Anxious about Emperor Goreizei, who did not have a prince, FUJIWARA no Yorimichi and Jotomonin tried to resolve the situation by having the Imperial Princess who had close ties with the Sekkan-ke (line of regents and advisers) enter the court and become the Crown Princess; however, Imperial Princess Keishi had only one male and one female children, both of whom had died young.
後冷泉天皇に皇子誕生が見られず焦っていた頼通や上東門院は、摂関家と縁の深い内親王を東宮妃に入れることで打開を図ったと見られるが、馨子内親王には夭折した一男一女がいたきりであった。