You would often catch people mention this novel. Mainstream but good. A classic dog blood novel and one of the best. FL had a terrible life (schemed against by her family, loved a man one sidedly for almost all her life, her kids died, abandoned and killed despite everything she did for the one she loved) but then she was reborn. She wakes up back to when she was 14 and she vows to make those who made her suffer pay while protecting her loved ones . 9.8/10~... more>>

-Rebirth novel with good revenge plot. 

-MC and ML have great chemistry. Xie Jing Xing is kind of annoying at the beginning but bear with it cause he gets better and you’ll love him. 

-Romance is a bit slow burn. Her past is heartbreaking. To this day, I still think the prev tl’s mc’s husband and co deserved much worse. They were let off too lightly.

-If you’re into historical novels, you must not miss this. It isn’t perfect, but those imperfections could be ignored in general. Plus it’s completely translated so you don’t have to hurt your brain over mtl. <<less

My favorite novel from this author. FL accidentally picked up a book and learned that she was just a vicious female second lead in a palace struggle and that she will die because of fighting with ogFL for favor. 9.5/10~... more>>

-Enemies to lovers (kind of?) trope

-FL may be a bit dumb but if you analyze the situation, her corresponding actions are actually rational. It’s just that her logic is a bit unusual. Her being kinda s*upid is a comedic aspect of the novel too. 

-It’s not perfect but I really love the dynamics of the ML and FL.

-OgFL and OgML are super annoying and they are both hypocrites.

-Plot doesn’t have a lot of scheming but storytelling is good. 

-Has one of the best side stories! <<less

Another classic from the author of malicious empress. First chapter and you’ll find yourself crying because of how sad her life was. FL was reborn and strives to change her fate. 9.5/10~... more>>

-Good plot and schemes you’ll be nervous while waiting for the face slapping.

-Execution of the story is good.

-FL is smart and cunning but ML is a bit bland. Romance is a bit slow burn and they will have a misunderstanding the first time they meet.

-FL’s father is extremely disappointing (like most c novel dads). Favors the concubine and destroyed his wife. Neglected his legitimate children and until the end held no affection for them.

-This novel is not perfect (had plot holes) but a good read nonetheless. <<less

Definitely worth reading. FL gets a second chance in life and does her best to turn her fate into something better. 9.2/10~... more>>

-ML and FL are cute together. Story is interesting. I hate the younger sister.

-CYJ is a strong woman trying her best to survive in a world where nobody in her family prioritizes her and where it’s difficult for females in general. <<less

My top pick from this author. I love their innocent childhood romance and how doting the ML is to the FL. As commonly seen in... more>> the author’s novel, FL is also a transmigrator though it isn’t highlighted in the story. Her entire family is so precious and I absolutely love the side story about her eldest brother. Romance is great and plot didn’t drag on. 9/10~ <<less

FL is a well-bred di-daughter of a noble house who unfortunately married a scum man that neglected her after a misunderstanding. The cause is of... more>> it is ofcourse - surprise - the shu-born sister. After her death, she finds out that she’s just a cannon fodder from a novel wherein her sister (ogFL) transmigrated and lived happily with the ogML (her ex-husband) the moment she died. She is reborn and takes over the body of a girl she has saved before who is coincidentally the daughter of her former father-in-law’s (ML) subordinate. She meets him for the first time (he’s usually not at home because he often goes to war) and becomes entagled with him. They marry and then the plot revolves around how their relationship develops, a bit of palace intrigue (ML is a wangye), lots of inner courtyard shenanigans and her road to making the most out of her second life. Loved the romance here the most despite the age-gap. 9/10 ⭐️ <<less

8TT is one of the most recommended novel of this author. FL is a di-daughter who is treasured by her parents but kept-hidden because of... more>> her calamitous beauty. ML is a junwang who is one of the candidates for succession. Thus, the emperor guards against him because he only has one son and that said son is incompetent as hell. Novel is heavy on political schemes although not as dramatic as others. All the acting involved throughout the struggle for the throne is funny though. Everyone is an actor/actress lol. Plot is not too complicated. FL, just like other MC’s of this author is also a transmigrator and has a modern POV thus is more open-minded/guards her heart as she always considers that ML may expand his harem. Until the end, I’m not even sure if she really fell in love. ML stayed loyal to her until the end though. 8.5/10~ <<less

Switch-at-birth novel. I’m a sucker for this trope. MC (real di-daughter) comes back only to be treated unfairly (especially by the mom). I cried because... more>> I was so frustrated about how she, the rightful legitimate young lady, was mistreated in her own home by her blood-relatives. Fortunately, she meets the crown prince (via the jade pendant) and commences her counter attack. The antagonist (fake daughter) is super annoying I want to enter my phone screen and slap her myself. Anyway, in short, our ML and FL gets their happy ending. ML’s past is quite tragic too. Like GNU, novel opens with inner courtyard schemes then after the main leads get married, it will shift to palace intrigue and conspiracies. I enjoyed reading this too. 9/10 ⭐️ <<less

As stated in the title, MC transmigrated to the body of a cannon fodder in a novel. There will be a twist though I feel... more>> like it was unnecessary. Lots of fluff. If you’re into ML’s pampering the FL, you can go for this one. The sister is super annoying I wanted to k-word her myself. Overall a good read. 8.9/10~ <<less

My fellow face-slapping enjoyers you might want to try this one. FL, a transmigrator, has inherited some memories and discovered that the world where the... more>> original owner of her body is living is actually a rebirth novel. Knowing how things will turn out, she changes things up as early as she knew about it and proceeds to alter her fate. ogML is her fiancee, who is set to dump her for the ogFL who was reborn. After the engagement was cancelled, she married the adoptive father of the ex-fiancee who was cursed. This is full of inner courtyard fight and it was quite amusing to read. There are also a touch of political schemes as the ML is a duke/general/royal relative. This also left a mark on me because it is one of the novels that’s easiest read the MTL. 9/10 ⭐️ <<less

I have mixed feelings about this novel but overall verdict is that it’s a good read. Not the best/better but good. My mixed feelings actually is because of the ML. If you’re worrying about the harem, after MC transmigrated, ML never slept with another woman aside from her. She arrived after the ogFL married in and ML’s harem has already been established way before that. However, ML only doted on the FL since she came. I do hate how ML treated the ogFL though. I love FL’s philosophy and how she guarded her heart until the very end. Even you would question whether she really fell in love with the ML or if she just... more>> simply cares for him. Totally get where she’s coming from especially after that one instance towards the end. He Yuan is also an interesting and integral character here - I can’t completely hate him but I can’t love him too. Another character that made an impression would be the ML’s mother. To sum it up, the romance is good and the plot isn’t too complicated. 8/10~ 

P.S: Translation contains a lot of pinyin but there’s a glossary so you don’t have to worry. If you’re not used to reading historical c-novels, the pinyin terms may annoy you but if you are, it’s not an issue. <<less

Switch-at-birth and transmigration novel. MTL-able. I enjoyed the development of the MC and ML’s relationship. They’re cute together. The fake white lotus and ML’s dad... more>> are one of the most hateful characters I have ever encountered. Plot isn’t complicated, just your usual household schemes and palace intrigue. Good read. 8.5/10~ <<less

The summary of this story is the title itself. It relates the story of a cannon-fodder (ex-fiancée of the ogML) who gets a chance for... more>> a do-over and she makes use of it very well. As a consequence of her changing things up, the ML’s (young general) fate was altered as well. It’s a plot you often see in historical novels. Reading this was still enjoyable despite the lack of originality. MC and ML’s love developed quite okay too. Inner courtyard and political strife are ofcourse present. Schemes aren’t like mind-blowing level but if i recall correctly, the face slapping (especially against the arrogant and delusional white lotus) is nonetheless satisfying.  <<less

Just started reading but so far so good. Rebirth novel with typical redemption plot except that the FL’s past isn’t as horrid as compared to... more>> other novels of the same kind. Slow burn. <<less

Switch-at-birth/ star-crossed lovers novel. BEWARE: Tragedy tag is very legit.... more>>

Summary:

““If it’s a barbarian you want, then it’s a barbarian you’ll get!”

Reclaimed by her noble family after being swapped at birth, Qin Yining is bestowed a hellish family instead. Just as she turns her situation around and gains acceptance, her country is plunged into danger instead.

Shades of gray color the world. No side is completely good, and no side is completely evil. Refusing to be a trophy won by men, Qin Yining carves her own path instead. In this absolutely riveting and spellbinding tale, what does our MC do when an entire dynasty is at stake?”

THOUGHTS/SPOILERS!!!!

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This wasn’t badly written per se and I decided to keep this in the list because I liked the first half of it. Towards the end though it got too stressful and frustrating. Yes, I actually have complicated/conflicting feelings towards this novel. But if you’re a fan of tragedy you’ll probably love this.I feel like the main characters were supposed to be mightier than they were portrayed? Characters here change too quickly for the author’s convenience. It looked forced to have them act like doormats for nearly the entire novel. Even towards the end I didn’t feel like the FL got justice for everything she suffered tbh. Her tragedy, sacrifices, humiliation, pain, etc were too much. I know it was to highlight their love and all but it was overdone. They suffered too much and oh for god’s sake that witch of a mother in law! I wanted to see the ML deal with her but everything ended so abruptly. Didn’t even mention whether he accepted concubines or not; only foreshadowing that human nature is fickle and all. The FL would be eating a loss if he didn’t remain devoted to her after everything she sacrificed for him ngl. Anyway so towards this novel: 50% good, 50% awful.  <<less

Tip: first few chapters were translated by ShainaG; ch 43-117 can be found on novelhi (not the best quality but better than MTL/fairly decent)... more>>

One of my favorites from this author. MC, orphaned daughter of merchants, gets adopted by the ogFL’s family to be the substitute for their missing daughter due to her resemblance with the said daughter. They did this because their daughter is engaged to Prince Jin (ogML) and they must go through with the wedding but ogFL suddenly disappeared (she already eloped with a foreign prince). OgFL here is reborn and the moment she gains memories of her past life, she scrambles back to her family. The MC is ofcourse abandoned and promised to be married to the ‘madman’ prince (ML) instead. Xuanchen is confined because he’s in a coma and they believe him to be crazy but he is in fact an accomplished general and the only son of the previous emperor. The current emperor, ogML, and ogFL’s family uses MC to keep up pretenses and show the people that they do not mistreat the ML and will even bestow him marriage despite his condition. That ofcourse is their biggest miscalculation as the ML wakes up hence the start of the main characters’ love story. I truly love the relationship between the two main characters. They are sweet and well-matched with a generally healthy relationship. They treasure each other and support one another sincerely. This novel focuses more on the political struggles and development of the characters’ relationship.  <<less

Favorite north night work. Maybe long for others but this is basically a face slapping novel with OP MC so that’s to be expected. Every... more>> arc is interesting though and chemistry between leads is great. I enjoyed reading this and MC’s journey but I was a bit disappointed with the ending. Maybe reading the prequel first would have been better so I could have had an idea about how this novel will end. Anyways it’s great overall! Love the characters and the development of the plot. 8/10 <<less

ML here is not your typical dashing and popular noble man. He is the son of a low ranking official but he also has a... more>> secret identity. He has average looks but he’s a great schemer/pretty intelligent. He hides himself well too. MC is the daughter of a marquis and a capable merchant. She wants to protect her family and because she knows the future, she marries ML to increase their chances of survival. Their interactions are pretty funny at the beginning and romance is slow burn. Lots of political intrigue and schemes going on. I enjoyed reading this. 9/10~ <<less

Minimal politics/scheming. Mostly only towards the end. Rags to riches. This story focused more on their life in the village. MC is a transmigrator and... more>> she took over the body of the antagonist/a di-daughter of a noble man. She was sold to the countryside as an aftermath of the og owner’s scheme. ML is a scholar and the family’s hope for a better life. Slow burn. 8.7/10~ <<less

My favorite xuanhuan novel. The title pretty much summarizes the plot. FL, the white moonlight of the ogML in the book, meets the villain in... more>> the book and they get together in the end. Ofcourse they go through a lot of stuff in between. FL believes she has transmigrated so she proceeds to change her fate (of dying) which lead her to the ML. The ogFL is too dumb and annoying I don’t even know where to begin. Yuan yuan however is such a lovely character and I’m really glad ML met her. Their relationship and interaction is cute. Some say ML is a yandere but I think eccentric would be a better description for him? He has such deep wounds from the past and as a result, he became what he is now. His journey with the FL is fun and cute though especially how FL helped with his trauma. OgML is tr*sh the ogFL can keep him. Anyway this is a fun and romantic story with a plot. Completely translated too. 9.1/10. <<less

You can read this if you’re into OP characters and face slapping because that’s all this novel is all about. No impressive points but not... more>> an entirely bad read. Just okay to read to pass time. Midway the plot development became a bit ridiculous and I had to shut my brain to read it. 5/10 <<less

Quick and fun read. Our MC/FL suddenly transmigrates into the body of an unfavored concubine. She resolves to live a life of a salted fish... more>> and remain lowkey to steer clear from harem shenanigans. Unfortunately for her, ML/Emperor has a weird illness that only she can remedy. Once the ML figures that out, he always approaches her and thus began to shatter the MC’s salted fish life dreams. The romance is pretty good — ML will dote only on the MC and iirc, he has never slept with any other concubines. He only stays the night in their chambers out of duty when the required date of the month comes to appease the ministers. He will do everything in his power here to elevate MC’s status into his empress. The schemes/political intrigues are common/predictable but the story is still quite enjoyable overall since MC isn’t OP. She’s unique in a sense that she doesn’t have the skillset of a typical concubine. 8/10~ <<less

Planning to read.... more>>

“She’s somehow ended up transmigrating into the book as the supporting female lead, who was beaten to death! Deeply in love with the male lead, she’s fated to be beaten to a bloody pulp before even holding hands with him?!

First things first, she needs to survive and latch onto the big thigh of a patron. But the supporting male lead is a true gentleman and feels nothing for her stunning, alluring body. That’s alright! She’ll latch onto the old madame or the male lead then!

But why does the supporting male lead look at her with increasingly odd eyes? And what of that Wulin Alliance Head with the personality disorder? You’re just a random bystander, what are you getting involved for??

Finally, the male lead could bear it no longer and dragged her back to the Prince Li Manor”

Ohh this sounds similar to emperor has an illness without the illness plot point of course.  <<less

FL, a green tea princess with familial issues, transmigrates into a body of a young royal princess in ancient china. This story focuses on how... more>> she helps her mother consort and mentally challenged brother improve their lives/gain the emperor’s favor. She also has a wonderful relationship with her other siblings. I adore how they dote on her they’re cute. In the midst of all this, she meets and gets acquainted with the ML who is a hostage prince from another country. Story has two phases: pre-marriage and post-marriage. Lots of palace intrigues/schemes. Romance is okay, they meet when they’re still both young (there’s an age gap ofc) then they separate for a while before they get married. Still, my favorite part of this novel is the pre-marriage phase. <<less

MC transmigrate into the body of a vicious woman with an extremely bad reputation. OgHost also schemed to marry the most coveted bachelor so the... more>> husband and his family hates the ogHost to the bone. This novel is a pretty chill read and shows how she conquers her husband/husband’s family through her cooking. Foodies (like me) would enjoy this as food is an integral part of the plot.  <<less