He was quickly promoted as a legitimate son of the Sanjyo family, and after he held the posts such as Jiju (Imperial Household Agency staff), Sakone no chujo, Chunagon (Middle Counselor), Toka no sechie Geben (a kugyo who supervised many matters outside Jomei Gate at Toka no sechie (Imperial Court Ceremony)), and Gon Dainagon, he served as Ukone no daisho (Major Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards) and Naidaijin (minister of the center) in 1749.
三条家の嫡男として早いスピードで昇進し、侍従・左近衛中将・中納言・踏歌節会外弁・権大納言などをへて、寛延2年（1749年）に右近衛大将、内大臣となった。