Recommendations A Josei where the MC never really falls in love with the ML but fakes it the entire time.

Also where the concubines are actually smart, or at least other women are (not necessarily concubines), and they have a tacit understanding of each other's situations. Joseis like Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir, and The Job of an Imperial Concubine are what I'm talking about. They seduced the ML because what else can they do, and are nice to the other ladies that deserve it. I mean sure they kind of fall in love with the MLs by the end but that's just per the course and they still know better.

 

Wife can’t escape

 

There's really a lack of translated novels that are into more serious concepts huh. Just a giant mass of dom ML and sub FL and a bunch of tsun strong FLs that eventually fall in love with the doting ML.