At other times, it is not permitted to speak.
"Your Majesty, pardon my offense; this is my eldest son," Ito Shinsei said, and then turned his head, pretending to scold:
"Shut your mouth, this place demands respect. When is it your turn to interject?"
This poor attempt at acting naturally did not fool Jingtai, who raised his hand to stop Ito Shinsei's reprimand and said indifferently:
"What matter do you wish to report?"
Ito Ikeda took a deep breath and said loudly:
"Your Majesty, just now, in the great hall, the court officials referred to us from Japan as 'Japanese dwarfs' with scorn in their words. I can't accept this,
the Central Plains are part of the Heavenly Dynasty, a nation of propriety. How could they be so crude?"
"Oh, and what would you have us do?"
Jingtai's expression darkened, showing some displeasure.
