"We both knew something was amiss when my brother attacked Jin Guangyao. Jin Guangyao was the first to accuse Nie Huaisang directly." The fury on Jin Guangyao's face is etched into Lan Wangji's memory, along with the sound of his laugh. Good one, Huaisang. Excellent work, concealing yourself for so many years. "After we sealed the coffin again, Wei Ying questioned Nie Huaisang. There were several small inconsistencies in his actions at the temple. Wei Ying pointed out that the person who sent the letter threatening to expose Jin Guangyao had done so unnecessarily, because Jin Guangyao would never confess, and that person would have known that. The goal was not a confession, it was to make Jin Guangyao as hated as possible in the eyes of the public."

Sounds like they've been plotting for a long time, Nie Huaisang had said, casually. "Wei Ying also pointed out that Nie Mingjue's body had last been left with him in Qinghe," Lan Wangji continues, "and that when we met Nie Huaisang in Qinghe, he behaved as if he had never seen Mo Xuanyu, whom he would certainly have met at Carp Tower. He was probing to ascertain whether it was truly Mo Xuanyu or if Wei Ying had returned." He lapses into silence, just a moment of it. "There was not enough proof to corner him."