Sitting facing south, holding court facing north.
When the image grieves, it too grieves;
When the image rejoices, it too rejoices.
English titles, text, and notes are AI-assisted for reading only; for scholarship cite the Chinese and authoritative editions.
Annotation
Baoyu's riddle in Chapter 22. The answer is 'mirror.' A mirror reflects all things without attachment, echoing the Buddhist concept of emptiness ('flowers in a mirror, moon in water'), and foreshadowing Baoyu's ultimate enlightenment and renunciation.
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