The beaten down Ma Qi wanted to stand up and straighten his robes somewhat but his legs seemed to have failed him. He wasn't sure if it was the fatigue borne out of three years of working as a dog, or the extreme nervousness born from the situation but he couldn't move his legs no matter how much he tried. It was like he had been paralyzed from the waist below.
Just as he was about to fall into the never-ending abyss of panic, Yang Qing's voice saved him.
"There's no need to get up, saying it while seated is okay.." said Yang Qing.
What Ma Qi didn't know was it wasn't fear or fatigue that had stolen the strength from his legs but rather it was Yang Qing's doing. Yang Qing covertly used his presence to seat Ma Qi firmly in place.
The wood used on the seats around the courtroom was made from azure lotus wood which had cleansing properties on both the body and spirit.