Furthermore, Takasue was treated in the same manner as a family member, such as being selected to become a Chugu daibu (Master of the Consort's Household) when Kiyomori's daughter, TAIRA no Tokuko, became an empress through marriage to the Emperor, and after he became a Sangi (Councilor) in 1161 he quickly rose through the ranks of Kebiishi no betto (Superintendent of the Imperial Police), Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state) and Chunagon (a vice-councilor of state), and in 1168, he finally surpassed his father's kyokkan (the highest rank to which his father was appointed) and became Gon Dainagon (a provisional chief-councilor of state).
さらに、清盛の娘・平徳子の立后に際して中宮大夫に抜擢されるなど親族同様の待遇を受けた隆季は、応保元年（1161年）に参議となってから、検非違使別当・権中納言・中納言と急速に昇進、仁安(日本)3年（1168年）にはついに父の極官を越えて権大納言となった。