Năsturel lost his first-born in 1652. Mateiaș died in the princely home, after having freed the peasants and slaves living on all his personal properties. A letter by Prince Matei records the princely couple's "great distress". However, when he began searching for a new heir, he omitted Radu Toma and focused on Mihai, orphaned son of the former Prince Nicolae Pătrașcu, then on Istratie Leurdeanu, and finally on Diicul Buicescul. This period coincided with mounting political troubles, introduced after a war with Moldavia: victorious but wounded, Prince Matei faced a "Seimeni" rebellion stoked by the pretender Constantin Șerban. Princess Elena died in August 1653, shortly after having helped avert a more serious crisis. She left her personal estate to her surviving godson.