The Legend of Zhuohua

Both FL become officials through their study and perseverance. But way better than Royal Betrothal in that the story revolves around her abilities and overcoming challenges working with a mature and wise leader, vs Betrothal's devolving into slash and burn rooting out corruption and rescued just in time by a juvenile smitten emperor who puts his life on the line for her and allows life threatening missions and says he wants to protect her but she constantly gets accused and takes the physical punishment when mean get accused and tried......so if you want a more logical story re: female official look here.

Both have slowish mutual respect and then romance between a cold well off official and a warm but smart woman who works with him.
Both have past and present royal plots and betrayals that need to be resolved.

- Hardworking FLs that remain strong through adversity
- Somewhat aloof but supportive and caring MLs
- Healthy and mature romance between the leads
- SFL is a princess with the same arc in the story
- ML working together with the crown prince to secure political power
- ML is a noble/royal while FL is a commoner (noble in ADltTL, royal in TLoZ)
- Role reversal themes (ADltTL has more)

Plots are quite different save for SFL. TLoZ is more political and girlboss-y while ADltTL is more of a story about the struggles of average people.

- Older man/younger woman
- ML is the emperor's brother
- Both MLs seem cold and aloof but are actually gentle and sweet
- ML has a chronic illness that FL helps cure
- Resourceful and cunning FL
- Power

Plots are different.

A strong female lead who is willing to risk everything in order to achieve her goal.

Both have a tough life following the death of their mother and learn how to protect themselves from all adversity.

The opening is quite similar in that the FL runs away from home to avoid a marriage forced on her by her family. She also becomes involved in politics.

She becomes a female official to fight her stepmother. She plays a strong female character similar to the character in legend of Zhuohua.