Looking for a Historical Romance With Court Intrigue, Where Both Leads Are Exceptionally Clever 求古言 权谋宫斗 男女主嘎嘎聪明的那种

1. 1 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 139.3kReads9.4Score20.5kShelves

   Reader note

   It's so good! In the beginning, the male lead is a conscious but immobile person in a vegetative state. He wakes up in anger when the female lead tries to divorce him, and after waking up, he keeps flirting with her. It's very sweet.

2. 2 璟 Jingse Reborn: A Mother's Revenge 璟瑟重生之为母报仇 Moon Dyed by Stars月染星Female-Channel Fanfiction172k WordsCompleted Jingse was reborn at the funeral of Empress Xiaoxian. In her previous life, she had lived in luxury and riches, yet lost her mother at a young age and had an unhappy marriage. She thought it was simply bad luck, never realizing that her mother had died because of the schemes of the imperial harem. Reborn, she has only one purpose: to avenge her mother and brother. 375Reads8.2Score107Shelves
3. 3 新 My Fair Princess: Princess Hejing 新还珠之和敬公主 Yezi耶子Female-Channel Fanfiction301k WordsCompleted Woxi Hun is the only legitimate princess in the Forbidden City. Just three days after her birth, she was bestowed the title of Princess Gulun Hejing. Her birth mother was Qianlong's lifelong cherished love, the beloved Empress Xiaoxianchun of his reign. From the moment she was born, she was showered with affection, and no one could rival her. But in this world of My Fair Princess, who could surpass her in Qianlong's heart? Whom will she meet in this world: the historical son-in-law from the Khor 1.8kReads8.7Score124Shelves
4. 4 大 The Qing Dynasty: I Won the Princess's Heart 大清：我攻略了公主 Chen Xin Ma Ye陈鑫马也Historical369k WordsCompleted I live on Princess Mountain, and one slip sends me straight to the Princess's residence. The spoiled princess beats and berates me, and even insults my character! Damn! You can't just bully people like this! Just watch, I'll show you how to take the Qing Dynasty by storm and win the princess over. 5Reads—Score—Shelves
5. 5 如 Story of Yanxi Palace: Langhua Reborn 如懿传之琅嬅重生 Xianjing咸京Female-Channel Fanfiction270k WordsCompleted [A slow burn, with the early story staying relatively close to the original] This story pairs Langhua with the young Gao, and Langhua with Wanwan. No pairing with Jinzhi, and Jinzhi is not portrayed negatively. Wanwan appears later and has been reborn. … After Langhua died, she did not enter the underworld. Instead, she wandered the human world as a ghost for hundreds of years, witnessing the changes of history. When she finally returned to the underworld, she met the real Empress Xiaoxian from 474Reads8.4Score—Shelves
6. 6 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 88.8kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves

   Reader note

   It's so good! The descriptions of family and country are really well done. This level of writing is rare these days, and the missions of each character are portrayed exceptionally well. 😢

7. 7 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 86.4kReads9.6Score11.3kShelves

   Reader note

   [Top Post][Sparrow's Masterpiece] [Transmigration + Early Stage Focuses on Career + Sweet Romance + Completed + High-Scoring Novel] [Hypocritical and Ruthless Miss of a Powerful Minister × Savage and Capable Iron-Faced General] A business tycoon transmigrates into a book, becoming the daughter of a treacherous prime minister. She bullies others and is utterly wicked; the words "vicious female supporting character" are practically glued to her. She relentlessly pursues the second young master of the Mu family, but her love is unrequited? Xiao Wangshu turns around, casually teasing the silent, tough general behind her, and looks with satisfaction at his flushed face: "After much deliberation, I still prefer the general." 🤤🤤

8. 8 岁 Spring's Joy, Year After Year 岁岁春欢 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance669k WordsCompleted [The print edition of Years of Spring Joy is now available on all platforms] [Heroine and scumbag reborn + male lead transmigrates + mutual salvation + play the pig to eat the tiger] At seventeen, Shen Jiasui married Lu Yunzheng. The Shen and Lu families were both military dynasties, making them a formidable match. Two years into their marriage, Lu Yunzheng defeated the enemy kingdom and won renown across the land. But the Shen family was condemned for treason and executed to the last member. On 266.6kReads9.6Score31.2kShelves

   Reader note

   This is an ancient romance, political intrigue, rebirth, and time-travel novel. The female protagonist, Shen Jiasui, comes from a military family and is highly skilled in martial arts, but her entire family is executed due to the betrayal of her ex-husband, Lu Yunzheng. Before her death, she perishes together with Lu Yunzheng, and is reborn back to the day Lu Yunzheng proposed marriage. The male protagonist, Jiang Xun, a junior official of the Dali Temple, travels from a thousand years in the future and meets the female protagonist, who guides him throughout his life like a beacon.

9. 9 世 The Clan Heiress 世族嫡媳 Mao Xiaosu猫小酥Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Fourth Master Lu of the Duke of Yu's household is an extraordinary man, yet he married an unknown country girl. Everyone in the capital says the match is terribly unsuitable, and they're waiting to laugh at the girl! Faced with all the gossip, Jiang Lingyuan remains cool as a cucumber. She has a fleet, a trading caravan, mines, countless acres of land, and confidence to spare. Lu Yun thought that marrying a country girl meant he could forget all about having a harmonious marriage, but he never e 16.8kReads8.5Score1.7kShelves

   Reader note

   Male and female comedians online! Let's improve together!

10. 10 与 Joy with You 与君欢 Moonset月落Ancient Romance657k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue and Political Scheming + Marriage Before Love + Mutual Devotion] A young king and queen join hands to bring peace to the realm, brimming with ambition! A sinister, calculating ruler versus a clever, decisive queen: evenly matched, they win the world together! Jiang He, daughter of an envoy from Qi, was forced to enter the palace as a servant after her mother died and her father disappeared. Then, just before the marriage alliance, the princess of Qi died a tragic death, leaving 26.3kReads9.5Score3.4kShelves

    Reader note

    In this ancient Chinese romance novel featuring power struggles and palace intrigue, both the male and female leads are intelligent individuals, not fools disguised as intelligent people.

11. 11 卿 My Beloved, Through Every Dawn and Dusk 卿是朝朝暮暮 Sugar-Roasted Little Deer糖炒小鹿Ancient Romance332k WordsCompleted Shen Yunshu studied archaeology and had been working for just two years. She loved history, and her favorite dynasty was the Rong Dynasty. A few days ago, she had read an unofficial history of the Rong Dynasty's royal family. Little did she expect that after falling asleep, she would wake up in the Rong Dynasty, sent there by the heavens, as Shen Yunshu, the legitimate daughter of the Shen family of Prince Zhenbei's residence. She had transmigrated to her favorite dynasty and become a descendant 24.4kReads9.4Score3kShelves
12. 12 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 92kReads9.6Score12.3kShelves
13. 13 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 14.7kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves
14. 14 奸 The Treacherous Minister 奸臣 Lan Jia Sanshao蓝家三少Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted Zhao Wuyou was the son of a treacherous minister, and everyone at court had to respectfully call him “Little Chancellor.” Father and son controlled the court and toyed with political power, so plenty of people wanted him dead. Mu Baili was the eunuch in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the governor of the Eastern Depot. He seemed respectful, mild-mannered, and kind to everyone, but in truth he was a wolf who devoured people without leaving a bone. What a shame that such a ruthless ma 4.4kReads9.1Score522Shelves
15. 15 血 Crimson Canglan 血色苍澜 Luo Hua Wuchen洛花无尘Ancient Romance463k WordsCompleted [Mystery + detective work and deduction + revenge + a devoted, exclusive couple] After her father and brothers died in battle, Chu Weiyao took command of the 200,000-strong Chu family army they left behind, despite being a woman. She never imagined that control of those troops would attract the covetous attention of every faction at court. Xu Zhifan, heir to the Marquis of Yong'an, was handsome, well-versed in both literature and warfare, and skilled in everything. While the Duke of Chu's househ 2kReads8.2Score291Shelves

    Reader note

    The evil Qingmu family, a powerful clan from the previous dynasty, has resurfaced, lurking in the capital for decades. Finally, using a disguise technique, they stir up trouble in the palace. The first to suffer are the Chu family, who have guarded the borders for generations. The Chu family, with two generals, ultimately suffers a tragic fate: three of the four—father and sons—are dead, and one is crippled. As the only female member of the Chu family, Chu Weiyao resolutely goes to the northern desert to take command of the Chu family's 200,000-strong army. However, she is betrayed by her newlywed husband, chased, and falls off a cliff. Rescued by a ghost doctor, she undergoes a disguise and identity change, returning to the capital to investigate the truth behind her father and brothers' deaths in battle. This book isn't immediately captivating; it only reaches its peak in the middle, where conspiracies, betrayals, national hatred, and racial conflicts unfold...

16. 16 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

    Reader note

    Transmigrating to ancient times, she bided her time for three years before entering the palace as the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official, her goal being to win the emperor's favor! To bear a son! To seize the crown prince's position! To ascend to the pinnacle of power! The emperor? Merely a tool for producing offspring!

17. 17 何 Why Not Sail Together 何不同舟渡 Xian Yuke羡鱼珂Ancient Romance483k WordsCompleted "The print edition under the same title is available to buy online" [No golden finger, no transmigration, no rebirth. A pure historical romance about family and country, with high-IQ espionage and political intrigue] [A double agent undercover + a petty thief who grows: a lone wolf plays a game of raising a rabbit, gives her fangs, then insists they run away together] In a chaotic age, she is a thief worth less than a blade of grass, willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive. She steals ten 142kReads9.7Score108kShelves

    Reader note

    "Why Not Share the Boat?"—Ancient power struggles, a tapestry woven with intrigue and passion. In this chaotic world, who will stand by you through thick and thin, sharing your hardships? Witness how the protagonist navigates the vortex of power, unraveling layers of conspiracy, all to protect the one he loves. #AncientPowerStruggles #BattleOfWisdom #IntertwinedPassion #SharedCrossingTheBoat

18. 18 贵 The Imperial Consort Is Ravishingly Beautiful, but All She Wants Is Power and Wealth 贵妃千娇百媚，只求权势富贵 Fujiwara Tofu藤原豆腐Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [A mad, obsessive emperor with jealousy to spare x a consort who has renounced love and walled off her heart] [One-on-one romance + both reborn + devoted to each other in body and heart, in both lives] One-line summary: A story about an emperor who lost the love of his life, and how he slowly teaches the woman he loves to understand love, jealousy, anger, and longing. As the eldest son born to the empress, Qi Junyi was born to privilege. He seized power in his youth, was named crown princ 10.9kReads8.1Score673Shelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue? NO. Exclusive favor? Yes 🍉

19. 19 我 After I Helped My Violent Husband Cheat the System, He Demanded Kisses Every Day 我带暴戾夫君开挂后，他日日索吻 Snooker斯洛克Ancient Romance508k WordsCompleted [Court Intrigue + Woman Disguised as a Man + Feel-Good Power Fantasy + Female Lead Joins the Army Early On and Enters Court Politics Later + A Little Household Drama + Country and Family + Winning Back the Wife + Love-Brained Male Lead + Romance] The general of the empire, Zhan Xunye, took up arms alongside his father at eighteen. A heroic young man, he was brave in battle and a military genius without equal. But he was also violent, quick-tempered, cruel, and bloodthirsty. People feared and hat 3.1kReads9.1Score475Shelves

    Reader note

    It's super good! The female lead is intelligent, and the male lead is obedient and loyal.

20. 20 去 Keep the Child, Get Rid of the Mother 去母留子 Dong Yi Qiu冬忆秋Ancient Romance7k WordsCompleted Keep the child, get rid of the mother —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The male and female leads are awesome!

21. 21 没 I Didn't Expect You to Be a Looks-Obsessed Person 没想到你居然是个颜控 Miao Shitou缪石头Ancient Romance589k WordsCompleted [Strong female lead + sweet romance + assassin + striving for freedom] Having lost her freedom as a child and endured endless hardship, Yun Qing now lives only as she pleases. She focuses on the present, never thinks about the future, and is always ready to throw her life on the line. She repays kindness with even greater kindness, and cruelty with even greater cruelty. On a whim, she takes in a handsome man and puts on a gentle persona, planning to flirt with him casually to pass the time. S 474Reads8.4Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is very good, with a tight plot. The female lead is a cool and decisive female assassin, while the male lead is a powerful general and also a prince. They meet because the female lead, like her mother, is attracted to beautiful women, haha. The book has a lot of suspense and is quite enjoyable.

22. 22 女 The Delicate, Alluring Supporting Lady 女配她娇软撩人 So Full, So Full满啊满Ancient Romance350k WordsCompleted [Scheming, Obsessive Regent + Delicate, Frail Beauty] [Mutually Devoted + All the Spoiling!] [Warning: The heroine thinks like a normal person. The System’s tags are wrong. This is not a domestic or palace-intrigue novel.] Mu Xiansi transmigrated into a character-raising game as a sickly cannon-fodder woman who loved the second male lead so much she would die for him. The System assigned her a task: she had to help the protagonist defeat the villain if she wanted to return home. She had planned 159Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so good! You won't regret getting into it!!!

23. 23 先 Love After Marriage: The Crown Princess Keeps Pretending to Be Good Again and Again 先婚后爱，太子妃又又又又在装乖 I Want to Be a Rich Lady我想当富婆Ancient Romance278k WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance] Song Yao, who was born into this world, got married to Nangong Yi, the notoriously violent crown prince. After their wedding, they acted like a proper couple, treating each other with courtesy and respect. Gradually, Song Yao discovered that the crown prince was nothing like the violent man of the rumors. He was gentle, considerate, and easy to get along with. So she let her true nature out and started doing as she pleased. - At first, when facing the crown prince: Song Yao: gent 21.7kReads9.2Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Both the male and female leads are perfect

24. 24 卿 You and the Sun and Moon 卿与日月 Mo Huan陌缓Ancient Romance654k WordsCompleted [Originally titled My Love, the Sun and Moon. Everyday life in an ancient setting + mutual salvation + seemingly delicate but inwardly strong heroine who grows over time + hero who still holds on to kindness and honor after falling from his position as a favored son of heaven] Wen Shining, the legitimate daughter of the Wen family, was confined to her home for sixteen years because of a curse claiming she would bring death to her parents and disaster upon her family. Fu Wenzhou, the second son o 56.2kReads9.2Score6.8kShelves
25. 25 帝 The Emperor Has No Heart, Yet His Cool and Elegant Noble Consort Has Her Ways 帝本无心，怎奈清冷贵妃手段高 My Cat Is Called Huabei我的猫叫花呗Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Cool, seductive fox beauty vs. a carefree, womanizing emperor] [The heroine is the true daughter, driven by revenge and ambition: a scheming beauty, sweet on the outside but ruthless within, and far from virtuous. This is an unconventional palace-intrigue story focused on winning hearts. The hero is not chaste. Later, he desperately tries to win her back. The overall tone is sweet, and the romance becomes one-on-one in the latter half.] Until the age of five, Changyu Jiao was the legitimate da 9.2kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    "Jiao means good, and Zhen means treasure. Jiaojiao is a rare treasure." "I will return once I find my perfect match." "Who says it can't be used like this?" Just like the taboo surnames people avoid. As long as Jiaojiao is willing, it can become her favorite nickname. Chaochao. Super incredibly good! ❤️❤️ The female lead is a super clear-headed and strong heroine! 💕💕💕

26. 26 非 An Unconventional Palace Intrigue 非传统宫斗 Known in the Jianghu as the Thorny Rose江湖人称带刺玫瑰Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted Imperial selection from the start / Pure palace intrigue with a touch of household intrigue / Ensemble cast / Realistic style [Pure palace intrigue begins after chapter 20] Not the emperor’s sole favorite / Not a virgin couple / No romance pairing [The emperor is a scumbag with the power of life and death. The first few chapters establish his character and contain potentially uncomfortable scenes. If that bothers you, skip to chapter 20.] Everyone is caught up in palace intrigue. The consorts an 2kReads8.3Score227Shelves
27. 27 演 I Played the Emperor My Whole Life, and After Being Reborn, He Still Wants the Crown Prince 演了皇上一辈子，重生他还要太子 One Little Sweet Fish一口小甜鱼Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Original title: Only After His Death Did He Learn That the Empress Did Not Want to Be Buried With Him [The heroine transmigrates, the hero is reborn] As he lay dying, Emperor Tianhe looked back on his eventful life. He had risen from humble beginnings to become the founding emperor, and the world praised his achievements. In his fading consciousness, he saw his virtuous empress, his beautiful consorts, and his weeping children. He felt that his life had been complete. But after he died, his soul 31.7kReads8.9Score2.3kShelves
28. 28 花 Petals Fall, Unaware of Sorrow 花落不知愁 Franklin Sheep富兰克林羊Ancient Romance242k WordsCompleted [The down-to-earth, unambitious everyman Xu Wen x the fearsome, unconventional young nobleman Xi Yuan] How does Xu Wen, a penniless nobody who wants nothing more than to eat well and stay warm after landing in a matriarchal world, accidentally tame her fearsome husband, rise to become the emperor’s most revered tutor, and fulfill her dreams? This is a utopian world for someone with emotional difficulties. Xu Wen knows she’s ill, but her therapist says it’s not serious. She can take things slowly 337Reads8.4Score—Shelves
29. 29 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

    Reader note

    Who understands this? Who understands this? It's really good, this is really good. Trust me, I've been reading for ten years, the emotions are written very delicately, I burst into tears at the end.

30. 30 大 On Her Wedding Day, She Married the Cold-Faced Imperial Uncle by Mistake 大婚当日，上错花轿嫁给冷面皇叔 Lan Shu兰姝Ancient Romance372k WordsCompleted [A bold, passionate heiress × a cold-faced prince who always takes her side] In her previous life, Su Jin devoted herself to helping the crown prince ascend the throne. In the end, she was thrown into prison and stabbed to death by her own dear cousin. For the daughter of a military commander, it was a disgrace beyond words. After being reborn, the first thing she did was switch the bridal sedan chairs and climb into the one bound for Prince Yu’s residence. The crown prince is a nobody. Prince Y 3.9kReads9.0Score518Shelves

    Reader note

    In her past life, Su Jin devoted herself to assisting the Crown Prince in ascending the throne, only to be imprisoned and stabbed to death by her own cousin. Reborn, the first thing she did was board the bridal sedan chair to marry into the Prince's mansion. "Your Highness, since my cousin and I boarded the wrong sedan chair, it is a blessing from heaven that we can be married." "Does Your Highness not like me?" Overnight…

31. 31 女 Matriarchy: Reborn as a Debauched Princess, I Fight for the Throne and Pursue My Beloved 女尊：重生纨绔王女，夺嫡追娇夫 Yan Bai燕白Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Female-dominated world, strong heroine, reborn to pursue her husband and cherish him alone] In her previous life, Xiao Muhuang lived beneath the doting affection of her half-sister, who spoiled her rotten. She even fell head over heels for a beautiful but venomous woman, only to end up with the tragic fate of being sentenced to drink poisoned wine. Cheng Chaoyu, the Grand Tutor’s son, whom she had broken off her engagement with, was dragged down by her too and died for her sake. Reborn, Xiao Mu 9.5kReads9.2Score923Shelves

    Reader note

    The best political intrigue I've read so far among female-centric novels.

32. 32 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 84.3kReads9.5Score9.6kShelves
33. 33 糟 Oh No! The Prince Consort My Princess Raised Is Actually the Powerful Eunuch 糟糕！公主养的面首竟是九千岁 Yi Xiao忆潇Ancient Romance370k WordsCompleted [Chasing His Wife to the Crematorium + Second Male Lead Takes the Lead + Fake Eunuch + Devoted to Each Other] In her previous life, Shang Li spent four whole years alone in an empty bed, only to discover that he had a wife and a son. Given a second chance at life, she immediately took a handsome, peerless male companion as her kept man. After a year of bliss, she learned that the scoundrel was returning to the capital. Generously, Shang Li bought her beautiful companion's freedom and left him th 1.8kReads9.0Score314Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all books about power struggles and palace intrigue, and they are all completed. Highly recommended!

34. 34 小 The Adorable Little Princess, Doted on by Her General Again and Again 小公主美颠颠，大将军宠宠宠宠宠 Southeast Scenery东南形胜Ancient Romance421k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + no transmigration or rebirth + devoted couple and sweet romance + lighthearted comedy] [Deadpan-cute heroine VS young general hero] Nie Ju was the little princess the emperor had raised himself, and his most beloved child. One day, she had a stomachache and fainted in a side hall. In a daze, she saw a half-naked man and begged him for help, but he coldly refused. When she woke up, she found herself betrothed to Xie Xuan, the very same half-naked man. She protested vehe 3.4kReads9.1Score365Shelves
35. 35 死 After Faking My Death, the Male Lead I Raised Turned Dark 死遁后，亲手养大的男主黑化了 Wilderness Siren荒野塞壬Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (Sweet romance + devoted couple + healing + light political scheming + a touch of possessive romance + serious tone + two heroines) After a car accident, Wen Zhiyu transmigrates into a book. To get home, she accepts a mission: raise Xiao Ji, a future powerful minister who is currently a little beggar fighting wild dogs for scraps. Wen Zhiyu raises Xiao Ji with great care until he grows into a refined and elegant young man. Once he places first in the imperial exam and reunites with his birth fam 11.2kReads8.8Score1.2kShelves
36. 36 被 After the Female Lead Was Stolen, I Set Out to Save the Obsessive Villain 被抢女主后，拯救偏执反派大佬 Xu Lian序连Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [One-on-one sweet romance, marriage first and love later, the leads dote on each other, everyday romance, gentle and delicate beauty vs. a ruthless, possessive villainous tycoon] The Duke of Zhenguo’s entire household was fiercely loyal to the crown. With them gone, only Yan Yu, their sole daughter, remained. Raised by her maternal grandmother, she was betrothed to the Fifth Prince. After Yan Yu came of age, she was about to travel to the capital for her wedding. At that point, the eldest dau 18.8kReads8.9Score1.9kShelves
37. 37 京 The Capital's Most Notorious Beauty 京城第一祸水 Stars Fill My Eyes满眼星宸Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Currently being published [rival suitors in a dramatic love triangle + top-tier schemer + supporting villainess fights back + everyone comes around] [Historical romance + told entirely from the wicked supporting female character’s perspective] ❣️Blurb One Qiao Wanyan learned from a storybook that she was nothing but a wicked supporting character who abandoned her childhood sweetheart and chased after wealth and status. She sowed discord, poisoned her elder sister, and committed every imaginable 58.5kReads9.3Score7.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is adorably wicked.

38. 38 重 Reborn, I Won’t Be Crown Princess. I’ll Be Empress 重生后我不当太子妃只当皇后 It's Soleil是soleilAncient Romance330k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Ling Qingyue loved the wrong man. After countless hardships, she finally became the crown prince's long-awaited princess consort, only to discover that it had all been a trap he had laid to seize his family's military power. In the end, her family was destroyed and everyone she loved was killed... Reborn, she plans every move carefully. Willing to throw herself into the trap, she abandons love to pursue her scheme and enters into a marriage of convenience with him. Yet ev 47Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In her past life, Ling Qingyue loved the wrong person. She painstakingly ascended to the coveted position of Crown Princess, only to discover it was all a trap set by the Crown Prince to seize military power for his own family. In the end, her family was destroyed... Reborn, for revenge, she used everyone around her who could be used... Wait a minute, how did she suddenly become Empress? And why is that so-called Emperor looking at her so strangely? No way, you were reborn too? Oh no, she seems to have fallen into another trap... @Issoleil

39. 39 汉 A Slow Spring in the Han Palace 汉宫春慢 All Forms Are Formless一相无相Ancient Romance521k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Palace Intrigue + Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law + Winning His Wife Back at Any Cost] In her previous life, Shen Rong left a remote mountain town and was betrothed to the crown prince at the emperor's behest, becoming the exalted crown princess. She thought her fortunes would rise from then on and that a sweet, happy marriage lay ahead. Instead, it was the beginning of a tragic life. Her husband loved someone else; her mother-in-law despised her for being ignorant; the palace servan 1.6kReads9.0Score230Shelves

    Reader note

    Super good read! The author's writing is excellent! 🥰🥰🥰

40. 40 攀 Marrying Up 攀高枝 Egrets in Pairs白鹭成双Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [Film and TV rights sold] [Print edition published] Zhang Zhixu had everything from birth. A family with a century of prestige, enviable talent, and a career that kept rising step by step. But he found life terribly dull. Then, one day, an accident struck, and his soul entered a woman's body. A woman who couldn't read a single character, yet dreamed of marrying into a powerful family and becoming a phoenix. · Chen Baoxiang had traveled a thousand miles from the countryside to the capital, hoping 162.8kReads9.6Score22.7kShelves

    Reader note

    It's so good! The female lead pretends to be weak while the male lead is also very clever.

41. 41 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
42. 42 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
43. 43 大 The Happy Daily Life of the Court Judge's Daughter 大理寺少卿之女的快乐日常 Scallion Pancake with an Extra Egg手抓饼要加鸡蛋Ancient Romance659k WordsCompleted [An imaginary ancient setting + mind-reading + everyday life + comedy] [There is a male lead, both leads are each other’s only partners, happy ending. The romance is a slow burn, but sweet, so dive in without worry.] [This isn’t a fast-paced wish-fulfillment story, but I promise there’s no angst!!! The heroine can read minds, but only under certain conditions. Her golden finger isn’t all that powerful, so don’t read if that’s not your thing.] [Read the title! This is a warm, everyday-life story. 41.6kReads9.2Score16.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book's male and female leads are both very intelligent, especially the female lead, who is perfect for solving cases. The second book's female lead is a time traveler; she's wicked and has a strong, assertive personality—I absolutely love her! The male lead also secretly likes her.

44. 44 出 The Night I Left the Palace, the Mad Emperor Took Me by Force 出宫当晚，被疯批帝王强取豪夺 Clashing Gold and Flying Jade铿金霏玉Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted [Beautiful, delicate palace maid vs. cold, ruthless, obsessive emperor] [Palace intrigue, neither lead is chaste + powerful male lead, weak female lead, and he’s completely unhinged + possessive love + a long road to winning her back] Yue Ling was a vain little palace maid. Hoping to enjoy a life of luxury and wealth, she seduced the emperor and worked tirelessly to win his favor, but still met a tragic end. After being reborn, Yue Ling saw things clearly. Rather than tread on thin ice in the de 25.8kReads9.2Score1.9kShelves
45. 45 说 They Said She Was Only Fit to Be a Concubine? She Married Into a Powerful Family and Became Its Mistress 说她只配当妾？转身嫁高门做主母 Su Youran苏悠然Ancient Romance627k WordsCompleted [Neither the male nor female lead is transmigrated or reborn, and there are no golden fingers. They are natives of the ancient world.] They say the Third Miss Yang Liu of the capital has a willow-thin waist and skin like ice, a rare beauty. But when the family split, she filed a legal complaint against her own uncle, earning him a notorious reputation and leaving everyone shaking their heads. Who would marry such a fierce troublemaker? Even her fiancé called off the engagement... Chu Yan, the el 13.4kReads9.3Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    🔥A lame prince marries a shrewish wife. On their wedding night, one holds a whip and the other a dagger. Watch how this tumultuous beginning transforms into a life of mutual support...

46. 46 权 The Powerful Prince’s Spoiled Princess: Proud, Wild, and Unruly 权王溺宠：狂傲王妃野又撩 Green Plums and Bamboo Wine青梅竹酒Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Court intrigue + feel-good power fantasy + ruthless decisiveness + an incredibly badass heroine + face-slapping + a heroine with her wits about her] Bai Xuan, commander-in-chief of the Huaxia Special Forces Training Camp, transmigrates to the Great Zhou. She is a peerless beauty with exceptional martial skills. As a woman, she carves her own path through force of arms, establishes herself at court, and wields enormous influence. With a deft hand, she turns the tide of both schemes and open stra 16.4kReads9.4Score2.3kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a really good read; the only long novel I've ever read from cover to cover (I have high standards for book quality), it was super enjoyable.

47. 47 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 257.8kReads9.7Score30.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend this book! It doesn't have any time-travel or reincarnation elements, and the whole book is very logical, with perfect details and no melodramatic plot twists. The male and female leads are fantastic characters, and the supporting characters are also very well-developed. It's rare to find a novel like this that you won't want to skip ahead in.

48. 48 上 I've Suffered Enough in My Last Life. I'd Rather Die Than Marry Him Again 上辈子苦够了，打死她都不嫁了 Chang Qingqing常庆庆Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Shen An'an came from a distinguished family and was both talented and beautiful. As soon as she came of age, she was betrothed to the fourth prince, Xiao Yuan, a man of heavenly beauty and noble character, and the dream lover of every young lady in the capital. Heaven had dealt her a winning hand. Even she once believed she was blessed beyond measure, until her girlish heart was shattered into pieces. She suffered every kind of pain at the hands of that graceful, refined man, and paid a devastat 17kReads8.6Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    It's incredibly good; I won't say a word more, it's amazing. Both the male and female leads are extremely intelligent.

49. 49 惨 Reborn After a Horrific Death, I Drove Every Villain Crazy 惨死重生后，我把反派都逼疯啦 Yan Fei颜翡Ancient Romance1.9M WordsCompleted Reborn + household and palace intrigue + strong heroine and hero + revenge and taking down scumbags + satisfying read In her previous life, Shen Shuyi schemed and plotted at every turn to secure the crown prince's position for Xiao Tingshan. But he repaid her by turning his back on her, despising her for being calculating and deep-minded, and not gentle and demure enough. He not only took her life, but also caused countless friends and family members to die unjustly. Fine. Given another life, 15kReads8.9Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead is incredibly cunning and kills indiscriminately.

50. 50 出 Pay to Break Off the Engagement? The Abacus Beads Hit the Chief Minister in the Face 出钱退亲？算盘珠子崩首辅脸上了 Tianshan Snow Lotus Tea天山雪莲茶Ancient Romance428k WordsCompleted [Traditional Historical Romance + Political Intrigue + Household Battles + Devoted Couple + No Love Rivals or Misunderstandings] A clever woman who plays the pig to eat the tiger × a calculating, scheming man The number-one enemy of every unmarried noblewoman in the capital is Jiang Wanhe, the Jiang family's beautiful but empty-headed legitimate daughter. It all began when the Jiang family struck incredible luck: after saving the city's most eligible bachelor, Xie Yao, from bandits, they called 1.7kReads8.6Score226Shelves

Other lists with They Wanted Me to Be a Sacrificial Stepmother, but I Chose to Make My Own Way