Chapter 264 Giulio

Aden is a Muslim city-state where all life and trade follow the doctrines of Islam. Qin Mo had heard many anecdotes about the Arab world in her previous life, but now that she has experienced it firsthand, she realizes how powerful religion is.

Having to pray five times a day severely disrupts people's lives and greatly restricts the development of productivity. However, it is undeniable that this is also an effective means for religions to control believers. Through a series of complex doctrines and rules, believers of various personalities are assimilated into a group of people with the same characteristics, becoming "brothers" and thus forming a powerful force.

"Qin Mo, will you come shopping with me?" Xia's pitiful look made Qin Mo feel both amused and touched.

Xia wanted Qin Mo to take her shopping. She couldn't go by herself because the elders of the *** would interrogate women who went out alone, and they might even be tortured.

In the *** world, women are not allowed to go out freely; if they do go out, they must be accompanied by their father or brother.

"Oh! Do you have any special clothes for going out? If so, go change into them. I'd also like to go to the Grand Bazaar."

In the world of ***, women wear special burka robes when going out, covering their entire body except for their eyes and hands.

After Shia finished dressing, she noticed that Qin Mo was not dressed like the *** man. He was still wearing the casual clothes he had designed himself. The special patterns and craftsmanship of the elven race made him stand out from the crowd.

"Qin Mo...why didn't you change your clothes? Shouldn't you be covering your head with a big headscarf?" Xiao Xiya was very dissatisfied that Qin Mo hadn't changed her clothes.

"Me? I am a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty. How can I wear the clothes of foreigners? Besides, those robes are so ugly."

Seeing that Shia was unhappy, Qin Mo had no choice but to say, "You can wear whatever clothes you like, and I can guarantee that you won't get hurt, but do you want to go shopping or fight?"

Little Xia pouted, very dissatisfied with the unequal treatment he received, but he still wanted to go out and play. In the end, he could only reluctantly grab Qin Mo's sleeve and pretend to be a timid little sister following her brother.

Aden is located at the crossroads of East Africa and West Asia, and it controls the only waterway to Egypt. Indian merchants with curry accents, East African merchants with feathers in their hair, and even merchants in long robes and turbans all flock to this place, making it a very prosperous market.

"Qin Mo, Qin Mo, look what this is!"

"Oh! That's an East African ebony carving. Want one? I'll buy you one."

"No, I was just asking."

"Qin Mo, Qin Mo, what is that leaf?"

"Oh! That should be khat. *** doesn't drink alcohol, so the black people from the south sell this herb. But you can't eat it often, it's addictive. Want to buy some to try?"

"No, I was just asking."

The two strolled around the Grand Bazaar. Qin Mo's outstanding appearance and demeanor stood out among the group of men in turbans, while Xiao Xiya, who was chattering away, showed no restraint like a typical young lady. Her beautiful figure was joyful and lively, attracting everyone's attention.

It wasn't that local thugs wanted to cause them trouble, but the several tall, imposing Xia warriors following behind them extinguished any such thoughts. Their exquisite armor and the murderous aura they exuded made it clear that these men were not to be trifled with.

"Qin Mo, Qin Mo, look what this is!"

Shia suddenly ran into a store, her eyes shining as she looked around. She had been asking Qin Mo this all afternoon, and Qin Mo would always answer her, "What is this? Should I buy you some?"

But this time, Qin Mo answered decisively, "I don't know him!"

Little Shia panicked, "How could you not recognize it? You even recognize khat..."

Qin Mo firmly stated, "I don't know him!"

Shia's eyes turned pitiful again, her large, light blue eyes staring straight at Qin Mo without blinking.

After a long silence, Qin Mo finally gave in, saying, "This should be a sapphire from Sofala and other places in the south, also known as Tanzanite. It is said that the royal family of the Western Continent really likes these stones."

Tanzanite is a Tanzanian sapphire, and the "Heart of the Ocean" in the Titanic was made from this gemstone.

Shia gently tugged at Qin Mo's sleeve with her small hand, her eyes filled with hope.

Qin Mo turned to leave; she couldn't spoil the brat, or it would never end. Xia immediately spread her legs, dragging her feet on the ground, and grabbed Qin Mo's sleeve, refusing to let go, making it clear she wouldn't leave without buying something.

"You can only buy one; you already have a whole box!"

Looking at the merchants and customers around her who were offering kind smiles, Qin Mo had no choice but to compromise; it was just too embarrassing!

With Qin Mo's permission, Shia immediately turned around and gestured to the gem merchant, "I want a sapphire, this big one. We're not short of money!"

Qin Mo couldn't understand the local language, but he recognized Shia's standard OK sign. The circle between her index finger and thumb was about the size of a ping-pong ball. When Shia bought gemstones, she always asked for that size first, without mentioning anything else.

"Still too young! How could such a small shop have such a big gemstone?" Qin Mo watched Xiao Xiya and the gem merchant gesturing and whispering to each other, and couldn't help but laugh.

As Qin Mo watched, she sensed something was wrong, because Xia's expression was becoming more and more radiant, and she was nodding excitedly. Was she about to be kidnapped?

The gem merchant turned and went back into the shop. A moment later, he came out carrying a bronze box. A key he carried with him opened the box, revealing a faint blue hue.

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