From the Choho era to the first year of the Kanko era (from 999 to 1004), Korechika had gradually returned in Byodo (Imperial Court), which was deeply concerned with behind-the-scene circumstances like this: Emperor Ichijo made chugu Akiko, who had yet to give birth to a prince or princess, bring up Imperial Prince Atsuyasu, and Michinaga kept serving the Imperial Prince in case the Imperial Prince succeeded to the throne.
長保から寛弘初年にかけて、伊周が徐々に廟堂に復帰して行った背景には、なかなか皇子女を産まない中宮彰子に一条天皇が敦康親王を養わせ、道長もいざという時に備えて親王に奉仕を怠らなかったことが深く関係する。