Legend of the Embroiderer

Chapter 1 Modern Dream

On that starry night, a highly anticipated fashion show was about to be staged magnificently. The beautiful and luxuriously decorated exhibition hall was packed with people, and the audience was very enthusiastic.

Before the evening began, the organizers invited the fashion show's designer, Su Mengyao, to the stage to give a speech. She took a deep breath, calmed her nervousness, and then walked onto the stage with a firm step.

Standing under the spotlight, she smiled and said, "Dear guests, thank you all for coming tonight. This fashion show is more than just a display for me; it is a dialogue across time and space, a perfect combination of modern and ancient. Every piece of clothing carries my pursuit of beauty and respect for history. I hope you enjoy it."

Her speech won warm applause from the audience, and her heart was filled with emotion. Whether the fashion show tonight was a success would be the key to whether her designs and abilities would be recognized.

After her speech, Su Mengyao returned to the backstage of the fashion show. The young and talented fashion designer watched the models on the catwalk with both nervousness and excitement. This fashion show was a bold experiment for her, and she designed clothes that perfectly blended modern fashion elements with the classical aesthetics of the Tang Dynasty.

Her heartbeat quickened with the music, her palms slightly sweaty. Gazing at the flickering neon lights, she felt a surge of accomplishment and pride as she watched the models gracefully and confidently strut down the runway in her beautiful designs. Each of these garments was the result of her meticulously crafted designs, a fusion of her passion for fashion and her appreciation for history.

Just as the fashion show she had been eagerly anticipating was about to conclude, something unexpected happened. While sorting her clothes backstage, Su Mengyao's hand accidentally touched a beautiful Tang Dynasty garment nearby. It was an exhibit she had prepared specifically for the show. Ancient and ornate, the garment's embroidery was exquisite. Lying quietly, it seemed to tell a moving story spanning millennia. Intrigued, she couldn't help but reach out and touch it, wanting to experience the mysterious beauty of this ancient classic.

Suddenly, a strange light emanated from the garment, like a star suddenly illuminating in the night sky, enveloping Su Mengyao. She felt dizzy, as if the world were spinning, and space and time seemed to have lost their meaning. She tried to call for help, but her voice seemed swallowed by the light. Her head split, and she felt her consciousness slowly begin to blur. Everything around her was distorting.

An invisible force pulled her along, and she felt herself drawn into a vast vortex, unable to resist or escape. Her heartbeat quickened, her breathing became rapid, and her body seemed to be controlled by a mysterious force, unable to move. She felt as if she were crossing the boundaries of time and space, entering an unknown world.

As the light gradually faded, Su Mengyao realized she was lying in a completely unfamiliar place. She opened her eyes and found herself in an ancient courtyard. She saw towering wooden buildings with soaring eaves and carved beams. She heard the gurgling of water. At the center of the courtyard lay an exquisite pond, where a few water lilies floated on the surface, and the occasional koi carp leaped out, shattering the tranquility of the water. Around the pond, jagged rockeries and towering rocks, some standing, some lying, each in a different shape, seemed like a work of nature. Between the rocks, water gurgled, flowing into the pond, adding a touch of spirit.

In a corner of the courtyard lies a tranquil pavilion. Wind chimes hang from its eaves, emitting a melodious, crisp melody in the gentle breeze. Inside, a stone table and benches offer a pleasant spot for tea and chess. Surrounding the pavilion are meticulously arranged flower beds, where flowers bloom in turn throughout the seasons, creating a delicate, alluring fragrance.

On the other side of the courtyard lie rows of study rooms and studios. Through half-open window lattices, one can glimpse the four treasures of the study and the calligraphy and paintings on the walls. These rooms are imbued with the fragrance of books. The entire courtyard is exquisitely laid out, combining the graceful elegance of Jiangnan gardens with the grandeur of northern courtyards. Every detail reveals the owner's refined taste and love of natural beauty. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing one to forget the hustle and bustle of the world and immerse themselves in tranquility and harmony.

She stood up and looked around, a thousand questions flooding her mind. Where was this? How did I end up here? Could I ever get back? I still hadn't seen if the fashion show was a success. Would everyone like my designs? Would I ever see my family and friends again?

A series of questions occupied her mind, and only then did she realize that there were no familiar people or things around her. All these unfamiliar things made her feel an unprecedented loneliness and helplessness.