Legend of the Embroiderer

Chapter 139 Emotional entanglement 1

Su Mengyao had always been a woman of calm, gentle, and serene nature. Although she had never experienced a profound, heart-shattering love since her marriage to her husband, they had always treated each other with respect, and their lives were generally harmonious and happy.

But on this seemingly ordinary day, as Su Mengyao was leisurely admiring the gorgeous flowers in the back garden, fate quietly extended its mysterious hand. At this moment, a graceful and elegant man - the neighbor's son Li Zixuan - floated into the back garden like a spring breeze.

Li Zixuan strolled leisurely through the flower-lined path, sunlight filtering through the leaves, illuminating his handsome features and creating a captivating scene. As he reveled in the beauty, his gaze stumbled upon Su Mengyao, who stood quietly admiring the blossoms not far away. In that moment, time seemed to freeze.

Li Zixuan was completely attracted by the beauty of the lady in front of him. He couldn't help but blurt out: "The girl's smile is as beautiful as a flower, more beautiful than any other flower in this garden!" His voice was as gentle as the gurgling water and the chirping of a nightingale, and it also contained an imperceptible hint of sincere praise that was revealed inadvertently.

Su Mengyao's heart trembled suddenly, as if struck by a subtle yet intense electric current. Her eyes widened, taking in the sudden onslaught of emotion in disbelief. Never before had she experienced such a genuine, intoxicating feeling of being appreciated.

She subconsciously raised her hand and touched her burning cheek, feeling the heat as if it were transmitting through her fingertips to her entire body. A faint blush crept onto her fair face like a sunset glow, contrasting with the delicate and beautiful flowers around her, making her look even more charming and charming.

At this moment, Su Mengyao's heart seemed to be filled with ripples, spreading outward in circles. These ripples disturbed her originally calm state of mind and made her fall into deep contemplation.

She had always believed she was content with her marriage. After all, in the eyes of others, she and her husband treated each other with respect, and their life was stable and peaceful. But just now, when she heard Li Zixuan's sincere and complimentary words, she suddenly realized that her inner desire for love was far deeper than she had imagined.

She stood quietly in the center of the garden, her gaze dazed as she gazed at the blossoms, each vying for beauty and bloom. A gentle breeze blew, bringing with it bursts of fragrance, but her mind was completely elsewhere. Li Zixuan's words, like a demonic voice, lingered in her mind, unable to be shaken off.

"Do I truly understand my own heart?" This question repeatedly plagued Su Mengyao, leaving her feeling bewildered and lost. The happiness she once held so firmly in her heart had become murky, replaced by an unprecedented unease and anxiety. She began to doubt where the true happiness she sought lay. Wasn't everything she had right now enough?

All sorts of chaotic thoughts intertwined together, making Su Mengyao's mood increasingly heavy and complicated. She could no longer maintain her usual calm and composed demeanor. The ups and downs in her heart made her lose her determination and confidence.

In the bustling and bustling city of Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty, traffic was bustling and people were noisy. Amidst this clamor, Su Mengyao's once pure heart began to ripple, becoming increasingly complex and profound.

Li Zixuan, a handsome and talented young man, often visits Su Mengyao under various pretexts, because he admires her extraordinary talent and stunning beauty. At first, Su Mengyao only considers him an ordinary friend, but as time goes by, their exchanges on poetry, songs, calligraphy, and painting become more frequent and in-depth.

Every time they met, it was as intoxicating as a spring breeze. Su Mengyao was surprised to discover that she and Li Zixuan had such an amazing rapport. Whether reciting poetry, painting, playing the zither, or playing chess, they always understood each other's thoughts and cooperated seamlessly. This feeling of spiritual connection captivated Su Mengyao, and her long-dormant heart began to stir with the slightest hint of affection.

However, a harsh reality stood between them like an unbridgeable chasm: Su Mengyao was already married. Though her emotions surged like a tidal wave, traditional moral values ​​held her tightly like a heavy yoke. The conflict between the moral code and true love raged within her, leaving her in excruciating pain.

Whenever Su Mengyao heard the familiar footsteps outside the door, her heart would beat wildly. That was Li Zixuan! Instantly, a smile of joy spread across her face, one that she couldn't conceal. Time always flew by when she was with him. They would drink tea and discuss poetry, appreciating the myriad styles and customs described by the ancients; or they would paint magnificent landscapes with brush and ink; or they would sit quietly before a zither, expressing their deepest secrets through the melodious sounds of the instrument.

Gradually, Su Mengyao found herself avoiding her husband's affectionate gestures, intentionally or unintentionally. The love they once shared as husband and wife now seemed dull and indifferent. Conversely, her longing for Li Zixuan grew stronger day by day, spreading like wild weeds. Whenever night fell and all was quiet, Su Mengyao would lean against the window alone, gazing at the cold moonlight and recalling every moment she had spent with Li Zixuan. Those beautiful moments shone in her mind like bright stars, enchanting her. The intense longing and anticipation in her heart burned like a raging fire, leaving her tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep...

In the dead of night, when moonlight streamed through the window onto her bed, Su Mengyao lay tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Whenever she thought of the fact that she was now a married woman, her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and a strong sense of self-blame and guilt surged over her like a tide.

She knew she had let down her husband, who had always cared for her with such care and love. Recalling the warm times they had shared, their mutual support and care, she now felt betrayed by feelings she shouldn't have. She felt like a sinner, ashamed to face this once happy marriage.

She knew very well that her feelings for Li Zixuan should not exist in the first place. It was a forbidden love that violated ethics and morality. Every time this thought came to her mind, she would desperately try to suppress it, constantly reminding herself that she must strictly abide by the code of conduct for women and never cross that line and do anything that would let her husband down.

However, human emotions are often beyond the control of reason. Despite Su Mengyao's best efforts to control herself, her deep desire for Li Zixuan continued to grow like wild weeds. On the one hand, she desperately wanted to be with Li Zixuan forever; on the other hand, she was terrified of losing her husband and the warmth of her family. This intense inner struggle and contradiction plunged Su Mengyao into deep pain, unable to extricate herself.

Gradually, Su Mengyao began to feel somewhat distracted. She was always forgetful and absent-minded, as if everything and everyone around her had nothing to do with her. Even her former favorite arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, no longer piqued her interest.

Her husband was naturally keenly aware of these changes in his wife. Seeing the once cheerful and cheerful Su Mengyao gradually become silent and depressed, he was filled with doubt and worry. However, faced with such an abnormal wife, he was helpless, not knowing what had happened to cause her to become like this.