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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAANObH3vJEU
17Please respect copyright.PENANAqsu9ksAcv1
兩側門柱之上各有一副對聯,上聯寫到:17Please respect copyright.PENANARQldf7V9bV
山色壯金銀——惟以不貪為寶。17Please respect copyright.PENANAEnjbRXXZKe
17Please respect copyright.PENANAJJxPx2MnJB
陸遐走近細看下聯不由讚道,“妙極。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAG41ewRQ3lr
17Please respect copyright.PENANAtGZR1UGR4r
下聯寫到:江流環鐵石——居然眾誌成城。17Please respect copyright.PENANAvBzHPgy6dO
17Please respect copyright.PENANAvtxmoHT4Cy
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA1O0rqZdY2D
17Please respect copyright.PENANAT7qbkwktfz
陸遐遞過拜帖,便於門前靜立等候。17Please respect copyright.PENANA7rhY4PmuRf
17Please respect copyright.PENANAHIHUO7vXoe
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA2znxWH4zh8
17Please respect copyright.PENANAwHHMLx3B5M
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAdEjeeooVUN
17Please respect copyright.PENANAgvMw4uiHP0
那人文氣甚重,氣度瀟灑,陸遐朝他見禮,“大人如何稱呼?”17Please respect copyright.PENANAknIRv6iyec
17Please respect copyright.PENANArqEk3e6plf
他還了一禮,“不才刺史府文書,蕭賀。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA7sLws8oTVg
17Please respect copyright.PENANAGUjoU4buoR
“有勞蕭大人。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAlt1KcrRcqv
17Please respect copyright.PENANA8THjicXcgn
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANABZGtxKiX3i
17Please respect copyright.PENANAFm7qWbo8T6
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAwXHOyMsUEl
17Please respect copyright.PENANAp8KdzFwQVW
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAQwkYAXgUDZ
17Please respect copyright.PENANA52iG2hTvBK
聖上便將之賜予路文亮。17Please respect copyright.PENANACxXI56OleU
17Please respect copyright.PENANAf9VPw7ZKJ1
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA9hp6zHLol5
17Please respect copyright.PENANA79MeCzr5Af
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANARzWl1o2qmP
17Please respect copyright.PENANAcMb7TPC7TY
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANANFhI4dv4lv
17Please respect copyright.PENANANsv5v8FXXh
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAF39RbXpKtg
17Please respect copyright.PENANA7boYuP8x1r
“勞煩大人帶路。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAbUKNNQ2k8K
17Please respect copyright.PENANA5xKZuxPlL6
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAD0RoE5puEo
17Please respect copyright.PENANAQPkVrB1yRL
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAJi8fhEZnM2
17Please respect copyright.PENANAeFurKowZio
心裏暗暗驚疑。17Please respect copyright.PENANABAbce8eZ8p
17Please respect copyright.PENANAi0zuLtX2eA
隻聽得前方有一人道,“蕭文書這是往哪裏去?”17Please respect copyright.PENANARVdik2s9Jv
17Please respect copyright.PENANAlcp4Kyhk1U
“大人要見客,讓某引客到偏廳。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAtBuPJ7VBV6
17Please respect copyright.PENANAEsfDzdRqbI
“你們兩位這是?”17Please respect copyright.PENANA7zCslfPPS5
17Please respect copyright.PENANAQp5uN2LEm1
“正要回去歇息,就不打擾蕭文書了。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAaF7cXwGrCX
17Please respect copyright.PENANA1th8Xve9ZO
“告辭。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAoDz7Z6S9Ze
17Please respect copyright.PENANA3VACtjdsC5
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAeIwAVpYqgD
17Please respect copyright.PENANAs4rv9kjmCW
那人的聲音在哪裏聽過呢?陸遐猶自思量。17Please respect copyright.PENANA1aHFBeTxYo
17Please respect copyright.PENANAhen80ge4NQ
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?17Please respect copyright.PENANAmF5NvLtzGl
17Please respect copyright.PENANAiDFWgkPgPz
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAsksZGr2Xgl
17Please respect copyright.PENANABznNLihdjP
“無妨。”她語意溫雅,蕭賀不疑有他。17Please respect copyright.PENANAHOjGvg6uHa
17Please respect copyright.PENANAwWAUoBQtLj
與她同入偏廳內,等陸遐坐定,早有服侍的丫鬟送上清茶。17Please respect copyright.PENANAlgE3T2q5eU
17Please respect copyright.PENANAXVceErIIPf
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAkYoAOWrzW6
17Please respect copyright.PENANAYCqNoTANcf
上首掛著一副芭蕉竹石圖。17Please respect copyright.PENANAu7cylXA1AC
17Please respect copyright.PENANAICRXk2vHT9
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANARfHtKWtAcp
17Please respect copyright.PENANAOJfFuvZTJ0
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wfl2kEBPh
17Please respect copyright.PENANA5yihb0zfn0
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?”17Please respect copyright.PENANA85NEa6wOjH
17Please respect copyright.PENANAGfT2D2Q1gJ
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA2L1PHsL3J3
17Please respect copyright.PENANAg3xtzk826g
心裏卻疑道,這老者怎麼有熟悉之感,倒像從前見過的。17Please respect copyright.PENANAzpzwXKKFxy
17Please respect copyright.PENANABQ2xPESJpj
陸遐意欲行禮,那老者抬手示意不必。17Please respect copyright.PENANArBk7srtJsu
17Please respect copyright.PENANAdFMTkXraXS
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?”17Please respect copyright.PENANAznojRIwKgv
17Please respect copyright.PENANAoaakrZzp6m
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANACX6IYjP9TM
17Please respect copyright.PENANABGXjNMtgFl
“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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAMmHplvIT2B
17Please respect copyright.PENANAdsemc2KEXc
陸遐沉思片刻,以手指畫,“隻是…此畫此處稍顯不足。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA8DKP6IvtZV
17Please respect copyright.PENANAkPxzkHLjNB
“何以見得?”那老者來了興趣。17Please respect copyright.PENANAfnd8iOIamt
17Please respect copyright.PENANAYDH2dUuvzq
“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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA9p38FHTCwU
17Please respect copyright.PENANAuPOGyfnbE2
一人疏朗豪闊,一人尚且稚嫩。17Please respect copyright.PENANAgpWOwNspfB
17Please respect copyright.PENANAdXw2Jd6iqD
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAPYbziSw97V
17Please respect copyright.PENANAg9IAT8dh6d
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAowvSWDQp6r
17Please respect copyright.PENANA0E9Oz4UIvJ
“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…”17Please respect copyright.PENANAmD8cROpbG2
17Please respect copyright.PENANAuKAzCuYuPe
“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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAwfQgtuc9su
17Please respect copyright.PENANAUudnXsL5aY
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA3DqM8QXh0S
17Please respect copyright.PENANAyNAOgSYmSj
“這裏不必拘束。”觀畫畢,老者示意她坐。17Please respect copyright.PENANAFi2DBNzPFk
17Please respect copyright.PENANAg3MB9NpdPS
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAtU3JgGDgU2
17Please respect copyright.PENANAXrvw1LrmzK
此時聽得古大人吩咐,不由高看一籌。17Please respect copyright.PENANAeyAKMAEuph
17Please respect copyright.PENANAu65m95OUZK
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?”17Please respect copyright.PENANA5EYxeXpMTk
17Please respect copyright.PENANA8beCb4sBpf
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA2RNU8vdjwt
17Please respect copyright.PENANA2FSMPc44Ub
“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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA8M4lq6GUGh
17Please respect copyright.PENANAfYj3ppa0M7
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAXrLWWArkHy
17Please respect copyright.PENANAZVBasOX9gE
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAarL297bG2R
17Please respect copyright.PENANAB8clCCFmev
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?”17Please respect copyright.PENANA36bnfphodz
17Please respect copyright.PENANAlcS6QHsO40
“天和十八年。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAgG73UUfMGj
17Please respect copyright.PENANAv6x3FM7bEi
天和十八年她年方九歲,正入書院鴻飛先生門下半年。17Please respect copyright.PENANAX8hNXG0yez
17Please respect copyright.PENANAI0GgUcEi06
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA2AKRS0qxX2
17Please respect copyright.PENANAMc79ulmD6h
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAhhAb3a2wN3
17Please respect copyright.PENANA7xawNF0igJ
下了帖子邀約,鴻飛果然帶她欣然赴約。17Please respect copyright.PENANAIvvpix2yvk
17Please respect copyright.PENANA9HLaBa9V1K
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAkODeOG7g4g
17Please respect copyright.PENANAp3J4pA0U5j
諸位夫人也愛她沉穩,恨不得將她帶回去當自家女兒。17Please respect copyright.PENANA35ZbyU0RqC
17Please respect copyright.PENANAYIPsuQgqsk
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!”17Please respect copyright.PENANACXeob5GaSS
17Please respect copyright.PENANAARRXgmG0OG
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANApPx8OCivGh
17Please respect copyright.PENANAfHx8j0u2R5
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?”17Please respect copyright.PENANAhd92j1DMcc
17Please respect copyright.PENANAwWLfJIwiOJ
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAD9ZEzIPqvy
17Please respect copyright.PENANA1AjjM9v46E
“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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA8iKsybWrGO
17Please respect copyright.PENANAeVgnKO5AGa
後來鴻飛果然前來,她卻不再見了。17Please respect copyright.PENANALSfqpdRCiw
17Please respect copyright.PENANANl0eKvL5Xx
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAggNHsZIr4G
17Please respect copyright.PENANAieb1HqGm1P
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAZEs6KT3hYt
17Please respect copyright.PENANAOvfBxYl6sT
那時他便想,這個女童著實有趣。17Please respect copyright.PENANApZvGLxpLs0
17Please respect copyright.PENANA2sNGuecWTm
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA4w9ltA9HER
17Please respect copyright.PENANA1CuaUdiifY
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANA5QI7pxfVeS
17Please respect copyright.PENANAa0EBrd7wjw
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAFySZeYlkCl
17Please respect copyright.PENANArqMek1i1es
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAYd6Xm3cuBh
17Please respect copyright.PENANA7YCwXlYGWO
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAGaoWq9vuZd
17Please respect copyright.PENANABZmVfSq6Yi
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAuVPypWwP3I
17Please respect copyright.PENANAWD48GcwpBT
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAlMIZXeoDil
17Please respect copyright.PENANANwLSK4Qlnm
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA1cqFfFprTR
17Please respect copyright.PENANAKJuTuNNsuv
陸遐察覺言中未盡之意,不由一凜,行禮鄭重應下,“多謝大人。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAmVJzP5oLSR
17Please respect copyright.PENANAVSqPoiPwmY
“能得你教習,是他之幸。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA4xMUIS72a7
17Please respect copyright.PENANAm01XkLpBT8
“不敢。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA6YD8Opueel
17Please respect copyright.PENANAylb1BffP61
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANANyF41gdsYs
17Please respect copyright.PENANAK2JKvLJRaC
“無妨。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAeVJ4VzXFY5
17Please respect copyright.PENANACbmd2YhE5x
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAKmpzmsLC1H
17Please respect copyright.PENANAtul4eoSoAq
庭外光照正盛,他站在偏廳門口回望廳中畫作,久久不動。17Please respect copyright.PENANAA3LRm9MpBe
17Please respect copyright.PENANAR7LNx3cbhG
“大人。”蕭賀回稟,恭敬道,“陸姑娘離府了。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAmJ7EF2ok7e
17Please respect copyright.PENANAn8BzmzU9G9
“知道了。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAk3SAXQddJV
17Please respect copyright.PENANAGDZvwRIxmm
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…”17Please respect copyright.PENANA63Woi1N6Xr
17Please respect copyright.PENANAwxZQC4TmEh
蕭賀肅立在一旁,並不敢言語。17Please respect copyright.PENANAaBBYFtm0BI
17Please respect copyright.PENANAJnHsTzUsdO
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。17Please respect copyright.PENANAUmT8SIkrEa
17Please respect copyright.PENANA25iMIAYyIk
“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。17Please respect copyright.PENANANEt2WLgBh8
17Please respect copyright.PENANAqLmOiF2LVl
“你又逃課!”17Please respect copyright.PENANA75E2o732lN
17Please respect copyright.PENANAXwLSvJ0hKM
“沒有,夫子許我歇息片刻。”17Please respect copyright.PENANATvsO6MbMLW
17Please respect copyright.PENANAPXNVdOyOuP
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!”17Please respect copyright.PENANAiU4R6zyK0h
17Please respect copyright.PENANAp44qVxbXyH
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANA1i4DwsX8Qt
17Please respect copyright.PENANA6FfMl3cMtu
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。”17Please respect copyright.PENANAedJbshMwmA
17Please respect copyright.PENANA6DY0OpTnzw
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…”17Please respect copyright.PENANAImSMqc5R7r
17Please respect copyright.PENANA3Gg9WngV92
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!”17Please respect copyright.PENANATis5IyOhb9