immortal person

When Lorenzo was once again overwhelmed by government affairs, Giovanni retired to his garret.In the evening, when Pitty finally slipped back to the house and was surprised to find that the teacher had returned to the city early, he sat back in the workshop with a smile on his face, watching Giovanni's reaction anxiously, while his tutor just nodded, as usual Give him some odd jobs, without being harsh, or even asking him what he did during this period of ignorance.His reaction made the young man shiver: Did the teacher treat him as a piece of wood that could not be cut through, and he was unwilling to put in any more effort?So he apologized repeatedly to Giovanni, laid his hands on his chest, and swore to the Lord that he would reform himself, until his teacher smiled and assured him that he didn't care, and only wanted him to be quiet.So Pitty kept her mouth shut obediently, and graciously put the chisels, pliers, drill bits and abrasives that Giovanni had brought back to their usual places.Giovanni thanked him, and then returned to the work at hand, without speaking a word all night; but Pitty was used to it.His all-night, torch-like focus and energy have always amazed teenagers.

This kind of tireless work lasted for half a month, until Pitty brought him the news that had been circulating among alcoholics recently.Pitty is a not-so-smart apprentice, but an astute spy. With the vividness of a street theater actor, he performed a scene in the city hall not long ago, about how the old enemy reappeared beside the Duke, and behind him was clearly There are more dangerous people manipulating - the feud between Medici and Pazzi is almost on the table.Pitty finished with dancing, and saw, as expected, Giovanni frown; this was his newly discovered law, and curiosity, the disposition condemned by Aquinas as the fifth sin of mortals, was found in Giovanni. It was rare for him to appear, except when he talked about the Duke's recent situation.It's just that now he has taken this as proof of the deep friendship between Mr. Buonarrotti and His Royal Highness.And Giovanni no longer looked at him.

When the snow above melts, the snow below is often unaware that a crisis has arrived.Whether it was Pitty or other citizens, this was at most regarded as an anecdote of drunken leisure.The possibility of the duke's defeat hardly ever occurred to the people of the city—especially the youngest ones.But he felt faintly uneasy.

Like a hibernating snake about to wake up from hibernation.He pondered silently.He has been working hard on Perseus for the past few days, and even though Lorenzo never set a delivery date for the sculpture, as a well-reputed and experienced artist, he has his own plans .This October is the anniversary of John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, one of the most important public celebrations in Florence. As an important public building in the city, if his sculpture can be unveiled on this day, it will undoubtedly form the climax of the celebration.He was still thinking about whether to polish it and how to polish it. He thought that this was the best way he could relieve Lorenzo's worries.

however……

As if inspired, he looked out the window.Facing their attic, Lorenzo's window was still closed, but there was a pot of violets in full bloom on the window sill at some point.The wind slowly swept over its branches, leaves and petals, and it trembled slightly, like the eyelashes of a sympathizer.

In a myth they both read, it symbolizes "come to me".

By the bed stood two glasses containing a half-quart of wine.A tall and thin candlestick stood beside the bed, and the night wind blew by, and the candle flame trembled and swayed, and would not go out.A petal falls slowly from a rose branch in a vase.Outside the window, the heavy rain fell rapidly, hitting the stone window sill like a hammer and a chisel.The sound of thunder chased from afar, and scattered in the rain curtain with a "boom".Behind the crimson bed curtain, quietly hides the world ruled by Eros.

Lorenzo knelt on the mattress, bent slowly, and stuck out his tongue.Giovanni's hands were in his soft blond hair, and they clenched suddenly.He murmured Lorenzo's name, and Lorenzo gave him a look with a smile.His licking is careful, tame as a lamb at Christ's feet.Giovanni tensed his body like a bow, his arms and slightly bent legs trembled slightly.It didn't matter that Lorenzo's movements were clumsy; the very fact of what was happening was a comfort he had never dreamed of.He cupped Lorenzo's face and kissed him on the lips. After a long kiss, Lorenzo opened his wet blue eyes like sapphires in water.

The rain is still falling, and the wind is playing the treetops, making a sound.After they were satisfied, Giovanni pulled the brocade quilt over the two of them, and Lorenzo leaned against his neck. It was clearly a rainy night, but he seemed to be in the sunshine outdoors, leaning against the warm trunk of an oak tree.He closed his eyes and listened, feeling that the rapidly beating heart in his chest gradually calmed down, and warmth grew from it.

Giovanni stared at him.He knocked on Lorenzo's door before three strokes, and the duke, seated at the window filled with dusk, looked up at him.Tiredness was obviously accumulated on Lorenzo's face, but the moment he saw Giovanni, his blue eyes lit up immediately, as if dust was blown away in an instant.Giovanni walked over, Lorenzo smiled and put his arms around his waist.This action lasted for a long time, and no one spoke.At the reading table they shared a simple supper, Lorenzo pouring wine for them and Giovanni taking a shallow sip.I can't remember who started it first, they kissed quickly, and Lorenzo grabbed the back of his neck and pushed him down on the bed.At that moment, he didn't remember the reason for coming, and he never had the chance to ask again.Lorenzo's smile almost never faded when he was in his presence, and he knew it was a real smile.Why let trifles disturb his good mood?

Until now, Giovanni did not know whether to break the silence.Suddenly, Lorenzo opened his eyes and looked into those gray eyes full of thoughts.His young lover looked down at him, looking worried, deep, and tender.

He laughed, shook his head, and broke through the hesitation.So Giovanni just took his hand. "Do you want me to stay?" he asked.

"Of course I want you to be by my side anytime, anywhere," Lorenzo looked at him tenderly, "but that has nothing to do with everything that has happened and will happen in the future, just because I want you. You don't have to think too much."

Their eyes met.Giovanni was silent for a moment, and finally just kissed Lorenzo's blue eyes, no longer thinking about the reason why the Duke could not sleep these days.His insecurity, his trust, his commitment melted into this kiss, and he knew Lorenzo could feel it.There have been no similar conversations between them since.There is no need to mention any worries in the world they built.Only look for.turn up.crave.explore.never satisfied.As it should be.

The status quo is disturbing, but far from desperate.They and their enemies are very clear that the status of the Medici family cannot be shaken in a short period of time.In a year, the taxes paid by the Medici family accounted for one-sixth of the total city-state, more than four times that of other families. As long as this advantage still exists, no one can lift Lorenzo from the invisible throne. Drag it down.The next day was the Sabbath, and Lorenzo rarely maintained the habit of getting up early. When Giovanni got up, he was still sleeping in the quilt, and his expression was rarely relaxed.In the early morning, the steward and Giuliano had already gathered in the hall on the first floor. They did not express any surprise to Giovanni's arrival, and nodded and smiled as usual.Giovanni approached them, surrounded by a large oil painting, the servants were carefully wrapping it in flannelette, and the coachman was waiting outside the door.

Seven people with different appearances and costumes sit side by side in the painting, but their expressions are harmonious and unified.With a quick glance, Giovanni recognized the decorations that symbolized the identities of the characters—even if they weren't really human.The three women on the left symbolize "faith, hope, and love", which are the three virtues summarized by the apostle Paul in "[-] Corinthians"; the three men on the right come from pagan traditions. They are named "Four Hubs", which are courage, righteousness, integrity and wisdom.The seven people sat together like old friends in the background similar to the layout of the city hall, forming an allegory about the "unity government".

"A gift for the Rua," Giuliano explained to him.

The painting was quite new, apparently recently ordered, perhaps when Lorenzo first had the idea of ​​reforming it.It's just that the Duke, who was still hopeful at the time, might not have imagined the current situation-the next day, the newly formed members will officially join the ruling group.And can the discipline of virtue tame the viper?

He and Giuliano looked at each other, neither of them spoke.All those present knew: whatever later chroniclers would call it, even if it was destined to be full of chaos, division, and intrigue—a new period was about to begin.