English Original
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.
中文翻译
从前，齐国有一位名叫黄公的老人，痴迷于表现得谦卑有礼，并渴望因此获得赞誉。
黄公有两个可爱的女儿。她们容貌出众，举止优雅，堪称绝代佳人。然而，黄公将她们深藏闺中，禁止她们公开露面。
每当有人称赞他女儿出色时，他总是连连摇头说：“小女貌丑质陋，粗俗蠢笨，不足挂齿！”
久而久之，人们信以为真。黄公女儿貌丑的名声传扬开来。即便她们到了适婚年龄，也无人上门提亲。
卫国有个穷人，妻子去世了。他无钱娶亲，便到黄公家求婚。果然，黄公同意了。婚礼后，当新娘的头纱被揭开时，那人惊喜地发现眼前是一位绝色佳人。
消息不胫而走。直到这时，人们才明白黄公是过分谦虚，故意贬低自己女儿的美貌。于是，许多名门望族纷纷前来向他的二女儿提亲。从此，黄公家门庭若市。