As the Abacus-Bead Lanterns of Green Ox Lodge flickered to life, an imperial eunuch from the palace stepped inside, carrying a gilded food box. His python-patterned boot soles crushed the "Attracting Wealth and Treasure" pattern paved with abacus beads, causing the beads on his trouser cuffs to bounce into the character for "startle." Xiaotao, clutching a rolling pin, hid behind the stove, her double-buns shaking so hard the Huwa wood carving on them kept shedding flour. "Bro-Brother Fan! It's people from the palace!"
"Grandpa Li, what an honor," Zhang Yifan greeted him, swaying his abacus beads, which bounced against the food box to form the character for "Imperial." "Could it be that His Majesty fancies some scallion flatbread paired with green plum wine?"
Grandpa Li let out a shrill laugh. "Your abacus truly divines the future! His Majesty commands the two of you to enter the palace tomorrow and prepare three banquet dishes based on the three fundamental powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man. If they fail to please the Sacred Heart, well, humph..."
Chapter 152