Top Tier

Top Tier
Curated list by yours truly. All genres, something for everyone. (A lot of Ancient China BG included).

Recommended novels not on NU- see comments. 

I’ll add comments/reviews for every one of them, but it’ll take me quite a while to get to all of them. 

NOTE: Moving all short stories/oneshots to Rec List “Small Stories, Big Feels” (like check it out, so many gems are like 30-40 chapters only, and their chapters are mostly long)
7 18175 84
61 Followers
Sherlocked
Created: Jan 31st, 2025, Updated: May 29th, 2025
Created Jan 31st, 2025
Updated May 29th, 2025
CN (3.7)
160 Chapters Every 53.3 Day(s) 1368 Readers 12 Reviews 04-27-2023
Woefully underrated. The title doesn't do the novel justice. ... more>>
CN (4.2)
0 Chapters Every 1461 Day(s) 1439 Readers 9 Reviews N/A
I loved the first half, liked the second half. But I have to say, this novel isn’t for everyone. 
CN (4.3)
179 Chapters Every 33.5 Day(s) 4200 Readers 44 Reviews 04-19-2024
CN (4.2)
146 Chapters Every 13.1 Day(s) 3403 Readers 38 Reviews 12-02-2024
CN (4.2)
50 Chapters Every 187.8 Day(s) 16288 Readers 269 Reviews 10-03-2017
This novel got me fall into the pithole of food p*rn novels. 
CN (4.2)
21 Chapters Every 126 Day(s) 4244 Readers 52 Reviews 07-16-2020
Mr. Queen (the kdrama) is based on this novel. 
CN (4.1)
CN (3.7)
60 Chapters Every 15.7 Day(s) 435 Readers 4 Reviews 01-26-2025
CN (4)
145 Chapters Every 5.3 Day(s) 718 Readers 8 Reviews 04-20-2025
Not the best, but charming enough to read for its pragmatism. Worth a read. It’s such a fresh take on Dream of the Red Chambers... more>>
CN (3.8)
CN (4)
108 Chapters Every 48.3 Day(s) 1949 Readers 34 Reviews 06-18-2023
This is one of my favourite slice-of-life novels. What to say, the plot isn’t very special. It’s just that the novel vibed with me well.... more>>
CN (4.3)
143 Chapters Every 85.3 Day(s) 5506 Readers 137 Reviews 12-31-2021
I never thought I would enjoy this one so much. Age gap is one of my pet peeves, so is such an FL. But the... more>>
CN (4.5)
783 Chapters Every 1.1 Day(s) 2057 Readers 23 Reviews 06-03-2025
The novel is basically urban fantasy Pokémon fanfic on steroids—and I mean that in the best way. The MC might have pulled an unlimited balance debit card from thin air (still salty about that, by the way), but the world is fun, the battles are slick, and the pacing keeps you hooked. ... more>>
CN (4.4)
146 Chapters Every 48.9 Day(s) 3933 Readers 32 Reviews 10-06-2023
CN (4.5)
123 Chapters Every 230.6 Day(s) 15559 Readers 368 Reviews 01-05-2016
Can I just say this novel is the OG Ancient China BG that more or less worms its way into every relevant rec list? Back... more>>
CN (4.6)
108 Chapters Every 184.4 Day(s) 14622 Readers 262 Reviews 12-19-2017
Beloved novel. The successor of TBAVW. Need I say more?! Of all of Butterfly author’s books, this one is probably my favourite. 
CN (4.7)
28 Chapters Every 15.6 Day(s) 23160 Readers 511 Reviews 11-29-2020
A tale of cosmic level devotion. Not as great as MDZS (personal opinion), but it’s still a worth a read. A gem. At least it... more>>
CN (4.5)
170 Chapters Every 7.3 Day(s) 1537 Readers 27 Reviews 03-12-2025
There are so few novels where the FL is older than the ML. They are hard enough to find, and good ones are even fewer. This one is such a well written NOONA Romance. ... more>>
CN (4.5)
54 Chapters Every 167.1 Day(s) 11093 Readers 162 Reviews 09-20-2018
This novel *sighs*. Either you love it or you hate it. There’s angst and healing. It does mess with your head a bit. 
CN (4.3)
58 Chapters Every 52.5 Day(s) 3330 Readers 15 Reviews 07-02-2023
Been following this for years. Honestly, I just love how the translator slips in parts of the webtoon/manhua. I’m definitely biased about this one. 
JP (4.6)
413 Chapters Every 10.6 Day(s) 14467 Readers 37 Reviews 02-27-2025
I started reading The Apothecary Diaries (as this is better known to me) after watching the first season of the anime (such a lovely adaptation) with blatant anticipation—but by the time I caught up to the end of Volume 10, I realized I’d completely underestimated it. ... more>>
KR (4.5)
944 Chapters Every 1.4 Day(s) 7554 Readers 59 Reviews 06-10-2025
This novel sent me into a binge reading frenzy like no other.  That’s a wild and glorious rabbit hole to fall into—and I regret nothing. ... more>>
CN (4)
472 Chapters Every 1.1 Day(s) 1086 Readers 8 Reviews 06-02-2025
Why should females have all the fun? Let the ML transmigrate for once into an Ancient China BG novel. ... more>>
CN (4.2)
217 Chapters Every 7.8 Day(s) 2310 Readers 22 Reviews 03-17-2025
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Comments (7)
Post Reply Cancel
  1. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 25, 2025 09:50 AM

    Translated novel not on NU 

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    The Butcher’s Mighty Wife of the Chief Minister  (original title: 首輔的屠戶悍妻) by 风过水无痕

    Completed c185 (Asianovel 1-182, rest mtl)

    This one is quite entertaining. The FL’s shameless antics are so refreshing. Also the chemistry between the main leads is so good. Execution is exemplary for most of the novel (slows around last 20 or so chapters). Their love life is quite spicy for a CN novel. Definitely worth reading. Exceeds expectations. 

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  2. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 22, 2025 12:53 PM

    Translated Novel not on NU

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    The Second Wife by 枝呦九

    C105 completed on Asianovel 

    A novel that starts quite typically but soon rears it’s true nature, which is staunchly unconventional, in a good way of course. Most of it is about loving yourself and finding your own path in life. It highlights trivial problems and setbacks quite well. Also women supporting other women. Would recommend. 

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  3. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 17, 2025 11:31 AM

    Translated Novel Not on NU

    Daily life of the Main Lady / Daily Life of the Mistress

    C499 completed on Asianovel (fully translated)

    Not your standard historical ancient China novel. Doesn’t follow conventional tropes. No romance. Fun at beginning but draggy af after the middle. Would recommend just for the concept alone though. This novel is truly realistic in its expectations (or lack of them) of ancient men.


    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  4. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 28, 2025 03:02 PM

    Original Novel Rec

    RUYI by harui30

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Completed c133 on Wattpad

    Genre: Historical/Romance/Josei/Mature

    A deeply emotional historical romance set in Ancient China that takes you through a slow burn of complex relationships. While it doesn’t offer a picture-perfect romance, the flawed but compelling characters make for an unforgettable read. It’s brilliantly written with a level of depth that draws you in and holds you tight. 

    Though the relationship isn’t ideal or healthy, the story feels real, raw, and undeniably heartfelt. With over 20 million reads, it’s far from a hidden gem—more like a well-known treasure in the vast sea of Wattpad stories. Wattpad has its more than its fair share of poor stories (an understatement), but RUYI proves there’s still hope for real literary gems on the platform.

    Reply · ·
  5. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 21, 2025 11:26 AM

    Translated Novel not on NU

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Marrying the Eldest Brother of My Deceased Husband After Rebirth by 藤鹿山

    重生后嫁给亡夫他大哥 (original title)

    Completed c115 (till c107 on Asianovel, rest mtl)

    I loved this one. It’s a forbidden romance trope executed impeccably with high emotional stakes grounded in social tension. Not only that, it’s a slow-burn romance that respects the internal logic of the world. It’s a love story that challenges—not ignores—cultural morality. The ML is reserved and his restraint is heartbreakingly honest. The FL has this quiet power, seemingly weak but not meek. The relationship isn’t rushed or justified away with tropes. Every small moment—a glance, a subtle act of care, a boundary pushed—feels like a thread unraveling in a tightly bound life. The romance becomes a slow, smouldering war between desire and duty—intimate, layered, and deeply human.

    The novel respects the era’s constraints—rituals, hierarchy, public reputation. Yet the characters feel modern in emotional intelligence: they reflect, hesitate, question themselves, and grow. The author takes a deeply repressive, rule-bound historical world and injects it with high emotional stakes, psychological complexity, and taboo-breaking intimacy. It’s not without flaws, and towards the end it drags a little, but overall it’s quite a treat to read. 

    Reply · ·
  6. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 17, 2025 11:37 AM

    Translated Novel Not on NU

    # Politeness Like Ice by 宁寗

    C86 completed On Asianovel

    Angsty, misunderstood trope. Not bad. Probably what they call chasing wife crematorium trope? Flawed but readable and enjoyable enough. 

    Reply · ·
  7. Sherlocked
    Sherlocked· Author · Apr 17, 2025 11:34 AM

    Translated Novel not on NU

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    The Daily Life of Farming in Time-Travel to Qing Dynasty by 迷途未返

    C155 completed on Asianovel

    A cute, slice-of-life farming life of the Fifth Prince’s Consort during Kangxi reign. Fun to read. The ML is such a green flag and MC’s personality is lively. Would definitely recommend. I think I have a soft spot for this era. 

    Reply · ·