The Emperor told him that 'I have been an Emperor for 16 years so far, and I have been planning to let the current Crown Prince (Emperor Kazan, a child of Emperor Reizei) ascend the throne. Then, I plan to appoint Yasuhito the Imperial Prince. I am sorry that you have been dissatisfied because you didn't know what I was thinking.'
天皇は「朕は在位して16年になり、位を東宮（花山天皇・冷泉天皇の皇子）に譲りたいと思っていた。その後は懐仁を東宮にするつもりだ。朕の心を知らずに不平を持っているようだが、残念だ」と諭した。