The decline of the power of Genji and sadaijin (Minister of the left) was significant and Fujitsubo, who did not have an influential guardian, decided to become a priestess in order to protect the crown prince after being annoyed by further courtship from Genji ('Sakaki').
源氏・左大臣側の衰勢も著しく、主だった後見もいない藤壺は源氏からの更なる求愛に悩まされた末、東宮を守るために出家を選んだ（「賢木」）。