CHAPTER 17
The vaccination against cowpox turned out to be simpler than Hedy had imagined.
She already had a rough understanding of the principle behind it, and now conducting experiments on death row inmates was still quite convenient.
Smallpox and cowpox were not the same disease, but both could be fought off by the same pathogen resistance.
Cowpox was actually a type of herpesvirus that infected cows, and it could also spread to humans who came into contact with infected cows.
After workers on cattle farms contracted this disease, they were less likely to succumb to smallpox when exposed to the virus, much like after being vaccinated, significantly reducing the risk of death.
When Hedy confirmed the related immunity, she had even worked together with biologists from the Florence Academy to conduct joint research. Unfortunately, the microscopes of that time were still quite primitive in many aspects, and most people still followed her views and ideas for analysis.
The grapevines in the lab had been transplanted to the experimental garden, with designated personnel taking care of them. In about four or five months, they could begin confirming the toxicity of the fruits.
During this period, Da Vinci was busy teaching young Raphael how to paint, as well as occasionally helping keep an eye on Michelangelo, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
Both Da Vinci and Botticelli were curious about the relationship between the boy and Hedy, but they were also quite friendly toward him.
After hearing about Michelangelo's painful experiences of always being stood up, as told by the servants, Hedy decided to personally commission a sculpture from him.
The young man, clearly very cautious, was practically jumping for joy when he received the deposit.
According to the contract, he was required to carve the statue in the backyard every day, with attendants assisting by cleaning the dust and debris and providing fresh water as needed.
Compared to his previous dark and thankless apprenticeship, this was a huge improvement.
Michelangelo didn't understand why the lady had chosen him to complete the sculpture in the palace, but once he got into it, he entered a state of total absorption, tapping away with his small chisel and hammer from morning till night.
His understanding of the human form was both clear and profound. Not only could he outline full and firm muscles, but when shaping the fingers, facial features, and other details, he could also uniquely capture many emotional nuances in the finer details.
Over time, Botticelli and Da Vinci would often gather nearby to observe, occasionally discussing the textures and contours of the work, and they were never stingy with their direct praise.
At times, the young man would realize that the two masters were standing right behind him, and it seemed like they were complimenting his work.
He tried hard not to show any embarrassment, while secretly increasing his pace.
"Michelangelo, why did you carve a hollow here when doing the arm?"
"This clavicle position... it turns out it's like this... I was wondering when I drew flat figures."
"Hedy really has an eye for talent. I bet she plans to become a patron someday."
"Didn't she always sponsor you?"
"I haven’t! I’m in a partnership with her!"
The young man gradually became more open, sometimes quietly responding to questions, and when praised, he would show a shy and awkward expression.
Although his progress was slow, even a rough version of his sculpture would reveal countless highlights—
Even young Raphael would take notes seriously and ask him various questions.
Gradually, even the lord came by to take a look and placed another sculpture order.
The statue of David followed an ancient artistic theory—contrapposto balance.
This concept came from the ancient Greek sculptor Polykleitos, who expressed the body's weight and balance through an asymmetrical stance.
Due to his youth, the boy lacked confidence in many aspects.
However, he was always supported by the two elders behind him, who generously shared their knowledge and experience, even eager to try chiseling themselves.
When Da Vinci and Botticelli were engaged in a heated debate over some aspect of the sculpture, Raphael would quietly pass Michelangelo an apple, smiling and signaling that he could take a break.
After all, with the Medici family's sponsorship, at least his daily expenses were covered.
Hedy didn’t have much time to observe the long process of sculpting a statue. She continued shuttling between the prison and the lab, confirming the vaccine's stability.
The first and second groups of death row inmates who had received the cowpox vaccine showed no significant adverse reactions. Moreover, after coming into contact with smallpox-infected clothing, they did not die from the disease.
Once this technology was sufficiently refined, she would need to find other civilians for vaccination—
Her own body had already been injected with multiple antibodies during her childhood, so it was clear that it could no longer provide any useful reference.
She composed herself and wrote another note on the paper.
It was absolutely essential… not to promote it recklessly.
She had to hide it in plain sight, allowing people to seek it out on their own.
Hedy had always had a clear understanding of human nature—
People were often fanatical, irrational, and easily incited.
Whether she was doing good or evil, the ultimate outcome might not align with her original intent.
This was also why the Bible was followed by so many believers.
In many ways, there was little difference between God and the people.
Even when the goal and actions were aimed at saving thousands from disaster, one might end up being stoned to death in the end.
She sighed softly and was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hedy, the grapevines are growing well," Da Vinci asked, "Another farmer came asking for medicine today. Are we still not giving any?"
"Don't give it. Wait a few more months," Hedy replied without hesitation. "We'll talk after confirming the toxicity."
Da Vinci opened the door and walked in, carrying a stack of books.
"You've been in the lab for three months now—you should get out and catch some sunlight occasionally." He placed the reference materials beside her and pulled out a chessboard from the book. "How about a break?"
Hedy snapped out of her thoughts and realized it was a chessboard.
"Sure," she smiled. "But no letting me win."
Clearly, the game hadn't yet evolved to include "castling" in this era, and pawns could only move one square at a time at the start.
She didn't reveal her ignorance of some rules but silently observed Leonardo's moves.
The queen wasn’t omnipotent, and it seemed there wasn’t the rule where a pawn could promote to a queen once it reached the opposite end of the board.
... This seemed like a curious historical moment.
If it weren’t for the many outstanding female politicians who later made their mark in European history, it’s likely the chessboard wouldn’t show any respect for women.
Some things... had to be earned through effort.
"Checkmate." She placed her knight on a black square, instinctively calling out.
Her opponent looked somewhat confused.
Wait... how do you say this in Italian?
"Scacco-matto?" Da Vinci, using his bishop, captured her pawn and easily solved the stalemate. "The problem’s solved."
Hedy furrowed her brow, thinking about the next move, when she suddenly heard a rustling sound.
She froze for two seconds, and when she looked up, her eyes locked with a pair of tiny eyes by the leg of the table—
A mouse!
It was a mouse!!
Before she could even scream, she jumped onto the chair, her voice rising in panic: "Leonardo!!"
Leonardo froze for a moment, following her gaze. The little mouse, sensing something was wrong, quickly turned and scurried back under the wooden cabinet.
The mouse, the mouse is a mouse!!!
Hedy was completely paralyzed, barely able to get off the chair, and was almost ready to jump onto the table and escape through the window.
She didn’t want to stay in this cursed place for a second longer, but she was also uncertain where that black creature would pop out from next.
"Stay there—do you need me to get some smelling salts for you?"
Before the words were even out, another black shadow leapt from another corner, squeaking twice.
"Leonardo—!!"
"I’ll handle it…" Da Vinci found a broom and started sweeping under the cabinet and in various corners. The squeaking mice scattered everywhere like marbles, and two or three even ran out through the window.
Hedy stood on the chair, trying her best not to scream, but her face had gone as pale as a ghost.
The strength and fragility of humans were incredibly close attributes.
Maybe one could remain calm in the face of war and palace coups, but when it came to actually dealing with caterpillars and mice, it felt like half a life was being drained away.
Once the commotion settled down, Leonardo opened the door and the window to let in some fresh air. He turned and saw her still hiding on the chair, unable to contain a laugh. "You don’t need to be afraid... they won’t bite you."
Hedy quickly shook her head twice, still refusing to get off the chair.
She had seen those frantic little creatures darting around like lightning, and just their greasy black fur was enough to make her scalp tingle.
"Hedy… I’ll have the servants come deal with this," Leonardo said, stepping in front of her and offering his hand. "Shall we go downstairs?"
Another little head peeked out in the distance, squeaking again.
This was definitely the result of someone spilling a food tray nearby a few days ago!
Even in the Doge’s Palace, there were mice!!
The young lady on the chair was pale and trembling slightly, instinctively shaking her head and refusing to come down.
Leonardo sighed and extended his other hand as well. "I’ll carry you out."