To carry branches and ask for punishment
To formally offer a sincere apology
Neutral
你最好是负荆请罪，我相信他会原谅你 | Nǐ zuì hǎo shì fùjīngqǐngzuì, wǒ xiāngxìn tā huì yuánliàng nǐ
You had better just go and offer a sincere apology. I believe that he'll forgive you
[Source]
我惹妈妈生气了，我决定负荆请罪向她道歉 | Wǒ rě māmā shēngqì le, wǒ juédìng fùjīngqǐngzuì xiàng tā dàoqiàn
I made my mother upset, so I decided to sincerely apologize to her
[Source]
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荆 (jīng) technically translates to "brambles" or "chaste tree." However, in ancient times, its branches were used to form torture instruments :(
Please read the 完璧归赵 chengyu story before reading the story below
《史记》(Shǐ Jì), or the famous work "Records of the Grand Historian" by 司马迁 (Sī Mǎ Qiān).
After 蔺相如 (Lìn Xiāng Rú) returned to the state of Zhào (赵) with the 和氏之璧 jade (hé shì bì), the emperor was so impressed that he made him a high-ranking official. This promotion meant that 蔺相如 now ranked higher than the great and famous Zhào general 廉颇 (Lián Pō).
When 廉颇 learned of this, he grew incensed. He thought to himself, I repeatedly risk my life and do all I can for the state of Zhào, and yet this talentless man did one special thing and is suddenly more powerful than me. How can that be?!
The more that he thought about it, the angrier he grew, and he vowed aloud that when he ran into 蔺相如, he would give him a piece of his mind.
廉颇's vow made its way back to 蔺相如, and the official immediately began to avoid him. This went on long enough that people began to believe that 蔺相如 actually feared 廉颇, something which made 廉颇 immensely pleased. However, when 蔺相如 was asked about his evasion efforts, the official replied, "Why would I be afraid of the general? Right now, the Qín is somewhat frightened of our country, and this is primarily because of the great general and myself. If I were to fight with 廉颇, that could only benefit the Qín, so for our country's sake, I have put aside my pride and have been avoiding him."
When word of this got back to the general, he was extremely moved and ashamed. He removed his shirt, shouldered many large branches, and went to visit 蔺相如 at his home. There, he asked to be punished with the branches, and he apologized, "I truly am muddle-headed, and I did not realize you were so generous."
From that moment on, the two were inseparable and loyal friends.