the empty city stratagem (in which Zhuge Liang presents himself as unperturbed while making it evident that his city is undefended, hoping his adversary will suspect an ambush) / double bluff
采兰赠芍
cǎi lán zèng sháo
lit. pick orchids and present peonies (idiom) / fig. presents between lovers
formal betrothal (in which the boy's family sends presents to the girl's family)
吃人家的嘴软，拿人家的手短
chī rén jiā de zuǐ ruǎn , ná rén jiā de shǒu duǎn
lit. the mouth that has been fed by others is soft, the hand that has received doesn't reach (idiom) / fig. one is partial to those from whom presents have been accepted
真人不露相
zhēn rén bù lòu xiàng
the sage presents as an ordinary person (idiom)
采兰赠芍
cǎi lán - zèng sháo
lit. to pluck orchids and gift peonies (idiom) / fig. (of lovers) to exchange presents
kào