Chapter 1: The Magic Jade
Capítulo 1: O Jade Mágico
Long ago, in the great city of Jinling, there lived a wealthy family called the Jia. Their mansion was one of the largest in the city, with many courtyards, gardens, and rooms. The Jia family had served the emperor for generations and enjoyed great honor and wealth.
Há muito tempo, na grande cidade de Jinling, vivia uma família rica chamada Jia. Sua residência era uma das maiores da cidade, com muitos pátios, jardins e quartos. A família Jia servia ao imperador há gerações e desfrutava de grande honra e riqueza.
In this family, a boy was born with a strange stone in his mouth. The stone was smooth and warm, with words written on it in ancient characters. The family called it the "Magic Jade," and they believed it was a gift from heaven. The boy's name was Jia Baoyu, and he was loved by everyone in the house.
Nesta família, um menino nasceu com uma pedra estranha na boca. A pedra era suave e quente, com caracteres antigos gravados nela. A família a chamou de "jade mágico" e acreditou que era um presente do céu. O menino se chamava Jia Baoyu e era amado por todos na casa.
Baoyu grew up as a gentle and sensitive child. Unlike other boys his age, he had no interest in studying for the government exams. He preferred to spend his time with the girls in the household, reading poetry and enjoying the beauty of the garden. His father was often angry with him, but his grandmother always protected him.
Baoyu cresceu como uma criança gentil e sensível. Diferente de outros meninos de sua idade, ele não tinha interesse nos exames do governo. Ele preferia passar seu tempo com as meninas da casa, lendo poemas e apreciando a beleza do jardim. Seu pai frequentemente ficava bravo com ele, mas sua avó sempre o protegia.
The old lady, known as Grandmother Jia, was the head of the family. She had many grandchildren, but Baoyu was her favorite. She gave him a beautiful room in her own courtyard and let him do as he pleased. "He is different from other children," she would say. "We must let him grow in his own way."
A senhora idosa, conhecida como Vovó Jia, era a chefe da família. Ela tinha muitos netos, mas Baoyu era seu favorito. Ela lhe deu um belo quarto em seu próprio pátio e o deixou fazer o que quisesse. "Ele é diferente das outras crianças", dizia ela. "Devemos deixá-lo crescer do seu jeito."
But the Magic Jade was more than just a strange object. It held a deep secret about Baoyu's past life and his future destiny. Few people in the mansion knew the truth, but the stone would guide Baoyu through joy and sorrow, love and loss, in the years to come.
Mas o jade mágico era mais do que um simples objeto estranho. Guardava um segredo profundo sobre a vida passada de Baoyu e seu destino futuro. Poucas pessoas na residência conheciam a verdade, mas a pedra guiaria Baoyu através da alegria e da dor, do amor e da perda nos anos vindouros.