I figure Nie Li didn't go up as high as he could have on purpose, just to create the opportunity for something like this. The elders were calling him rash, but the thing about Nie Li is he's actually always very methodical. I'm sure he knew someone would come sniffing around the "talented newcomer" and he could make a useful bet, whether for more resources or connections... Or to own a bitch, as the case turned out.