Wholehearted Devotion, Playing Both Sides

First update, midnight

If one had asked about Uncle Zhao in the capital two years ago, most people probably would not have been able to say exactly who he was.

Back then, Uncle Zhao had been the very model of an inconspicuous figure. Though he did not exactly live in seclusion, he rarely made any ostentatious public appearances.

As a result, people's impression of him had been far less distinct than their impression of Imperial Brother-in-Law Jia.

If one had to attach a label to him, "low-key" would certainly have fit best.

Yet over the past two years, his style had suddenly changed completely. Not only had he become far more high-profile, but whenever he went out, he was surrounded by attendants, with gongs sounding to clear the way. He had even recruited over a hundred retainers into his household.

Though they were a mixed bunch, with even several of Hong Jiu's peers having slipped among them, the momentum had been built. It carried something of the air of "three thousand retainers under Lord Chunshen, while Little Zhao ruled five feet of sky south of the city."

However, in Sun Shaozong's view, Uncle Zhao himself had not changed much at all. What had changed was merely the situation.

The reason he had suddenly become so high-profile was naturally because the Crown Prince's "foundation" was no longer secure.

Back when the Crown Prince had not yet lost his footing and the throne had been within easy reach, Uncle Zhao had naturally been able to rest easy. He had only needed to wait quietly for the new Emperor's ascension, when his own status would rise with the tide.

But the current situation had filled him with a powerful sense of crisis, forcing him to step forward despite himself, wave the Crown Prince's