When drinking, twelve dancing girls came and asked which song they should perform. Jinghuan said, "Perform the new 'Dream of the Red Chamber' in twelve movements." The dancers replied, lightly tapped the platform, played their silver zithers, and began to sing.
"In the beginning, when heaven and earth were separated..."
After singing a section, Jinghuan said, "This song is different from the music used in performances created in the mundane world. It does not have fixed roles like 'shō' (male), 'dan' (female), 'jō' (serious), or 'matsu' (comic), nor are there restrictions based on the nine palaces of North and South. Sometimes it expresses a single person's emotions, and sometimes it reflects a particular event. When inspiration strikes, I can immediately compose music that fits the lyrics and arrange it for instruments. If one is not familiar with this art form, they may not appreciate its beauty. You might not fully understand this melody either. It would be better to read the original text before listening to the song; otherwise, you might find it lacking in flavor."
Saying that, he turned around and ordered a servant to bring him the manuscript of "Dream of the Red Chamber," which he then gave to Bao Yu. Bao Yu received it and listened to the song while following the words with his eyes.
(Overture to The Dream of the Red Chamber) In the beginning, when heaven and earth opened up, who would be a person filled with emotions? Everything is because of the deep feelings of wind and moon.
When you cannot change the weather, and it is a day that pains your heart, when you feel lonely, try expressing what's in your heart through song.
That is why I am performing this play, "Dream of the Red Chamber," which depicts Jin and mourns for Baoyu.
(Lifelong devotion)
Everyone says that gold and jade are a perfect match. But my thoughts only go to the vow before the tree and the stone. Facing each other in vain, like the noble person in the mountains, the clear snow. The immortal princess outside the world, the lonely forest, is unforgettable forever. In this human world, even among good things, there are always shortcomings. Now I understand that. No matter how harmonious it may seem when people gather around a table with smiles on their faces, the turmoil in my heart will not disappear.
(Wangningmei)
One is a flower from the realm of immortals, and the other is a beautiful jade without any flaws. If there were no connection between them, why did they meet in this lifetime? If there is a connection, then why do thoughts that arise in one's heart ultimately become words filled with emptiness? One person laments uselessly, while the other continues to think about it and suffers. One is like the moon reflected in water, and the other is like a flower within a mirror. Tears are limited. As autumn turns into winter, and spring transitions into summer, how can one endure?
Even after listening to this song, Baoyu felt lost and didn't fully understand its merits. However, the melody of the song was sad and melancholic, captivating his soul and leaving him in a state of blissful trance. Baoyu did not inquire about the circumstances surrounding the song or investigate its origins; he simply used it as a distraction for now. Then, looking further down, he read the following:
| Translation of terms in the sentence. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Twelve pieces. | In the original Japanese, it is "Twelve Branches." Here, it refers to the twelve songs that are performed. |
| Wooden planks. | A flat, plate-shaped musical instrument that is struck to create rhythm. |
| Silver koto. | An expression that compares the koto to silver. The material of the instrument is not specified. |
| Raw, cooked, pure, and final. | Classification of roles in traditional theater. The specific content of each role is not described in detail in this text. |
| North and South Nine Palaces Constraints. | The original expression is preserved, and detailed classification in terms of music genre is not specified. |
| Let's try to express what's in my heart through a song. | The expression "guchu," which means deep feelings, has been simplified into a more understandable form for humble expressions. |
| Gold mourns, lamenting the jewel. | Please translate the original words and do not apply them to specific individuals. |
| The connection between gold and jade. | The original phrase is "金玉良缘". The lyrics' phrasing should be preserved, and explanations of character correspondences are not included. |
| The oath in front of the tree and stone. | The original phrase "木石前𥂀". The characters and reading are intentionally left unconfirmed to preserve the expression in the lyrics. |
| Mountains in the wilderness, clear and bright snow. | The original Japanese phrase is "山中高士晶營雪." The corresponding person has not been specified. |
| The immortal princess of this world, in a lonely forest. | The original phrase "世外仙姝寂寞林" corresponds to a person, but the specific individual is not identified. |
| Arranging eyebrows and presenting a meal. | The original phrase is "齊眉舉案." It is an expression that indicates closeness and harmony. |
| Flowers of the celestial realm. | The original phrase "閬苑仙葩" refers to flowers in a fairyland. |
| A beautiful jade without any blemishes. | The original phrase "美玉無瑕". An expression that follows the literal meaning of the characters. |
| Thinking about it continuously and suffering. | The original phrase "空勞牽掛" describes a state where thoughts linger and continue, without having a specific object of concern. |
| The moon reflected in water. | The original phrase is "Suishō no tsuki." This refers to a metaphor in the lyrics. |
| The flower in the mirror. | Original: "Kagami no naka no hana." Lyrics, metaphor. |
| Sadly and frustratingly. | The original word is "凄婉". Impression of the melody. |
| It captures the soul and makes you feel mesmerized. | The original phrase is "锁魂醉魄". I will express my impression of listening to the song. |