Murong Nai suddenly began to sweat.
He looked anxiously toward his father.
"Father, I-I heard it from those scholars... what they said..."
Murong Muyan looked at him calmly. "The scholars of Liaodong could obtain such precise information in less than half a day?"
"My son, have you betrayed us?"
At his father's calm questioning, Murong Nai finally could bear it no longer. He hurriedly bowed and begged forgiveness.
"Father, I absolutely have not betrayed you. I'll tell the truth!"
"A few months ago, a renowned scholar came to assist me. His surname is Wang, and he was formerly a man of letters in Qingzhou. He has extraordinary literary talent and exceptional learning, and he has traveled widely and is extremely knowledgeable."
"After becoming acquainted with him, I began learning the principles of governing a state from him and asking his advice. Every time I listened to his teachings, I benefited immensely!"
"He has a deep understanding of all the great affairs of the realm. Before this incident occurred, I asked him about it. Everything I said came from his instruction."
Murong Nai knew very well what happened to those who betrayed the tribe, so he concealed nothing, speaking plainly about retaining a renowned scholar as an adviser and wanting to replace his elder brother.
At his son's words, Mu Yan understood.
"Then you have encountered a truly remarkable worthy."
Mu Yan did not care whether his younger son coveted his elder son's position. He cared only whether his younger son had colluded with outsiders against his elder brother.
In Mu Yan's view, there was nothing wrong with defeating one's elder brother to inherit the throne. But bringing outsiders to attack one's own brother was impermissible.
Mu Yan looked at his younger son again and sighed helplessly.
"Very well. Gaining such