It is a romanticized retelling of the true story of Chica da Silva, an 18th-century African slave in the state of Minas Gerais, who attracts the attention of João Fernandes de Oliveira, a Portuguese sent by Lisbon with the Crown's exclusive contract for mining diamonds, and eventually becomes his lover, rises into power and into the Brazilian high society of the time. Moreover, João quickly lets the intendant and other authorities know that he can be bribed, and gets onto their corruption scheme.
This is a fictionalized narrative based on the real-life story of Chica da Silva, an African slave from 18th century Minas Gerais, who becomes romantically involved with João Fernandes de Oliveira, a Portuguese envoy sent by Lisbon to mine diamonds for the Crown.  She rises in status and into Brazilian high society while João exploits his connections to engage in corruption with the authorities.