After his retirement, he lived in Suzakuin (this is why he came to be known by the name of 'Suzakutei' or 'Suzakuin'), and he lived with Oborozukiyo happily, but at the same time he loved the Empress Akikonomu, a daughter of Rokujo no Miyasudokoro, though his love was hopeless due to the intention of Genji, who became an adoptive father of Saigu (Imperial Princess appointed to serve the deities of the Ise-jingu Shrine).
退位後は朱雀院に住まい（これにより通称を「朱雀帝」「朱雀院」と称する）、朧月夜との平穏な生活を過ごす一方、六条御息所の娘の秋好中宮へも思いをかけたが、斎宮の養父となった源氏の意向で叶わなかった。