Kozaisho took the letter tentatively; however, she mistakenly dropped it just in front of Josaimonin (Imperial Princess Muneko) when served, and Josaimonin picked it up and said "Too much strong-mindedness is not favored" citing an example of ONO no Komachi who was said to have died a miserable death, and Josaimonin ordered an ink stone to be brought and prompted Kozaisho to write a reply to him.
小宰相はとりあえず持ち帰ったが、御所で宮仕えしていたとき上西門院の前でこの文を取り落とし、女院はこれを拾って「あまり気が強いのもよくありませんよ」と、みじめな最後を遂げたという小野小町の例を出して、自ら硯を取り寄せて返事を書いてやるようにうながした。