The Whispering Shadows of Li Yuan’s Courtyard

The moon was a sliver of silver in the night sky, casting a ghostly glow over the ancient courtyard of Li Yuan's mansion. The mansion, a relic of the Song Dynasty, stood as a silent sentinel to the turbulent passions that unfolded within its walls. Li Yuan, a renowned poet, was a man of great wealth and charm, but his heart was a maze of love and loss.

In the midst of the mansion's grandeur, there were whispers of a love triangle that transcended the living. It was said that Li Yuan's wife, the elegant and enigmatic Lady Feng, was the spirit of a former lover, a tragic figure who had taken her own life over a century ago. Her ghost, it was rumored, lingered within the courtyard, seeking solace and revenge.

Lady Feng's spirit had chosen a new object of affection: Li Yuan's young son, Xiao Li. The boy, with his innocent eyes and tender heart, had become the focal point of the spirit's obsessions. Xiao Li, however, was unaware of the ghostly presence that watched over him, nor did he understand the tragic history that bound him to this otherworldly figure.

One evening, as Xiao Li wandered the courtyard, the moonlight revealed the faint outline of a figure standing at the edge of the pond. It was Lady Feng, her ghostly form shimmering in the moon's glow. She watched as Xiao Li played by the water's edge, her heart heavy with unrequited love.

"Xiao Li," she whispered, her voice carrying no warmth, "come to me."

Xiao Li turned, his curiosity piqued, but he saw no one. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice echoing through the still night air.

The figure stepped forward, her form growing more solid with each step. "I am Lady Feng," she said, her voice laced with sorrow. "I need your help."

Xiao Li, now standing before her, was confused but intrigued. "How can I help you, Lady Feng?"

The spirit's eyes filled with tears. "You see, I cannot rest until you fulfill my final wish. I must be laid to rest, and you are the only one who can help me."

Xiao Li, not understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded. "I will help you, Lady Feng. But how?"

The spirit's face softened, and she reached out a ghostly hand. "Follow me, and I will show you."

Together, they ventured into the depths of the mansion, guided by the faint light of the moon. As they moved through the corridors, Xiao Li felt a chill run down his spine, but he followed without hesitation. He was a boy of courage, and he believed he could face any challenge.

At the end of their journey, they arrived at a small, dimly lit chamber. The spirit turned to him, her eyes filled with hope. "This is where I must be laid to rest. But first, you must do something for me."

Xiao Li nodded, his curiosity and concern mingling in his young heart. "What is it, Lady Feng?"

"The love triangle that binds us," she said, her voice trembling. "You must choose between me and your father. Whom will you choose?"

Xiao Li's eyes widened in shock. "But I... I don't understand. I don't even know you!"

The spirit sighed, her heart breaking. "I know, Xiao Li. But you must choose. For me, and for your father."

In that moment, Xiao Li realized the gravity of the situation. He looked into the spirit's eyes, seeing the pain and longing that had driven her to the edge of eternity. He knew he had to make a decision that would affect not only his life but also the lives of those he loved.

"Alright," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I will choose you, Lady Feng. But I will also ask my father to help you find peace."

The spirit's eyes sparkled with a rare glimmer of joy. "Thank you, Xiao Li. You have given me hope."

As the boy left the chamber, the spirit's form began to fade. "Rest in peace, Lady Feng," he whispered, his voice filled with sorrow but also with hope.

Xiao Li returned to his father, who was waiting anxiously for him. "Dad, I have something to tell you," he said, his voice trembling.

Li Yuan, a man of great intellect and compassion, listened intently as his son spoke of the spirit's wish. He knew the gravity of the situation, but he also understood the depth of Xiao Li's courage and love.

"I will help Lady Feng," he said, his voice resolute. "She deserves peace, and I will not let her spirit wander any longer."

Together, father and son set out to fulfill the spirit's final wish. They arranged for a proper burial, and as they laid Lady Feng to rest, Xiao Li felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The spirit had found peace, and with it, Xiao Li felt a sense of closure.

The courtyard of Li Yuan's mansion remained a silent witness to the love triangle that had played out between the living and the dead. The spirit of Lady Feng had been laid to rest, and Xiao Li had made a choice that would change his life forever.

But the whispers of the past did not fade away. They lingered in the air, a reminder of the haunting love triangle that had once entangled the lives of Li Yuan, Lady Feng, and Xiao Li. The story of their love, lost and found, would be a ghostly whisper in the night, a haunting reminder of the power of love, even in the face of the supernatural.