As the banquet entered its latter half, the atmosphere could finally no longer be suppressed.
After Li Cheng was the first to launch an attack, several noble representatives spoke up one after another.
They no longer directly denied the Black Market accounts.
Instead, they turned their spearheads toward the source of Di Yao's authority.
"Lord Di Yao, the Heaven Dou Inspector position was granted by Pope Palace, but this is Heaven Dou after all."
"Spirit Hall can investigate the Black Market, but isn't it going too far to investigate noble trade caravans and academy account ledgers?"
"If Spirit Hall can investigate merchant associations today, will it investigate princely mansions tomorrow?"
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere at the table suddenly tightened.
Prince Xue Xing's Mansion Steward sat on the right side and had remained silent until then.
At that moment, he slowly raised his head and looked toward Di Yao.
"Lord Di Yao, Prince Xue Xing's Mansion has not participated in the Black Market. But His Highness is also very concerned about just how far Spirit Hall intends to extend its hand."
Hu Liena's eyes turned cold.
Those words were no longer a probe.
They were an open threat.
Di Yao sat at the table, his face paler than when he had first entered the mansion.
Dealing with these people for so long was not doing his injuries any favors.
Yet his gaze remained steady.
He looked at Prince Xue Xing's Mansion Steward.
"To where the Black Market accounts end."
The steward frowned. "What if the accounts end at Prince Xue Xing's Mansion gates?"
Di Yao said, "Then I'll knock."
The entire hall fell silent.
Xue Qinghe lowered his eyes to sip his tea, and the corner of his lips seemed to twitch.
Ning Rongrong looked at Di