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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAIdPbFhPpQr
13Please respect copyright.PENANAJufMV7PQ3i
兩側門柱之上各有一副對聯,上聯寫到:13Please respect copyright.PENANAuFm8FNzQhT
山色壯金銀——惟以不貪為寶。13Please respect copyright.PENANAXuhAibNuxF
13Please respect copyright.PENANARC2rOeVknq
陸遐走近細看下聯不由讚道,“妙極。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAPDJZaOMSTN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAxdXpi2Kuan
下聯寫到:江流環鐵石——居然眾誌成城。13Please respect copyright.PENANAN8VIwaOO8n
13Please respect copyright.PENANAO1BgBs4YCx
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAx46Vadkrus
13Please respect copyright.PENANAQtnEwrUYmU
陸遐遞過拜帖,便於門前靜立等候。13Please respect copyright.PENANAPzzgGic5mO
13Please respect copyright.PENANApP67uAnSbe
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA2mKAUn9aIQ
13Please respect copyright.PENANAB6IEwyeClX
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAI8Lhdry6Mn
13Please respect copyright.PENANALuVdUK6nN3
那人文氣甚重,氣度瀟灑,陸遐朝他見禮,“大人如何稱呼?”13Please respect copyright.PENANAHBDUvCAKHz
13Please respect copyright.PENANA9jySJxr0MB
他還了一禮,“不才刺史府文書,蕭賀。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAyTptEqSUef
13Please respect copyright.PENANAClr6DM419Q
“有勞蕭大人。”13Please respect copyright.PENANA0f7abeX8M2
13Please respect copyright.PENANACaScz9Vytm
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAulHe7HUmvT
13Please respect copyright.PENANATd2TeI7I1b
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAg745W5d5uf
13Please respect copyright.PENANAhHjr3nce2S
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAkN41P74oJm
13Please respect copyright.PENANABC1tyvDb2s
聖上便將之賜予路文亮。13Please respect copyright.PENANARROJPSVHoW
13Please respect copyright.PENANAWkKZDS6oTn
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAPV5MFgg6EC
13Please respect copyright.PENANAoZ74xheyhF
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAtSdg8s8bZ4
13Please respect copyright.PENANAvi54icZVfd
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAdKCZ5XWGmk
13Please respect copyright.PENANADNMr1e0qgl
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAZLuMDxUbs3
13Please respect copyright.PENANAWDtBisOc3h
“勞煩大人帶路。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAL1WVDUKlEa
13Please respect copyright.PENANAVesaCFvU5P
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAZPEQOywfC0
13Please respect copyright.PENANASfCcM54yQs
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAFPfPZ9TqbM
13Please respect copyright.PENANA686cRxkWMW
心裏暗暗驚疑。13Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7TTexW6v1
13Please respect copyright.PENANAZVM1iZwc5r
隻聽得前方有一人道,“蕭文書這是往哪裏去?”13Please respect copyright.PENANA2ieUheOGQ2
13Please respect copyright.PENANANYba06XOEc
“大人要見客,讓某引客到偏廳。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAMYXD41PPBJ
13Please respect copyright.PENANAzdHRos2dge
“你們兩位這是?”13Please respect copyright.PENANA0PBKPPux5G
13Please respect copyright.PENANAKTqkKPV99a
“正要回去歇息,就不打擾蕭文書了。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAaQEM7LD4ef
13Please respect copyright.PENANAIavxRaHKfh
“告辭。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAiNu1sAxKzP
13Please respect copyright.PENANAi8mqNFSCnh
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA5gQabCEa86
13Please respect copyright.PENANANtLViWVqPv
那人的聲音在哪裏聽過呢?陸遐猶自思量。13Please respect copyright.PENANAEHnU4Pqp9I
13Please respect copyright.PENANAirDhiGSlgA
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?13Please respect copyright.PENANAiTemzwa5rU
13Please respect copyright.PENANAwofoFHhB66
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0Ra3R8P2B
13Please respect copyright.PENANAw7WEnPOBbq
“無妨。”她語意溫雅,蕭賀不疑有他。13Please respect copyright.PENANAAKgoGPfUtN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAG6OCJ08wTH
與她同入偏廳內,等陸遐坐定,早有服侍的丫鬟送上清茶。13Please respect copyright.PENANAq4KLpbiJcN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAs5BQaAvcpt
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA0XHJ8sTOfm
13Please respect copyright.PENANAfNCQNV7w4w
上首掛著一副芭蕉竹石圖。13Please respect copyright.PENANA3SRrcY7uzm
13Please respect copyright.PENANAibgGbalYg1
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAE4AsSjHPDa
13Please respect copyright.PENANA7t0oeGso6E
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA10eJA7KWMb
13Please respect copyright.PENANATedLLCXAoO
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?”13Please respect copyright.PENANAbXK7oN4nRt
13Please respect copyright.PENANAUHyKe2fx9t
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAUVRVh3vz6G
13Please respect copyright.PENANAjKNjFRrlKR
心裏卻疑道,這老者怎麼有熟悉之感,倒像從前見過的。13Please respect copyright.PENANAeDpZ0b8unY
13Please respect copyright.PENANAltQSNz8QcD
陸遐意欲行禮,那老者抬手示意不必。13Please respect copyright.PENANAkTcNVfxf8n
13Please respect copyright.PENANAPyvArLB7v1
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?”13Please respect copyright.PENANANyRQsiqANF
13Please respect copyright.PENANAK8sUhcqua0
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAVsBy8iFxfj
13Please respect copyright.PENANAU9mhOc3d1n
“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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAiQPBvyrmYv
13Please respect copyright.PENANAxnErgI1wQe
陸遐沉思片刻,以手指畫,“隻是…此畫此處稍顯不足。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAVN9dfsRgAC
13Please respect copyright.PENANAMZ6nGygKR0
“何以見得?”那老者來了興趣。13Please respect copyright.PENANAXCIrkdFnOq
13Please respect copyright.PENANAXbnuSQ4vW0
“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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAX7UYDz6l7K
13Please respect copyright.PENANAaVycE6dDZG
一人疏朗豪闊,一人尚且稚嫩。13Please respect copyright.PENANAmfzH37fPC1
13Please respect copyright.PENANAXvcMUTQQjT
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAkBFZp8FVal
13Please respect copyright.PENANAs0a72qwFbs
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANA7mxPSXjjLg
13Please respect copyright.PENANABiq366rb9t
“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…”13Please respect copyright.PENANAkXszZELLfb
13Please respect copyright.PENANAAc8rdliqMN
“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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANA7t2Fu8xZtt
13Please respect copyright.PENANAC272QlNTeO
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAuG8OyHSJeT
13Please respect copyright.PENANAvpzmQnFuzj
“這裏不必拘束。”觀畫畢,老者示意她坐。13Please respect copyright.PENANADZ0wyA9NiN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAlMJnw2RRYn
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAE8sl3MCzpl
13Please respect copyright.PENANAtJi6hkpBtl
此時聽得古大人吩咐,不由高看一籌。13Please respect copyright.PENANAkj40OCyTyH
13Please respect copyright.PENANAuC9HtTyNUY
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?”13Please respect copyright.PENANA4u1ogHP8wA
13Please respect copyright.PENANASKoMXNW4bm
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANADTmbPNwcMs
13Please respect copyright.PENANA8o6A47VZeJ
“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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAxUKhc2qxZO
13Please respect copyright.PENANAQqry3rK8nq
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAJgUS4d3LDs
13Please respect copyright.PENANAXeMRtvNrVp
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANANMCbOK9p9c
13Please respect copyright.PENANAfiNtVUZrvs
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?”13Please respect copyright.PENANAElxEMvsQXo
13Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ8rKa4ppc
“天和十八年。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAjhhKe1YfdY
13Please respect copyright.PENANAocm4ji9OIo
天和十八年她年方九歲,正入書院鴻飛先生門下半年。13Please respect copyright.PENANAB4pqqP3HKl
13Please respect copyright.PENANA8FyeoIbe5R
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANADWPOgGnERf
13Please respect copyright.PENANARnIbcFhz9Y
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAnwR2aI4ylG
13Please respect copyright.PENANAIxGsUNGXHC
下了帖子邀約,鴻飛果然帶她欣然赴約。13Please respect copyright.PENANAg27yeWGNaP
13Please respect copyright.PENANA6R7Z0f31wr
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANABTnc2iRo3R
13Please respect copyright.PENANAjNXj6nz52J
諸位夫人也愛她沉穩,恨不得將她帶回去當自家女兒。13Please respect copyright.PENANA9jBoNonb8Z
13Please respect copyright.PENANAcR7IB8jgTD
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!”13Please respect copyright.PENANAEVELy4sinf
13Please respect copyright.PENANAwzdMNe09o4
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAiATCUvClvN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAwZlpdMbvHj
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?”13Please respect copyright.PENANALVxPieYvSm
13Please respect copyright.PENANAhbB6Lx57vR
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAssTzXmSH2g
13Please respect copyright.PENANAuRDHcMn6EE
“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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAeHWaLCnOwZ
13Please respect copyright.PENANAdZtUL3vr4t
後來鴻飛果然前來,她卻不再見了。13Please respect copyright.PENANAGf9qBCJ6kB
13Please respect copyright.PENANARFuy0btfz4
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAzXgdKtJ3wR
13Please respect copyright.PENANA9Jyq4Mllkr
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANApwAkgn1mqE
13Please respect copyright.PENANAHfPt1c8rAl
那時他便想,這個女童著實有趣。13Please respect copyright.PENANAlzB8CiGLxq
13Please respect copyright.PENANA0DLvFs83R2
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANATneeQQbPMZ
13Please respect copyright.PENANAaWt0Pr2Vvp
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA1IC4gWziRc
13Please respect copyright.PENANATHQVcLm6se
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAGfopb6LkSR
13Please respect copyright.PENANAAsz0bEURNi
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAIV3kxLlcpC
13Please respect copyright.PENANA6Bh5OLDS6a
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAOEVl2tiGkM
13Please respect copyright.PENANAtzi1rWejEW
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAjL0W0bBWix
13Please respect copyright.PENANAubUXBnF30F
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA5zoNJWAsyx
13Please respect copyright.PENANAMpGB3NIq7k
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANADMVpO2lESt
13Please respect copyright.PENANAJeIuS7KCk4
陸遐察覺言中未盡之意,不由一凜,行禮鄭重應下,“多謝大人。”13Please respect copyright.PENANA1p32RqiCgV
13Please respect copyright.PENANAE09FljDVw2
“能得你教習,是他之幸。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAZJRYMx7oHy
13Please respect copyright.PENANAv5h3yv1Rqt
“不敢。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAFm104703CP
13Please respect copyright.PENANACXH4tppQ95
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAJqTavJK0bX
13Please respect copyright.PENANAx3lrxaPCm0
“無妨。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAlchyvye5Nz
13Please respect copyright.PENANAYaQvi5nBL5
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANA1JCEl8ZhuQ
13Please respect copyright.PENANA1QvZy91h56
庭外光照正盛,他站在偏廳門口回望廳中畫作,久久不動。13Please respect copyright.PENANA40elbWJgMB
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“大人。”蕭賀回稟,恭敬道,“陸姑娘離府了。”13Please respect copyright.PENANA9za0gfPju1
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“知道了。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAwQCP5lUVRv
13Please respect copyright.PENANAA1x8o9rbDM
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…”13Please respect copyright.PENANAw5ecvxL3Xp
13Please respect copyright.PENANANJFJxIt2Df
蕭賀肅立在一旁,並不敢言語。13Please respect copyright.PENANAW0b5J1r6mC
13Please respect copyright.PENANAXrumOMEomQ
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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAFIPH2q9PAl
13Please respect copyright.PENANAbfCwLibYTV
“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。13Please respect copyright.PENANAjtNaUUglBM
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“你又逃課!”13Please respect copyright.PENANAWbuzwoEDvl
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“沒有,夫子許我歇息片刻。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAILWj4yVW6N
13Please respect copyright.PENANAwkB1Mf0Pvf
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!”13Please respect copyright.PENANA9UjYcJILeN
13Please respect copyright.PENANATOz0eFQfl4
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAdedqGM5aU9
13Please respect copyright.PENANAzHR4w2FOXr
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。”13Please respect copyright.PENANAt2D5xgz00l
13Please respect copyright.PENANAp1OQQWODHR
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…”13Please respect copyright.PENANAPq9KJFbshN
13Please respect copyright.PENANAGMxk1zv2Zj
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!”13Please respect copyright.PENANAX16eaPpIWS