Historical Palace Intrigue: The Heroine Has a Child, Leaves the Palace, and Returns Years Later 古言宫斗，女主生了孩子之后出宫，过几年回宫

1. 1 疯 The Mad Princess Marries a Powerful Eunuch 疯批公主她嫁了个高权宦官 Yin Yu尹玉Ancient Romance499k WordsCompleted {Devoted couple, two strong leads, historical setting, political intrigue, revenge, switched marriages, marriage before love} One is a spoiled and willful princess; the other, a ruthless and bloodthirsty minister. An unexpected marriage swap brings Feng Yuan and Jiang Yu together. Just as everyone waits to laugh at them after the wedding, they realize things are taking a strange turn. Feng Yuan knows full well that she must wear the false mask the world expects of her to hide herself even deeper 7.1kReads9.3Score998Shelves

   Reader note

   Frozen in a snowy night, the reborn true heiress wreaks havoc on her entire family. The female lead is Li Qingluo, and the male lead is Duan Rongshi.

2. 2 疯 This Is Crazy! I Opened My Eyes and Was Already Marrying the Future Chief Minister! 疯了，睁眼就在跟未来首辅拜堂！ Eleven Bridges Here此间十一桥Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted The celebrated forensic pathologist Ning An opened her eyes and found herself as Zhao Ning’an, the useless eldest legitimate daughter of the General Who Guards the Nation’s household. Apart from her good birth, she had nothing going for her. Bratty. A troublemaker. A man-chaser. Every eligible man in the capital gave her a wide berth, except... the Grand Secretary. Shen Changting: “I hear the four thousand household rules the princess wrote were specifically for me. I’m honored by your favo 2.2kReads9.0Score279Shelves
3. 3 我 The Younger Man I Raised Grew Up to Be Older Than Me 我养大的年下，后来成了年上 Xi Xi Accompanied by the Moon兮兮伴月Ancient Romance614k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Pocket Dimension + Nurturing Romance + One-on-One + Sweet Romance] Eighteen-year-old Su Xingcheng woke up to find herself transmigrated into an eight-year-old orphan in the bitterly cold northern frontier. She also had a five-year-old “child husband” by the name of Pei Yunzhou. Thankfully, her seaside villa had become a pocket dimension she could carry with her, and its supplies replenished endlessly! Over thirteen years, she raised that grubby little waif into a peerless eigh 16kReads8.9Score2.3kShelves

   Reader note

   Both of these are absolutely gorgeous. I love them so much. The first one, which I raised from a younger man/older woman relationship, later became an older man/older woman relationship; it's the sweetest one. There are some twists and turns along the way. It's very engaging. It's so captivating that you'll want to keep reading.

4. 4 九 Is the Eunuch of Nine Thousand Years a Woman? The Tyrannical New Emperor Is Overjoyed 九千岁是女儿身？暴戾新君乐疯了 Tan Mo檀墨Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Family Mind Reading + Cannon Fodder + Beloved by the Whole Family + Wish Fulfillment] Shen Yu transmigrates into a book. She becomes the Nine-Thousand-Year-Old Eunuch, raised as a eunuch from childhood on the orders of the Dog Emperor! To change the fate of her family and herself as cannon fodder, Shen Yu helps the Crown Prince, also a doomed cannon-fodder character, overcome one obstacle after another and claim the throne. But she never expected that her whole family, even the Crown Prince, co 1.2kReads8.9Score293Shelves
5. 5 清 After the Cool Beauty Ran Away, the Mad Crown Prince Saw Red 清冷美人逃跑后，疯批太子急红眼 Shui Yangyang水央央Ancient Romance337k WordsCompleted A cool, gentle beauty X a possessive, deranged crown prince In her previous life, Nan Zhi was hit by a car while running away, then transmigrated to ancient times. She thought she’d live a peaceful life, but who could have known… The crown prince brought a beauty back with him. Everyone in the Eastern Palace said she’d climbed her way into his favor, but no one knew she didn’t want to climb that high. All she wanted was to escape. After her first escape attempt failed, the crown prince grabbed h 5.5kReads8.9Score362Shelves

   Reader note

   They're all great (no particular order, they're all super good). They involve faking death, escaping, and all sorts of running around, but I really love how good they are. They're all yandere/perverted types. Super, unbeatable, universally recommended!!!

6. 6 皇 Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃 Liang Zhihe梁之鹤Ancient Romance190k WordsCompleted Forced possession / the pursuit of a wife after losing her / angst (avoid if you dislike these) / avoid if you're a heroine stan / weak heroine / both leads are virgins According to the official history of Tianzhao, Noble Consort Chen, of the Jiang clan, shared a deep bond with Emperor Tianzhao and had once saved his life. She enjoyed his favor for many years without losing it. In the first year of Tianzhao, she was made Noble Consort Chen. The following year, she gave birth to the Crown Prince 17.8kReads8.9Score946Shelves
7. 7 袖 The Beauty's Secret Escape from the Sleeves 袖中美人私逃记 E E Er E婀蛾尔厄Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [Both devoted to each other + reborn + coercive love + the hero pursues her after losing her + faked death + obsessive, lovesick hero] Heroine: You Wanqiu Hero: Yan Jing In her previous life, You Wanqiu was a canary kept in a gilded cage by Yan Jing, the Marquis of Guangyang. He was ruthless and obsessive, determined to tame her and make her his possession, a beauty tucked away in his sleeve. Reborn in this life, You Wanqiu wants nothing more to do with him. 1.6kReads8.7Score132Shelves
8. 8 偏 The Obsessive Crown Prince's Twisted Captivity 偏执太子病态囚宠 Hong Yuan of Nanming Cliff南明崖的洪渊Ancient Romance321k WordsCompleted (The rating was just added; it'll rise later.) [Both leads are inexperienced in love + possessive pursuit + groveling pursuit + intense push and pull] Su Qingzhi wants to leave the capital. She doesn't want her father involved in palace affairs again, nor does she want to see that nightmare come true. She made plans to leave the capital long ago. But she never expected to end up in the Eastern Palace after all. Everyone says the Crown Prince dotes on her, but Su Qingzhi has always known that he 4.7kReads8.7Score324Shelves
9. 9 掠 Captive Love: The Possessive Prince’s Beloved 掠夺囚爱：偏执王爷心尖宠 Hua Yuzan花欲簪Ancient Romance470k WordsCompleted [Completed + devoted 1v1 + transmigration + possessive romance + powerful man and vulnerable woman + sweet and angsty + happy ending] One day, with no warning, Si Yao transmigrated to another world and found herself collapsed in a wilderness, still wearing her dress. She’d stumbled into a melodramatic TV plot: she rescued an injured man, and from then on was pursued by a sinister, ruthless viper. Coercion, yearning, a horrifying love and desire, and terrifying possessiveness. Si Yao had given in 5.3kReads8.7Score446Shelves
10. 10 别 After Fleeing the Villa, the Mad Power Minister's Eyes Turned Red with Rage 别院私逃后，疯批权臣怒红眼 Jiang Shian江十桉Ancient Romance419k WordsCompleted [Coercive romance + wife-pursuing crematorium + devoted couple] Everyone said the eldest son of the Pei family was noble and virtuous, elegant beyond compare. But Jiang Yingwan felt an inexplicable fear of him. Especially when those dark, cold eyes turned her way, a chill ran down her spine. Years ago, the Jiang and Pei families had made a verbal marriage pact. The Old Madam Pei wanted her to marry Pei Yanchen, but the two families were no longer social equals, and Jiang Yingwan already loved so 39.2kReads8.9Score2.8kShelves
11. 11 美 Three Escapes by a Beauty 美人三逃 Summer Cicada Song夏日鸣婵Ancient Romance213k WordsCompleted (Possessive love + unhinged male lead + transmigrated female lead) Mad dog male lead × female lead he gradually drives mad Jiang Yuan ran away three times. The first time was when she learned that Pei Jing only intended to take her as a concubine. The second was after she pretended to be docile and obedient, successfully earning Pei Jing’s trust. The third was on the eve of their wedding. Unfortunately, fate played cruel tricks on her. She failed all three times, and Pei Jing grew more and more 9.3kReads8.2Score493Shelves
12. 12 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 28.1kReads9.2Score2.6kShelves
13. 13 想 I Just Want to Lie Flat, but the Emperor Pushes Me into the Harem Battles 想躺平，皇上却push我宫斗 Wooden Raisin木提子Ancient Romance328k WordsCompleted [An unconventional palace-intrigue story + 1v1 later on + a love-triangle free-for-all] The emperor falls first, then turns dark later [A beautiful, easygoing sloth consort who just wants to lie flat x a hard-working emperor who is secretly scheming and potentially unhinged] “Me, Just Looking for a Basic Salary and Slacking Off, Got Promoted Thanks to the Emperor’s Help” / “The Emperor Fights Palace Battles for Me Behind My Back” / “Consort Yao Doesn’t Want His Favor or Love, She Just Wants to R 8.4kReads9.3Score734Shelves
14. 14 惊 Shocking! The Cruel Tyrant Begs Me Not to Fear Him 惊！狠戾暴君卑微求乖乖别怕他 An Muxi安穆希Ancient Romance527k WordsCompleted 853Reads9.0Score100Shelves
15. 15 读 My Mind Reading Was Stolen: The Delicate Noble Consort Tiptoes Up and Kisses the Madman Into a Stupor 读心被抢：娇软贵妃踮脚亲懵疯批 Cherry Blossom Clouds樱云漫Ancient Romance333k WordsCompleted [System + Mind Reading + Pure Comedy + Absurd and Illogical + Devoted Couple + Not a Strong Female Lead] Su Niannian took the place of the transmigrated heroine and gained her 1,000-kilometer-range surveillance device and mind-reading ability. But then... because she took the heroine’s place the wrong way, the tyrannical king stole her mind-reading ability. From then on, the tyrannical king began snooping on his beloved consort Su Niannian’s thoughts. Scene One: Surveillance System: “Come on! To 27Reads8.2Score—Shelves
16. 16 皇 Your Majesty, Behave. You Can't Escape My Grasp 皇后，乖，你逃不出朕的五指山 Crystalline Salt结晶盐Ancient Romance212k WordsCompleted One is an emperor who climbed to the throne over mountains of corpses, the other the legitimate daughter of a powerful military governor. After their wedding, they treat each other with courtesy and join forces to command the court and the harem. Xiao Cen thought he'd married an empress as lovely as a flower and shrewd beneath her beauty. Then he discovered that, while she was gentle and obedient in public, behind closed doors she dared to use forbidden drugs. He let his guard down for just a mo 2.2kReads9.0Score206Shelves
17. 17 掌 The Governess Raises the Children, So Your Majesty, Don't Panic 掌事姑姑养崽，皇上别慌 The Classic of Mountain Journeys山游经Ancient Romance402k WordsCompleted [Heartwarming Childrearing + No Romance] Li Zhuru stood by the once lonely and helpless Third Prince as he rose to become the supreme emperor. At five, Zhou Hong'an went hungry and was neglected. At fifteen, Li Zhuru fought the palace maids and eunuchs, losing again and again but always getting back up. Her determination and fearlessness earned her ten strokes of the cane, but at last she was moved to new lodgings. At fifteen, Zhou Hong'an was pushed onto the throne as an easy-to-control pawn. A 4.8kReads9.2Score448Shelves

    Reader note

    Although the female protagonist in this book doesn't have any romantic feelings for the emperor, she was a maid who had been by his side since she was five years old. After the emperor ascended the throne, she became his most capable and trusted head maid. The years she was away were because she had shielded the emperor from poison and assassination attempts and went out of the palace to recuperate, during which time she regained her modern memories.

18. 18 胡 Nonsense! The Consort Is Clearly as Delicate as a White Lotus 胡说！良娣她分明柔弱似白莲 Just Like This就酱籽Ancient Romance447k WordsCompleted [1v1 + SC + a genuine female assassin + a hopelessly lovestruck male lead + a two-faced heroine who's great at putting on an act + palace intrigue] [Warning: The heroine uses the male lead at first and only falls for him later.] Crown Prince Pei Chaoli of Zhaoyun is handsome, valiant, and skilled in battle. Yet rumors claim he is cold and ruthless by nature, with no interest in women. He supposedly didn't even spend his wedding night with his bride, instead rushing off to Huaizhou in the middle 897Reads8.6Score107Shelves

    Reader note

    Let's look at these two books. I think the first one is better because it has two different endings. I haven't read much of the second one yet, but from what I've read, the female lead returns to the palace under a different identity, and the Empress Dowager seems to dislike the female lead a bit more, since the male lead also commits suicide when the female lead fakes her death.

19. 19 皇 The Emperor Only Wants to Share a Splendid Realm with His Empress 皇帝只想和皇后娘娘共享锦绣山河 Cheng Nuo橙诺Ancient Romance346k WordsCompleted Qin Weimeng's grandfather was the reigning dynasty's chancellor and the emperor's mentor. Bearing the duty of staying by the emperor's side, she entered the imperial harem, determined to be a capable wife and a good empress. What she didn't know was that Emperor Yuwen Che wanted a wife who would share both hardship and joy with him, and that he had played a part in bringing her into the palace from the very beginning. 3kReads9.0Score189Shelves
20. 20 长 Changhua Hall 长华殿 Yan Xixi晏西西Ancient Romance372k WordsCompleted [Two unhinged leads + ruthless pursuit + regretful pursuit + no getting back together] Everyone said Sheng Zhaoning was the most loyal dog at Wei Yi's side. She came when summoned and left when dismissed, as lowly as the mud beneath his feet. One night, after drinking, someone asked Wei Yi, “Do you really not like her?” Wei Yi looked as if he'd heard a joke. “She's just a dog. What makes her think I'd like her?” Everyone laughed. Outside the door, Sheng Zhaoning lowered her eyes and finally gave 12.9kReads9.1Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    His throat tightened, his face turned deathly pale, and his lips trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to beg for mercy, but his throat felt as if it were glued shut, and he couldn't utter a sound. Sheng Zhaoning coldly watched his terrified expression, her gaze indifferent, ignoring his trembling body, and said slowly, "Lord Xu, when you get to the underworld, kowtow and admit your mistakes. In your next life, beg for forgiveness as a slave." The blade plunged down, and blood seeped out... Just as Xu Fu gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and awaited death, there was a loud "bang," and the door to the torture chamber suddenly...

21. 21 狗 The Dog Emperor Exiled Me, So I Cleaned Out the Imperial Treasury 狗皇帝下旨流放，我反手搬空国库 Cool Breeze, Warm People风凉人暖Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Exile + Transmigrate Into a Book + Farming + Sweet Romance + Pocket Dimension + One-on-One Romance] A word of warning: [Mindless wish fulfillment + Don't read if you have high standards for the writing + Don't read if you're obsessed with details and logic + Don't read if you dislike the reborn supporting female character trope] After the apocalypse began, Jiang Ruo failed to awaken an ability and eventually died while fleeing. When she woke again, Jiang Ruo discovered that her soul had transmi 12.1kReads9.2Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    "The Dog Emperor Orders Exile, I Retaliate by Emptying the National Treasury" is a completed 1v1 historical romance novel with a palace intrigue theme. It boasts a 9.2 rating and 15,000 readers. The pregnant heroine is exiled by the corrupt emperor, but she immediately launches a "hardcore counterattack"—emptying the national treasury and making a stylish escape with her child and all her wealth! The palace intrigue and domestic power struggles are high-energy throughout, showcasing the heroine's intelligence and ruthless methods. She embodies the spirit of "if you're unhappy, confront it; if you have a grudge, settle it," making it a truly captivating read. The plot twists are thrilling, the characters are engaging and addictive. If you enjoy stories of strong female protagonists achieving success and taking revenge in ancient times, this is definitely worth a read!

22. 22 美 The Bewitching Consort's Soft Allure Wins the Favor of the Entire Harem 美人酥软，贵妃她宠冠六宫 Li Chengyi李橙意Ancient Romance895k WordsCompleted After the pitiful Jiang Suiwan transmigrated as Imperial Consort Tong, she landed straight at the pinnacle of life. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to work hard, only to discover: 1. She was Kangxi's first cousin. 2. Her family had power over everything. 3. She could freely rub the little bald head of baby Yinzhen. 4. ...She was destined to die young. It seemed she didn't need to work hard at all. As long as she ate, drank, enjoyed herself, and managed to stay alive, she'd have everything she c 11kReads9.0Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This [bump] is a Qing Dynasty time-travel story, with Emperor Kangxi as the main character. It's about reaching the pinnacle of life, with relatively little harem intrigue. The female lead lacks an emotional system; the male lead falls in love first, and she's pampered by him, her brother, and her son. [Added to bookshelf] Those with a low tear threshold shouldn't read the later parts.

23. 23 太 After the Crown Prince Ascends the Throne, He Seizes His Cannon-Fodder Cousin 太子登基后，炮灰表妹被强夺了 Mountain Cat山也猫Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted Signed for publication [Forced marriage + cold, aloof crown prince with a dark heart and ruthless methods + clear-headed, laid-back, beautiful cousin + a touch of reverse-harem appeal + tangled love triangle + doting romance] Gu Sui'an, an agricultural research scientist, was reborn in the womb and turned into the male lead's cannon-fodder cousin in the political intrigue novel Marrying the Emperor. In this dangerous ancient world where she had no rights, all she wanted was to coast through li 68.2kReads8.5Score5.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This story features a forced marriage, but the female lead only discovers she's pregnant after faking her death and escaping. There's no palace intrigue, and it's a decent 1v1 romance.

24. 24 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 21.6kReads7.4Score6.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Although she never leaves the palace, the female lead is incredibly clear-headed and intelligent; she's actually an empress! 🥺🫰 This is a harem novel, so please be aware of this.

25. 25 烬 The Joys of the Ember Palace 烬宫欢 I'm Little Jiujiu我是小九九Ancient Romance28k WordsCompleted The Ember Palace's Joy 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    They are all very beautiful.

26. 26 长 The Changxin Palace Lamp Lights the Rest of My Life 长信宫灯照余生 I'm Little Jiujiu我是小九九Ancient Romance20k WordsCompleted The Longxin Palace Lamp Illuminates the Rest of My Life 2Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 27 乾 A Lifelong Promise: Qianlong and Yanxi 乾燕之白首之约 I'm Little Jiujiu我是小九九Ancient Romance28k WordsCompleted The Qian-Yan Promise to Grow Old Together 39Reads—Score—Shelves
28. 28 十 Nine Out of Ten Perfections, Yet We Must Part 十全九美终离别 I'm Little Jiujiu我是小九九Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted Nine Out of Ten Good Things, Yet We Still Part 6Reads—Score—Shelves
29. 29 若 Ruoxi's Romance: A Journey Through Time 若曦情缘之步步惊心 Little Chen Tomato小陈西红柿Female-Channel Fanfiction863k WordsCompleted [Ruoxi and Kangxi pairing] (Story complete) [An alternate-history Qing dynasty, with some differences from real history. He dotes on her exclusively!] (If you don't like it, don't read. Don't overthink it, just enjoy the pairing.) [Age Gap + Forced Love + Doted on Exclusively] The first time he heard of her, she had made a name for herself by fighting with Gege Mingyu. When they first met, he was leaving the palace and came across her sneaking out of her residence. Someone shoved her to the grou 2.2kReads7.3Score175Shelves
30. 30 清 A Brilliant Scheme for the Noble Daughter of Qingchen 清辰似锦嫡女谋 July Light L七月光LAncient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted As the youngest legitimate daughter of a duke's household, she should have had a peaceful, uneventful life. But after entering the palace one day, she found herself caught in its treacherous intrigues… 8.4kReads8.2Score690Shelves
31. 31 前 Her Ex-Husband Became Emperor, and She Was Forced to Divorce Him 前夫君登基为帝，她被逼和离 Fortune-Bringing Senior Sister招财大师姐Ancient Romance1.5M WordsCompleted Soft on the outside, tough on the inside, a little bitter flower VS a mad dog of an emperor? Six years after their divorce, Sheng Wu’s former husband ascended the throne. The day the news reached her second husband’s family, her mother-in-law forced a divorce agreement into her hands. She said that Sheng Wu had once been the new emperor’s first wife, and the Jiang family dared not keep her. Sheng Wu thought her mother-in-law was worrying far too much! After their divorce, he married the woman he 16.7kReads6.7Score1kShelves
32. 32 原 I Thought the Imperial Palace Was a Prison, but the Emperor Held Me by the Waist and Spoiled Me 原以深宫似海，却被帝王锁腰娇宠 Ningning Zi柠柠梓Ancient Romance506k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + Empress + Devoted couple and sweet romance + Male lead has planned this for a long time + Not a serious palace-intrigue story] Lu Zhiyuan is the cherished youngest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo’s household. She is exquisitely beautiful, with an accomplished elder brother who supports the family’s prestige and a second elder sister skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting who brings the family honor. She has no need to contribute anything to the family, and 12.6kReads8.9Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Palace intrigue, super sweet

33. 33 揣 I Ran Away with the Child of a Fierce General 揣着戾气将军的崽，跑了 Empty Dream Flower空梦花Ancient Romance387k WordsCompleted [Transmigration into a book + soft, dramatic heroine + straight-laced male lead + both are each other’s first and only] Mu Ningning saw a pop-up on her phone that read, “General, I don’t want...” Curious about what she didn’t want, she tapped it, and ended up transmigrating into a book... She had to complete her tasks to leave. Task one: Don’t break character. Task two: Survive on her own. Task three: Don’t get pregnant. Task four: Save the blood-soaked general with love and stop him from turnin 758Reads8.8Score102Shelves
34. 34 堕 Fallen Orchid 堕汀兰 The Radiance of the New and Full Moon朔望之辉Ancient Romance276k WordsCompleted [One-on-one romance, both leads devoted only to each other + transmigrated as herself + each other’s long-held love + lovestruck male lead + direct communication, no misunderstandings + fictional setting + happy ending] A gentle, moon-bright Crown Prince ✖️ a cheerful, sweet-on-the-outside, cunning-within young woman Xia Zhiting transmigrates as herself to the Great Yi Dynasty a thousand years in the past. Someone takes her in and trains her to be a spy, then sends her to the Eastern Palace as t 4.4kReads9.4Score767Shelves
35. 35 等 She Broke Up with Him a Long Time Ago 等她分手很久了 The Wandering Cormorant流浪的鸬鹚Modern Romance317k WordsCompleted [Airline Captain/CEO, Second Male Lead Takes the Crown, Gentle Persuasion, Seeking an Official Relationship] Everyone knew Doctor Nan had been in love with Zhou Jili for years. Until one day, she saw photos of him tangled up with his first love in a hotel. * Later, Zhou Jili, frantic with anxiety, appeared at the Nan family home bearing flowers and diamonds, pleading earnestly, “Uncle Nan, I'm here to propose to Zhizhi. Please let me see her.” Nan Lingyang was uncharacteristically cold. With bot 5.1kReads9.1Score619Shelves

    Reader note

    It's really beautiful!

36. 36 放 He Let Me Leave the Palace, and Now He Regrets It 放我出宫后，他后悔了 Plum Wine梅子酒Ancient Romance11k WordsCompleted I rescued the Seventh Prince, Pei Jin, from a heap of beggars. The tendons in his hands and feet had all been severed. I helped him endure humiliation and hardship for seven whole years, suffering countless trials so he could seize the throne. But he used every means at his disposal to make empress the woman who had once made him feel lower than a dog. He said to me, "She has suffered so much. Do you understand?" I looked at him quietly. "Let me leave the palace. I want to go home." He said yes. 145Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 37 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 14.7kReads9.4Score1.2kShelves
38. 38 出 Caught After Leaving the Palace, Imprisoned and Taken by a Mad Tyrant 出宫被抓，疯批暴君囚禁强夺 Lu Ye卢叶Ancient Romance347k WordsCompleted [Ruthless, sinister emperor × Clever country girl with a knack for putting on an act] [Palace intrigue, not a pure romance + Clearheaded, intelligent heroine + Unhinged hero + Coercive possession + Groveling pursuit + The powerful one bows his head] Mu Ling once saved the emperor when he was in trouble. After her family abandoned her, she risked everything to enter the palace and even found a way to seduce the handsome, cold-hearted man. She fought and schemed her way through the harem, only to 1.7kReads7.0Score103Shelves
39. 39 我 After I Asked to Leave the Palace, the Emperor Went Mad 我自请出宫后，皇帝疯了 Ding Ding Maozi丁丁猫子Ancient Romance10k WordsCompleted When I was young, to repay the empress for her kindness, I did everything I could to protect the Sixth Prince in the Cold Palace. Later, he became the supreme ruler with the power of life and death, while I became the highly envied Court Lady in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber, always by his side. Then, on the day the eldest prince turned one month old, the palace lit a thousand Kongming lanterns to pray for his blessings, and the emperor granted me one wish. Everyone thought I would ask him t 2Reads—Score—Shelves
40. 40 哑 The Mute Palace Maid’s Daily Life 哑巴宫女日常 Pearl Pu'er Tea珍珠普洱茶Ancient Romance524k WordsCompleted Maids! Maids! No Romance Bai Zhi was sold into the palace by her family when she was five. At ten, she was assigned to serve the Fifth Prince, who was the same age as her. At fifteen, she saved his life during the spring hunt. The Fifth Prince eventually ascended the throne and became Emperor Zhaoxuan, while Bai Zhi became the head auntie of the Imperial Tea Room in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Because Bai Zhi was quiet and had once saved Emperor Zhaoxuan's life, she became a famous mute m 8.3kReads8.9Score474Shelves
41. 41 重 Reborn: The Imperial Consort’s Loyal Hound Has Turned Dark 重生后，贵妃的忠犬黑化了 If It's Not Good, You Can Hit Me不好看你打我噻Ancient Romance488k WordsCompleted A devoted senior palace maid gives everything to help a disgraced woman in the Cold Palace rise to the rank of Noble Consort, only to be repaid with betrayal on the day she leaves the palace. She is drugged with an aphrodisiac and handed over to a sadistic eunuch, who tortures her to death. Reborn on the day she is to leave the palace, she willingly drinks the cup of “poisoned wine,” but sets her sights on the highest power in the land: the emperor. She carefully engineers a chance encounter and 2Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 42 皇 The Emperor’s Favorite Lady-in-Waiting 皇上独宠御前掌事宫女 Cheng Nuo橙诺Ancient Romance337k WordsCompleted Shen Ru was sold into the palace as a child. Later, thanks to Consort Shu's great kindness, she lived a fairly comfortable life. But Consort Shu was eventually framed for practicing witchcraft. The emperor was furious and ordered her death. Shen Ru followed the young Second Prince, Situ Yi, to the Cold Palace, where the two depended on each other from then on. A few years later, fortune finally turned in their favor: the emperor and the crown prince died one after another. To preserve her positi 1.9kReads8.4Score136Shelves
43. 43 宫 The Palace Maid Has Left, but the Palace Struggle Must Go On 宫女已出宫，宫斗不能停 Xi Xi喜喜Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted I served in the palace for ten years, giving it my all and treading carefully at every turn. All so I could leave safely at twenty-five and reunite with my family. But soon after I got home, my family members fell ill one after another and passed away. Life was hard, and it was even harder for a woman alone to make a life for herself. So I married Cheng Yansi, a man from a respectable family with few relatives, whose poverty had kept him from finding a wife. The pastry shop I opened with my dowr 1Reads—Score—Shelves
44. 44 媚 Seductive Escape: The Palace Maid Rejects His Advances, but the Emperor Pursues Her Night After Night 媚逃：宫女拒承欢，圣上夜夜缠 Cream Puff Skewers泡芙串串Ancient Romance241k WordsCompleted [Reborn + both leads are pure + possessive pursuit + wife-winning redemption + happy ending] [Charming, clear-headed palace maid who only wants to escape VS devoted, obsessive emperor who convinces himself she loves him] Shen Qingli, a palace maid serving before the emperor, observed three years of mourning for her mother. Emperor Helian Cheng of Jian’an waited for her all three years. In her previous life, Shen Qingli was moved by him and became his concubine. A year later, she died a horrible 327Reads6.3Score—Shelves
45. 45 帝 The Emperor Is a Madman, and His Seductive Palace Maid Has Had Enough 帝王太疯批，娇媚宫女她不干了 Day Mountain Moon昼山月Ancient Romance302k WordsCompleted [Harem intrigue + fleeing while pregnant] [Scheming palace maid x unhinged emperor. Both leads are calculating and morally gray. He treats her badly at first, then chases her and devotes himself to her alone. They scheme and spar against each other.] After her family was destroyed and their home confiscated, Jiang Chu, once a noblewoman from a prestigious clan, entered the palace as a maid. She carefully plotted her revenge, waiting for the chance to escape and regain her freedom once she had se 1.7kReads8.9Score184Shelves
46. 46 出 The Night I Left the Palace, the Mad Emperor Took Me by Force 出宫当晚，被疯批帝王强取豪夺 Clashing Gold and Flying Jade铿金霏玉Ancient Romance507k WordsCompleted [Beautiful, delicate palace maid vs. cold, ruthless, obsessive emperor] [Palace intrigue, neither lead is chaste + powerful male lead, weak female lead, and he’s completely unhinged + possessive love + a long road to winning her back] Yue Ling was a vain little palace maid. Hoping to enjoy a life of luxury and wealth, she seduced the emperor and worked tirelessly to win his favor, but still met a tragic end. After being reborn, Yue Ling saw things clearly. Rather than tread on thin ice in the de 25.5kReads9.2Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    I think you probably want to read historical romance novels with a "wife-chasing-after-the-cremation" plot. All three of these are pretty good; the second and third are really enjoyable. The first one is also good, but the genre is slightly different from the second and third. Just give them a try, they're definitely worth reading!

47. 47 替 The Runaway Stand-In Was Caught, and the Mad Emperor Coaxes Her Every Night 替身逃跑被抓回，疯批帝王夜夜哄 Yun Chuchuchu云初初初Ancient Romance373k WordsCompleted [The score is low because ratings have just opened. It will rise later.] [Both leads are faithful + clear-headed transmigrated heroine + sharp-tongued, scheming, lovesick hero + the hero grovels for love + a man in power bows his head for love] [Heroine's point of view]: When do I finally believe in an emperor's love? When I stabbed him, ran away twice, and was caught in the act the last time, just as I was preparing to marry someone else. When I thought I was done for, but he forgave me after s 4.2kReads9.2Score410Shelves
48. 48 综 Harem Crossover: A Little Cat Demon, the Emperor's Beloved 综后宫：小小猫妖，帝王心尖宠 Niohuru Grace钮祜禄格瑞斯Ancient Romance246k WordsOngoing [Devoted from the Start] [Female-Centered Mary Sue Sweet Romance] [Not All One-on-One] [Palace intrigue and power struggles mainly revolve around the male lead; the heroine lies flat] [Cat demon has many children] Tao Yao is a lazy cat demon with little magical power. She’s always lagging behind her companions in cultivation. But fate smiles on her: she accidentally falls off a cliff and obtains an Ancient-Style Splendor and Wealth System, setting her off on a journey through different worlds. 19Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 49 综 Anime Crossover: Delicate Blossoms 综漫：娇花嫩蕊 You Yuan右鸢Anime Fanfiction238k WordsOngoing 1v1 / no romance / multiple love interests A universally adored heroine + self-serving protagonist + no fixed pairing + no System Many pairings will be broken up. Characters may be out of character in each world, and some characters may be disliked. The heroine’s personality changes from story to story. There will be love at first sight, and the plots will be changed too. If you mind any of this, don’t read. Most stories are immersive. There are no moral limits, and the views expressed in the wo 6.8kReads5.5Score233Shelves
50. 50 综 Film and TV Crossover: Mu Ge's Acting Journey 综影视：沐歌的扮演之旅 Cats Love Eating Fish猫爱吃鱼Female-Channel Fanfiction1.3M WordsCompleted Content warning: Beginner-level writing. If that bothers you, proceed with caution. Contains some original world-building. Mu Ge was walking along minding her own business when a flowerpot fell from the sky and killed her. Ah! What an unfair way to die! She’d only just started college, and now she was gone before she could serve her country. Some deaths are lighter than a feather, others heavier than Mount Tai. She wanted to be Mount Tai, not a feather! Luckily, an acting System came looking for 5.8kReads7.0Score171Shelves

Other lists with The Mad Princess Marries a Powerful Eunuch