Novels like The Emperor Is Heartless, So What Can the Heart Do?
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Emperor Is Heartless, So What Can the Heart Do?, best match first.
- 1 I Pledge the World to Win Your Heart 许天下为卿心 That day, the spring sun shone brightly. The imperial physician confirmed she was pregnant, but he sent someone to bring her a bowl of abortion medicine. Heartbroken and drained of tears, she ended her life in a way that left no room for turning back. 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 The Emperor’s Heart Is Hard to Win, and I’m Already Worn Down 帝心难俘，妾已萧萧 She caused the death of the woman he loved, so he hates her. He says he can love any woman, just not her, because she is unworthy! Nangong Wei knows that Xiao Yi is someone she will never be able to wait for, yet she still waits. Even if he takes her life... Even if she has nothing left in the end... 37Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 Gu Shang Qingcheng 顾上倾城 One is Gu Qingcheng, the celebrated courtesan of the capital. The other is Wen Yuehua, the notorious and debauched heir of the Yuehua household. Deep devotion? Mutual love? It was all just an act between us. And if this is a play, then it’s my turn to leave the stage. I’ve spent my life surrounded by pleasure and indulgence, and it’s been a ridiculous one. But the most ridiculous thing I ever did was wrong her... As the curtain rises, who are the two of them really playing in this drama? 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 4 True to Your Heart, True to You 不负卿心不负君 She was the demon empress who brought ruin to her country; he was the new emperor who overthrew a tyrant and ruled with benevolence. When the former dynasty fell, she was lucky enough to survive, only to become a disgraced consort in the cold palace, where anyone could bully her. They had been childhood sweethearts, but when they met again, neither could tell love from hate. He married another woman and made her empress, yet could never forget her. The man said bitterly, “Meng Xianjun, you owe m 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 A Jade-Boned Sacrifice for Love 玉骨祭相思 Legend has it that the Southern Lian Kingdom has a medicinal ingredient called Butterfly Tears, capable of bringing the dead back to life and restoring flesh to bones. When the ruler of Lu fell gravely ill, he once sent a young woman to Lian City to steal it. Though the woman was a formidable martial artist, she was no capable spy. As Lu’s forces faced defeat, she clutched her belly and searched through the flashing blades for a great general from the enemy nation. After the city fell, she and t 22Reads5.8Score—14d adds
- 6 A Lifetime of Splendor with You 许卿一世繁华 Xu Jieru had spent years as empress before marrying Chu Mulin, but one incident was enough to destroy their love and trust. The cold palace, her severed finger: was this his answer to all the years she had given him her heart? Or, as war raged and the city and palace fell, would they face death together, only to remain forever parted in life and death? 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 My Longing Endures, Though Beauty Fades 相思未尽朱颜改 Gu Qingyan, if there is another life, let’s not meet again. Loving you hurts too much. I can’t bear it. But after she disappeared, why did he search for her like a madman? 12Reads5.4Score—14d adds
- 8 After Seven Years as a Substitute, I Turn to Ash 七年替身终成灰 Seven Years as a Stand-In, Reduced to Ashes 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 9 When the Splendor Faded, Half the City Was Left in Ruins 繁华落尽半城殇 He told her, “Jinxiu, I will marry no one but you in this life. When I return from Jiangnan, I’ll give you a magnificent wedding.” But all that happiness was destroyed by a cruel conspiracy. On the day of his wedding, her blood was drained from her body, and she barely survived. With the splendor gone and half the city in mourning, she still died in his arms. Ling Su, may the rest of your life be peaceful. Let’s meet again in our next life... 128Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 10 Ten Miles of Red Bridal Finery Still Can't Compare to You 红妆十里不如你 “If I’m ever reborn, I’d rather never have known you!” Shen Ningxiang devoted her entire clan to helping Xiao Jingtang ascend the throne, only to be repaid with betrayal! Beneath the peach blossoms that year, you wore white as bright as snow, and I tossed you a broken branch. Which of us was it that robbed the other of a lifetime together? That year, ten miles of wedding finery, the bridal sedan curtain lifted, a radiant beauty appeared. But whose heart was stirred, and whose love went astray? 24Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 11 Ten Years of Beauty, Now Bones 十年红颜终成骨 She was the least favored of his many concubines. Night after night of humiliation left her in despair. She had thought her end could only be death, but... “If I rebel, will you leave or stay?” “Leave.” 12Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 12 The Mad Tyrant Would Trade His Empire to Make Me Look Back 疯批暴君拿江山换我回头 [Possessive pursuit + forced love + unrequited love + a legendary groveling chase + bad ending + physical and emotional torment + alternate setting + angst + corruption + revenge] [The unyielding princess of a fallen kingdom + the new king, cruel and unrestrained] When they first met, she was an unloved princess confined to the cold palace, and he was a Liang spy being hunted. She handed him half a pastry. “When people are hungry, they have to eat.” She casually said he was like a wolf, and he n 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 A Collection of Bittersweet Short Stories BE短故事合集 A collection of all kinds of short stories with bittersweet endings. Each chapter is a new story. These are short stories, and I hope you enjoy my work. 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 Love Lingers Amid the Fireworks 烟花深处情不眠 Everyone knew she loved him to the very depths of her soul, clinging desperately to her position as the Young Marshal's wife, even though she spent every night alone. He had always believed that for the rest of her life, she would look up to him and never have eyes for anyone else. Until one day, she woke up having forgotten everything from her past. The only person she remembered was the boy who had once lived next door when she was young. At last, the Young Marshal panicked... 20Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 15 After the Strategist Died, the Princess Regretted It 军师死后，公主后悔不已 After the Strategist's Death, the Princess Was Filled with Regret 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 16 Fate Deals Me a Love Trap 风月赐我相思局 Before their wedding, he told her that he would take her as his consort and give her the rank of princess consort, but nothing more. But he had no idea that she would offer him her life with her own hands, so he could save the woman he loved, risking everything just to spend what little time she had left by his side. At the end of her life, she looked at his seemingly panicked face with sorrowful eyes and smiled. “Mo Yuan, in the next life, I only wish we’d never met!” 55Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 17 A Thousand Knots of Love 爱有千千结 A thousand threads of love knot in the heart, yet all worldly romance ends in vain. 16Reads—Score—14d adds
- 18 A Concubine's Love Is Hard to Win Back 小妾难再爱 Liu Yan’er’s greatest dream was to spend her whole life with Shangguan Ling, the two of them belonging only to each other. But after he passed the imperial examinations and earned a position, everything changed. Not only did he take a new wife, he demoted Liu Yan’er to concubine. In the Shangguan household, she suffered constant torment and grew physically and emotionally exhausted. Her youthful dream had shattered. When she tried to leave, dragging her ailing body along, he said… 83Reads—Score—14d adds
- 19 Half a Life Adrift, a Beauty Intoxicated 半生飘摇红颜醉 He once promised her a vast realm of mountains and rivers, and vowed to give her a wedding procession stretching for ten miles. But in the blink of an eye, he subjected her to every humiliation and torment. Nalan Ya: “I love you, and I hate you. May we become strangers from this day on, never to meet again in this life or any other.” Now he sat alone with his vast realm of mountains and rivers, and the ten-mile wedding finery remained behind as well. 26Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 Once, a Passing Shadow Shone Like a Stunning Swan 曾是惊鸿照影来 She poisoned him every day, and every time he drank every last drop. Even as he collapsed on the golden palace floor, he was still ordering them not to summon the imperial physician. She asked him, “You knew it was poison. Why did you drink every last drop?” He smiled faintly, his gaze tender. “This is what I owe you. Wan'er, I told you, whatever you want, I'll give it to you.” 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 Thank You for Giving Me a Heart of Sorrow 谢你赠我一心伤 The most ridiculous thing in An Lingxi’s life was probably that she loved Xuanyuan Mo more than life itself, while Xuanyuan Mo thought of nothing but taking her life… 64Reads5.4Score—14d adds
- 22 I Once Crossed Mountains and Rivers with the Years 曾以岁月渡山河 She gave her whole heart and was rewarded with wounds all over. Seven years later, her passion had finally turned to ashes. Just as Xiao Yan thought she was about to fall off a cliff, Murong Yu reached out and pulled her back, only to personally shove her into another abyss! Now all that remained was for everything to turn to dust. Once, she had only herself. From now on, the whole world would be filled with familiar faces. 14Reads5.2Score—14d adds
- 23 The Blossoms Have Yet to Fall, but the Songs Have Ended 繁花未落笙歌尽 “Did you ever truly love me?” she asked. “Never...” he replied. She smiled. So the love she had longed for had all been a beautiful dream, and all it brought her was utter ruin... 26Reads5.4Score—14d adds
- 24 The Road Ahead Is One of Heartbreak 此去离殇 “You never deserved to be my wife.” Once, she had loved him with all her heart, only to be met with his cold rejection. Time passed, and she died before his eyes. All the love she had never gotten to confess became a sharp sword plunging into his heart… 238Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 25 Longing Makes You Grow Old 相思令人老 She was his wife, the Regent Princess Consort. She had once helped him win the realm. He forced her to kneel before his lover. He forced her to give up her child. He said he would sell her into a brothel. Her heart turned to ashes, and she set herself ablaze. Only then did he realize that all along, he was the one who couldn’t let go. 40Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 26 Moon in the Deep Palace 深宫月 Many years later, I stood in the imperial city of Northern Zhou, gazing at the bright moon beyond the palace walls, and suddenly regretted that fleeting first encounter with Yang Yu in the year I came of age. But Yang Yu told me that even without that glance, he would still have married me. I was destined to be his, and there was no way I could hide from him or escape him. 81Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 27 Tonight, Let’s Sink Into Ruin Together 今夜与你共沉沦 Tang Siying is sure she won’t live much longer, because Ji Chenyu hates her and wants nothing more than to kill her. He keeps her captive, tormenting, trampling on, and humiliating her because she is so hateful. Until one day, he discovers he hated the wrong person... 89Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 28 Your Grace Endures, Like Snow in All Its Splendor 风华如雪，君如故 Risking her life to give birth, he resolutely snatched the baby from her arms, saying she was unworthy. Imprisoned and unable to earn his forgiveness no matter how she pleaded, she heard him say she was guilty. Unworthy because she loved him humbly, guilty because she loved him obsessively. She said, “Chu Nanyi, this time, shall I sentence myself to death?” The game is over. Will you come back or not? 44Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 29 My Heart Remains as It Was 妾心如故 He hated her. In a single night, he slaughtered her entire family. He hated her, and wanted nothing more than to torture her to death, drawing blood from her heart every day for the woman he cherished. But when he used the same hands stained with her family’s blood to kill her child, she laughed bitterly, and her black hair turned white overnight. This time, she was the one who hated him, but he was the one who regretted it. “Ling Yumo, this hatred has seeped into my blood and carved itself into 60Reads5.7Score—14d adds
- 30 After Our Engagement, I Asked for Another 300,000 in Bride Price. When She Refused, She Accused Me of Violating Her Will 订婚后追加30万彩礼，被拒绝后诬陷我违背妇女意志 They Demanded an Extra 300,000 Yuan in Bride Price After Our Engagement. When I Refused, They Falsely Accused Me of Violating a Woman’s Will 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 Xiao Ran Leaves Old Sorrows Behind, and Takes Ya Along for Life 萧然辞旧苦，携雅赴平生 Zhou Nian'an's parents divorced when she was young. Her mother remarried, and she lived with her father. Neglected from an early age, she was bullied at school for years and at one point began hurting herself. When her second personality, A Ya, emerged, Nian'an found hope in life again... 18Reads—Score—14d adds
- 32 A Love So Deep, a Longing Unforgotten 情深不解相思意 In his eyes, she was the most despicable of princess consorts. He carved out her heart and drove nails into her bones. But when she really died, his heart had nowhere left to call home... 24Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 33 The Bitter Oranges of Beihuai 北淮有枳 Also known as: After the Political Marriage, the Princess and the Second Male Lead Get Their Happy Ending Princess sent to marry into enemy nation vs. enemy nation’s crown prince, BE [Angst + trash male lead + not both first-timers + female general + princess] Bei Qihuai: Crown Prince of Beichen. Nan Zhi: Princess of Nanzhao. Forced into a political marriage, she endured humiliation and kept silent for the sake of her younger sister back in Nanzhao, for her own survival, and for revenge. For his 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 34 Moonlight on the Southern Branch, Burdened by Deep Love 南枝月影负情深 She was framed by the woman he loved and explained herself countless times. But he never believed her. Years of companionship earned her not a shred of trust or pity. He severed the tendons in her hands and destroyed her martial arts abilities. Then he tried to kill her for the woman he loved. Later, with silver hair, she stood in the palace hall and drove a sword through her own chest. Blood stained her robes… 51Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 Dreams of Palace Intrigue 深宫斗梦 All the sacrifices I made, risking my life, were worth less than the radiant smile she gave him when she turned around. 3Reads5.7Score—14d adds
- 36 He Came Along, and It Was Like Being Intoxicated by the World 他来恰似人间中毒 Shiyi loved with humility, fearlessness, and despair. In the end, she lost her body and her life. In this heart-wrenching love affair, blades flashed without end, and no one could win. The ending was tragic because she realized the truth too late, while Lou Qianhua had understood it all too clearly from the very beginning. 123Reads8.5Score—14d adds
- 37 Once, We Pledged Our Lives to Each Other 也曾生死许 He said, “Nan Huaiyue, I love you.” Yet he traded my life and our child’s for hers… 37Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 38 All My Longing Turned to Ash 相思尽成灰 He destroyed her kingdom and castrated her husband. Her heart turned to ash... 31Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 39 You Became the King, While I Became a Tragic Memory 你为君王，妾已成殇 After loving him for ten years, she helped him ascend the throne, but he slaughtered her entire family. These vast lands were stained with nothing but her family's blood. On a ten-mile bridal procession, he married the woman he loved and made her empress. Dressed all in white, she leapt from the city tower. Xiao Jingyu, my love for you has led me down a road from which there is no return. 337Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 40 I Swear by My Love, Though It Brings Me Sorrow 敬我相思不成悲 She was a peerlessly beautiful young woman, famous throughout the land, yet fate had placed her in a brothel. Meng Zhijun believed Murong Yan was the man meant for her. She endured humiliation and kept her head bowed, all so she could stay by his side. She thought they would grow old together. But the man she loved most broke her fingers and ruined her face. In the end, he carved the bones from her body, one by one, and made them into a shocking bone flute. “A Zhi, look. Your bones are perfect f 57Reads5.7Score—14d adds
- 41 President Ji’s Little Wife Jumped into the Sea 季总的小娇妻跳海了 [Devoted Couple + Male Lead's Revenge + Imprisonment + 1v1] Everyone knew Ji Xiangyan had someone he cherished above all else. He spent money on her without a second thought, broke his own rules for her, and would even risk his life for her. Until one day, at Victoria Harbour, she leapt into the water, leaving behind only a suicide note. He knelt in the pouring rain, trembling and sobbing uncontrollably. It was the first time anyone had ever seen him like that. 48Reads—Score10014d adds
- 42 Captive Phoenix in His Arms: The Ruthless Emperor's Prisoner 俘凰入罗帷，狠戾帝君掌心囚 When the Cangxuan Kingdom fell, its legitimate eldest princess, once revered and surrounded by every luxury, was cast from her heavenly heights into the deepest hell. Chu Yan had once been held hostage in Cangxuan. When he was being humiliated, the kingdom’s eldest princess, Fan Hua, came to his rescue. They grew up together and fell in love, but a conspiracy made Chu Yan hate the entire Cangxuan royal family. After years of plotting, he destroyed her kingdom, trampled on her dignity, and forced 273Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 43 A Lifetime of Regrets, A Heart Still Unable to Let Go 负尽流年意难平 In a world of ice and snow, a bridal procession stretches for miles. The ruler of Dongli marries a new queen, and the whole nation celebrates. But the new queen is nothing more than a substitute. Everyone knows that Xiao Zhan, to honor the late Princess Li, has gathered women from across the land who resemble her and keeps them in the inner palace. I am the only exception. Is it coincidence, or conspiracy? As the truths deliberately buried begin to surface, layer by layer, and the feuds between 24Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 44 Red Walls and Green Tiles 红墙碧瓦 He forced her into his harem! But their relationship ended abruptly after just three months! They loved, resented, and hated each other, and promised to meet again in another life! He swore before the imperial throne: “As long as I am emperor, even for a single day, you will be my empress.” He lived a wild, carefree life, yet carried a quiet fragrance in his sleeves. Their love, however, was a dead end, destined to come to nothing. Everyone knows Liu Liangnü, but no one calls her Empress Xia 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 45 A Bridal Procession Ten Miles Long, Yet Time Turns My Hair Gray 十里红妆催华发 She may have a face just like hers, but she was the one he loved, and I was the one who died for him... 52Reads5.6Score—14d adds
- 46 At the Class Reunion, Everyone Egged My Wife On as Her Old Flame Led Her to the Private Room Next Door 同学聚会，妻子在众人起哄下被旧爱带往隔壁包房 At the class reunion, egged on by everyone, my wife was led by her old flame into the private room next door 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 47 I Give You My Life, Never Betraying Our Love 倾我一世，不负相思 She loved him with all her heart and insisted on marrying him. Who could have known that he wanted her dead? To save the woman he loved, he needed the child in her womb as medicine. In the end, he put her in a coffin and suffocated her alive. Only then did she realize she had loved the wrong man. If she gets another life, she will never meet him or fall in love with him again! 74Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 48 Fallen Blossoms Still Drift Toward the Jade Steps 乱红犹向玉阶飞 Xiao Seru said to Wen Jinchub: “A Chu, I know you still think of Miss Lu. I'm envious, but I'm not jealous. I don't expect you to truly let her go. I only hope you'll let me stay by your side... I may not be as talented or beautiful as Miss Lu, but my love for you is just as true!” Xiao Seru also said, “A Chu, I'm so happy I can be your wife. A Chu, I like you. I really, truly like you!” But later, Xiao Seru said to Wen Jinchub: “Wen Jinchub, she pushed me!” “Is Lu Liulian's child the only one w 119Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 49 She Chose Her Guy Best Friend, So I Calmly Let Her Go 她选择男闺蜜，我淡定地拱手相让 She Chose Her Guy Best Friend, So I Calmly Stepped Aside 35Reads—Score—14d adds
- 50 I Helped My Wife Reach the Top, but She Fell Apart After I Quit 我扶持妻子上云端，辞职后她却崩溃了。 I helped my wife reach the top, but after I quit, she broke down. 96Reads—Score—14d adds
