Are Palace Intrigue, Political Scheming, and Ensemble Cast Stories All Gone? 宫斗权谋群像文燃尽了吗？

1. 1 帝 The Emperor and Empress Fight Every Day to See Who Dies First 帝后每天互殴，看谁先死 Qian Ran Jun Xiao千苒君笑Ancient Romance2.3M WordsOngoing Feng Xing is the daughter of Chu Xi’s Grand Marshal, who commands an army of four hundred thousand. Shen Feng has been emperor for just two years. Shen Feng is utterly depraved, ruthless, and cruel. To secure his throne, he decides to marry Feng Xing and make her empress. First, he will fake her death to lure her father to the capital for the funeral. Then he will wipe out her entire family and take control of the Chu Xi army. Feng Xing is a fierce, accomplished warrior who takes whatever she wa 35.3kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves

   Reader note

   34 is absolutely amazing, I stayed up all night to watch it.

2. 2 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves
3. 3 暴 The Tyrant Tormented Me? I'll Turn Around, Seduce the Powerful Eunuch, and Seize His Empire 暴君虐我？转身勾搭权宦夺他江山 Green Mountain Has Its Say青山有辞Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For eight years in the palace, Xiangjun fought to get ahead and tried to please everyone, yet the palace’s noble masters still ground her down, used her, humiliated her, and cast her aside... Those nobles basked in all the wealth of the realm atop heaps of corpses and bones, yet mocked her for trying her hardest and not knowing her place. In the end, the child Xiangjun risked her life to bear called her enemy “Mother,” while Xiangjun was cut open alive so the baby could be taken from her. She di 115.2kReads9.6Score16.6kShelves
4. 4 白 The White Moonlight Noble Consort’s Daily Life in the Harem 白月光贵妃的后宫日常 Yuanzi Eats Mulberries元子吃桑葚Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted (Cover used with permission) With an illustrious family background, breathtaking beauty, and the distinction of being the emperor’s moonlight, Jiang Hui should have found life as a Noble Consort effortlessly easy. Unfortunately, the sisters in all but name in the Eastern Palace, wave after wave of beautiful candidates from the provinces, and the supposed substitutes who resemble her in looks and bearing all tell her the same thing: no one can walk unscathed through the imperial harem. [Alternate 24.6kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves
5. 5 被 Demoted Back to the Capital, My Whole Family Finally Turns Its Luck Around 被贬回京后，我全家都咸鱼翻身了 Evening Ripples晚漾Ancient Romance741k WordsCompleted [Pure historical romance + Cherished by her whole family + Lighthearted and fun + Humorous court drama + Childhood sweethearts + Both are each other's first] A truly ambitious, talented, and wealthy young lady from a great family vs. a seemingly reserved young gentleman from a great family who pretends not to care To help the late emperor’s young son ascend the throne, the Gan family went on a rampage, dragging the imperial relatives into the fight. They would sooner have their entire clan dem 4.5kReads8.9Score612Shelves
6. 6 如 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Lingfei Reborn 如懿传之炩妃重生 Mindless Fun无脑欢乐Female-Channel Fanfiction183k WordsCompleted Wei Yanwan: Before I was reborn, I worked diligently. After I was reborn, I pretended to be crazy and stupid while working just as diligently. Jin Zhong: Before I was reborn, I was utterly devoted to Mistress Ling. After I was reborn, I gritted my teeth and stayed utterly devoted to Mistress Ling. 3.8kReads9.4Score457Shelves
7. 7 正 The Official History's Qianlong Reforms Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, Refusing to Be a Live-In Son-in-Law 正史乾隆整顿如懿传，不做赘婿 Jinchuan Zhi谨川之Female-Channel Fanfiction340k WordsCompleted Twenty years after Imperial Noble Consort Lingyi’s death, the Qianlong Emperor declares his fifteenth son, Yongyan, crown prince. He posthumously names the prince’s mother, Lady Wei Jia, Empress Xiaoyi, and abdicates in favor of Yongyan. Four years later, the Retired Emperor dies, bringing his eventful life to an end. After his death, the Qianlong Emperor wants to see what later generations think of him. Confidently, he assumes posterity will praise him as the Perfect Old Man of Ten Completeness 2.1kReads8.4Score200Shelves
8. 8 宜 Yixiu and Nian Shilan Reborn: Allies in Revenge 宜修与年世兰双重生结盟复仇 Strawberry Coconut Is So Delicious草莓椰椰超好吃Female-Channel Fanfiction623k WordsCompleted After Yixiu and Nian Shilan die, they find themselves in a space run by a Grievance-Removal System. It tells them that their grievances are too great for them to be reincarnated, but offers them a chance to be reborn and live their lives over again, taking revenge on those who wronged them and settling their scores to dispel their resentment. What choices will they make when they return to the past? Watch as they bring Zhen Huan down, kill the emperor, put Honghui on the throne, and help Hongyan 4.8kReads8.9Score597Shelves
9. 9 病 Spring Returns to the Branches of a Sick Tree 病树枝头又逢春 Sweet Melon甜甜的瓜Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted [Print edition now available] Sang Nian accidentally climbs into the world of cultivation and becomes the vicious supporting female character who meets a tragic end in the book. System: Your mission is to marry the male supporting character, Xie Chenzhou, abuse him, humiliate him, and then get killed by him. Sang Nian: OK (brandishes little whip) (hits herself) (collapses with a thud) System: (silence) (stares at the sky) System: Mission changed. Win him over, or go mine coal. Sang Nian: (smiles 188.6kReads9.5Score25.6kShelves

   Reader note

   The first ensemble piece and the second, a tale of power struggles and domestic intrigue, are both very good.

10. 10 一 Part Ways in Peace, General, Let Me Be Beautiful on My Own 一别两宽，将军自重，妾身想独美 Lu Li路鲤Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted 69.1kReads8.9Score14.5kShelves
11. 11 岁 Spring's Joy, Year After Year 岁岁春欢 I Really Love Little Crabs超爱小螃蟹Ancient Romance669k WordsCompleted [The print edition of Years of Spring Joy is now available on all platforms] [Heroine and scumbag reborn + male lead transmigrates + mutual salvation + play the pig to eat the tiger] At seventeen, Shen Jiasui married Lu Yunzheng. The Shen and Lu families were both military dynasties, making them a formidable match. Two years into their marriage, Lu Yunzheng defeated the enemy kingdom and won renown across the land. But the Shen family was condemned for treason and executed to the last member. On 266.6kReads9.6Score31.2kShelves

    Reader note

    This book is so satisfying! The female protagonist tells her parents about her rebirth as soon as she's reborn, so there's absolutely no misunderstanding later on!

12. 12 长EN After the Grand Princess Is Reborn, the Chief Grand Secretary Can No Longer Sit Still 长公主重生后，首辅大人坐不住了 Dong Chichi董迟迟Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + Political Intrigue + Powerful Hero and Heroine + Plenty of Foreshadowing + Serious Ensemble Cast] [Charming, Alluring, Sweet-Natured Yet Cunning Eldest Princess + Autocratic, Possessive Chief Grand Secretary] [Important: This is NOT a wish-fulfillment novel!!!] As a princess, Zhao Huiluan lived in luxury and honor, yet died in the prime of her life. Reborn, she finally realized that all the countless honors and favors she had once been proud of were nothing but illusions. Power is saf 5.4kReads9.2Score744Shelves

    Reader note

    It's not about creating a perfect ending for the sake of perfection, nor is it about creating unnecessary suffering. Each character has their own logic. I've seen people say that Fu Mingming loved his deceased wife Yingying so much, so how could he fall in love with Jianjian? Good heavens, how could he not love a woman who helped him avenge his wife's death and the massacre of his family, who trusted him and appreciated his talent? Such a good novel, it would be an injustice if it didn't get seen! Author, please keep writing! Such excellent writing, such strong logic, I really want to keep reading!

13. 13 继 The Second Wife Takes the Lead: Winning Over the Chief Cabinet Secretary with Lin Daiyu's Seductive Charm 继室在上：用黛玉文学钓系首辅 Little Lotus Bud小荷才露角Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Sweet and lighthearted romance + Lin Daiyu-style literary charm + highly intelligent heroine + age gap Shen Lingke, a talented literature major, transmigrates into the role of the legitimate daughter of a fallen marquis’s family. Forced to marry into the powerful household of the chief councilor, she becomes the new wife whom everyone in the capital both envies and pities. Faced with her unfathomable, high-ranking husband, she neither competes nor causes a fuss. With nothing but her “Lin Daiyu-s 5.7kReads8.2Score720Shelves
14. 14 替 I Took My Eldest Sister's Place in the Palace, and I Loved It. She Regretted It 替嫡长姐入宫后，我爽翻，她悔了 Moon Gazing at Lotus望月荷Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The rating has only just come in and will rise later, so don’t be put off by the low score. Gu Ya is the second legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. With an elder brother and sister to shoulder the family’s responsibilities, she had thought she’d only need to marry off for the family once she came of age. But then her eldest sister changed her mind and refused to enter the palace. To avoid making an enemy of the emperor, the Duke of Zhenguo’s household had to send in an unwill 30kReads8.1Score2kShelves
15. 15 侯 The Marquis's Deep Estate: A Marriage of Convenience with a Powerful Official 侯门深宅：我与权臣的先婚后爱 Brocade and Clear Breeze锦逸清风Ancient Romance581k WordsOngoing After ten years of misplaced devotion, Gu Wanyu was betrayed. The experience left her deeply distrustful of love, with wounds she could barely hope to heal. Heartbroken, she married into the Yang family, believing she was marrying a wastrel. On their wedding night, the door creaked open as the autumn wind sighed outside. But the man who entered was none other than Yang Shenzhi, the icy, aloof head of the Yang family, who controlled the family’s very lifeblood. 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You should check it out; the more you look at it, the better it gets.

16. 16 众 Abandoned by Everyone? The Prince's Estate Spoils Me Rotten 众叛亲离？我被王府宠上天 Brocade and Clear Breeze锦逸清风Ancient Romance321k WordsCompleted A new novel is here! Welcome to read my work on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! In her previous life, Gu Xinhuan devoted herself to securing her family’s future. Yet they saw her as scheming and calculating, and she ultimately ended up abandoned by everyone and dying tragically in the street. It was all because her sister, who had suddenly returned home, seemingly innocent and delicate, was the apple of thei 2Reads—Score—Shelves
17. 17 槃 Phoenix's Scheme: The Legitimate Daughter's Comeback 槃凰谋：嫡女逆袭归来 Brocade and Clear Breeze锦逸清风Ancient Romance528k WordsCompleted When she opened her eyes again, it was the very day Fang Datong came to ask for her hand in marriage! With the blood and tears of her past life and a new script to follow, she has the advantage, ready to play the pig to eat the tiger and make the scoundrels pay! But when that familiar, handsome face appears again, looking at her with tender affection, how will she handle him? Will she pretend to indulge him, take things step by step, and rip away his hypocritical mask with her own hands? Or will —Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 18 恶 The Wicked Woman Has Trained Countless Men! She Climbs the Social Ladder and Sparks a Rivalry 恶女训狗无数！攀高枝！引雄竞 Peach Blossoms Reflected in Wine桃花映酒Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Now publishing / The short drama Hong Luan Yin is streaming] [The villainess won't reform + unapologetically self-serving + taming men + a battlefield of men competing for her] Yun Qi is transported into a storybook that deliberately paints her as ugly and wicked. Once a powerful princess who ruled the court and kept countless male lovers, she now finds herself reduced to a disgraced fake heiress of the Marquis's household. The real heiress, meanwhile, is the family's precious jewel, destined t 136.5kReads9.4Score19.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I've read these two novels three times; they're absolutely fantastic.

19. 19 穿 Transmigrated as a Fake Eunuch, I Become the Handsome Men's Beloved 穿成万人迷假太监，美男们团宠我 The Cat Butler Who Wants to Retire Early早日退休的铲屎官Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Unparalleled beauty + irresistible charm + everyone’s darling + a tangled love square] Liu He transmigrated into a book, and not just any book: the one she had written herself. She wasn’t a princess or a legitimate-born young lady. She was a short-lived fake eunuch who dressed as a man. A miserable life? No! Watch this pretty little eunuch become everyone’s obsession! The gentle, refined crown prince: “So what if you’re a eunuch? I’ve already chosen you, Xiao Liu.” The sinister, scheming second 6.7kReads9.3Score954Shelves
20. 20 入 Entering the Imperial Harem 入春宫 Kun Yuan坤垣Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + villainess with a career-driven mind + fluffy mind-reading + men competing for her] Su Fuqu was the legitimate youngest daughter of the Grand Preceptor. She and the Crown Prince, Qin Zhaolin, grew up together and were deeply in love. But after she came of age, Qin Zhaolin abandoned her, chose her cousin as his wife, and asked Su Fuqu to become his concubine. She turned around and schemed her way into the emperor's bed, sowing discord between father and son and throwing the pal 64.6kReads8.9Score8kShelves

    Reader note

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

21. 21 侯 The Marquis's Estate Forgot Its Gratitude? The Regent Backs Me, and I Won't Forgive Them 侯府忘恩义？摄政王撑腰，不原谅 Chu Diandian初点点Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Luo Ning took a blade meant for the Empress Dowager and suffered severe injuries, trading her life for her family's noble title. She went south to recuperate for three years, but when she returned, she discovered that her maternal cousin had taken over her courtyard. Her cousin had even replaced her in every aspect. Luo Ning's parents and elder brother adored her, her grandmother favored her, and even Luo Ning's childhood sweetheart secretly admired her, saying that she surpassed Luo Ning in eve 180.6kReads9.4Score27kShelves
22. 22 女 Matriarchy: Oh No, I’ve Met a Truly Obsessive Man 女尊：糟糕，让我遇到真偏执狂了 Raising a Flowered Pig喂养一只花猪Ancient Romance566k WordsCompleted After dying and being reborn, Fang Zhiyou was born into a matriarchal world. But before she could enjoy a few good years, disaster struck and her family was destroyed. To avenge them, she worked hard for years and passed the imperial examination to become the top scholar. She devoted herself to helping the Crown Princess ascend to the highest throne, never daring to let her guard down. Whether it was the sons of powerful ministers or the famous courtesans of the pleasure quarters, they were all 9.8kReads8.6Score748Shelves
23. 23 甜 Our Sweet Little Six-Year-Old: Everyone’s Obsessed with Raising Her 甜软囡囡六岁啦：全民沉迷养女儿 Burning Fish into a Cat烧鱼成喵Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Everyone’s darling + sweet and satisfying + reborn + growing up] Su Mian, who dreams of becoming a musician, is reborn as an unwanted little country girl who gets beaten whenever she makes a mistake. When Xia Xuan, a three-time Golden Award-winning Best Actress, arrives, Su Mian learns that she isn’t some wild country girl after all. She’s Xu Zimian, the little princess of the actress’s family. With her beautiful singing, natural acting, and knack for making desserts, Little Cotton is the apple 1.1kReads9.4Score161Shelves

    Reader note

    These two are also very beautiful; I really like them. If you're interested, you can click to take a look!

24. 24 穿 Reborn as the Villain Cub's Paternal Aunt, I Go Viral Streaming My Cooking 穿成反派崽崽小姑后，我直播美食爆红了 The Wayfarer Who Knows and Acts知行客Modern Romance891k WordsCompleted Apocalypse powerhouse Meng Nanxu accidentally became bound to the Villain Rehabilitation System. After being reborn in the interstellar era, she somehow became the villain boss's aunt! Looking at the pitiful little villain, Number One, she decides to build a fortune and raise him through food livestreams. Thanks to the irresistible charm of Earth cuisine, Meng Nanxu becomes the top streamer on the Star Network. Meanwhile, she meets the parent of Villain Number Two. Weisheng Mo: My nephew and you 3.3kReads8.8Score366Shelves
25. 25 全 All of the Capital Knows That Father and Daughter Have a Few Screws Loose 全京城都知道，那对父女脑子有坑 Little Wine Riddle小酒谜Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Lighthearted and witty + no romance + daily life + everyone’s favorite + satisfying read + ridiculous fun + strong female lead + ensemble cast + political intrigue + absurd plot] (I’m no good at writing introductions, so just jump straight into the story!) Ever since Ye Qiong, the only child of Prince Duan’s household, was kicked in the head by a donkey and lost her memory, The old libertine Prince Duan’s good days came to an end. Other families enjoy loving fathers and filial children. The Pri 401.7kReads9.3Score56.7kShelves
26. 26 她 She Played at Being a Divine Being in the Late Eastern Han Dynasty 她在东汉末年装神弄鬼 First-Rate Red Chamber一品红楼Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Career-minded heroine + domineering, dashing hero] [Please note: This is a novel, not an academic paper. It has flaws and mistakes. If that bothers you, don't read it.] [The heroine is fifteen when she first transmigrates.] She thought transmigrating would let her live an easy, wonderful life. Instead, Heaven hit her with a harsh reality: she had landed in the late Eastern Han dynasty, with chaos about to engulf the land. To stay alive and protect her family, she has no choice but to embark on 9.8kReads9.4Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    This novel is truly top-tier, an incredibly captivating read! A rare gem among female-centric political intrigue stories, it boasts strong moral values and a clear, logical structure. The author's writing is exceptional, demonstrating extensive research into historical materials and classic texts, resulting in a profound understanding of history, with historical explanations included throughout. The female protagonist doesn't possess any special advantages; she relies solely on her intelligence and wit to climb the ranks to the pinnacle of power. She is remarkably decisive, possessing both high emotional and intellectual intelligence, and exceptional eloquence. Dedicated to restoring the Han Dynasty and caring for the world, she brings depth and complexity to the characters of the Three Kingdoms period, creating well-developed and compelling figures, each with their own shining moments. The female protagonist skillfully utilizes talent, placing numerous strategists, officials, and generals on suitable platforms to maximize their potential. The Three Kingdoms era truly shone with a constellation of brilliant minds. She transforms the heroes of the Three Kingdoms from bitter rivalries into harmonious coexistence, working together to expand their territories and alleviating many of the lingering resentments of the era! It's truly inspiring and moving!

27. 27 窃 The Book of Stolen Lives 窃命书 Heavy Snow in May五月下大雪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted The short drama adaptation of this book, A Book of Ashes and Joy, premieres at 12:15 a.m. on February 13. If you're interested, keep an eye out! [Regains control after being possessed | Not a wish-fulfillment story | Plot-driven | Light ensemble cast] Lin Ruochu, the legitimate daughter of a general's family, was possessed during her coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen. The transmigrated woman, sold off by a System, used every means to “win over” the young heir of a marquis's estate. She turned e 37.6kReads9.4Score5.7kShelves

    Reader note

    A mini group portrait... Recommended by my best friend, it's quite good.

28. 28 深 Scheming in the Imperial Palace: The Fallen Princess Rules the World 深宫谋：亡国公主她权倾天下 Pea Jelly Noodles豌豆凉粉丝儿Ancient Romance151k WordsOngoing Modern ancient-text restorer Qin Ruowei unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of Qin Ruowei, the legitimate princess of the fallen Jiang Kingdom, and is sent to the harem of the Xuan Kingdom as a servant. To survive, she repeatedly turns the tables with her modern knowledge: she earns favor by saving the Third Prince Murong Jue, then becomes Prince Jing Murong Heng’s secondary consort after taking a blade for him. Amid the intrigue of court and harem, she advances one careful step at a time. 1Reads—Score—Shelves
29. 29 红 The Red Luan Tribulation 红鸾劫 Zhi Yue之月Ancient Romance10k WordsCompleted On the day the Xiongnu came to seek a marriage alliance, Father Emperor decided to choose from a collection of handkerchiefs. Whoever owned the handkerchief he picked would be sent to marry into the Xiongnu. I had never given him a handkerchief, but in the end, I was the one he chose. My imperial brother and childhood sweetheart knelt before the throne for three days and three nights, but that only made Father Emperor more determined to send me to the Xiongnu. For seven years there, I lived in a 947Reads—Score—Shelves
30. 30 凤 The Phoenix Emperor's Tribulation: Ashes of Chang'an 凤皇劫：长安烬 Pea Jelly Noodles豌豆凉粉丝儿Ancient Romance57k WordsOngoing Phoenix’s Tribulation: Ashes of Chang’an begins with Lin Wei transmigrating into Awu. After the fall of Former Yan, she and Murong Chong and Princess Qinghe endure the prison of the palace together, outwit treacherous officials, and form a bond forged through hardship, while secretly helping Murong Chong plan to restore his kingdom. When chaos erupts, Awu takes the princess to find Murong Chong. The two join forces in battle, but their differing ideals drive a wedge between them, and Fu Hui’s de 1Reads—Score—Shelves
31. 31 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 48.6kReads9.7Score7.1kShelves

    Reader note

    How could a palace intrigue ensemble piece be complete without it? ↓

32. 32 谢 The Xie Family's Short-Lived Son Has Lived to a Hundred 谢家的短命鬼长命百岁了 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] The lid of a dead person's coffin won't lie flat because they had an unresolved longing in life. Given time, that longing turns into a demonic obsession, and unless it is resolved, their descendants will suffer. Yan Sanhe's job is to release the dead from their obsessions. One day, she gets hounded by Third Master Xie, who claims to have one. Yan Sanhe says she doesn't deal with the living. Third Master Xie replies, “Everyone says I won't live long. Just think of 125.4kReads9.6Score17kShelves

    Reader note

    This one is particularly good; it's also an ensemble piece.

33. 33 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 32.9kReads9.3Score3.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This is super good-looking, both are strong.

34. 34 韵 A Moonlit Melody Shines on an Elegant Boat 韵如明月映逸舟 Lu Yi2035陸宜2035Ancient Romance275k WordsOngoing Princess Yunru bears a wound in her heart, one that came from a dream. After it heals, all that remains is a forgotten name and a hazy figure. She thought it was nothing more than a strange dream, until, in the study, he bowed before her, and suddenly matched the shadow from her dream. He said gently, “Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you. I am Wei Yizhou.” 10Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The political intrigue is most prominent in the middle, and the political intrigue surrounding the visiting delegation after chapter 50 is particularly captivating.

35. 35 王 After the Prince Was Reborn, He Spoiled the Courtesan to Heaven 王爷重生后，把花魁娘子宠上天 Time Is Gentle and Clear时光清浅Ancient Romance362k WordsCompleted [Gentle, courteous, refined, and noble VS alluring and seductive, yet hiding deep insecurity] [She waited nearly ten years to hear him say, “My heart is not dirty.” In this life, she finally receives his devoted love and affection~] After being poisoned, Song Jin thinks of a woman, the only woman he has ever loved. He drifts back to Yangzhou and sees the woman he once loved dearly. But because he cannot accept her past as a courtesan, Song Jin never returns to look for her after leaving Yangzhou 1.3kReads8.9Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    Beautiful, beautiful

36. 36 陛 Your Majesty, I Request to Be Stripped of My Title as Empress 陛下，臣妾自请废后 Second Uncle二舅爷Ancient Romance545k WordsCompleted What kind of person was Nan Shanyi? The apple of the Nan family's eye, with the 700,000-strong Nanrong army behind her. She enjoyed a life of luxury, finer than that of the princesses in the palace. The Marquis of Wu'an had raised her well. She was a proper young lady, well-read and scholarly, gentle and composed, graceful and dignified. Like an orchid in a valley or a spring in the mountains, she was refined and proud. A noblewoman like her was born only once in a century. But Heaven was me 7.5kReads9.2Score753Shelves

    Reader note

    I especially love this book. The main story has a tragic ending (BE), but there are modern-day epilogues. However, I feel that the ancient story is best enjoyed with a BE; it's the most charming and evocative ending. If the main story had a happy ending (HE), it would lose many of the aspects I love. The female lead in this story is truly the epitome of an empress in my mind—born into a prestigious family, dignified and elegant, possessing a refined and cultured air. You should check out the author's writing; it's exceptionally well-written. Now, the south wind is blowing fiercely; has he carried his longing to her side? He had been watching her since the army appeared in his sight, watching her slowly approach and gradually become clearer. He saw her sitting on horseback, one hand holding the reins, the other shielding her forehead from the glaring sunlight. Sunlight filtered through her fingers, falling on her smiling eyes and brows. She wore no hairpins; a white silk ribbon fluttered behind her half-tied hair, and her eyes, beneath her crescent-shaped eyebrows, were lively and gentle. She had lost some of the unapproachable aloofness she possessed in Jinling, and gained a liveliness he had never seen before, a liveliness that befitting her age. This is the argument made by someone close to the emperor, who felt that the female protagonist, being a merchant's daughter, was already climbing the social ladder by becoming a concubine. The female protagonist's rebuttal was truly brilliant. "If you don't think of me, why not someone else?" She said. "The master thinks his liking me is a blessing." "But I feel that meeting me is his good fortune." "He can approach me not because he likes me, but because I'm willing to let him like me and allow him to be near me. If I weren't willing, I wouldn't even give him a second glance." "In that case, it seems he's accumulated good fortune over many lifetimes to have met me." Looking at the speechless Hai Du, she spoke softly but relentlessly: "He is of noble birth." "From childhood, I've also enjoyed fine horses and carriages, splendid clothes, studied poetry and books, and held power in my household." "The high hopes my elders placed on me were not to be a concubine, confined to the inner courtyard." "If you don't think of me, why not someone else?"

37. 37 被 After Being Kidnapped, I Kidnap the Western Regions' Young Lord and Bring Him Back to the Central Plains 被拐后，我反拐西域少主回中原 Thousand Threads of Intrigue千丝戏Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Young lord of the Western Regions × Princess of Sheng'an] Ye Zhaoyu was born into the imperial family. She figured she'd surely been dealt the pampered darling's script in life, so she wisely decided to coast. But she never expected to take a wrong turn and be kidnapped to the Western Regions. By a stroke of bad luck, she was sent to the bed of a deranged young lord known as a demon's lair and a living Shura. She immediately switched into survival-and-escape mode, determined to flee back to the 8.8kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    I just finished reading it, and I feel like I'll need to quit for a long time! Highly recommended, this is the first book I've ever rated!

38. 38 女 Disguised as a Man, I Became the Cold and Alluring Prince 女扮男装，走上高冷邪魅王爷的路 Lazy Uncle Bookworm懒也书叔Ancient Romance375k WordsCompleted 6.3kReads9.3Score960Shelves

    Reader note

    Intrigue and power struggles abound, and many female characters are quite captivating.

39. 39 六 Will She Still Be Alive Six Years From Now? 六年后，她还能活吗？ Stubborn Little Bronze倔强小青铜Ancient Romance558k WordsCompleted When the heroine, Jiang Lihong, was born, her grandfather, a man of lofty Taoist virtue, foresaw that her life would be full of hardship and disaster, and that she would not live past eighteen. To help her survive, her grandfather gave up his cultivation, and her family became a pawn of the imperial family. At twelve, in despair, she asked the heavens: “Why should I keep living when the world is so unfair?” From then on, she vanished from everyone’s sight, searching for the courage to stay alive —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Will the heroine, destined for death, survive to the end? The novel is complete, come read the ending! [Requesting more updates!]

40. 40 满 The Entire Court Longs for the Empress to Attend Court and Rule 满朝文武盼着皇后娘娘上朝理政 Lantern Festival Dumplings元夕圆宵Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (The live-action series is out!) After her elder sister dies in palace infighting, Shen Shixi enters the palace by imperial decree to be selected as a consort. Within the palace are the powerful and virtuous Empress, born to the imperial in-laws; Consort De, born to an aristocratic family and exceptionally prolific; Consort Rong, the Emperor's favorite, with a strong artistic streak; Consort Qiong, whose superb cooking has won the Emperor's heart; and Consort Xiurong, known as a learned woman an 50.9kReads9.1Score5.5kShelves
41. 41 癫EN What the Heck! Everyone Around Me Is Completely Nuts! 癫！孤身边全是神经病！ Wen Yuan Party文元党Ancient Romance764k WordsCompleted Born a crown prince, Qi Yuanzuo was convinced that he was the only normal person in the imperial family. Little did he know what the Crown Prince looked like to outsiders: At seven, he shot a tiger and won nine hundred kilometers of territory in the Qilian Mountains. At thirteen, he cut through the great clans of Jiangnan and personally orchestrated the Case of the Ninety-Seven Mourning Robes, stepping over piles of corpses to claim the throne. At fifteen, he gambled on the Qilian Mountains once 54.4kReads9.5Score7kShelves
42. 42 夫 My Husband Makes Me Sleep Alone, So I Lure the Imperial Uncle Into the Bridal Chamber 夫君让我守空房，我诱皇叔入洞房 Zhuchuan Xue竹川雪Ancient Romance352k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book, sweet romance and wish-fulfillment, faux uncle and niece, one-on-one and mutually devoted, face-slapping and punishing scum] “Be good. Let me hold you.” After Shen Zhiyu dies from staying up too late, she transmigrates into the little ancestor the regent Xiao Wang has been waiting ten years for. Unfortunately, the moment she arrives, she’s stripped and hauled onto a chopping board. So she goes berserk on the spot and slaps the scumbag and the homewrecker. “If you 10.4kReads8.6Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This is so beautiful!

43. 43 这 This Eunuch Is Always Plotting for Himself 这个太监总在自我攻略 Little Superhero Kong Wu Jiang空舞酱小超人Ancient Romance388k WordsCompleted [The male lead is a true eunuch] Gong Yao, a brilliant modern forensic science student, transmigrates. No System, no space, not even memories to rely on. She cannot use her medical skills, and the law is useless. To escape an arranged marriage, she enters the palace and becomes a low-ranking palace maid, emptying chamber pots, washing clothes, and enduring scoldings. She had planned to keep her head down and survive, but is unexpectedly transferred to the Directorate of Ceremonial. On her seco 6.6kReads8.9Score793Shelves

    Reader note

    Don't be put off by the title. I feel like this book starts slowly but gets better, although the ending is a bit hard to pull off. But it doesn't affect the overall reading experience. It's a pure love story.

44. 44 小 That Little Brat's Always Causing Mischief, and Her Parents Can't Stop Grinning 小鼻嘎不过作作妖，爹娘被哄翘嘴 Piggy Who Loves Cilantro吃香菜的猪猪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Comedy] [Beloved by the Whole Family] [Wins Over Everyone] [A Touch of Political Intrigue] [The Female Lead Returns] [Her Future Love Interest Is Murong Yan] [Original title: The Little Brat Only Causes Trouble, Yet Somehow Wins Her Parents Over] [Talkative, sharp-tongued heroine whose mouth moves faster than her brain ❤️ Hero reborn nine times, with eight hundred tricks up his sleeve] Luo Yan transmigrates into a book, where her entire family consists of villains. Her scumbag father is the vil 43.6kReads9.0Score7kShelves
45. 45 曹 Cao Cao's Daughter Rebuilds the Realm 曹操之女，再造山河 Mu Huarong木华荣Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [1. Strong female lead + female emperor setting. At first, she helps her father and brother; she won’t immediately set her sights on becoming empress. If that doesn’t work for you, please click away. [2. There will be very little romance, and the heroine is somewhat saintly. Use the heroine from my previous novel as a reference. [3. This may not be a wish-fulfillment story, so it may not suit readers who want nonstop, brainless gratification.] For the five years since Cao Xi transmigrated into t 3.4kReads7.6Score324Shelves

    Reader note

    They're all alright.

46. 46 种 What’s Wrong with Being the Supporting Lady in a Farming Novel? Respect Fate 种田文女配怎么了？要尊重命运 Green Lotus Catches the Eye青荷入眼Ancient Romance771k WordsCompleted [Farming Fiction + Reborn + Transmigrate into a Book in the Apocalypse + Foil Character] Who says a reborn supporting villainess has to turn over a new leaf? After transmigrating into the story, Lou Tanyue decides to respect fate and become a wicked supporting villainess, a steadfast stumbling block on the heroine’s path to growth. 4kReads7.0Score235Shelves
47. 47 惊 Shocking! The Legitimate Princess Defies Fate Every Day! 惊！嫡公主她每天都在逆天改命！ Ran Qiqi冉七柒Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Female-led power fantasy + ruthless, unhinged heroine + an extreme “I’d rather betray others than let them betray me” mentality] Xuan Mingyao was reborn at the age of seven, back before anything had happened. Though she was the empress’s legitimate daughter, a princess treated like royalty, her younger brother, the crown prince, was about to die of illness. Her mother would soon be consumed by worry, grow estranged from the emperor, and eventually be deposed in the witchcraft scandal. Overnight 28kReads9.4Score3.8kShelves
48. 48 惹 Offending the Imperial Daughter 惹金枝 Kong Liu空留Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (Film and television rights have been sold. The physical book will be available for preorder on July 10 at 19:00.) Shi Buyu was born smiling. At that moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared, collapsing a row of outbuildings in the Shi family compound. Days of torrential rain brought devastating floods and countless victims. Rumors soon spread through the capital that she was a disaster star sent into the world. But she was as precocious as a demon, with a photographic memory, and learned bo 257.8kReads9.7Score30.2kShelves

    Reader note

    "The Golden Branch" is finished, while "The Story of the Lantern Festival" is still being followed; both are excellent works of political intrigue.

49. 49 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 18.6kReads9.6Score4.2kShelves
50. 50 都 Everyone Says She's Not Good Enough, but the Cool and Powerful Minister Is Head Over Heels for Her 都说她不配，偏偏清冷权臣他超爱 Flowers and Fruit有花有果Ancient Romance480k WordsCompleted [Marriage First, Love Later + Historical Romance + The Heroine Only Wants the Physical Side at First and Often Takes Advantage of the Hero + Growing Together] Jiang Zhaoyue transmigrated into a book. She became the foolish, vicious ex-wife of a supporting male character. The original owner's list of “accomplishments” was impressive: Abusing the servants. Disrespecting her parents-in-law. Eloping with a poor scholar after taking a sum of money. Being sold into a brothel. Contracting a vene 17kReads8.9Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Enough said, it's really good.

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