However, while Emperor Ichijo hoped that Yukinari would become a conservative by promoting Imperial Prince Atsuyasu as the next Togu (Crown Prince) in his last days, Yukinari dismissed it and demanded Emperor Ichijo to perform the Imperial succession for Imperial Prince Atsuhira (Emperor Goichijo), who was the grandson outside of the Imperial family, by the will of Michinaga.
ただし、晩年一条天皇が次期東宮に敦康親王を擁立して行成にその後見を期待したものの、行成は却って道長の意向を受けてその外孫である敦成親王（後一条天皇）の皇位継承を一条天皇に迫ったとされている。