私相授受 secretly giving and receiving
Explanation
指暗中进行的给予和接受，不公开，不透明。通常指不正当的交易或行为。
Refers to the giving and receiving done in secret, not public or transparent. Usually refers to improper transactions or behaviors.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，边关告急，朝廷命大将军李靖率军前往抗敌。李靖深知敌军狡猾，于是下令所有军需物资必须登记造册，严禁私相授受。然而，军中一名小吏，贪图小利，暗中将一些军需物资私自送给自己的亲戚。此事很快被李靖发现，小吏因此受到严惩。这件事让全军将士都明白了纪律的重要性，也警示人们要洁身自好，不能因小失大。
It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, the border was in danger, and the court ordered General Li Jing to lead his troops to fight against the enemy. Li Jing knew that the enemy was cunning, so he ordered that all military supplies must be registered and that any private giving or receiving was strictly prohibited. However, a minor officer in the army, coveting small profits, secretly gave some military supplies to his relatives. This matter was quickly discovered by Li Jing, and the minor officer was severely punished as a result. This incident made all the soldiers understand the importance of discipline and also warned people to be honest and not lose the bigger picture for the sake of small gains.
Usage
通常用于形容暗中进行的交易或行为，多用于贬义。
Usually used to describe transactions or behaviors that are carried out secretly, mostly used in a derogatory sense.
Examples
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他们私相授受，暗中交易，被查处后受到了严厉的惩罚。
tāmen sī xiāng shòu shòu, àn zhōng jiāoyì, bèi chá chù hòu shòu dào le yán lì de chéngfá。
They secretly exchanged information and engaged in clandestine dealings, and after being investigated they received severe punishment.
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这种私相授受的行为，严重违反了公司的规章制度。
zhè zhǒng sī xiāng shòu shòu de xíngwéi, yánzhòng wéifǎn le gōngsī de guīzhāng zhìdù。
Such secret giving and receiving behavior severely violates company regulations and rules.