Page 77 of DATE
"Are all the rooftops in Florence made the same way?"
Lorenzo appeared somewhat surprised, glancing at Cosimo, who nodded in confirmation.
"The problem is," Hedy continued, "that the drinking water in Florence is collected from the rainwater that runs off the eaves. And the glazes on the clay jars are made from lead as well."
Lead poisoning can severely affect the brain development of young children, and in extreme cases, it can lead to many other issues.
Hedy hadn’t planned on worrying about it, but one thing was unavoidable:
France would eventually invade and seize Florence’s lordship.
Although she didn’t intend to stay at the Medici Palace forever, it was currently the only place that offered her a stable life and space for her experiments.
This lord, who always wore a cold expression, might seem difficult to approach, but he was constantly open to advice. He even gave his microscope to the university for further research. At least he was a ruler with a brain.
As far as the city’s governance went, every little bit of influence could increase the chance of reversing the outcome.
From vitamin C to handwashing, from lead poisoning to future strategic planning—
At the very least, for now, she needed to earn this lord’s trust and see if she could awaken his awareness of the French threat.
If she left Florence, she had nowhere to go.
There was no America in this time, and she knew nothing of the situation in England.
Being able to communicate in the local language, having a stable job, and regularly meeting the city's ruler—she knew how fortunate she was.
"Kiesler," the lord said coolly. "You might be getting a bit carried away."
"Lead has been used since the Roman times, and people have lived just fine."
Hedy didn’t flinch, instead meeting his gaze. "We can conduct an animal experiment."
"What?"
"I have two rabbits," she said, feeling a pang of reluctance in her heart but pushing on with determination. "We can feed them the same food, but give them different water."
One glass of clean water, one with rainwater collected in a lead bowl.
"If, after a month, there’s no difference between the two rabbits—"
Before she could finish, there was a sudden, frantic knock at the door. "My lord! It’s terrible! The lady is having complications with the birth—"
Lorenzo’s expression changed in an instant, and he quickly strode toward the door. "How long has this been going on? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"
"It was supposed to be the ninth child, everything was going smoothly before—"
The maid, glancing nervously at the two in the office, hastily continued, "The young masters have gone to light the rockets and pray, but the birthing stool and the jade are all covered in blood!"
"What is the doctor doing?!"
"The doctor suggested that the lady watch a whipping scene, saying that it could shock her and help with the delivery—"
"Take me to her, quickly," Hedy said without thinking. "I’ll help her."
She couldn’t even imagine how this ignorant time might torture a pregnant woman.
Both mother and child must be safe.
