I'm Tired of Famine-Escape and Farming Stories. Looking for Palace Intrigue 逃荒种田看腻了，求宫斗文

1. 151 不 No Eavesdropping on the Emperor 不许偷听朕说话 Yin Zaishui尹在水Ancient Romance925k WordsCompleted An Jiu transmigrated into the body of a young palace maid who wanted to climb into the emperor’s bed. The moment she opened her eyes, the tyrant ran his sword straight through the maid who had tried to seduce him. The next day, the tyrant killed a senior maid who served one of the consorts. On the third day, a maid who tasted the emperor’s food died from poison. Being a palace maid was a high-risk job. An Jiu decided to work hard, save up, cherish her life, and stay away from the tyrant. But the 78.3kReads9.4Score13k14d adds

   Reader note

   Quite interesting, very fun!

2. 152 宫 A Palace Maid Rises to Power and Becomes the Tyrant’s Beloved 宫女上位，成为暴君心尖宠 Ming Yan明烟Ancient Romance418k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue] [The leads are not each other’s first] [He only dotes on her in the later part] Overworked office worker Fang Ziluo transmigrated into the body of a young palace maid named Fang Zhilu. Three years earlier, the emperor had exchanged a few words with her. That alone was enough to offend Noble Consort Liu, and she spent the next three years tending the kitchen fire. The original Fang Zhilu had died a miserable death after enduring all that humiliation. Fang Zhilu thought, Now that 707Reads8.8Score10514d adds

   Reader note

   ① And ② are time-travel stories, and ③, ④, and ⑤ are rebirth stories. I stayed up all night to finish reading them and highly recommend them.

3. 153 太 The Crown Prince’s White Moonlight Can’t Compare: The Soft, Sweet Girl Is His True Love 太子白月光不香，软娇娇才是真爱 October Brocade Deer十月锦鹿Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted Sweet romance! Palace and household intrigue + reborn heroine + transmigrated rival + face-slapping the beloved white moonlight The Crown Prince has a beloved woman. She's beautiful and talented, forthright by nature, and the orphaned daughter of a loyal martyr. She and the Crown Prince grew up together, yet she claims to see him as an older brother and refuses to enter the Eastern Palace and share a husband with the other women. The Crown Prince is utterly devoted to her and has turned down th 5.7kReads8.5Score54214d adds
4. 154 贵 The Noble Consort's Hundred Charms 贵妃百媚 A Dream Reveals the Years一梦知年Ancient Romance540k WordsCompleted [Local villainess versus heroine who transmigrated into a book + villainess awakens + refined self-interest] The Yongchang Earl's household has two daughters. The legitimate daughter, Song Shiyi, is gentle and charming, a talented woman renowned throughout the capital. The concubine-born daughter, Song Fuxi, is jealous and foolish, someone everyone avoids. Everyone in the streets and alleys knows that Song Shiyi will marry into the Eastern Palace as the Crown Princess, while Song Fuxi, jealous t 1.7kReads8.8Score16014d adds
5. 155 娇 The Clever Palace Maid and the Cold, Cruel Emperor Who Can't Resist Her 娇娇宫女手段高，冷戾帝王不经撩 Clashing Gold and Flying Jade铿金霏玉Ancient Romance502k WordsCompleted [Reborn / palace intrigue, not both virgins / delicate heroine / hero is a bit of a jerk early on, loses his mind midway, and dotes on her alone in the end] Yuan Qing was just a low-ranking palace maid. But she was born alluring and beautiful. In her previous life, the Empress Dowager gave her to Prince Jing as a concubine. Who could have guessed she would become the princess consort's thorn in the side, and that a bowl of poisoned soup would end her life? Reborn, Yuan Qing set her sights on the 5.8kReads9.2Score57014d adds
6. 156 她 She Just Wants to Lie Low, but They Keep Forcing Her to Rebel 她想咸鱼躺，非逼她造反 Warfires Stain All烽火尽染Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] Lu Songli transmigrated into a book and became the cannon-fodder first wife of Xie Zhan, the male lead of The Powerful Minister's Beautiful Young Second Wife. In the book, her friend Zhao Yutan, who returned in glory from a place of exile, would steal her husband. The two of them carried on behind her back while she was gravely ill, and their affair literally angered her to death. Lu Songli was about to roll up her sleeves and tear into the cheating scumbag and 105.6kReads9.5Score12.4k14d adds
7. 157 帝 The Emperor Has No Heart, Yet His Cool and Elegant Noble Consort Has Her Ways 帝本无心，怎奈清冷贵妃手段高 My Cat Is Called Huabei我的猫叫花呗Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Cool, seductive fox beauty vs. a carefree, womanizing emperor] [The heroine is the true daughter, driven by revenge and ambition: a scheming beauty, sweet on the outside but ruthless within, and far from virtuous. This is an unconventional palace-intrigue story focused on winning hearts. The hero is not chaste. Later, he desperately tries to win her back. The overall tone is sweet, and the romance becomes one-on-one in the latter half.] Until the age of five, Changyu Jiao was the legitimate da 8.8kReads9.4Score1k14d adds
8. 158 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 24.6kReads9.1Score2.5k14d adds
9. 159 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 41.2kReads9.6Score5.9k14d adds

   Reader note

   This palace intrigue story has a rather novel plot. (Warning: This might be a spoiler.) However, the female lead spends the entire story cleaning up the messes left by the male lead's wives and concubines. Also, the male lead is overly suspicious and a bit dim-witted. Putting all that aside, the writing is decent. If you don't mind, you can give it a try, just to pass the time.

10. 160 妃 A Consort's Scheme for the Emperor's Heart 妃谋帝心 Falling Ashes坠落的灰Ancient Romance527k WordsCompleted With her father turning a blind eye and her stepmother throwing her weight around, Mu Li is ordered to marry an old prince as a concubine. They tell her this is her fate. Mu Li refuses to believe it. She has never believed in fate… Just then, the imperial household holds its selection of consorts. Daughters of officials of rank eight or above who are of suitable age may participate. Mu Li thinks: Since I’m to be a concubine, why not become the concubine of the most powerful person in the realm? 9.1kReads8.9Score1k14d adds
11. 161 皇 The Empress Is Peerlessly Beautiful 皇后绝世倾城 Zhong Zhizhong钟之中Ancient Romance563k WordsCompleted [Empress + sweet romance + redemption + healing smiles + devoted, fatherly hero + skip if you mind these tropes] She is the Duke's legitimate daughter, breathtakingly beautiful and yearning for freedom. All she wants is to find one person to share her whole life with. He is the emperor of Dongsheng, renowned since his youth and ruthless in his methods. Wherever he goes, bones are left strewn across the land. To him, women are nothing but pieces on a chessboard. He ascended the throne at 5.8kReads8.9Score49014d adds
12. 162 宠 Beloved Across the Realm 宠倾江山 Sugar Heart with No Heart糖心没有心Ancient Romance667k WordsCompleted Chu Ran was a triple-threat star in film, television, and music in the twenty-first century. While filming on a city street, she was hit by a car after saving a little girl. When she woke, she had fallen into a dynasty she’d never even heard of in her history books. Well, when in Rome. Fortunately, she had transmigrated into the imperial family as a beloved young princess. Her royal grandfather treated her like a treasure, but her father cared only for romance and poetry, so having a father was 1.2kReads9.0Score12214d adds
13. 163 长 The Grand Princess Is Obsessed with Rebellion, but There Are Six Male Leads 长公主沉迷造反，但有六个男主 Xi Han习含Ancient Romance511k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + political intrigue + strong female lead + otome + adored by all + romantic rivalry + multiple male leads + all male leads are chaste] Su Fengyi transmigrates into a villainous princess in a male-oriented rebellion novel. She has only a year before the male lead succeeds in his rebellion and has her killed. After looking over the entire novel, Su Fengyi realizes the male lead succeeds thanks to two things: protagonist plot armor and the help of talented supporters. To 10.6kReads9.3Score2k14d adds

    Reader note

    I've only read a few books

14. 164 听 They Say Everyone Rumored to Be Involved with This Maid Gets Promoted 听说和这丫鬟有绯闻的都升官了 Tears in the Heart of the Tree树心有泪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigrated Maid + Ensemble Cast + Political Schemes and Twists + Hilarious Chaos] One-sentence summary: A maid and two minor officials are brought together by a wastrel marquis to resolve crises and crack bizarre cases. Zhuxin transmigrated into the body of a maid in a Duke's manor. She thought her future would involve either household intrigue or farming, but then the manor was confiscated and she landed in the Imperial Prison. Zhuxin felt like she was doomed. They were all picking on her j 16.5kReads9.3Score2.3k14d adds
15. 165 念 Yearning for Spring 念春娇 The Only One唯一Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted When Xie Chuxia woke one day, she had become a baby girl of the Xie family in Jinzhou, in the Great Yong Dynasty. Heaven help her: her birth mother abandoned her to remarry just after she was born. Having lived another life, Xie Chuxia’s greatest wish was to eat, drink, and wait for death, becoming a happy little couch potato with a full belly. But some people couldn’t stand her lack of ambition. One chased her away, another tried to win her favor, and somehow she ended up crossing paths with th 7.6kReads7.8Score68514d adds
16. 166 休 After Divorcing Him, She Returns Home to Inherit the Throne 休夫后，她回家继承帝位 Lu Minghuang鹿明凰Ancient Romance630k WordsCompleted Also known as: “Demoted from Wife to Concubine? One Hundred Thousand Cavalry Kneel to Welcome Me to the Throne” She was born to privilege, but after a dream, she took on the identity of a medical woman to cure his poison, pulled him back from the brink of death, and helped him secure the crown prince’s position. He swore he would marry no one but her. He knelt before the palace hall for two days until he won an imperial decree granting their marriage, and took her as his wife. She thought that w 4.7kReads8.5Score96514d adds

    Reader note

    I highly recommend the second book. The first one was alright, but after reading the scene that matched the title, I wasn't really interested in reading further. However, the second book is really quite interesting.

17. 167 咸 The Lazy Princess Returns to the Capital, and the Whole Dynasty Follows Her for the Gossip 咸鱼郡主回京，全皇朝追着吃瓜 Evening Ripples晚漾Ancient Romance715k WordsCompleted [Everyone’s Favorite + Sweet Historical Romance + Fun and Lighthearted + Palace Politics with a Light Touch + Both Leads Are Each Other’s Only One + Equally Matched Leads + No Transmigration, Rebirth, System, or Inner Thoughts + Everyone Is Native to This World] A seemingly sweet and gentle daughter of a vassal king vs. a truly delicate and frail eldest imperial grandson For the old emperor’s birthday, vassal kings from across the land are ordered to come to the imperial capital and celebrate 41kReads9.1Score4k14d adds
18. 168 国 The Duchess Is Done: Reborn, She Returns as Empress 国公夫人不干了，重生归来当皇后 Fallen Coral珊瑚坠Ancient Romance1.6M WordsOngoing [Traditional historical romance, household intrigue, rebirth, face-slapping revenge, sweet romance, devoted to each other] In her previous life, Gao Yan was impotent, but Fu Yuzheng never looked down on him throughout their five years of marriage. At home, she poured her heart and soul into managing the Duke’s household. Outside, she used her father’s influence and her enormous dowry to pave his official career, supporting him as he rose to prominence! After giving him everything, the day he inh 1.3kReads8.5Score10814d adds

    Reader note

    I've been reading this book for a long time; it's very good.

19. 169 凤 The Phoenix's Cutting Edge 凤影锋芒 Fan Xi帆汐Ancient Romance279k WordsCompleted Story Setting The story takes place in an ancient fictional world where martial arts sects abound and powerful clans are locked in constant strife. Fengming Village is a peaceful little settlement, but a catastrophe that befalls the Feng family draws it into a vast web of conspiracy. The Feng family was once a renowned clan in the martial world, and held key clues to a mysterious power that all the factions covet. Main Characters 1. Feng Qin: The heroine and daughter of the Feng family. After a 1Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This book is good.

20. 170 重 Reborn on My Wedding Night, the Sickly Prince Regent Warms My Feet 重生新婚夜，病娇摄政王给我暖脚 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Reborn + sweet romance + obsessive love + mutual devotion + secret identities, one couple] Nan Xi, the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, was a fool in her past life. She fell for a treacherous scumbag who was handsome on the outside but full of sinister schemes within, and ended up abandoned by everyone, dying miserably at the hands of him and his mistress. Given a second life, she gets her brains back! Looking at the powerful, handsome regent by her side, she cannot help questioning h 10.7kReads9.1Score3.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    I recently read a palace intrigue novel, and I liked it. I don't like novels that aren't sweet.

21. 171 王 Don't Mess with the Princess Consort: She's Only Missing Virtue from the Five Elements! 王妃不能惹，她五行只缺德！ Jian Yu简钰Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [Faithful Couple + Flirting Up a Storm + Goofball Comedy + Sweet and Satisfying Romance] Mu Yunshu transmigrates straight into a nightmare on her wedding night: she's caught in bed with another man, and her groom is the ruthless, unhinged Prince Rong Jiusi, a war god! Help! With his knife pressed to her throat, she begs for her life: “Your Highness, I’m an excellent doctor, beautiful, gentle, considerate, and understanding! Sparing my life is all gain and no loss!” He asks, “You’re gentle and co 62.9kReads9.3Score7.5k14d adds
22. 172 她 She Insists on Spending Her Life with the Brooding Third Male Lead 她非要和阴湿男三长相厮守 Sake Invites the Moon清酒邀月Ancient Romance122k WordsOngoing [Transmigration + Rebirth + Mutual Purity! + Alternate Setting] Ling Zhao complained about the ending given to the third male lead, grumbling about the lousy author, and then transmigrated. She transmigrated into the body of Yan Lingzhao, the Third Princess of Great Yan. The lousy author threatens that Ling Zhao must complete her mission before she can return to the modern world: 1. Follow the plot to the end; 2. Win over the third male lead. Having memorized the original story and grown up alon —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A lighthearted palace intrigue novel; the female lead is a lively and lovable character.

23. 173 惊 The Astonishing Phoenix Physician 惊凰医妃 Miao Miao杪杪Ancient Romance3.5M WordsCompleted [Best friends transmigrate together, comedy, face-slapping power fantasy, two equally formidable leads] Overnight, Yun Ling transmigrates into the most notorious ugly woman in the capital. By chance, she marries Prince Jing, the blind God of War of Western Zhou. Fortunately, she still has her powerful mental abilities. That sanctimonious white lotus keeps pushing her luck, so Yun Ling tears off her mask time and again! Her scummy father wants to elevate his concubine to the status of equal wife? 44.4kReads9.4Score6.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    Here you go, you're welcome.

24. 174 摄 The Regent King Courts Me Every Day, but This Wicked Consort Wants the Throne! 摄政王天天邀宠，妖妃只想篡位！ Morning Wine朝酒Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Reborn + revenge + substitute + scheming male lead. Not your usual sweet romance: a villainess is reborn, and she knows exactly what she's doing] She murdered high-ranking officials and colluded with enemy nations! The bewitching consort Xie Zhuoning, who had thrown the court into chaos, was sentenced by the regent to die by a thousand arrows. She opened her eyes and found herself back in her youth. Xie Zhuoning stared at the man responsible for her death and smiled with devastating allure. In 240Reads8.7Score—14d adds
25. 175 手 With Ten Spaces in Hand, the Divine Doctor's Mad Consort Can Defy Heaven 手握十大空间，神医狂妃可逆天 Yun Zibing云子冰Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + two powerful leads + face-slapping and punishing scumbags + comedy + doctor heroine] Yun Ning, a twenty-first-century poison doctor, transmigrates into the body of a useless family head. She’s mocked by everyone, schemed against by her sisters, and cheated on left and right by the scumbag Crown Prince. On top of that, a bunch of old geezers covet her position as head of the family. She takes on her relatives, turns their schemes against them, dumps the Crown Prince, and slaps h 10.9kReads9.0Score1.5k14d adds
26. 176 贵 The Noble Consort Rejects Romance: While Others Fight for Favor, I Seize Power 贵妃不入爱河，别人争宠我夺权 Ran Qiqi冉七柒Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted [Female-Lead Wish Fulfillment + Unfeeling Persona + Ruthless Revenge and Face-Slapping] Years later, the history books would describe Ming Tang as a master strategist with an iron fist, the ultimate winner of the harem struggles and the vast empire. Only Ming Tang knew she had never wanted to be that winner in the first place. From a young girl to the ruler of the realm, all she had wanted at first was to avenge her elder sister. The harem was full of danger. On one side was Consort Jin, who had 7.3kReads9.4Score86914d adds

    Reader note

    High-level strategy, playing each step carefully.

27. 177 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 2.4kReads9.0Score26414d adds
28. 178 重 Reborn as a Princess of Noble Status 重生之公主尊贵 Heartless and Loveless无心无爱Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted She was born into the mansion of a wealthy family, the kind everyone longs to be part of. Clever from a young age, she dazzled everyone with her talents and earned their praise. Yet her parents treated her as if she didn't exist, because she had been conceived by her father as a means of winning her mother. Her existence had forced her mother to marry her father, making her proof of his despicable past. Others saw only her bright and polished exterior, never understanding how cold her heart had 286Reads8.8Score—14d adds
29. 179 庶 The Concubine-Born Daughter Keeps the Family Afloat 庶女养家 Nan Feiyan南飞彦Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating as a humble concubine-born daughter, Ning Jiayin plans to adapt to local customs and live a quiet, stable life in the inner household. But a spy stirs up trouble, her father is swept off to the front lines, and the Ning family is arrested and has its property confiscated. To keep her family afloat, Ning Jiayin has no choice but to step up. She goes into business and shows off her medical skills. Though the Ning family faces enormous upheaval, they still manage to live in pea 4.6kReads9.0Score52314d adds

    Reader note

    Tired of the same old farm-and-famine themes? Come, dive into the dazzling vortex of palace intrigue novels! Five highly-rated works, with vivid and lively characters and gripping plots, will take you deep into the imperial harem and let you experience the magnificent clash of wisdom and power!

30. 180 妹 Little Sister, Stop Competing. Your Elder Sister Has Married into a Powerful Family 妹妹别斗了，嫡姐已嫁高门 Li Wu礼午Ancient Romance611k WordsCompleted Household intrigue + marriage first, love later + warrior x young woman Synopsis: Xie Yuxi had an excellent marriage prospect. Her unremarkable, illegitimate fiancé was far more impressive than anyone realized: without making a fuss, he had passed the imperial exam and become its top scorer. In the prime of her youth, she would marry a promising man who was everything she could wish for. How enviable. But after he failed to show up for their arranged meeting at a temple, the top scholar sent som 16.1kReads8.9Score1.8k14d adds
31. 181 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 5.8kReads9.0Score63014d adds
32. 182 公 The Princess Sneaks Out on the Eve of Her Wedding, and the Crown Prince Comes to Catch Her Himself 公主婚前趁夜出逃，储君亲自抓人 Wuxi巫溪Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Forceful Possession + Wife-Chasing Crematorium + Devoted Couple + Male Lead with a Black Heart Beneath His Gentle Exterior] Prince Xie Linheng was famous for having no interest in women. For years, he had never been close to a single woman. In the second year of Jian’an, the emperor fell gravely ill, and the crown prince took power. Desperate to see her mother, Yu Tingwan had no choice but to seek Xie Linheng’s help. Everyone said the crown prince was as noble and graceful as a pine tree, peerl 28.1kReads9.2Score2.6k14d adds

    Reader note

    They're all so beautiful 🤭🤭

33. 183 不 Wasn’t This an Arranged Marriage? Why Is Lord Pei So in Love with Me? 不是联姻吗？裴大人怎么这么爱 Deep-Fried Ice Cream油炸冰激凌Ancient Romance275k WordsCompleted Jiang Shiyuan spent ten years pursuing Shen Lüchu, only to receive four words on her eighteenth birthday: “You make me sick.” So Jiang Shiyuan, the girl who made Shen Lüchu sick, turned around and agreed to her family’s arranged marriage, preparing to marry into the Pei family. The Pei family was the most powerful clan in the capital, with influence that reached the heavens, far beyond what Jiang Shiyuan could aspire to. Fortunately, the family was full of talented men, but one grandson, Pei 50.3kReads9.1Score6.5k14d adds
34. 184 颠 This Is Crazy! I Became the White Moonlight of a Mad Tyrant 颠了！我穿成了疯批暴君的白月光 Shangguan Weiyu上官微雨Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate Into a Book + Sweet Romance + Both Pure, One-on-One + Logic Not Required + Older Cousin Has a System + Frail, Innocent Beauty + Unhinged Puppy + Sister Complex + Not a Strong Female Lead + Play the Pig to Eat the Tiger] Content warning: This story has a pretty wild premise, so read with caution. Shen Wanling transmigrates into a book as the heroine’s cousin, a cannon-fodder extra who chokes to death. To escape her fate as cannon fodder, she immediately latches onto the heroine, he 134Reads6.5Score—14d adds
35. 185 权 The Powerful Minister Breaks Down in Tears: He’s Fallen for His Rival’s Younger Sister 权臣爆哭：看上对头亲妹妹 Madam Raccoon狸猫夫人Ancient Romance313k WordsCompleted [Complete] Brother who dotes on his sister + sweet romance + cozy moments Xiao Yu couldn’t understand why his younger sister was so set on marrying beneath her. The top scholar came from a poor family and had no connections, power, or influence. Marrying him would mean a life of hardship, with no telling how many years she’d have to wait before things got better. His sister had far better options. Until he fell for the top scholar’s precious younger sister. He would do whatever it took to make h 2.4kReads8.7Score26114d adds
36. 186 智 Wise Men Avoid Love, and the Noble Consort Wants No Responsibility 智者不入爱河，贵妃不想负责 Uncle Luo洛叔叔Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Being a beggar would be better than being in the harem. Shen Qing is despairing over her current identity. The female lead won't appear for another two years, and Shen Qing is the lowest-ranking consort in the male lead's harem. Her father is useless, and she has neither money nor power. It seems her only option is to wait for the emperor's favor. To make matters worse, she has a face that attracts trouble. If she fights for influence, she has no leverage; if she doesn't, she'll just get bullied 47.7kReads9.5Score6.1k14d adds
37. 187 京 The Capital's Most Notorious Beauty 京城第一祸水 Stars Fill My Eyes满眼星宸Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Currently being published [rival suitors in a dramatic love triangle + top-tier schemer + supporting villainess fights back + everyone comes around] [Historical romance + told entirely from the wicked supporting female character’s perspective] ❣️Blurb One Qiao Wanyan learned from a storybook that she was nothing but a wicked supporting character who abandoned her childhood sweetheart and chased after wealth and status. She sowed discord, poisoned her elder sister, and committed every imaginable 58.2kReads9.3Score7.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    These two are my favorite palace intrigue novels.

38. 188 重 With My Reborn Son's High-Stakes Schemes, Becoming Empress Dowager Is No Dream 重生儿子手段高，晋升太后不是梦 Chiyo千代Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Fictional Imperial Harem Drama + No Romance + Giving Birth and Raising Kids + My Son Must Be Crown Prince + Ambitious + Clear-Eyed] Content warning: The romance isn’t mutually exclusive, she doesn’t love the male lead, and there are painful, heartbreaking parts. The male lead is a scumbag emperor. Song Yuyan was hooked on a palace-harem management game. She never expected to open her eyes and find she had transmigrated to ancient times. After keeping a low profile for three years, she entered t 3.6kReads9.3Score41814d adds

    Reader note

    I won't go into detail about palace intrigue novels; just read the synopsis yourself.

39. 189 宫 A Palace Maid’s Daily Struggles 宫女奋斗日常 Phantom Beneath the Moon月下幻影Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Ling Huan has skin as smooth as ice and looks like a goddess, yet she has no interest in power and thinks only of leaving the palace. In the end, neither she nor her child meets a good end. Given another chance, her goal is to raise her child well and become Empress Dowager herself. A palace-intrigue story with a strong female lead. The heroine is ruthless and clever. A thoroughly satisfying read. 5.9kReads9.2Score84614d adds
40. 190 炮 Book Transmigration: The Delicate Cannon-Fodder Supporting Character Is Too Pitiful 炮灰女配她娇软堪怜【穿书】 Spring Waters Stretch a Thousand Miles春水千里Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book, delicate little star, adored by everyone, men competing in a battlefield of love] Hua Wu transmigrates! The good news: she’s transmigrated into a historical romance about a Mary Sue heroine adored by everyone. The heroine is born with an irresistible allure, and any man who sleeps with her becomes unable to leave her. She gathers a scheming prince, a bold general, an obsessive imperial tutor, a cold, aloof miracle doctor, a mysterious state preceptor, and many more 5.8kReads8.8Score63314d adds

    Reader note

    Who knows? These books are absolutely amazing, truly fantastic works. I hope more people can appreciate their charm.

41. 191 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter Turned Cannon Fodder? Reborn, She Takes Down the System and Steals Her Destiny 嫡女变炮灰？重生干翻系统夺命格 Honeysuckle Vine忍冬藤Ancient Romance830k WordsCompleted [Reborn and crushing the villains, household and palace intrigue, sweet and satisfying romance, fighting the System, inner thoughts] A beautiful, ruthless noblewoman and a cool, restrained, scheming gentleman. Cheng Jiuyuan had enjoyed an easy life from birth. With a maternal grandfather rich enough to rival a kingdom, a father wielding real power, and a fiancé who was heir to the throne, she had everything she needed to run wild in the capital for the rest of her life. Until her engagement was 3.8kReads9.0Score46214d adds
42. 192 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 40kReads9.7Score6.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    These two books are absolutely fantastic! Highly recommended!!!

43. 193 换 After a Marriage Swap, I Became Empress Dowager at Eighteen 换亲后，我十八就当上了太后 Xue Da雪大Ancient Romance359k WordsCompleted [The Empress Who Comes After Tears Apart a Transmigrator and Takes Her Time Setting the Harem Straight] Shen Shuhua and her younger sister were reborn together. In her previous life, she married a penniless top scholar, while her younger sister entered the palace and became empress, living in splendor. But life is unpredictable. The top scholar, once penniless, rose to the pinnacle of power and became prime minister, securing a first-rank noble title for his wife, Shen Shuhua. Her younger sister 1.4kReads9.1Score23014d adds
44. 194 小 The Little Palace Maid's Thoughts Were Read 小宫女被读心了 Jiang Xiaoshi江小十Ancient Romance254k WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the palace as a maid, Qin Jianjian works diligently, flatters those above her, and deceives those below her. In the end, she becomes the top-ranked maid serving the Empress Dowager. She has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of her profession. Money she’s openly entitled to, along with money she shouldn’t have, keeps flowing into Qin Jianjian’s pockets. Delighted, she just has to wait until she’s old enough to leave the palace and retire early. Who could have guessed the 14.7kReads9.4Score1.2k14d adds

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue, favoritism

45. 195 谁 Whose Favored Concubine Doesn't Get Herself Killed? 谁家宠妾不作死啊 Cai Wangwang菜汪汪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Pei Shiyuan had always thought that, as a concubine-born daughter, she thrived at her family home because she knew a little tea ceremony and all she had to do was flatter her father, the head of the household. She had been quite pleased with herself about it, right up until she entered the Eighth Prince’s household. The Eighth Prince’s mother, the Noble Consort, was so favored that the Empress had no room to stand. His maternal family wielded so much power that the court officials could barely b 77.1kReads9.5Score7.9k14d adds
46. 196 栖 Bough of the Phoenix Perch 栖凰枝 Lu Shiqi鹿时七Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Short drama now available. Search "A Sigh for Youth". Starring Mi Qi and Wang Kang] Also known as "I'm a Psychology PhD, and I'll Slaughter My Way Through the Palace" Palace intrigue + sweet romance + not both leads' first relationship + heroine focused on her career On her first day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue fell out of favor. Everyone said she was nothing but a pretty face, a vase. On her second day after transmigrating into the harem, Jiang Xinyue regained the emperor 37.3kReads9.4Score4.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    The first book was pure palace intrigue, it was amazing! The second and third books, needless to say, were both tear-jerking gems.

47. 197 行 Late in the Day 行止晚 Zhi Er织尔Ancient Romance138k WordsCompleted [Devoted love + emperor and empress + tragic palace romance] 145,000 readers gave it top ratings, and countless readers cried their way through it! The year’s breakout historical romance, a heartache readers can’t forget. A clear-eyed, sweet empress VS a proud emperor whose love never wavers. Born into the imperial family, how can everything ever go as you wish? May we remain together forever, and may I keep you safe and at peace. A gentleman’s word is his bond. In a daze, I saw the moon rise. 25.7kReads9.6Score3.3k14d adds
48. 198 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 48.6kReads9.7Score7.1k14d adds
49. 199 公 The Princess Holds Sway Over the Court, and Her Harem Is Full 公主权倾朝野，鱼塘挤不下了 Old Yellow Rabbit老黄兔Ancient Romance3.4M WordsCompleted Original title: The Princess Holds Sway Over the Court, and Her Fish Pond Is Full [Historical Romance + Scheming + Everyone’s Darling + Reincarnation Before Birth + Favorite Concubine + Harem Intrigue + Wish Fulfillment + Alluring Heroine + System + Rise to Power] One day, after transmigrating, Liang Yue became the apple of her favorite concubine mother’s eye. The three thousand imperial consorts could not match her mother’s radiance, and the entire Great Xia treasury could not rival her uncle’s 21.6kReads7.4Score6.1k14d adds
50. 200 书 Trapped in a Book as the Demon Queen: The Sickly Regent Is No Gentleman at Night 书穿妖后：病娇摄政王每晚不当人 Ran Aran冉阿冉Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the Great Zhou’s most notorious empress, Su Ruo barely has time to enjoy herself before her life is in danger. A patriotic System comes knocking, asking her to support the young emperor and change the fate of the Great Zhou’s fall. ??? She’s the wicked empress everyone wants dead! Never mind that the young emperor is hopelessly incompetent. Picking a fight with the regent, who holds all the power at court, is just asking to die young, isn’t it? Patriotic System: The reg 2.2kReads9.4Score28614d adds

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