Chapter 853

Huo Zhao looked at the invitation and said, "Alright, the polo match organized by Her Majesty the Empress must be a grand affair. We've been cooped up at home for so long, let's go out for a walk."

Ji Xiang and Le An exchanged a glance and nodded together.

——

The empress was going to hold a banquet, so the event was naturally grand.

As soon as the post was published, preparations began at the lakeside, with various precious items being transported there in batches, and servants busily setting up.

Five days later, a large open space had been fenced off by the lake. On the day the polo match began, carriages left Luoyang one after another, heading to the place set up for the polo match.

The journey from Luoyang takes an hour, and every carriage is unusually quiet.

Huo Zhao leaned against Shen Rang's chest, watching the scenery outside slowly recede, and said, "It's been so long since I've left the capital. Why does the scenery outside feel so different?"

Shen Rang played with her fingers and said casually, "The season is different, does it feel unfamiliar?"

"Yes, a little."

"Then let's go out more often in the future, and try to make every season feel familiar."

Huo Zhao laughed out loud: "That sounds nice, but do you have time?"

"Definitely."

Huo Zhao dismissed his words as nonsense and didn't take them to heart at all.

The carriage traveled along a mountain road for a while before finally stopping.

Huo Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "We've finally arrived..."

This journey was really tough; she was almost falling apart.

"Let's go, let's go down and stretch our legs first."

Shen Rang got off the carriage first, then turned around and reached out his hand to her.

Huo Zhao took his hand and got off the carriage, whereupon he saw Qi Jing helping Madam Zheng down from the carriage.

Seemingly noticing her gaze, Qi Jing subconsciously looked up, then quickly looked away.

Huo Zhao withdrew his gaze: "My cousin seems to be in the mood to go out for a walk today."

Shen Rang casually hummed in agreement: "My sister-in-law is here too."

As soon as Shen Rang finished speaking, Huo Zhao heard Chen Qiang's voice: "Zhao Zhao!"

Huo Zhao turned her head and saw Huo Shu and Chen Qiang walking towards her together.

Chen Qiang is now showing signs of pregnancy.

Huo Zhao quickly walked over to her: "Sister-in-law, why did you come here too?"

"You're just sitting at home with nothing to do. Besides, your brother's here too, so nothing will happen."

Huo Zhao took her hand and said, "That's fine too. We can sit together for a while and look out for each other."

Upon hearing her words, Huo Shu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "See what I told you? Zhao Zhao must be very nervous too."

The four men exchanged a smile before walking together into the polo club's tent.

At that time, there were already quite a few people inside, and it was bustling with activity.

People gathered in twos and threes to play games like "hammering balls" and "pitch-pot," their laughter filling the air. Further away, young people rode horses, cheering wildly.

Imperial guards stood beside the high platform, and a person, who appeared imposing and adorned with jewels, sat in the very center of the high seat.

It was the Empress.

From a distance, it was impossible to tell whether the Empress was happy or sad.

“Let’s go sit over there,” Chen Qiang said. “Zhao Zhao, your brother is here, you don’t need to stay with me. You and Zi Rong go play. You’ve finally come out for a trip, so you should have a good time.”

Huo Shu also said, "Your sister-in-law is right, you should go quickly."

Seeing this, Huo Zhao nodded and pulled Shen Rang away together.

"Let's go, come with me to fight Hammerball."

"good."