The Female Lead Is a Powerful Empress Dowager 女主是有权有势的太后

1. 1 太 The Empress Dowager's Retirement Life 太后的退休生活 Zhou Xinhan周信含Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + female lead is the mastermind behind the scenes + no romance + plot-driven + ensemble cast] After transmigrating to the Great Jing dynasty, Su Minqing entered the palace as the empress. She worked tirelessly at palace intrigue for over a decade and finally fought her way to becoming the Empress Dowager. The only catch was that there was another Empress Dowager in the palace besides her. As the emperor’s adoptive mother, she was named the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces. The 6.1kReads8.4Score357Shelves

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   All three books feature empress dowagers as female protagonists.

2. 2 恶 Reborn After My Own Son, the Cruel Empress Dowager, Stabbed Me to Death 恶毒太后被亲儿子捅死之后重生了 Ink墨色Ancient Romance1.9M WordsCompleted The vicious Empress Dowager Jiang Mingzhu was reborn. In her previous life, to put her son on the throne, she poisoned and tried to assassinate the emperor, colluded with court officials, drugged a pregnant consort to make her miscarry, and plotted against the young crown prince. Every time she schemed, she put her own life on the line to grind her stepson's face into the dirt. But when the plot to put the son she'd worked so hard to support on the throne was exposed, he stabbed her in the back 19.6kReads8.8Score2.1kShelves
3. 3 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 11.8kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves
4. 4 四 The Four-Year-Old Empress Dowager: She Had a House Full of Grandchildren from Day One! 四岁小太后：打小，就儿孙满堂！ Cat Qian Qiu猫千秋Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Short drama of the same name: Four-Year-Old Dowager Empress, Surrounded by Children and Grandchildren Since Birth. Watch on Hongguo or Tomato] [Beloved by all + mind reading + adorable four-year-old raising kids + born at the peak of her life] Yun Shu was made empress the moment she was born. The old emperor was so furious when she was carried into the palace that he died on the spot. When the new emperor ascended the throne, she was made empress dowager at just three days old. The emperor was 5.4kReads8.7Score437Shelves

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   [Making a face][Shy] A 9-point masterpiece! I really can't help but share this book. The female lead is born at the peak! Yun Shu was made Empress at birth, and the old emperor died of anger as soon as she was brought into the palace. The new emperor ascended the throne, and she was made Empress Dowager just three days after her birth. Every day, in addition to attending the morning court and handling countless state affairs, the emperor would also personally breastfeed her at Cining Palace. When the concubines in the harem suffered grievances, they would go to her to cry and bribe her with a handful of candy: "Your Majesty, as long as you stand on my side, all this candy is yours."

5. 5 做 I Had a Dream, So How Did I End Up Pregnant? 做做做了个梦，怎么就怀上了？ User Is Online用户已上线Ancient Romance557k WordsCompleted [Not a matriarchal-world story] [Lighthearted] [Probably little palace intrigue] [Pregnancy in a dream] [The late emperor is reborn as a scholar] Once you've raised your son, he always belongs to someone else's family. That's true in the modern world, and it's true in ancient times. For Zhang Wenjing, her son belongs to the state, damn it. He has nothing to do with her. Thinking back on the miserable life she had in her previous life, she worked harder than a d 230Reads8.4Score—Shelves

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   This book... [Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work][Sparrow's Divine Work]

6. 6 穿 Reborn as the Empress Dowager, I Just Want to Take It Easy 穿成太后只想咸鱼 Fei Xi妃玺Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted “Pay attention: this is a story with a strong female lead, no male lead, and no romance.” After transmigrating, she became the most exalted woman in Yun Zhao. She thought she could live a carefree life of wealth and luxury, but danger closed in from every side, with pitfalls everywhere. It was not just her reputation at stake, but her life. The emperor dreams of ruling in his own right? Here, take the imperial seal. Go play by yourself, kid! The consorts are fighting for power in the palace? Tos 15.3kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves

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   ✨The female protagonist transmigrates into the body of an empress dowager. She initially wanted to be a carefree, unambitious person, but is forced to rise to power against all odds.😎 Upon transmigrating, she's forced to relinquish power, but she possesses an incredibly powerful system and a sharp tongue👄, allowing her to cultivate influence and infuriate court officials. Meanwhile, the young emperor👑, initially a naive, rebellious, and somewhat immature individual, matures under the empress dowager's careful guidance, developing a vivid imagination and developing a deep admiration and respect for her.

7. 7 我 My Years as Empress Dowager 我当太后这些年 Sword Bean刀豆Historical433k WordsCompleted [Empress Dowager Feng Ping of the current dynasty x the refined and elegant minister Li Yi] [Historical romance + equally matched leads + palace intrigue + strong heroine + heart-wrenching + tragic ending + alternate world + coercive love] A widow’s door invites trouble. At twenty-two, the Empress Dowager is in the prime of youth, with a face like a flower. Her husband has only just died, and she is as pitiful as a dewy white camellia. Her family is no help, and she has no son of her own. The Em 663Reads8.9Score—Shelves

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   The female lead, Feng Ping, became the Empress Dowager at the age of twenty-two. Her family was already weak, and she also had to face Tuoba Hong, the son of her rival, who was always against her. This start was simply hell mode.

8. 8 我 What’s It Like to Become the Empress Dowager in Empresses in the Palace? 我在甄嬛当太后是种什么体验？ Xia Lilin夏立林Female-Channel Fanfiction634k WordsCompleted Li Mo transmigrated. The good news: she's the Empress Dowager, so she doesn't have to fight for the emperor's favor anymore. The bad news: she still has to fulfill a pile of concubines' final wishes. Everyone wants to be the emperor's favorite. The Empress wants Zhen Huan dead, and Consort Hua wants Zhen Huan dead. Zhen Huan: Don't @ me. I just want to live in peace. - The office worker Li Mo was chosen by the System to enter the world of Empresses in the Palace. She has to fulfill every concubi 1.2kReads8.9Score102Shelves

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   These are good options; feel free to try them if you're interested. 👀

9. 9 太 The Empress Dowager Reborn: A Phoenix’s Plot for the Empire 太后重生：凤谋天下 Gu Yu孤妤Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + ensemble cast + political intrigue] Reborn, she turns the world into a board and all living beings into pieces. She is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. Slender, pale hands, an icy gaze She moves her pieces, a faint smile on her lips Why should beauty worry? Reborn, risen from the ashes A phoenix’s schemes hide in her lotus-bloom bones Her name will live on in the annals of history Willow branches in her hometown, the moon a hook She watches generals and princes 1.3kReads9.0Score185Shelves
10. 10 会 The Mind-Reading Empress Dowager Wins Without Lifting a Finger 会读心的太后躺赢了 Qiao Yi's Parrot乔翊家的鹦鹉Ancient Romance511k WordsCompleted (A humorous, feel-good story with a strong female lead. The empress dowager lies flat while helping everyone build a harmonious society. A somewhat ensemble cast, sensible logic, and no official romance.) When Ruan Qing, who had worked herself to death, opened her eyes again, she discovered she had become the newly installed empress dowager of some obscure dynasty. The newly enthroned emperor was her own son. She had also acquired a special ability: mind reading. She could hear the thoughts of a 380Reads8.8Score102Shelves
11. 11 权 The Dragon Empress Dowager's Favorite 权宠龙太后 June六月Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted The comic drama of the same name, Empress Dowager of Unparalleled Beauty, is now streaming on the Hongguo Short Drama app. She transmigrates and is immediately expected to marry an emperor who is on the brink of death? Who knew that by the next day, Long Zhanyan would be promoted to empress dowager, with her scumbag father and wretched mother kneeling to pay their respects, and the emperor bowing to greet her. There's only one word for it: satisfying! But why is the regent looking at her so stra 5kReads8.4Score505Shelves
12. 12 和 My Best Friend and I Became Empress Dowagers, but I'm the Only One Who Has to Work 和闺蜜一起做太后，上班的只有我 Fang Cheng防城Ancient Romance2.2M WordsCompleted Synopsis: Cheng, a top executive and workplace powerhouse, transmigrates alongside her best friend Shen Kuan, who spent all twenty-seven years of her life studying and never once got a taste of the real world. From the start, they find themselves as the two empress dowagers, one head of the imperial faction and the other head of the empress's faction. The young emperor spends every day plotting to bring down Empress Dowager Cheng for his mother's sake, but his mother only wants to spend her days 158Reads8.7Score—Shelves
13. 13 太 The Grand Empress Dowager Just Wants to Watch the Show 太皇太后她只想看戏 Feng Yi冯夷Ancient Romance236k WordsCompleted (No romance) Three days after transmigrating and becoming empress, the emperor died. The chief minister found the emperor's great-nephew and made him the new emperor. In a single night, Jiang Shan rose two ranks and became the Grand Empress Dowager. The new emperor arrived with two mothers, and before they had even entered the palace, they were already arguing over who would live in the east wing and who would live in the west. After that, the new emperor's wives came and went, each trying every 263Reads7.0Score—Shelves
14. 14 穿 After I Transmigrated, I Became the Empress Dowager of a Fallen Kingdom 穿越后我成了亡国太后 Night Without Regrets夜不悔Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Salojun, a modern military doctor, transmigrates under mysterious circumstances. The moment she opens her eyes, she has a nearly grown adopted son, and soon finds herself surrounded by wolves, nearly losing her life to them. After narrowly escaping death, she thinks she can build a fortune with her bargain-basement Crown Prince son. Instead, the little ingrate wants to kill his own mother. A former empress reduced to a village girl, she has to outwit the little wolf cub, beat up unruly villagers 33Reads8.0Score—Shelves
15. 15 太 A Record of Raising the Empress Dowager 太后养成手记 Liang Shan梁杉Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Stepmothers are all wicked! All she did was have a sweet, pretty face and be the legitimate daughter of the first wife, but her stepmother, Sun Erniang, coveted money and schemed to sell Bai Shukui to the Grand Commandant’s household! Is this it? Is fate going to destroy me? Who could have guessed that after three years of training and cultivation in the Grand Commandant’s household, her fortunes would take a turn for the better? She volunteers to go to the Prince of Ping’s household in a northw 438Reads8.6Score—Shelves
16. 16 救 Help! What Kind of Empress Dowager Hangs Herself Every Day? 救命啊，谁家好太后天天上吊啊 Lazy Meow懒喵喵Ancient Romance735k WordsCompleted Liu Ruxu is the Empress Dowager of Great Qi. Ever since the late emperor died, she's been living without a care in the world. “Let's see any of you dare harm my son! Would you rather I hang myself outside your door, or have my father come knocking with his spear?” “There's no food for disaster relief? I'll take care of it!” “Great Jin wants a war? I'll lead my best friend and drive them back!” “Peace talks? A marriage alliance? The women of Great Qi will never be married off for an alliance!” Wi 585Reads8.7Score112Shelves
17. 17 太 The Empress Dowager’s Growing Years 太后成长记事 Ji Taochu季桃初Ancient Romance350k WordsCompleted Years ago, she was bright and charming. Beneath a peach tree, she secretly made a wish: I want to marry a good man, grow old together, and cherish each other as equals. Years later, she knelt before the Buddha, dignified and devout, and prayed: I want to rise above all others. 98Reads9.2Score—Shelves
18. 18 人 In the Imperial Harem, My Goal Is to Become the Empress Dowager 人在后宫，目标太后 Dreams on the Mountain山上有梦Ancient Romance358k WordsCompleted # Palace intrigue is out of the question. I'll eat snacks, watch the drama, and have children, that's the plan # Cui Xuejian transmigrated into the past and became a low-ranking palace consort. Powerful figures towered over her, while a few insignificant nobodies clawed at her feet. With things like this, why bother with palace intrigue? Better to just give up and coast! Cui Xuejian believed that as long as she kept out of trouble, no monsters, demons, or other ghoulish creatures would come afte 1.7kReads9.2Score138Shelves
19. 19 快 Quick Transmigration: I'm the Empress Dowager, So What? 快穿：我是太后，你想咋滴？ A Cotton Candy一颗棉花糖Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted As an employee of the Historical Preservation Bureau, Fang Yuan has no choice but to travel into various novels whose plots have been twisted beyond recognition, and face-slap the lovesick characters who distort history. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang: “Fulin, if you love Dong'e so much, then the two of you can go die together.” Empress Dowager Cixi: “You'd rather hand over the empire than give up your true love? Fine, I'll send you to meet the late emperor.” Empress Dowager Lü: “You think the human 182Reads8.0Score—Shelves
20. 20 杠 Crossing Swords with the Wicked Empress Dowager 杠上不良太后 Sha Manyao沙曼夭Ancient Romance662k WordsCompleted The empress dowager is ruthless. She slaughtered three thousand consorts in the imperial harem, staining the bluestone paths with blood. Her iron fist leaves no one daring to challenge her! The empress dowager is brazen. The chancellor and generals obey her every command, the commander of the Imperial Guard reveres her, and the people of the realm know only the empress dowager, not the emperor! The empress dowager is shameless. She visits brothels, frequents casinos, flirts with the chancellor, 15Reads6.3Score—Shelves
21. 21 恶 The Wicked Empress Dowager Became Everyone's Darling 恶毒太后成了万人迷 Le Sishu乐思蜀Ancient Romance302k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Comeback + Everyone’s Favorite + Regret and Redemption + Face-Slapping + Feel-Good] Xu Lingyu transmigrates and becomes the Empress Dowager of Dongchen. The former Empress Dowager of Dongchen was devious, vicious, and loathed by everyone. Yet she ruled from behind the curtain, held all the power, and even tormented the young emperor at will. As for the new Xu Lingyu... She doesn’t consider herself a good person either, but she’s carefree and hates trouble even more. Other than 41Reads8.0Score—Shelves
22. 22 大 Great Ming: The Empress Dowager Rules with an Iron Fist 大明：太后她铁腕治国 Planting Chrysanthemums Beneath the Southern Mountain种菊南山下Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Zhang Qiang, a modern business tycoon, was in a car accident while on a disaster-relief mission. Her soul traveled into the Tianqi-era imperial harem, where she became a mother and took the place of Zhang Qiang, the starving Consort Yu. To stay alive, she fought to survive in the palace: protecting her young son, battling Ke Shi, and enduring until she became empress dowager. To preserve the Ming dynasty, she promoted medicine and education, expanded industry and commerce, opened the seas, and s 1.5kReads7.6Score108Shelves
23. 23 穿 Transmigrated as the Empress Dowager, Thrown into a Battleground from the Start 穿越成太后，开局修罗场 Tuchuan Ah途川啊Ancient Romance167k WordsOngoing Pure Romance + Feel-Good Wish Fulfillment + Sensible Heroine + Sharp Tongue A modern office worker transmigrates into the body of an empress dowager who has fallen out of favor, and from the start she’s caught in a dangerous rivalry between the emperor, his favorite concubine, and the powerful ministers! Facing the emperor’s cold stares, the concubine’s provocations, and the ministers’ schemes, she strikes back with modern-day knowledge and a razor-sharp tongue. Amid the deadly intrigues of the 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is actually quite fun.

24. 24 太 The Empress Dowager's Shopping Empire: Her Majesty's Domestic Brands Are Flying Off the Shelves 太后带货：哀家的国货爆单了 Mengxi Sifan梦溪思凡Modern Romance547k WordsCompleted Other people transmigrate with a System. Empress Dowager Cixi transmigrates with debt! The moment she opens her eyes, collection calls are flooding in, rent is three days overdue, and the previous owner has been cursed out so badly for selling shoddy goods that her livestream was shut down. At this critical moment, the “Redemption Sales System” binds to her, unlocking a portable space just like the one in the Palace Museum! Palace beauty creams, lost intangible cultural heritage recipes, tribute —Reads6.7Score—Shelves

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    A sure-fire investment! The pinnacle of intangible cultural heritage! From selling goods in a live-streaming room to leveraging international luxury giants, from working alone to gathering hundreds of artisans, the female protagonist turns a bad hand into a winning one! Intrigue and passion fly together, you won't be able to stop watching even if you stay up all night!

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