Although his biological son, Morosue SAIONJI was born after Harusue died, the son was too small to become heir; Kinzumi who was a biological son of Imperial Prince Arisugawanomiya Tsunahito demoted himself to be adopted by the Saionji family; Consequently, Kinzumi succeeded the Saionji family.
治季の死去後に実子の西園寺師季が誕生したが、幼すぎるので有栖川宮韶仁親王の王子の西園寺公潔が臣籍降下養子による臣籍降下して西園寺家の養子縁組となり、これを相続した。