If you liked
Saiunkoku Monogatari
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...then you might like
Kusuriya no Hitorigoto
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Two brilliant female leads pursuing a career in the backdrop of a pseudo-historical imperial China. Kusuriya is somewhat episodic, dealing with medicines, poisons, and the mystery cases that comes with it. Saiunkoku is more bureaucracy, politics and palace intrigue, with a smattering of adventure. Both have enjoyable romantic dynamics that are developed well. However, the true appeal are the heroines themselves, who are 2 smart, capable, ambitious, and endearingly quirky young women. Well-written and strong, they are a breath of fresh air among countless poor female characterisation in manga.
Both are novel adaptations, Saiunkoku having an incomplete manga serialisation (of the completed novels) while Kusuriya is
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Recommended by fullmetalbender
The overall feel of the manga are very similar - the pacing, the art, the way the characters develop and interact, and the setting. Both manga take place in a historical Chinese setting in the imperial court. The female protagonists are both intelligent and independent, and are more interested in pursuing their own careers and interests than a romantic relationship. The male leads have similar appearance, are much quicker to show interest in the female protagonist, are of a higher social standing, and are not forthright about their identities.