I would say that the question taken at face value matters, but the context in which it was asked in this case means that there's no way you're going to get an h

I would say that the question taken at face value matters, but the context in which it was asked in this case means that there's no way you're going to get an honest answer. So in other words it's at best here a rhetorical device. But you're missing the point, and I don't feel like rephrasing yet again.