After transmigrating into the body of a widow, I became the richest man in the capital.

Chapter 139 Investigating the Truth Behind Liu Zi'an's Wrongful Conviction
Su Xiaoxiao smiled at them, "Actually, this wasn't my own idea either!"

Su Xiaoxiao wanted to say that, in fact, such things had already been practiced by others in their time.

After eating the candied hawthorns and saying goodbye to the old man who sold them, the two began to walk out. Qian Musheng took Su Xiaoxiao to investigate the brothels in the capital.

However, it wouldn't be appropriate for Su Xiaoxiao to go in with her identity, so Qian Musheng found her a set of men's clothing. After Su Xiaoxiao changed into it, the two of them went into the brothel together to find Jiu'er, the girl who was rumored to have had an affair with Liu Zi'an.

Although Jiu'er was very busy, Qian Musheng was rich, so he was able to see her easily in the end.

At first, Jiu'er was unwilling to speak, but when she heard them mention Liu Zi'an and learn that Liu Zi'an was imprisoned in the Dali Temple and that he was accused of having an affair with her, Jiu'er could no longer hold back.

"Liu Zian is innocent because of me."

Miss Jiu'er mentioned a person named Lan Caichen.

"Do you know what happened? It must have been this person behind it all."

Once, Liu Zian was setting up a painting stall outside the capital when he encountered Jiu'er, who was being harassed by Lan Caichen and some of his cronies.

The reason is actually quite simple. It's mainly because Jiu'er doesn't sell her body in the brothel, she only sells her art. But Lan Caichen, even though he's educated, is still very barbaric. He actually went out into the street to harass Jiu'er, and he and his drunken cronies wanted Jiu'er to accompany them.

This is simply unbelievable. Liu Zi'an and Lan Caichen were classmates and fellow disciples. He stepped forward to stop these people from doing evil.

Liu Zian initially did not know Jiu'er's identity and accused Lan Caichen, saying, "Have you wasted all your education? Don't you remember basic principles of propriety, righteousness, and shame? Why are you harassing a respectable woman in the street?"

As a result, Lan Caichen, emboldened by the alcohol, burst into laughter. "You say this woman is a respectable lady? She's the top courtesan in the brothel, known to everyone, down to the point of being a household name."

The onlookers pointed at Jiu'er and whispered among themselves, making Jiu'er so ashamed she wanted to disappear.

But Liu Zian was only stunned for a moment. He glanced at the pitiful girl Jiu'er, and then said to Lan Caichen, "Does being a courtesan mean you are allowed to bully her in the street like this? You are a scholar, don't you understand this basic principle? I'm going to tell our teacher about this."

Lan Caichen finally cleared his head a bit, but his cronies were no good. They whispered in his ear, "Don't listen to his nonsense. We paid money at the brothel. It was a consensual deal. We want Miss Jiu'er to accompany us today."

Lan Caichen immediately stepped forward, intending to take advantage of Miss Jiu'er, but Liu Zi'an kicked him so hard he fell face-first into the dirt.

He choked so badly that he knocked out his front teeth. Then someone reported it to the authorities, and the government officials came to take care of the matter.

Lan Caichen and his drinking buddies were arrested. Jiu'er was rescued, but before she could properly thank Liu Zi'an, he left.

Liu Zian went back and told his teacher about it. As a result, Lan Caichen was punished and expelled from the school. He was no longer a disciple of Liu Zian, which was a huge blow to Lan Caichen and made him hate Liu Zian even more.

In fact, Lan Caichen's family was also very wealthy. They were merchants in the capital, and their family was very powerful. They also knew some high-ranking officials in the capital.

It is said that the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review was his uncle, which is related to Liu Zian's sudden arrest for participating in the provincial examination.

He claimed that he plagiarized during the provincial examination, but no evidence has been found. Instead, he has been falsely accused of having an affair with a prostitute, which is a complete case of turning the tables.

Jiu'er recounted the whole story, and Qian Musheng and Su Xiaoxiao, who was disguised as a man, finally understood the truth. It turned out that Liu Zi'an had indeed been wronged.

Fortunately, Su Xiaoxiao and Qian Musheng came together to investigate the truth for Liu Zian and clear his name; otherwise, this injustice would have been even more unjust than that of Dou E. "I can come out and testify for Liu Zian, after all, he is my savior."

Jiu'er is still very righteous, Qian Musheng nodded.

"Okay, be prepared, you might be called out to testify in the future. Right now we need to catch Lan Caichen, the culprit. If he can tell the truth, we won't have to go through so many detours."

Indeed, but how could Lan Caichen possibly reveal it? Arresting him and using torture to extract a confession is not an option.

This is illegal in itself, Qian Musheng thought for a moment, "This matter will have to be handled by you, Miss Jiu'er. We'll do it this way..."

Qian Musheng came up with this idea on a whim, whispering a few words in Jiu'er's ear.

Su Xiaoxiao didn't hear it, but she saw Jiu'er nodding vigorously in agreement.

Qian Musheng led Su Xiaoxiao out of the brothel. Once outside, Su Xiaoxiao was finally able to breathe in the fresh air.

She stretched and said, "It's so smoky and uncomfortable inside. I'm almost suffocated by the smell of those girls' rouge and perfume."

Qian Musheng chuckled as he looked at Su Xiaoxiao, who never wore makeup.

"Not everyone is as naturally beautiful as you, Su Xiaoxiao, right? Besides, she's just trying to make a living."

From this perspective, Qian Musheng actually understands the hardships of life quite well, and is not aloof and detached from worldly affairs.

The two walked home together. On the way, Su Xiaoxiao whispered to Qian Musheng, "What was your plan just now...? Tell me about it too!"

Su Xiaoxiao was quite anxious; she couldn't wait to find out even before she got home.

"I'll tell you when we get back. It's really not a brilliant plan."

"What is that?"

"We'll talk about it when we get back. Let me take you somewhere first."

As Qian Musheng spoke, he grabbed Su Xiaoxiao's hand, "If you go too late, you won't be able to buy any!"

As he spoke, he sniffed at something and pulled Su Xiaoxiao onto a bridge in front of him.

Su Xiaoxiao's nose is also quite good; she doesn't have rhinitis. She smelled a pungent yet fragrant aroma of fried food.

Upon closer inspection, there was indeed an old man standing at the bridgehead, frying stinky tofu in a pot of oil. His stall had a sign that read "Stinky But Delicious" stinky tofu.

Just by smelling it, Su Xiaoxiao knew that this stinky tofu was truly exceptionally smelly.

The name is quite fitting, but judging from the way Qian Musheng's eyes lit up and how eagerly he gripped my hand just now, he must be really looking forward to this stinky tofu, right?

(End of this chapter)