At that time, it was common for low-ranking ladies-in-waiting to serve persons of noble status, and it is probably true that Niigasa who served as a lady-in-waiting would occasionally catch the eye of Shirakabe no Okimi, attended at his bedside, and received his affection.
当時は采女といって身分の低い女性が高貴な者に奉仕することがふつうだったので、采女である新笠がたまたま白壁王の目に止まり、枕席に侍り情を受けたというのが真相ではあるまいか。