Palace and Household Intrigue, Rising from Concubine to the Top, No Mutual Purity, and Smart Characters 宫斗，宅斗从妾往上升的，不要双洁有智商

1. 1 我 I’m Sweet and Well-Behaved, So Why Am I the Harem’s Only Favorite? 我又乖又美，独宠后宫怎么了？ Yi Jiu Lu宜久录Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Sweet Romance + Harem + No Angst] A lively, stunning beauty + a devastatingly handsome, love-struck good emperor. (He’s love-struck but knows right from wrong) (No cutthroat palace intrigue) (Not a devoted couple) (Fast-paced) (Heroine’s halo) Ji Wanqing transmigrates into the harem of the Emperor of Yan and becomes a low-ranking concubine. The moment she arrives, the arrogant Consort slaps her. The Consort is bad enough, and the Empress is no better, using her to stoke the Consort’s anger. Wit 4.2kReads9.2Score446Shelves

   Reader note

   These three are great reads, no angst, and the female leads rise step by step. The first two books feature calm and clear-headed heroines, while the third book has a weaker heroine. I highly recommend the first book; it's my favorite.

2. 2 通 A Secret Concubine’s Good News Brings Blessings to the General’s Mansion 通房有喜，福满将军府 Fishing Around Again Today今天也摸鱼Ancient Romance550k WordsCompleted [Both virgins + one-on-one romance + sweet pampering + lots of children + not a strong female lead + happy ending. Friendly reminder: think carefully before having children; this novel is just for entertainment.] Bei Ci transmigrates. She becomes a little street urchin who nearly starves to death. Luckily, the kind-hearted old madam of the general’s manor buys her for two taels of silver, sparing her the fate of dying the moment she transmigrates. As time passes, she sees through the cruel truth 7kReads9.0Score704Shelves
3. 3 东 The Eastern Palace’s Hidden Darling 东宫藏娇 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance222k WordsCompleted [Sweet, imaginative historical romance + Pursuing his wife through live comments + A forced romance that turns mutual + A beautiful airhead + A sinister crown prince + The real and fake heiress] To earn money for her seriously ill mother and her injured brother, desperate Pei Jiaojiao sold herself into slavery at the Eastern Palace. Her pretty face and timid, trouble-avoiding nature earned her a place serving in the Crown Prince's study, assigned by the steward. Her daily chores were simple: gri 4.7kReads9.1Score355Shelves
4. 4 攀 Ascending to the Dragon's Heights 攀龍 Kaji Yellow Peach咔叽黄桃Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted A flirtatious widow with a child ✖️ a reserved warlord who becomes the founding emperor [Complete] Lou Mizhi was born a woman who never learned to accept her lot in life. If she wanted something, she took it by her own merit, even if she had to snatch it away. Her first husband was short-lived and ill-fated, and his family wanted to burn her and her child to ashes? Bah! As if I’d let you! She hid her savings and took her child away from her late husband’s family. With no one to protect them in t 40.8kReads9.4Score5.8kShelves

   Reader note

   These are all

5. 5 改 Remarrying the Crown Prince’s Father Reborn 改嫁太子他爹【重生】 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance738k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + palace intrigue + marrying the crown prince's father] The incompetent crown prince feared the Shen family's power. He listened to slander, falsely accused her elder brother of treason, and slaughtered her entire family. When she opened her eyes again, she was seventeen, in the year before she was to marry the crown prince. To save the Shen family, she had to bring the crown prince down. But the crown prince was protected on every side, like a man locked inside an iron cage. Shen Hanyu 20.2kReads8.7Score3.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The first and last books are the best; both the female and male leads are incredibly strong [cool]. Especially in the first book, the female lead remarries with a child, rising from concubine to founding empress; her methods and strategies are on par with the male lead [note].

6. 6 奉 After I Was Ordered to Protect His Beloved, She Rose to the Top 奉命保护白月光后，她一路高升 Watch the South, Ask the Boat观南问舟Ancient Romance408k WordsCompleted (Nobody’s reading this, so the rating is low) [Beautiful, Clever Young Concubine VS Emperor Who Falls for Her at First Sight] [Palace Intrigue + Starts at the Bottom and Climbs Up + Emperor Slowly Falls for Her] The first time Shu Juexia sees the emperor after entering the palace, she makes a deal with him. Yu Zhaoheng gives her power and status, and she protects his beloved from the rest of the harem. It’s a perfectly fair bargain. She knows exactly what she wants and is happy to fight her way 1.3kReads8.2Score173Shelves
7. 7 娘 The Empress Is So Sweet and Charming, Who Still Cares About a Lost Love? 娘娘又娇又媚，谁还稀罕白月光 Half a Month and the Fifteenth月半和十五Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted [Villainess Transmigrates into a Book + Top-Grade White Lotus + Winning Hearts and Minds + Not Both Leads' First Love] [The heroine looks like a pure, sweet little bunny, but she's actually a scheming temptress who knows how to play her cards.] When Xu Zhuohua is named crown princess, Crown Prince Qi Hecang and his secondary consort Lu Wanning are at the height of their love. As the hero of a male-oriented novel, Qi Hecang only cares about building his career, and his heart belongs solely to Lu 13.3kReads8.2Score1.2kShelves
8. 8 入 I Entered the Palace to Help My Sister Keep the Emperor’s Favor, but Became His Cherished Favorite 入宫替嫡姐固宠，却成皇上掌心宠 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted In her previous life, she entered the palace and devoted herself to helping her legitimate elder sister keep the emperor’s favor. In the end, she died without a body to bury, abandoned by her family. Returning to the year of the imperial selection, Luo Shuran calculates her every move. Her breathtaking beauty is her only weapon. She sheds her youthful timidity and blossoms into a woman of captivating charm. One fleeting glimpse, like a fairy fallen from the heavens, catches the emperor’s eye. 6.1kReads9.3Score843Shelves

   Reader note

   The first woman rises from a lowly maid to a favored concubine, enjoying the emperor's exclusive affection; she is both brave and resourceful. The second is a transmigrated heroine, skilled in both wit and courage. The third, a double-award-winning actress, finds entering the harem a breeze, effortlessly focusing on her career as if she were still in a drama. The fourth, in her past life, earned favor for her sister but suffered a gruesome death and was abandoned by her family; in this life, she is free from romantic entanglements, shining brightly in the harem and winning the emperor's favor.

9. 9 娘 The Consort Is All Charm and Cunning, Scheming Her Way to the Top 娘娘又茶又媚，一路宫斗上位 Tea Little Ink茶小墨Ancient Romance835k WordsCompleted Signed for print publication In the third year of the Yifeng era, a concubine-born daughter of the Ningyang Marquis’s household enters the palace. The palace is a vast, treacherous place, where the one thing you must never do is give your heart away. Ning Shuyan is clear-eyed: she wants wealth and prestige, along with the emperor’s favor. For three years, she carefully plots each step, wins the emperor’s attention, and rises from Talented Lady to Noble Consort. Rumor has it that the emperor only 57.5kReads9.5Score7.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book's female lead's brother's love story ended badly, which was really heartbreaking. The second book is incredibly good, so everyone should definitely check it out!

10. 10 在 100 Techniques to Conquer the Emperor in the Harem 在后宫征服皇帝的一百个技巧 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ever since entering the palace, Yun Li has become a shameless schemer. Two-faced and insincere, she puts on an act every day. When dealing with the emperor’s favorite consort, she tears into her until she’s furious, then clutches her chest with a wounded look and says, “I’m so envious that His Majesty dotes on you.” When someone tries to frame her, she casually slaps them, then bursts into tears. “Why would you treat a kind person like me this way?” When speaking with the empress, she nods absen 12.1kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book, "The Favored Concubine," started off with the female lead consistently showing favoritism. The female lead was intelligent, and the plot was never boring. The male lead's roguish charm was very satisfying. The next two books were about characters gradually gaining favor; I don't remember the specifics, but they were both quite good.

11. 11 千 The Wealthy Heiress's Concubine 千金妾室 Moruo Fu Loves Tangerine Jam爱吃桔酱的莫若父Ancient Romance152k WordsOngoing Main Story: Household Intrigue Ever since she was little, she had refused to accept it. Why shouldn't her business acumen be as good as her older brother's and younger brother's? Why couldn't she become a proper merchant? Then she saw the wealthy young ladies who were usually friendly with her. They would buy things from her family, then laugh behind her back about how she and her family reeked of money. Fine. Su Jingrou would give up business. If merchants supposedly reeked of money, then she w 1.3kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A newly published book.

12. 12 从 From Palace Maid to Imperial Consort: Her Majesty Is on a Killing Spree 从宫女到贵妃，娘娘她杀疯了 Yu Yidao俞一刀Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted It’s bad enough that she’s transmigrated into a palace laundry maid. Who knew a eunuch would take a fancy to her, too? Jiang Zhiyi decides that lying low in the palace is out of the question. She’ll just have to climb the ladder to success. When a eunuch lusts after her, she sends him to his grave. When the concubines vie for favor, she’ll stop at nothing. Jiang Zhiyi knows the imperial harem is a cutthroat workplace where only the capable survive. The palace is full of deceit and intrigue, 6kReads8.8Score624Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all palace intrigue stories; ①②④ are about rising through the ranks, while ③ starts from when the female lead develops feelings for the emperor.

13. 13 王 A Concubine’s Daily Struggle to Stay Alive in the Prince’s Manor 王府侍妾的苟命日常 Panda Little Moneybags熊猫小财迷Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Intense Household Intrigue + A Touch of Ensemble Cast + Plot-Driven + Everyone Has Eight Hundred Schemes] After transmigrating into the body of a concubine in the Prince of Jing's residence, Xie Run only wants to live in peace and, ideally, reach a hundred years old. At first, everything in the prince's residence is orderly. The prince shares his favor equally, the princess consort's position is secure, and the secondary consorts and concubines know their place. Who could have guessed that ever 22.6kReads9.1Score2.2kShelves
14. 14 昭 Lady Zhaoyi Grows Arrogant on the Emperor's Favor 昭仪娘娘她恃宠生骄 Bada Beauty叭哒虞美人儿Ancient Romance400k WordsOngoing By imperial decree, Yu Qingyao, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an’s household, was given to Prince Jing as his wife. Her rank was a little low, but that was fine. Once she won Prince Jing over, her status would rise soon enough! Qingyao sharpened her knives and got ready to go all in on Prince Jing. The following year, the late emperor passed away, and Prince Jing ascended the throne. He made Qingyao a Zhaoyi and granted her the main hall of Guanju Palace as her residence. In Dec 279Reads6.6Score—Shelves
15. 15 野 Ambitious and Ruthless, the Consort Runs Wild in the Harem 野心勃勃，娘娘在后宫杀疯了 Qi An A七安啊Ancient Romance841k WordsCompleted The rating has just been posted and will gradually rise. Jiang Qingci, the legitimate daughter of a Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, accidentally enters the palace and becomes one of the emperor's consorts. Since she has no choice but to stay in the palace, Jiang Qingci sets her sights on one clear goal: never fall in love, climb to the top, and become untouchable. Song Jingyao is drawn to Jiang Qingci's beauty at first sight, then finds her fascinating. By the time he realizes wh 964Reads7.2Score101Shelves
16. 16 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 35.5kReads8.9Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    This isn't a palace intrigue story in the strictest sense, but the male lead is reborn and the female lead is a time traveler. In their first life, the male lead and the female lead fought side-by-side until the emperor's rise to power. Later, due to many scandals in the harem, the male lead died first, and his soul followed the female lead. Because she refused to be buried with him, he broke down and was reborn, determined to have her buried with him. Both sides are evenly matched, and both are quite intelligent.

17. 17 谁 What Kind of Concubine Bears Four Sons and a Daughter, Then Becomes a Noble Consort? 谁家通房生四儿一女，还当贵妃啊 Autumn Is Long秋很长Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Both leads are devoted only to each other + One-on-one romance + Many children + Sweet romance + Inner- and imperial-palace intrigue] In the fortieth year of the Xihe era, Lüqing became a concubine-in-waiting to Prince Jin. She knew full well that she had to earn Prince Jin's favor and give birth to a child as soon as possible if she wanted to secure her place in the prince's household. For eight years, she contended with the other women in the inner court, using every means at her disposal to 26.4kReads9.1Score2.5kShelves
18. 18 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 115kReads9.5Score11kShelves
19. 19 人 Life Is a Play, and the Empress Is All About Her Acting Skills 人生如戏，娘娘她纯拼演技 Hot Hot烫烫Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + witty banter + sweet, delicate beauty + calculated mind games] The leads are not each other’s only partners. If that bothers you, don’t read. Be prepared for suspicion in the early chapters, followed by affection later. The pacing is slow, so proceed with caution if you prefer fast-paced wish-fulfillment stories. As a double award-winning actress and a seasoned star of palace intrigue dramas, how could Shi Yan possibly lose her nerve after transmigrating into the imperial hare 4.9kReads9.3Score505Shelves
20. 20 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 93.3kReads9.5Score10.5kShelves

    Reader note

    From supporting female character to leading lady, from concubine to princess, and finally to empress. The entire story is witty and humorous, full of intelligence, intricate plots, and schemes within schemes. Absolutely brilliant!

21. 21 良 The Favored Concubine 良妾 Mi Qiusuo米秋瑣Ancient Romance858k WordsCompleted Better to be a highborn man’s concubine than a poor man’s wife. When Zhou Nianxiang came of age to marry, her own mother sent her into the Duke’s estate to become a concubine. Since she couldn’t fight it, she would accept reality. If she had to be a concubine, she would be one everyone envied! There was the principal wife, childless after four years of marriage; the tyrannical old madam’s spoiled grandniece; and the concubine who was to be used as a surrogate. Zhou Nianxiang gave a cold laugh. A 4.2kReads8.2Score443Shelves

    Reader note

    🌸🌸🌸Palace intrigue and domestic power struggles + Being a concubine + Being smart: Better to be a concubine from a high-class family than a wife from a poor family

22. 22 宫 Palace Intrigue Begins with a Sacrificial Burial 宫斗从殉葬开始 A Journey Through Mountains and Rivers用山水一程Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Ji Heng had only stayed up late to work overtime for a while. When she woke up, she discovered that she had transmigrated. She couldn't help but sigh. People really shouldn't do things that go against their conscience. Well, look at that, she'd gotten her comeuppance right away. But Ji Heng, an orphan since childhood, insists she's an indestructible dandelion, able to take root wherever the wind carries her. So, Your Majesty, would you mind dying first? 336Reads6.6Score—Shelves
23. 23 父 A Son Brings Honor! The Reborn Tyrant Dotes on His Villainous Concubine 父凭子贵！暴君重生娇宠反派姨娘 Snow and Wind Keep Us Apart风雪不相依Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Complete story + her son brings her status + male lead is a reborn hopeless romantic + obsessive and controlling + sweet romance + not a strong female lead, nor a good person + wins without lifting a finger + timid, but good at pushing her luck with the male lead] (The male lead isn't chaste, but he dotes on her alone from the very beginning.) (The male lead is extremely biased and holds her to a different standard. He thinks she can do no wrong.) Overnight, Song Yao goes from a lowly maid boug 42.2kReads8.5Score3.8kShelves
24. 24 皇 A Concubine’s Carefree Days 皇妾咸鱼日常 Zhi Tang知棠Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + alternate setting + lazy, carefree heroine + lighthearted daily life] Overworked office drone Zhuang Yunlan dies suddenly and transmigrates into the body of a young lady from a gentry family in the Jing Dynasty. After more than a decade of living off others and doing as little as possible, she never expects the imperial selection to reach Nan Zhili. A gentry family's young lady instantly becomes a junior consort to the crown prince. Her farming-life plot turns into a palace-int 4.7kReads8.5Score363Shelves

    Reader note

    All three are excellent. They feature domestic intrigue in the early stages and palace intrigue later, but not excessively. The female protagonist is intelligent but unemotional, only seeking a peaceful life. I highly recommend the first one!!! The only downside is that it's not finished yet.

25. 25 穿 The Daily Life of a Laid-Back Concubine After Transmigrating 穿越之闲鱼妾室的日常 Tian Nanxing Nan天南星南Ancient Romance480k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + household and palace intrigue + no golden finger + devoted love later on] Zhang Xinian transmigrated into the body of a concubine in Prince Jing’s household. Above her was the princess consort, backed by powerful connections and ruthless in her methods. Beside her was a brainless side consort with overwhelming fighting prowess. Below her, a reborn woman and a transmigrated woman were locked in fierce competition. Zhang Xinian trembled with fear. She had no golden finger and did 104.8kReads9.4Score12.1kShelves
26. 26 谁 Who Says Being a Concubine Means Fighting in the Household? The Prince Takes It All on His Shoulders 谁说做妾要宅斗，王爷他一肩挑了 Qian Jinlai千金来Ancient Romance811k WordsOngoing [Transmigrate into a book + doted on by one man + palace intrigue + sweet and soft on the outside, ruthless underneath + unconventional, ambitious heroine] Zhu Shande, once a ruthless overachiever, transmigrated into a low-ranking bedchamber attendant at the Third Prince's residence, with no title or status. She had been sent there by the prince's sworn enemy. After this disastrous start, she took one look at the attendants' meager monthly pay of two coins and five coppers. Zhu Shande put aside 724Reads9.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first one didn't get a high score, but it's quite pretty. The second one is more casual.

27. 27 清 Raising Children in the Qing Palace: The Side Consort Wins by Taking It Easy 清宫养崽，侧福晋她躺赢了 Mango Sago, Yeah芒果西米露吖Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted An Ran spent more than a decade diligently serving as a palace maid in the Qing court. At long last, she caught the eye of Consort De of Yonghe Palace. She had hoped that, once she turned twenty-five, she could ask Consort De to let her leave the palace. Instead, she was assigned to serve as the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen’s, first woman. Wait, wasn’t that Song’s job in history? There was no defying an imperial decree, so An Ran arrived at the imperial princes’ residence in a small sedan chair. Since 16.1kReads9.0Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book, "From Palace Maid to Consort," is intelligent but not overly saintly and is already finished. I followed the second book for a long time before it ended; the female lead doesn't cause trouble but is also afraid of it. However, her character deviated a bit before the end, so I don't recommend reading it if you mind.

28. 28 貌 The Beautiful Chambermaid Rises Through Childbearing [Transmigrated and Reborn] 貌美通房靠生子上位【穿越重生】 Years White, Years White岁白岁白Ancient Romance278k WordsCompleted [Completed] [Not a strong heroine: sweet and delicate heroine + childbearing System] Qiao Zhiyi transmigrates into ancient times, then gets reborn. In her previous life, the Princess Consort took a liking to her and wanted her to compete with the prince's favored concubine. But Qiao Zhiyi didn't want to become a concubine, so she refused. To her surprise, this enraged the Princess Consort, who tormented her to death. After being reborn, Qiao Zhiyi comes to her senses. Since she can't escape her 2kReads8.0Score157Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist climbs the ranks step by step from a concubine to eventually become the Empress, the mother of the nation.

29. 29 宠 The Imperial Consort Has a Few Screws Loose 宠妃她脑子有病 One Duck at Ease一鸭悠Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted (Audiobook version now available) [Transmigrate into a book + not a mutually exclusive first-love relationship + heroine adored by everyone + redemption + devoted love from the middle to later stages] Just as Ji Yuehuan's life was about to reach its peak, she suddenly died. After death, she transmigrated into a book. Unfortunately, she became a cannon-fodder character who was destined to die two years later according to the original plot. What? You think she can rely on knowing the story in adva 3kReads8.9Score310Shelves

    Reader note

    This book features a shrewd female protagonist, and both the emperor and the female protagonist are intelligent. The female protagonist suffers from a slight case of depression. It's somewhat melancholic, but still quite enjoyable.

30. 30 勾 Flirt with the Crown Prince, Become His Favorite Consort? A Piece of Cake 勾太子，宠妃？顺手的事儿 Snowy Dudu雪之嘟嘟Ancient Romance418k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance, sweet romance, sweet romance! We’ll say it three times because it’s important] She transmigrated? And became a favored concubine to the Crown Prince of the Jun Kingdom? After waking up one day, Mu Wantang finds herself inside a wish-fulfillment novel she had read recently, as the Crown Prince’s beloved concubine. Jun Chengyan, the Crown Prince of the Jun Kingdom and The Outcast, is breathtakingly handsome, elegant, and incomparably noble. The original owner was beautiful, but not 24.8kReads9.1Score2.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These three books are all very good. They are all historical romances, all feature concubines, but all are strong and logical. After meeting the female lead, the male lead dotes on her exclusively. In the first book, the crown prince later in his career only has the female lead by his side, showering her with affection; he has no concubines. In the third book, the male lead meets the female lead while investigating something, although it's also orchestrated by the female lead, it's still very good. In the second book, the female lead initially thinks the male lead doesn't like her, but later discovers this isn't the case. The male lead hasn't met the female lead in the early stages, but after meeting her, he dotes on her exclusively.

31. 31 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, 34.1kReads9.1Score4.2kShelves
32. 32 侧 The Side Consort Is Sweet and Gentle, and the Coldhearted Crown Prince Can't Get Enough 侧妃娇软，薄情太子轻点宠 Just Like This就酱籽Ancient Romance559k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a Book + Palace Intrigue + Plot Buff + HE + Both Leads Are Sexually Inexperienced + Male Lead Is Coldhearted and Applies Double Standards] [Content warnings: The heroine is no saint + she forces the male lead to remain sexually inexperienced + the male lead is utterly lovestruck] The second after Yu Li received the Best Newcomer Award, she transmigrated into a palace-intrigue novel. She became Shen Lichu, a disposable supporting female character with nothing but beauty and fam 298Reads9.0Score—Shelves
33. 33 陵 Lingrong Returns Before the Selection and Chooses Consort Hua as Her Ally 陵容重返大选前，先选华妃当盟友 Xi Yi西忆Female-Channel Fanfiction1.5M WordsCompleted Life is like a game of chess. Once you make a move, there’s no turning back! As An Lingrong swallowed a bitter almond, she thought this as she lay dying. But when she woke again, she found herself back in Songyang County, bound to a more-children-more-blessings System (or so it seemed). Back in the imperial harem, she remained firm in her belief: If you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you! 4.6kReads8.7Score443Shelves
34. 34 让 You Asked Me to Be a Concubine, So I Killed the Lord? 让你当小妾，你把主君杀了？ Jiang Yu Is Very Lazy江鱼很懒Ancient Romance685k WordsCompleted (A full-cast audio drama has been produced) (The short drama adaptation, A Kiss Beneath the Spring Moon, is now online) [Quick transmigration + femme fatale + palace and household intrigue + revenge for every grudge + villainess fiction + no fixed male lead + growth-focused heroine] As a newly created System, Erdan only wanted to choose a gentle, charming Host who knew how to humble herself, so they could complete the concubine survival missions. But it turned out Erdan had misjudged her. A low- 17kReads9.6Score2.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one is finished [admiration], the second one is ongoing but has a lot of chapters [drooling], over 800. Ahh, I love the first one the most [drooling][drooling]. After reading the first one, I looked for a substitute and found the second one, but I still think the first one is better [smirking]. But it depends on everyone's taste. [Shy]

35. 35 快 Quick Transmigration: The Alluring Concubine's Rules of Survival and Plunder 快穿之妾室妖娆，生存掠夺守则 Yan Fei Loves Braised Pork爱吃甏肉的焱妃Ancient Romance2.8M WordsOngoing A note about the content: not every story is about concubines. Some also take place in modern times. These tragic concubines want to survive, and to do that, they have to fight and seize what they can. Jiang Chunxi transmigrates into the bodies of these concubines to complete her missions. Morality means nothing to her; all that matters is getting the job done. So what if her methods are underhanded and shameless? Concubine in the Duke's mansion: She secretly gets together with the heir under th 19.9kReads8.4Score1.2kShelves
36. 36 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 65.5kReads9.4Score8.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead in the "Rolling King" domestic drama is incredibly powerful, while the male lead is initially impure, relying entirely on the female lead's charms until he falls madly in love with her later on.

37. 37 娘 The Consort’s Laid-Back Daily Life 娘娘的佛系日常 Springtime Sweet Orange春日甜橙Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [A lazy, carefree little schemer who just wants to lie flat + historical fantasy + palace intrigue + heroine devoted to one man, hero not devoted to one woman] The charming and clever favorite consort Lin Jingran refuses to work herself to the bone. She’s got the Noble Imperial Consort position lined up, and plans to enjoy the drama and lie flat her way to becoming Empress. Family? She’s a treasured darling of her family, too. The emperor? He openly favors her and helps her navigate palace intr 1.5kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female lead starts as a favored concubine, while the emperor initially favors her but later becomes her sole favorite. The female lead is seemingly carefree but is actually quite shrewd, intelligent, not blinded by love, and not a naive or overly sweet character. She's not a saint; she's capable and resourceful, pampered by her family. The story involves palace intrigue, with the female lead rising through the ranks from concubine to concubine.

38. 38 全 The Whole Household Was Stunned: The Little Maid Gave Birth to the Marquis’s Heir 全府震惊，小丫鬟生了侯府继承人 Yu Wanwan余晚晚Ancient Romance606k WordsCompleted Qiu Jin transmigrates into the body of a young maid who was sent to become a bedchamber maid, only to be rejected and sent back. Because of her beauty, a fortune-teller said she was born under a lucky star. The old madam sent Qiu Jin to serve as a bedchamber maid to her troublesome eldest grandson, hoping she would bring him good fortune and help him pass the imperial exams with flying colors. The original owner used her beauty and voluptuous figure to flirt with the young master, unaware that h 6.3kReads9.0Score677Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are highly recommended!!! They all have excellent ratings. However, some contain time-travel elements! This is a heads-up for those who dislike time-travel stories! But I still suggest you check them out, they're really good!

39. 39 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 6kReads8.4Score338Shelves
40. 40 宫 The Palace Maid Is Alluring and Wily, and Coaxes the Emperor into Making Her Empress 宫女茶又媚，哄着帝王送凤位 Shui Shengyu水生玉Ancient Romance425k WordsCompleted [Just started receiving ratings, so they’ll gradually go up. Your support is welcome!] [Beautiful, calculating palace maid x devoted, possessive emperor] [Reborn + 1v1, both devoted to each other, happy ending + powerful man bows his head, heroine knows how to keep him in line] Lin Chan was the least noticeable concubine-born daughter in the General’s residence. When her legitimate elder sister entered the palace as a consort, Lin Chan could only go with her as a maid. She endured one humiliatio 2.4kReads8.9Score321Shelves
41. 41 却 Yet You Betrayed the Spring's Grace 却负春恩 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Print edition now available. Search for Ascending to the Clouds on any platform to buy] [Original titles: Ascending to the Clouds / Loathing the Vermilion Walls] [High-IQ Palace Intrigue + Pure-Hatred Heroine + No Disposable Characters] [No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger] [The blurb doesn’t do it justice. Please go read the story] How do you become an emperor’s favorite concubine? A prestigious family? A good education? A gentle, respectful, modest, and accommodating nature? Unfor 25.2kReads9.2Score3.1kShelves
42. 42 病 The Sickly Beauty Struggles to Survive in the Harem 病娇美人在后宫艰难求生 I Don't Like Soy Milk不爱喝豆奶Ancient Romance180k WordsOngoing Harem intrigue, ensemble cast, not a first-love-only romance, slow burn, not a wish-fulfillment story. Also known as “Clouds Beneath Her Temples” This story is a slow burn, so please be patient! The female lead is imperfect because the author is imperfect. If you want to criticize someone, criticize the author, not my heroine! Yun Tang thought that, being so frail, all she needed was to live peacefully under her parents' protection and spend an ordinary life at home. Who could have guessed the 10Reads—Score—Shelves
43. 43 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter Becomes Empress, and I Rule the Harem 嫡女为后，后宫我说了算 Pikachu Loves Apples皮卡丘爱吃苹果Ancient Romance461k WordsCompleted [Young married couple, perfect teamwork, both incredibly capable] (Not an exclusive pairing, includes a harem, so proceed with caution if that bothers you. Alternate-history setting.) One is the niece of the emperor’s favorite consort; the other is the legitimate son of the empress, who has fallen out of favor. An imperial decree of marriage binds Lin Tingwan, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household, to the Crown Prince, Li Yanlian. From then on, they share one fate, for better 5.5kReads8.8Score650Shelves
44. 44 娇 The Sweet, Beloved Consort Who Bewitches Hearts 娇娇宠妃惑人心 You Gongyu尤宫羽Ancient Romance425k WordsCompleted [Not a pure couple; he dotes on her exclusively later on; a little palace intrigue; the heroine is a master flirt; story complete] She transmigrated from the modern world. Quirky and clever, she was also a brilliant actress. Emperor Shengwu could govern with effortless command, bring peace and stability to the realm, and win battles from a thousand miles away, striking fear across the four seas. He was an emperor who held all power in his hands and ruled over all beneath the heavens. Yun Mengq 49.5kReads9.3Score6kShelves

    Reader note

    I've already watched them all, and they're all really good. The female lead is beautiful and has a clear goal. 😏

45. 45 娘 The Empress Is Alluring and Delicate, and the Cold, Cruel Emperor Falls for Her at First Sight 娘娘娇娇媚，冷戾帝王一见倾心 The Star Among the Stars in the Sky天上星星的星星Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue and revenge, a slow-burn, slow-payoff story + stunning heroine + exceptionally clearheaded heroine with an unwavering goal] [The hero always favors the heroine + dotes on her exclusively in the middle + disbands his harem later] After Shen Qingtang’s aunt is schemed against and killed by Madam Shen, her goal becomes perfectly clear: she will enter the palace, become the most honored woman in the land, and make everyone who plotted against her aunt pay. She is also perfectly clea 5kReads9.1Score516Shelves
46. 46 东 The Eastern Palace's Beauty: This Favorite Consort Is Mine! 东宫姝色：这宠妃我当定了！ Sheng Qian笙浅Ancient Romance520k WordsCompleted [The heroine is doted on from the very beginning. The story focuses on sweet romance, not scheming palace intrigue. The hero adores the heroine and is even a little lovesick. If that's not your thing, please move along, and don't leave a bad review over it. The heroine rises from a junior consort to a favored consort, Crown Princess, and Empress. The hero is a crown prince at first and becomes emperor later.] Su Niannian has landed in a male-lead-centric novel! Her new identity is Su Ling, the 29.8kReads9.4Score2.8kShelves
47. 47 怎 How Can Anyone Resist the Noble Consort's Alluring Charm? 怎敌贵妃百媚千娇 Fish Carrying the Moon鱼衔月Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + sweet romance + heroine transmigrates] In the fifth year of Yongyan, the emperor ordered a selection of consorts. Wen Wanyu was the most beautiful among the candidates. With her charming looks and soft, lilting voice, she was as delicate as a flower and soon won the emperor’s favor. She had once been the apple of her father’s eye, but when he was framed and her elder brother humiliated, she defied her whole family and asked to enter the palace to protect them. From the darling 2.3kReads8.9Score192Shelves
48. 48 只 As Long as I Act Well, the Empress's Throne Is Mine 只要演技好，娘娘的凤位跑不了 A Bird's Wing一只鸟的翅膀Ancient Romance260k WordsCompleted Red bricks and green tiles, beauty all around. One shower of imperial favor, and from then on she advances step by step, finally ascending the throne to stand alongside the emperor. Her family is in decline? Her brother's career prospects are uncertain? Her sister's marriage prospects have come to nothing? See how Wen Ruo keeps true to herself in the harem, rises step by step, leads her family back to the top, helps her brother advance his career, and finds her sister a fine marriage! “This hare 3.5kReads9.0Score383Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is highly recommended! The female lead doesn't care about love, only her career. She climbs the ranks to the position of empress through her own abilities. It's super good! [Admiring][Admiring][Admiring]

49. 49 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 23.8kReads9.3Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend these three! The writing is excellent, logical, and perfectly captures the essence of palace intrigue. Plus, the female protagonists all rise from concubines to the top. If you don't like them, feel free to leave your comments below!

50. 50 皇 Has the Noble Consort Left Qirong Palace Today? 皇贵妃今天出栖容宫了吗？ Xiaoman Crisp小满酥Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [☆No transmigration, no rebirth, and no pristine couples] [☆The romance develops gradually] Everyone in the palace knew that the person they must never offend was neither the pampered and fiery Noble Consort Hui nor the peerlessly beautiful Consort Cen, but Noble Consort Zhe of Qirong Palace, Lady Fucha. A consort's guide to survival: If you want to get ahead, never provoke the lady of Qirong Palace. She was the emperor's first woman, his companion and confidante since their youth; the mother 15kReads9.3Score1.3kShelves

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