bed, the one who stormed into the Eastern Palace to rebel was her child 6.8kReads8.7Score2.1kShelves
32. 32 嫁 Marrying into a Wealthy Family 嫁大户 Ji Qiushan积丘山Ancient Romance350k WordsCompleted [Traditional historical romance + merchant couple + married life + sweet everyday romance + family and village life] The heroine is gentle, clear-headed, and never lets anyone push her around. The hero is considerate, witty, and resourceful. The younger daughter of the Shen family in Baihe Town marries the second son of the Xie family, who runs a medicinal herb shop in Ping County. She hears he spends most of his time away from home and that his family has fallen on hard times. She never expec 25.4kReads9.3Score3.5kShelves

    Reader note

    ① [Traditional ancient romance + merchant couple + sweet post-marital bliss + everyday affection + family drama] The female lead is gentle, clear-headed, and resistant to mistreatment VS the male lead is considerate, humorous, and resourceful. ② [Double purity sweet romance + exclusive pampering + domestic and palace intrigue + male lead's self-conquest] Everyone knows that Cheng Yinyu is a peony fallen into a filthy place, radiant and graceful, attracting the attention of princes and nobles. However, on the day she reached adulthood, Prince Qin, Gu Xingzhou, beat her to it and made her his concubine.

33. 33 外 The Beloved Concubine 外室娇宠 Tan Yi檀意Ancient Romance494k WordsCompleted [Both leads are inexperienced in love + sweet romance + devoted affection + household and palace intrigue + the hero talks himself into falling in love] Everyone knew Cheng Yinyu was a peony fallen into a den of filth, dazzlingly beautiful and graceful, with nobles and aristocrats all vying for her attention. Who would have thought that on the day she came of age, Prince Qin, Gu Xingzhou, would beat everyone to her and make her his kept woman? To stay alive, she tread carefully, putting on a sho 3.6kReads8.9Score314Shelves
34. 34 侯 The Marquess's Wife Wants to Die of Old Age in Peace 侯府主母要寿终正寝 Winter Melon Eats Pears冬瓜吃梨Ancient Romance553k WordsCompleted A history major pulls an all-nighter and dies suddenly, only to become Chen Yuhu, the matriarch of an ancient household, with no golden finger whatsoever. But you have to learn to be content. As a modern, clear-eyed college student, Chen Yuhu wants to tell the original matriarch: don't be such a lovesick fool. Treasure your life of immense wealth and status. She certainly does. She sends her biased mother-in-law away to cultivate in seclusion, keeps the obedient and pretty concubine around to pl 33.8kReads9.2Score3.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is super good! The female protagonist transmigrates into the body of the matriarch, but she doesn't have any special abilities. It's about her daily life, and she's not just someone who only cares about the inner court; she's very carefree and independent. Highly recommended!

35. 35 古 The Leisurely Life of a Noblewoman in Ancient Times 古代闺秀的悠闲生活 The Plainspoken Baili Che简单明了的百里澈Ancient Romance296k WordsCompleted Savor the unhurried passing of time and enjoy a carefree life. I envy your graceful beauty, reflected in the blue heavens and the jade moon. Su Huayue learned everything from her mother from a young age, treating being a daughter of the Su family as a job. As the legitimate daughter of her father's second wife, all she had to do was live freely under the protection of her mother and elder brother. Her only pleasure was watching her two elder half-sisters compete for their father's and grandmothe 11.4kReads8.4Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, fine chaff

36. 36 论 On the Upbringing of Noble Daughters 论贵女的养成 The Plainspoken Baili Che简单明了的百里澈Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [No rebirth or transmigration, a light ensemble cast] [The first part focuses on the everyday family life at the heroine’s maternal home, the Marquisate of Wuyang. The second volume focuses on everyday family life at her husband’s home, the Prince of Xinning’s residence.] Shen Lening is very happy with her life. She never has to worry about anything. Her only daily concerns are what to wear, what to eat, and what to accessorize with. (I’ve written several stories where the heroine’s mother is a 8.3kReads6.3Score744Shelves
37. 37 春 Moonlight Falls on Blossoms in the Spring Courtyard 春庭月照落花 The Plainspoken Baili Che简单明了的百里澈Ancient Romance355k WordsCompleted The safe and smooth life of a noble young lady. Seen through Luo Yunchu's eyes, the colorful lives of those around her unfold. Everyone has their disappointments, and beneath every seemingly foolish decision lies the best choice they could make at the time. 3.4kReads8.0Score231Shelves
38. 38 一 Part Ways in Peace, General, Let Me Be Beautiful on My Own 一别两宽，将军自重，妾身想独美 Lu Li路鲤Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted 69.6kReads8.9Score14.9kShelves
39. 39 重 Reborn, the Princess Consort Became Clingy 重生后，王妃成了粘人精 Xia Dian夏殿Ancient Romance553k WordsCompleted (Complete, ready to read) In her past life, she trusted the wrong man, a scoundrel, and caused the deaths of her father and brother, as well as her husband. She cursed herself for being foolish and blind. Never did she imagine that Heaven would give her another chance at life. This time, she decides to cling to her husband and protect her father and brother. She will never let the tragedy of her past life happen again. In her last life, the princess consort was a spoiled handful. In this life, s 1.1kReads8.9Score114Shelves
40. 40 剖 After Dying Horribly in Childbirth, I Remarried the Powerful Regent 剖腹惨死后，改嫁权倾朝野摄政王 Green Ink Song青墨歌Ancient Romance436k WordsCompleted The short drama “The Moon Comes Chasing” is complete. In her past life, she helped him ascend the throne, but after becoming emperor, he married her half-sister and made her Imperial Noble Consort. When her half-sister’s child needed a newborn’s heart blood as a medicinal ingredient, he ordered someone to cut the baby from her womb and take the blood from her newborn child! Only as she lay dying did she learn that the child’s father 8.1kReads9.3Score986Shelves
41. 41 妹 Little Sister, Stop Competing. Your Elder Sister Has Married into a Powerful Family 妹妹别斗了，嫡姐已嫁高门 Li Wu礼午Ancient Romance611k WordsCompleted Household intrigue + marriage first, love later + warrior x young woman Synopsis: Xie Yuxi had an excellent marriage prospect. Her unremarkable, illegitimate fiancé was far more impressive than anyone realized: without making a fuss, he had passed the imperial exam and become its top scorer. In the prime of her youth, she would marry a promising man who was everything she could wish for. How enviable. But after he failed to show up for their arranged meeting at a temple, the top scholar sent som 14.2kReads8.9Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Xie Yuxi, the legitimate daughter, was originally engaged to her illegitimate fiancé, a top scholar in the imperial examinations. However, the scholar later decided to marry her younger sister. Heartbroken, Xie Yuxi chose to marry Liang Zhongxiao, the rough and boorish Earl of Xining. Facing a notorious nephew, a crippled and gloomy niece, and an unmarried niece, she used her wisdom and ability to not only manage the declining Earl's mansion effectively but also successfully raise her nephew and niece to be successful. Ultimately, with her husband's support, she rose from Earl's wife to a high-ranking lady, achieving a remarkable turnaround in her life.

42. 42 谢 The Xie Family's Short-Lived Son Has Lived to a Hundred 谢家的短命鬼长命百岁了 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] The lid of a dead person's coffin won't lie flat because they had an unresolved longing in life. Given time, that longing turns into a demonic obsession, and unless it is resolved, their descendants will suffer. Yan Sanhe's job is to release the dead from their obsessions. One day, she gets hounded by Third Master Xie, who claims to have one. Yan Sanhe says she doesn't deal with the living. Third Master Xie replies, “Everyone says I won't live long. Just think of 127.1kReads9.6Score17.2kShelves

    Reader note

    It's beautiful and interesting, but it's easy to cry.

43. 43 穿 Twelve Years After Transmigrating, I Married the Villainous Mastermind 穿到十二年后我嫁给了反派大奸臣 Zhang Amu章阿沐Ancient Romance883k WordsCompleted [Not a feel-good, sugary romance. A push-and-pull relationship, slow-burn melodrama, past and present lives, plenty of foreshadowing. Neither lead is perfect. Happy ending.] At sixteen, Lu Yanzhu was beautiful, born into a prominent family, and adored by her parents and elder brothers. The young lord of a marquis's household, who had grown up with her, naturally became her betrothed. Back then, Lu Yanzhu was the kind of girl even the princesses in the imperial palace envied. One day, she awoke 9.1kReads8.8Score878Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are great, and perfectly fit the theme. [Smirk][Smirk][Smirk]

44. 44 成 After Their Wedding, the General and Princess's Consort Realize He's Their Moonlight 成婚后将军驸马才知道他是白月光 Shi Yiyuan十一源Ancient Romance133k WordsCompleted [One-on-One + Pure Historical Romance + Sweet and Adoring, No Angst + Devoted Couple + Married First, Love Later + Only Have Eyes for Each Other + Mutual Secret Crush + Alternate History] Sequel to The Disgraced Crown Prince (A devoted, steady God of War general x a bold, gorgeous princess) Princess Leyu of the Dayun Kingdom was cherished from the moment she was born. She grew up carefree, bold and dazzlingly beautiful. At seventeen, she found herself a husband: Luo Shizhou, Dayun’s God of War g 164Reads6.7Score—Shelves
45. 45 娇 The Pretty Palace Maid's Step-by-Step Rise to Empress 娇娇宫女，步步为后 Three Days in the Capital三日京Ancient Romance574k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue / not both partners’ first time / devoted love in the later story / not a strong heroine; the female lead cries easily and isn’t particularly clever, so don’t expect too much!] After three years in the palace, Yue Li has worked carefully and waited for a chance at promotion. Just before she is promoted, a palace maid sharing her room is sentenced to death for offending a consort. Thunder crashes and rain pours that night as blood spatters everywhere. Terrified, Yue Li cannot sle 23.4kReads9.3Score10.4kShelves
46. 46 换 They Forced Me into a Marriage That Would Kill Me, but I'll Claim the First Wife's Seat 换亲让我死，我偏稳坐主母位 Jin Wanwan金万万Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Adapted into a short drama: The Matriarch Just Wants to Slacken Off, but Goes on a Rampage in the Marquis’s Household After Being Reborn Jiang Shuwan and her legitimate younger sister, Jiang Yao, are both reborn. In their previous lives, both she and Jiang Yao were transmigrators. A workaholic who earned more money than she could spend, Shuwan worked herself to death. In this life, she’s determined to slack off. Jiang Yao is ambitious. She makes a name for herself by plagiarizing poems while sec 1kReads8.2Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    Completed. The female lead is intelligent, the male lead is cunning and protective, the plot is fast-paced, and it's a historical romance novel about domestic intrigue.

47. 47 侯 The Marquis's Widow Raised a Household of Geniuses 侯夫人守寡，却养出满门天骄 Yu Fu余弗Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Tang Shuyi transmigrated into the Great Qian dynasty, becoming the wife of the Marquis of Yongning. She was rich, powerful, and high-status, with no parents-in-law and a dead husband: she had it better than almost anyone else who had transmigrated. Just as she was about to enjoy a comfortable life as a wealthy noblewoman, she discovered that she had transmigrated into a book, and was its biggest villain. She wasn’t just rich, powerful, and high-status. She also had three unruly children. The eld 70.5kReads9.4Score10.4kShelves
48. 48 我 I Became a Mediator in the Marquis's Manor and the Whole Family Dotes on Me 我在侯府当调解员，被全家宠了 Year After Year, Harvest After Harvest年年穗岁Ancient Romance540k WordsCompleted Brutal, ruthless Imperial Guard X sweet, gentle ray of sunshine Just as her name suggests, Jiang Mi has a sweet little mouth and knows exactly how to charm people, leaving them dazed and warm-hearted. But an imperial decree sends this honey-sweet girl to the most difficult household to serve: the Ning'an Marquis's residence. The Old Madam is stern and old-fashioned: “You wretches! The whole lot of you are hopeless!” The Ning'an Marquis is aloof and icy: “You unfilial son, do you know what you've 18.6kReads9.4Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    A ruthless and vicious Imperial Guard meets a delicate and sweet-talking girl named Jiang Mi. True to her name, Jiang Mi has a silver tongue that can charm anyone. However, an imperial decree sends this honey-like beauty to the notoriously difficult-to-please Ning'an Marquis's household. Everyone gloats, thinking this country bumpkin is in for a rough time, but little do they expect the entire family to shower her with affection. Even the most ruthless and heartless man treats her like a precious jewel, cherishing her like a fragile gem. Jiang Mi declares, "No one can't be won over with sweet words. If once isn't enough, then twice!" Everyone says Jiang Mi has a naturally smiling face and is incredibly endearing. But one day, Xie Zhirang cupped her face in his hands and whispered soothingly, "Ami, you don't have to suppress your feelings. Laugh when you want to laugh, cry when you want to cry, yell back when you're unhappy, and hit back when you're angry. I'll support you, so you don't have to be afraid of anything." Jiang Mi's eyes reddened, and she buried her face in the man's broad chest. She had never imagined that in her life, someone would be willing to comfort her like this.

49. 49 主 The Matriarch Worked Herself to Death, Then Was Reborn to Raise the Kids and Take It Easy 主母操劳而死，重生后养崽摆烂了 Watermelon Juice西瓜汁汁Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Both reborn + swapped lives + household matriarch + stepmother raising children + physician consort + powerful heroine and satisfying revenge + inner-family strife + adorable children] Shen Qinglan discovered that she and Shen Qingli had both been reborn! In her previous life, Shen Qinglan married into the Li family of Longxi and helped the second branch's eldest son rise to success, until he became a high-ranking official and she lived in splendor! Shen Qingli had only recently married into th 4.9kReads8.9Score736Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so good, highly recommended!!!

50. 50 替 I Took My Sister's Place in the Prince's Manor, and My Disabled Husband Fell for Me 替姐姐嫁进王府，残疾夫君沦陷了 Flowers and Fruit有花有果Ancient Romance400k WordsCompleted [Love after marriage + historical romance + sweet, doting love story + putting scoundrels in their place + having a baby + both leads grow together] Jiang Xintang is the third daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping’s household. She has been unrivaled in beauty since childhood, but her father doesn’t care for her and her mother doesn’t love her. They cast her off to a country estate and leave her to fend for herself. Just after she comes of age, her parents suddenly seek her out and tell her to mar 11.3kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves

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