In Taiyuan, the Geng family was once glorious with vast mansions. However, with the passage of time, the family’s fortunes have declined, and many buildings have gradually become abandoned. As a result, a series of strange events have occurred frequently, with the doors opening and closing on their own, often disturbing people’s hearts at midnight. The Geng family was deeply concerned about this and ultimately had no choice but to relocate, leaving only an old servant to guard the empty house. This move adds a sense of desolation, but occasional laughter and joy can be heard from the abandoned building, shrouded in mystery.
The Geng family has a nephew named Qu Bing, who has a bold and unrestrained personality. He instructed the old servant to report any unusual sounds or symptoms as soon as possible. One night, the old servant saw the flickering lights upstairs and urgently informed Geng Sheng. Geng Sheng disregarded dissuasion, followed the path, cleared away weeds, and quietly entered the abandoned building, but did not see anything unusual. Walking into the room, I faintly heard human language. Under my gaze, I could see the bright candlelight inside, as if it were daylight. A table of four people, with men and women in Confucian attire sitting opposite each other, accompanied by young men and girls, laughing and chatting. The table was filled with delicious food. Geng Sheng rushed in and joked that an unexpected guest was visiting. The man asked about his identity in surprise, and Geng Sheng reported his home, stating that it was the old residence of the Geng family. The man heard his name and felt a sense of respect, inviting him to drink together. Geng Sheng readily agreed and invited his son Xiao’er to join him. During the banquet, Geng Sheng talked about his family background, and the man claimed to be surnamed Hu, tracing the achievements of his ancestor Tushan in water management. Geng Sheng took this opportunity to narrate the glorious past of the Tushan family, which was well received by the Hu family. The father and son listened attentively and invited Qingfeng, the niece of the Hu family, to join them. Qingfeng has a beautiful and intelligent appearance, which makes Geng Sheng fall in love with her at first sight.
Afterwards, Geng Sheng couldn’t forget Qingfeng and stayed overnight in the abandoned building, hoping to meet another beautiful woman. After unsuccessful discussions with his wife, Geng Sheng decided to live alone downstairs and study hard. On the first night, when encountering ghosts, one is not startled, but rather scared them away; The next night, I finally saw Qingfeng guarding the empty tower alone. Qingfeng was frightened and wanted to escape. Geng Sheng confessed his feelings, and Qingfeng tearfully bid farewell, saying that his family would move and it would be difficult to meet again. Geng Sheng felt reluctant and vowed to protect him. Uncle Qingfeng angrily rebuked his niece, and Geng Sheng stepped forward to protect her. Uncle angrily left, and the building returned to peace from then on.
Uncle Geng heard something strange and his doubts were dispelled, so he sold the mansion to Geng Sheng. Geng Sheng happily moved in, and on his way home during the Qingming Festival, he encountered hunting dogs chasing foxes. A fox fled into the wild, while another fox timidly stood in the middle of the road, as if seeking help from Geng Sheng. Geng Sheng pitied him, took off his clothes and wrapped himself in a fox, and returned home. The fox transformed into a green phoenix, revealing the truth and thanking Geng Sheng for saving his life. Geng Sheng placed Qing Feng in a separate room, and their affection grew stronger.
Time flies, over two years. One night, Xiao’er suddenly appeared in the study and knelt down, begging Geng Sheng for help to save her father. Speaking of Mo Sanlang, Geng Sheng recalled his old friendship, but due to past entanglements, he initially refused his request. Xiao’er tearfully complained that Qingfeng had passed away, but Geng Sheng softened his heart and promised to help. The next day, Mo Sanlang arrived and hunted a lot, including black foxes that were still warm. Geng Sheng borrowed an excuse to ask for a fox, and Mo Sanlang generously gifted it. Geng Sheng presented Qingfeng as a gift, and after the fox woke up, it transformed back into Uncle Hu, expressing gratitude to Geng Sheng and relieving all previous grievances. Qingfeng earnestly requests Geng Sheng to accept the Hu family, and the two families will live side by side in harmony from then on. Geng Sheng’s son grew up gradually, and Xiao’er was hired as a teacher, patiently guiding him and achieving great success.
