晚上兄弟二人躺在床上，床頭點著火燭，面對面的閒談。
大多都是沈楨說的話，聊官場上的奇聞異事，以及新近結識了哪些朋友，都是些怎樣的品性，說得眉飛色舞，攔都攔不住。
沈清軒聽了片刻，微微搖了搖頭，知道他步入官場時間還短，沒來得及經歷那些勾心鬥角，所以興致高昂，懷著滿腔期許。以後如何，尚未可知。
畢竟是自己弟弟，沈清軒猶豫片刻還是給他這滿腔熱火上潑了一盆冷水，道：萬事需謹慎，沒分清對方陣營之前不要胡亂結識朋友，便是識得了，也疏遠著些。待日後肯定能結交，再真心相待也不遲。
沈楨愣了一下，回過神雖未說什麼，卻不復之前的興高采烈，只點頭應承。
沈清軒知道自己說得過於直白了，這些事理沈楨未必不知道，只是如此坦誠地說出來，感情上一時接受不了。
歎了口氣，伸手撫了撫弟弟的頭，沈清軒又道：父親財大勢大，我知你並無後顧之憂。可要想想，沈家財勢越大，越是官場中拉攏勾結的好對象。你剛入此場，資歷尚淺，並無根須，若不小心行事，錯站陣營，就很難再翻身起來。那時沈家家業未必幫的了你不說，或許還會家破人亡！
最後一句，沈清軒遲疑了一下，還是說了出來。被子裡沈楨的身軀震了一震。
“哥哥，我知道的。”沈楨靜默半晌，緩緩道：“這次上山，我就是來同你告別。”
這回換做沈清軒一愣。沈楨看了看他，而後垂下眼簾低聲道：“就是因為知道這些，所以我請調去南邊寧遠縣縣衙上任，文書已經下來了，月底我就啟程。這一去山高水長，不知何時才能回來……”
沈清軒皺起眉頭，思索寧遠縣在何處，想了很久，才記起那寧遠縣是南面極偏遠的小縣城，地處濕熱，民風彪悍，山賊草寇橫行，那處的人都被喚作南蠻子。
沈清軒的眉頭久久後才鬆開，道：去那裡也好，你這性子留在京中，得罪了人也不知道。去那裡磨礪一番，回來時哥哥為你洗塵。
沈楨笑了笑，伸臂勾著兄長的脖子，將腦袋埋進去，低低道：“我知你會這麼說。”頓了頓，又道：“那裡雖然苦了點，卻是個建功立業的好去處。哥哥不用掛念，個把草寇山賊還降不住我，且爹爹在那裡有商點，衣食方面也不用擔心……最多十年我便回來。”
沈清軒沉默著，點了點頭。
首次別離，且又是自小陪伴長大的兄弟二人。雖隔了些年歲，境況迥然不同，然血濃於水的情分是任何東西都無法磨滅的。彼此俱是難過。
亦不知多久，沈楨才說了一句：“哥哥，我知你身體不好。可你得答應，至少要等我回來。”
沈清軒又是一愣，醒悟過後忍不住酸楚，連忙點頭應道：我自是等你回來。你放心，我尚未看你成家立業，挑起沈家光耀門楣延續香火的擔子，我怎能撒手就走。
沈楨這才笑，“等我娶妻生子。一定生兩個娃兒，抱一個給你就是。”
沈清軒也笑，他至今也沒看上哪家姑娘，誰知道這空口許諾什麼時候才能兌現。卻又想自己未必不能娶妻生子，若只是傳宗接代的事，也容易的很。只是腦中出現這個念頭的同時，伊墨的臉也好死不死的陡然冒出來，駭得他連忙將這些浮躁念頭一起遏壓下去。
再不能想，不敢想。
兄弟倆又親親熱熱的說了好些話，沈清軒一度猶豫，要不要把自己能開口出聲的事情告訴他，連著認識那條大蛇的事一起，省的弟弟出門在外懸著心不清楚自己的死活。
轉念一想又打消了這個念頭。
他現在雖能出聲，也不知這一狀況能持續多久，更不知將來又會出什麼意外。命裡沉浮的事情他已經歷過，在未確定最終結果之前，何必讓自己親人跟著一起忐忑。
何況，他與伊墨的將來，撲朔迷離的很。誰也不能給誰承諾。
再者，承諾本身就空洞乏味。誰又信呢？
後半夜，沈楨已經睡熟，眉眼溫順地偎在他身旁，像兒時一樣，不論多野多任性，在兄長面前總是乖巧又懂事，逆來順受的模樣。仿佛冥冥中有一雙無形的手，安排了一切。
沈清軒摸了摸他的眉，出神的看著，自小就有人說他們兄弟最相似的就是這雙眉眼，同時繼承了父親的一雙眼。
最不像似的，也是這雙眉眼。
在沈楨還朝氣蓬勃滿眼天真的時候，他已有了一雙陰鬱怠倦的眼。
沈清軒無聲的歎了口氣，掖好兩人的被子，也逐漸迷糊著睡去了。
接下來是連續幾天的忙碌，因沈楨要趕路赴任，闔家上下忙成一團，連沈清軒都推辭不掉，也下了山。
人手不夠，沈清軒把自己的小廝遣過去幫忙，他自己幫不上什麼忙，便坐在角落陰影裡安安靜靜地坐著。
沈楨忙於和朋友們告別，出入酒肆飯舍，回到家了也不能歇息，被沈老爺拉著，一一拜別長輩親戚。
沈楨抽空來找沈清軒訴苦，說沒想到出一趟門竟這麼累。沈清軒自是出言安慰一番，接著把他推到那些酒宴裡去。
很快，一切打點妥當之後，沈楨就上了路。
沈清軒亦回到山中，過回自己靜寂的日子。數著日出日落，聽風吹樹葉的聲音。
伊墨自溫泉一別後，也不再出現。
不知道忙什麼去了，也或許是根本就不想再見到他。沈清軒每每想到這點，就忍不住一聲冷笑。不見想又怎樣，最多躲至明年劫渡，你還不是要來見我！
又想，伊墨是什麼人，用得著躲他一個手無縛雞之力的癱子？定是不情願來。
是不情願來還是嫌棄他是個心術不正的殘廢？後者未必不可能，沈清軒想著怕是這妖活了千年也沒遇過這麼鮮廉寡恥的事情。緊接著自己又推翻了這個念頭，那可是活了千年的妖，什麼事沒見過，怕是早已閱盡人間事，只是純粹瞧不上他不想見罷了。
沈清軒一人坐在屋中，腦中念頭轉的飛快，也想不出什麼名堂，倒是腦中越亂心中越悶。
像是有什麼東西堵在胸口，恨不得歇斯底里吼叫一番，砸碎打碎點什麼東西才能緩解。
許是經過一番熱鬧，這孤寂守起來就不再氣定神閑。
察覺自己情緒危險，沈清軒更是憋悶。實在是無處發洩，就拿起之前收集的一摞摞狐鬼異志的書來看，只是看一頁就想要撕一頁，恨不得把這些蠱惑人心的東西全部撕成碎末才好。
什麼狐女報恩喜結良緣，什麼花癡灌養花鬼得秦晉之好……全部都是胡說八道癡心妄想。
難道寫書的人，不知道“人妖殊途”嗎？！
——人妖殊途。
沈清軒眯了眼，將這四個字咬牙切齒地咀嚼著，翻來覆去，一遍又一遍無聲地咬出來，又一遍一遍地咽下去。怒的不知所以，恨的更是纏纏綿綿。
腦中偶然想到“殊途同歸”四個字，卻又不敢再想下去。
他們一人一妖，且俱是男子，就是這同歸，也“同”不出書上那些風流佳話來。
至多授人以柄，給人們飯後多些談資。
心中明白這一點，沈清軒更是無端的怒氣衝天。
“那些書惹你了嗎？”
沈清軒猛地抬起頭，只見伊墨站在燭邊，半張臉遮在散亂長髮裡，另半張臉在燭光搖曳的陰影下，只有那雙淡如水的眸子，定定地望著自己，眼底靜寂非常。
沈清軒手中哆嗦了一下，那白色如雪花的碎片便紛紛擾擾的散了，揚了一地。
腦中原本紛亂的念頭仿佛也隨著這落地的碎片沉了底。倏然安寧起來。
不急也不慌，不喜也不憂。
只緩緩抬起臉，注視著對方靜寂的眸子，依稀覺得那裡千年如此，仿佛遠古時期就存在的一片無人造訪的密地。
“伊墨。”
沈清軒聽見自己的聲音響起在這片靜謐世界裡，正一字一句，無比認真地問：
“我與你殊途同歸，可好？”
可好？
————————————————
At night, the two brothers lay in bed with a candle lit at the head of the bed, chatting face to face.
Most of them were Shen Zhen’s words, chatting about strange things in the officialdom, and what new friends he had made recently and what kind of personalities they had. He talked with great excitement and no one could stop him.
Shen Qingxuan listened for a moment and shook his head slightly. He knew that he had only been in the officialdom for a short time and had not had time to experience those intrigues, so he was in high spirits and full of expectations. It was still unknown what would happen in the future.
After all, he was his brother. Shen Qingxuan hesitated for a moment and poured cold water on his enthusiasm, saying: “Be cautious in everything. Don’t make friends without knowing the other side’s camp. Even if you do know someone, keep your distance . It won’t be too late to treat each other sincerely when you are sure you can make friends in the future."
Shen Zhen was stunned for a moment. After he came to his senses, he didn’t say anything, but he was no longer as excited as before. He just nodded in agreement.
Shen Qingxuan knew that he had spoken too bluntly. It was possible that Shen Zhen was unaware of these facts, but he just couldn’t accept it emotionally when he heard it spoken so frankly.
Sighing, he reached out and stroked his brother’s head, and Shen Qingxuan said again: “Father is rich and powerful, I know you have nothing to worry about. But think about it, the more wealthy and powerful the Shen family is, the better target they are for officialdom to win over and collude with. You have just entered this field, you have little experience and no roots. If you act carelessly and stand on the wrong side , it will be difficult for you to turn over. At that time, the Shen family’s property may not be able to help you, and it may even destroy your family!"
Shen Qingxuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying the last sentence. Shen Zhen’s body shook under the quilt.
“Brother, I know." Shen Zhen was silent for a while, then slowly said, “I came up the mountain this time just to say goodbye to you."
This time it was Shen Qingxuan who was stunned. Shen Zhen looked at him, then lowered his eyelids and whispered, “It is because I know this that I asked to be transferred to the Ningyuan County Office in the south. The documents have been received, and I will leave at the end of the month. This trip is a long journey, and I don’t know when I can come back…"
Shen Qingxuan frowned and wondered where Ningyuan County was. After thinking for a long time, he remembered that Ningyuan County was a small and remote county in the south. It was located in a humid and hot area, with fierce folks and rampant bandits. The people there were called southern barbarians.
Shen Qingxuan’s frown lasted a long time before he relaxed. He said, “It doesn’t matter where you go. If you stay in Beijing with your personality, you won’t know if you have offended anyone. Go there and hone your skills. When you come back, I will welcome you back."
Shen Zhen smiled, stretched out his arm to hook his brother’s neck, buried his head in it, and whispered: “I knew you would say that." After a pause, he continued: “Although it is a bit hard there, it is a good place to make achievements. Brother, don’t worry, a few bandits can’t defeat me, and my father has a business there, so you don’t have to worry about food and clothing… I will be back in ten years at most."
Shen Qingxuan remained silent and nodded.
It was the first time for them to part, and they were two brothers who had grown up together. Although they were separated by a few years and their circumstances were very different, the bond between them was thicker than blood and nothing could erase it. They were both sad.
It was unknown how long it took before Shen Zhen said, “Brother, I know you are not in good health. But you have to promise to at least wait for me to come back."
Shen Qingxuan was stunned again, but after realizing it, he couldn’t help but feel sad, and nodded quickly and said: “I will wait for you to come back. Don’t worry, I haven’t seen you get married and start a family, and take on the responsibility of bringing glory to the Shen family and continuing the incense, how can I just leave."
Shen Zhen then smiled, “Wait until I get married and have children. I will definitely give birth to two babies, and I will give one to you."
Shen Qingxuan also laughed. He hadn’t fallen in love with any girl yet. Who knew when this empty promise would be fulfilled? But he also thought that he might be able to marry and have children. If it was just a matter of passing on the family line, it would be easy. But when this thought came to his mind, Yi Mo’s face suddenly appeared, and he was so frightened that he quickly suppressed these impetuous thoughts .
I can’t think about it anymore, I dare not think about it.
The two brothers talked affectionately for a while. Shen Qingxuan hesitated for a moment whether he should tell him everything he could say, including the fact that he knew the big snake, so that his younger brother would not be worried about his life or death when he went out.
After thinking it over, I gave up the idea.
Although he can speak now, he doesn’t know how long this situation will last, let alone what accidents will happen in the future. He has experienced the ups and downs of life, so why should he let his relatives worry before the final result is determined?
Besides, the future between him and Yi Mo was very confusing and no one could make any promises to anyone.
Besides, promises themselves are empty and boring. Who would believe them?
leaning against him with gentle eyes and eyebrows , just like when he was a child, no matter how wild and willful he was, he was always well-behaved and sensible in front of his brother, and he was submissive. It was as if there was an invisible hand in the dark that arranged everything.
Shen Qingxuan touched his eyebrows and looked at him in a trance. Since they were young, people have said that the most similar thing between them is their eyebrows and eyes. At the same time, they inherited their father’s eyes .
The most unlike thing is also these eyebrows and eyes.
When Shen Zhen was still full of vigor and innocence, he already had a pair of gloomy and tired eyes.
Shen Qingxuan sighed silently, tucked in the quilt for both of them, and gradually fell into a drowsy sleep.
The next few days were busy as Shen Zhen had to travel to take up his new post. The whole family was busy. Even Shen Qingxuan could not refuse and went down the mountain.
sent his servant over to help. He himself could not help much, so he sat quietly in the shadow of the corner.
Shen Zhen was busy saying goodbye to his friends and going in and out of bars and restaurants. He couldn’t even rest when he returned home. He was dragged by Master Shen to bid farewell to his elders and relatives one by one.
Shen Zhen found some time to complain to Shen Qingxuan, saying that he didn’t expect going out would be so tiring. Shen Qingxuan comforted him and then pushed him to the banquets.
Soon, after everything was arranged, Shen Zhen set off.
Shen Qingxuan also returned to the mountains to live his quiet life, counting the sunrises and sunsets and listening to the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves.
Yi Mo has not appeared since they parted at the hot spring.
I don’t know what he’s busy with, or maybe he just doesn’t want to see him again. Whenever Shen Qingxuan thought of this, he couldn’t help but sneer. So what if I don’t want to see you? At most I can hide until the next year . You still have to come to see me!
Then he thought, who is Yi Mo? Why would he need to hide from a paraplegic who can’t even lift a chicken? He must be unwilling to come.
Was it because she was unwilling to come or because she despised him as a cripple with bad intentions? The latter was not impossible. Shen Qingxuan thought that this demon had lived for a thousand years and had never encountered such a shameless thing. Then he overturned this idea. This demon had lived for a thousand years and had seen everything. She must have seen everything in the world and simply looked down on him and didn’t want to see him.
Shen Qingxuan sat alone in the room, his mind racing with thoughts, but he couldn’t think of anything. The more confused his mind became, the more depressed he felt.
It felt like something was blocking my chest, and I wanted to scream hysterically or smash something to relieve the pain.
Perhaps after all the excitement, this loneliness is no longer peaceful and calm.
Shen Qingxuan felt even more depressed when he realized that his emotions were dangerous. He really had no place to vent, so he picked up the piles of fox and ghost books he had collected before and read them. He wanted to tear a page after reading each page, and he wished he could tear all these bewitching things into pieces.
What about a fox girl repaying a favor and getting married, what about a nymphomaniac raising a flower ghost and getting married…all of them are nonsense and wishful thinking.
Doesn’t the person who wrote the book know that “humans and demons have different paths”? !
——Humans and demons have different paths.
Shen Qingxuan narrowed his eyes, chewing these four words with gnashing teeth, turning them over and over again, biting them out silently over and over again, and swallowing them again and again . He was so angry that he didn’t know why, and his hatred was even more lingering .
The words “different paths lead to the same destination" suddenly came to my mind, but I didn’t dare to think about it any further.
One of them is a demon, and both are men. Even though they died together, they could not create the romantic stories described in the books.
At most it will give people a handle to attack you and give them more things to talk about after dinner.
Knowing this in his heart, Shen Qingxuan became even more furious for no reason.
“Did those books bother you?"
Shen Qingxuan raised his head suddenly, and saw Yi Mo standing beside the candle, half of his face was hidden in his messy long hair, and the other half was in the shadow of the swaying candlelight. Only his eyes, as calm as water, were looking at him steadily , with a very quiet look in his eyes.
Shen Qingxuan’s hands trembled, and the white fragments like snowflakes scattered all over the ground.
The chaotic thoughts in my mind seemed to sink to the bottom along with the falling debris. Suddenly, I felt peaceful.
Don’t be anxious or panic, don’t be happy or sad.
He just slowly raised his face and looked into the other person’s silent eyes. He vaguely felt that the place had been like this for thousands of years, as if it was a secret place that had existed since ancient times and no one had visited it.
“Yi Mo."
Shen Qingxuan heard his own voice echoing in this quiet world, and he was asking word by word with great seriousness:
“I’ll go the same way as you, okay?"
Is that ok?
痕書站 