In the past, an old man named Huang Gong in the State of Qi was obsessed with appearing modest and humble, and he craved praise for these qualities.
Huang Gong had two lovely daughters. They were exceptionally beautiful, with elegant grace, and could be called peerless beauties. However, Huang Gong kept them secluded in their boudoir, forbidding them from appearing in public.
Whenever someone congratulated him on having such fine daughters, he would repeatedly shake his head and say, "My daughters are ugly, plain, coarse, and foolish—not worth mentioning."
Over time, people believed him. The reputation of Huang Gong's daughters being ugly spread far and wide. Even when they reached marriageable age, no suitors came to ask for their hands.
There was a poor man in the State of Wei whose wife had died. Having no money for a proper match, he went to Huang Gong's house to propose. As expected, Huang Gong agreed. After the wedding, when the bride's veil was lifted, the man was overjoyed to find a lady of unsurpassed beauty.
The news spread quickly. Only then did people realize that Huang Gong had been excessively modest and had deliberately downplayed his daughters' beauty. Consequently, many distinguished families came to propose marriage to the second daughter. From then on, Huang Gong's house became as bustling as a marketplace.