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Compared to some grand but impractical theological theories, these schools were designed to serve the children of merchants or craftsmen, providing them with enough practical skills to help them quickly move out of their “childhood” phase and become self-sufficient professionals in their industries.
However, due to the massive increase in the number of city schools over the past century, the number of literate people has risen sharply. As a result, priests no longer held a monopoly on services like letter writing and other business ventures. The Church had always been unhappy with this development and had tried, under various pretexts, to oppose or block it.
Hedy, upon hearing this, suddenly thought of a more important question: “So, how do these children enter university? Is there a unified exam?”
“No,” Leonardo said, tapping the tip of his pen. “The entrance requirements aren’t clear, but after completing their studies, they must pass an exam to earn their degree.”
There were two types of universities in this era, commonly referred to as “Master Universities” and “Student Universities.”
Master Universities were centered around outstanding teachers who attracted students from all over the world with their fame.
Student Universities, on the other hand, were entirely managed and controlled by the students. The students had the autonomy to set tuition fees and hire teachers for various subjects. The Florence Academy belonged to this type.
Theological studies, law, and medicine were the main departments, with theology always holding the central position.
When Hedy was first hired at the Florence Academy as a lecturer and advisor, it was partly due to the ruler Lorenzo's guidanceand sponsorship, and partly because the student body had enough curiosity and respect for her.
Now, as time passed, the university had expanded to include ‘engineering’ and ‘natural sciences,’ conducting more targeted research and studies.
“So... do you plan to set a threshold for them, or build a bridge?” Leonardo paused, observing her expression as he spoke. “I feel like you’ve always been very supportive of the technical fields. Does this have something to do with the future?”
Hedy was about to respond when the familiar wave of nausea surged up from her stomach again. She had to cover her mouth and find the nearby small bucket.
The sound of her vomiting made the man change his expression. He quickly rose to help her, letting the quill roll off the table and onto the carpet.
“Hedy—are you poisoned? Should I take you to rest? Do you need smelling salts? Or some water?”
Hedy held onto the table, throwing up for a while, her face looking a bit disheveled. “Bring me a glass of water.”
“Could it be that someone from the Borgia family slipped in again?” Leonardo's face became quite alert. “I’ll go check the palace staff right away. In the meantime, I’ll have Dechio stay with you.”
“Don’t you... understand what this means?” she said with difficulty, covering her mouth.
“What... does it mean?” The man looked at her with a confused expression.
——
Hedy took a deep breath for a few seconds, realizing that some things were indeed troublesome.
If this were the modern era, from prenatal checkups to delivery checkups, she could leave everything to the doctor.
She could comfortably sit in a car to the hospital, and duringchildbirth, she would only need to listen to the midwife's instructions.
Her period had been delayed for seventy days, and some things were becoming clear.
Unless she had some other illness outside of what she already knew, there was only one possibility—she was pregnant.
“Leonardo, sit down,” she said calmly. “I need to tell you something.”
“Is it about the Jewish matter?” He still held her hand, his expression anxious and uneasy. “You’ve already told me about that last time, right now, your health is what’s most important.”
“No… Leonardo,” she shifted into a more relaxed position and took a sip of water. “I might be pregnant.”
The man's expression blanked for a few seconds.
He stood up, then immediately sat down again, trying to say something, but then stood up again, and sat down forcefully.
“I said might,” Hedy allowed him to hold her hand, her tone somewhat helpless. “Under the current circumstances, I can’t make a definite conclusion until my belly gets bigger.”
