In September 1161, following the discovery of the conspiracy to let Prince Norihito (later called Emperor Takakura) succeed the Imperial Throne, he being the son of Emperor Goshirakawa and TAIRA no Shigeko, the Emperor removed Emperor Goshirakawa's close aides, TAIRA no Tokitada, TAIRA no Norimori, FUJIWARA no Narichika and FUJIWARA no Nobutaka, from their positions in order to stop Goshirakawa's political involvement.
応保元年（1161年）9月、後白河と平滋子の間に生まれた皇子憲仁（後の高倉天皇）を皇太子にしようとする陰謀が発覚すると、二条は後白河近臣の平時忠・平教盛・藤原成親・藤原信隆を解官して、後白河の政治介入を停止した。