Novels like Chronicles of the Netherworld
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Chronicles of the Netherworld, best match first.
- 101 The Tale of Wen Tan 文檀传 A perceptive, worldly beauty × a jade-faced marquis Wen Tan thought this was all life had to offer: scheming against the other girls in the training house, waiting for some rich man to buy her, and rotting away in the mud. Then Marquis Jiarui offered her a chance to work together. “I need a fiancée, and you need somewhere to belong. Why not make a deal?” And so she transformed from a Yangzhou beauty bred for sale into an official's daughter in the capital, nervously navigating a world of power a 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 102 The Jade Hairpin’s Lament: A Farewell in Life and Death, All for Nothing 玉簪辞：生死别离終成空 The Jade Hairpin’s Lament: In the End, Parting in Life and Death Comes to Nothing 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 103 Jinyue Burns the Mountains and Rivers 锦月焚山河 Beneath her bridal finery, she is Qingluan, a descendant of the former dynasty and leader of the Hidden Scale Guard, entrusted with a secret mission to restore the empire. Her frail, ailing appearance as a young prince's consort is merely the perfect disguise. Beneath his playboy exterior, he is Xuanlin, the emperor's blade and commander of the Dragon Shadow Guard, ordered to exterminate the remnants of the former dynasty. His reputation as a pleasure-seeking young noble is nothing but a beguil —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 104 A Commoner's Warmth Beneath the Heavens 布衣暖天下 [In the war-torn years at the end of the Song and the beginning of the Yuan, discover how a former child bride used nimble hands as blades and cotton as her cutting edge to weave an immortal legend as the “Cotton Goddess,” who “clothed the world”!] At twelve, her family sold her for half a sack of millet. Her husband's family treated her like livestock, and when they tried to sell her again, she escaped. She hid in a Taoist temple and nearly got caught, then drifted to Yazhou, where she narrowly 55Reads—Score—14d adds
- 105 After Using the Mad Prince, His Little Slave Girl Ran for the Hills 利用完疯批王爷小女奴撒丫子跑了 The difference between Shu Yao and Ji Yue is like the difference between heaven and earth. Shu Yao is a lowly female slave in a military camp, insignificant, humble, and beneath notice. Ji Yue, by contrast, is a lofty prince, handsome, noble, and proud. Yet even so, he insists on keeping her by his side, serving him at close quarters by day and warming his bed at night. But his damned possessiveness nearly breaks her completely. She thinks that if she can endure it long enough, she’ll eventually 132Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 106 Two Hearts, Three Minds 两意三心 [Pure historical tragedy + no golden finger, no transmigration, no rebirth + 1v3, female lead is not a virgin] Neither the male nor the female lead is perfect. One is unruly and arrogant, the other insecure and timid, and both have their own character arcs. The cast is richly developed, with distinct personalities. She was nothing but the unloved daughter of a low-ranking sixth-grade official. Her father showed her no affection, her mother did not love her, and her younger sister bullied her 618Reads8.2Score10114d adds
- 107 A Scholar's Tragedy 才子之殇 Gifted beyond compare, excelling at everything from games of skill to spirit writing and divination... As a boy, Jin Shengtan was the most unconventional and legendary prodigy of his age, a brilliant young eccentric. Behind every legend lies a tale unknown to the world. This novel tells the seemingly absurd yet deeply philosophical stories from the youth of Jin Shengtan, the renowned scholar of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 108 A Mistaken Marriage, a Love That Takes Root 错嫁沉欢 A daughter married off far from home is destined for a bitter life. Lu Zhiyuan never imagined she would face the same fate. When she bid farewell to the family who cherished her and the childhood friend who loved her, and married off to a foreign land, she was already prepared to plunge into an abyss. But somehow, things seemed different. The man she married doted on her to an almost unbelievable degree. Far from making her suffer, he would worry for ages just because she furrowed her brow. How 247Reads8.7Score10014d adds
- 109 Chengning 承宁 [Historical romance / Love at first sight / Mutual devotion / Healing each other / A touch of court intrigue] Ning Chuchu: They all say I look like my elder sister, the Empress, but I have no desire to enter the palace. Above the clouds, untouched by the mundane world, with spirit in his eyes and beyond anyone’s reach: that is the kind of young man I like. One glance was all it took for me to fall. I’m rebellious to the core. I only pretend to be a delicate young lady so I can get close to him w 48Reads—Score—14d adds
- 110 Thirty and Thriving? This Wretched Household Can Do Without Me 三十而立，这破府老娘不伺候了 [Cast aside + face-slapping + comeback] Su Li was the legitimate daughter of the Su family. After ten years of marriage, she had borne no children. One day, a woman passed by wearing a hairpin that belonged to Su Li. Her mother-in-law never missed her monthly prayer visit on the fifteenth, but behind the scenes she was bringing along all sorts of jewelry and tonics. Every so often, her husband went to her dowry storeroom to pick out treasures, any one of which was worth a thousand taels of silve 75Reads5.9Score—14d adds
- 111 The Tiny, Sweet Princess Consort Leaves the Prince Weak in the Knees 娇娇王妃小小只，吓得王爷腿发软 [Sweet Romance] [Doted on Exclusively] [Both Leads Are Pure] [Political Scheming] [Coming-of-Age Romance] She was orphaned at the age of eight... At eleven, she married into the Prince of War's household in her cousin's place... The decisive, ruthless Prince of War found himself completely at a loss when it came to her... He said, “Women would slow down my sword.” Later, he stopped caring about speed altogether... 184Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 112 The Phoenix Sings Across the Realm 凤鸣江山 “Everyone has heard of a regent prince, but who has ever heard of a regent grand princess?” “From the moment I begin, there will be one!” She is a daughter of the imperial clan, punished for her father’s crimes, yet brought into the palace and granted the title of princess. Beneath the appearance of boundless imperial favor lies only the cruelty and coldness of the royal family. He is a gifted scholar renowned throughout the capital, yet because he married a princess, he is denied advancement a 223Reads—Score—14d adds
- 113 Mind Reading, Volume One: The Substitute Concubine 读心术第一卷：替身侍妾 Mind Reading, Volume One: The Substitute Concubine 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 114 Legend of Aolai: The Soul-Bonding Gu 傲来传说：同心蛊 Meng Yuru, the young lady of a marquis's household, and Xiao Yuntian, the leader of the Demon Cult, fall for each other after accidentally being bound by a Heartbond Gu. After repeatedly risking their lives together, Meng Yuru is certain Xiao Yuntian is the man fate chose for her. Then she discovers that her supposedly unshakable love was nothing more than the Gu at work. Bai Ruxin, an orphan raised by a spirit ape, and Wei Shang, the son of a great general, overcome obstacle after obstacle and —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 115 The Battle of Yashan: The Final Showdown 崖山海战，终局对决。 The Battle of Yashan: the final showdown. 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 116 Phoenix Feathers and Frosted Splendor 凤羽霜华 [Black Lotus Revenge-Seeking Heroine × Mad Calamity Star | Fated to Destroy Each Other | Beauty Amid White Bones] That night, at eleven, Fusang huddled amid the sea of corpses and blood in the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence, watching the emperor’s guards nail her grandfather’s head to the walls of Wushan City. “Colluding with the enemy? What a fine accusation!” She swallowed the phoenix blood jade in her throat. Seven years later, a cold, striking beauty carrying poison emerged from Wushan, the mo 60Reads—Score—14d adds
- 117 Sharing Dreams with the Cold and Aloof Heir, the Adorable Cousin Gets Kissed to Tears Night After Night 和清冷世子共梦，娇娇表妹夜夜被亲哭 [Both Untouched + Only One He Loves + Mild Household Rivalry + Traditional Historical Romance] Shen Qingluo has an unspeakable dream every night, and she plans to keep it a secret for the rest of her life... After her family falls on hard times, she has no choice but to seek refuge at the Jing'an Marquis's residence in the capital. When she first arrives, she behaves modestly and follows the rules, focused on marrying her second cousin, to whom she was promised as a child, once her period of mou 705Reads7.0Score7914d adds
- 118 Longing for the Splendor of Youth 思韶华 At thirteen, Shen Li, the daughter of the Minister of Works, fell in love at first sight with Xu Shengyi, the Marquis of Zhennan. But fate intervened, and two years later Xu Shengyi married someone else. Shen Li put aside romance and entered the court, where she earned the favor of Empress Li, the ruler in power. Through hard work, she rose to become Vice Minister of Personnel. Xiao Ce, Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and Commander of the Imperial Guard, loved Shen Li devotedly, 19Reads—Score—14d adds
- 119 She Flirts and Runs, but the Heir's Wife Is Hard to Pursue 撩完就跑，世子妃难追 Scheming merchant heroine × cold-faced heir|possessive pursuit|intense push and pull|groveling redemption Ye Jin fled an arranged marriage and came to the capital, hoping only to marry into a powerful family and protect her younger sister. But she lost her virginity in an accidental encounter by a rockery, without even learning who the man was. She lowered herself and flirted with men everywhere, hoping to find a patron and live in peace. But Rong Xuan, the high-and-mighty heir, kept ruining her 1Reads—Score114d adds
- 120 The Splendor of Bianjing 汴颂风华录 Understand history, and you can see the future! This is a novel-length encyclopedia of the Northern Song, both a great read and a chance to expand your mind and learn something new! Follow Ji Xueqin's journey from a mute girl to the “Lady Tao Zhu,” the richest woman in the Northern Song. See how, with a bowl of porridge, a ledger, and a clever mind, she shakes up the bustling prosperity of the Northern Song at its height. The seasons are its bones, business opportunities its blood, and her rise —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 121 The Delicate Beauty Is Hard for the Powerful Minister to Spoil 娇娇美人，权臣难宠 [Both leads are devoted to each other + sweet romance + household intrigue + pure historical romance + rekindled love after a breakup + the husband’s long road to winning his wife back] The wealthy Bai family of Yunzhou was wiped out overnight. When their only daughter, Bai Mengjiao, was abducted, she fell off a cliff and injured her head. When she awoke, she had forgotten everything about her past… Pei Huaizhi brought her back to the marquis’s residence, telling everyone she was his younger sis 79Reads—Score—14d adds
- 122 Hard, So Hard: A Maid’s Path to Survival Through Layered Defenses 难，难，难，婢女的叠甲求生之路 [Survive a Deadly Trap + Nobody Is Normal + Saying One Thing and Meaning Another + Alternate Setting + No Golden Finger + Not Reborn] A disastrous start: my family was wiped out, and I, a lowly maid, had nowhere left to go! No matter. The butler, my father, escaped with me and the young lady. We were still alive, and we could seek refuge with the family’s main branch. Father died. What now? Protect the young lady. We have to survive, so we endure! Then the young lady died too... Fine. It’s bette 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 123 Wild Pansy 山堇花 Lin Meng escaped the great bombing of Wuhan, only to be kidnapped and sold to a wealthy household in the countryside as the bride of an idiot. Her life was full of misfortune, yet she found a different kind of happiness... 48Reads—Score—14d adds
- 124 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 19Reads—Score—14d adds
- 125 My Childhood Friend Is Ruthless and Savage to Everyone Else, but a Sweet Puppy to Me 竹马对外杀伐狠戾，对我软萌奶狗 [Pure Historical Romance] [Slow-Burn Romance] [Childhood Sweethearts] [Long-Standing Scheme] [Two-Faced Male Lead] [Sweet Romance with a Hint of Bittersweetness, No Angst] [Light Family Intrigue] [Dear readers: This is a sweet, slow-burn romance. The leads dote on each other from childhood to adulthood. At first, they're all children, so the pace is slower, with nothing but innocent sweetness and no flirting. Once they grow up, multiple couples' stories unfold in parallel. Please choose for your 47Reads—Score—14d adds
- 126 Making a Living with Firelight in Hand 手执烟火以谋生 Lin Qi couldn't help letting a bitter smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Huo Qingchen. No one knew that he had followed her story for ten whole years, right up until the Black Armor Army was wiped out. She, too, had died in battle. When he was six, he learned that she had entered the army for training. He imagined a little girl, only four years old, training and living in a military camp. He himself hadn't been sent to the camp for training until he was five. He knew firsthand how much 15Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 127 The Bright Moon over Zhishan: A Few Tales of Me and My Godfather, Wang Anshi 陟山明月：我与干爹王安石二三事 [Transmigrate as the Female Lead ➕ Second Marriage ➕ Play the Pig to Eat the Tiger ➕ Beat the Scumbag Senseless ➕ The Twelve Beauties of Jiangning] Historical records say that Wang Anshi took his second daughter-in-law as his adopted daughter and married her off to Prince Qi, Zhao Hao?! Little do they know that she transmigrated to the Northern Song dynasty, going from a kitchen maid in the inner courtyard all the way to becoming a princess consort! The moonlight shines on more than the rear cou 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 128 The Fiery Second Madam Shen 泼辣沈二娘子 The Shen family of Tongji City is comfortably well-off. The family of seven should have been living happily together, but fate had other plans. Shen Muqing, the head of the household, suddenly passed away, leaving his widowed wife and young son and daughter to face a world full of predators... 37Reads—Score—14d adds
- 129 Farewell to the Phoenix Throne on a Peony Couch 牡丹榻上辞凤阙 Shen Wanning had lived in the secluded depths of the Shen residence for as long as she could remember, growing up alongside her half-brother, Shen Huaijin, the chief grand secretary. He always treated her with the distance and severity of an elder brother, convinced she was the daughter of his father's mistress, hidden away in the household, a stain on the family's honor. It was only when the decree accusing the loyal of treason arrived that the truth behind the massacre of her military family w 28Reads—Score—14d adds
- 130 The Phoenix’s Lost Record 阙凰录 In the third year of the Long'an reign of Great Chu, plague ravaged Jianghuai. The healer Ruan Qingdai traveled the land treating the sick. On a road littered with corpses, she met Xiao Jingyan, the young emperor, traveling incognito. His dark robes were stained with blood, his eyes cold as stars. She held silver needles in her delicate hands, the hem of her clothes carrying the scent of herbs. Their life-or-death treatment made the sovereign remember the woman who dared to pry open his wound a 77Reads—Score—14d adds
- 131 Late Nights in the Deep Estate 深宅晚 Her husband, Song Hemian, died young, leaving Jiang Wanyin alone in a desolate mansion, surrounded by endless gossip. Her late husband's younger brother, Song Heran, returns from afar. He is refined and handsome, yet reserved and inscrutable, treating her with a tenderness that constantly oversteps the bounds of propriety. As they spend their days together, Jiang Wanyin gradually realizes that this “younger brother-in-law” is nothing like the Song Heran her husband described, in either his habit 1.9kReads7.3Score18614d adds
- 132 After Working as a Part-Time Assassin, I Discover My Boss Is My Husband 《兼职杀手后，发现老板是我相公》 After Taking a Part-Time Job as an Assassin, I Discovered My Boss Was My Husband 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 133 After Divorcing the Powerful Minister, I Only Get Richer 和权臣和离后，我越过越富 Clear-headed, resilient merchant's daughter VS cold-faced power minister who never says what he means [Marriage first, love later + regretful husband tries to win her back + political intrigue + equally matched leads + both chaste] On their wedding night, Liu Chiying laid a contract before Shen Yechuan, drawing a clear line between their marriage and their personal lives. A merchant's daughter and a powerful minister from an aristocratic family, each getting what they needed. At the time, You 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 134 The Scheming Shadow Guard: Where Are You Running, Husband? 腹黑暗卫：夫君往哪逃 [Sweet romance + love polygon] Gu Nian, the daughter of a low-ranking official, grew up with the future King of Qin and other key members of his faction. In the early part of the story, she supports the King of Qin’s ambitions by disguising herself as a storyteller and living among ordinary people, gathering and organizing intelligence from every corner for him. Later comes a beautiful, bittersweet romance with Hua Yinan, a scheming secret guard, and other men. Hua Yinan seizes the throne for he 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 135 Reborn as a Pitiful Concubine's Daughter, All I Want Is to Stay Alive 穿成可怜小庶女，每天只想苟命 Transmigration + Space + Character Growth + Pseudo-Farming After transmigrating into the body of an ugly, fat, and despised daughter born to a concubine, she has to rely on her spatial treasure to build her fortune and escape a life without enough food or warm clothes. But the grand estate is rife with undercurrents and danger, and for a lowly, pitiful concubine-born girl like her, turning her life around is no easy feat. Only after she finally manages to escape does she discover that the outsid 741Reads8.3Score—14d adds
- 136 Yangcheng 飏城 This is just one of countless stories from the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression: sacrifice, passion, fear, and moving moments fill every cell. In this era, even love seems to have been reduced to waiting... 58Reads—Score—14d adds
- 137 My Bandit Wife 我的土匪娘子 [Rough-and-tumble bandit magistrate × shamelessly tenacious, eccentric, crooked lawyer] Hua Xiaodao, the boss of Blackwind Stronghold, is ruthless and never wastes words. Halfway through a robbery, the county magistrate drops dead. To keep her brothers from having to beg for food, she grabs the official seal and stuffs it into her arms. “I’ll take the job!” But the waters of officialdom run deeper than she imagined. The art of governance? What the hell would a female bandit know about that? She 55Reads—Score—14d adds
- 138 The Nine-Phoenix Hairpin 九凤钗 Song Zhu was once a lost royal treasure hidden in the forest, but fate sent her by a twist of circumstance into the palace of her enemies. On one side were the hatred and grievances between their countries; on the other, she found herself slowly sinking deeper and deeper into Mo Jingyuan’s love. Mo Jingyuan drank the plum blossom wine Song Zhu had brewed with her own hands. Dark red blood welled from the corner of his lips. “Azhu, let the grudges of the previous generation end with us. Give bir 43Reads—Score—14d adds
- 139 The Young Lady Never Meant to Be Your Princess Consort 姑娘她没想当您的王妃 Cool-headed legitimate daughter Zhao Luoci VS cold-blooded Prince Lin Xichen: mutual salvation No love at first sight, no falling in love after marriage, no rebirth, and all characters are from the ancient world. (Enter with caution if this isn’t your thing.) After breaking off her engagement, Zhao Luoci only wants to take revenge and then leave the capital far behind. She wants no part of any more messy troubles. She could return to Gusu or settle somewhere else. Whether she gets married or not 142Reads6.2Score—14d adds
- 140 The Princess Returns: I Grant You the World 公主归来：许你天下 [Political intrigue, revenge, rebellion + both leads are each other's only partners and equally powerful] [The heroine is a formidable martial artist, peerless in both medicine and poison. The hero bears humiliation and bides his time, but is ruthless and decisive.] After ten years of studying martial arts on the mountain, Su Yuli, eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ningyuan's household, suddenly received a letter from home. Her brother had killed a princess sent to marry for peace, and to protec 263Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 141 I Picked Up a Princess for a Wife 捡个公主做夫人 [Historical romance + sweet indulgence] [A gentle, upright official x a stunning princess with amnesia] When Shen Xiangzhi, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, returned from investigating a case, he brought back a lovely wife with amnesia. The capital was shaken! How had the aloof, jade-like Lord Shen come to have a warm, fragrant beauty by his side? Everyone was curious about the origins of his breathtaking wife. Even Shen Xiangzhi himself wondered. He had just left the capital u 32Reads—Score—14d adds
- 142 The Yin Painter 画阴人 The Yin Painter 29Reads—Score—14d adds
- 143 Grandpa's Dream: An Exact Prediction of My Death Date 爷爷托梦：精准预计我的死期。 Grandpa Visited Me in a Dream: He Predicted Exactly When I’d Die. 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 144 Crossing the Chang'an River 长安渡 Since heaven has given me a chance to start over, why should I put up with being wronged? Eat when I’m hungry, drink when I’m thirsty, and speak up when I’m angry. No need to hold back! If my father won’t love me, someone else will! If my senior brother doesn’t love me, the one who does is right there! My new book, “You Say I Set Fires and Murdered People? Then I’ll Set Fires and Murder People!” is now out. Hope you’ll enjoy it. 795Reads—Score10614d adds
- 145 Plum Blossoms Fade, Yet Their Secret Fragrance Returns 梅烬又有暗香来 [Old-school flavor + slow-burn, richly layered romance] I said, “This is for the best. This way, you’ll remember how good I was to you forever...” He said, “This is not for the best. Just when you loved me most, I chose to let you go...” The bright moon over Shengjing shines upon my borderland armor... In the storybooks, she is the woman general who has renounced love and shed blood on the frontier; In the powerful chancellor’s eyes, she is a red plum that does not vie with peach or plum blossom 182Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 146 Between Towers and Misty Rain 楼台烟雨间 [Turbulent times + medicine + court intrigue + personal growth + two strong leads + fast-paced + sweet at first, angsty later + a later-stage battle for love + a refreshingly straightforward plot] [A gifted young physician who knows how to read the situation vs. a cold-blooded prince with unfathomable depths] I only meant to save a badly injured man on a whim. Who knew that one act would drag me straight into the storms of court politics? Wait, what is going on here... The Second Prince wants 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 147 Great Ming: Born into the Past as a Little Princess, I Make Zhu Di Drool with Baby Talk 大明：胎穿小郡主，婴语馋哭朱棣 [Ming Dynasty + Everyone's Favorite + Adorable Baby + National Destiny + System + Lighthearted Comedy + No Cultivation or High-Tech] A scholar with doctorates in both agronomy and history wakes up and transmigrates to the Ming Dynasty as Zhu Wuyou, the newborn legitimate daughter of Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi. She is bound to the “Ming Dynasty National Destiny System.” From the start, she's still swaddled, just as Zhu Di succeeds in the Jingnan Campaign and ascends the throne. Seeing the murderous 284Reads6.4Score10114d adds
- 148 Elder Brother, You Mustn't 兄长不可 Shen Yanci is the envy of everyone in the capital: the refined and upright heir of the Shen family, with a bright future ahead. Yet his family also takes in Su Wanqing, an orphan girl with no one to rely on. An elder's words, "Raise her by your side and treat her as your own younger sister," become an invisible shackle between them. He watches her grow from a timid little girl into a graceful young woman, cherishing and protecting her at every turn. But as they spend day after day together, he d 4.5kReads8.1Score53314d adds
- 149 Snow on the Azure Pine Blade 苍松刃上雪 [Revenge + Restraint + Clear-Headed Heroine + Strategy + Using Others + Devoted Hero] Imagine you're an obscure wanderer in the jianghu. Then one day, you discover that you're carrying a blood feud. Your enemy wields power over the court and slaughtered your entire family as if they were ants. What would you do? Would you cling to life and retreat into the mountains with the one you love, or draw your sword and risk your life to kill your enemy with your own hands? You're a refined young maste 7Reads8.5Score—14d adds
- 150 The Noble Daughter from a Poor Family Has It Rough 寒门贵女不好当 [Ensemble Cast, Everyday Family Life, Male Lead Is Chaste] As the daughter of the third branch of the humble Xu family, Xu Zhiheng spends her days gossiping and watching the family drama unfold. After all, the Xu family is never short on excitement. The eldest branch consists of legitimate children born to the first wife; the second branch consists of children born to concubines; the third branch consists of legitimate children born to the second wife; and the fourth branch consists of legitimat 11.2kReads—Score1.3k14d adds
