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The smallpox vaccination process was progressing smoothly, and at least the Medici family’s children had mostly been successfully vaccinated.
Little Piero and his brothers had been sent to the Roman papacy and only came back about three or four times a year, but she had already arranged for the nuns to learn how to administer the vaccine, and there would be time to make up for it later.
Other families gradually heard the news, amazed that smallpox could be prevented and envious of the Medici family for having such a learned and wise distant relative.
As the weather gradually warmed, Hedy began to visit more vineyards. On one hand, she was checking the recovery of the plants; on the other hand, she was looking for new business opportunities.
She understood some basic knowledge of genetics—if she could cultivate disease-resistant, plump, and sweet grapes, she might be able to capture a large portion of the European wine market.
In ancient times, vegetables and fruits were constantly selected and cultivated by humans. They might have started out dry and bitter, like how watermelons were once as oddly shaped as tomatoes, but with selection and cultivation, these foods were gradually enhanced, becoming the forms we recognize today.
In such times, Leonardo’s presence seemed almost like that of a knight.
She had to admit that, besides mice, there were many things she was afraid of.
And on the overgrown farms, these things were everywhere—very, very many of them.
From small caterpillars and swarms of eggs to locusts and praying mantises as big as half a hand, and the spiders on the trees and grapevines.
For farm women, these things were as ordinary as could be. Even if a palm-sized spider suddenly fell on them, they would just roughly brush it off, and only a very rare few would scream or turn pale.
Hedy made an effort to maintain her composure and decorum, while Leonardo quietly ensured her protection from the side.
He would wave a branch to clear the path for her, scaring off even the grass snakes hidden in the fallen leaves. As for the wild dogs, the farmers who attempted to extort money, and the insects and ants that occasionally appeared between the plants, none of these posed any problem in the presence of this knight.
Hedy had grown accustomed to following him, occasionally explaining matters related to genetics—
Four months ago, they had cleared an acre of pea field, starting to record their hypotheses on genetic expression.
Leonardo usually had endless topics to discuss, even something as small as a lark with wet wings that had fallen by the window would find its way into conversation.
But in recent days, he seemed hesitant, quiet—much quieter than usual.
Hedy, while observing the growth of the pea plants and jotting down a myriad of details, casually asked, “Leonardo, what have you been thinking about lately?”
The young man cleared his throat and answered seriously, “Nothing.”
“Really nothing?” She glanced at him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Then I won’t ask.”
“No—wait.” Leonardo muttered, “Can you tell me a few stories?”
“Stories?” Hedy paused, her pen hovering for a moment as she navigated around a cluster of tilted plants. Realizing what he meant, she asked, “Did Raphael tell you those fairy tales?”
Leonardo honestly nodded. “I really liked them. I’ve never heard of them before…”
Hedy raised an eyebrow, a sudden sense of regret flickering in her heart.
She knew his personality and tastes. If someone like him were placed five hundred years into the future, he might not have cared about painting at all, but instead become obsessed with reality shows and the production of television series.
When she first saw the stage designs he created in the Sforza Palace, Hedy had felt a sense of loss.
Leonardo had actually created works far more intricate and dazzling than those paintings, but many of them could only remain in this time, never to be replicated in the future.
If this era had cameras, people would marvel at such a genius in the world.
“Alright,” she said. “Then just tell me any story.”
Perhaps it was because Leonardo had now grown into a tall and handsome young man, but Hedy didn’t choose a fairy tale meant to lull children to sleep. Instead, she told him the story of The Bridge of Sighs.
