When the apricot fruit of Mount Zhongnan weighed down the branches, the merit box at Yuxu Taoist Temple had its copper coins changed three times a day. Huwa's carving knife chiseled four grinning ghost-faces spelling out "Welcoming Wealth and Prosperity" on the bottom of the box, while the Gilded Abacus Beads stared intently at the mound of a hundred copper coins piled high. Zhang Yifan shook the Gilded Abacus Beads as he leaned against the apricot tree, watching Yuqing—dressed in a grey robe embroidered with abacus bead patterns—count the divination slips in the bamboo cylinder, her wooden hairpin adorned with a newly carved "amulet figurine" crafted by Huwa.
"The merit money the Taoist priestess has earned this month is enough to build three side halls." His abacus beads bounced across the merit box to form the character for "ten thousand." "However, this humble visitor suggests saving some silver for Huwa to carve a 'fire-prevention ghost-face'—yesterday, a pilgrim almost set the apricot tree on fire." Yuqing glared at him, though the tip of her broom gently swept the copper coins resting on the toes of his shoes. "What this poor priestess's temple lacks is tranquility, not side halls... Besides, the Yi School's tutor still lacks a hand warmer."
Huwa immediately carved a little figure holding a hand warmer onto the apricot tree, the abacus beads licking the character for "lack." "Brother Fan calculated that ages ago! Sister Moli painted the *Daoist Scripture of the Hand …
Chapter 123