Novels like Years in the Palace
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Years in the Palace, best match first.
- 1 The Tale of Noble Consort Yu 妤贵妃传 Lin Shushu was the most favored consort in the Yangzhao Kingdom, and she and Emperor Yangzhao had once risked their lives for each other. She reigned supreme in the harem for years, blessed with a life of wealth and never once losing the emperor's favor. This is a fictional historical setting, so don't expect strict historical accuracy. Hope you enjoy it. 3.6kReads6.2Score388Shelves
- 2 Jade-Soft Pastry 玉团酥 Also known as The Survival Guide of a Palace Hothouse Flower [Female transmigrator who plays the pig to eat the tiger X scheming, calculating emperor] [Palace intrigue + raising a child + food + sweet romance + both leads are smart] After transmigrating and being forced to become a consort, Su Su always follows the professional code of conduct for a delicate little flower with no family status, talent, virtue, or connections: lie flat and look beautiful. In practice, that means eating, drinking, 48Reads8.2Score—Shelves
- 3 The Imperial Consort Exudes an Enchanting Fragrance, and the Emperor Spoils Her Every Day 娘娘自带暖情香，皇上日日娇宠 [Palace intrigue only, not a faithful couple + favored exclusively in the later chapters + clearheaded heroine] Yun Shu, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, is beautiful, but unfortunately falls for a kept man. She helps him climb the ranks, only for him to have an affair with her cousin Yun Rou'er and get her pregnant! Reborn, Yun Shu resolutely enters the palace. She will rise to the highest throne! Win favor! Bear children! Seize the throne! Take revenge! She wants 159Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 4 Thrown Out of the Manor? A Year Later, I Return as a Consort 赶我出府？一年后封妃归来 [Scheming seduction, a golden finger, sweet and satisfying romance, palace maid rises to power] (The rating has only just opened. Check the reviews for details; it’ll go up, q-q.) - On the day of her grandmother’s funeral, Shen Lingyang was framed for having an affair with another man. The marquis’s household couldn’t wait to drive her out. But how could a beautiful, frail young woman survive in the rough and tumble streets? After much thought, she realized there was perhaps only one person unde 4.3kReads8.3Score684Shelves
- 5 The Consort Is Alluring and Charming, and the Chaste Tyrant Falls for Her Day After Day 娘娘千娇百媚，禁欲暴君日日沦陷 (The main story is complete) [Transmigration + palace intrigue + both leads’ first love + sole devotion + fictional setting + hero is head over heels] She! Shen Qingtang! A cannon-fodder character who dies as soon as she appears. To stay alive, she has no choice but to seduce the cold, ruthless emperor. But if he was supposed to be so detached and desire-free, why is he different with her? A plaything whom outsiders think has nothing but beauty rises from Noble Lady to Noble Consort, and even to 1.5kReads8.4Score171Shelves
- 6 The Beautiful, Delicate Consort Wins the Empress's Throne with the Emperor's Support 娘娘美艳娇软，陛下捧上凤位 (Thanks, everyone! The ratings are slowly going up.) [Palace intrigue + rising to power and crushing the villains + clear-headed heroine + hero falls first] (Not pure; the heroine won't put up with being mistreated, the hero knows he loves her, and he devotes himself to her alone in the middle and later parts.) Song Lingyue was outstanding in every way, from her family background to her looks. She entered the palace with one goal: to become the most exalted woman in the land. She would win Qin Y 7.1kReads6.9Score710Shelves
- 7 Lady Zhaoyi Grows Arrogant on the Emperor's Favor 昭仪娘娘她恃宠生骄 By imperial decree, Yu Qingyao, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an’s household, was given to Prince Jing as his wife. Her rank was a little low, but that was fine. Once she won Prince Jing over, her status would rise soon enough! Qingyao sharpened her knives and got ready to go all in on Prince Jing. The following year, the late emperor passed away, and Prince Jing ascended the throne. He made Qingyao a Zhaoyi and granted her the main hall of Guanju Palace as her residence. In Dec 270Reads6.6Score—Shelves
- 8 The Empress Is Determined to Rise to the Top 娘娘她立志登高位 Scheming beauty x stern, cold emperor (soul transmigration + palace intrigue + not mutually devoted + eventually his one and only) In the third year of Zhaowu, Wen Zhuohua abandoned the path laid out for her and entered the palace as a palace-selection candidate. She loves wealth, splendor, power, and status. All under heaven belongs to the sovereign, and nothing in this world is more exalted than imperial authority. Once in the palace, she treads carefully in the harem and puts on an act for th 15.2kReads9.0Score2kShelves
- 9 The Palace Maid Is Alluring and Wily, and Coaxes the Emperor into Making Her Empress 宫女茶又媚，哄着帝王送凤位 [Just started receiving ratings, so they’ll gradually go up. Your support is welcome!] [Beautiful, calculating palace maid x devoted, possessive emperor] [Reborn + 1v1, both devoted to each other, happy ending + powerful man bows his head, heroine knows how to keep him in line] Lin Chan was the least noticeable concubine-born daughter in the General’s residence. When her legitimate elder sister entered the palace as a consort, Lin Chan could only go with her as a maid. She endured one humiliatio 2.4kReads8.9Score315Shelves
- 10 Will Her Majesty Become the Empress Dowager Today? 娘娘今天当上太后了嘛 [Palace intrigue + heroine born into the womb + transmigrated supporting actress + reborn supporting actress + black lotus + everyone is smart] Shen Guiyi had planned to lie flat and enjoy a comfortable life, but every eligible young nobleman in the capital had a house full of wives and concubines. Since she couldn't escape the struggle, she decided to enter the palace as a candidate for the imperial harem. She would climb the ranks step by step. If she had to fight, she'd fight for the very bes 1.7kReads8.4Score221Shelves
- 11 A Stunning Film Queen Possesses Someone in Another World, Masters Palace Intrigue, and Becomes Empress 绝美影后搞魂穿，玩转宫斗成皇后 [Powerful female lead transmigrates into another person's body + high-IQ palace intrigue + one woman takes on the entire harem + not both leads' first time] A stunning award-winning actress transmigrates into the body of a concubine-born girl who has been drugged with an aphrodisiac and is still expected to enter the palace. Entering the palace would be one thing, but her rank is low. Her rank being low would be one thing, but she has no money either. No matter. Sister Shen knows exactly what sh 226Reads6.4Score—Shelves
- 12 The Bold Consort Flirts with the Emperor, and He Begs for Cuddles Every Day 直球贵妃撩帝王，他竟日日求贴贴 [Just got a rating, and it’ll slowly go up from here~ Welcome, everyone!] [Palace intrigue, not an innocent romance] [Sweet romance; the male lead falls early and dotes on her exclusively after about ten chapters] [A clever, brave, strong, stunning beauty who speaks her mind × a clingy, love-struck puppy of an emperor] Shen Chaoying opened her eyes to find herself sitting in the sedan chair taking her to the emperor’s bedchamber. She looked around and nearly fainted on the spot. Thanks for askin 1.1kReads8.8Score133Shelves
- 13 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
- 14 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
- 15 Reborn, the Emperor Begs Me to Rule the Empire by His Side 重生后，帝王求我母仪天下 [A clear-eyed noblewoman reborn + an emperor starved of love who lives by the rules of virtue] [He dotes on her from the very beginning, a devoted couple in this life, the heroine coasts to victory, and the supporting heroine is reborn] Shen Yingzhen was born into a distinguished family and possessed beauty that could outshine a nation. She was supposed to enter the palace at seventeen and become the emperor's favorite consort. But her younger half-sister was reborn one day, knowing that her fia 4.2kReads8.8Score575Shelves
- 16 A Palace Peril: The Consort Wants Power 深宫劫：娘娘要上位 [Palace intrigue ensemble + alternate setting + no transmigration or rebirth] The imperial palace is a stage, and everyone is putting on a show. Perform well, and you earn favor. Mess up, and anyone can walk all over you. Now that she has stepped onto the stage, she intends to become the star everyone applauds! (Reader beware: the pacing is slow, so don't start if that bothers you. The male lead is a scummy emperor, while the female lead only cares about her career. She will make a move against 122Reads5.3Score—Shelves
- 17 Ninefold Spring: The Empress Consort’s Exclusive Favor 九重春：娘娘她独得恩宠 Song Peiqing is the second daughter of the Grand Tutor's household, kept deep within its inner quarters, and the eldest daughter who was mistakenly switched at birth years ago. After more than a decade confined to the estate, one imperial decree sends her by mistake into a gilded cage. Her legitimate elder sister resents her, the women of the imperial harem watch her with wary eyes, and the emperor's heart is as cold as a deep pool. Better to savor a lotus-seed pastry, enjoy the clear rain in th 378Reads6.0Score—Shelves
- 18 It's Not Easy Being a Noble Consort 贵妃不容易 [Palace intrigue, a villainous heroine who stays clear-headed throughout, power struggles, love and hate, a cast of women trapped in a feudal society, GhelpG] A belated leave notice: An elderly family member suddenly passed away last week, so I'm taking two weeks off, including last week and this week. I'll definitely resume updates after August 22. Noble Consort: Today, I'm going to climb to the top, no matter what! The story of a humble-born noble consort fighting her way up. From the imperial 51Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 19 A Harem Palace Survivor's Guide to Living to 120 人在后宫，只想活到120岁 The rating just came out, and it's really low ꈍ◡ꈍ #Quick transmigration heroine + multiple male leads + ends 1v1# Yun Jianxue died. Thanks to her accumulated good karma, she chose to become a civil servant in the Underworld. Calling it civil service is a bit of a stretch. In reality, she travels through various small worlds to complete missions. Along the way, it's inevitable that she attracts a few souls. Yun Jianxue swears: she really isn't doing it on purpose. 1.1kReads8.4Score100Shelves
- 20 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
- 21 My White-Eyed-Wolf Sister and I Were Reborn and Swapped Souls 我和白眼狼妹妹重生后灵魂互换了 A cunning, ruthless heroine versus a twisted, obsessive hero In her previous life, Su Yu'er enjoyed the emperor's favor without end, until Shen Ningyue and the empress conspired to frame her. Reborn, she and Shen Ningyue switch souls. Now in Shen Ningyue's body, she initially plans to pretend they've made peace and team up with Su Yu'er to get revenge. But that plan falls through, so she lies low at Lady Zhaohua's side and stokes conflict in the harem, sowing suspicion between the empress and L 8Reads—Score—Shelves
- 22 The Finest Branch of Spring 独占春风第一枝 Shen Tangxi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Jingguo’s household, was gentle and dignified. One day, she entered the palace after being selected as a consort. She never competed for favor, vied for attention, or formed factions. But the most formidable people in this world have never been the ones who bare their claws. They are the ones who act without making a sound. While others fought to outshine one another, he loved most the sight of her grinding ink with her delicate hands and quiet 14.6kReads8.8Score1.6kShelves
- 23 Phoenix and Luan in the Palace of Tranquility 凤鸾坤宁 [Empress + not a mutually exclusive romance + pure palace intrigue + intelligent characters + bearing a son to seize the throne] Zhao Zhenshu, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wei’s household, married the legitimate second son of the Prince of Jin’s household. She had only wanted to be the principal wife in the inner quarters. But when the Crown Prince rebelled, the emperor simply replaced him. The legitimate second son of the Prince of Jin’s household was suddenly transformed into the lof 2.1kReads6.9Score179Shelves
- 24 The Emperor’s Heart Is Easy to Tempt: The Chambermaid’s Rise to Power 帝心不经撩，通房丫鬟上位记 [Top-tier green tea + the most beautiful and best-acting heroine + sweet everyday romance + unabashed favoritism + a little palace intrigue + exclusive devotion later on] The male lead falls first, going from interest to affection, then favoritism, and finally exclusive devotion. He gets a little love-struck later on. Shen Jingshu transmigrates, but who can tell her why everyone else transmigrates into the role of a mistress? If not a legitimate daughter, then at least a concubine-born one. Yet 4.1kReads8.8Score452Shelves
- 25 The Theatrical Little Palace Maid Charms the Tyrant with Her Alluring Swagger 小宫女戏精，撩拨暴君媚又飒 [Strong Female Lead + Clear-Eyed Heroine + Palace Intrigue + Sweet Romance + Building a Career + Getting Rich] Sheng Yunshu never imagined that, just after transmigrating into the imperial harem, she would become one of the new palace candidates. All under heaven belongs to the emperor, so escape is out of the question. She might as well win the emperor’s favor and build a career. Want to get rich? Lay the groundwork first, then keep the tricks coming. A carefully arranged encounter and a gentle 1.4kReads8.6Score142Shelves
- 26 A Scheming Childhood Friend Charms the Coldhearted Emperor into Surrender 娇媚心机青梅诱，薄情帝王沦陷深 [Pure palace intrigue + the leads are not each other’s first + no saintly heroine] P.S. The heroine is a villainess who takes the initiative. A bewitching, scheming beauty × a cool, heartless emperor An imperial decree made Chu Miaowei the crown prince’s secondary consort. With the little affection her childhood friend, Crown Prince Xiao Jinghuai, had for her, she could have lived a smooth and happy life. But she had no interest in love. She only wanted power. How could the position of secondary 648Reads5.5Score101Shelves
- 27 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
- 28 When the Delicate Consort’s Eyes Turn Red, the Cold Emperor Pulls Her Close and Spoils Her 娇娇娘娘眼一红，冷戾帝王揽腰宠 [Just started posting, the score will rise over time] [Complete] [Palace intrigue and putting scoundrels in their place + Devotion in the later stages + A clearheaded heroine gradually winning over a distant, aloof hero] To protect the Dingyuan Marquis household, An Qingyao resolutely entered the palace. Her goal was clear: to become the most exalted woman in the land. With bright eyes and pearly teeth, she was dazzling beyond compare and earned the emperor’s particular favor. In just three year 4.4kReads7.7Score501Shelves
- 29 Be Good, Don’t Cry. I’ll Make You My Empress 乖，不哭，朕让你做皇后 Soft, sweet green-tea black-lotus heroine + kindhearted, compassionate male lead with a hidden edge Shen Chunyi, the third concubine-born daughter of the Marquis of Ning'an's household, is breathtakingly beautiful, soft and winsome, and skilled at seduction. She owes it all to her birth mother, who came from the pleasure quarters. So she has no pride to speak of and can bend with the circumstances. All she wants is to find a way out for herself and her mother. Her legitimate elder sister has spe 3kReads7.8Score303Shelves
- 30 Liu Qianqian, the Legitimate Daughter of a Military Family 将门嫡女柳浅浅 [Historical romance, palace intrigue, sweet and angsty, strong male and female leads, mutual devotion] The Liu family had earned great military honors. To avoid provoking the emperor’s suspicions, they had their legitimate daughter, Liu Qianqian, obey the imperial decree and enter the palace for selection, thus securing the family’s prosperity. Liu Qianqian’s beauty and gentleness won the emperor’s favor, and within three months she was elevated to Noble Consort. But the path to advancement in 552Reads8.9Score101Shelves
- 31 Clear-Eyed Palace Intrigue: Rising to Empress Dowager 清醒宫斗，晋升太后 [Court intrigue + political maneuvering + no romance] After working for 29 hours straight, Cui Xiu collapsed at her desk. Then she transmigrated, arriving in the world as an unborn child. Her parents doted on her and her older brothers cherished her. Having been an orphan in her previous life, she finally knew the warmth of family. Cui Xiu took the opportunity to learn all the music, chess, calligraphy, and painting she had loved in her past life but never had time to study. She had hoped to liv 13.7kReads8.5Score1.2kShelves
- 32 Good Fortune Is Always on the Way 好孕常在 [Transmigration + no System + childbirth + devoted love in the later story + male lead is not a virgin] [Female lead keywords: stunning beauty + drama queen + clear-eyed realist] After transmigrating, Lin Wan became a low-ranking concubine. Everyone said Emperor Hongjing's lack of sons was divine punishment. Lin Wan, a genius medicine master: Yeah, right! You want a beauty as light as a swallow, and lots of children and grandchildren too? As if you can have it both ways! With her medical skills 637Reads8.8Score103Shelves
- 33 After My Eldest Sister Died, I Entered the Palace as the New Empress and Won the Emperor's Favor 长姐死后，我入宫为继后，夺帝宠 [Pure historical romance] Song Mingqian, Grand Secretary of the Central Secretariat, had two daughters. His legitimate daughter, Song Yingzhen, was the top beauty and most talented woman in the capital. At fifteen, she came of age and married the Crown Prince as his principal consort. His concubine-born daughter, Song Mingzhen, was raised deep within the household and rarely spoken of. The emperor died, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne. The Crown Princess became empress, and the era name 1.2kReads7.4Score124Shelves
- 34 Palace Charms: The Concubine's Daughter, a Screen Queen, Snares a Mad Emperor 宫阙媚：庶女影后钓疯帝王 Movie queen Su Yinshuang died suddenly and transmigrated into the body of an unloved concubine-born daughter of a marquis. Selected for the palace, she was given the low rank of Changzai. The rule for surviving the inner palace: never, ever fall in love with the emperor. She knew this better than anyone. In her previous life, she had acted out every kind of romance. In this life, she wanted only wealth and honor, and would never give away a shred of her true feelings. Gentle and obedient, with e 570Reads—Score106Shelves
- 35 The Consort Is Coy and Alluring, and Has Her Sights Set on the Throne 娘娘又茶又媚，一心只想上位 [Alternate history + pure palace intrigue + clear-eyed heroine who doesn’t love the emperor] Su Qingyao looks like a delicate beauty, but she is more clear-headed than anyone. In the imperial harem, all she wants is power. Before the emperor, she is the picture of understanding. “Your Majesty is my only support.” “With Your Majesty by my side, I have nothing to fear.” But what she is really thinking is: Thank goodness she made plans long ago. The man before her is the least reliable person of al 168Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 36 As Long as You Can Act, You’re Bound to Become a Consort 只要演技好，贵妃之位没得跑 Lin Qingyan was the daughter of a marquis. Her father was the Marquis of Ding'an, a prominent figure at court, yet she had none of the fine clothes and luxurious comforts that should have come with her birth. She was merely an unloved concubine-born daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an’s household. A father who ignored the people and affairs of the inner quarters and cared only for his own pleasure; a ruthless legal wife who treated her concubine-born daughters harshly; and a half-sister who wante 1.6kReads8.6Score184Shelves
- 37 This Noble Consort Doesn't Do Overtime 这个贵妃不太卷 Qin Yan was sent to the Eastern Palace by imperial decree and became Shen Jingchuan’s secondary consort. Everyone in the palace was an expert at scheming. To survive, they all relied on familiar tactics like acting coy and warning the servants. Two years later, Shen Jingchuan ascended the throne and bestowed on Qin Yan the rank of Consort, second grade, with the title Rong. At Jingyang Palace, Qin Yan reclined on a chaise longue, her brows slightly furrowed as she complained, “Your Majesty is fa 866Reads6.4Score100Shelves
- 38 The Emperor Is Aloof and Hard to Approach? He Lures Me to Share His Bed Night After Night! 帝王清冷难近？夜夜诱我共枕眠！ [Live-action audio adaptation available] [Reborn + Palace Intrigue, Not Both Virgins + Favored by the Hero Early On, His Only Love Later + Clear-Headed Beauty Rises to Power + Emperor Becomes Love-Struck Later] [Cool, Distant, Hard-to-Approach Emperor vs. Delicate, Soft, Clear-Headed Heroine] In her previous life, Lin Wanqing was kept outside the palace as the mistress of the younger brother of the reigning emperor. She thought they were in love and that she would become his princess consort. S 3kReads8.8Score339Shelves
- 39 After His White Moonlight Enters the Palace, the Dog Emperor Won’t Stop Pursuing Her 白月光入宫后，狗皇帝紧追不舍 [Historical romance + both pure + childhood sweethearts + fictional setting + devoted love] From the moment she was born, Su Qining always got everything she wanted. Her family spoiled her until she became the little tyrant of the capital. She was dazzlingly beautiful and willful, the apple of the Crown Prince’s eye since childhood, and his future Crown Princess. But when the Crown Prince broke off their engagement, she became the laughingstock of the capital. Worse still, on the day of his wedd 321Reads5.7Score104Shelves
- 40 Remarrying the Crown Prince’s Father Reborn 改嫁太子他爹【重生】 [Rebirth + palace intrigue + marrying the crown prince's father] The incompetent crown prince feared the Shen family's power. He listened to slander, falsely accused her elder brother of treason, and slaughtered her entire family. When she opened her eyes again, she was seventeen, in the year before she was to marry the crown prince. To save the Shen family, she had to bring the crown prince down. But the crown prince was protected on every side, like a man locked inside an iron cage. Shen Hanyu 19.6kReads8.7Score3kShelves
- 41 Frost-Kissed Beauty: A Journey Through the Palace to Win the Emperor’s Heart 冰霜绝艳：辗转宫闱征服帝王心 [A note up front: This isn’t good, this isn’t good, this isn’t good. It’s brainless, brainless. Don’t click! Don’t click! Don’t click! Don’t click] The emperor, Li Yi, has just one standard for choosing his concubines: they must be beautiful. Song Yunchu, a concubine-born daughter who has suffered abuse since childhood, is chosen by Emperor Li Yi to enter the palace because of her stunning looks. Before entering the palace, her mother is looked down on by the servants, and her younger sister bu 655Reads9.0Score100Shelves
- 42 Her Grace Is Cool and Gentle, and Everyone Loves Her 娘娘她清冷温柔惹人爱 A pure palace-intrigue story, in classical style. No transmigration, no rebirth. The fate of a noblewoman has never been hers to decide. She is Yun Wan, the Chancellor's only legitimate daughter. Her destiny was set from birth: everything she learned was solely to prepare her to enter the palace. Would she willingly enter the palace and fade into obscurity, becoming a pawn the emperor could use to keep the Yun family in check? Or would she carefully maneuver her way into becoming the favorite co 1.4kReads8.4Score116Shelves
- 43 You Offered Me Up to Win His Favor? Why Are You Crying Now That I'm Empress? 送我固宠？我当皇后你哭什么？ [Transmigrate into a book / palace intrigue / not mutually devoted / face-slapping feel-good story / sweet romance / historical romance] A beauty who keeps a low profile early on, then acts spoiled and arrogant under the emperor's protection / a cold, strict emperor who falls in love at first sight, favors her, and fiercely defends her *A transmigration trope, a chef slicing meat and tossing it in the wok. Come have a bite of this satisfying favoritism story! Chu Qingwan transmigrated into a boo 1.6kReads8.4Score225Shelves
- 44 Scheming for the Emperor's Heart at Every Turn! Her Majesty Climbs to the Top 步步谋帝王心！娘娘一路扶摇直上 (Not a pure romance with only one partner, palace intrigue, favored from the middle onward, and doted on exclusively in the ending) Wen Jing Tan went from a heaven-blessed darling to a confiscated palace slave, and had long since had enough of being beaten and cursed at. One day, she was framed and, by a twist of fate, sent to the emperor's side. From then on, she swore to become The Outcast, second only to one and above all others. She wanted His Majesty's favor, and her family to flourish! The 673Reads8.2Score107Shelves
- 45 A Brilliant Scheme for the Noble Daughter of Qingchen 清辰似锦嫡女谋 As the youngest legitimate daughter of a duke's household, she should have had a peaceful, uneventful life. But after entering the palace one day, she found herself caught in its treacherous intrigues… 8.5kReads8.2Score716Shelves
- 46 Twin Blossoms, One Heart to Steal 并蒂双生夺君心 (Set entirely in ancient times, with palace intrigue. Not a one-on-one romance, and not a relationship where both leads are untouched. Please read with care!!!) The Yan Prince’s manor was home to a pair of twin sisters. The elder, Su Beixue, was plain and ugly, while the younger, Su Nanzhi, was breathtakingly beautiful. For generations, the Yan princes had guarded the border. Each was a formidable warrior, and the Su army struck such fear into other nations that none dared invade. In the thirtie 166Reads—Score—Shelves
- 47 The Green Tea Legitimate Daughter Takes the Harem by Storm 绿茶嫡女卷翻后宫 Su Yunqing was once the neglected legitimate eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household. But she came out on top in the imperial selection and became the only woman bestowed with a title: Lady Rong. There is no true love in the imperial family. A woman is favored in the harem for profit or beauty, nothing more. Su Yunqing intends to use the emperor and become the most powerful woman in the Great Xi Dynasty. The harem has women who think they can share a hundred years of true love with th 74Reads8.8Score—Shelves
- 48 The Mad Concubine Is Too Unhinged, and His Majesty Indulges Her Without Restraint 病娇贵妃太疯批，陛下宠溺无度 [Palace intrigue | Scheming | Unhinged and possessive | Older man | Everyone protects her | Healing | Devoted to her in the second half] [Content warning] The male lead has a harem in the first half, but devotes himself to her alone in the second half. Readers who require a male lead with no past relationships should proceed with caution. This isn't a mindless wish-fulfillment story. If you like everything going smoothly, proceed with caution. Ling Qihe's birth mother transmigrated into a chaoti 24.6kReads9.2Score3.1kShelves
- 49 The Legitimate Daughter Becomes Empress, and I Rule the Harem 嫡女为后，后宫我说了算 [Young married couple, perfect teamwork, both incredibly capable] (Not an exclusive pairing, includes a harem, so proceed with caution if that bothers you. Alternate-history setting.) One is the niece of the emperor’s favorite consort; the other is the legitimate son of the empress, who has fallen out of favor. An imperial decree of marriage binds Lin Tingwan, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household, to the Crown Prince, Li Yanlian. From then on, they share one fate, for better 5.9kReads8.8Score734Shelves
- 50 From Palace Maid to Imperial Consort: Her Majesty Is on a Killing Spree 从宫女到贵妃，娘娘她杀疯了 It’s bad enough that she’s transmigrated into a palace laundry maid. Who knew a eunuch would take a fancy to her, too? Jiang Zhiyi decides that lying low in the palace is out of the question. She’ll just have to climb the ladder to success. When a eunuch lusts after her, she sends him to his grave. When the concubines vie for favor, she’ll stop at nothing. Jiang Zhiyi knows the imperial harem is a cutthroat workplace where only the capable survive. The palace is full of deceit and intrigue, 6.1kReads8.8Score613Shelves
