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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA9JIeEovgB3
16Please respect copyright.PENANASS3CwcBJJC
兩側門柱之上各有一副對聯,上聯寫到:16Please respect copyright.PENANALAL3t976RT
山色壯金銀——惟以不貪為寶。16Please respect copyright.PENANAMXyG6DodBI
16Please respect copyright.PENANA2fxTqt0kmA
陸遐走近細看下聯不由讚道,“妙極。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAlWp1pL20Rx
16Please respect copyright.PENANAEi4ZIGqpZD
下聯寫到:江流環鐵石——居然眾誌成城。16Please respect copyright.PENANAuMwq9CGUSM
16Please respect copyright.PENANAVgZc8Dt3ER
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANA0vhmwstPld
16Please respect copyright.PENANAiKCIU7gLZj
陸遐遞過拜帖,便於門前靜立等候。16Please respect copyright.PENANAEx10Hi80m1
16Please respect copyright.PENANAmNfhCBdZ7m
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAkl5twALDaT
16Please respect copyright.PENANA7kDwtHLhyB
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANA7VfMriM8Au
16Please respect copyright.PENANATPP6rhSmq6
那人文氣甚重,氣度瀟灑,陸遐朝他見禮,“大人如何稱呼?”16Please respect copyright.PENANAygGbRg8EZ0
16Please respect copyright.PENANAykeEdly68i
他還了一禮,“不才刺史府文書,蕭賀。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAIskpVooNtN
16Please respect copyright.PENANANRKMsyhIhb
“有勞蕭大人。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAHLQI1a0Zuy
16Please respect copyright.PENANAZCv6oZvrJs
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANArc6Uug4OQN
16Please respect copyright.PENANABgsKSgA9c9
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAsyh8rCGy45
16Please respect copyright.PENANAPj0L3HKPPQ
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAfSBjDmS87E
16Please respect copyright.PENANArvgzU9RSdF
聖上便將之賜予路文亮。16Please respect copyright.PENANAQwbBFMuICJ
16Please respect copyright.PENANAyobWcsdJkP
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAlUnd4HCjcX
16Please respect copyright.PENANADNsVYVRQMf
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA2YiszcVREe
16Please respect copyright.PENANAyZ8EqHIkDv
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAatzX0gpG2A
16Please respect copyright.PENANAM4g8O78HRv
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANA3ewmu3zH9h
16Please respect copyright.PENANAsdjTVSvOz2
“勞煩大人帶路。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAZv4krAhazA
16Please respect copyright.PENANAqG2uPnPCcH
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAvUnS00saTz
16Please respect copyright.PENANAj6JOaWvERc
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAEQUr7A2XrE
16Please respect copyright.PENANA9vmPfVXO9F
心裏暗暗驚疑。16Please respect copyright.PENANAKhRfcEkcK8
16Please respect copyright.PENANADsC3J2xeuQ
隻聽得前方有一人道,“蕭文書這是往哪裏去?”16Please respect copyright.PENANAjyxvb8Xg08
16Please respect copyright.PENANAgKM0K90IMm
“大人要見客,讓某引客到偏廳。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAwN2OWy3IkC
16Please respect copyright.PENANAyvyRR3pWWa
“你們兩位這是?”16Please respect copyright.PENANAFFmoY2vF1U
16Please respect copyright.PENANAR9UD0g7CAq
“正要回去歇息,就不打擾蕭文書了。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAzFBCcPGV7a
16Please respect copyright.PENANAzs5Ic5x6au
“告辭。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAvcOtnZa0Z2
16Please respect copyright.PENANAR8TDDqKpyD
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAc8ea2JPOo2
16Please respect copyright.PENANAefJrXp8KZJ
那人的聲音在哪裏聽過呢?陸遐猶自思量。16Please respect copyright.PENANATVL7ysWJ8U
16Please respect copyright.PENANAxCcnTwhLs2
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?16Please respect copyright.PENANAJlKMiYST6e
16Please respect copyright.PENANA2zlPkWAFtm
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAtCKZKVOKeI
16Please respect copyright.PENANAzrOvyKAqf2
“無妨。”她語意溫雅,蕭賀不疑有他。16Please respect copyright.PENANATdxJqPPQqW
16Please respect copyright.PENANA5sR8EoOcyg
與她同入偏廳內,等陸遐坐定,早有服侍的丫鬟送上清茶。16Please respect copyright.PENANAh6UqvyM2sB
16Please respect copyright.PENANARLkVEIuSBW
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAQdrlX0fcQC
16Please respect copyright.PENANASSbwQbOHwj
上首掛著一副芭蕉竹石圖。16Please respect copyright.PENANAOQ77OWIhMg
16Please respect copyright.PENANAkxdiBTqfb5
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAQHWTAlJzxN
16Please respect copyright.PENANAnLEpGVFlv9
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAtjrYzPvGPD
16Please respect copyright.PENANAwArV0mWpbZ
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?”16Please respect copyright.PENANAVTnf2RAkrJ
16Please respect copyright.PENANAImp1MtYwKT
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAO5UYE7A0nZ
16Please respect copyright.PENANA6e56IriGHp
心裏卻疑道,這老者怎麼有熟悉之感,倒像從前見過的。16Please respect copyright.PENANAuOIiapq1rF
16Please respect copyright.PENANA6RNbM4eQED
陸遐意欲行禮,那老者抬手示意不必。16Please respect copyright.PENANAT17tWZK6oO
16Please respect copyright.PENANAW1AHexzwsa
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?”16Please respect copyright.PENANASKPg5dP9yK
16Please respect copyright.PENANAcps7McP6Si
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANALzZkFUN0V0
16Please respect copyright.PENANAS8Fn68akCs
“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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAdkufA1kO14
16Please respect copyright.PENANAuwZO6QVyCu
陸遐沉思片刻,以手指畫,“隻是…此畫此處稍顯不足。”16Please respect copyright.PENANA6E9ZsQ4HBo
16Please respect copyright.PENANAiMBFuSu19J
“何以見得?”那老者來了興趣。16Please respect copyright.PENANAeuZAJmoaoJ
16Please respect copyright.PENANAsxa1kuoWKd
“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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAOSWD7Ss0MG
16Please respect copyright.PENANAIscf1SDiKk
一人疏朗豪闊,一人尚且稚嫩。16Please respect copyright.PENANAnf7VbwScxQ
16Please respect copyright.PENANAAApPgSkSXb
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA6OzflgI1pP
16Please respect copyright.PENANAUyzWY5J3Lq
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAtpFnaTaXbO
16Please respect copyright.PENANAHSWnD3ecbB
“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…”16Please respect copyright.PENANA6qNrccsmhX
16Please respect copyright.PENANAU8s8PSEL07
“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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAUmOQjnRmxK
16Please respect copyright.PENANAMuhB5on5JP
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAqDJ02pPJwm
16Please respect copyright.PENANAqVuhARoY46
“這裏不必拘束。”觀畫畢,老者示意她坐。16Please respect copyright.PENANAc8ZmfeJgSt
16Please respect copyright.PENANAsLqmdcBG5S
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAXGgnWHSnNE
16Please respect copyright.PENANAIeyi6BGjY0
此時聽得古大人吩咐,不由高看一籌。16Please respect copyright.PENANAdW3j5V7bC1
16Please respect copyright.PENANAFx8iN6u3Lb
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?”16Please respect copyright.PENANAoUxJ5YL9Z1
16Please respect copyright.PENANA1esDhGlsVu
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAtvuyMjCOEE
16Please respect copyright.PENANAjWxzNCC11f
“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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAdlpRfOOyiC
16Please respect copyright.PENANAT10bLkqINN
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA47fTMa6yiU
16Please respect copyright.PENANAnDzyjwIf2X
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAwPOiUuDLC2
16Please respect copyright.PENANAKZ5JC2NgVg
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?”16Please respect copyright.PENANA7cHlyAVZKv
16Please respect copyright.PENANAhKSu4GyReT
“天和十八年。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAxtodv6atI4
16Please respect copyright.PENANAcxHQoOYtGQ
天和十八年她年方九歲,正入書院鴻飛先生門下半年。16Please respect copyright.PENANAuGlLqYUdD4
16Please respect copyright.PENANASPsDHudrjz
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5qshOtaxA
16Please respect copyright.PENANA1GOppOH36r
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAJWcBzwT4GM
16Please respect copyright.PENANAqVnd8VRH1l
下了帖子邀約,鴻飛果然帶她欣然赴約。16Please respect copyright.PENANAlN0CdZJizR
16Please respect copyright.PENANA4lolBX4Wpr
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAeEmT3m6ktT
16Please respect copyright.PENANA36uUo0q37H
諸位夫人也愛她沉穩,恨不得將她帶回去當自家女兒。16Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2zxmkasJC
16Please respect copyright.PENANAuhBif6ODYP
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!”16Please respect copyright.PENANAjYfBxXLVUj
16Please respect copyright.PENANAWB07aLyLRy
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAp9iGKkxzWB
16Please respect copyright.PENANAl8pqTpTzHX
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?”16Please respect copyright.PENANA3vQDLTEE68
16Please respect copyright.PENANAoNz6YDF8Kn
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAxypHaAnFrR
16Please respect copyright.PENANAoS10GmSN24
“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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAPQgVsf4MO7
16Please respect copyright.PENANA145RRzeAu4
後來鴻飛果然前來,她卻不再見了。16Please respect copyright.PENANAFfg6UHdFQ3
16Please respect copyright.PENANAvSy0UhsiRX
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAzPvqyQnR4d
16Please respect copyright.PENANAHbjOsqc2DO
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA3kyL7xel5j
16Please respect copyright.PENANAE196SqobeP
那時他便想,這個女童著實有趣。16Please respect copyright.PENANAOMolQ2nGop
16Please respect copyright.PENANA2RHxaZu9O9
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAgJoPcR8ElI
16Please respect copyright.PENANAL9gCUZ5G7M
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAwOedJjJs46
16Please respect copyright.PENANAPP9ccrmX0T
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANA5tyxIsUPZC
16Please respect copyright.PENANAzF5jdsHPdd
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAWVTKIw0eub
16Please respect copyright.PENANAsVt1vizXGy
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAXflNQMfB7x
16Please respect copyright.PENANA0tuc2EHRp8
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANANzEOo4LbOr
16Please respect copyright.PENANATw9W9H6eUK
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAR24c7peR02
16Please respect copyright.PENANAi9UcgtNvqh
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAdCYjD678t7
16Please respect copyright.PENANAkPJDJvJODO
陸遐察覺言中未盡之意,不由一凜,行禮鄭重應下,“多謝大人。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAn7esclvTVR
16Please respect copyright.PENANAGkcN5WidP4
“能得你教習,是他之幸。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAUSm0ZJiRaN
16Please respect copyright.PENANAfp4pIcwkg5
“不敢。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAg3PPojPUjG
16Please respect copyright.PENANAYPwQHoyYMl
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAQTIRjyVtgL
16Please respect copyright.PENANA30lgctCCf9
“無妨。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAPYeeXuoj9u
16Please respect copyright.PENANAJc7nznOVAn
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAuI8EBoJVgv
16Please respect copyright.PENANA79HK3Qzvq9
庭外光照正盛,他站在偏廳門口回望廳中畫作,久久不動。16Please respect copyright.PENANAiIgWJpSzCK
16Please respect copyright.PENANAECDLajOgw8
“大人。”蕭賀回稟,恭敬道,“陸姑娘離府了。”16Please respect copyright.PENANA7JIiEf6dzn
16Please respect copyright.PENANAJaKcGyv1xy
“知道了。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAQpJKtgvvjY
16Please respect copyright.PENANAFYVC6az8ic
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…”16Please respect copyright.PENANAdOXI5Np2Yu
16Please respect copyright.PENANAYOoEygCoad
蕭賀肅立在一旁,並不敢言語。16Please respect copyright.PENANA7kXXfzYuyw
16Please respect copyright.PENANACECGDASfkO
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。16Please respect copyright.PENANARw6CB8xxtz
16Please respect copyright.PENANANgKch1WKXe
“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。16Please respect copyright.PENANAbzztddYhTQ
16Please respect copyright.PENANAycbxgQUZQB
“你又逃課!”16Please respect copyright.PENANADsLdwRHPRv
16Please respect copyright.PENANAh2anbXcLdv
“沒有,夫子許我歇息片刻。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAdbMupyH12n
16Please respect copyright.PENANAeC1M8ipCVg
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!”16Please respect copyright.PENANAeMITWuai49
16Please respect copyright.PENANAjbRRhCN1vN
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAgieuVzun91
16Please respect copyright.PENANAxLOUcHR5qp
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。”16Please respect copyright.PENANAGapdsHyJ2m
16Please respect copyright.PENANAM6uF6tlw3z
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…”16Please respect copyright.PENANASW87dWQ1Ex
16Please respect copyright.PENANAMZJY75rjvp
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!”16Please respect copyright.PENANA1O32voDdsK