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The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress
Type
Web Novel (CN)
Genre
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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 40 votes)
5    60% (24 votes)
4    10% (4 votes)
3    5% (2 votes)
2    10% (4 votes)
1    15% (6 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2023
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
Completed
486 chapters +6 extra
Licensed
N/A
Completely Translated
No
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 0.7 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #214
Monthly Rank: #529
All Time Rank: #4014
Reading List
[Graph]
On 642 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #1091
All Time Rank: #9617

Description

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【Female Lead’s pleasure-seeking + high IQ palace intrigue + female lead schemes against the entire harem + crazy villain personality】

Song Zhao has always been a woman who spares no means to achieve her goals, and at the same time she lives more clearly than anyone else.

From the moment she knew she was chosen by Xiao Jingheng to enter the palace as a concubine,

her goal has been very clear:

“I entered the palace just to become the Empress, why else? To go cook for someone else?”

Therefore, as soon as she entered the palace, relying on her beauty and wisdom, she took steps to win the monarch’s heart, and played with the six palaces in her palm.

Anyway, the women in this harem, for the sake of family, for their own favor and honor, there are none who do not compete and snatch,

Since this is the case, what she has to do is take preemptive action,

Make herself a villain, defeat everyone, and successfully ascend to the Phoenix throne.

*

At first, Emperor Xiao Jingheng favored Song Zhao, just because of her unparalleled beauty in the harem.

The favored concubines often become arrogant due to favoritism, but Song Zhao was different.

Not only did she not compete for favor, she always advised Xiao Jingheng to share his rain and dew evenly, and often go to other concubines.

Her attitude towards him in her daily life was also visibly perfunctory.

This inevitably made Xiao Jingheng suspicious, feeling that Song Zhao was not truly sincere towards him.

The innate desire to conquer that emperors possess made him secretly determine to completely possess this woman:

Not just her person, but her heart as well.

The process of conquering Song Zhao was like climbing the highest mountain in the world.

It’s just that Xiao Jingheng never thought:

When he climbed Mount Song Zhao, he willingly climbed it for a lifetime.

【No transmigration, no rebirth, no golden finger】

Associated Names
One entry per line
娘娘病娇又茶媚，一路宫斗夺后位
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Eight Treasures Trousseau (2)
The Job of an Imperial Concubine (2)
To Be A Virtuous Wife (2)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Best Novels Set in Ancient China
  2. Fav (plot/overall) (any pairings)

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/26/24 akkNovel c492
04/26/24 akkNovel c491
04/25/24 akkNovel c490
04/24/24 akkNovel c489
04/24/24 akkNovel c488
04/23/24 akkNovel c487
04/23/24 akkNovel c486
04/22/24 akkNovel c485
04/22/24 akkNovel c484
04/21/24 akkNovel c483
04/20/24 akkNovel c482
04/20/24 akkNovel c481
04/19/24 akkNovel c480
04/18/24 akkNovel c479
04/17/24 akkNovel c478
123…33
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12 Reviews sorted by


yeepiku
New yeepiku rated it
April 19, 2024
Status: Completed
GO NING WANSHUANG!!! She might be one of my faaaavorite c-novel characters.

This was a pretty long read, but I never got bored despite a preference for ~200 chapter novels! I never felt like any part got repetitive or dragged on for too long. We got to see plenty of character development, from minor to major antagonists. I HATEDDD some of the consorts & concubines but by the end I found myself rooting for many of them and even sobbing multiple times throughout the novel. Each character was complex and had... more>> motivations outside of just jealousy. Also our MC is clever but not OP. She falls into the scheme of others but always makes comebacks.

Halfway through the novel, my jaw literally dropped after realizing how scummy our ML was. I hated him more than those scheming consorts =.=... The ending was VERY satisfying and all the villains get what they deserved. The extra side stories are also good - Shang Yan's story ughhh ;;.

The only thing I didn't like:
Spoiler

All the children die early on, at like age 4 or 5. MC's children are the only ones that survive... I feel like Cheng Yu should have died instead of the author playing the dead body swap card. I'm glad he survived but why did the author kill off everyone else's children except for MC's?

I didn't like Chenghuan at first due to his cruelty - minor/petty reasons were enough for him to kill his siblings. Like DAFUQ? How can one be THAT cruel at such a young age. Death was the only thing that could absolve him of his guilt but I SOBBED SO HARD because he really didn't deserve to be in so much pain. ;;

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3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
SaturnineOpal
New SaturnineOpal
April 16, 2024
Status: c476
I just finished Ruyi’s Royal Love and I felt so terrible for everyone in the harem— and this bloody and horrifying novel made me feel much better.

... more>>
Spoiler

for the first two hundred chapters it’s your typical revenge harem drama, maybe a little more violent, the MC is intelligent but her enemies are also so smart and the MC is in real danger at time...

but then there a point where the empress dowager asks the MC something like “Do you really wish to spend the rest of your days shackled to a mad man?” And the MC is like, Nope! And then the story becomes quite fun.

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1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Honeycomb
Honeycomb
November 13, 2023
Status: Completed
It’s great but it’s definitely different from the job of the imperial concubine, eight treasure trousseau or to be a virtuous wife. There’s more of a romance plot line with MC and ML in those novels. But in this novel, there’s only MC against the world 🤷🏻‍♀️ But she’s very clever and brave definitely my type of MC definitely worth a read
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
greenHills
greenHills rated it
November 24, 2023
Status: Completed
It's really good, and not what you'd normally expect from a palace intrigue novel at all. Gives me a very Wu Zetian feeling, almost.

Really like how almost none of the important antagonists are 2-D, and a lot of them are given room to grow/more character backstory. Tragedy isn't tagged, but there are enough touching moments in this novel that I think it qualifies as one, to some degree.

Mild spoiler --

... more>>
Spoiler

I also liked that as Song Zhao struggles to come out on top, she also grows as a character and doesn't remain static. She realizes that the other ladies in the harem are also brilliant and there are traps that she accidentally sets off or falls for; she's not impregnable. She also has to take time to reflect on whether achieving all those nominal honours aka harem promotions actually make her happy/satisfied, despite becoming the Empress being her initial goal.

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4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
elyndrical
elyndrical rated it
March 20, 2024
Status: c451
An imperial harem story that isn't a romance. No heroes just people scheming and trying to stay alive. Horrifying (literally).

I'm really glad this one is being translated because it's so different. The main character is a semi villian (she does awful terrible things) fighting to survive. It's not a novel for the faint of heart. I remember one novel on here that stopped getting translated because everyone thought the main character was awful. Compared to this novel, that girl was a saint.

It explores an awakening proto (very proto don't go... more>> in expecting a kickass girl team) feminist consciousness instead of a romance between the leads.

The translation is a little rough (MTLed then fixed) but if you've read imperial harem novels before you'll have the gist. Later on there's a few issues where the names have been switched around when it's obvious it's not the main character doing the action. It's an issue with how it goes through the translation code because I had the same issue when I read ahead. I really appreciate the translator for picking this up and making it easier to read than the raws.

Read:

If you like crazy harem drama.

You don't mind a less polished translation.

You like it when translations are fast and you can read updates everyday.

You don't want romance.

You don't care if the main character has any scruples or morals. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Honeycheeks
Honeycheeks rated it
March 12, 2024
Status: c439
When I started reading it, I was going in for a light read. This, on the other hand, tore my heart to pieces and picked the pieces to glue them together.

This is one of the best, if not the best, palace intrigue novel out there.

Now, this post is going to contain a lot of spoilers, so read at your own accord:

Initially, when the FL entered the palace and fooled everyone into underestimating her, it was normal. Like, it was going OK. Then, the sweet moments that the FL had with... more>> the Emperor in-between the fighting had me giggling.

Then, things just f*cking took a bad turn. I can't blame anyone but me, because there were so many things that interconnected with each other. That, I didn't thought everything would have an explanation.

The Empress's death. The Ning Family's execution. The consort who aborted her baby and went crazy later on. Consort Hui (Omg!! Waaaaa). Ning Wanshung>>>

And, the years in cold palace and the whole manupilation to get out of there. Omg!!

This is like so good that you can't imagine.

•Song Zhao- Tbh, I am starting to dislike her character a bit in recent chapters, after she became empress. But, she is such a manupilative toxic queen. That it takes one's breath away. I absolutely love her. AHHHHHH!!

•Ning Wanshung — she is such an iconic character. Omg!! Bing Wanshung for life>>>> It is hard to find someone with such genuine emotions in a palace series. But, there she is. And that fiery temper is just a bonus. (I don't like how she turned into a kind buddha like can we have a glimpse of her fiery temper every now and then) Her growth is one of the best.

•Rongyue — she has stood by the FL's side through everything. A true friend. But I hope we get to see her develop more. (Xingyan × Rongyue for life.)

•Consort Hui — I am sorry but she was the most surprising character. That sweet gluttonous child turned into a old scheming woman. She was a true queen who did all and everything for her lover. I hope in another life they get together. *Bawling* And, the Third Prince, pls let that child rest in peace. Consort Hui's ending was satisfying and yet I felt as if one of the greatest chapters of the novel came to an end.

•Prince An — We all know about the flirty, goofy brother an Emperor usually has. With the interaction, he had with Song Zhao in the start, I was totally expecting him to be an optional ML. Like, someone who loves the FL, like: Song Zhao is his white moonlight. But, GOD, it took me by surprise when he was revealed to be her half-brother. And it wasn't out of nowhere, the old consorts reaction in one of the earlier chapters supported this. (I actually thought she was afraid of Zhao because Prince An liked this girl but meh -_-), the only thing that weirded me out was how suddenly he and Song Zhao became siblings and started treating each other like brother and sister. I think it was mentioned somewhere about how he didn't treat the other sister the same, but my memory is small.

•Chenghuan — People might not like the first prince, but he is my baby. His cruelty was surprising, but my babyyyy died so young.

•The third Prince and First Princess were so sad.

•I genuinely hoped of seeing more about the First Princess, she was the previous Empress's only child. Sigh.

•I am getting fishy vibes from Chengyu (The Second Prince) since he got back, perhaps its because he grew up outside and is feeling awkward in the palace. But, there is just something off.

What if- WHAT IF after Song Zhao defeats the emperor, she herself becomes the final boss, and her son poisons her to rake the throne!? I hope this is not how it turns out.

•Ru ge — she is a fairly new character, but she is not bad so far. She had a huge crush on Prince An but she has entered the palace now so let's throw it out the window. In the latest chapter, she helped Rongyue and Song Zhao, why? Idk. But, I hope she is a second Song Zhao. With consort Hui out of the picture. And Consort Yun having her plan backfired. I want someone who sneaks under Song Zhao's nose.

Conclusion: You should SHOULD read this <<less
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heyanita
heyanita rated it
December 16, 2023
Status: Completed
This is a very straightforward read, with plenty of twists plot-wise and character-wise. Relationships are constantly being redefined as you go along.

I hate to label this a romance since I find the summary to be very misleading.
Spoiler

The emperor never loved anyone but himself and the throne. It's not obvious how much of a scum he is in the first few chapters, he's more of a typical emperor in the first part, but he gets more evidently scummy as you move along. He could have had a good romance story with one of his consorts but he's one pitiful and pathetic character, whose paranoia makes him manipulative and in the same measure makes him easily manipulated.

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There are plenty of surprising characters (they are more than what they appear to be).
Spoiler

But my favourite would have to be Consort Chen (Ning Wanshuang). Girl's got it too deep but Scum Emperor just burnt her so badly.

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It has a lot of face-slapping and gory machinations so if you're not into that, then stay away. It reminds me of those harem dramas on the telly with a lot going on that it makes it difficult for the main character to breathe.

I like that the main character hasn't got any cheats, she has a goal and her actions centre around it. She gets schemed as she schemes others and she does make mistakes, but she learns, regroups, and moves on.
Spoiler

She never made it her goal to fall in love. So it's not as heartbreaking or frustrating when she learns about how scummy the Emperor is.

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3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Siamesa
Siamesa rated it
December 6, 2023
Status: c79
Finally! Some good old fashioned harem drama!

The protagonist is wickedly smart, but not irritatingly so - though the first few chapters had me worried on that front. It helps that her opponents (well, her later opponents) aren't idiots. As she reflects, no one can survive in the palace by being simple minded, and as a result, her victories feel earned and her defeats hit harder.

This is not a romance, at least not so far. She and the Emperor are mutually using each other, and I wouldn't be surprised if, in... more>> classic style, he turns out to be the "final boss." That said, he's not total scum either; more Yanxi Palace's Qianlong than Ruyi's Qianlong, if you've watched those. As of the current chapter, it could really go either way and still feel earned, but don't read this if you're looking for a fluffy romantic good time.

Update: Emperor is most definitely the final boss. There have also been several entertaining plot twists, excellent character development for several side characters, and all the face slapping I came here for. Still not finished, but definitely still recommended. <<less
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TenkaDXS
TenkaDXS rated it
November 7, 2023
Status: Completed
It was a great change from “usual” palace novels as this one is really focused lore on the career aspirations of our MC than on the romance aspect but there still is a lot of emotional impact and intense plots thanks to a good characterization of the different characters, antagonists, and allies alike.

I was at first expecting a more light tone and pettiness in the drama but was delightfully surprise by the depths of the plot with complex narratives both directly around our MC, and in the setting of the... more>> historical narrative. It’s also mostly high IQ AND high EQ schemes with no reliance on any gold finger as the MC is a regular but very smart young concubine born woman, from that time period, and who hasn’t met a hidden master that would give her foreknowledge or skills beyond a normal education for that time period.

So very satisfying for the main text, but I havent read the extras. <<less
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Foolish Mysteries
Foolish Mysteries
March 16, 2024
Status: --
This story is very interesting and new for me. I liked it very much at first, but the summary was too deceiving.

I thought I was applying to read for a cunning concubine x soon to be whipped emperor, but I was wrong. Totally wrong.

I don't know how it developed to this point, but just to warn everyone here, the Emperor is never meant to be the ML of this story. This story is not gonna be a sweet sweet romance I was looking for.

I just feel very frustrated right now,... more>> I have to pass my graduation requirements and was fascinated by this story so I wasted a whole day to read this only to get this ending. Can't blame anyone but myself.

I was really waiting for that time the Emperor and the FL would have their happy ending, but NO. The Emperor isn't worth it and I was wrong that this novel is the sweet sweet type because it's not.

Don't read this if you wanted to read a romance novel. This is clearly NOT A ROMANTIC STORY, it's a poisonous one. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
KaMiHiMe
KaMiHiMe rated it
March 16, 2024
Status: --
I tried reading this but the translation is pretty bad. Things like titles (something pretty important in a palace drama) are wrong. They translated Guiren as Noble Consort instead of Noble Lady and Changzai as Concubine instead of First Class Attendant. This made it very awkward and confusing. Why is a supposed Noble Consort (second highest rank in the harem bowing to a Consort (third highest). In reality it was a Noble Lady (second LOWEST) bowing to a Consort.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
buttercupb
buttercupb
December 15, 2023
Status: Completed
I absolutely loved this novel at first cuz I thought it was light hearted but it was deep it shows u every character my fav character is surprisingly concubine Chen and honestly ... more>>
Spoiler
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lastly this novel is not for the light hearted read it at ur own ris <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
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