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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAxLGhIBg4f3
18Please respect copyright.PENANACGwAtvUtUH
兩側門柱之上各有一副對聯,上聯寫到:18Please respect copyright.PENANAZxtPyaTXdJ
山色壯金銀——惟以不貪為寶。18Please respect copyright.PENANAMggPA78eZ4
18Please respect copyright.PENANAj3sJWsFmX4
陸遐走近細看下聯不由讚道,“妙極。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAtw5xEFRV2P
18Please respect copyright.PENANAuJE4EDBndE
下聯寫到:江流環鐵石——居然眾誌成城。18Please respect copyright.PENANA3AjcDSX8IJ
18Please respect copyright.PENANA33OIIbwDYb
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANA407LHVuReV
18Please respect copyright.PENANAEA3967OSI3
陸遐遞過拜帖,便於門前靜立等候。18Please respect copyright.PENANAq36J0YNdsc
18Please respect copyright.PENANAzEASfcw5Xz
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAglq11FNguh
18Please respect copyright.PENANAMe74BIEXP5
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAo8OLXqLbSK
18Please respect copyright.PENANAVaMLk2XPkH
那人文氣甚重,氣度瀟灑,陸遐朝他見禮,“大人如何稱呼?”18Please respect copyright.PENANApJuaASV24U
18Please respect copyright.PENANAodcYsO3n5C
他還了一禮,“不才刺史府文書,蕭賀。”18Please respect copyright.PENANA4uKaz8mKjS
18Please respect copyright.PENANA5JUhCKbh6w
“有勞蕭大人。”18Please respect copyright.PENANArncMcI8Jlj
18Please respect copyright.PENANAJQRCXfnlcE
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANA3nH8GZIbNm
18Please respect copyright.PENANA0jJjJovYLa
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAbRa3hNFG2P
18Please respect copyright.PENANAKJaZ8VNXhn
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAuxctBXfXd9
18Please respect copyright.PENANAVyY4xBICbR
聖上便將之賜予路文亮。18Please respect copyright.PENANA7sdgEi4zwT
18Please respect copyright.PENANAKs1doDMzd0
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAp9l1hoqFtl
18Please respect copyright.PENANA9BA8eQccoG
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAtgZcxSWfTt
18Please respect copyright.PENANATHNEyGlf0L
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAdH0q6vgDxv
18Please respect copyright.PENANApMMsPtGAFC
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAvqnNbm1P1V
18Please respect copyright.PENANAx1713CTDf4
“勞煩大人帶路。”18Please respect copyright.PENANADMkX2Fy62I
18Please respect copyright.PENANArzpy1PvMaZ
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAZxITR2pJCI
18Please respect copyright.PENANAEmry6lLFyk
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAbzY61TfJyV
18Please respect copyright.PENANApEgN6xpnBj
心裏暗暗驚疑。18Please respect copyright.PENANACJhBfC3hBb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAahDbyvNnjn
隻聽得前方有一人道,“蕭文書這是往哪裏去?”18Please respect copyright.PENANAl75imR4Kd3
18Please respect copyright.PENANAtNWNz7lNcc
“大人要見客,讓某引客到偏廳。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAAkPLj0qUKD
18Please respect copyright.PENANAC1QAARDAYW
“你們兩位這是?”18Please respect copyright.PENANAvfD00A60qa
18Please respect copyright.PENANAhbKPHx9sEv
“正要回去歇息,就不打擾蕭文書了。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAiUpf1M54Ju
18Please respect copyright.PENANATzOVcALCab
“告辭。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAAtpjPnOKN2
18Please respect copyright.PENANAjwBnG6uS7c
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAG06xEuieGo
18Please respect copyright.PENANAroxFu1G4Hu
那人的聲音在哪裏聽過呢?陸遐猶自思量。18Please respect copyright.PENANAuLUuFBsROH
18Please respect copyright.PENANAnkxsFtxBNH
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?18Please respect copyright.PENANArUufz1cqze
18Please respect copyright.PENANA0NGfPA2rSb
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAUiXLJnsfwI
18Please respect copyright.PENANAodnbp5BWQR
“無妨。”她語意溫雅,蕭賀不疑有他。18Please respect copyright.PENANAOgU0q3nhGq
18Please respect copyright.PENANAHpC5ZmWap3
與她同入偏廳內,等陸遐坐定,早有服侍的丫鬟送上清茶。18Please respect copyright.PENANAYEO8TYazxR
18Please respect copyright.PENANAR6wbFgody7
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAhfdrLRs93T
18Please respect copyright.PENANAznrQF9tImC
上首掛著一副芭蕉竹石圖。18Please respect copyright.PENANALNSAC4mry0
18Please respect copyright.PENANAa87km18E5o
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAcTiw7Zz4uG
18Please respect copyright.PENANAd5CQxRshlA
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAMAhoDrfzHr
18Please respect copyright.PENANAOYf5gBXzZ5
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?”18Please respect copyright.PENANAKjRFShQvgW
18Please respect copyright.PENANA5Z1MSgDXhl
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANASgnWbUKGMl
18Please respect copyright.PENANA952WWQgO3r
心裏卻疑道,這老者怎麼有熟悉之感,倒像從前見過的。18Please respect copyright.PENANAxFcGlc6jtd
18Please respect copyright.PENANAWVfflxIWYP
陸遐意欲行禮,那老者抬手示意不必。18Please respect copyright.PENANA1XnrbF11Xv
18Please respect copyright.PENANAsKImkV3uCQ
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?”18Please respect copyright.PENANAzjsHdoF3CH
18Please respect copyright.PENANAx77emuPz5q
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAMP2h8gDSyU
18Please respect copyright.PENANAIZIRiTLj8B
“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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAeYcALRU6hX
18Please respect copyright.PENANAvBYwGKzCE5
陸遐沉思片刻,以手指畫,“隻是…此畫此處稍顯不足。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAZ15DddJls5
18Please respect copyright.PENANARLHzQ51Yac
“何以見得?”那老者來了興趣。18Please respect copyright.PENANAN4v1MzG6Yr
18Please respect copyright.PENANAzKwtbFC5jB
“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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAKaAHYBn7Ox
18Please respect copyright.PENANAeRVo1myAtv
一人疏朗豪闊,一人尚且稚嫩。18Please respect copyright.PENANAj6wP7j0brY
18Please respect copyright.PENANAXBd8jMcdvk
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANANhtq1nxdFw
18Please respect copyright.PENANArNLExepdan
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANA4aAWxsBECK
18Please respect copyright.PENANAbYg5U1rwbd
“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…”18Please respect copyright.PENANAvhAVes0CR3
18Please respect copyright.PENANAsJF8krYxng
“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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANARGAldg1P8X
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6ttqqMGqUz
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAoOmJa2yIJK
18Please respect copyright.PENANANEIwfrgr1m
“這裏不必拘束。”觀畫畢,老者示意她坐。18Please respect copyright.PENANAQRBb1KQx5Q
18Please respect copyright.PENANAPVsoMXkY2u
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAprctZiBO9I
18Please respect copyright.PENANAkJNSPyIU6o
此時聽得古大人吩咐,不由高看一籌。18Please respect copyright.PENANAEhFXa0I1hE
18Please respect copyright.PENANAPEb8w9AhSb
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?”18Please respect copyright.PENANAUYmLJbUcsY
18Please respect copyright.PENANAdXQlsCEv37
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAjXj4mjpKwA
18Please respect copyright.PENANAoGYEFx25NS
“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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAMlB8YmWS9H
18Please respect copyright.PENANAiPweGnoL9E
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAZxTeTQBrGv
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ebl76SWhK
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANA8dseAnuX3N
18Please respect copyright.PENANAyJ7BcxqwjG
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?”18Please respect copyright.PENANALfzoFRjio4
18Please respect copyright.PENANAv2nd3zfTwd
“天和十八年。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAlARKagh9or
18Please respect copyright.PENANAWPHRQvAgcG
天和十八年她年方九歲,正入書院鴻飛先生門下半年。18Please respect copyright.PENANA1c3TrW8dFV
18Please respect copyright.PENANACURIEmzS4D
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAZJU6TX6qLb
18Please respect copyright.PENANALmcnqgkPqO
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAZnlE5USxoK
18Please respect copyright.PENANAADbRGpiNhy
下了帖子邀約,鴻飛果然帶她欣然赴約。18Please respect copyright.PENANANCjnp58GhL
18Please respect copyright.PENANALnFkaOTghM
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAk6pmb13kHh
18Please respect copyright.PENANApfeXmtthFr
諸位夫人也愛她沉穩,恨不得將她帶回去當自家女兒。18Please respect copyright.PENANAkFMLVfojr0
18Please respect copyright.PENANAgGozATh70c
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!”18Please respect copyright.PENANAX4xZRW0NQA
18Please respect copyright.PENANAjOlOG0dbEN
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAJ59qonp0gO
18Please respect copyright.PENANAosdq3ucYga
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?”18Please respect copyright.PENANArIWrkfjcyk
18Please respect copyright.PENANAGSNlEL7fhm
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAX1f8FrZs2H
18Please respect copyright.PENANAgSK3HCb8Nt
“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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANA7RRfmEAyeD
18Please respect copyright.PENANAd3cZlrAocf
後來鴻飛果然前來,她卻不再見了。18Please respect copyright.PENANAvrrKoTj15W
18Please respect copyright.PENANAu5bW2dkBNY
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAdkYZiK4DlK
18Please respect copyright.PENANAhZLtQiSx9T
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAlLk21bsLbP
18Please respect copyright.PENANAA5kmnN1hNB
那時他便想,這個女童著實有趣。18Please respect copyright.PENANAaXGPpTE29h
18Please respect copyright.PENANAxMmYGV241X
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAlY6MnPKiJB
18Please respect copyright.PENANAZcJQx123S0
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAqu0UAvwt7l
18Please respect copyright.PENANA6wKI60Awsx
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAqAFetktKqL
18Please respect copyright.PENANAFx4mOtVjpn
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAKmTPx0BKsN
18Please respect copyright.PENANA0jhNMxdUqU
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAK9EmeMVXiF
18Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bqc6gsAFB
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANA4BLTIMsafJ
18Please respect copyright.PENANAUFpGJCZG3k
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANA7jP3CDHmjN
18Please respect copyright.PENANAO05oMRKKVF
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANACOUCplKH5g
18Please respect copyright.PENANALIJomM7org
陸遐察覺言中未盡之意,不由一凜,行禮鄭重應下,“多謝大人。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAavLbGEM7Sx
18Please respect copyright.PENANADlNqg81Ucz
“能得你教習,是他之幸。”18Please respect copyright.PENANACPyz8Ehaif
18Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kw9pJSdq2
“不敢。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAqBEr1PoQvK
18Please respect copyright.PENANAZSm1pYHDPo
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAH93YkAE7ZY
18Please respect copyright.PENANAOXKu49suJ0
“無妨。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAi08xJSdxxI
18Please respect copyright.PENANArS0rR5zuR2
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANA0QHaHkSFuM
18Please respect copyright.PENANATR2PSSFT3C
庭外光照正盛,他站在偏廳門口回望廳中畫作,久久不動。18Please respect copyright.PENANAMnQTwEpvoE
18Please respect copyright.PENANA1FGFPqS5HH
“大人。”蕭賀回稟,恭敬道,“陸姑娘離府了。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAt6ViROOFVg
18Please respect copyright.PENANAZZnuiRsQlv
“知道了。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAFxFVAdUuQX
18Please respect copyright.PENANAZCQ0bbywC9
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…”18Please respect copyright.PENANA52blBnw1U1
18Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6VlDLJ7zI
蕭賀肅立在一旁,並不敢言語。18Please respect copyright.PENANA8M064Kjt1K
18Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0d4jP1cXk
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。18Please respect copyright.PENANAvWYNP4Bxbh
18Please respect copyright.PENANA76hlDTJbL3
“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。18Please respect copyright.PENANACwpX8ZDIpr
18Please respect copyright.PENANAJVEYVl9rHn
“你又逃課!”18Please respect copyright.PENANAUO728eWXGI
18Please respect copyright.PENANAh4WZLCsNt8
“沒有,夫子許我歇息片刻。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9fxgEjuWl
18Please respect copyright.PENANAUpxOFZbMn1
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!”18Please respect copyright.PENANAaRYktCYwOb
18Please respect copyright.PENANAvu14gBxvvl
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAzeRM7O2ewd
18Please respect copyright.PENANAMSzF60eOcY
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。”18Please respect copyright.PENANAl9uriR0wM1
18Please respect copyright.PENANA4bFNbIEdjJ
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…”18Please respect copyright.PENANAveMn13mJjr
18Please respect copyright.PENANAmUqVMer9de
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!”18Please respect copyright.PENANAWRc6OezJP6