In Folklore
According to Records of Three Kingdoms, Huang Yueying's father Huang Chengyan approached Zhuge Liang when he wanted to marry. He said, "I have an ugly daughter yet I heard you were looking for a wife. She is marred with red hair and dark skin, but I think her wit is well matched with yours." Zhuge Liang agreed to see her and married her. Shortly after their meeting, a light-hearted proverb was spread by the villagers: "Do not follow the example of Zhuge Liang's marriage that ending up being with Chengyan's ugly daughter." (莫作孔明择妇，正得阿承丑女。)
A popular story depicts that Yueying challenged her suitors to personally visit her by claiming that she was ugly. In the possibility that a suitor would visit, she would hide herself under veils as a quiet dare to test their resolve. When Zhuge Liang came to her, her figure was silouetted by the yellow full moon and her head was covered with two red veils. Unlike other men, he entered alone and didn't hesitate to remove her disguises. As he removed the first cloth from her face, he calmly stated that her ugliness was a misunderstanding by her father. He was rewarded by Yueying's joyful visage and gratification.
Another popular interpretation is that while she was beautiful, it was other women in her village whom spread this rumor due to their jealousy.
A memorial for her exists in her supposed hometown of Huang Jia Wan.
Read more about this topic: Huang Yueying
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