In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

Chapter 170 Lorenzo's Request

In April 1467, one afternoon, Anno received an invitation.

The servant who delivered the message said that it was an invitation from Lorenzo de' Medici, the de facto ruler of the city-state of Florence, inviting Lawrence Anno Falgao to his court for a banquet.

Anno naturally arrived as promised.

Lorenzo's palace was quite large, and we arrived at the main hall with the help of a palace servant.

But then they spotted a few familiar figures.

The main hall has two floors, both used for hosting gatherings.

The first thing Anno saw when he entered the hall was his teacher, Verrocchio, standing by the escalator on the second floor, chatting with a mature man.

He took a glass of wine from a court attendant and went up the stairs.

“Professor Verrocchio,” Anno greeted.

"Oh, look who's here." Verrocchio was clearly quite pleased and put his arm around Anno. "Mr. Lorenzo, let me introduce you. This is my most prized disciple, without a doubt, Lawrence Anno Falgao."

Anno looked at the serious-looking man opposite him with surprise, never expecting that this was the actual supreme ruler of Florence.

Lorenzo extended a hand: "I've heard of you before, the artist who pioneered a new art movement, Lawrence. I am Lorenzo de' Medici."

"Nice to meet you." Anno grabbed Lorenzo's hand and shook it vigorously. Although they had never met before, this man had genuinely helped Anno a lot.

Anno's most profitable order was a piece of jewelry ordered by Lorenzo. Moreover, although the "Hell Tour" art exhibition before Anno officially became famous was held by a Catholic church, Lorenzo was actually backing him up.

So Anno is still very grateful to Lorenzo.

A man who was slightly younger than Lorenzo walked over and said, "Brother, aren't you going to introduce me?"

“Ah, you’ve come, my brother.” He pulled his brother over. “This is my brother, Giuliano de’ Medici.”

The handsome and younger Giuliano raised his glass to Anno and Verrocchio from afar, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Hello, I am Lawrence Anno Falgao."

The two shook hands.

Giuliano's gaze did not linger on Anno, but instead targeted a noblewoman not far behind Anno. He casually released Anno's hand, saying, "Brother, you two, I'll go over for a moment."

Anno calmly stepped aside: "Please go ahead."

Watching Giuliano leave in high spirits, Verrocchio and Lorenzo couldn't help but smile and shake their heads.

Lorenzo called out, "Lawrence, could you come over here for a second?"

“Of course.” Anno followed Lorenzo over, while Verrocchio went downstairs to get some dessert from the table.

The two went to a private room, where Lorenzo sat on the sofa and sank deep into its soft fabric.

“Please sit down, Lawrence,” Lorenzo said. “I’d like you to paint a picture for me, and, while you’re at it, sculpt a bronze line.”

Anno sat on the sofa: "Similar to the teacher's 'David'?"

Lorenzo shook his head: "No, I am not a great man like David. There is no need to sculpt such an exquisite and magnificent statue for me. A bust will suffice."

Anno smiled and nodded: "No problem."

“Well then, it’s a pleasure to work with you.” Lorenzo raised his glass.

Anno held his glass slightly lower than Lorenzo's: "It's a pleasure working with you."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

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Chapter 171 Harley's Visit

The banquets of the nobility and high-ranking officials always lasted a long time. After Anno and Lorenzo finished their business, they left the room and went to find their own friends.

After chatting and laughing with other upper-class people, some he knew and some he didn't, Anno spotted another familiar face: his senior, Botticelli.

Botticelli's skill level is considered above average in Verrocchio's studio, and his fame is second only to the renowned Anno. As for Grandayo and Perugino, their skill levels are comparable, closely following Botticelli. Credi, on the other hand, is of mediocre talent and can only take on jobs from minor nobles and commoners.

As for Leonardo da Vinci, whose talent is no less than that of Anor, he is still studying and has chosen to focus on oil painting and sketching.

After chatting with his familiar senior, Botticelli, for a while, Anno learned that being invited by Lorenzo to his party was basically a recognition of his status.

As Anno parted ways with Botticelli, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a wine-red color.

It seems to be... someone I know?

Anno thought back and realized that among the people she knew, there did indeed be one with burgundy hair.

He followed, wanting to see if it was really the person he knew.

But in the end, that fleeting glimpse of wine-red color disappeared from Anno's sight.

Anno sighed, gave up the search, and turned to leave.

On the second-floor terrace, a woman with long, wine-red hair gazed up at the completely dark night sky, lost in thought.

............

The next day, Anno got up very early. He had to go to Lorenzo's court to first paint the portrait and then design the bronze statue.

But just as Anno opened the studio door, wanting to vent her anger, she felt something bump into her.

He hurriedly let go.

Ok?

A pair of eyes, like moonlight in the deep sky, met Anno's eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, miss." Anno quickly took two steps back and bowed very naturally in apology.

"It's alright." The woman patted the hem of her skirt, very politely, with a proper smile.

Anno breathed a sigh of relief, straightened up, and finally saw the woman's full appearance.

Her cascading, wine-red waves, like a waterfall, were not tied up, but rather flowed loosely behind her.

She was dressed in a well-fitting formal dress, predominantly white, in a light color scheme, and paired with leather boots.

With a gentle and polite smile on her face, her most striking feature was her eyes, which were like the starry sky and as beautiful as the bright moon.

Harley Bahargul Orvis.

Anno remembered the woman's name, the name of the woman who had helped him so much.

“You are… Miss Harley?” Anno asked tentatively.

Harley nodded. "Hello, Mr. Lawrence. I didn't expect you to remember my name."

“Your hair color is so rare, it’s bound to leave a stronger impression,” Anno said with an awkward yet polite smile. “Miss Harley, what brings you to our studio?”

Harley didn't answer, but just glanced into the room: "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Anno chuckled, "It was my rudeness, please come in." With that, he made way for Harley.

After Harley went inside, he went to the gate of the courtyard and found his coachman: "Please inform Mr. Lorenzo that I will be there shortly."

“Yes, Mr. Lawrence.” The coachman respectfully withdrew.

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Chapter 172 Thoughts on Learning Tailoring

The two sat on the sofa in the studio, with Leonardo da Vinci occasionally turning his head to steal a glance.

Anno explained, "That's an apprentice in our studio, and also a friend of mine."

Harley nodded, ignoring Da Vinci, and simply stated her purpose: "Dear Mr. Lawrence, I have come to order some things from you."

“I see.” Anno always wore a quiet, polite smile. “Could you tell me your needs? If necessary, we can talk in the office. There will be servants present.”

Harley chuckled: "No need, it's just a very ordinary need."

"I want a piece of jewelry. I will provide the raw materials myself, and also... clothes that can match the jewelry."

"Clothes?" Anno frowned. "Clothes..."

He had no tailoring experience and was about to refuse when Harley spoke up again.

“I only need your design proposal. I will pay the price of a regular piece of jewelry, is that alright?” Harley’s eyes were incredibly deep as she stared intently at Anno.

Anno smiled helplessly: "You have the right to make two major revisions and five minor revisions."

Upon hearing this, Harley narrowed her eyes; her wine-red hair was so smooth it reflected the sunlight.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Harley stood up and extended a hand to Anno.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Anno extended a hand and grasped Harley’s small hand.

Their hands parted the moment they touched.

Harley bowed slightly, her manners impeccable: "Then, my servant will bring over the raw materials for making the jewelry later."

"Is tomorrow alright? I have some business to attend to at Mr. Lorenzo's court today."

“Okay.” Harley walked outside. “So, what about the contractual agreement for the order?”

"Have the servant register with the association," Anno waved his hand. "Then, have a safe journey."

Harley gracefully boarded the carriage and drove away.

Anno shrugged indifferently, found his carriage, and headed towards Lorenzo's palace.

As noon approached, Anno finally arrived at Lorenzo's palace.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Lorenzo."

“Hmm, it’s alright.” Lorenzo looked up from the pile of documents. “I was a bit busy this morning too. Please have a seat, and remember to attend the luncheon later.”

"Okay, sir."

Lorenzo was a pragmatic lord who was very busy with his work. He not only had to handle government affairs, but also had to deal with the Catholic Church. He also loved collecting various ancient books and paintings, and he attached great importance to historical documents.

Anno waited for Lorenzo to finish his work before joining him for lunch.

Lorenzo had many brothers, but only Giuliano served as his advisor.

Of course, Giuliano doesn't usually stay at the palace.

Anno spent an afternoon painting a realistic, perfect oil portrait of Lorenzo.