Looking for Clever Stories About Political Intrigue, Household Rivalries, and Palace Scheming 想看权谋 宅斗 宫斗，有脑子的文。

1. 101 穿 After I Transmigrated into a Book, I Became the Big Shot’s Lazy Pillow 穿书后成了大佬的咸鱼抱枕 Xi Yin奚音Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted Outside, a raging storm howled and battle cries filled the air. Inside, Ning Xihua suddenly jolted awake on the bed. Propping herself up halfway, she looked confused. “What’s going on?” The man held a book in one hand and pulled her into his arms with the other. “Nothing. Go back to sleep.” “Oh.” Ning Xihua lay back down and promptly fell asleep. If the big shot was this calm, then even if knives were raining down outside, it had nothing to do with her. After transmigrating into a book, Ning Xi 50.9kReads9.4Score5.8k14d adds

   Reader note

   This book is good.

2. 102 女 A Woman in a Man's Body: The Concubine-Born Heir's Rise to Power 女穿男，庶房嫡子的逆袭 Liu Jilian刘忌廉Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing Now available as an audiobook with a full cast. [Alternate history] + [Woman transmigrates as a man] + [Born into this world] + [Imperial exams and business in the early story] + [Court politics later on] + [One female lead, with a relatively small role] + [A touch of ensemble cast] + [No golden finger] Xie Chengxi was born into another world as the sixth son of the Xie family, a minor family in Bianjing's Grain Transport Guild. His father was the clan's rejected son, kept under pressure for yea 33.5kReads8.3Score3.6k14d adds

   Reader note

   Political intrigue and infrastructure development; very entertaining.

3. 103 穿 Reborn as a Princess of Qin: The Sky Screen Reveals My Future 穿成大秦公主，天幕剧透我未来 Thoughts, Not Poetry思不诗Ancient Romance355k WordsCompleted [No CP + sky screen rankings + strong heroine + career-minded + feel-good power fantasy + Qin Shi Huang] [The heroine plays the fool to fool her enemies, hoping to outlive her father, the First Emperor. But then…] She is born into the Qin dynasty as the daughter of Qin Shi Huang, the historically unrecorded Sixth Princess, Ying Qingyue. She looks at the throne at the height of the empire, then at her kindhearted but hopelessly unsuited eldest brother, Fusu, and the useless Hu Hai, and falls into 27.5kReads8.3Score3.5k14d adds
4. 104 做 The First Thing I Did as a County Magistrate: Feed the Whole County 做女县令第一件事：让全县吃饱饭 Jasmine Milk Tea茉莉牛乳茶Ancient Romance3.0M WordsOngoing [Farming + infrastructure development + improving people’s livelihoods + System + a female magistrate’s rise to power] Shen Zheng opens her eyes to find she’s become a newly appointed female magistrate. The county office is so poor that plaster is crumbling off the walls, and the granary is so empty even the mice stay away. Everyone knows that the poorest county in all of Liuyang Prefecture is this very county, Tong’an. Just as she thinks she’ll have to waste three years in Tong’an before retiri 17.4kReads9.2Score1.9k14d adds
5. 105 农 A Farmer's Son, the Imperial Exams, and Officialdom 农家子，科举，做官 Jiang He姜禾Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Born into the womb + imperial examinations + farming + daily life + public works and infrastructure, with a couple, little romance] [No pocket dimension, no System, no golden finger] [He starts looking for a teacher in Chapter 38. If you’re short on patience, you can start reading there.] Shen Huai is born into an ancient world and becomes the only boy in his family. The good news: he can take the imperial examinations. The bad news: they’re poor, very poor, desperately poor. Born into a 5kReads8.5Score38814d adds
6. 106 女 A Woman in a Man’s Body: Lord Fuguang Goes on a Killing Spree 女穿男：扶光君他杀疯了 Shi Yi蒔宜Ancient Romance814k WordsOngoing [Female-to-Male Transmigration + No Romance + Literary Plagiarism + Jinx + Aristocratic Scion’s Exam Success Story] Also known as: The Azure Luan Chronicles Song Hezhen was a brilliant academic in the 22nd century, a top student who graduated from Cambridge with two doctorates. After completing her studies, she was just about to return home and contribute to her country’s development. But life is unpredictable: the plane she was on crashed, and just like that, Song Hezhen kicked the bucket! When 4.7kReads7.4Score51114d adds
7. 107 综 Crossover Worlds: The Beloved White Moonlight Is Here 综穿，白月光在线中 How Much of the Moonlight Do You Know月色知几许Female-Channel Fanfiction575k WordsCompleted [Multiple TV Worlds] [White Moonlight] [Career-Focused] [The Main Character Is the Best Match] [No Unfair Bashing] [Breaks Up Canon Couples (Major Focus)] [One-Sided Crushes] 1. Career > romance 2. Breaks up canon couples; original protagonists can be good or bad 3. Mary Sue story, weak logic, and the plot exists only to serve the heroine 4. Small worlds are either one woman with multiple men or have no romance 5. Characterization includes original interpretations; no one is entirely good o 13.8kReads8.9Score61314d adds
8. 108 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 82.1kReads9.5Score9.3k14d adds

   Reader note

   It's perfect, full of foreshadowing, and the author's writing is excellent; you'll never guess what they'll do next.

9. 109 成 What on Earth Is This? Complete in Two Volumes (The Original Novel Behind the Hit Drama Starring Wang Churan and Cheng Lei) 成何体统：全二册（王楚然、丞磊主演热播影视剧原著） Qi Yingjun七英俊Anime Fanfiction314k WordsCompleted What is it like to transmigrate into a web novel and become the tyrant's bedmate? After a few simple calculations, Yu Wanyin reached a conclusion: she would have to find another way. In this story full of villains, if she wanted to carve out a path to survival, she had to become the biggest villain of all. First, help the tyrant take down Prince Duan, then take down the tyrant and become empress herself. But when she met the tyrant and carefully considered the strange sense of familiarity in his 40.3kReads9.7Score6.3k14d adds

   Reader note

   Watching this was terrifying; I was genuinely afraid they wouldn't be able to defeat Prince Duan.

10. 110 太 Crown Prince Conquest: The Auspicious One Is Tearing Down the House Again 太子攻略：祥瑞她又在拆家 The Crazy Workaholic疯疯癫癫的卷王Ancient Romance68k WordsOngoing [Scatterbrained, Overpowered, Drama Queen of a General's Household] vs. [Says One Thing, Means Another, Wins Himself Over, Frail Crown Prince] [Reborn] [System] [Marriage Before Love] [Feel-Good Story] [Hilarious] [Happy Ending] [Sweet Romance] [No golden finger, the System is purely here to cause trouble] Reborn in the snow, she first slashes her scumbag husband, then blows up the funeral hall! Forced into a marriage to bring good fortune, her goal: conquer the short-lived Crown Prince! They ag —Reads—Score—14d adds
11. 111 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 90.9kReads9.6Score12.1k14d adds

    Reader note

    My top picks for historical romance novels: the female leads are all resilient, intelligent, and possess a strong sense of justice; the plots are engaging and logically sound—you won't regret investing in them.

12. 112 惜 Cherishing Flowers 惜花芷 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted [The original novel behind the TV adaptation starring Hu Yitian and Zhang Jingyi] After keeping her talents hidden for fifteen years, Hua Zhi thought she could spend her life as a proper aristocratic young lady, living in peace. But when the Hua family’s fortunes collapse, she has no choice but to reveal her sharp edge and hold the storm-tossed household together. Being out in public becomes the norm, and so does galloping through the streets. When all else fails, she even carries a coffin on he 18.6kReads9.6Score4.2k14d adds
13. 113 锁 The Cage of Captive Beauty 锁娇笼 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted [The print edition is out and available across all platforms] In the capital lives a charitable family named Yun. Their youngest daughter is called Yun Xian. The young woman is lovely, with a sweet smile. Matchmakers in the capital were green with envy, but everyone knew she had been betrothed to a young man from the Li family since childhood. Li Jingtang was as refined as bamboo and gifted in serving the people, but he was the only son of a widowed mother, and his family was poor. Fortunately, 2.9kReads9.2Score58914d adds
14. 114 拽 The Feisty Consort Climbs to Power Through Palace Intrigue, Everyone Else Back Off 拽妃宫斗上位，闲杂人等退退退 Pine Blossom Candy松花糖Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama is out now. Search for it on Fanqie to watch. [Palace Intrigue Power Fantasy + Not a Clean Romance + Being the Emperor’s Mother Is Better Than Being His Consort] Every woman in the harem hopes to win Emperor Jingrong’s favor, but Yuan Yuntang sees the emperor only as a tool for having children. Women in ancient times had to marry sooner or later anyway, so she might as well marry the most powerful man of all. After all, Emperor Jingrong has a great figure, a handsome face, and a 16.6kReads9.1Score1.8k14d adds

    Reader note

    All four of these books have high ratings. The female lead is beautiful and intelligent, and the emperor adores her. The third book is a comic based on the second one, and it's also very good!

15. 115 娘 The Empress Is Sweet and Innocent, and the Emperor Raises Her to the Top 娘娘单纯娇媚，陛下捧她上位 Sleepy Snail爱睡觉的蜗蜗Ancient Romance631k WordsCompleted [A native heroine who's been good at acting since childhood] As the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor's household, Bai Ruoli had always gotten everything she wanted. But when the palace selection came, she was destined to enter the palace as a concubine. The palace had not only the Empress Dowager and the emperor, but also the empress, and then the emperor's favored consorts below her. Bai Ruoli wasn't intimidated. Her family background was excellent. As long as the emperor wasn't a devoted 5.6kReads8.4Score70514d adds

    Reader note

    I highly recommend the second book.

16. 116 姣 Jiaojiao's Joyful Years 姣姣岁欢 Little Yuanbao元宝儿Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Jiang Suihuan marries Qin Huaijing, a royal relative whose family has fallen on hard times, bringing a generous dowry with her. On their wedding night, before they can consummate the marriage, he leaves her to fend for herself in the manor. Two years later, Qin Huaijing is selected by the court to become the Crown Prince of Great Jin. Jiang Suihuan thinks that her husband’s rise will make her Crown Princess. Instead, her husband returns victorious from the battlefield and tells her that a lowbor 9.2kReads8.9Score1.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    This deserves a huge thumbs up!!!

17. 117 春 The Spring Breeze Blows Through Yumen Pass! 春风吹度玉门关！ Scallion Pancake with an Extra Egg手抓饼要加鸡蛋Ancient Romance409k WordsCompleted [They marry at the start + married life + sweet romance + native-born leads + mutually devoted] Gentle, tolerant, and magnanimous heroine & jealous, rough-around-the-edges puppy-dog hero The sixth year of the Zhending reign, spring. The old Duchess of Dingguo knelt before the Empress Dowager, asking for a marriage match for her grandson Yun Zheng, who was guarding the northwest. The emperor honored the Yun family’s generations of loyal service. Having also heard that the Cui family’s daughters 23.4kReads9.0Score2.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    👀So beautiful!

18. 118 皇 The Mad Prince Dotes on Her, but His Sweet Beauty Can't Escape 皇叔疯宠，娇娇美人逃不掉 Lotus Fragrance芙蓉香来Ancient Romance246k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance, both leads are virgins, 1v1, funny and lighthearted, fictional setting] Jiang Nianrou, the only daughter of the Defender-General, comes from a distinguished family and is beautiful and delicate. Her life should have been smooth sailing, but her father is the sort who keeps getting his daughter into trouble. After a rocky start, she grew up against the odds. Thanks to her remarkable knack for staying alive, she made it safely to marriageable age. Her mother once said she hoped 814Reads8.1Score10314d adds
19. 119 吾 While My Son Fights for the Throne, His Majesty Lures Me Into Bearing Him a Second Child 吾儿夺储时，陛下榻边诱我生二胎 Wilderness Siren荒野塞壬Ancient Romance504k WordsCompleted (Sweet romance + 11-year age gap + the powerful one bows his head + not both virgins) Pei Yunshu, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Guo's household, had enjoyed a charmed life since childhood. Blessed with a breathtakingly beautiful face, she married Xie Shaoyan, the Crown Prince of the realm, and after their wedding, she became the sole recipient of his favor. But only Pei Yunshu knew that Xie Shaoyan had not touched her once in their three years of marriage. Three years later, Pei Yunshu 5.6kReads8.7Score54214d adds
20. 120 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 5kReads9.3Score53214d adds
21. 121 山 Beauty and Strategy in a Land of Rivers and Mountains 山河美人谋 Moonset月落Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Proud young lady who always gets even vs. frail, scheming Ninth Prince] Her fiancé was a total jerk, and he was planning to kill her to keep her quiet. Ye Jiao decided to strike first and find a scapegoat while she was at it. She thought the scapegoat would be a transparent, sickly “living corpse,” but rumors were misleading. He was clearly a two-faced, deeply cunning Ninth Prince. After Ye Jiao used the Ninth Prince’s name to punish her scumbag fiancé, Li Ce, the real Ninth Prince: “Miss, I be 18.3kReads9.5Score2.6k14d adds

    Reader note

    The main character is sane, and the supporting characters aren't stupid either; it's worth a try! [Kissing emoji]

22. 122 糊 After the Scatterbrained Mother Was Reborn, Her Hard-Luck Life Turned to Wealth and Glory 糊涂娘重生后，命苦的她富贵荣华 You Lu由鹿Ancient Romance645k WordsCompleted [The heroine’s mother is reborn; devoted to one another in both her past and present lives; one-on-one romance; happy ending] Qi Manyue was so foolish that she didn’t realize until she was on the verge of death that she had raised her enemy’s son, while her own daughter had been abandoned far from home. She clung to life to search for her daughter, and at last found her: nothing but bones in a mass grave. When she saw the remains, she finally breathed her last. But when she opened her eyes again 5.6kReads8.9Score64514d adds

    Reader note

    The female lead suffers because the male lead has amnesia.

23. 123 锦 Brocade Butcher 锦屠 Li Er'er李尔尔Ancient Romance656k WordsCompleted Bianjing is full of powerful nobles. As the eldest legitimate daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Yongyi, a distinguished family of hereditary nobles, Xie Rongying embodies every virtue and is a model for women. A month after their wedding, her husband marched off to war. Half a year later, he died on the battlefield, his body brought home on his horse. From then on, a life of Buddhist prayers and the constraints of a chastity arch confined her for the rest of her days. As she lay dying, she seeme 15.3kReads8.6Score1.6k14d adds

    Reader note

    This is great! After being reborn, the female lead not only has to fight her way out of the Marquis of Yongyi's mansion, but also secure a place for her family in the imperial court. She does both simultaneously—it's so exciting! She slaps her mistress in the face and torments her mother-in-law.

24. 124 被 Abandoned by the Entire Household, I Let the On-Screen Comments Teach Me to Win the Emperor’s Heart 被全府抛弃后，弹幕教我勾帝心 Pineapple, Oh菠萝呀Ancient Romance304k WordsCompleted [On-screen comments + comparison heroine + palace intrigue + clear-headed beauty] Xu Lingyue had spent fifteen years as the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s household. When she was fifteen, the family’s true daughter came looking for her. Brainwashed by the marquis’s household, she devoted herself to making plans for the true daughter, helping her become a famous and celebrated beauty of talent over the next three years. She had thought the marquis’s household had raised her for years becau 64Reads5.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    These are some I'm currently watching and some I've already finished watching; they're both very good.

25. 125 生 Three Sons and a Daughter? The Empress Reigns Supreme in the Harem 生育三子一女？娘娘她冠宠六宫 White Moon Bridge白月桥Ancient Romance324k WordsCompleted The story has just received its first rating, and it will gradually climb! [Calculating, seemingly frail and pampered maid × cold-hearted, deep-thinking emperor] [Reborn + power-up wish fulfillment + doting romance + not both virgins + his devotion to her later on] In a nutshell: His Majesty is absolutely smitten! Xue Yingzhu was born into humble circumstances and was easy prey for everyone, yet she possessed a breathtaking beauty. In her previous life, she cared nothing for power and acted with 493Reads6.8Score11114d adds
26. 126 乖 A Sweet, Obedient Woman Gets the Best of Life, and the Crown Prince Can't Get Enough 乖巧的女人最好命，太子欲罢不能 Mi Yiner弥音儿Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (P.S. Strong male lead, weaker female lead, pure historical romance, no transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger, sweet romance.) Wen Li'er is gentle and mild-mannered, the cherished darling of her parents. She thought she'd marry a man she loved and spend her life raising children and managing the household. But an imperial decree from the Empress made her the lowest-ranking consort in the Eastern Palace. Unable to bear the blow, Wen Li'er fell seriously ill and spent half a year bedridden. 46.3kReads8.8Score8k14d adds
27. 127 宠 The Consort's Business Venture Succeeded, Then She Suddenly Died 宠妃创业已成，却猝然崩殂 Messy 87糟87乱Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted [The Two Worlds' Beloved Consort] Liu Yao worked her way up from beauty to imperial consort, becoming the apple of the emperor's eye. One day, the emperor peacefully passed away in her arms, bound for the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. At last, all her hardships had paid off. On his deathbed, the emperor issued an imperial decree allowing her to live at Qionghua Mountain Villa, a palace retreat, instead of remaining in the palace. She now had wealth, status, and freedom. She had it all. A winner a 49Reads6.1Score—14d adds
28. 128 婕 The Jieyu's Survival Handbook: His Majesty Insists on Winning Me Over 婕妤保命手札：陛下偏要自我攻略 Yu Zhiwei予之微Ancient Romance313k WordsCompleted She has spent four years in the prince's manor, eating and drinking to her heart's content and enjoying a carefree life. She never expected a storm to rise and An Wang to ascend the throne, making her one of the emperor's concubines. The empress is devoted to prayer, and the emperor's most favored Consort Shu has a grudge against her. She is only a lowly Jieyu, and the emperor's favor seems out of reach. How can she stay alive? Emperor: I dote on you and love you. How could anyone else compare 243Reads—Score—14d adds
29. 129 帝 The Emperor Is Aloof and Hard to Approach? He Lures Me to Share His Bed Night After Night! 帝王清冷难近？夜夜诱我共枕眠！ Thousand-Pool Moon千池月Ancient Romance549k WordsCompleted [Live-action audio adaptation available] [Reborn + Palace Intrigue, Not Both Virgins + Favored by the Hero Early On, His Only Love Later + Clear-Headed Beauty Rises to Power + Emperor Becomes Love-Struck Later] [Cool, Distant, Hard-to-Approach Emperor vs. Delicate, Soft, Clear-Headed Heroine] In her previous life, Lin Wanqing was kept outside the palace as the mistress of the younger brother of the reigning emperor. She thought they were in love and that she would become his princess consort. S 3kReads8.8Score33914d adds
30. 130 直 The Bold Consort Flirts with the Emperor, and He Begs for Cuddles Every Day 直球贵妃撩帝王，他竟日日求贴贴 Baby Little Ball北鼻小丸Ancient Romance450k WordsCompleted [Just got a rating, and it’ll slowly go up from here~ Welcome, everyone!] [Palace intrigue, not an innocent romance] [Sweet romance; the male lead falls early and dotes on her exclusively after about ten chapters] [A clever, brave, strong, stunning beauty who speaks her mind × a clingy, love-struck puppy of an emperor] Shen Chaoying opened her eyes to find herself sitting in the sedan chair taking her to the emperor’s bedchamber. She looked around and nearly fainted on the spot. Thanks for askin 997Reads8.8Score13214d adds
31. 131 送 You Offered Me Up to Win His Favor? Why Are You Crying Now That I'm Empress? 送我固宠？我当皇后你哭什么？ Moon Gummies月亮软糖Ancient Romance612k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book / palace intrigue / not mutually devoted / face-slapping feel-good story / sweet romance / historical romance] A beauty who keeps a low profile early on, then acts spoiled and arrogant under the emperor's protection / a cold, strict emperor who falls in love at first sight, favors her, and fiercely defends her *A transmigration trope, a chef slicing meat and tossing it in the wok. Come have a bite of this satisfying favoritism story! Chu Qingwan transmigrated into a boo 1.6kReads8.4Score22514d adds
32. 132 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 270Reads6.6Score—14d adds
33. 133 穿 After Becoming the Crown Princess, I Do Nothing but Slack Off 穿成太子妃后，我每天都在摆烂 Beef Flatbread牛肉大饼Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Not a Devoted Couple, Palace and Household Intrigue, Marriage Before Love] With a single imperial decree, Cui Ying and the crown prince inexplicably become husband and wife. Neither of them knows the other. Cui Ying never expected that, as a modern woman transported to ancient times, she would become a crown princess. What a headache. But rumor has it the crown prince has a much-favored concubine by his side. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, she's also gentle and sweet, a true beauty. Cui 22.5kReads6.4Score86614d adds
34. 134 误 A Beauty in the Emperor's Tent, Capturing His Heart 误入天子帐，美人惑君心 Bai Mingchi白明尺Ancient Romance281k WordsCompleted [Not a virginal couple / weak heroine / seemingly gentle as jade but actually ruthless emperor × delicate, soft beauty like a parasitic vine] At first, Ning Zhaorou only wanted to escape the predicament of being married off to a distant place by her stepmother. With no other choice, she accompanied the imperial party to the royal hunting grounds, hoping to secure a future for herself. Young General Chu was handsome and capable, and a trusted man at the emperor's side. Naturally, she thought he 6.3kReads8.9Score69314d adds
35. 135 借 Surrogate Motherhood? The Second-Time Bride and Beloved Consort Insists on Rising to the Top 借腹生子？二嫁宠妃偏要步步高升 Silver Terrace and Golden Palace银台金阙Ancient Romance626k WordsCompleted [A gentle, kind widow and an arrogant, biased emperor. Sweet, doting everyday romance, with little palace intrigue (the emphasis is on little).] The Yu family had three daughters, all beautiful. The eldest became a countess, the youngest became a consort in the palace, and only the second daughter returned home a widow less than five years after her marriage, with a little girl in tow. One day, the palace consort suffered a miscarriage and was told she would have difficulty bearing children in t 21.5kReads9.3Score3.2k14d adds
36. 136 娇 A Dazzling Beauty, the Spy Princess Can’t Escape the Emperor’s Embrace 娇丽动人，细作公主难逃帝王怀 Jing Tan瀞檀Ancient Romance417k WordsCompleted When the emperor of Dayan first ascended the throne, Ning Shuang was bundled off by Beiqiang and sent straight to Xiao Shiyan’s bed. The stunning beauty earned his favor as soon as she entered the palace, bewitching the emperor until he lost his senses. But rumors in the harem claimed Ning Shuang was merely Consort Qin’s double, destined to be cast aside once the consort and Xiao Shiyan made up. Ning Shuang was clear-eyed about her position: she was a spy planted in the harem by Beiqiang, and sh 1.3kReads8.8Score15514d adds
37. 137 重 Reborn in the Dragon Bed, the Beloved Consort Cries in the Emperor's Arms 重生在龙塌，宠妃抱着陛下哭 Staggering Along蹒跚行Ancient Romance461k WordsCompleted [A spoiled, sweetly obedient favorite consort VS a gentle, jade-like emperor who's sweet on the outside and ruthless within (they are not each other's first, but he dotes on her exclusively from the beginning to the end)] Jiang Shuyi's life as a favorite consort went smoothly for fifteen years. The emperor was gentle and benevolent, doting on her without restraint, and not a single woman in the harem dared challenge her. But she was blind to her own sister's treachery. In the end, her closest 101.2kReads9.2Score11.2k14d adds
38. 138 皇 What Are You Doing, Your Majesty? I Entered the Palace to Build a Career 皇上干什么？我进宫是来搞事业的 It's Qian Jinjin Duck是钱金金鸭Ancient Romance124k WordsCompleted After seeing through her husband's family's hypocritical facade, Yun Shuli set up her scumbag husband to lose his title, then successfully divorced him and escaped. She went straight into the palace, ready to build a career and save her family. Her goal: to become the most capable female official by the favored consort's side. But she never expected the Emperor to start clinging to her. Yun Shuli: Your Majesty, please behave yourself! Xiao Jin coaxed her: It would be more useful if you became th 8Reads—Score—14d adds
39. 139 崩 After the Plot Falls Apart, the Carefree Beauty Is Spoiled Until She Cries 崩剧情后，摆烂美人被宠哭了 Queen Julian朱莉安女王Ancient Romance257k WordsCompleted [Main story complete] In a romance novel, the heroine is the one who overcomes countless hardships and ends up with the hero. The vicious supporting heroine is the one who overcomes countless hardships to keep the hero and heroine apart. And the female cannon-fodder who shows up just to make a spectacular mess of things before being written out three episodes later is... Gu Ningning is a professional female cannon-fodder. After years of slacking off, her performance fell short, so she had to c 11.6kReads8.8Score75714d adds
40. 140 陛 Your Majesty, That's Enough! 陛下请适可而止吧！ Ya Fei Li Ou亚菲莉欧Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted A birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager. A cup of wine meant for lovers, drunk by mistake. When the emperor dragged Lu Zhixue into a private room, she thought it was a disaster that had come out of nowhere. Beneath his dragon robes, his fingertips burned. His kiss was poison, and he branded her neck with a mark of humiliation. “Since you’re my concubine, helping me sober up is your duty.” She hurt so badly that she clawed his back raw, her tears soaking the brocade quilt. Little did she kn 1.5kReads8.6Score11414d adds
41. 141 和 The Princess Sent Away for a Political Marriage Returns as an Assassin 和亲公主，归来已是杀手身 White Lantern in the Night Rain夜雨白灯Ancient Romance217k WordsOngoing [Matched opponents + intense push and pull + healing] She was once the most honored woman in the imperial palace, and she gave her heart to the young man in white. But she never imagined that he would personally cast her into an abyss where no light could reach. Branded with the name of a wanton woman, she was sent beyond the frontier to marry, vanished along the way, and became an abandoned wife among the Uyghurs, a laughingstock to the world. Seven years later, she returned, carrying the wi 117Reads—Score—14d adds
42. 142 何 Why Not Sail Together 何不同舟渡 Xian Yuke羡鱼珂Ancient Romance483k WordsCompleted "The print edition under the same title is available to buy online" [No golden finger, no transmigration, no rebirth. A pure historical romance about family and country, with high-IQ espionage and political intrigue] [A double agent undercover + a petty thief who grows: a lone wolf plays a game of raising a rabbit, gives her fangs, then insists they run away together] In a chaotic age, she is a thief worth less than a blade of grass, willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive. She steals ten 142kReads9.7Score112k14d adds

    Reader note

    The first book was about political intrigue, it was great, really good. The second and third books were about palace intrigue and domestic power struggles.

43. 143 献 Offering to the Abyss 献京渊 Qi Yi Zi七一子Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted [Print edition releasing October 25] “He taught me to kill, seize power, and look after myself. I taught him what it means to have a weakness.” [Serious drama + political intrigue + the fate of the nation and its people + I’m terrible at writing blurbs] Jiang Qingyu was born into wealth, and her family’s love had made her naive and pampered. It wasn’t until the day the entire Jiang family was executed that she realized how foolish she had been! When she opened her eyes again, she was determined 24.3kReads9.5Score3.9k14d adds
44. 144 首 The Grand Secretary Regrets It, but I've Already Won the Favor of the Entire Harem 首辅大人后悔了，我已宠冠六宫 The Wind Goes Blah Blah叽里咕噜的风Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama of the same name, Resigning as Chief Councillor, is now streaming on Hongguo and Fanqie! In this life, both leads are faithful to each other. In her previous life, the heroine, Liu Mianmian, was married. In his previous life, the hero, Xie Lingyuan, died young. There’s no rivalry between women, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this story isn’t for you. In her previous life, no one lived happily. In this life, Liu Mianmian just wants to live comfortably. All she wants this t 8.6kReads8.8Score2.4k14d adds

    Reader note

    Double rebirth + no cheat codes + an emperor who loves fishing + a grandmother who loves to curse + an older brother who has regressed to his ancestral traits, it's super good!

45. 145 宠 The Beloved Consort Wants to Be a Vixen 宠妃要做狐狸精 Kaji Yellow Peach咔叽黄桃Ancient Romance555k WordsCompleted A seductive, stunning, ambitious concubine with acting chops × the unruly, arrogant Prince Mu who always has her back and hands her the knife After a palace selection and an imperial edict, Cheng Rong went from being the daughter of a low-ranking eighth-grade official to the lowest-ranking concubine in Prince Mu’s estate, all thanks to her face. Everyone said that if she was going to be a concubine, she had to know her place, be cautious, and keep her head down. Cheng Rong pouted. “Is that so?” 8kReads9.1Score99614d adds
46. 146 穿 Transmigrated as a Wicked Mother-in-Law, She Only Wants to Win Over the Powerful 穿成恶婆婆，她只想攻略众权臣 Gentle Golden Wind金风细细Ancient Romance840k WordsCompleted [Multiple Male Leads + Ensemble Cast + Not a Strong Female Lead + The Original Leads Are Villains] Xia Weiyi transmigrated into a book and became the eldest granddaughter of the Great Yu dynasty's emperor, the esteemed Princess Pingyang. At twenty-six, she was stunningly beautiful, had children of her own, was widowed and unable to bear more children. Her in-laws were practically invisible, and she could do whatever she pleased throughout the entire Duke's mansion. She was quite satisfied with b 5.6kReads8.7Score64514d adds

    Reader note

    This book tells the story of the female protagonist's journey of struggle, but she is not a virgin; there are multiple male protagonists, and all of them are virgins.

47. 147 汉 A Slow Spring in the Han Palace 汉宫春慢 All Forms Are Formless一相无相Ancient Romance521k WordsCompleted [Reborn + Palace Intrigue + Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law + Winning His Wife Back at Any Cost] In her previous life, Shen Rong left a remote mountain town and was betrothed to the crown prince at the emperor's behest, becoming the exalted crown princess. She thought her fortunes would rise from then on and that a sweet, happy marriage lay ahead. Instead, it was the beginning of a tragic life. Her husband loved someone else; her mother-in-law despised her for being ignorant; the palace servan 1.6kReads9.0Score23214d adds

    Reader note

    These two female protagonists have personalities I like. One is reborn, and the other transmigrates into a book. They're not exactly traditional palace intrigue stories, but rather have a touch of palace drama. Both female protagonists possess their own wisdom and don't feel stifled.

48. 148 后 A Cheat-Code Life in the Imperial Harem 后宫开挂人生 The Silent Instant Noodles沉默的方便面Ancient Romance584k WordsCompleted In the novel, she is the Empress Dowager’s niece and the emperor’s highest-ranking Consort Shu, with a noble status and boundless favor. Yet in the end, she cannot escape the fate of a minor cannon-fodder character, and dies with hatred in her heart! Qian Qing from another world takes her place and carefully plots every step, winning the emperor’s love and matching wits with the novel’s heroine. She wants to see whether a mere illegitimate daughter of a marquis’s household can still rise to the 1.8kReads7.6Score10914d adds
49. 149 且 A Book by Qie Qing 且清的一本书 Qie Qing且清Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted My new story is out! You can read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 12Reads6.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    These novels are all very good; you'll see once you read them.

50. 150 穿 After Becoming a Prince's Concubine, She Tries to Escape 穿成王府妾室后，她努力跑路 To Whom Can I Whisper My Feelings?脉脉同谁语Ancient Romance412k WordsCompleted [Both leads are pure and devoted to one another] + [The heroine tries to escape] + [Sweet romance] Mo Zi'er never thought she would transmigrate. But even after transmigrating, she was determined to make the best of her life. It was her new identity that left her speechless: she was a concubine. In a place where she knew nobody, what say could she possibly have? With no status and treated like dirt, she might as well take the money and run! , , “Let you go? How exactly am I supposed to let you g 616Reads9.0Score10014d adds

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