Similarities:

-student teacher relationship

-FL has demon power

-FL is an innocent soul

-people want FL dead

-teacher wants to change FL’s fate

Both are about an ex-husband trying to win back his wife’s love. Ex-wife Stop is very short and to the point. It also has short episodes about 5 min each. I binged it in one night.

Both female leads are very headstrong and confident. They know what they want and will do whatever it takes to get it. Both of the male leads know martial arts and work for the good of the country. In MY OPINION both have VERY annoying/irritating family members. They give off similar vibes and the leads feel "realistic" if that makes sense. I'd say the only difference is that the female lead in "The Autumn Ballad" fully puts her talents on display. EVERYONE knows what she can do. In "The Story of Ming Lan" the female lead does NOT put her talents on display. If you want to why, you'll have to watch it. :-)

-Both of the female leads loved a man but was taken by the emperor.
- Both of the male leads worked for the emperor.
- There is a sweet/ bitter sweet ending.
- Both of the female leads helped the emperor in the palace.
-Both of the female leads are smart.

On a personal note both had me raging on certain episodes. There are some lessons you could learn from watching these dramas....
- Don't wait.
-Small decisions can change your life.
-Don't lose yourself.
-Don't put yourself in a position where other people have control over your life.
-You never really know a person.
-You don't always have to put other people before you. (be selfish sometimes)
-The closest people can turn on you in an instant.

Both of the main character's love interests had a tough time growing up.
In both dramas the main character's sister(s) did unnecessary things to make her life hard.
Both of their mother's died when they were little.
Both are historical.
Both helped their love interests positively change their reputation.