Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

The Imperial Guard protecting the city lord's mansion consists of three elite units, each commanded by one of the three departments.

The Palace Guard Command, the Imperial Guard Cavalry Command, and the Imperial Guard Infantry Command were collectively known as the Three Palace Guard Commands or the Three Imperial Guard Commands.

The three offices have basically the same functions and official positions, and they are only under the command of the First Lady. However, the focus of the Office of the Palace Attendants is more on the security of the city lord's mansion and the personal safety of the First Lady.

It's very complicated to explain in detail, but it's also very simple. It's nothing more than the First Lady dividing the Imperial Guard into three, playing the game of checks and balances. No one can control everything, and no one can be the only one in power. Even though the commanders of the three departments are all the First Lady's confidants, they are still bound to be suspicious.

This is a 'disease' parasitic on the body of those in power, which is most likely incurable. And the few 'patients' who are cured will soon die unexpectedly. The reason is simple: those in power surrender their trust, which is tantamount to courting death. The result will inevitably be the loss of power and an unexpected death.

Often, the deceased is succeeded by his own son or brother before the coffin.

Is it really possible that there are no other voices within the First Family?

The First Li Bai also had brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, and concubines.

The reason why the First Taibai was able to become the city lord was partly because of his outstanding abilities. He was indeed the restorer of the dynasty. If he had died a few years earlier, he would have definitely become the most outstanding holy lord in the ten-thousand-year history of the First Family. Everyone would remember that the First Taibai led the First Family to a glorious era!

On the other hand, it's because the First Taibai is the legitimate son. It's hard to say about the other city lords, because the other city lords have less foundation. Whether to establish the legitimate son or the virtuous son is a matter of personal choice and depends entirely on the current city lord's personal preference. However, among the Five Hegemons of the Empire and the Python Sparrow Royal Family, the legitimate sons and daughters have everything from birth.

If a legitimate son is accompanied by an eldest son or daughter, the eldest legitimate son or daughter is practically invincible. No matter how outstanding the younger siblings are, they can never compete with them and pose no threat. As long as they do not rebel, they are destined to inherit the throne once their father or mother dies.

The Five Hegemons of the Empire and the Python-Sparrow Royal Family do not necessarily need a wise and virtuous ruler. Even if the eldest son or daughter is slightly mediocre, it doesn't matter, because there are enough talented people and a deep enough foundation. As long as they don't mess things up or cause trouble, they can live off their past achievements until they die.

Before the First Taibai Corpse disintegrated and committed suicide, he designated the First Lady as the next city lord. Since taking office, there have been almost no other voices on the surface. That is only because the First Lady is able to stabilize the situation, manage the Sword Tower in an orderly manner, and always keep power in her hands.

Furthermore, since they had never made a mistake, the First Family remained silent.

And most importantly, the First Lady, as the legitimate daughter and sole heir of the First Family, will eventually return the position of City Lord to the bloodline of the First Family. Otherwise, as an outsider, the First Lady will not be able to secure her position, and even if she does, she will be a puppet with no real power.

Therefore, the First Lady tightly controls power, but she is extremely insecure and suspicious that others want to oust her and that someone wants her dead. Otherwise, why would she resort to so many tricks, even dividing the most trusted Imperial Guard into three to check and balance each other?

As a confidant of the First Lady and the Commander of the Palace Guard, Gao Xianchun had a duty to fulfill. He couldn't possibly neglect his duties and break the rules just because the other party was the Fourth Young Master. He knew very well who his master was; otherwise, his position as Commander of the Palace Guard would be over.

The two commanders of the Imperial Guards' cavalry and infantry were both watching him closely, hoping he would make a mistake.

Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow: "Lord Gao, you want to investigate me?"

Gao Xianchun bowed his head, clasped his hands, took a few steps back, and knelt on one knee: "Please calm down, Fourth Young Master. This humble servant was only doing his duty and had no intention of making things difficult. If I have offended the Young Master, this humble servant is willing to accept punishment afterward."

Zhou Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Gao Xianchun with an indifferent gaze. Suddenly, he smiled, bent down, and reached out to support Gao Xianchun's arm, saying kindly and amicably, "Lord Gao, what are you doing? You are just doing your duty, handling official business in an official capacity. How can you talk about offending or making things difficult for him?"

Gao Xianchun breathed a slight sigh of relief, stood up, smiled, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Fourth Young Master."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and took out the token, handing it over and raising both hands to twirl around: "Come on, Lord Gao."

"Excuse me." Gao Xianchun clasped his hands in apology, then quickly reached out and touched Zhou Qingfeng's cheek, neck, and back of the head, using detection magic to scan Zhou Qingfeng's body from all angles to ensure that no one could disguise themselves and infiltrate the city lord's mansion.

Within three breaths, Gao Xianchun finished his inspection and respectfully handed back the pass: "Fourth Young Master, please enter the manor."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, smiled, and patted Gao Xianchun's arm: "Well done. No wonder Mother appointed you as the Commander of the Palace Guard. You are conscientious, loyal, and capable. Keep it up. I will put in a good word for you with Mother."

Upon hearing this, Gao Xianchun broke out in a cold sweat. The words seemed to be an expression of praise, but they sent chills down his spine. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether Zhou Qingfeng was telling the truth or if there was a hidden meaning in his words.

Investigating is my duty. Even if it offends the Fourth Young Master, I have no choice but to do so. If I don't investigate, I won't even be able to do my job properly. How can I gain the trust of the City Lord? How can the City Lord continue to favor me? And how can I continue to serve as the Commander of the Palace Guard?

This job is incredibly difficult; it's so damn likely to offend people. He used to be able to slack off, but in the past six months, too many new people have come to Sword Tower City from all over the country, a real mixed bag, making it extremely chaotic. He has no choice but to be cautious and personally oversee the operation to conduct a thorough investigation.

After personally taking charge, he has basically offended everyone he could in the past six months.

Young Master Ma, Young Master Mao, the Three Assistant Generals of the Sun, Moon and Stars, and the Three Assistant Generals of the Tang, Song and Zhu Dynasties.

Finally, we added Young Master Zhou.

Looking around, good heavens, all the powerful figures in Sword Tower have been offended, not one of them is missing.

Gao Xianchun had already given up all hope, but he still hoped that the big shots wouldn't hold it against him. So Gao Xianchun turned around and looked at Zhou Qingfeng's back, clasped his hands and loudly apologized: "Please don't blame me, Fourth Young Master. I was just doing my duty and had no intention of offending you."

Zhou Qingfeng didn't even turn his head. He waved his hand and laughed loudly, "I understand. Don't worry, I'm not that petty. Lord Gao has done his duty faithfully. In my opinion, he should not only be innocent, but also rewarded handsomely!"

Gao Xianchun was taken aback, as he had been stationed there for half a year.

The Fourth Young Master was the first big shot to give him a friendly look.

He didn't know whether what the Fourth Young Master said was true or false.

But it doesn't matter anymore. He's done all he can. He can only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

The Fourth Young Master mainly targeted him, and he had no choice but to accept it.