Novels like Step by Step to Glory
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Step by Step to Glory, best match first.
- 51 The Palace Maid’s Seduction: The Tyrant Falls Deeper with Every Step 宫女蓄意勾引，撩得暴君步步沉沦 [Beautiful, scheming little palace maid VS cold, ruthless, unhinged emperor] [Palace intrigue, not both each other’s first + powerful man, weaker woman + domineering possession + calculating, willful heroine + obsessive emperor + exclusive devotion] Yan Shu was beautiful, but she was only a lowly palace maid. Her one ambition was to become the emperor’s woman. At a palace banquet, she saw the favored consort drug the emperor. She chose to keep quiet and go along with it. When the drug took effec 1.3kReads6.9Score103Shelves
- 52 Forced to Become a Consort, She Is Doted on by the Emperor Every Day 被逼为妃后，她被皇上日日娇宠 Palace intrigue, satisfying revenge, the emperor’s exclusive devotion in the later arcs, not a chaste romance Song Wanyue was stunningly beautiful. After accidentally discovering the truth behind her mother’s death, her own sister threw her down a dry well, where she died with her eyes open. Reborn, she swears to win favor in the harem, monopolize the emperor’s affections, and avenge her mother! She uses her supernatural ability to empty the Minister’s residence, then relies on money to estab 243Reads6.4Score—Shelves
- 53 The Palace Maid Who Bore an Heir and Won the Emperor's Favor 借种宫婢她宠冠后宫 [Sweet Romance + Pregnancy + Charming Little Palace Maid vs. Cool, Distant Emperor + His One and Only Favorite + He Falls First + Fake Marriage Before Love] [One-Sentence Summary: A woman used as a tool to conceive an heir gradually becomes the emperor’s favorite and rises to the empress’s throne] Su Qingwan is fair-skinned and beautiful, but she is the lowest-ranking dancer in the opera troupe. Her greatest wish in life is to serve out her years and leave the palace with her elder sister. Unexp 151Reads6.6Score—Shelves
- 54 Forget It! I’ll Use My Empire to Spoil This Temptress 别管！朕拿江山养祸水 [Past and present lives + strong heroine + sweet romance + harem showdown + revenge against scumbags + the hero’s long road to winning her back] Everyone says Bai Rufu, the legitimate daughter of the Protector General’s household, is breathtakingly beautiful, with a bewitching charm. When she entered the palace, she was named a Beauty and showered with the emperor’s favor. She uses her superb acting skills to become the sort of seductive beauty who brings ruin to the nation. On the surface, she 34Reads7.5Score—Shelves
- 55 Diary of a Palace Musician 深宫乐师日记 Jiang Zhi, the head of the Music Bureau, unexpectedly becomes one of the emperor's consorts. She thinks her life will be consumed by the schemes of the women in the palace, but instead, she becomes the emperor's most favored consort. Jiang Zhi says, “This isn't what I trained for!” Content warnings: 1. The male lead is not a virgin! He isn't! He's the emperor! 2. The male lead is attracted to the female lead at first sight, while she falls for him over time. 3. The female lead always gets reveng 29Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 56 The Grand Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Maid 锦衣卫总督的丫鬟 Qin Shi grew up being fed by neighbors. Her lifelong goal is to make money, make money, and make more money. She takes a job as a maid at the Chief Inspector’s residence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for the pay, but by a twist of fate, the infamous Chief Inspector uses her as an antidote. She can’t escape. Xie Xian has parents, but little affection for them. Why should he care if others dislike him? He’ll take whatever he wants by any means necessary. Then, while poisoned, he meets her. At f 167Reads6.0Score—Shelves
- 57 I Traveled to Ancient Times and Won Over the Cold-Hearted General with My Cooking 穿到古代，我靠厨艺拿捏冷面将军 Food blogger Su Jixiang transmigrates into the body of a palace maid in the Cold Palace. What do the masters' schemes have to do with a lowly maid like her? She thought she could keep her head down and lie low until she turned twenty-five, when she'd be released from the palace to live like a little rich lady. Who could have guessed the emperor would flee! As a palace remnant of the deposed emperor's court, Su Jixiang is given to a general guarding the frontier. The palace loses a beloved Auntie 67Reads5.7Score—Shelves
- 58 Song of the Pear Blossom 骊歌行 The Journey of Legend is a lighthearted period romance starring Li Yitong and Xu Kai. This novel is based on the television series of the same name. The realm enjoys peace and prosperity, and its people live in comfort and harmony. Sheng Chumu, the son of the great general Sheng Xiaojing, was spoiled by his mother from childhood and became one of Chang'an's most notorious young wastrels. While traveling in Guangzhou, he meets Fu Rou, the daughter of a textile merchant, and falls for her at firs 57Reads—Score—Shelves
- 59 The Palace Maid Rises: The Little White Rabbit Becomes a Black-Hearted Lotus 宫女上位：小白兔摇身成了黑心莲 [Palace Maid Rises to Power + Rough Early Romance + Palace Intrigue in the Middle + His Only Love in the End] Shen Zhiyan was an ordinary, unremarkable palace maid. She worked diligently and served her mistress faithfully every day, hoping that one day she would be released from the palace and allowed to go home, where she could live out her quiet, uneventful life in peace. But fate had other plans. The mistress she had served with all her heart wanted to make her take the blame! Shen Zhiyan did 95Reads—Score—Shelves
- 60 When the Maid Cries, the Tyrant's Heart Softens 通房丫鬟一哭，暴君就心软 Meng Shu is a maid sent along as part of a ministerial household’s bridal dowry. She is beautiful, humble, obedient, and easy to control. A dowry maid is a servant who accompanies her young mistress to her husband’s home. Her first duty is to serve her mistress well and take care of her daily needs after the wedding. Her second duty is to help her mistress establish herself in her husband’s household as quickly as possible, whether by handling all kinds of chores, dealing with a difficult mother 325Reads6.8Score106Shelves
- 61 The Central Palace 中宫 He was an emperor in his youth, and the boy who had always stayed by her side. She was the daughter of the emperor’s wet nurse, and the first girl to stir his heart. When he indulged and spared the person who had killed his wet nurse, their youthful bond meant nothing to the young emperor on his lonely throne. Returning to the palace with vengeance in her heart, she cut off all feeling and swore to make the woman he protected pay for her crimes in blood. She thought that all the two of them coul 2.9kReads6.9Score176Shelves
- 62 The Emperor's Personal Maid 贴身宫女 Palace intrigue and scheming: see how a palace maid rises to the pinnacle of power. Hong Chen'er is the beloved daughter of a frontier general, while Tian Tian is a country girl who lost her parents at a young age. One is chosen to enter the palace and eventually becomes a Noble Consort; the other, through a twist of fate, becomes the emperor's personal maid. How will they find a way to survive in the treacherous, ruthless inner palace... 16Reads8.1Score—Shelves
- 63 The Palace Maid's Lush Beauty Softens the Emperor's Heart 宫女美艳娇软，皇帝缓放心尖 The day the Grand Tutor’s residence was raided, Jiang Xi escaped with her younger sister. But an arrow had wounded her sister’s leg, leaving her unable to walk. To survive, Jiang Xi had no choice but to enter the palace as a cleaning maid. But her sister’s leg was getting worse, and with her current status, there was no way she could get her treated. Just then, the Empress Dowager was selecting maids to attend to the emperor. Jiang Xi pretended to fall and successfully got herself sent to the Ha 275Reads8.8Score—Shelves
- 64 The Dutiful Palace Maid Rises to Empress 乖乖宫婢，一路封后 One promise: If it’s not sweet, you don’t pay! Sweet romance! Sweet romance! Sweet romance! [Beautiful, gentle little palace maid × cold, ruthless, obsessive emperor] [Palace intrigue, neither lead is inexperienced | Possessive pursuit | Devoted from the start | Hero worships the heroine to the extreme] Chu Linyuan is a tyrant in the eyes of the world, cruel in his methods and unpredictable in his moods. Zhizhang is merely an ordinary palace maid. Delicate and lovely, she wants no wealth or stat 7.2kReads8.8Score906Shelves
- 65 A Long-Awaited Return to the Palace 宫阙久别 [Sweet romance] [Mutual devotion] She never believed she could find true love in an emperor. Given the chance, she would always try to escape the palace, but he would never let her go. He only wanted to cherish her in the palm of his hand and dote on her alone. Chen Luo Chu, though mountains and rivers may lie between us, I’ll wait for all the days we have ahead! 166Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 66 A Palace Maid Rises to Power! She Becomes a Thorn in the Side of the Harem's Vicious Woman 宫女上位！成了后宫毒妇的眼中钉 [Transmigrate Into a Book + Palace Intrigue + One-and-Only Devotion Later On + Happy Ending] After transmigrating into a book, Lu Mingyao finds herself a low-ranking palace maid who has risen to become a concubine. The System offers her a tempting deal: become empress, and she can return to the real world. Determined to go home, Lu Mingyao throws herself into palace intrigue and climbs steadily toward the top. The wicked women of the harem call her ruthless, but so what? With her heart set on go 1.1kReads8.7Score101Shelves
- 67 The Lottery System: The Green Tea Consort's Daily Balancing Act 抽奖系统：绿茶娘娘的端水日常 [Alternate setting, not an exclusive romance, and they are not each other’s first and only. The heroine doesn’t love the emperor; she’s only doing her job.] From palace kitchen maid to empress Everyone thinks Ye Yu owes her success to the emperor’s devoted love. Alas, love that runs too deep never lasts… [Your remaining days of survival are running low. Please recharge.] Ha. As if there’s any true love in an imperial household. She has her transmigration-awakened Empress Growth System to th 495Reads7.1Score100Shelves
- 68 Crafting a Phoenix: From Consort Jin to Empress Dowager 匠心谋凰：从瑾嫔到太后 [Palace intrigue, alternate setting, a vast harem with many ranks, not a one-on-one favorite, most characters are clever and ruthless, a few are reckless fools, and the heroine stays clear-headed from beginning to end. A satisfying story with a touch of ensemble cast.] Tang Yuan is the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Works, sent into the palace by her father as a lucky charm to prove his loyalty. But that’s fine by her: Her ambitious and capable father earns her steady promotions in the e 1.3kReads8.0Score149Shelves
- 69 The Emperor Is Infertile, Yet He and His Scheming Palace Maid Have a Secret Romance and Many Children 皇帝不孕，和心机宫女地下恋多胎 [A scheming, beautiful young palace maid + a cunning, possessive emperor] What does it feel like to have a secret affair with the emperor in ancient times? Su Jin transmigrates into the body of a nine-year-old beggar girl in ancient times. With a little luck and a lot of cunning, she makes her way into the palace and becomes a favorite of the empress. She never expects to catch the eye of the abstinent, aloof crown prince as well. She doesn’t want to be the other woman, but imperial power rules 431Reads6.8Score—Shelves
- 70 Splendid Ceremony: The Su Family Heiress Rises Step by Step in the Imperial Palace 仪华万千：苏氏千金深宫步步高升 [Dual happy and bad endings] [Palace intrigue] [Not a pure romance] [Clear-headed heroine] Also known as: Beneath the Inner Palace: A Favored Consort's Step-by-Step Plot to Win the Emperor's Heart According to popular gossip, the Su family's daughter had bright eyes and pearly teeth, a face like a peach blossom, and was known as the most talented woman in the capital. She entered the palace in the first year of the selection. From the moment she arrived, Mingyi understood that she would spend th 130Reads7.1Score—Shelves
- 71 Entering the Palace to Seize the Phoenix Throne, with a Treacherous Minister as My Blade 入宫，夺凤权，奸臣为我掌中刀 Reborn for revenge + palace intrigue and putting scoundrels in their place + the emperor is a dog + becoming empress dowager + a powerful minister as a blade that shakes the court [The mild-mannered scholar who turns utterly ruthless vs. the general's daughter, a reborn, bloodthirsty demon empress] Could a Yangzhou singing girl really become empress? “No, they're wrong. Taohua will kill the tyrant and rule this realm!” She is Shen Wanyin, daughter of the Shen family, whose maternal relatives ar 4Reads—Score—Shelves
- 72 The Trial Bride: The Abstinent Heir Spoils Her Without Restraint 试婚丫鬟，禁欲世子独宠无度 On the day of the grand wedding at the Duke's residence, Song Cuiyue took the prime minister's daughter’s place and shared a bed with the heir. After just one night, he couldn't get her out of his mind. After her family was destroyed by the prime minister's household, she went to great lengths to become one of their maids. For years, she endured humiliation and hid her hatred as she served them, all so she could begin her revenge in earnest on this day... She used the prime minister's daughter' 284Reads7.1Score—Shelves
- 73 The Regent Bows to His Alluring Beloved 心尖宠娇媚勾心，摄政王为她折腰 [A sweet, scheming black-lotus beauty + a powerful, ruthless regent] At their first meeting in Baihua House, Jing Zhi knelt before the man, one shoulder bare, her delicate face seeming on the verge of tears. Pearls of moisture clung to her lashes before falling straight onto Xiao Zhi's heart, stirring ripples that would soon become impossible to quell... Everyone said that Xiao Zhi, the regent of the Xiao Kingdom, was brutal and ruthless, and famously indifferent to women. Yet that day, the r 687Reads8.7Score113Shelves
- 74 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 [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 1.8kReads8.9Score195Shelves
- 75 The Concubine’s Favorite 通房宠 A Ying is delicate and beautiful, with a face like no other. Once a lowly maid in the marquis's residence, she was assigned by the old madam to serve as a bedchamber attendant to Fu Jinglin, the heir. Everyone envies her good fortune. Fu Jinglin is a true gentleman, accomplished in both letters and arms. He has yet to marry and has no concubines, only her as his bedchamber attendant. What difference is there between that and being his wife? But A Ying knows there is a world of difference. Fu J 286Reads5.8Score—Shelves
- 76 Palace Intrigue's Winner: I Rise to Power by Raising Kids 宫斗赢家：我靠养崽上位 [Palace intrigue and childbirth, no golden finger, not a devoted couple] “Your Majesty, Ning Guiren's red mandarin-duck bellyband is still hanging from that scoundrel's belt!” Opening her eyes to such a shocking scene, Ning Yuxi immediately kicked the scoundrel aside and ran for it. Seriously, did she have a death wish, giving the emperor a cuckold's horns? An emperor who loves the throne more than beautiful women? No problem. Two children in three years? What's that? I'll have three in two! Wha 144Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 77 The Rise of A Miao, Palace Maid 宫婢阿渺上位录 A resilient, calculating heroine who grows stronger and always gets her revenge. A palace-intrigue novel, set in a fictional world. The male lead is thirteen years older than the female lead. The emperor is not a virgin, but once he and the heroine truly become a couple, he has eyes for no one else. In the fourth year of the Jingshun reign, a great fire destroyed Yun Miao’s family and left her with nothing. A year later, she entered the palace as a maid under someone else’s identity, all for 535Reads8.4Score100Shelves
- 78 Transmigrated as a Maid in the Prime Minister’s Residence 穿越之相府小丫鬟 After transmigrating into the body of a young maid, all she wants is to laze around and coast through life. Since they have the same face, she pours her heart out to the young lady as if she were her best friend. In the end, they fall for the same man and become rivals in love. Sigh, she’s tired of it all. She’ll find a beautiful, scenic place to settle down, make a fortune, earn gold, enjoy delicious food every day, and admire handsome men wherever she goes. Wait, you? She’s already dumped you, 13Reads—Score—Shelves
- 79 Yearning for Spring 念春娇 When Xie Chuxia woke one day, she had become a baby girl of the Xie family in Jinzhou, in the Great Yong Dynasty. Heaven help her: her birth mother abandoned her to remarry just after she was born. Having lived another life, Xie Chuxia’s greatest wish was to eat, drink, and wait for death, becoming a happy little couch potato with a full belly. But some people couldn’t stand her lack of ambition. One chased her away, another tried to win her favor, and somehow she ended up crossing paths with th 7.9kReads7.8Score698Shelves
- 80 The Marquis’s Household Maid’s Path to Becoming Everyone’s Favorite 侯府婢女的万人迷之路 [Everyone’s darling + unhinged perverts + taking by force + multiple male leads + love-triangle chaos + men competing for her + naturally alluring] What’s a lowly maid to do after failing to seduce her way into her master’s bed and getting her legs broken? Flirt with the marquis, charm a young lady, and seduce an adorably earnest guard. Bai Rou turns the tables against all odds The cold and noble young master of the marquis’s household, the refined and gentle son of a prominent family, the tall 483Reads6.0Score105Shelves
- 81 Noble Lady Qinghe 贵女清和 Qinghe, the second daughter of the Marquis’s household, spent five years as a companion reader to a princess. When she finally returned home, she found the family in chaos. Her grandmother disliked her, the Third Branch was constantly causing trouble, and Concubine Liu was even scheming to seize the title! Her marquis father favored his concubine, and the household was a complete mess inside and out. Qinghe took advantage of the turmoil and managed to anger her grandmother into falling ill… Li Z 953Reads7.5Score114Shelves
- 82 The Legend of Empress Zheng of Great Xia 大夏郑后传 P.S. Palace intrigue + political scheming + doted on exclusively later on + a little angst + strong female lead (no transmigration, no rebirth) She wants only wealth and status, not a trace of true affection! Zheng Zhongyin’s great-grandfather was a regent of the Great Xia dynasty. But when she was ten, during a succession struggle, political enemies plotted against her family, nearly wiping them all out. They killed her mother, younger sister, and several other relatives, and her childhood swee —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 83 A Spring Breeze Drifts Through Yikun Palace 翊坤宫微风沉醉的春天 A mighty, handsome, scheming emperor VS a sweet, gentle, innocent favorite consort A sweet and satisfying palace harem romance His sweet words: “If that still isn’t enough, I will never appoint another empress. I would rather leave the empress’s seat vacant than give it to anyone but you.” If there’s an extra chapter, it’ll be at 10 p.m. 217Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 84 A Maid's Daily Life: From Menial Servant to First-Class Attendant 丫鬟日常，从粗使到一等那些事儿 At first, Sheng Xia was just a maid in the Duke of Yan's household. All she wanted was to become a first-class maid by the madam's side and earn a little more money. She never expected the Duke of Yan's household to succeed in its rebellion, and her own status to rise along with it. Her future husband even went from being a servant to a minor official. But people change. Her future husband, now a minor official, wanted to climb higher and told her to become his concubine. Sheng Xia was furious! 643Reads8.2Score103Shelves
- 85 She Was Reborn and Stole My Match, So I Married into the Harem and Went on a Rampage 重生抢我姻缘，我嫁到后宫杀疯了 Ye Wanchen and her legitimate older sister were both reborn. In her previous life, her older sister entered the palace as a consort, only to die deep in the palace after plotting to harm the emperor’s child. Ye Wanchen married an unfavored prince. She carefully plotted at every turn to put him on the throne, only to be stabbed by the person dearest to her and die within the palace walls. Now that they had another chance at life, her older sister wanted to switch marriages and take over her fate? 324Reads7.3Score—Shelves
- 86 Reborn: The Noble Consort Doesn't Want to Slack Off, She Just Wants to Rise to the Top 重生：贵妃不想摆烂，只想扶摇直 [Male lead has prior experience, heroine is pure + palace intrigue + career-focused + clear-headed heroine] Watching the drunken Crown Prince, she reached out a small hand and pressed it against his firm chest, dodging his kiss. But in doing so, she accidentally revealed a generous expanse of pale skin. Her fingers seemed to brush his belt by chance as she wept, her face streaked with tears: “Your Highness... We can't do this...” Nan Chen and his wife had always been deeply devoted to one anoth 6Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 87 The Empress Is Charming and Lively, and Wins the Emperor's Heart 娘娘娇媚灵动，惹得皇上心动 [Palace intrigue + sweet romance + not both leads’ first time + clear-headed heroine focused on living well + doesn’t love the emperor] Xiao Zhaoyuan asked with interest, “What do you usually like to do, my consort?” Cui Qingwan beamed. “I like eating, drinking, and having fun!” Sincerity really is a lethal weapon! Xiao Zhaoyuan couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. He had never met anyone so genuine. And yet this very genuine woman gradually claimed his heart. But then he realized that she 1.3kReads8.7Score100Shelves
- 88 Mother of the Nation? No, I Want to Rule the World! 母仪天下？不，我要权倾天下！ [Alternate-World Palace Intrigue + No Romance + Raising Children + Never Falls for the Emperor] Content warning: The male lead is not chaste. Palace intrigue runs throughout, and the emperor never favors just one consort. After a car accident, Chu Ningzhi was pulled into the alternate world of Great Zhou. She had to become Empress Dowager to survive. To stay alive, she entered the palace through the selection and gave birth to a child. She planned every move carefully and defeated all her enemie 182Reads8.8Score—Shelves
- 89 From Palace Maiden to Empress Dowager: The Beloved Consort Rules the Realm 从秀女到太后：娇娇娘娘母仪天下 Jiang Wanzhen was merely the daughter of a minor sixth-rank official, forced by circumstance to enter the imperial harem. Luckily, the emperor was young and handsome, so he wasn't too hard to stomach. The women in the harem were all cunning schemers, but Jiang Wanzhen fought her way through every obstacle, tore down paper tigers, and took on the fake sweethearts. She nursed her best friend, had children, and before she knew it, she had risen from an insignificant low-ranking consort to the most 100Reads8.5Score—Shelves
- 90 The Palace Background Character Is Done Being a Couch Potato 后宫小透明不想闲鱼了 Synopsis: In her previous life, Yu Yao was a nobody who died in a cold little room at Cuiwei Pavilion. The day she died, Consort Yue of Chunxi Palace was having a happy meal with the Emperor and her two-year-old daughter, the three of them enjoying a family moment. Yu Yao thought that as long as her daughter was happy, she would be content. As an unfavored nobody, she might only burden her daughter while she was alive. Once she was gone, Consort Yue could truly treat Mianmian as her own. A foste 19Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 91 You Want Me to Bear an Heir? I'll Send My Wretched Sister Straight to the Cold Palace 借腹生子？本宫直接送渣姐进冷宫 [Having children + palace intrigue + reborn] A clear-headed, decisive, scheming heroine + an emperor who knows his own heart, but keeps his feelings restrained The kids are incredibly capable and fiercely protective of their mother! - In her previous life, Lin Chuyi was framed by her elder sister, who killed her mother and stole her child. She died a miserable death in the cold palace. Given another chance at life, Lin Chuyi enters the palace once more. This time, she depends on no one and clin 1.1kReads9.0Score122Shelves
- 92 The Beloved Concubine 娇妾 Bai Susu died, and Bai Susu came back to life. After being reborn, Bai Susu has two things to do: first, live a good life with Lord Lu; second, do her best to have children with Lord Lu. Bai Susu: “I saw someone fall when I went out today. Everyone laughed, but I couldn't bring myself to.” Lord Lu: “You are truly kindhearted!” Maid: “The concubine took a nasty spill today.” Lord Lu: “...” Bai Susu: “...Hehe, hehe.” Bai Susu: “I made several dishes especially for you, my lord.” Lord Lu: “Too much 331Reads7.4Score—Shelves
- 93 Your Majesty, Let's Have a Baby 陛下我们生个娃吧 [Historical Fiction + Alternate Setting + Pure Romance + Strong Hero and Heroine + Playing the Pig to Eat the Tiger + Silly Humor] Because Xie Zhaozhao has half Xie family blood, the civil and military officials choose her to take her place in the inner palace. It is said that the Xie family’s legitimate daughter is the most talented woman around, a master of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and literature, with a brilliance that makes her a rare genius. But only she knows she has no talent. All s 82Reads—Score—Shelves
- 94 Breaking News! The Junior Judge of the Court of Judicial Review’s Concubine Has Run Away 惊闻！大理寺少卿的小通房跑路了 Traditional historical romance [Both devoted to each other] + [Running away while pregnant] + [Forced possession] + [Groveling pursuit] + [Rekindled love] A traditional historical romance with a few mystery-solving scenes that help move the plot along. There aren’t many, but readers who don’t like them should proceed with caution. A lovestruck, sweet-natured young concubine + a dignified, self-controlled heir to the throne Qin Ruyi began serving Su Xuanzhi, the Prince of Jing’s heir and a junior 1.6kReads6.9Score243Shelves
- 95 The Legitimate Elder Sister Steals the Favor? Then She Can Die! Consort Lan Fears Nothing! 嫡姐夺宠？找死！兰嫔她无所惧！ [Palace intrigue + golden finger + no romance + career-driven heroine] In her previous life, Xu Qingqiu was forced to take the place of the legitimate daughter and enter the palace. With no connections to rely on, she ultimately died a miserable death in the harem. When she opens her eyes, she is back before the imperial selection. She knows that entering the palace is like stepping into a bottomless sea, and every step must be taken with the utmost care. She wants wealth and glory, a lofty stat 17Reads7.4Score—Shelves
- 96 The Empress Is Alluring and Charming, and the Emperor Sees Her as His Weakness 娘娘千娇百媚，皇上视为软肋 [Transmigrate into a book + palace intrigue + no exclusive favor + fake stand-in + clear-eyed heroine] Content warnings: The heroine is not a virgin. No System and no golden finger. Note: Set in a fictional dynasty. Jiang Qingchi wakes up one day and discovers she has become the heroine of a novel she only read one page of. After living cautiously for eight years, she finally gets her life in the palace on track. In the palace, she is the perfect stand-in for the late empress. As the late 7Reads—Score—Shelves
- 97 A Heart as Clear as the Lan River 明似澜心 When Feng Lanxi came of age, her father, the chancellor, casually remarked, “I don’t have anything much to give you this year, so I’ll give you the position of Crown Princess.” Feng Lanxi: Thanks a lot. Rumor had it that Xie Jingming was both scholarly and skilled in combat, brilliant at strategy, and devastatingly handsome. If so, then quietly playing the part of a pretty ornament in the inner court didn’t sound so bad. “Your Highness, the Crown Prince is injured.” “Your Highness, the Crown Pri 526Reads8.7Score121Shelves
- 98 The Reborn Concubine Wants to Enter the Palace! 庶女重生我要进宫！ [Concubine-born Daughter + Reborn + Palace Intrigue + Strong Female Lead] In her past life, she endured endless humiliation. She could only watch helplessly as her birth mother died before her eyes. Her stepmother was domineering and cruel, while her half-sister was arrogant and repeatedly drove her into dire straits. Her father did not care in the slightest whether they lived or died. Schemed against and married off to a dissolute playboy, she suffered every indignity and met a tragic end. She 90Reads—Score—Shelves
- 99 The Emperor’s Favorite Lady-in-Waiting 皇上独宠御前掌事宫女 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
- 100 The Bewitching, Passionate Consort Only Wants to Be the Emperor's Favorite 贵妃妩媚多情，一心只想当宠妃 Lu Hanyan had a grand ambition and had always worked hard toward it: to become the emperor’s most favored Noble Consort! What could be better than being a Noble Consort? She could seduce the emperor, act up whenever she pleased, and occasionally whisper in his ear or toy with his feelings. Just thinking about it was thrilling! From an invisible nobody in the harem to the most celebrated Noble Consort of her time, Lu Hanyan gradually won Xiao Qi’s heart. Drawing on the little she knew about roman 649Reads8.4Score106Shelves
