内助之贤 — “Virtuous inner helper”

Yan Ying, the prime minister of Duke Jing of Qi during the Warring States period, was a man of short stature but great talent, renowned among the feudal lords.

One day, as Yan Ying was riding in his carriage, driven by his charioteer, they passed by the charioteer's home. The charioteer's wife secretly observed her husband through the door, noticing his arrogant and self-satisfied demeanor as he held the whip.

That evening, when her husband returned home, she admonished him, saying, 'Yan Ying, though less than six feet tall, is the prime minister of Qi and famous throughout the land, respected by all the feudal lords. Yet, his attitude remains humble, with no hint of self-importance. You, on the other hand, are eight feet tall, much more imposing in appearance, but you are merely his driver, yet you act so proudly and arrogantly. This is why you will never advance beyond humble positions, and I truly feel ashamed for you.'

The charioteer took his wife's words to heart and gradually changed his attitude, becoming humble and amiable. Yan Ying noticed the sudden change in his charioteer's demeanor and, curious, asked for the reason. The charioteer honestly recounted everything his wife had said.

Yan Ying, appreciating that the charioteer could accept advice and immediately rectify his faults, deemed him worthy of promotion and recommended him for the official position of Dafu.

From this story of a virtuous domestic helper, the idiom '内助之贤' (nèi zhù zhī xián) later came to be used to praise someone for having a wise and supportive wife who helps her husband succeed in his career, studies, or character, thereby increasing his social standing.