After Emperor Murakami died the following year, Emperor Reizei, who was the Prince's older brother, succeeded to the throne however, he had many eccentricities and was born weak although he was attractive in appearance, when FUJIWARA no Saneyori was the Chancellor (associate regent) and the Imperial Prince Tamehira, who was bright, was expected to become Crown Prince.
翌年、村上天皇崩御に伴い、親王の兄である冷泉天皇が即位するが、天皇は、容姿は美しいが奇行が目立ち病弱であった為藤原実頼が関白（准摂政）を務めていたが、聡明な為平親王がその皇太弟になると予想されていた。