To hide malicious intentions behind a friendly facade; outwardly amiable but inwardly treacherous; velvet paws hide sharp claws.
他表面上对谁都客客气气，实则笑中有刀，你可得小心提防。
He is outwardly polite to everyone, but in reality, he hides malicious intentions behind a friendly facade; you must be careful and on guard against him.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Tang Dynasty, the minister Li Yifu heard about a beautiful female prisoner. He instructed the jailer, Bi Zhengyi, to release her, and then took her for his own.
Minister Wang Yifang reported Bi Zhengyi's misconduct. In retaliation, Li Yifu forced Bi Zhengyi to commit suicide by hanging and furthermore slandered Wang Yifang before the emperor, resulting in Wang Yifang's dismissal and exile to a remote region.
Li Yifu, who appeared modest and amiable on the surface but secretly plotted against others, was a true embodiment of 'having a knife in one's smile' (笑中有刀).
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