some that i've read! 
as the title suggests, they are xianxia/wuxia/historical/cultivation setting; aka one of my fav themes in novels :)

danmei novels in ancient settings with historical elements with themes of empire building and/or political schemes, conpiracies, palace intrigues, war strategies, etc. 

I have gone through many novels over thr years and this is the list I am satisfied with and do not have regrets continuing reading... more>> it.  <<less

get out if you still want your soul to be save.

Wuxia, xianhuan, xianxia has some of the best danmei. While it may be hard to grasp at first if you’re not familiar with the setting, I highly recommend you try it out! (This was me when i read victorian steampunk for the first time)... more>>

I’ve tried to include everything: Healthy, power couple; character development; intriguing plots.

Would appreciate recs as well!

—will update—

Visit my page for danmei fanart!- https://www.instagram.com/23333wuu/  <<less

Historical novels that would maybe...
...make your blood boil;
...make you vomit blood.... more>>

These novels BLAZE... they are good.

*Sorted by completion/translations "from newest to oldest" <<less

All the bl novels I've read so far. There are many that I've read so I'll keep adding them as i come across them one by one. ... more>>

P. S. Don't just look at the tags, as there was a 10 tags limit i couldn't add any more tags but this list contains a variety of novels. Some may fall under the tags mentioned and some may not. So do check the tags before you read a story! Happy reading ~ <<less

These are all my absolute favourites! If you are looking for top-top gems with romance (BL included) this list is for you :) 

List of my fave Historical bl novel... more>>

not in order <<less

Fighting against their families, society, and rulers. Uncovering massive conspiracies and decades old schemes. Changing the fates of dynasties, countries, and worlds. ... more>>

These protagonists, whether of their own volition or through the will of others, are caught up in plots both petty and paramount, and use their wits to turn tables, take revenge, and survive. 

Any kind of world, and any gender and sexuality, as long as it involves scheming. Updated as I read, and please feel free to recommend additions in the comments.  <<less

A curated list of some the top tier good sh*t romance transmigration/time travel/fiction novels I’ve enjoyed in the name of escapism. You can even check my detailed reviews for some of the novels in their pages. I'd gladly be isekaid as the MC to any of these novels because that's how good they are!... more>>

P.S. I stan strong female leads ;) <<less

 set in the Imperial Court. Some of these have the "regretful ML" storyline where the couple gets a second chance at love. Others are love stories involving royalty and court officials.... more>>

Power struggle; reincarnation/transmigration; politics; smart couple; power couple; second chances

This is mostly a TBR list. <<less

List in no particular order of the best Chinese novels set in Ancient China. With palace entrigue, political scheming and surviving the inner court. Well-rounded and sometimes morally ambiguous main characters, who grow and develop along their partners.... more>>

-All these novels have been completely translated

- BG BL GL all included.

-List will continuously be in the making, if you find any other novels like the ones listed below, do recommend (Though I've read almost all of them). Keep in mind, that only the novels with completed translations will be added in the list. <<less

Read these to raise your stress levels. You're welcome.... more>>

Character settings be crazy good that you'll need a time-out to catch your breath. [CATEGORY 1]

Or so frustrating that'll make you choke on air. [CATEGORY 2]

 CN, KR <<less

There's a mixed bunch in here (the completed novels will be listed first but overall, no particular order) --my main criteria is wholesome couple dynamics... more>> (if the ML was some crazy psycho, then he made this list because he turned over a new leaf). Most of the novels are of the historical, xuanhuan/xianxia category. A lot of these stories are already completed or very close to being fully translated. There are minor spoilers in the comments! <<less

A list with characters who are fond of plotting against their enemies, are uncovering great schemes and/or of characters who are caught in the schemes of their enemies. ... more>>

Stories with big schemes that will make your mind blow and your head dizzy.

Top 17 are some of the most scheming protagonists imo, only the first three are ranked according to whom I belive are the most schemming of all, the other ones were hard to decide qwq, though they are more or less ranked too. Those guys are really cunning...

The ones more at the bottom are, either not soooo schemming or not really schemming at all, they were caught in other people's schemes and conspiracies, don't know if it would be convinient to point them out to differenciate. <<less

2nd List -- Stories that are interesting enough to be read and reread~ Some are fully translated, some are still work-in-progress--- Nice writing by authors/translators..

The list is the place where I put my every favourite fantasy novel. Since they are novels I have read myself, they are sorted according to my evaluation (๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ✧... more>>

Some novels exclude romance but some include it. Still, I can guarantee that the romance parts are not excessive, some are elaborated modestly while some are just the so-called harem (though the MC doesn't seek for it). So if they're not to your liking, just skip them.

All the novels here have good to excellent plot with decent translation, so, though it's a pity, many novels with good plot but crappy translation couldn't be included in this list.

I hope you enjoy it  (*´﹀`*) <<less

A list of 1st rate palace drama novel recommendations. These novels are a good entry for reading palace drama/ ancient chinese imperial romance.

No description.

For my future self.MY RECORD.To reread.It has all the novels whether i lived them or not but i droped some(are in my dropped-readlist). No particular order(*too... more>> lazy*).Random Genre.Order-FAVOURITE-NICE-GOOD-NOT MY CUP OF TEA .  ۝ ♡Contains RAINBOW CULTURE(i.e. all sexualities).(If there is someone out there whose taste matches mine then please recommend some more novels). <<less

Historical Chinese novels that I love. Some are great, some are not so good, some are kind of tragic. They all should have a Doting... more>> Male lead, and sometimes (my favorite) Doting Family. There’s some kind of struggle for the throne, but mostly sweetness. <<less

It seems to be your typical romance novel, but it succeeds to blow your mind with its plots. All types of flavours. 

This reading list includes novels which can be focus on revenge after rebirth, power struggle for imperial throne, cultivation, pill refining, beast taming, etc. as long as the setting is Ancient China.... more>>

(The novels here do not include stories with major misunderstandings. In addition, it usually have possessive but doting MLs *wink*)  <<less

obsessive protagonists, hide and seek game, powerful lovers