She smiled faintly, not looking at the Phoenix Emperor's expression, and continued, "When Mingge stabbed me, I thought I really wouldn't wake up. At that moment, I thought to myself, if I die now, I would surely be unwilling."
"I have not yet proven my innocence. If I die, viewed in the Imperial Mother's eyes as a daughter greedily clinging to power and lacking respect for her sovereign, how wronged I would be."
She lifted her eyes, looking at the Phoenix Emperor, "No matter whether you think I am putting on an act or truly expressing my feelings, I must still speak."
"Your daughter, Huang Changge, has been loyal to the Imperial Mother from beginning to end, never harboring any disloyal, disrespectful, rebellious, or unfilial thoughts!"
The Phoenix Emperor did not speak for a long while, her gaze fixed on Gu Shengyin's eyes, as if trying to determine from her gaze whether her words were true or false.
Gu Shengyin's face remained open and honest as she allowed her to look on.
