Zhao Erhu's forehead was truly breaking out in sweat; the Emperor's demeanor was so different from what the eunuch Cui and his wife had described. Eunuch Cui had said that the Emperor's emotions never showed on his face, and his wife had told him that the Emperor was easy to get along with, merely a smiling tiger. But looking at the Emperor, Erhu felt like he seemed more of a 'resentful husband.' Don't assume he couldn't see through it; the Emperor was clearly venting his frustrations on him from being angered elsewhere. He was far from foolish; he was simply feigning incompetence to avoid arousing the Emperor's wariness.
Huangfu Jing had been scolding for a while, but seeing Zhao Erhu just standing there dumbfounded without any reaction—not knowing to kowtow and apologize, nor to offer comforting words—was akin to a blockhead, which left him feeling imbalanced. "I talk this much, and you have nothing to say? You dare to ignore Us!"