[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens":3,"chapter-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-38":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270913,4434,"Chapter 38: Banquet","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>The castle hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the high ceiling hung a massive iron chandelier, studded with dozens of candles whose soft glow illuminated the entire hall as brightly as daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the chandelier lay a long table covered in a snow-white linen tablecloth, with a main seat flanked by two side seats; three sets of silver cutlery were neatly arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table was piled high with an array of delicacies, the most striking of which was a roasted peacock adorned with feathers, so lifelike it seemed still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness Mingyu, please take the main seat.” x2\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two voices spoke simultaneously before Xia Mingyu—one naturally from Viscount Hughes, the other from a woman with a voluptuous figure, dressed in a low-cut gown that generously revealed vast stretches of pale skin and purple hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above her head floated a green character: “Noble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Xia Mingyu’s probing gaze, the woman covered her mouth with a light laugh, then bowed slightly, lifting her gown in a proper curtsey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness Mingyu, I am Danielle Marsa, Viscount Hughes’s wife. I greet you, may the gods bless you.” The woman bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu awkwardly averted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobility of this world really do dress with surprising boldness~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Viscount, you invited me to a family dinner, correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xia Mingyu was about to sit, he suddenly realized someone was missing and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, had my youngest son Hayden not been born only two months ago and been too fragile to disturb Your Highness, I would have brought him to you immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calum explained, and as he spoke of his child, his stern, cold face softened with deep affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~ If Your Highness could even glance at my little Hayden, it would be the greatest honor of his life since birth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danielle murmured with a light laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman, though a mother who had just given birth, showed not a trace of fatigue—she was as lively as a young girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t your daughter, Miss Elise, be joining us?” Xia Mingyu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, both their expressions froze; they exchanged a silent, uneasy glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, my daughter Elise is unable to attend due to certain reasons.” After a long pause, Calum hesitantly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing his subtle expression, Danielle quickly smiled and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, have you met little Elise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today I visited the library and saw Miss Elise—she helped me find the book I wanted.” Xia Mingyu said coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, my daughter Elise has heterochromia. I feared her appearance might disturb your dining pleasure, so I dared not bring her out—I sincerely apologize for deceiving you just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Calum immediately placed his right hand on his left shoulder and bowed deeply in apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. In my homeland, heterochromia is not an ill omen.” Xia Mingyu said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Calum and Danielle swiftly exchanged glances, their faces now filled with understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All intelligent races on the Western Continent—including humans—knew heterochromia was an ill omen, a sign that summoned devils. Yet this prince claimed it was not so in his homeland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant their suspicion was correct—this prince was indeed a royal from the super-kingdom that ruled the entire Eastern Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, I shall send someone to fetch Elise immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly ten minutes, Elise entered the hall wearing a deep blue silk gown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gown was elegantly tailored, accentuating her slender waist and graceful shoulder lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her silver hair was carefully braided into a loose plait falling over her shoulder; silver crescent-shaped earrings dangled from her earlobes, swaying gently with each step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was beautiful—almost doll-like in her perfection—though sadly, she didn’t even come close to half her stepmother’s allure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, please be seated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu sat in the main seat and spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An extra chair had been added to the table; Elise sat to Xia Mingyu’s right, while Calum and Danielle sat to his left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this was the Hughes family’s castle, it somehow gave the impression that he was the true master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dining time\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, does the food suit your taste?” Danielle asked with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu nodded slightly as he fed the last piece of peacock meat into his mouth with his fork and knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet fare was indeed lavish: wild boar, venison, duck, goose, even peacock meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the best meal he’d eaten since his transmigration—on his old world, this single feast would’ve cost him seven or eight years in prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, may I ask you a question?” Danielle asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re from the Eastern Continent, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Xia Mingyu nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed lived on the eastern continent of his old world—this wasn’t a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, one point four billion subjects—hard to imagine how vast and magnificent your kingdom must be to nurture such a colossal population.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danielle exclaimed, gazing at Xia Mingyu with deep reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such a noble person to reside in her castle—what an honor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a request.” After finishing his meal, Xia Mingyu set down his cutlery slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Calum could speak, Danielle interrupted: “Your Highness, say anything—Darling would gladly die for you, even if it means being reduced to dust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calum: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that was indeed his true sentiment, hearing it from his wife’s mouth felt strangely off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I ask that you issue orders to temporarily suppress all information about me.” Xia Mingyu said gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though advancement in this world required fame, his current strength was too weak—he’d rather first study magic in Black Wolf Domain, grow stronger, then consider seeking fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although advancement in this world requires renown, his current strength is still too weak; he might as well first study magic in the Black Wolf Domain to grow stronger, and only then consider pursuing renown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calum hesitated. Xia Mingyu’s status was too exalted; the implications were too great. Logically, as a lord and knight, he should report Xia Mingyu’s presence to the King of Sosia immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For in rank and relation, the king was the sovereign of all lords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concealing Xia Mingyu’s existence from the king would be dereliction of duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Danielle pinched the soft flesh on Calum’s waist with all her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Danielle pinched the soft flesh on Karl’s waist with all her might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[77] Please support me with monthly votes, fatherly patrons—the new book ranking is about to refresh; a few monthly votes will help me enter the top ten. I beg you, o(╥﹏╥)o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calum sucked in a sharp breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My honor, Your Highness.” He immediately straightened and spoke solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall order all servants of Black Wolf Castle to reveal nothing of your presence. Violators will be executed on the spot.” Calum’s eyes turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though before Xia Mingyu he was a “dog,” among all the people of Black Wolf Domain, he was the absolute master of life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Danielle finally withdrew her hand, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She, a woman, cared nothing for duties, obligations, or sovereigns—those were men’s concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only knew she must seize this divine opportunity to build a strong bond with Prince Mingyu, paving a heavenly path for her little Hayden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Elise, the daughter of her husband’s first wife, had always been a thorn in her side—she’d long sought an excuse to expel her from the castle, fearing one day her heterochromia might summon devils and harm her little Hayden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that the prince favored her, she’d have to change her attitude and become a kind stepmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danielle’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes flickering constantly—only when she thought of her child did her beautiful violet eyes soften with tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote for monthly tickets, godfathers! The new book rankings are about to refresh—help me enter the top ten. I beg you, thank you o(╥﹏╥)o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote for monthly tickets, Father Figures—the new book ranking is about to update; a few monthly tickets will help me enter the top ten. I kneel in thanks o(╥﹏╥)o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1336,"2026-06-19T22:18:43.340Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","19e4307946baef5eb6c1f0577f0dbe1b882d2dd597f4d367be80b6d292fe8c11","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-39","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-37",186,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-cover.jpg"]