Novels like The Central Palace
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Central Palace, best match first.
- 51 The Spring Oriole Sings 春莺啭 Yao Fuzhi was born into a distinguished family and mastered extraordinary medical skills from a young age. She travels far and wide in search of her uncle. To avoid drawing attention, the young woman disguises herself as a countrywoman. Following her uncle’s trail to the border, she arrives just as a plague breaks out. After Fuzhi cures the people, she encounters Gu Yun, a left general desperate to find a physician. A “witch” skilled in disguise, a miracle doctor who can cure every illness. Gu Y 1.7kReads9.0Score22814d adds
- 52 Elder Brother, First Emperor, I Want to Be the Only One You Love 始皇哥哥，我要独宠天下 [Transmigration]+ [Palace intrigue and household drama]+ [Historical romance]+ [Mutual devotion]+ [Protective love] “I’m Qin Shi Huang. Send me money.” A tired old joke, and a young woman’s soul transmigrates into the glorious Qin Empire. “Come over and wash my back.” His long, glossy black hair fell from his shoulders into the water. He leaned his head back slightly, his neck long and straight. As he spoke, droplets slowly ran from his jaw down his throat. Screams rang out from the camp behind 142Reads—Score—14d adds
- 53 The Palace Maid's Alluring Charms: The Emperor Grips Her Waist and Kisses Her Every Day 宫婢娇软媚人，皇上日日掐腰吻 Zhu Jinrun was a low-ranking palace maid at Yimei Garden. The matrons were jealous of her beauty and said she was bound to set her sights on the emperor. As it turned out, they were right, though he was the one who fell for her first. The mighty emperor clung to a little maid and refused to let go, even if it killed him. After the Empress Dowager took a liking to her, Zhu Jinrun was assigned to Shoukang Palace. The palace staff said the emperor visited the Empress Dowager every day out of filial 201Reads5.1Score—14d adds
- 54 Qing'an's Childlike Words 清安稚语 In the eighth year of Qing'an under the Xiao, seven-year-old Zhu Xiaoshao is taken into the palace by her aunt, Consort Dowager Zhu, after her father dies of illness. There, she meets Xie Yu, the Prince of Zhao. Xie Yu is the late emperor’s legitimate son, but he was still in his mother’s womb when the emperor died, so the throne passed to Consort Dowager Zhu’s son, Xie Xun. The Wei clan, Xie Yu’s powerful maternal relatives, have long been trying to restore him to the throne. In the thirteenth 56Reads9.2Score1014d adds
- 55 Empress of Hongwu: From Orphan Girl to Empress of the Ming Dynasty 洪武皇后之从孤女到大明皇后 The Empress of Hongwu | No System, No transmigration, Based on Official History When she died, he held her hand as it changed from warm to lukewarm, then cold. The historian wrote: The emperor wept bitterly and never appointed another empress. Thirty years earlier, he was a poor young man with missing teeth on the streets of Haozhou. When he lifted her bridal veil, he fumbled and spilled wine all over her. “One day, I’ll make you a pair of soft-soled shoes. I could tell you were in pain when y 20Reads—Score—14d adds
- 56 I Am the Puppet Emperor 我是傀儡皇帝 I Am the Puppet Emperor 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 57 I Long to Break a Branch 我欲折枝 The God of War, famed throughout the Kingdom of Zhou, had asked for a bride, and his intended was a girl who hadn't even come of age. Everyone thought a beautiful flower had been stuck in a pile of cow dung, and Wen You was the cow dung they meant. Wen You patted her chest. “At least I only have to be this cow dung for six months.” Wen You knew very well that this six-month marriage pact was her only chance to seek justice for her mother. It was payment for saving the woman he loved. But when th 92Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 58 The Palace Maid's Stratagems 宫女谋略 Within the gilded, resplendent palace grounds lurk countless monsters and demons. Driven into the imperial palace by her stepmother, Rong Li faces only two choices: fight, or die. Rong Li doesn't want to die. So even if the road ahead is thorny and leaves her hands drenched in blood, she won't hesitate. 799Reads8.7Score10014d adds
- 59 Attack the Cicada 攻蝉 [Adorable, fiery-tempered sweetheart VS a diverse cast of male leads] Historical romance transmigration into a book + irresistible heroine + brothers vying for her + face-slapping and falling hard + a testosterone-fueled battlefield of rivals Ji Yunchan wakes up to find she has transmigrated into a book as the villainess doomed by Heaven, and her wedding is taking place that very day. Determined never to get involved with the male lead, she decides to keep her head down and stay alive once the w 35Reads—Score—14d adds
- 60 The Useless Little Demon, Saved by Sheer Luck 废材小妖，全靠命大 [Past and present lives + love and hate + fantasy romance + trials and ascension + an ensemble of tragic human characters] A thousand years ago, the person Hua Yunran loved was convinced she had killed the High God Xingni. His love turned to hatred, and he slaughtered her entire clan. Someone she had considered a friend took her core, drained her magic, and threw her true form into a sea of fire to burn. Reborn through a phoenix-like resurrection, she took human form once more. With her maste 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 61 Step by Step to Glory 步步荣宠 Mingyue was sold as a child and became a maid in a marquis’s household. After the young master took an interest in her, she was sent to the palace and became a low-ranking palace maid. Step by step, she rose from palace maid to empress. 9kReads9.0Score79214d adds
- 62 Clouds Return, Dreams Shatter 归云断梦 Prince Huai was the most notorious devil in the realm, the number-one tyrant in the capital, Shenjing. The only pity was that the tyrant had a pair of useless legs. Jiangxiang was Prince Huai’s personal maid. Everyone who knew her said she was a simple, honest, loyal servant. Unfortunately, honesty was all she had going for her, and to Prince Huai she was utterly dispensable. For various reasons, Jiangxiang had no choice but to sneak away from Prince Huai just as his legs were recovering. But fo 227Reads9.1Score3714d adds
- 63 After I Remarried, My Ex-Husband Wrote a Poem That Has Been Passed Down to This Day 改嫁后，前夫题了首词流传至今 On the day Tang Wan married Lu You, the lanterns still glowed throughout Shanyin, and everyone said they were made for each other. He engraved "Huixian" on the end of her hairpin. She arranged his books, ground his ink, and washed her hands to prepare meals for him. But Lu's mother couldn't wait any longer for her eldest daughter-in-law to give the family a child. The night he handed her the divorce papers, he wrote in his study until dawn, while she stood outside his door until the fifth watch. 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 64 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 276Reads5.8Score—14d adds
- 65 A Light Boat Crossing 宁有轻舟渡 There's quite a stir in Yanjing: the second young master of the Xie family is soon to marry the second young lady of the Gu family. According to reliable sources, Xie Qingzhou is a smiling snake, a beast in human clothing, vile, shameless, a degenerate, and a cripple with no conscience. Gu Qingning is a seductress who lures her cousin, mistreats her elder sister, and is as fickle as the wind. Everyone calls it a match made in heaven, a perfect pair of vile creatures! On their wedding day, the br 1.4kReads8.9Score17714d adds
- 66 Defeat My Ex-Husband with My Former Husband, Long Live My Lady 用前夫打败前夫，娘子万岁千秋 1.3kReads9.0Score16214d adds
- 67 The Moon Crosses the Spring Night 月渡春宵 [The animated series is out. Click the bottom-right corner to watch.] [Clear-headed, cool, and stunning assassin x aloof, pristine minister with a touch of frost | Both leads are each other's first | Emotional push and pull | Winning hearts is key | Happy ending] Two years ago, Shen Ning was poisoned with a Yin-Yang Love Gu by Prince Rong, whom she had sworn to serve. Only a lover could break the curse. To save her life, she rescued an elegant, injured man and deliberately seduced him into becom 5.5kReads8.9Score70114d adds
- 68 The Tyrannosaur’s White Moonlight Is So Pitiful 暴龙的白月光惨兮兮 In his previous life, Yun Chi stole Ning Changsheng's body to save the one he loved and crushed his soul. Reborn, Changsheng saved Yun Chi with the blood from his heart, but Yun Chi knew nothing of it and wished Changsheng would die. Changsheng used his blood to help Yun Chi recover his cultivation and took a sword for him with his own body. Only then did Yun Chi realize that the person who had always treated him well was Changsheng, and that he had been blind and mistaken someone else for him. 38Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 69 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! 158Reads7.2Score—14d adds
- 70 The Young Lady Asks Every Day: Is the Heir Dead Yet? 表姑娘每日一问，世子今日嘎了吗 [Traditional Historical Romance + Possessive Love + Regretful Pursuit + Scheming Heroine + Powerful Man Bows His Head + Maximum Melodrama + Mutual Devotion] [A clever, talented cousin who knows how to put on an act VS a distinguished heir who falls for her step by step] Xie Yunzhou, heir to the Marquis of Zhenyuan, is refined, distinguished beyond compare, and famous for having no interest in women. A year ago, a down-on-her-luck distant cousin came to live at the estate. The young lady, Wen Tan 866Reads7.0Score12514d adds
- 71 When We Meet Again, We’ll Be Worlds Apart 再见已是天上人间 While Nan Sheng was still alive, she climbed the ninety-nine stone steps behind the Chenghuang Temple and prayed devoutly for Mo Beichen to return safely. But the day before she died, she fulfilled her vow. She said, “In my next life, I don’t want to meet him again.” After Nan Sheng died, Mo Beichen retraced the path she had taken, kneeling three times at every nine steps as he begged the gods to return his wife to him… He said, “If there is another life, may she live a carefree life, free from 205Reads5.3Score—14d adds
- 72 From Palace Maid to Imperial Consort 宫女成妃 [Read before starting: This story is set in an entirely fictional dynasty. Some details are original, while others are inspired by various historical dynasties, but it has no connection to actual history. This is just an ordinary romance novel. Please don’t read if that bothers you.] Avoid starving to death, live peacefully as a little palace maid, leave the palace when she came of age, use her savings to find an honest man to marry, and spend the rest of her life in quiet contentment. That was 156Reads7.5Score—14d adds
- 73 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
- 74 After My Kingdom Fell, the Sickly Beauty Survived the Tyrant’s Wrath with His Face 病美人亡国后，靠脸在暴君手下续命 [Completed]“I love hearing you cry and beg me.” Ruthless, merciless mad tyrant ✖ sickly young king of a fallen nation, enduring humiliation [Forced love / groveling redemption / fake substitute / one-on-one, both devoted to each other] At first, Yan Yu was treated like a plaything, his every shred of dignity crushed. Later, he was made into a substitute and forced to satisfy the other's every desire. Then he discovered that the person the man he hated most had kept hidden in his heart was none o 1.1kReads8.5Score11114d adds
- 75 Hey, Our Love 嗨，我们的爱 A sequel to Hello, My Love Pure sweetness, no angst. The leads are hopeless romantics. If that's not your thing, please don't read. Thank you all for enjoying the story! Song Qing has lost his memory and forgotten who I am. He cares about me, but not because he loves me. He has forgotten everything about us, forgotten how he fell in love with me, and forgotten how to love me. 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 76 The Spring My Lover Left in My Eyes 眼睛是爱人留下的春 The eyes are the spring left behind by a lover 103Reads—Score—14d adds
- 77 Senior Brother, Mind Your Manners 师兄，休得无礼 [Arrogant, overbearing young master] x [Clever, beautiful fallen young lady] Xu Heng, the daughter of a disgraced prefect, traveled a thousand miles to the capital and took up residence with the prestigious Murong family. Everyone in the household saw her as a thorn in their side, all because she was the daughter of Master Murong's former lover. The eldest young master, Murong Li, was especially bent on driving her out. Later, Murong Li came to deeply regret it: his face really hurt! 40Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 78 Married to a Good-for-Nothing, Exiled to Lingnan, I Solve Cases to Return to Court 嫁纨绔，贬岭南，我靠破案返朝堂 [A county lady devoted to solving cases and exceptionally skilled in combat × a carefree playboy with money to burn. Historical romance and mystery + episodic investigations + marriage before love + devoted couple + sweet romance] Ji Lingyan, Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Empress Dowager's closest confidante, kept the powerful in check and executed corrupt officials. Everyone in Chang'an feared her. Yet one month after the Empress Dowager's death, Ji Lingyan was stripped of her 66Reads—Score—14d adds
- 79 Your Majesty, I’ve Fallen Head Over Heels! 皇后，朕恋爱脑犯了！ [Mutual devotion! Older woman-younger man romance! Love after marriage! Fictional setting!] Quan Suye was the legitimate eldest daughter of a family with neither power nor influence. Her fiancé was stolen, her reputation ruined, but she didn’t care. She always remembered her late mother’s last words and took care to keep a low profile. By chance, she rescued a child, only to discover he was the Ninth Prince. From then on, her life changed completely. Her stepmother no longer dared bully her, her 538Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 80 Reborn as a Slave, I Drive the Obsessive Emperor to Madness 重生为奴，偏执帝王为我疯魔 [Not your typical palace intrigue; romance takes center stage, with little palace scheming. A historical romance about a domineering CEO chasing his wife, with plenty of angst] In her previous life, she married into the Eastern Palace and gave Pei Yan her whole heart. He ignored her, devoted only to the woman he cherished. A cruel twist of fate led to her untimely death. Three years later, she is reborn as the young palace maid who once served her personally. Pei Yan, now emperor, keeps her by 46Reads—Score—14d adds
- 81 My Cousin Has Ambitions 表妹野心有点大 Pure historical romance + scheming, calculating legitimate daughter + winning her back + forced marriage + political intrigue The hero is the emperor, ten years older than the heroine. Jiang Shi should have been a noble young lady of the capital, but her grandaunt came to seek refuge with the Jiang family and ended up in her father's bed. Afterward, her father favored his concubine over his wife, and the Jiang family tried to seize everything from Jiang Shi's mother. After her mother divorced an 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 82 The Obsessive Minister’s Caged Sparrow 偏执权臣的掌中雀 Shen Yuan never imagined that the man she loved would send her to another man’s bed. Especially when that man was Lord Pei, a capricious figure with power over the court. To protect her family, she has no choice but to pass along intelligence while doing her best every day to please her bewitching, inscrutable husband. Fortunately, Lord Pei seems to truly regard her as his wife, treating her with extraordinary patience and affection. Shen Yuan thinks that perhaps this life isn’t so bad after all 43Reads—Score—14d adds
- 83 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 285Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 84 Write Me Off as a Flop 写我作败笔 [The Capital’s Infamous, Unhinged Marquis’s Orphan × An Older, Tender-Hearted, Loyal General] [Historical Court Intrigue + Strong Female Lead + Ensemble Cast] The Crown Prince fears her, rebels want to win her over, and even the emperor is moved to tears by a few words from her. Yet one preachy border garrison commander appears in the capital on a rainy night and holds a knife to her throat. The orphaned daughter of a noble house turns the capital upside down, determined to find out one thing: W 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 85 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 59Reads5.7Score—14d adds
- 86 The Moon Shines on the Mountain 山有明月 [Sweet and versatile merchant heroine vs. sickly, scheming Prince Beijing] No transmigration or rebirth, a pure historical romance + marriage before love + both leads are faithful + two powerful leads + sweet romance + fictional setting Bound by a marriage contract, their lives entwined for good. He is ruthless, and so is she. From plotting against each other to understanding one another, they unravel layers of mystery and carefully plan every move, solving an old case and seizing the throne. 234Reads8.5Score—14d adds
- 87 A Guest in His Embrace 入慕之宾 A period of upheaval brought a new emperor and a reshuffling of the court. A Dai, a female mystic at the Yuqing Temple in the palace, was the emperor’s childhood friend in his eyes, but a scheming green tea in the harem’s. A Dai’s daily routine: Snack on melon seeds while listening to palace gossip, tell the consorts’ fortunes, hear the emperor complain about them, then take a hefty fee to play matchmaker between him and the consorts. And finally, join everyone in cursing the root of all evil, t 2kReads9.1Score28814d adds
- 88 Bend Your Wings 偏折你双翼 [Dominant underworld boss x clearheaded, clever innocent beauty] (Both leads are each other’s first and only, forced possession, tragic ending, size difference, love at first sight, modern romance) PS: At first: lust at first sight Later: completely lovesick At their first meeting, one glance was all it took. He Su’s appearance was etched deeply into Wei Jinchen’s mind. He had never seen such a beautiful Chinese woman. Pure, flawless, as translucent and gleaming as porcelain. He went mad with d 455Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 89 My Lady, Your Secret Identity Is Showing, and Your Husband Is Your Secret Identity 娘子你马甲掉了，夫君是你的马甲 The rating has just been posted and is bound to rise [A luckless princess of the prince's household hiding beneath the guise of a village girl VS the richest man's son, a prince living among the people, hiding beneath the guise of a penniless scholar] [Secret identities + male lead falling for her on his own + female lead plagued by misfortune + mutual salvation + traditional historical romance + happy ending + both leads' first love] When they first met, Jiang Jinjin was a country girl, and Wen 772Reads6.4Score10714d adds
- 90 The Road Ahead Is Hard 荨路难 “Emperor and consort” “Angst” “Daughter of a great clan” “Young emperor” “Childhood sweethearts” “Both pure” In all my life, the most naive thing I ever did was believe that there could be a way for both sides to win on the chessboard. 3.5kReads8.1Score21214d adds
- 91 I'm No Guest Beneath the Eaves 我非檐上客 [Bold, free-spirited noblewoman from a military family with a can-do attitude × gloomy prince who is aloof, taciturn, and feels unworthy of love] [Not a power fantasy + 1v1 + First-person POV + Healing + Sweet and angsty] - At the Lantern Festival palace banquet when I was fifteen, the most exalted person in the land said I was lively and clever, and a good match for the Ninth Prince, Zhao Lin. It took nearly all the courage I had to say those words in front of everyone. "This humble subject's d 6.6kReads8.7Score96914d adds
- 92 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? 45Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 93 She Entered the Palace as a Zhaoyi, Bewitching the Emperor with Her Obsession and Allure 入宫即是昭仪，又痴又媚紧握帝王 That year, she fell for him at first sight. She threw caution to the wind and insisted on entering the palace as his concubine, even knowing she was nothing more than a pawn he used to keep the harem in check. She was willing. Even knowing his heart held only the empire and Empress Chu, she was willing to be a reflection beneath Empress Chu’s feet. As Su Qingluan pursued the emperor’s love, schemes and intrigues unfolded in the harem, one step at a time. He once said, “You shouldn’t expect an em 1.6kReads8.4Score13314d adds
- 94 After I Gave Up Hope of Surviving My Terminal Illness, They Begged Me to Live 绝症死心后，他们求我活下去 [Two male leads + angst + groveling pursuit + ancient-style ABO] A love-starved, suspicious scum gong vs. a cold, heartbroken, frail shou The Chu family had two sons: the elder was stunningly handsome, while the younger knew both the past and the present. Rong Yong once thought he would grow old hand in hand with the elder Chu son, and become a peerless ruler and subject with the younger. But a marriage substitution shattered everything. The one he loved most became his younger brother’s fiancée 2.3kReads8.5Score25014d adds
- 95 The Demon King’s Witch Consort 妖王殿下的巫女妃 A witch was pushed into the Cave of Rebirth by her master and was reborn in the body of a human witch. After thousands of years of upheaval, she still looked exactly the same. She had never been interested in life, but in the new century she finally developed a slight interest in it, making a living by telling fortunes and resolving paranormal cases. Just as she was making a fortune, she unexpectedly transmigrated to another world. By chance, she inadvertently offended the Northern King's Venera 39Reads8.7Score—14d adds
- 96 A Lingering Fragrance 渺渺生香 Guan Miaomiao is the legitimate daughter of the General’s Mansion. After the elders in her family die on the battlefield, only her aged grandmother remains, her elder brother is demoted, and she is left to hold the entire household together. Xiao Qingyan is the heir to Prince Ding’s mansion, a notorious playboy in Luojing who never misses a chance to fight, drink, or visit a courtesan house. The two, who had no connection at all, somehow end up married. When these rivals meet, they match wits an 62Reads7.0Score—14d adds
- 97 Auntie Yun in the Deep House 深宅里的云姨娘 Auntie Yun in the Inner Courtyard 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 98 The Year He Hated Me Most Was the Year I Died 死在了他最恨我那一年 I died in the year he hated me most. 12Reads—Score—14d adds
- 99 Still Awaiting Zhaoyang 犹待昭阳 Spring’s beauty once seemed impossible to surpass; beyond Zhaoyang, no day could be called fine. The first magnificent historical romance from the queen of romantic fiction, Mu Fusheng! A sweeping portrait of a nation and its people, and a profound love so true it could stand as witness to an empire. Within a week of beginning serialization, the novel was recommended by major Weibo book accounts! Two out of every three romance readers have been moved by this story. Several film and television co 589Reads9.1Score11514d adds
- 100 As Though I Have Powerful Backing 好似有靠山 [One-on-one romance + healing + age gap + coming-of-age + a touch of possessive romance] After both her parents died, Gu Xixi had no choice but to rely on her only remaining relative, her maternal uncle. Though he was ruthless and calculating, he did take reasonably good care of her. But could someone explain why this uncle of hers was getting stranger and stranger? Who was it that tore away the facade of family affection, wanting more? Who fell without realizing it? And who walked into the gate 186Reads—Score10714d adds
