In the final years of Emperor Wu of Han's reign, his great-grandson Liu Xun, only a few months old, was thrown into prison due to a case involving the crown prince. The prison warden, Bing Ji, took pity on the innocent infant and secretly ordered his protection and care. In the second year of the Houyuan era, Emperor Wu fell ill and, believing a rumor that "the prison in Chang'an holds the aura of a future emperor," ordered all prisoners killed regardless of their crimes. The official delivering this decree arrived at the prison that night but was blocked at the gate by Bing Ji, who declared, "The emperor's great-grandson is inside. Even killing other innocents is unacceptable, let alone the emperor's own kin!" He held the gate firm until dawn, refusing entry. The official returned to court and impeached Bing Ji, but Emperor Wu, having a change of heart, issued a general amnesty, sparing Liu Xun's life. Bing Ji continued to care for the boy, providing medicine and using his own funds for food and clothing.
After Emperor Wu died, his successor Emperor Zhao ruled for only about a decade before passing away without a son to inherit the throne. By then, Liu Xun had grown to eighteen or nineteen, and Bing Ji, seeing his learning and ability, strongly recommended him to the powerful General-in-Chief Huo Guang. Huo Guang accepted Bing Ji's advice and welcomed Liu Xun as emperor—he became Emperor Xuan of Han.
Despite his monumental contributions, Bing Ji was a man of deep reserve and modesty, never boasting of his past deeds—he kept absolutely silent about how he had once saved Emperor Xuan's life. Years after the emperor ascended the throne, someone else submitted a memorial claiming to have protected the young ruler. An investigation revealed the truth: Bing Ji was the true hero. To repay him, Emperor Xuan enfeoffed Bing Ji as the Marquis of Boyang, with a fief of 1,300 households. Bing Ji firmly declined the honor. The emperor insisted, "If you return the marquis's seal, you leave me trapped in ingratitude." Only then did Bing Ji accept.
Shut one's mouth, keep silent. The idiom "never utter a word" describes someone who keeps their mouth shut and refuses to mention a certain matter or person.
Source: *Book of Han*, "Biography of Bing Ji"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "绝口不提" came to describe never utter a word describes someone who keeps their mouth shut and refuses to mention a certain matter or person.