However, Sanesuke was wise enough not to directly confront Michinaga and simply maintained principled behavior, while Emperor Sanjo himself was also not very trustworthy, breaking his promise to appoint Sanesuke Kurodo no to in fear of Michinaga.
もっとも、賢明な実資は道長と正面から対決するようなことはせず、あくまで筋を通す態度を貫き、また、三条天皇も資平を蔵人頭に任じると約束しながら、道長を憚って止み沙汰にしてしまうなど、あまり頼りにはならなかった。