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Hedy tried dipping some of the solution onto a piece of white paper and found that its coloring effect was still relatively weak—though it was better than nothing.
They were scheduled to return to Florence that day, and after breakfast, they would have to say their farewells to the Duke and his family.
Along the way back, they could gather more of these plants and compare them in further experiments.
Both of them were so excited about the purple solution that they almost felt like dancing around it.
Hedy went back to grab a small bottle, poured some of the litmus solution into it, and then, in front of Da Vinci, dropped a few drops of apple juice into the liquid.
The transparent juice, the moment it touched the liquid, caused the rich purple solution to instantly turn into a full, deep red, almost as though by magic.
Da Vinci stood frozen for a moment, almost speechless.
He listened as she explained the general principles and then took another glass dish, attempting the same experiment.
“By the way—there’s also soap water!” Hedy quickly brought out her homemade essential oil soap, made an alkaline solution, and tried adding that too.
This time, the liquid changed again, turning into a light, airy shade of blue.
Da Vinci stared at the three colors, then turned to look at her. “This truly... is a miracle.”
Hedy patted his shoulder gently, her tone kind. “Now you can freely use purple to paint, isn’t it wonderful?”
“Me?” He paused, then asked hesitantly, “Did you create these colors just for me to paint with?”
Hedy chuckled softly, surprised at his question. “Of course! Do you remember when I worked as a maid in the workshop?”
Back then, I used to think, if you could freely use these colors, what magnificent works you would create.
“Purple, blue, red… and maybe one day, I’ll even find peacock green and send it to you.” She smiled at him, eyes sparkling. “It’ll be my gift to you, for your birthday this year. Do you like it?”
Suddenly, Da Vinci felt his heart race, and even his breathing grew slightly erratic. A subtle yet intense emotion surged within him, like a tide, both unfamiliar and unsettling.
She had remembered all those little things... and had truly gifted him the rarest of colors.
The bright copper sulfate blue, the deep Prussian blue, and now this soft, beautiful litmus purple.
“I…” He was momentarily at a loss for words. “Thank you…”
If I wanted every color in the world, would you stay by my side forever?
——
When Lorenzo came to Milan this time, his physical condition was clearly not as good as it had been before.
He started drinking uncontrollably.
In the past, he might have had a drink once a month, but now he was having two or three drinks every day.
His control over food seemed to be almost non-existent, and gout returned, causing excruciating pain at night.
This change was hard to explain. It could be that he subconsciously wanted to compensate for certain deficiencies and regrets, or perhaps food and wine had become the last solace in his serious life.
Even if it meant enduring gout in exchange, he no longer cared.
Sforza was quite satisfied with the harmonious relationship between his wife and mistresses. His round belly had grown even larger.
"Why didn't you bring that young lady this time?" he casually remarked, swirling his wine glass. "My wife is pregnant now, and I was hoping she could help take care of her."
