Four days later, on January 21, when Emperor Sanjo expressed to Michinaga his intention to appoint Akinobu Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain) which became vacant due to FUJIWARA no Michito's promotion to Sangi (councilor), Michinaga declined to accept it, saying Akinobu is 'lack of knowledge' which would invite 'public censure' ("Gonki" (FUJIWARA no Yukinari's Diary).
その4日後の19日、三条天皇から道長に対して藤原通任の参議昇進で空席となった蔵人頭に顕信を就ける意志を告げたところ、道長が顕信は「不足職之者」で「衆人之謗」を招くとして辞退を申し出ている（『権記』）。