"What! they are offering up the third princess to Chen-er?

", Zhan Long exclaimed after hearing the proposal of Zi Guang from his mother.

A surprised expression appeared in the eyes Zhan Huan but he managed to calm down himself after thinking the current relationship between royal family and Zhan family.

"I am sure that Zi Wushang is unwilling but he can't do anything against the will of the old king. Zi Wushang didn't help us when we need the help of royal family. Rather he was busy in digging hole for the downfall of our Zhan family

", Zhan Fan commented. Unlike his brothers, he was far more calm and analyzed the situation as it was.

"Fan-er is right. All of you must understand that there is no eternal relationship in the cultivation world. Everything depends upon mutual benefits. As long as it gives them profit, some of the powers can sacrifice even their own members

", Si Yue spoke.

Zhan Huan, Zhan Fan and Zhan Long nodded their heads as they listened the words of their mother. It had been days since they could sit with their mother like this. So, each of them were fully attentive to the words of Si Yue.

"The current royal family is the biggest example of how far a family can go. They didn't even bat an eyelid before deciding the future of their brightest descendant. Our Zhan family had only required a little help from royal family to overcome our difficult time. But they forgot about our past relationship at that time. Now that they have come to us, they must show some sincerity

", Si Yue spoke.

"Mother, why are we even dealing with them? I have no planning to fight for Zi Wushang again

", Zhan Fan spoke. Anger could be seen his stern looking face.

"Who said you are fighting again? Three of you should stay in family and focus on your cultivation

", Si Yue looked towards Zhan Fan.

The anger of Zhan Fan vanished after he heard his mother's words. The one thing that was his soar spot was cultivation. He was still one step behind from his younger brother.

"The herb mountain that the royal family was offering us to was not that big but it was enough to sustain our family. I will leave the management of it to you, Huan-er

", Si Yue looked towards Zhan Huan.

"Yes mother, I will send man to take over it

", Zhan Huan replied.

"Ok, you three can go now. Tell little Chen and Qingzhao to visit me. I will inform Qingzhao about this matter

", Si Yue spoke.

"Mother, there is a problem

", Zhan Long spoke to Si Yue in a hesitant look on his face. He didn't want speak about the matters of Zhan Chen. But considering the proposal of royal family, he found it necessary to inform the matters of Zhan Chen to his mother.

"Speak. What is it?

", Si Yue looked towards his youngest son with a smile. Her mood was pretty good lately. So, she was not that strict with her sons anymore.

"Mother, Chen-er has found some other girls. It will be a problem if royal family found out about it

", Zhan Long spoke.

"You are telling me that it is a problem?

", Si Yue raised her eyebrows. Zhan Long nodded his head in reply. According to him the number of Zhan Chen's girls were already enough. So, how can a girl of third princess' stature fit in such a group?

"Aunty Mumu, can you believe it? All of them are blokheads like Hanshan. But that is the thing I have liked back then about him

", Si Yue smiled towards old woman Mumu.

"They have yet to see the outside world. Nothing matters as long as you have enough strength to back up

", old woman Mumu shook her head.

"Long-er, no need to worry about it. Royal family wouldn't say anything even if they know. A capable man does not need to worry about the number of women he posess

", Si Yue looked towards his son.

-----------------

Zhan Chen spent his time with his mother after coming back from his grandmother's place. Little Tao was also accomainying him all the time.

Zhan Chen let little Tao follow after him because he knew how worse her mood would be after he left. Zhan Chen had no problem in bringing her with him but little Tao was too young to experience the world outside.

"Mother, hold your sword straight. Your sword should move like one of your limbs

", Zhan Chen spoke as he corrected the basic sword techniques of his mother.

Li Qingzhao felt confused when Zhan Chen told her to do her sword practice infront him. No matter how much she believed in her son, she had never thought once that her son was more capable than her in sword. She thought to listen to Zhan Chen's word to make him feel better. But after following the instructions of Zhan Chen, she knew how wrong she was. Zhan Chen was like another person when he held the sword with his hand.

"Young master, you are amazing

", Little Tao cheered from the side after seeing the simple sword moves of Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen chuckled after hearing the words of little Tao.

"Madam, first madam is calling you to the guest hall. Guests from the royal family has arrived

", one of the personal maid of Li Qingzhao came and spoke after bowing her head towards Li Qingzhao.

"Let's stop here. Come with me to see the guests

", Li Qingzhao spoke to Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen nodded his head and followed after his mother to see the guests of royal family.

"Wow, how beautiful. See, how she walks. No wonder she is the most famous beauty of Red cloud kingdom

", the maids of Zhan family were murmuring to eachother when Zhan Chen reached the guest hall with his mother and little Tao.

He moved his gaze towards the direction where everyone was looking and two beauties appeared in his eyes.

"See, she is princess Nuan. She has not changed at all. She is as pretty as before

", the maids talked between themshelves.

"But, it is a waste that she decided to not marry anyone. Royal family objected but her cultivation talent is so high that they couldn't force her to do anything

", one of the maid spoke.

Zhan Chen's eyes lit up as he saw the two beauties infront of him. Third princess was as pretty as before but his gaze was focused on the mature beauty beside her.

He could feel the urging of his little brother underneath his robe. This was the first time he found someone irresistible after his memory came back. The Celestial Yin Yang sutra was playing its role here as Zhan Chen's desire was getting more intense everyday.

Yang will be attracted to yin. That was the law of the nature. Moreover with all the experiences he had gotten so far, his desire for women was rising in a first pace.

Zhan Chen felt something and turned his gaze towards his mother. His mother had a uncomfortable look on her face as she was looking at the mature beauty beside third princess.

"Mother, what is the matter?

", Zhan Chen asked.

"Ah! Chen-er, it is nothing. It is just that I am not expecting her to come with the third princess

", Li Qingzhao replied.

"Fourth sister, little Chen, come here

", Jie Ranqing, the eldest aunt of Zhan Chen saw Zhan Chen, Li Qingzhao and called out.

Si Yue was not present. So, it was the duty of Zhan Chen's eldest aunt to entertain the guests. A banquet was arranged for the royal family and the women of Zhan family, two pretty guests of royal family and Zhan Chen participated in it.

Zhan Chen felt some gazes on him from time to time. It was the third princess who was looking at him more often. There was also the big beauty beside her who was also looking towards Zhan Chen from time to time. Although there was nothing but curiousity in her pretty eyes.

After the banquet, the big beauty left with Zhan Chen's aunts. Zhan Chen's mother also followed after his aunts as they left Zhan Chen alone with third princess.

The name of the third pricess was Zi Mingxi. He and Zhan Chen were acquaintances since childhood and both had good rapport with eachother when they were child. The old king of Redcloud kingdom had thought to use it as leverage and sent her to Zhan family.

Zi Mingxi was too shy to even look at Zhan Chen. Zhan Chen didn't want her to feel any discomfort. So, he started the conversation first.

"Princess, how have you been?

", Zhan Chen asked gently.

"I am fine

", Zi Mingxi spoke and shyly took a look at the handsome face of Zhan Chen.

She had a natural charm to her but her beauty was gentle type. She had such a gentle appearance that even the fierce beasts of endless forest would hesitate to harm her.

Her unique ability confirmed her gentle appearance. She had the rare wood element affinity which was different from other warriors of Red cloud kingdom.

"Princess, you know everything. It is a setup between our families. But still I want to ask you first. If you are not willing, then no one can force you to do anything

", Zhan Chen spoke to Zi Mingxi.

(To be continued......)