An Ancient-Era Love Story About a Middle-Aged Couple: Cunning Pursuit, Beauty and Warlord 古代中年夫妻爱情故事*巧取豪夺*美人与枭雄

1. 1 浥 Yi Qiufeng 浥秋风 Yowling at Midnight午夜嗷嗷叫Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted [Proper princess consort × shameless prince] [Both leads' first love + one-on-one + groveling to win her back + happy ending] (Content warning: Not a strong female lead or a wish-fulfillment story. There is angst, and the flashbacks involve coercion. Don't read if that's not for you.) Song Chengqiu has spent sixteen years in the Prince of Zhuang's household. She began as a concubine, became a secondary consort, and was gradually molded into the most virtuous Princess Consort of Zhuang in the Gre 15.8kReads8.6Score2.4kShelves

   Reader note

   1️⃣ It's a middle-aged couple's story. It's the only ancient romance novel I've read that I hope will end with a happy ending, featuring a forced marriage, but it's not finished yet. I just finished it today, and it's not satisfying. I want something similar [crying][crying][crying]. 2️⃣ It's a story of a powerful and beautiful woman set in the Qin Dynasty, very compelling. Both male leads are powerful and influential, and they're normal people. They treat the female lead well if they want her, without the trope of making someone else their mistress and then humiliating her. The conflict lies in the patriarchal system of feudalism and the female lead's desire to keep her by his side. In the first book, the female lead has her own ambitions and aspires to heal the sick. In the second book, it's a time-travel story where the female lead is simply on a mission and wants to go home.

2. 2 乱 Beauty in a Chaotic Age: A Brutal Warlord Claims Her, Step by Step 乱世美人：被粗莽枭雄步步豪夺 Baiyun Yeye白云耶耶Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Bodhisattva-like beauty × ambitious hero of a chaotic age, with an obsessive, possessive love (The rating is low because it just came out, but it should rise.) Rong Ci spent ten years with Zhao Chu as a hostage in the State of Qi. The year he returned to Qin and was made a prince, she died in childbirth, leaving him twins before she could finally rest. Who could have guessed that before long, the System would summon her back in a frenzy? This tyrant has scoured the world for your remains and pla 21.8kReads9.1Score2.1kShelves
3. 3 败 Spoiler System: Complete the Task and Get a Furnace Physique as a Bonus? 败家系统：完成后附赠炉鼎体质？ If It Were a Love Song若情歌Fantastical Romance193k WordsOngoing [Adored by Everyone, Sweet and Soft Girl | Male Rivals Competing | 1vN] Yang Wan transmigrates into a book and becomes bound to a Spendthrift System. With no choice in the matter, she squanders her fortune just to stay alive and protect the people she loves. But she is born with a bewitching beauty that leaves everyone around her spellbound. The refined, noble chancellor longs to share her bed, the wandering physician gives her all his tenderness, the obsessive assassin drags her into his arms, 9.7kReads—Score847Shelves

   Reader note

   In their struggle to win her over, the third wife sent the second wife to prison and drove the first wife away. The fourth wife, unaware that she had fallen for her daughter-in-law, was still gossiping about the family. By the time the fifth wife met her daughter-in-law, she had already given birth. [Kissing emoji][Funny face emoji]

4. 4 掌 Paulownia in the Palm 掌中疏桐 Xin Moran心陌然Ancient Romance900k WordsOngoing The main story is complete. Originally titled A Paulownia in the Palm, the first chapters are free, but the price will go up later! [Mutual Devotion] [Fictional Setting] [Forced Possession] [Beautiful Wife] [Powerful Minister] [Adorable Baby] [Pregnant and on the Run] [Ancient-Era Court Intrigue] [Secret Marriage] Luo Shutong, the most proper young noblewoman in the capital, woke one morning to find Ye Chuan, the all-powerful chief minister, lying beside her. Trembling, she pulled out all the mo 10.6kReads8.0Score495Shelves

   Reader note

   Both are virgins, there's an age gap, an unplanned pregnancy, the female lead is a well-behaved girl, and the male lead is extremely powerful.

5. 5 金 Spring Runs Deep in the Golden Palace 金阙春深 Xi Die汐蝶Ancient Romance228k WordsCompleted [Gorgeous, timid crown princess × dark, unhinged emperor × radiant crown prince] On the day of the imperial selection, Emperor Chengming, Xiao Ke, unexpectedly ran into a “young palace maid” in the imperial gardens. The “young palace maid” was drawn into a struggle within the royal family, beginning a life of political maneuvering in which she would turn the tides. Several months later, the Eastern Palace held a grand wedding. The “young palace maid,” dressed in her phoenix coronet and red weddi 17kReads9.2Score1.2kShelves

   Reader note

   The old house is on fire! A king steals his subject's wife! A 32-year-old emperor x a 17-year-old crown princess x a 17-year-old crown prince. The female lead is a voluptuous beauty like Yang Guifei, deeply in love with the crown prince, but is forced into a relationship by the emperor.

6. 6 三 Married Three Times to a Warlord: Wherever Mother Goes, Her Wayward Son Follows 三嫁枭雄：娘在哪，逆子就在哪 Rain Sounds, Rain Sounds雨声雨声Ancient Romance510k WordsCompleted [A stunningly beautiful heroine who is clear-headed, self-serving, and seductive to the bone] [A ruthless warlord hero who plots at every turn and takes what he wants, claiming absolute dominion] [He falls for her looks at first sight ✓ She falls for his looks at first sight ✓] [It begins with beauty and lasts because of desire] After conquering a city, the ruthless warlord Xiao Wenye casually seized a peerless beauty. She was so delicate she could barely fend for herself, with no talents to spe 5.2kReads8.2Score810Shelves

   Reader note

   This is a middle-aged love story. They're all people who fall for someone at first sight!

7. 7 粗 A Brutal Warlord Stole My Beautiful Mother 粗莽枭雄强夺了我貌美娘亲 A Little Charmander一只小火龙Ancient Romance163k WordsOngoing Yin Yinuo’s husband has only just died when the Yin royal family tries to send her off to marry into a family in desolate Liangzhou. How could she possibly agree? But while fleeing the marriage, she catches the eye of a burly, fierce general. He watches her like a wolf watching a little lamb. She pretends to give herself to him, deceiving him and hoping to use him to get back to Chang’an. She thought the demon was crude and uncouth, but this brawny man turns out to be surprisingly gentle and cou 169Reads9.0Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   This is so good!!! The female lead is a very capable and charismatic woman, a slightly roguish but genuinely sincere person towards her. She's reflective and sincerely apologizes to her, avoiding any misunderstandings. I really love the female lead; she's so capable! Those who liked Dou Zhao in "Nine Layers of Purple" should definitely check this out. This kind of self-reliant female lead is incredibly charming! I love her so much!!! [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration]

8. 8 丈 Five Years After My Husband Died, I’m Pregnant with the Emperor’s Child 丈夫去世五年，守寡怀了皇帝的崽 Salty Fish Boss咸鱼头子Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Stunning widow vs. domineering emperor] [Not both virgins + forbidden tension + raising a child + old flames reignited] Everyone in the capital knows that the legitimate daughter of the Yun family and Third Young Master Lu are a loving couple, devoted to each other. But fate was cruel. Third Young Master Lu was cursed with a short life and died of a serious illness before reaching twenty, leaving behind a beautiful young widow and an unborn child. - Yun Wan has a secret she’s kept buried fo 28.1kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves

   Reader note

   ① A stunning widow versus a domineering emperor: a forbidden love story and an old house on fire. The emperor is initially tempted, but fearing his "wife's" anger, he resorts to underhanded tactics to bring her into the palace. Starting in the 1990s, she finally gets what she wants. The female lead is clever and handles the emperor perfectly. ② A deposed crown prince versus a hunter named Chunhua: a good read, recommended for everyone to enjoy.

9. 9 我 My Wife Absolutely Adores Me 我的媳妇儿超爱我 Harvard Lu Zhun Oh哈佛陆准哦Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Just as the disgraced crown prince had lost all hope and wanted to end his life, he met Chunhua, a hunter. Her knack for getting into trouble kept pushing him, time and again, toward the struggle for supremacy... They say there is no love between fathers and sons in the imperial family. Yu Jinghan never believed it, but after spending half his life on the battlefield, taking the world as his responsibility, honoring his parents, and treating his brothers as friends, he still found himself feared 662Reads8.9Score101Shelves
10. 10 病 After Her Sickly Husband Died, the Crown Prince Took Her into the Eastern Palace 病弱夫君去世后，太子夺我入东宫 Fei Nongmo妃弄墨Ancient Romance581k WordsCompleted [The short drama of the same name, Marry into the Eastern Palace, is now available] Three years ago, at the Eastern Palace’s consort selection banquet, the Crown Prince scolded her: “The Shen girl is coquettish and ingratiating, and her conduct is outrageous.” His words made Shen Lizhu the laughingstock of the capital’s noblewomen, forcing her to retreat to her maternal grandparents’ home in Jiangnan. Three years later, the Crown Prince is ordered to leave the capital and tour Jiangnan. Shen Liz 25.1kReads8.4Score2.2kShelves
11. 11 芙 Lotus Ashes: Frost and Snow over Bianjing 芙蓉烬之汴京霜雪 Light Rain on a Sunny Day, Weiwei晴天微雨薇薇Ancient Romance82k WordsCompleted The capital of Shu falls, and the whole kingdom is forced to relocate. Fei Rui'er follows Meng Chang to Bianjing, thinking that as a surrendered captive, all she can do is cling to life. But soon after they arrive in Bianjing, Meng Chang dies suddenly, and Zhao Guangyi begins persecuting the Meng family one blow after another. With memories of a later age, she witnesses this succession of calamities with her own eyes. Outside the palace walls, there is no way out. 171Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The story of Lady Huarui and Zhao Kuangyin is the most suitable!

12. 12 中 A General History of China, Vol. 3: The Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, and Two Song Dynasties 中国通史3·隋唐五代两宋 Bu Xianqun卜宪群Historical264k WordsCompleted This volume focuses on the history of the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and the two Song dynasties. Its main topics include the restoration of unity, Emperor Yang's achievements and failings, the Reign of Zhenguan, Wu Zetian, the prosperous Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Emperor Taizu of Song, the Treaty of Chanyuan, Wang Anshi's reforms, the Jingkang Incident, Neo-Confucianism in the Song dynasty, and Song dynasty culture. It is the 65Reads9.1Score—Shelves
13. 13 她 After She Ascends the Throne, She Takes a New Husband, Leaving Her Ex to Weep 她登基后换了夫，新夫不见旧夫哭 Rabbit Purple Moonrise兔紫月上Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (Power! It's a woman's second face! She loves it!) (1V2 + advancing the nation through technology + two men competing for her, only to end up regretting it) Lu Jichen: He is an ill-omened man. On the day his elder brother got married, they smeared dog blood all over his face and locked him in a cellar. Later, she brought him out, washed his hands, let him sit at the table, fed him, and paid for his education. Wei Chiyuan: He is the young lord of an aristocratic clan; she is a young widow. One sc 17.2kReads9.3Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is quite good.

14. 14 将 The Eldest Sister-in-Law of the General's Household 将门长嫂 Jianjian减减Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted (Originally titled: The Eldest Sister-in-Law as His Wife) The year Chu Huai was exiled, several of his brothers died on the battlefield, and his father died coughing up blood. Chu Huai’s spine was broken, but he somehow survived. The young general became a useless cripple in everyone’s eyes, unable even to end his own life. Then the sister-in-law he had once despised stepped forward. She carried him along the long, thousand-mile road into exile and single-handedly held the shattered Chu family t 13kReads9.0Score1.8kShelves
15. 15 裹 Wrapped in Clouds, At Ease 裹云舒 The Night Wind Is Chilly夜风煞凉Ancient Romance371k WordsOngoing [She set a rule: no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea for intimate moments. From then on, there was always tea left in the prince’s cup.] Radiant young miracle doctor vs. proud prince | Trade | Political intrigue | Secretly pining The ultimate push and pull | Obsessive adoration To restore order at court and root out bandits, the court summoned its battle-hardened prince back to the capital. The prince was nearing thirty and still unmarried. He also had a peculiar fondness for 2.1kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The prince could be both crazy and patient. After learning that the female lead was going on a blind date, he stopped hiding her and even carried her around. Later, when he learned that the crown prince also had ill intentions, he had to come and guard her even in the middle of the night.

16. 16 快 Quick Transmigration: The Infertile Old Man Coaxes a Young Widow into Having His Baby 快穿：绝嗣老男人哄着小寡妇生娃 Yi Tian亿甜Modern Romance383k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance + both leads' first love + incredibly sweet romance and everyday moments; fast-paced, told from the heroine's perspective. The heroine isn't strong, and focuses on being pampered by her man. If that's not your cup of tea, please don't flame the author. The author is very sensitive.] The hard-luck heroine is always on the road to bringing misfortune to her husbands, one after another. Pi Tian is the famous young widow in the neighborhood, with fair skin, stunning looks, and lo 1kReads6.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Transmigration: Become a Young Widow and Flirt with Older Men

17. 17 世 Young Master, Please Behave: I’m the Top Scholar’s Wife 世子请自重，我乃状元妻 Flying A Ba A Ba飞翔的阿吧阿吧Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Zhao Qing, a corporate wage slave, accidentally transmigrates into ancient Daqian as Zhao Hongcha, a poor girl whose parents show her no love. She thinks things can’t get any worse, but then her family tries to marry her off to a cripple for the betrothal money. Enough is enough. Zhao Qing’s motto is not to accept her fate, but to keep striving. Together with a young scholar, she carves out a remarkable future... 597Reads8.2Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    A hidden gem of an author, with solid writing skills and no overpowered plot devices. The author's other works are rated 9 out of 10, featuring unconventional plot twists. Enjoy, fellow readers!

18. 18 未 Pregnant Before Marriage at 39: Meeting a CEO 未婚先孕之39岁遇见霸总裁 Soy Sauce, Yeah酱油耶Modern Romance53k WordsOngoing [Note: The heroine will have a turbulent relationship with her ex-husband, who is not chaste! She’ll only be involved with two men, and the domineering CEO is chaste!] A 39-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man + modern setting + famine + kept woman + fictional world Nearly forty, divorced, raising a child, and caught in a famine. These labels weigh Xu Qing down until she can hardly breathe. Once a housewife who never lifted a finger around the home, she’s become a working-class woman scrambling 19Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You could check this out. It features a domineering CEO who is younger than the female lead, and he's also very affectionate. The female lead's struggles with her scumbag ex-husband are also quite captivating. The story is set in a fictional modern famine era. [Laughs][thinking][laughs]

19. 19 摄 The Regent’s Beloved White Moonlight Took a Fall 摄政王白月光翻车了 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊12k WordsCompleted The Regent's White Moonlight Has Fallen from Grace 980Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Shen Qingxian transmigrated into a tragic novel, becoming a cannon fodder female supporting character who married the Regent. On her wedding day, she was used by her entire family as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder, stuffed into a bridal sedan chair and sent to the Prince's mansion. All the noble ladies in the capital were waiting to see her make a fool of herself, after all, everyone knew—Regent Pei Changyuan already had someone else in his heart, and marrying her was merely to appease the Empress Dowager's decree. On their wedding night, the red candles burned brightly. Pei Changyuan lifted his veil, coldly uttering, "I married you to give the Empress Dowager an explanation. If you behave yourself, the Prince's mansion will not mistreat you. If you dare to covet things you shouldn't, don't blame me for disregarding our marital bond."

20. 20 攻 My Conquest Target Still Thinks I'm Infatuated with Him Today 攻略对象今天也以为我在迷恋他 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊21k WordsCompleted My Conquest Target Still Thinks I'm Infatuated with Him Today 297Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In my past life, my elder sister, on her deathbed, held my hand and said, "I hate you the most in this life." It was because her husband of five years loved me. I was only thirteen then, hiding behind a screen to secretly eat pastries, and he drew me on paper, remembering me for the rest of his life. My sister died with resentment, and I, burdened with the stigma of having an affair with my brother-in-law, died unjustly. Reborn, I awoke to find my sister again, holding that plate of osmanthus cake, smiling and trying to coax me to the front hall for a meeting. I pushed her hand away: "No, Wen had an upset stomach yesterday." In this life, whoever wants that sweet cake can eat it, and whoever wants that marriage can marry—I will never again be the person in his painting.

21. 21 和 After the Mad Crown Prince Discovers the Divorce Agreement 和离书被疯批太子发现后 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊25k WordsCompleted After the Crazed Crown Prince Found the Divorce Agreement 444Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 22 将 The General's Sparrow in His Palm 将军掌中雀 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊11k WordsCompleted The General's Little Caged Bird 135Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 23 休 Hand Over the Divorce Papers 休书拿来 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊Ancient Romance30k WordsCompleted Hand over the divorce papers. 74Reads—Score—Shelves
24. 24 她 She Wandered for Ten Years Without Marrying 她漂泊十年未嫁 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊13k WordsCompleted She Wandered for Ten Years Without Marrying 81Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 25 穿 After I Walked into His Class Wearing a Spaghetti-Strap Dress 穿吊带裙闯入他课堂后 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊29k WordsCompleted After I Walked Into His Classroom Wearing a Slip Dress 132Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 26 姐 The 26 Years My Brother-in-Law Was Away: My Sister Fell for a Bad Man 姐夫缺席的26年，姐姐爱上了“坏男人” Ten Thousand Gu万蛊Marriage & Romance9k WordsCompleted The 26 Years Her Brother-in-Law Was Away, Her Sister Fell for a “Bad Man” 73Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 27 掌 The Sect Master's Wife Is Jingli Reborn, and Her Cleanliness Obsession Is a Heavenly Law 掌门夫人她净璃转世，洁癖竟是天条 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊20k WordsCompleted The Sect Leader's Wife Is the Reincarnation of Jingli, and Her Germophobia Is Actually a Heavenly Law 17Reads—Score—Shelves
28. 28 我 My Dearest Husband 我亲爱的丈夫 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊19k WordsCompleted My Dear Husband 27Reads—Score—Shelves
29. 29 迷 The Charming Little Widow 迷人小寡妇 Lan Xinlan蓝昕兰Ancient Romance140k WordsCompleted [A rough, straight-laced blacksmith with no romantic finesse vs. a charming, mischievous young widow who knows how to flirt + she makes the first move + the iron tree finally blooms + everyday farming life in ancient times, one-on-one and faithful to each other + sweet romance + happy ending] Li Xiaomei: Married at sixteen, widowed at eighteen. Xu Dazhu: In an era of early marriage, he is thirty and still has no wife. This book tells the story of a young widow determined to secure her own happin 165Reads6.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A woman swoops into a man; an old house catches fire.

30. 30 重 Reborn, I Dump the Young Master, and the Cool, Sweet Second Young Master Spoils Me Rotten 重生踹飞大少爷，冷萌二少宠我到疯狂 You Hua尤话Marriage & Romance10k WordsCompleted Reborn, I Kick the Young Master to the Curb, and the Cool, Adorable Second Young Master Spoils Me Like Crazy 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A former maidservant is reborn, refusing to become a scumbag's concubine from the start! She turns around and clings to the disabled second young master who rarely even glances at her, only seeking to escape her status and save her life. Who would have thought that the second young master, with red eyes, would pin her against the wall: "Trying to run? Ask me first!" It turns out that the sigh at my grave in my previous life hid his deep affection.

31. 31 侯 My Lord, You Have the Wrong Person 侯爷，您认错人了 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊11k WordsCompleted My Lord, you've mistaken me for someone else. 123Reads—Score—Shelves
32. 32 爬 After I Climbed into the Wrong Childhood Friend’s Bed 爬错竹马床后 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊16k WordsCompleted After I Climbed into the Wrong Childhood Friend's Bed 318Reads—Score—Shelves
33. 33 皇 The Empress Is Reborn 皇后娘娘重生了 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊Ancient Romance33k WordsCompleted The Empress Has Been Reborn 317Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 34 温 The Docile Side Consort Goes on a Rampage 温顺小侧妃杀疯了 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊32k WordsCompleted The Docile Concubine Went on a Rampage 52Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 35 和 He Tucked the Divorce Agreement Into His Sleeve 和离书被他收进袖中 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊14k WordsCompleted He Tucked the Divorce Agreement into His Sleeve 116Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 36 逃 The Runaway Princess with Unmatched Strength 逃婚郡主，武力爆表 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊Marriage & Romance36k WordsCompleted The Runaway Princess Consort, Unmatched in Combat 84Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 37 首 The Chief Minister’s Awkward Little Doctor Wife 首辅大人的社死小医妻 Ten Thousand Gu万蛊23k WordsCompleted The Chief Minister’s Doctor Wife Who Made Him Die of Embarrassment 58Reads—Score—Shelves
38. 38 丰 When the Voluptuous Beauty Pouts, the Stern Officer Blushes 丰腴美人一撒娇，冷面军官脸红了 Luan Jing峦镜Modern Romance685k WordsOngoing [Period setting, marriage first and love later, following the army, adorable kids, husband’s road to winning his wife back] The day after Shen Qingshu mailed a divorce agreement to Rong Jingshi, she began having one prophetic dream after another. She dreamed that her hypocritical, ungrateful stepsister stole the family heirloom from her, schemed to have her sent to the countryside, and tortured her to death in Heilongjiang, leaving her family ruined and slaughtered. When she woke, she heard her 15.4kReads6.0Score974Shelves

    Reader note

    Space broadcast: Your master, Shen Qingshu, has just sold a gold bar, earning 19,000 yuan, and purchased a pepper spray package! To deal with green tea bitches and scumbags, you have to use high technology; physical exorcism is the most lethal!

Other lists with Yi Qiufeng