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Medieval education was simple and brutal, treating children of all ages with a cold and harsh approach.
The Church misinterpreted the Bible, believing that people were born sinful, and children were seen as the epitome of original sin.
To rid children of their "evil" and "misbehavior," play was forbidden, and harsh corporal punishment was considered both reasonable and lawful.
At Oxford University, one of the graduation exam requirements was to "learn how to administer a flogging."
Respected teachers would pay boys with silver coins, tie them to a pillar, and use them for flogging practice. Only those who became proficient could graduate and become teachers.
These children never felt love, were forced to do hard physical labor from a young age, and were subjected to varying degrees of sexual abuse.
In contrast, Hedy had treated Atalante over the past few years in a way that could only be described as angelic.
She was gentle and rational. When problems or mistakes arose, she never scolded him harshly; instead, she continually inspired him to think independently and act cautiously.
Atalante grew from thirteen to eighteen, now gentle and wise, capable of handling most of Hedy's affairs. He had become an excellent manager.
The boy who almost became a castrated singer had finally grown up and was about to become someone else's husband.
As the groom kissed the bride, the crowd erupted in cheers, and they began to sway and dance to the music.
Hedy watched from a distance, feeling a mixture of youth andold age in her heart.
She truly seemed to be growing younger.
In the early years, she might have sighed like an old woman, but after spending so much time in this youthful body, she had gradually found a lighter, more carefree state.
Now at the age of twenty-five, people occasionally wondered why she wasn't married yet, but there were no malicious speculations.
Watching the newlyweds dance in the center of the floor, she felt a stir of long-forgotten emotions.
Youth really is a wonderful thing.
After Atalante moved out, the courtyard became much quieter, and the creaky sound of the violin finally disappeared.
Hedy's business was running smoothly, and through it, she had made connections with merchants and officials from various countries.
Due to the lack of advanced communication tools, people didn’t realize the relationship between the female merchant and the Medici lady, but they still held her in both awe and friendliness.
Perhaps it was because she had been so busy for so long that she picked a bright, sunny day to go out boating with Leonardo.
The most important water system in all of Italy, the Po River, had a name that felt like a familiar nickname.
The irises on both sides were in full bloom, and waterfowl perched on dry branches, pecking at their feathers.
As Leonardo rowed the boat, he began to sing, his voice deep and pleasant.
Hedy leaned against the side of the boat, watching the shimmering golden light, and her mind wandered back to many things from her past life.
At this age in her previous life, she too seemed to have endless vitality and love.
In addition to acting, she had also learned to paint, play thepiano, and write poetry.
"At this moment, the sunset creeps into the land like a fox, and in an instant, it sets the grass on fire." She smiled softly and recited, "Do you see the beauty in the leaning tower, floating like a jellyfish in the frozen residential area?"
Leonardo gradually stopped singing, rowing the boat as he listened to her recite the poem.
Her articulation was always soft and gentle, and the control of her tone was exquisite.
