Most-venerated Emperor... Akishino thought that the flattery was beyond belief, the choice of title insolent, tinged with condescension. He could distinguish between puffery and sincere praise.
The Emperor told the Chancellor to rise several times, but he intelligently refused. Instead he shuffled toward the dais on his knees, keeping his head low, then knocked his forehead to the floor slightly louder than the previous kowtows.
Only one thought preoccupied and unnerved him—does the Emperor know of my involvement in my sister's crime? He would endeavour to act completely bewildered and submissive, asking forgiveness for daring to question the Emperor about the validity of the circumstantial evidence brought forwards against the Empress. Was the evidence from a reliable source and strong enough to convict her? Hopefully he could suss out if he was also exposed.
