Looking for Historical Court-Intrigue Novels With Brilliant Schemes and Elegant Prose 想看古风权谋文，一定要高智，文笔细腻

1. 1 日 Drunk on the Road Home at Dusk 日暮醉归途 Mu Qiqi暮萋萋Ancient Romance2.2M WordsCompleted The cool, intelligent beauty Shui Qiaoyou, a general of the former dynasty, and the pure-hearted, reserved prince Chu Moli, a prince of the current dynasty Historical romance, no transmigration, no palace intrigue, no household drama, one-on-one romance, strong female lead. Shui Qiaoyou felt as though she’d merely fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes again, a hundred years had passed. Her homeland, family, and friends were like smoke, long since vanished into the river of time. Fate had left 13.4kReads9.1Score1.6kShelves

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   This book is incredibly detailed, depicting power struggles and intrigues within a nation and its people. The male lead is highly intelligent, but the female lead is even more formidable.

2. 2 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

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   You absolutely must read these two! They're top-tier historical political intrigue novels. Don't be put off by the titles and synopses, especially by the author's writing style. Trust me, you'll be captivated. Highly recommended! [Added to bookshelf][Added to bookshelf]

3. 3 大 Great Ming: Reborn as the Chongzhen Emperor, I Choose to Give Up 大明：开局穿成崇祯，我选择摆烂 Ka Ka Ka Ka Bu卡卡卡卡布Historical511k WordsOngoing (No System!! Not a naive, inexperienced protagonist!! Not a wish-fulfillment story!! If that bothers you, read with caution!! This is a Chongzhen transmigration story rooted in the historical facts of the late Ming!!) (Absolutely no System! Don't believe the bad-faith review-bombing from black PR studios! I've been targeted!) History's dead ends are never rewritten with a casual stroke of a transmigrator's pen. Yuan Chonghuan's crimes and contributions, Sun Chuanting's life and death, Li Zich 1.8kReads6.1Score107Shelves

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   This book is realistic, brutal, and heavy, making it a depressing and tiring read. History is like this, and it should be like this.

4. 4 满 My Whole Family Are Cannon Fodder, but After They Read My Mind, They Rebel 满门炮灰读我心后，全家造反了 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Physical edition of "Claiming the Pearl 2" goes on presale October 17 at 7:30 p.m.] [Mind reading + System + adored by the whole family + transmigrate into a book + play the pig to eat the tiger] Qiao Jiaojiao had accumulated so much virtue in her past life that the Old King of Hell granted her a rebirth with all her memories intact, plus a golden finger: a Virtue Points Shop. Qiao Jiaojiao was thrilled to start her new life, only to discover she hadn't been reborn at all. She'd transmigrated i 123.7kReads9.7Score14kShelves
5. 5 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

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   This one! Trust me, everyone! The female lead is totally my type! Both the male and female leads are incredibly intelligent!! And the writing style is super smooth, without any overly exaggerated language; many points are very realistic!! The plot is suspenseful yet humorous, super engaging and emotionally resonant!!!

6. 6 锦 The Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Laid-Back Days 锦衣卫的摆烂日常 Ouyang Yun Feifei欧阳云飞飞Historical248k WordsOngoing [Modern-to-Ancient Transmigration] [Jinyiwei] [Lighthearted Comedy] [A Touch of Mystery] [No Romance] [Street-Level Political Intrigue] After transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty, Shen Yan wakes up to find himself a low-ranking Jinyiwei guard in the Northern Office of the Imperial Guard. He had imagined that wearing a flying-fish robe and carrying a Xiuchun saber would make him a figure of great authority. Reality quickly teaches him otherwise: the Northern Office is full of colleagues who work th 11Reads—Score121Shelves

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   This book is really good!

7. 7 枝 Heng on the Branches 枝上蘅 Zhongshu Jun jun中书君junAncient Romance357k WordsCompleted Content warning: First his soul travels into the ending, then his body follows. The System imposes mandatory quests and punishments, reducing stamina. [Flirtatious Princess × Aloof Imperial Preceptor] [Both virgins · Happy ending · His affection has always been reserved for her alone] Shen Heng transmigrated into the body of a sickly princess and panicked. The System told her that if she wanted to survive, she had to win over the most dangerous man in the book: Xunzhuo, the Imperial Preceptor of 101kReads9.5Score17.1kShelves

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   * **The Fragrance on the Branch:** A sickly princess with a flirtatious nature transmigrates into a book with a forced system mission. Two destined-to-be-short-lived cannon fodder, they initially plan to use each other to survive, unaware that the imperial advisor has already been indulging her every step of the way. Their remaining lives are intertwined, and they journey together through wind and snow. * **Transmigrated as the Villainous Daughter: She Plays Her True Colors:** A business tycoon transmigrates into the body of a villainous daughter of a treacherous minister. Abandoning her pursuit of the original male lead, she turns to seduce a stern general. Wielding power and intrigue, she stirs up the court, vowing to forcibly seize the title of traitor and claim legitimacy! * **The Beauty That Kills the World:** A princess of a fallen kingdom is betrayed and schemed against. Escaping death on her journey to a political marriage, she becomes completely corrupted. Disguising her identity and plotting, she teams up with a cunning fox, traversing five kingdoms to fight emperors, conspiring to seize power, and prioritizing her career! * **Year After Year of Spring Joy:** A female protagonist from a military family is reborn, returning to the day her scumbag husband proposed, only to discover that her enemy has also been reborn. A mysterious old case of her family's massacre unfolds, and a crimson-clad official accompanies her into the scheme. A mutual redemption story unfolds, and they jointly safeguard the peace and prosperity of Chang'an. "What a Disgrace!" Transmigrated into a tyrant's bedmate, she plans to first help him eliminate his enemies, then seize power and become empress. Unexpectedly, the tyrant is also a transmigrator; a single English phrase leads to recognition. A subversive palace intrigue story. "Why Not Cross the River Together?" A pure ancient romance with no cheat codes. A young female thief steals silver from a traitorous general and is thrown into a desperate situation to hone her skills. An undercover general and a brave young girl, amidst the fog, why not cross the river together? "The Phoenix Returns" The legitimate daughter of a military family dies unjustly in a frozen lake, only to be reborn. She uncovers old cases, slays treacherous officials, and seeks justice for her loyal family. A story of power struggles and revenge, with two strong characters, Xie Tingzhou, accompanying her to overturn the chaos of the world.

8. 8 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

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   Although I haven't finished reading some of them yet, every single one of them is absolutely fantastic!!! 🥰😘

9. 9 艳 Killing Beauty Across the World (Two-Volume Set) 艳杀天下（全二册） Xi Xi Dong Dong西西东东Ancient Romance350k WordsCompleted A beloved historical romance by Xixi Dongdong, cherished by countless readers! An independent, resourceful schemer vs. a shrewd man who plays the pig to eat the tiger. She travels between five kingdoms, takes on emperors, and throws the world into chaos. Turns out, nothing beats building a career! After Madam Wanyue, the beauty who reigned over the imperial harem, dies of illness, Princess Yan Qingjun, once the darling of everyone around her, falls from grace. Her mother is gone, her father does 263Reads9.1Score—Shelves
10. 10 成 What on Earth Is This? Complete in Two Volumes (The Original Novel Behind the Hit Drama Starring Wang Churan and Cheng Lei) 成何体统：全二册（王楚然、丞磊主演热播影视剧原著） Qi Yingjun七英俊Anime Fanfiction314k WordsCompleted What is it like to transmigrate into a web novel and become the tyrant's bedmate? After a few simple calculations, Yu Wanyin reached a conclusion: she would have to find another way. In this story full of villains, if she wanted to carve out a path to survival, she had to become the biggest villain of all. First, help the tyrant take down Prince Duan, then take down the tyrant and become empress herself. But when she met the tyrant and carefully considered the strange sense of familiarity in his 40.3kReads9.7Score6.3kShelves

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    (Highly recommend "What a Piece of History!" A one-sentence summary of a subversive, time-traveling political intrigue novel, a high-energy werewolf game where everyone's IQ is on point! Key highlights: 1️⃣ Explosive Setting | Double time travel + multiple interwoven transmigration stories, a tyrant and a salaryman concubine are actually from the same hometown in modern times, teaming up to play extreme "modern thinking vs. Ancient political intrigue" within a palace drama. 2️⃣ God-like Intellectual Battles | No villains who completely demoralize themselves, the political intrigue is comparable to "Nirvana in Fire," even native villains can push the time travelers to the brink, with so many plot twists it'll make you question your intelligence. 3️⃣ Emotional Impact | Adult love is clear-headed and deeply affectionate, without artificial sweetness, only the tacit understanding of mutual redemption in desperate situations, the golden line "You are my last homeland" will bring you to tears. 4️⃣ Unparalleled Ensemble Cast | 40+ characters each have their highlights, idealists, bodyguards, healers... Even the cannon fodder are heartbreaking. 💡 Suitable Audience** ✓) Love the modern thinking breakthroughs of "Joy of Life" ✓ Enjoy the intellectual battles + dark humor

11. 11 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 24.7kReads9.5Score4kShelves
12. 12 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

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    They're all beautiful!

13. 13 我 I Lie Flat on My Good Looks 我靠美貌躺平了 A Journey Through Mountains and Seas山海一程Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Both are devoted only to each other + sweet romance + marriage first, love later + mutual devotion] That day in the peach grove, it wasn’t the wind that stirred, but the heart… Song Zhaoyue was born into the body of an unfavored concubine-born daughter of a marquis’s household. Her stepmother forced her to marry a playboy who drank, gambled, and visited brothels, so she turned around and entered the palace selection instead! Who could have guessed she would be granted in marriage to Prince Yan, 35.4kReads9.1Score4.4kShelves

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    Absolutely incredibly intelligent, the male lead is smarter than anyone else 😳

14. 14 死 The Dead Concubine Becomes the Duke’s Mansion’s Cousin Miss 死去的外室她成了国公府的表小姐 Heavy Snow in May五月下大雪Ancient Romance1.6M WordsOngoing Original title: Passing as a Noblewoman [Historical ensemble cast] [Power struggles] [Not reborn] [Plot-driven] [Romance] [Male lead is sexually inexperienced] [Ensemble cast, multiple protagonists, multiple perspectives] [Pei Yuehuan and Chen Man are both heroines. The protagonist field cannot be changed after the contract is signed, so it lists the main pairing of this story.] The imperial capital holds many secrets, and much resentment. There are merchants falsely accused and thrown into pris 42.4kReads9.4Score4.6kShelves

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    A stunning and decisive ancient Chinese romance novel about political intrigue.

15. 15 逢 The Lantern-Bearing Chronicles 逢灯纪 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance982k WordsCompleted (Signed for publication, with screen adaptation rights sold) You're the daughter of a marquis. You want to take your mother's dowry and remains with you? Done. I'll take the dowry and remains, and bring you your mother's divorce papers as well as your own severance papers cutting ties with your family. You were declared dead and became an invisible person behind your brothers. You want to live like a normal person again? Done. I'll restore your name and identity, and make sure you receive the en 87kReads9.3Score12.7kShelves

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    These are all beautiful, go watch them!

16. 16 不 The Undying Starveling 不死饿殍 Yu Jinhe余瑾和Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsOngoing Tomato Original: They all call me Shen Qianqiu, or the Undying Wretch. I survived the meat hooks used to butcher people for food, weathered the storms of the Tang and Song dynasties, and witnessed the flames of war under the Yuan and Ming... I have walked this mortal world for a thousand years. “They ate me for a thousand years. At last, they ate me into a god.” 3.2kReads—Score235Shelves

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    Crisis, fantasy, and a countdown all rolled into one. I only intended to read one chapter, but ended up following the yellow paper at the alley entrance all the way until nightfall. The plot twists are incredibly well-written.

17. 17 嫁 Marrying the Imperial Tutor 嫁帝师 Changshanli长山里Ancient Romance560k WordsCompleted [When a Scheming Black-Bellied Type Meets a Sweet-on-the-Outside, Dark-on-the-Inside Type + Love and Hate + Soul Swap + Revenge, Traditional Historical Romance in an Imaginary Setting] Jiang Wanzhi first met Song Qingshi when she was fourteen. At sixteen, she became Mrs. Song. Everyone said she was lucky: a merchant’s daughter had married a top-scoring scholar. That is, until she died under mysterious circumstances on the very night Song Qingshi asked her for a divorce. When she awoke again, she 27.8kReads9.3Score4.3kShelves
18. 18 重 After Being Reborn in the Bed of a Ruthless Power Minister 重生在疯批权臣榻上后 Pre-Qingming Rain明前雨Ancient Romance395k WordsCompleted [Forced Pursuit] [Mutual Firsts] [The Relentless Pursuit of His Wife] Jiang Yili’s previous life ended in a rather shabby fashion. After dying, she spent four years as a ghost. When she opened her eyes again, she had been reborn in Xie Jinchen’s bed. He was destined to rebel. The daughter of a treacherous minister, she tried every scheme she could to stay alive, only to end up in Xie Jinchen’s hands. By day, he was aloof as an immortal, the most unattainable prize in the capital. By night, desir 27.3kReads8.8Score3.4kShelves
19. 19 太 Lord Tutor, Stop Pretending. Everyone Knows You’re Head Over Heels 太傅大人别装了，都知道你爱惨了 Wuyou Li乌有理Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted [Reborn] [One-on-one romance, devoted couple, happy ending] Original title: The Zither and Flute Went Astray [Devoted, restrained aloof beauty of a powerful minister ✖️ resilient, brave heiress known as the Phoenix] The Zhu family has lost all its sons, but still has more money than it could ever spend. Their prominence makes them a target, and with no allies to turn to, the entire family was executed by the crown prince in her previous life. Reborn, Zhu Zheng agrees to her grandmother's 6.7kReads9.1Score700Shelves
20. 20 念 Spring Tide of Longing 念念春潮 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance754k WordsCompleted [Print edition under contract] [Sweet romance and comeuppance, a seemingly gentle but calculating male lead, a fierce and adorable heroine, and intense push-and-pull between the leads] The Marquis of Wuning's daughter is to be married, but the bride hangs herself. The groom is Prince Danshuo, a handsome man who enjoys the emperor's deep trust, and the emperor himself personally arranged the marriage. In their panic, the marquis's household can only find someone to take the bride's place. Cheng 74.1kReads9.4Score10.8kShelves
21. 21 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

    I absolutely love reading historical romance novels!

22. 22 小 Little Temptress, You Can't Escape! The Tyrant Is Obsessed with Me 小妖精逃不掉！暴君对我痴缠入骨 Round Little Egg圆滚滚蛋Ancient Romance333k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Shen Suisui was an innocent, naive little fox. After the tyrant Xiao Chen brought her back to the palace, he would go mad if anyone so much as looked at her for a moment too long. When she came back to life, she found herself back at the time she first met Xiao Chen! She failed to escape and was brought back to the palace again. To break free from Xiao Chen’s control, Shen Suisui could only save herself by acting cute and sweet-talking him from time to time. “Xiao Chen, I l 15.3kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves
23. 23 公 The Princess Is Stunning and Clear-Headed, but the King Pursues Her Day and Night 公主绝美清醒，大王日夜纠缠 Yao Yang遥飏Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted Neither the hero nor the heroine is a good person. Marriage first, love later; she tempts him; both are chaste; size difference; the hero is a hopeless romantic; romantic tension early on; a powerful heroine and political intrigue in the middle and later parts. More serious than a mindless feel-good story. Purely fictional ancient setting. Please don’t overanalyze. Liu Chuying is the ninth princess of Beixiang. While the other princesses study the Four Books and Five Classics, her mother teache 2kReads8.9Score198Shelves
24. 24 先 Marriage Before Love: The Young Wolf King’s Daily Devotion to His Wife 先婚后爱：年下小狼王的宠妻日常 Freeze-Dried Lychee荔枝冻干Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted [Younger man + sweet romance + devoted one-on-one couple + lighthearted] [Younger male lead: passionate, straightforward, and an affectionate puppy; heroine: outspoken, not coy, attracted to his physique, and easily embarrassed] Lang Fei, the dashing King of the Northwest, falls in love at first sight with Shen Qingtang, the most beautiful woman in the Chen Dynasty. The second time he sees her, he falls even harder, and can't wait to marry her. With no other choice and little say in the matter, 204Reads9.0Score—Shelves
25. 25 惹 Tempting Beauty 惹姝色 Yi Yuchen奕语晨Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [1v1: Sweet, gentle, kind little princess × scheming, patient male consort and hostage prince] [Lighthearted and sugary sweet + romantic tension + everyone’s favorite] Xia Liqian was a miserable college student. Then, one day, she transmigrated into a book. She had become a debauched, tyrannical little princess, with countless male consorts in her residence. Her favorite was the hostage prince she had just asked her father for the day before. Now he was kneeling before her bed, watching her with 2.6kReads9.0Score387Shelves
26. 26 姜 Jiang Yugu 姜域顾 Ningning Zi柠柠梓Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + devoted and sweet love + a gentle, proactive little princess + doting affection + mutual devotion] Jiang Sui, the seventh imperial princess of the Great Qi Dynasty, was born into a life of luxury and privilege. Bright and lively, she was simple and guileless, never hiding what was on her mind. When she was twelve, she fell in love at first sight with a young man and secretly gave him her heart. From then on, someone lived in her heart, and she kept a little secret all 6.9kReads9.2Score772Shelves
27. 27 伴 Beside the Bright Moon 伴明月 Spicy Fish Fillets香辣鱼片Ancient Romance207k WordsCompleted [Pure and innocent little princess x cold-faced, devoted bodyguard] [One-on-one sweet romance x mutual healing x two hearts finding their way to each other] Princess Lin Qingsui of Huai'an had a mother who was the most majestic empress in the realm, and an older brother who was heir to the throne of the Great Jing dynasty and its future emperor. She was a princess of Great Jing, born to a life of unparalleled privilege. When the little princess turned fifteen, a bodyguard joined her side. The yo 2.1kReads8.9Score398Shelves
28. 28 公 The Beautiful, Arrogant Princess and Her Sly, Flirtatious Consort 公主美又骄，钓系驸马茶艺高 Fragrant Wood Terrace木香台Ancient Romance353k WordsCompleted [Flirting with each other + Sweet romance, both are virgins + Taking down scumbags] [Arrogant princess + Scheming, sickly, beautiful prince consort] Yun Chaorong’s transmigration into a book went wrong, and she became the heroine of a tragic romance. She learned she was destined to be disfigured and humiliated, lose her entire family, then be imprisoned and tortured to death by the male lead, Xie Nanzhu. What the hell! Yun Chaorong wasn’t having it. She kicked the original male lead and the supp 12kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves
29. 29 娇 The Proud, Cool, and Beautiful Princess Remarries a Madcap Bandit King 娇贵冷艳长公主二嫁疯痞土匪王 Hydrogen Peroxide Ya双氧水吖Ancient Romance302k WordsCompleted [Two powerful, chaste leads, sickeningly sweet daily life, a fiery woman pursuing her man, mutual devotion, skilled players facing off, and irresistible tension] [More daily life than fighting, more men competing for the heroine than women competing for the hero, more political intrigue than palace scheming] She is the most honored princess in the imperial family. He is the unruliest Northern River Prince, with an army powerful enough to rival an entire nation. They marry to secure peace between 1.5kReads8.2Score124Shelves
30. 30 帐 Beauty in the Bedchamber: The Tyrannical Eunuch Is Crazed and Dotes on Me 帐中娇：暴戾九千岁又疯又宠 Grilled Fish Tonight今晚吃烤鱼Ancient Romance531k WordsCompleted The comic adaptation is now available! (Also known as The Mad, Brutal Eunuch Turned Around and Gently Coaxed Me) [Abusing scumbags + reborn + happy ending + both leads untouched + a vicious, cold-blooded Chief Eunuch who is ruthless to everyone else but a broken, devoted puppy to her vs. a clear-eyed heroine who has been reborn and learned from her mistakes. This novel is entirely fictional.] Pei Min, Chief Eunuch of the Eastern Depot, wielded absolute power and was bloodthirsty and brutal. The 91.8kReads9.3Score7.1kShelves
31. 31 女 Matriarchy: The Phoenix's Arrival Before the Four Lords 女尊：凤临四君 Ning Qingxuan, Who Likes Geng Sai Niu喜欢更赛牛的宁清璇Ancient Romance433k WordsCompleted Heroine: Xiao Zhiyue, beautiful, powerful, and tragic to the core The seventh princess of the Fenglin Dynasty. Her birth father died young, and her imperial mother despises her. She spent eighteen years in the Cold Palace with a face said to be a calamity to men. Everyone in the capital knows she's breathtakingly beautiful, yet so powerless that anyone can bully her. [Four Princes Consort Candidates Who Keep Trying to Outdo Each Other] 1. Shen Qingmo, the aloof Chief Councilor. Outwardly: "I obe 1.3kReads—Score116Shelves

    Reader note

    Political intrigue and a female-dominated society—it's really well-written! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

32. 32 被 After Being Banished to the Cold Palace, I Cling to the Imperial Preceptor 被打入冷宫后我赖上了国师 Gentle Scholar温柔文人Ancient Romance490k WordsOngoing [Transmigrate into a book + Subverting tropes + Light political intrigue + Devoted to each other + Not a wish-fulfillment story] Jiang Dai was just a busy modern office worker. She clicked on a political intrigue novel to investigate a case, but before she could finish reading it, she opened her eyes one day and found herself as an abandoned consort in the Cold Palace who wouldn't survive three chapters... No, not even one. Where was the essential System for someone who'd transmigrated into a bo 130.4kReads9.5Score20.2kShelves

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    It must be this one!!! Oh my god!!! I haven't encountered anything this good in ages! The political intrigue and scene descriptions are absolutely superb.

33. 33 太 With the Crown Prince’s Backing, the Duke’s Reborn Legitimate Daughter Goes on a Rampage 太子撑腰，重生后公府嫡女杀疯了 Huang Chengcheng黄澄澄吖Ancient Romance314k WordsCompleted (A satisfying household-intrigue story + face-slapping and taking down scumbags + no forgiveness + no suffering in silence) Lu Xi brought a million taels in dowry when she married Prince An, and helped him become Prince An of Qin. She went to his fief to recuperate for two years. When she returned to the capital, her adopted younger sister had taken her place. Lu Xi's husband and mother-in-law relied on her adopted sister. Even Lu Xi's grandmother and father favored her. They locked Lu Xi aw 2.9kReads8.1Score322Shelves

    Reader note

    Ancient Chinese style, completed, the female protagonist is resourceful and strategic, not frustrating, well-written.

34. 34 穿 I Transmigrated to the Great Ming: Commanding Troops from a Humble Background, I Shape the Realm with Schemes 穿越大明：寒门掌兵，权谋定江山 Dark Sect Who Loves Seafood Shrimp Porridge爱吃海鲜虾粥的暗宗Historical819k WordsOngoing A modern history and military enthusiast unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of a poor family’s son, whose father is a disgraced official in the final years of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. His family has fallen into ruin, he is bullied, powerful local clans surround him, bandits lay siege to the city, and the officials abandon it and flee. The people within are on the brink of disaster. In this desperate moment, he is called upon to take command of the troops. Though the son of a co 133Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is an absolutely fantastic book! Anyone who loves political intrigue will absolutely adore it after reading this.

35. 35 凤 The Phoenix Returns: A Conspiracy 凤归谋 Tao Zhijiuying桃栀久耀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted [Historical fantasy with a powerful heroine, political intrigue, and satisfying revenge] [No transmigration + no rebirth + no System] Peach blossoms bloom in their splendor, their fiery beauty never fading. The phoenix returns to its home, then takes to the skies once more. Feng Xihe said: From childhood, I studied military texts and histories and trained in horsemanship, archery, and the art of war. Of the four arts, I devoted myself only to calligraphy, because Father said an emperor’s handwr 1.2kReads9.1Score128Shelves

    Reader note

    Absolutely exquisite ancient Chinese romance novels featuring powerful female protagonists with high intelligence; each female character possesses her own unique charm.

36. 36 少 Cut the Crap! I’m Begging You, Take Off Your Armor and Kiss Me! 少废话，我求你脱了战袍亲亲我！ Hu Yan.胡言.Two Male Leads1.1M WordsCompleted Completed, and absolutely fantastic! [Flirtatious, brazen beauty top vs. sharp-tongued, honest-hearted cool-guy bottom; childhood rivals who hated each other, then fell in love while fighting] [Two male leads + two strong leads + intense chemistry and push-pull + mutual coercion + both are pure + happy ending] Ji Qinghuan had been born into another world and lived there for nineteen years, always appearing to outsiders as a gentle, refined young master. A heaven-blessed prodigy with impeccable c 10kReads9.3Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is pretty good; I stayed up several nights in a row to finish it. Both main characters are quite intelligent. There's a bit of angst in the middle. Overall, it's okay and not mindless.

37. 37 缠 Entangled in His Charm 缠娇 Xiao Yimian小亦绵Ancient Romance505k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + coercive possession + strong male lead, weak female lead + unhinged hero + groveling pursuit + sweet and angsty + devoted to each other] Content warnings: The male lead is strong and the female lead is weak. This is not a strong-female-lead story! If you like strong heroines, turn back now! The male lead is extremely twisted. If you need your characters to have sound values, turn back now! The male lead is an unhinged man with a split personality. When he's in a good m 559Reads8.8Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    In this historical romance novel about political intrigue, the protagonist is a shrewd strategist, moving with effortless grace and as astute as a cat, always managing to avert danger with his extraordinary wisdom at crucial moments. Each of his plans is like a meticulously crafted game of chess, relentlessly pressing forward, until she, like a falling leaf, is utterly defeated by his schemes.

38. 38 想 I Just Want to Lie Flat, but the Emperor Pushes Me into the Harem Battles 想躺平，皇上却push我宫斗 Wooden Raisin木提子Ancient Romance328k WordsCompleted [An unconventional palace-intrigue story + 1v1 later on + a love-triangle free-for-all] The emperor falls first, then turns dark later [A beautiful, easygoing sloth consort who just wants to lie flat x a hard-working emperor who is secretly scheming and potentially unhinged] “Me, Just Looking for a Basic Salary and Slacking Off, Got Promoted Thanks to the Emperor’s Help” / “The Emperor Fights Palace Battles for Me Behind My Back” / “Consort Yao Doesn’t Want His Favor or Love, She Just Wants to R 8.9kReads9.3Score766Shelves
39. 39 水 Water Margin: The World’s in Chaos, So What? 水浒：天下大乱关我屁事 Words Can Heal文字能治病Historical182k WordsOngoing I transmigrated into the world of Water Margin by accident. Before me was a world overrun with heroes, and behind me lay chaos where the people could barely survive. Murder and arson were everyday occurrences, while mountain spirits and monsters appeared and vanished without warning. The System said: Get fifty people to come eat at the tavern, and you’ll receive a pocket dimension. I looked at the counter showing 0/50, then at the three hunters fleeing through the woods in the distance. They’d m 497Reads—Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    A different, vast world is... Wild.

40. 40 惨 The Cruel Abuse of the Fallen Kingdom's Grand Princess, the Ruthless Sovereign Cuts Out His Heart to Win Her Back 惨虐亡国长公主，狠戾君上剖心追 Xiao Xiao Is Just Xiao Xiao萧萧就是萧萧Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted The official ending is a happy ending! The bonus chapters fulfill some readers' requests. In the first, the second male lead gets the girl; in the second, it's a happy ending! [The male lead is an utterly deranged, obsessive yandere in the early chapters! If you're a heroine-only fan and can't accept that, don't read it!!!] [Steadfast, headstrong exiled princess + ruthless, deranged new emperor] [Angst + forcible possession + forced love + imprisonment of body and heart + alternate historical se 8kReads8.2Score473Shelves
41. 41 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

    A political intrigue novel featuring a brilliant but cunning woman destined for disaster? The three-year-old "deceased" youngest daughter of the Shi family rises from the ashes! On the night the Loyal and Brave Marquis's mansion is overthrown, she smiles from her window, navigating the turbulent world with the name of a jinx. This precocious and enigmatic girl will use her unparalleled wisdom to make the entire dynasty pay the price for rumors!

42. 42 寒 Spring Comes Across the Cold Branches 寒枝渡春来 Tu Wan兔宛Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Max-level alchemy grandmaster enters the beginner village + slice of life + family bonds + a touch of ensemble cast] (There is a male lead: Shen Zhuochuan) What should you do when you transmigrate into the body of the frail, doomed-to-die-early older sister of a heroine? Everyone knows that protagonists like Long Aotian and Feng Aotian tend to have tragic backstories. Their families are wiped out, or their parents die. After reading the original story and learning that she was destined to di 67.9kReads9.4Score11kShelves
43. 43 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
44. 44 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
45. 45 宫 The Willow by the Palace Wall 宫墙柳 Dream Doll梦娃Ancient Romance166k WordsCompleted Why must the imperial consorts compete for the emperor’s favor? A smash-hit, heart-wrenching historical romance that burst onto the scene in 2019! Recommended by countless tearful readers, this unconventional palace-intrigue novel will stay with you long after you finish. In the lightest of styles, it captures everyone’s deepest regrets. In May of the year I turned fourteen, with the pagoda trees in fragrant bloom, I sat in Yong’an Palace, propping up my head as I dozed. The man’s laughter held 48.6kReads9.7Score7.1kShelves
46. 46 枕 Poison Between the Sheets, Hidden Tides Rising 枕间鸩，暗潮生 Zero Six One零六壹Ancient Romance143k WordsOngoing The courtesan Wan Niang of Qunyu Terrace doesn't sell nights of passion. She sells lives. The most powerful men in the capital kneel beneath Xie Wan's skirts, while she holds the darkest secrets of the entire imperial court in her hands. The world envies the passion she shares at her bedside, and men vie to become her favored guests. Only Prince Duan, Pei Chengyuan, comes to her door seeking the life of the crown prince. "Your Highness drove the former crown prince mad, exiled the fourth prince, 113Reads—Score127Shelves

    Reader note

    Xi Kang, the female lead of the villainous courtesan, is the head of the capital's underground network. She teams up with the villainous prince to kill the crown prince. The entire cast is evil, and the villains are highly intelligent; every word is calculated. 👍

47. 47 乱 A Lone Woman in Troubled Times, Plotting an Age of Prosperity 乱世孤女，谋千古盛世 Lingering Fragrance and Faded Powder旧香残粉Ancient Romance2.2M WordsOngoing [Strong Female Lead + No CP + Empress + Ensemble Cast + Political Scheming + War + Power Struggles in a Chaotic Era + Nation-Building and Farming + No Spatial Storage or System + Slow-Burn Growth + Epic Length] Yun Huaijin suddenly became a "corpse" in a world torn apart by chaos. She crawled out of a pile of bodies, with only a child on the verge of starving to death beside her. In this world, nobles lived in drunken indulgence, powerful clans monopolized knowledge, bandits slaughtered withou 24.2kReads8.9Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this one. "No Meal Replacements" is a great read; it's very well-written with delicate prose.

48. 48 小 The Little Lucky Carp Comes to a Famine Year and Feeds Her Whole Family in Style 小锦鲤穿到灾年，带全家吃香喝辣 Lamb Who Loves Spicy Food爱吃辣的小羊羔Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Adorable Kids + Food + Getting Rich + Imperial Examinations + Infrastructure + Ensemble Cast] The Jiang family has given birth to a little calamity who is both foolish and mute! After she was born, her father failed every imperial examination, her eldest brother was criticized by his tutor every day, her second brother was called an idiot by the villagers every day, her third brother’s health grew worse and worse, and the family grew poorer year after year. Anyone in the village who went near h 2.5kReads8.4Score377Shelves

    Reader note

    There will be some political intrigue later on, but it's very good; I recommend giving it a try.

49. 49 摆 The Lazy Princess: Fight for the Throne? Don't Make Me Laugh! I Can't Even Get Up 摆烂公主：夺嫡？别闹！我起不来 Easygoing Bro不易老哥Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Good news] She transmigrated into the sixth princess in an empire ruled by an empress. [Bad news] From the start, she drugged the chancellor's legitimate son, and now he's writhing on the bed, hey! [The Princess's Inner Thoughts] Fight for the throne? Don't even start! No way, not in this lifetime. Get up at three in the morning, attend court at five, and work all year without a break? Sorry, I can't get out of bed. 13.7kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves
50. 50 弑 After Killing the Emperor, My Archenemy and I Are Bound Together for Good 弑君后，我和死对头锁死了 Two Times Four Means Prosperity二四得发Ancient Romance438k WordsCompleted [Mutual Purity] [Uncle and Sister-in-Law] [Emotional Push and Pull] [Mind Games and Steamy Romance] [Bickering Couple] [Two Strong Leads] [Happy Ending] The comic is now available. Search Tomato Novel for "After Killing the Emperor, My Archenemy and I Were Bound Together" to read it. -- Empress Su Li had a dream. In it, Emperor Jingchang took her on a trip south of the Yangtze, then poisoned her at an inn and made it look like suicide. After her death, Emperor Jingchang also schemed to have her 20.6kReads9.2Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    A battle of wits, truly captivating. The female lead is the Empress, whom the Emperor plots to kill. The story begins with the Empress turning the tables and killing the Emperor. The male lead is the Emperor's twin brother. Initially, the Empress intends to frame the male lead for assassinating the Emperor, but later chooses to have him impersonate the Emperor. The male lead believes the Empress holds a secret about his past, so he engages in a power struggle with her. Later, feelings develop between them. The Emperor's corpse is discovered, and the male lead is framed. He then implicates the Fifth Prince, and the male and female leads conspire to fake their deaths, leading to the introduction of the main antagonist. It's incredibly exciting, and the ministers will be thoroughly entertained.

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