举案齐眉 — “Lift the tray to eyebrow level”

The idiom 'Jǔ Àn Qí Méi' (举案齐眉) originates from a story during the Eastern Han Dynasty involving Liang Hong and his wife, Meng Guang. Liang Hong, whose courtesy name was Boluan, was from Pínglíng (modern-day northwest Xianyang City, Shaanxi). Despite his humble background, he became a man of great learning through diligent study. However, he had no desire for an official career and chose to live a simple, contented life with his wife, relying on their own labor.

Meng Guang, his wife, was a daughter from the Meng family in the same county. She was known for her dark complexion, stout build, and love for manual labor, completely devoid of the affectations typical of young ladies. It is said that her family had considerable difficulty finding her a suitable husband, and she remained unmarried at the age of thirty. This was not due to young gentlemen disliking her appearance, but rather her disdain for their pampered demeanor. She specifically stated her desire to marry a man like Liang Hong. Her parents, having no other choice, sought an intermediary to propose marriage to Liang Hong. Liang Hong, having also heard of Meng Guang's character, agreed.

When Meng Guang first married into the Liang family, as a new bride, she wore beautiful clothes and ornaments. Liang Hong ignored her for seven days straight. On the eighth day, Meng Guang tied up her hair, removed her jewelry, changed into simple cotton clothes, and began to work diligently. Liang Hong was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Ah, now this is my wife!"

According to the 'Book of the Later Han' (Hou Han Shu, Biography of Liang Hong), after their marriage, Liang Hong and Meng Guang lived in seclusion in the mountains of Baling (east of modern-day Chang'an County, Shaanxi). Later, they moved to the Wu region (modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). They worked together, supported each other, and treated each other with extreme courtesy and respect, truly embodying the phrase 'xiāng jìng rú bīn' (treating each other like honored guests). It is said that every day after Liang Hong finished his work and returned home, Meng Guang would have the food and dishes ready. She would then hold the tray with both hands, lifting it level with her eyebrows, and respectfully present it to Liang Hong. Liang Hong would happily receive it, and they would then enjoy their meal together.