It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager

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Tang Shishi was the number one beauty in the court. She was arrogant, domineering and aggressive. She accidentally picked up a book and learned that she was just a vicious female second lead in a palace struggle. Later, she would fight for favor with the female lead, and eventually she was ruined and died miserably.

Now, they have just entered the fief of Jing Wang, and the first meeting of the male and female leads has not happened yet. There are two paths before Tang Shishi. The first is to hold the heroine’s thighs tightly and join the female lead camp early; the second is to please the male lead and steal the favor of the female lead.

Tang Shishi chooses the third way.

Tang Shishi knew that the male lead’s adoptive father Jing Wang seemed to be low profile, but in fact he was overly ambitious. In the near future, he will invade the capital and proclaim the emperor before the imperial court, but it is a pity that he passed away before passing the throne to the male lead.

This year, Jing Wang is twenty-four years old, still young, and has yet to marry a wife.
Anyway, she already in the Forbidden City. Instead of being the concubine of the male lead, it is better to be his adopted mother, the empress dowager in one step.

————–

Zhao Chengjun had no intention to get married, so he adopted his subordinate son as his heir. He thought he would be with his army in his whole life.

Later, the imperial family sent a team of beauties to Prince Jing, and the leader was named Tang Shishi.

His young, adopted son and his subordinates also persuaded: Your Highness, this is a beauty trap.
Jing Wang: I know.

The so-called beauty trap was merely a bait for those who wish.

Associated Names
One entry per line
พลิกบทนางร้ายให้กลายเป็นไทเฮา
宫斗不如当太后
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband (5)
Greetings, Ninth Uncle (4)
Second Marriage (3)
The Crown Prince in the Jade Pendant (2)
I’ll Be the Male Lead’s Sister-in-Law (1)
Married To The Male Lead’s Father (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Ancient China
  2. Fave Chinese Novels
  3. Wei Aixia's Already Read List 1
  4. Fantasy/Historical babies
  5. The Best Novels I've Read So Far

Latest Release

Date Group Release
10/02/21 Just for Fun Trans c83
09/30/21 Just for Fun Trans c82
09/29/21 Just for Fun Trans c81
09/27/21 Just for Fun Trans c80
09/26/21 Just for Fun Trans c79
09/24/21 Just for Fun Trans c78
09/23/21 Just for Fun Trans c77
09/21/21 Just for Fun Trans c76
09/20/21 Just for Fun Trans c75
09/18/21 Just for Fun Trans c74
09/17/21 Just for Fun Trans c73
09/15/21 Just for Fun Trans c72
09/14/21 Just for Fun Trans c71
09/12/21 Just for Fun Trans c70
09/11/21 Just for Fun Trans c69
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138 Reviews sorted by


iKONIC
iKONIC rated it
November 29, 2021
Status: Completed
I love this story to the 99999th power! I love how the female lead is confident and smart yet s*upid at the same time xD she devised different plots to get the og male lead but hooked wangye instead HAHA I love their interactions, small details but you can see how the male lead is slowly falling and loving the female lead. All in all, I really love this story.
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Queen Ann
Queen Ann rated it
July 8, 2025
Status: Completed
It took me so long to search this novel again 😭 I finished reading this years ago.. And when I want to re-read it, I realized that it's not added on my list 😵 I forgot the tittle and only remembered the general plot and the FL' Tang surname. Finally I can find you guys 🥰🥰💕

It's 2025 so I want to read it again while waiting for my other ongoing novels 😋 While doing so, might as well dropped my stars here ✨️✨️✨️
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SoulineMist
SoulineMist
May 26, 2025
Status: Completed
4.5 stars

It's a really good story. Plot wise and characters are all in depth and there were certainly moments where I felt emotional and attached with each characters situations and for me, that's what makes this novel fun and engaging. I love Tang Shishi and Zhao Chengjun, their relationship is really enviable. ❤️
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AhnNa
AhnNa rated it
April 16, 2025
Status: Completed
I like how doting the ML is to FL. It's quite funny how he makes everyone dance to his tune and only she can do the same to him. It's cute because no one else spoils the FL except for him. I like this dynamic. Also, love the bonus from the other life.
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Kaya547
Kaya547 rated it
November 12, 2024
Status: c20
I'm sorry but this is really not my taste. I'm trying so hard to stay focus and read this novel but this novel is just dull (?). I know I dropped it after reading 20 chapter, so maybe my opinion doesn't that important.

However, I want to point something out: the summary is misleading as heck. MC never aiming (*seducing) ML at the beginning, that's why I'm confused. MC and like other girls aiming at the ML adopted son.

MC is not smart or OP, she just ordinary girl that trying... more>> to survive. The ML is that cold and strong character (thats what I got after reading this in 20 chapter).

Nothing hooking me on this story, the summary seems interesting to me at first but it's just a scam lol. No need to take my words on this but if you can persist on reading this slow story then do it. <<less
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Hellios
Hellios rated it
June 13, 2024
Status: Completed
Can’t say that it’s the best book, but it is quite okay.

The beginning was very good and intriguing. I like the plot and how the situations and MC were unique and interesting. But, the more it went the more slow paces and bored it became.

At some point of time I was even thinking of giving up on this book, so boring it was and so annoying the main character was. But in the end I made it. And the extras were very good. I’m very pleased that the author decided... more>> to add those.

Also, I love the ML. His character and decisions are very admirable and I love how it was developing on his side. In this way, MC was much less likable but more unique.

In short, novel is not bad. Recommend to try it out if you are okay with the genres and tags. Just be aware that is it very slow paced. <<less
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sulemanq
sulemanq rated it
April 27, 2024
Status: Completed
One of best novels I have read. It has fun momenta, heartwarming ones and also MC and ML are not good people or bad people that is they are not cardboard characters and sometimes do wrong things etc but still have some bottom line. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot.
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Purplepants
Purplepants rated it
November 27, 2023
Status: Completed
Enjoyed this more than I expected. FL grows on you. She is very annoying initially, but if you can tolerate it and her selfishness, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. She's not similar to any other FL, and I think that is why I kept reading. Satisfied with the novel. Highly recommend giving it a try!
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Silkscreen
Silkscreen rated it
September 15, 2023
Status: c139
I'm trying to power through the extra chapters... but the novel was entertaining except for several plot holes. Anyway, it's easy to get hooked with the story but also find many events too narrow and small. You could picture this as a drama that was produced with a small budget that allowed people to enjoy the show but see many discrepancies, as well, including bad acting.

Towards the end, it felt and read like the author lost steam and just wanted to fix the plot holes with fillers.
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cheeseliz
cheeseliz
July 31, 2023
Status: Completed
I liked this very much! The initial stages
Spoiler

when FL was clinging to her original plot with shizi was annoying, but her development and true heart with jing wang was amusing to read. Everytime there was a big decision, she chose jing wang. Loved that!

[collapse]

The middle and latter stages were so much better
Spoiler

after the FL really decided on her path. Jiayou, shishi! Be as domineering as you want! You have wangye/ bixia behind you!

[collapse]
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sakura_teppei
sakura_teppei rated it
June 29, 2023
Status: Completed
I wannt give this a 5 star rating but accidentally press less star. Why can't I re-star it?

Anyway, this is such a good reading. The MC is all kind of s*upid that sometimes I lover her for it, sometimes I laughed because of her s*upidity and other time I get angry just because pf how s*upid she can be. Her character is not that positive, and sometimes It can get a little bit annoying.

But, I really can't help binge ing this. It's so good~~

Please note that I'v found some similarities... more>> between this novel and novel Greetings, Ninth Uncle. And I love both.

*sigh* such a good read. Not complicated with palace politics which can be overwhelming. <<less
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zen_zest
zen_zest
April 5, 2023
Status: Completed
Tang Shishi is so funny! I've read I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband and GNU by the same author before. I like this better than those two! I have to say the three MCs are so different from each other; you won't feel like you're reading the same storyline (compared to how TBAVW, ETT, LPAJ are very similar).

The plot is also pretty tight. I like how it is explained/wrapped up at the end. Unlike Cheng Yujin in GNU, a reader can tell Tang Shishi develops feeling for ML pretty... more>> early on. Even though ML keeps saying he must owe her in the previous life, the romance doesn't feel only one-sided.

This is surprisingly funny and I totally recommend! <<less
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Pomee
Pomee rated it
March 27, 2023
Status: Completed
I absloutely love this novel. The comedy, romance, politics all were really nicely written.

I loved the relationship between the main couple. They had such good companionship and a healthy relationship ! The ML is one of my favourites. The last time I liked the ML so much was when I was reading 'Ascending donot disturb'.

Also I loved the scarcity of brainless cannonfodders in this novel. Everyone had a good solid goal. I mean they are there but not as irritation as other novels.

Its also hilarious how the FL managed to... more>> fool the Empress Dowager.

The FL might seem annoying but I enjoyed her personality. She remained who she was even after knowing the future. She didn't become this solemn, smart, super intelligent amazing heroine just because she knew the future. She's not the smartest but she went wholeheartedly for what she wanted. But could easily find another way out if it didn't work out.

The female didn't truly fall in love until much later. She is ambitious and her scheming is something you would see the villain stepmom in other novels have. Not that overtly done. But she had very clear reasons and situations that brought this one.

A sure 5 star rating for this one. <<less
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Sasi23
Sasi23 rated it
January 30, 2023
Status: Completed
They are a fated couple the ori ML is indeed an as*hole like he crossed levels of being an as*hole so righteously

Nonetheless a really good read. And our malelead is such a sweetheart.

I binge read the whole thing.
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aovel
aovel
October 17, 2022
Status: Completed
at first it was sort of frustrating because I was reading it with the wrong perspective. The story wasn't wrong. If you consider the fact that the MC was from that time era and doesn't understand what 'transmigration' or 'rebirth' was then it makes sense. Her choices seemed petty and without substance if you consider it from the point of view of someone who read dozens of such genre. But if you put yourself in her shoes and with the mentality that women during those had a different set of... more>> goals and beliefs then it would all come together and make sense.

in a sense, it was quite amusing because the story wasn't that complicated. But all this thoughts into it, it became something else entirely. I loved the flashback with the bracelet. It was an absolute eye opener and explained a lot of things. That's a spoiler, right there. Sorry.",) <<less
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FeatherQwill
FeatherQwill
August 4, 2022
Status: c143
Excellent (for a webnovel of this sort). One of the best features of this story is the very natural and honest relationship the two MCs build, despite having a host of secrets between them. Other stellar features include (moderately) complex and consistent villains with human emotions, and also a good number of characters who are neither Team MC nor Team Villain, but just getting on with their own lives as best as they can. No real surprises in the plot, but also very minimal manufactured heavy drama. A pleasantly comfortable... more>> read. <<less
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chande
chande rated it
August 2, 2022
Status: Completed
MC was certainly an interesting character. She's selfish, opportunist, vain, and heartless. Her characteristics were really in line with a villainess cannon fodder character who destined to die under the lead characters. She herself admitted that she wasn't a good woman and never acted like hypocrite. That's why she never won against the protagonist aka Zhou Shunhua when she tried to curry favor of Zhao Zixun (original ML). It didn't mean that MC was s*upid. She's actually quite smart but unfortunately, she wasn't as smart and as scheming as Zhou... more>> Shunhua. MC certainly had many flaws compared to other MC but that's what made her character quite refreshing compared to other MC. But I still didn't like how she treated ML.

Spoiler

MC knew that ML indulged and spoiled her without any limit but the more ML treated her like that, the more she became more unreasonable. She always contradicted ML and even didn't give him face in front of servants and his subordinates. And when ML tried to educate their children, MC always scolded ML for being too fierce in front of their children and in the end, ML could only give in to her. It didn't matter if those things only happened occasionally but throughout the story, she's always like that and it really annoyed me.

[collapse]

As for MC and ML's relationship, the major turning point of their relationship was indeed when MC was drugged and they ended up sleeping together. But it wasn't really out of the blue because before that, MC already cared of ML a bit and ML already determined to marry her after he realized his feeling. Overall, ML really treated MC well but I didn't like how sometimes he didn't bother to tell MC about his plan and inevitably exposed her to danger.

Spoiler

First, after they slept together, ML immediately left for expedition without telling MC anything and made MC think that ML didn't care about her. She almost aborted her child out of desperation when she learnt about her pregancy but in the end, she couldn't bear to do it. When the protagonists knew about her pregancy, they forced her to abort her baby and made her infertile. Fortunately, ML came back in time and prevented it from happening.

Second, ML tried to trap Zhao Zixun after he knew about his ending from MC's book. He feigned his injury and like in the book, ML tried to take a throne for himself. Zhao Zixun framed MC of rebellion and forced her to kill herself. Like always, ML came to the rescue in the right time. This time, ML was indeed prepared but MC, who didn't know anything, thought that ML was really injured and she was quite depressed because of it. Moreover, she was pregnant with her second child and she's a bit fragile at that time. What if she had a miscarriage because of too much stress?

[collapse]

The ending was quite satisfying. I particularly like the alternate ending where:

Spoiler

MC became a ghost after her death in the original story and she met the past ML where he still lived in the palace. Because of that, they got to know each other earlier and when ML became wangye, he tried to seach for MC everywhere and finally found her in her original house.

[collapse]
<<less
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Akri
Akri rated it
July 4, 2022
Status: Completed
This is for sure one of the best if not the best BG novels i've read so far!

Original by far in the way that the story is staged, I does involve palace and concubines but not in the "traditional" way, the villans are not confrontational at all, it all happens behind the scences which I apreciate

I love FL, she is such a villan and yet she is not obnoctious, idk why everybody keeps saying she is s*upid when obviously she is quite smart, the relationship with ML is cute af... more>> and just awesome like it starts from nothing step by step until you get to the extras and you get why everything happens the way it does

Spoiler

I apreciated the beginig of their relationship with drugs and all, it didnt seem forced at all, more like it was the only way it could happen.

[collapse]

I loved how there where a bunch of pregnencies, I'm not a fan of this per se but the way FL was not all weak even tho she was whinin, she was not a white lotus and sobing and all that

ML was cute in his interactions with FL and I loved the honesty and coherence of the character in general, he was helples and he showed it without being weak nor did he regreat it.

Great novel! Would read again and regreat I didnt read it sooner. <<less
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utenini
utenini
June 29, 2022
Status: Completed
This novel is one of the best that I have read. Second only to The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress from Military Lineage. It is so hard to find these kinds of novels. Everything makes sense, MC and ML are admirable. It's so good that I can't write too much.

My opinion on the antagonist:

Spoiler

Shizi is such an ungrateful brat. He is also s*upid for favouring Zhou Cefei. Zhou Cefei if a white lotus fckn Bit*h. Hateful.

[collapse]
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Gerry21
Gerry21
June 6, 2022
Status: --
Well I'm not gonna ratings it as I'm not reading it far enough. But there is still quite thing I would like to share. The word of MC would after the emperor instead of that original ML which is his son is kinda don't show up in the plot. There is a word but no action in it. She so set up on being the OG ML wife until the last moment, by sabotaging everything. Literally her being a original villain is one big reason you should never expect a... more>> virtuous MC in the story. I don't really know if her character will grow better in the up coming chapter but I just can't take interest in her at all. Her character is like a coin with two side for me, I do believe it's depends on how people see her. Those who like her will like her, while those who don't will hold the prejudice on her, like the bad version of Helena on KTV novel. But at least those story were much more dynamic and the other characters was more vibrant and interesting. This is the set reality type of story which take the fairy background kind a thing. The bitter taste of reality hit me hard even if I only read a few chapters.

Well it's not a bad novel, the story and all are quite decent, the MC is quite unique, but there is nothing wrong to try and read this. Just don't expect too much on the MC to be like the usual protagonist type of Character. <<less
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