♂,
"Yitian, you and I hit it off at first sight, and you've attended two of my family banquets. Don't call me High God anymore—it's too distant. From now on, just call me Uncle Zhu." Zhu Junyu smiled faintly, then reached out and patted me on the shoulder in encouragement.
"Uncle Zhu!" I was startled. I wasn't about to refuse such a good thing. This meant he intended to acknowledge me as his little nephew—a precious honor indeed, especially coming from a first-rank official. Besides, Zhu Junyu was now in a very favorable position, and Zhu Daoqing, Zhu Daoyun, Zhu Daohe, and I had all become friends. We would have plenty of opportunities to help one another in the future, and some connection between us was inevitable. What was more, calling a friend's father "Uncle" was only proper. Calling him High God would indeed be a little awkward. And judging by our actual ages, he could have been my grandfather without seeming too old.
"Hahaha, Yitian, I feel much more comfortable now that you've called me that." Zhu Junyu laughed heartily, then lowered his voice. "Your situation is rather special, so I've already had some friends in the Hall of Criminal Law draft a memorial recommending you for merit. I've also secured the support of some colleagues. Tomorrow, they'll raise the matter at court and let the Divine Emperor decide. Aside from me, the other officials should answer the call in droves. I don't think the officials from the Administrative Affairs Bureau will be able to obstruct it then."
A look of shock appeared on my face, though I was actually quite pleased. Official rank now meant a great deal to me. Only with an official position could I overturn the case against Si Xiaoxian. Given my relationship with Zhu