<p>The Tang Dynasty palace-style timber frame, an exemplary ancient Chinese timber structure, is a jewel among global ancient timber architectural heritage. It is distinguished by its unique Puzuo layer construction, clear load-transfer path, and profound cultural essence. This study presents an innovative approach by developing a numerical analysis model of a two-piece, eight-column timber frame, drawing on the structural features and dimensions of the Eastern Hall of Foguang Temple, a quintessential example of Tang Dynasty palace-style architecture. A series of global and local mechanical models (including a single-room model and a single-piece model) were designed. These models enable a comprehensive investigation into the mechanical behavior of transverse and longitudinal connecting members, as well as the structural independence of the individual components within the two-piece system. The results reveal that the two-piece configuration outperforms the single-room model in terms of positive and negative load-bearing capacity, initial stiffness, and cumulative energy dissipation, showcasing its superior overall structural performance. When stress is applied solely on the single-room model, it exhibits limited structural independence and diminished hysteretic behavior, albeit with a slightly enhanced energy dissipation capacity. Conversely, under single-piece loading, it demonstrates better structural independence, with a maximum horizontal load reaching 66.5% and final energy dissipation about 77.0% of those in the global model. This study provides a quantitative analysis and comparative assessment of the mechanical and seismic performance of both the integrated two-piece timber structure and its components, providing valuable insights for the conservation and restoration of such historic timber edifices.</p>