Spring of the Blade

A revenge plot with a calculating FL who has back and forth schemes with the ML at first then works together to bring her evil family down. Both have an evil unnervingly manipulative father who uses the women in the house as weapons and scapegoats for his crimes.

Both dramas are about the FL seeking revenge against her family members and the ML who supports and helps her in carrying out that revenge

•suspense
•thriller
•revenge
•cunning female lead
•cunning male lead
•evil family
•constant cruelty
•masochistic producers

Xie Qing Yuan, orphaned at a young age, lived on the streets until she met Shen Run, who had been sent to the army after a family tragedy. They parted ways with a promise to survive, and Shen Run gave her a penny as a token. Years later, Xie Qing Yuan returns to Xie Mansion, determined to uncover the truth about her mother's death. As Shen Run rises to power, he is assigned to oversee the Xie family during a crisis. While working together, the two rekindle their bond. Shen Run is drawn to Xie Qing Yuan's courage, intelligence, and optimism, while she grows to trust him as a close ally and friend.

ML is a fake corrupt official.
ML is infatuated with the FL.
Both FL are smart and willing to do what it takes to achieve their goals.

Intelligent self-reliant female leads, who learn to love and accept their partners and work together with them.
Xu Kai
Poetic lines
ML persues FL and treats her with dignity and respect without losing himself.
Individual characters are well written, not revolving around the leads or plot devices

difference is : Costume drama vs Modern Drama
FL is older than ML

Both dramas somewhat share a revenge plot carried out by the FL and also forming an alliance with the ML who supports her