端州刺史府邸位於主城南街,與陸遐他們落腳的地方正好一南一東,府前有兩隻青石雕就的石獅子,紅漆大門之上,懸掛著黑底金字的匾額。15Please respect copyright.PENANAGu3l0XGkXz
15Please respect copyright.PENANAX01qBzWkZX
兩側門柱之上各有一副對聯,上聯寫到:15Please respect copyright.PENANAUdL4Q1I7xr
山色壯金銀——惟以不貪為寶。15Please respect copyright.PENANAVqKqr0wg8d
15Please respect copyright.PENANAgNTlBnnzqr
陸遐走近細看下聯不由讚道,“妙極。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAFXiY5UzzuK
15Please respect copyright.PENANA2AZ1cz8n3b
下聯寫到:江流環鐵石——居然眾誌成城。15Please respect copyright.PENANA8eTbuh2ldx
15Please respect copyright.PENANAyBVxl0BlND
府前門衛見來了一個女子,一襲天青色長裙,眉目清雅,不敢怠慢,隻上前肅然道,“刺史府重地,無關人等不得靠近。”15Please respect copyright.PENANACIwQk255Dr
15Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3EeSpbycI
陸遐遞過拜帖,便於門前靜立等候。15Please respect copyright.PENANAy6l4fLUxel
15Please respect copyright.PENANAnFMYdqv8B9
正是午後時分,街上行人不多,見她候在門口,有人投來好奇的探視。15Please respect copyright.PENANAmgNFnQdaFA
15Please respect copyright.PENANAvqlBp7r9oD
等了片刻,門內有一中年文士迎了出來,年約四十開外,他臉色白淨頜下蓄須,手持拜帖,“陸姑娘,請隨某到府內等候。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAMsWZ6Nu7t0
15Please respect copyright.PENANA0SSZCeJhy8
那人文氣甚重,氣度瀟灑,陸遐朝他見禮,“大人如何稱呼?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA2ViSSjIejf
15Please respect copyright.PENANAzU7RG8z6Jw
他還了一禮,“不才刺史府文書,蕭賀。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAjCxeR2aLM1
15Please respect copyright.PENANAvLFDyE0xWl
“有勞蕭大人。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAdNcUNLAe0J
15Please respect copyright.PENANAsIOFro9e02
陸遐隨蕭賀入內,刺史府一入內,迎麵便是一堵照壁高牆,石雕刻得生動流暢,足見匠人功力。15Please respect copyright.PENANAqmFC86dotW
15Please respect copyright.PENANANj31xNZ9Zs
若是旁人看浮雕上所刻,隻怕要把它當作一副麒麟吐月圖,陸遐卻知在當地百姓口頭,這是一隻名為犭貪的怪獸。15Please respect copyright.PENANAmDxOGEJD4m
15Please respect copyright.PENANAXImR5lJIFW
原來端州相傳有一名叫路文亮的文士,他多年在朝中為官,彼時異邦進貢一名叫叫犭貪的怪獸,生有鹿頭、獅尾、牛蹄、龍麟,威風凜凜,性情異常凶猛,旁人皆不敢近身,隻有路文亮能製服。15Please respect copyright.PENANAXng9PNMXD8
15Please respect copyright.PENANA2sb1pwqXax
聖上便將之賜予路文亮。15Please respect copyright.PENANAumBnmku0E3
15Please respect copyright.PENANA74rDusGsyO
後來他年老體衰辭官,帶著犭貪回了端州老家,因病去世後,怪獸也漸漸失去管束,偷食百姓飼養的牲畜,禍害田裏的稻穀,這隻犭貪最後因貪食水塘中的月亮倒影而溺死於塘中。15Please respect copyright.PENANAkVU3rgqf4q
15Please respect copyright.PENANApJ9nqGBKx7
此照壁立在此處便是警醒後人,做人要厚道,為官清廉。不為官著也應以此為戒,戒除貪念。15Please respect copyright.PENANA91VTQKwXcY
15Please respect copyright.PENANALbMtrkKUjd
待繞過照壁,迎麵的草木之氣令陸遐眼前一亮,眼前是一個僻靜清幽的前院,假山、池塘、流水,相映成趣,並無一絲奢靡之氣。15Please respect copyright.PENANAo1pDXD8Y2b
15Please respect copyright.PENANAn4rUdTwI18
蕭賀信步引陸遐繞過前院,廣袖輕揮,“今日不巧大人正在會客,陸姑娘可隨某到偏廳等候。”15Please respect copyright.PENANADSOKA73L6P
15Please respect copyright.PENANAuj9jDNJMXu
“勞煩大人帶路。”15Please respect copyright.PENANARXb9SNRcAf
15Please respect copyright.PENANA8zc1rhV3sr
陸遐隨他踏過回廊,稍後幾步,隱隱聽見回廊另一道轉彎處有兩道說笑聲,由遠及近。15Please respect copyright.PENANAq4ziTDIMDp
15Please respect copyright.PENANAwUu0qJsb9z
那兩人笑聲疏朗,其中一道聲音清亮耳熟,陸遐凝神細聽卻一時想不起來在何處聽過。15Please respect copyright.PENANAc78bPLi5az
15Please respect copyright.PENANArQWvCaxlXC
心裏暗暗驚疑。15Please respect copyright.PENANAbdQ4TCvJUc
15Please respect copyright.PENANApRvfGBfWu8
隻聽得前方有一人道,“蕭文書這是往哪裏去?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAg8w3vne1Eg
15Please respect copyright.PENANA56vohPpkKd
“大人要見客,讓某引客到偏廳。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAAUNSSkf6gn
15Please respect copyright.PENANAOoW7EDZtlS
“你們兩位這是?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGQZCkrZ0fX
15Please respect copyright.PENANAuSFynuw53x
“正要回去歇息,就不打擾蕭文書了。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAfnGbLxAniG
15Please respect copyright.PENANAs0HvV6FeOL
“告辭。”15Please respect copyright.PENANA4S72d4rixt
15Please respect copyright.PENANA22vMO1Rb0O
兩人步伐邁得極快,陸遐隱約看見稍後那人一截粗布藍衣的衣角沒入濃濃綠意中。15Please respect copyright.PENANATYasgw1Gy7
15Please respect copyright.PENANALe7dwvWhPm
那人的聲音在哪裏聽過呢?陸遐猶自思量。15Please respect copyright.PENANA4Etwx2325R
15Please respect copyright.PENANAIUYNQqMcVT
見陸遐看向兩人消失的方向,蕭賀喚道,“陸姑娘?”可是有什麼不妥?15Please respect copyright.PENANAaDgCac57GO
15Please respect copyright.PENANAtFIH2I2MgX
陸遐環視一周方笑道,“府中花木繁多,頗覺幽靜雅致,讓文書大人見笑了。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAtJYwjJhrrh
15Please respect copyright.PENANAJTyoXS0Rmi
“無妨。”她語意溫雅,蕭賀不疑有他。15Please respect copyright.PENANAEabTWclVN4
15Please respect copyright.PENANAMJEZTWKzZZ
與她同入偏廳內,等陸遐坐定,早有服侍的丫鬟送上清茶。15Please respect copyright.PENANAJbwqV1piZk
15Please respect copyright.PENANAeqZ69PTyGb
偏廳上首置有一套桌椅,下方兩排待客用的榆木椅子,倒與平日所見的偏廳布置不同,極為簡樸。15Please respect copyright.PENANAGt2XDCWwxq
15Please respect copyright.PENANADmpIoyjyz3
上首掛著一副芭蕉竹石圖。15Please respect copyright.PENANA3qneG16sVb
15Please respect copyright.PENANAaNED6ZJSE1
畫中竹勢挺拔向上,用筆有豪爽奔放之意,陸遐起身細看,越發覺得畫上竹石與蕉葉相映成趣。15Please respect copyright.PENANAcMSauc9Veg
15Please respect copyright.PENANAgtCrS2fXO1
再看了會兒,不覺此畫有些奇怪,口中輕咦了聲,眸光幾閃,看向右側,畫上並無落款也無鈐印。15Please respect copyright.PENANAQutj47RP0E
15Please respect copyright.PENANAFb92rx1GSL
她正在沉吟畫中古怪之處,門外進來一個精神矍鑠的老者,衣著樸素,朗聲道,”此畫如何?”15Please respect copyright.PENANA7a0RTyt4LD
15Please respect copyright.PENANA0e4B389eTC
陸遐回眸,文書蕭賀恭敬隨在那人身後,垂手侍立,想來老者就是古大人無疑了。15Please respect copyright.PENANAfVlznP9qI9
15Please respect copyright.PENANARh5eb3fmXB
心裏卻疑道,這老者怎麼有熟悉之感,倒像從前見過的。15Please respect copyright.PENANAho2wBP3dc9
15Please respect copyright.PENANArpCuYOWbl2
陸遐意欲行禮,那老者抬手示意不必。15Please respect copyright.PENANAcRuqvIO0kN
15Please respect copyright.PENANA2FZP9rgjoO
他背手站於陸遐身側,一手捋須,銳利目光仍舊看著那副竹石圖,“此畫,你怎麼看?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAkyldomtSaR
15Please respect copyright.PENANA3LofenoO0H
語意親和無刁難,陸遐不推辭隨他目光看去,平和道,“落筆雄健,有馳騁縱橫之勢。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAqNqRIoha2q
15Please respect copyright.PENANA3HdpUxcItD
“竹勢挺拔有力,正中取勢,作畫人應是疏朗正直之人,蕉葉與之相映,濃淡相宜,兼具雅趣,作畫之人功力可見一斑。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAzUBJBtzAaV
15Please respect copyright.PENANABz4U8mPDI2
陸遐沉思片刻,以手指畫,“隻是…此畫此處稍顯不足。”15Please respect copyright.PENANACzSIF9gQSd
15Please respect copyright.PENANANIb4q1nEdm
“何以見得?”那老者來了興趣。15Please respect copyright.PENANArxHWs2LLZW
15Please respect copyright.PENANAK1NHxw1Fcw
“畫中柱石雖然以寥寥幾筆勾勒,有精簡疏闊之意,可惜筆法不夠老練,無法與竹勢、蕉葉輝映,此畫倒像…”她斟酌再三,“倒像是兩人合力之作。”15Please respect copyright.PENANA6rhETw3OS7
15Please respect copyright.PENANAEN9VoUA9X3
一人疏朗豪闊,一人尚且稚嫩。15Please respect copyright.PENANAXWeL4Nt7yy
15Please respect copyright.PENANAq29wvy6fcF
兩種筆觸並存,她方才還道自己應是看錯了,眼下越發肯定自己猜想。15Please respect copyright.PENANA3OdPG7djUT
15Please respect copyright.PENANAOiYSWPiMja
古偃和看那秀雅的女子評畫,目中讚賞之意愈濃,“此畫確是兩人所作,你說得半分不差。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbTIA5C0QRC
15Please respect copyright.PENANAaDOrmjIBfg
“那落款…”陸遐有心想知道是何人所畫,古大人搖頭,“我那友人畫得半幅,道日後補全,誰知…”15Please respect copyright.PENANAtpTgEas6Q9
15Please respect copyright.PENANACGgzLs2Sa9
“後來友人後輩巧合之下續畫,道無印章不肯落款。兩人真真一模一樣的脾氣。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAJHO4C7O0yB
15Please respect copyright.PENANAYjtWb4r3aW
話裏有感概之意,陸遐沉吟半響,並未聽說有人擅畫芭蕉,古大人話裏沒有多少線索,隻得作罷。15Please respect copyright.PENANAIyLQEJnAcp
15Please respect copyright.PENANA8wSGk8FLyG
“這裏不必拘束。”觀畫畢,老者示意她坐。15Please respect copyright.PENANA8DV4O9lcEM
15Please respect copyright.PENANANB5SElpBtV
蕭賀起先侍立在旁聽他們談論畫作,不免訝異於此女眼力,要知道這副畫掛在偏廳許久,往來的客人、觀畫者無不道此畫筆力不俗,卻無人敢猜是兩人合力之作。15Please respect copyright.PENANAYrMG7vvM3B
15Please respect copyright.PENANAxwGYadHnf2
此時聽得古大人吩咐,不由高看一籌。15Please respect copyright.PENANAFq8svkMJ1N
15Please respect copyright.PENANAJRrDlAwXAZ
他話裏親和似有熟稔之感,陸遐驚詫將心頭疑問道出,“您…學生從前見過?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAHhmKl4VQIj
15Please respect copyright.PENANAhxgElM9Piv
原想他與書院有舊,作為晚輩應來拜訪,可看眼下光景,倒像是舊相識了。15Please respect copyright.PENANAbBNg13NlH8
15Please respect copyright.PENANA7ws5CV6qkU
“自然。”古偃和吹開茶梗,輕飲口茶,笑道,“當年你和鴻飛先生來過府中宴席。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAN8dctC7kZV
15Please respect copyright.PENANADAgTm8u8Jw
能稱得上先生的,齊朝中不過書院那幾位,蕭賀聞言一凜,拱手告退。15Please respect copyright.PENANAgbW9LgR7CO
15Please respect copyright.PENANAuNQbaXh5JI
壽宴、先生…陸遐凝神,她入門晚年紀最小,鴻飛先生極愛護她,當年似收到一封請柬,讓她隨同。15Please respect copyright.PENANAZS3satRZQs
15Please respect copyright.PENANAbOC1eJqxRZ
可去的是哪位大人的府邸,她方入京分辨不清官職,“敢問大人是哪一年?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAvcLsEn92Jo
15Please respect copyright.PENANAiPRGhUTEJZ
“天和十八年。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAwwtf6gS1qV
15Please respect copyright.PENANAJOq9eYlPuf
天和十八年她年方九歲,正入書院鴻飛先生門下半年。15Please respect copyright.PENANACBfw5c1wLv
15Please respect copyright.PENANAENQfkZ29mG
女子煙眉輕蹙,古偃和心下一樂,這皺眉的模樣倒有幾分當年的影子,她那時方入京,也難怪不記得。15Please respect copyright.PENANAUUZM6qdw0L
15Please respect copyright.PENANAHmUJHDXUnm
當年鴻飛外出雲遊,帶回來一小小女童,他雖然嚴厲,在一眾老友前卻極力誇讚,說徒弟年紀雖小但生性聰敏,字畫進益非常,說得眾人心癢癢。他們幾人想趁席上一見,考校一番,殺殺鴻飛的銳氣,免得他尾巴翹到天上去。15Please respect copyright.PENANAWYpdVOEL78
15Please respect copyright.PENANAB8WitA0xrY
下了帖子邀約,鴻飛果然帶她欣然赴約。15Please respect copyright.PENANAI3HDF46GyU
15Please respect copyright.PENANAnRAUP3YWDo
當年宴席上玉團一般、稚氣未脫的孩子,年歲不大,已看得出日後性子,她年紀小偏偏極穩重,麵對眾人輪番提問對答如流,不卑不亢、進退有度,席上眾人皆驚異。15Please respect copyright.PENANAd56CY2EcUs
15Please respect copyright.PENANAzXoEGyLu6w
諸位夫人也愛她沉穩,恨不得將她帶回去當自家女兒。15Please respect copyright.PENANAu5ng9Zqiqu
15Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9n0IoHtSE
晚間他們另擺宴席,一眾好友皆赴宴。席上鴻飛難得喝醉,醉了吟詩,直道,“後繼有人,後繼有人!”15Please respect copyright.PENANAsoTaclMzfE
15Please respect copyright.PENANAbsey87qRyE
撤席後,那孩子著人安頓自家先生,安置妥當才下馬車鄭重對他行禮道,“多謝大人。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAgjDqFwxkwv
15Please respect copyright.PENANAbgctSXQEFY
古偃和記得自己饒有興趣地問,“你家先生大醉,你一番辛苦為何謝我?”15Please respect copyright.PENANAAH3FlMUgwg
15Please respect copyright.PENANAlIqc5tt1f3
小小女童站在階下,應聲道,“先生與諸位大人誌趣相投,相談甚歡暢飲一醉,這是好事。先生對陸遐有大恩,此恩無以為報,正苦於不能令他開顏,今日他盡情一醉,陸遐心中感念,故而多謝大人。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbr3l4flEyu
15Please respect copyright.PENANATEg4gjCYhZ
“隻是先生為人端方,酒醒必會懊惱壞了諸位大人雅興,屆時再來向大人賠禮。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAbNrQxJqPEE
15Please respect copyright.PENANAizpOvodyLJ
後來鴻飛果然前來,她卻不再見了。15Please respect copyright.PENANAlukYGDmwci
15Please respect copyright.PENANAA3ySr4Cs6N
隻在京城傳聞中得知她字、畫雙絕,畫了一副畫,得書院哪位先生誇讚,或者寫得一副好字,京中千金難求。15Please respect copyright.PENANAT0ArGGW8t2
15Please respect copyright.PENANAqQSWrKdLhc
每每這時候古偃和總想起那朦朧燈火下,女童明摯、清透的目光。15Please respect copyright.PENANAA1dcEUkhds
15Please respect copyright.PENANAgWH8yEoAy4
那時他便想,這個女童著實有趣。15Please respect copyright.PENANAbFNumA277k
15Please respect copyright.PENANAq45K78uwap
之後眾人各奔前途,他也因家中變故,不得不遠赴端州任職,更是不得見了。15Please respect copyright.PENANAXWTSoWzalh
15Please respect copyright.PENANAsw88c96UZq
兩年前京城故友傳來消息,道當年的女童已得先生名號,受封玉印,他一時欣喜萬分,開懷痛飲。15Please respect copyright.PENANADkSviRAcoj
15Please respect copyright.PENANAr14PiyQ6kg
卻不料後續又傳來鴻飛先生不顧眾人相勸斥她下山,更逐她離開書院,她就此沒了音訊。15Please respect copyright.PENANAizByhrTTbk
15Please respect copyright.PENANAkxPfTJOxZr
他想起當年相識的情分嗟歎不已,幾番去信書院詢問鴻飛,皆沒有回音。15Please respect copyright.PENANAZdiouuwJxh
15Please respect copyright.PENANAVA91n4V0Wb
誰想刺史府送來的文書竟署她的名字,門衛也送來拜帖,古偃和起先隻疑心是同名同姓之人,猶豫再三仍舊差人回複。15Please respect copyright.PENANAAQ0XCguSIU
15Please respect copyright.PENANANoyUo6kwXJ
待看清她立於廳中身影,方知不是冒名,真是她來了端州,他…此生餘年還能再見故人。15Please respect copyright.PENANAHladggOAhf
15Please respect copyright.PENANAdp3duNgQ3U
當年那孩子已長成溫雅秀美的姑娘,古偃和不免有白馬過隙之感概,隻覺日月如梭,聲聲催人老。15Please respect copyright.PENANAN7YblkLbPO
15Please respect copyright.PENANAOVSsi63iXm
古偃和輕歎,眸中懷念,良久道,“老夫膝下有一孫,年幼父母雙亡,如今隨我在端州,性情頑劣疏於管教,你可願教他讀書作畫?你若願意,明日起便來府中吧。”15Please respect copyright.PENANA0c3yPjVzgB
15Please respect copyright.PENANAENB3WPqq6p
陸遐察覺言中未盡之意,不由一凜,行禮鄭重應下,“多謝大人。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAAV885vLYsv
15Please respect copyright.PENANA1stdqD8R24
“能得你教習,是他之幸。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAQJ5WFTVhA0
15Please respect copyright.PENANAUt8cfNqAiz
“不敢。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAH78b9NsUdn
15Please respect copyright.PENANAw0xPJ9m4Ob
陸遐還欲請教古大人端陽之事,卻見古大人以目視門外,微微一笑,她心中警覺起身告辭道,“今日叨擾,多謝大人。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAyxiaCFdvRv
15Please respect copyright.PENANAGUbJKddkJU
“無妨。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAxrk3xMWt0I
15Please respect copyright.PENANAXaRXYOEHyW
古偃和讓仆役送陸遐出府,待她身影漸遠才點頭,多年不見,她果然還是這般聰慧。15Please respect copyright.PENANAqA8s5SLhjY
15Please respect copyright.PENANAzyiDSzWOG3
庭外光照正盛,他站在偏廳門口回望廳中畫作,久久不動。15Please respect copyright.PENANA1b8CixHLUM
15Please respect copyright.PENANAVyuX6DIK7t
“大人。”蕭賀回稟,恭敬道,“陸姑娘離府了。”15Please respect copyright.PENANATQS2dG7ZV3
15Please respect copyright.PENANAiv7gYYeux5
“知道了。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAeSBYm38krT
15Please respect copyright.PENANALosyWiWd2M
古偃和半響才從袖中取出一紙,展開墨香猶在,正是刺史府報知路引損毀一事的文書,眼中神色晦暗難明,“…偏偏是這節骨眼…”15Please respect copyright.PENANASyfWn1iuqq
15Please respect copyright.PENANAoKghKByPI4
蕭賀肅立在一旁,並不敢言語。15Please respect copyright.PENANAAQrN3mdivX
15Please respect copyright.PENANAdoKDTx2oZW
古偃和看到院中草木繁茂,有欣欣向榮之意,才稍散心頭霧霾,蒼老的眼中漫開幾許笑意。15Please respect copyright.PENANADb9sWpEFB3
15Please respect copyright.PENANAQJTU3pvm7c
“祖父,今日得空陪濤兒玩一會兒吧?”院中跑來一個粉雕玉琢的孩子,他眼睛滴溜溜地一轉,抱住古偃和衣服下擺道。15Please respect copyright.PENANAkOuuJdEST1
15Please respect copyright.PENANAEHuOy3J1Dr
“你又逃課!”15Please respect copyright.PENANAkxC3jtQ0Te
15Please respect copyright.PENANAcOzFoIL3HT
“沒有,夫子許我歇息片刻。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAIsIktINPug
15Please respect copyright.PENANAyQQUBZvp9T
古偃和搖頭,作勢抱他,“濤兒今日多吃了一碗飯嗎?不然怎麼重得抱不動?哎呀!祖父連腰也動彈不得!”15Please respect copyright.PENANAsuZhiPqaeA
15Please respect copyright.PENANAvPdj5Ep2Xy
那孩子抬頭咯咯地笑,拍手道,“我知道!這就是您之前說過的,腰上生硬骨罷。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAaIdzg5fu8Q
15Please respect copyright.PENANADAKnRuXBgc
古偃和俯身捏捏他清秀的臉頰,和藹道,“是嗎?濤兒記得多少說來聽聽。”15Please respect copyright.PENANAEnWvRtEU5F
15Please respect copyright.PENANATXkuAGWtFy
小小孩童記性頗佳,皺著小臉道,“上次您故事裏不是說了嗎?當年鄰國使臣欺我齊朝無人,在壽宴上以金銀撒地賞賜眾人…”15Please respect copyright.PENANANRTjWh0ymX
15Please respect copyright.PENANAKK5MkiZCvR
古偃和嗬嗬一笑,捋須不言,聽那童音接續道,“席上有一女童巍然不動。眾人問其故,女童答:生來硬骨,不能折腰!”15Please respect copyright.PENANAGtbbmMtqgx