To speak with stern words and a severe, unyielding expression; to be very serious and unsmiling in speech and manner.
面对孩子不负责任的行为，母亲正言厉色地指出他的错误。
Facing her child's irresponsible behavior, the mother, with stern words and a severe expression, pointed out his mistakes.
Era:
Early Modern
Frequency:
Story:
Jia Baoyu went to visit Lin Daiyu and found her asleep.
He tried to wake her up, but Daiyu deliberately ignored him.
Baoyu suddenly had an idea. He began to tell her, with stern words and a severe expression, a story about a rat spirit from Linzi Cave in Daishan, Yangzhou, who stole taro.
Seeing his stern look and serious tone, Daiyu thought it was a true story, only to realize later that he was merely making fun of her.
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