The original text is qianjin 千金 [a thousand teals of gold], a respectable way to call another’s daughter, usually from a gentry family.
This saying is said to have different origins. In general, qianjin literally means a great amount of money, indicating that it is very precious. As in traditional Chinese patriarchal society, an unmarried daughter is a valuable capital that will bring the family fortune and status through her marriage.
The first use of the word qianjin to refer to someone’s daughter is in Zhang Guobin’s 張國賓 (fl. 1271-1368) zaju play Xue Rengui ronggui guli 薛仁貴榮歸故里 [Xue Rengui returned to his hometown in glory]: “My lady, I am the daughter of a commoner, while you are the daughter (qianjin) of a gentry family. Please help yourself” 小姐也，我則是個庶民百姓之女，你乃是官宦人家的千金小姐，請自穩便.
It is worth noting that qianjin is used to call someone else’s daughter, not the daughter of oneself.
